tfy | Open Post

Yes, gifts! ♪ I said I'd brought some earlier, and I said I'd bring one last time, so I did!

[He's a man of his word. Plus it also seemed fair to bring something for Elan to make up for the potential inconvenience brought on by his surprise visit. Also, well...

He likes him! And he definitely enjoys buying the people he likes some gifts. It's something he's more than able to afford, what with all the money he has. So, he sets down his fork, shifts in his seat, and reaches behind himself for the bag he brought. That gets set on the table and then he withdraws a small, rectangular red box, passing it over to Elan.]

This one seemed like just the perfect gift for you ♪

[For reasons he'd be all too happy to explain. But first, he'll wait to see Elan's reaction when he pops the lid off!]

Huh...?

[ Elan takes the small box curiously, not quite sure what to make of it. He turns it around for a moment and then sets it down and carefully pops the lid off of it - and stares for a long moment. Then he finally laughs as he puts two and two together. ]

You really like talking about my hair, don't you?

[His grin spreads wider as Elan catches on.]

Yep, you got it! ♪ The duck tail reminded me of you! At first the idea was just to get you some fancy chopsticks, so you could feel classy even while you ate cup ramen. But I thought something like gold chopsticks might be overkill, so I was looking for something sophisticated but not quite that fancy.

[Elan can take a moment to process the fact that gold chopsticks were ever in the realm of possibility.]

So then I found some in a department store with a "landscape painting" sort of design. I thought to myself, "These seem perfect, since Elan-kun loves looking at landscapes!" So I was going to get you a regular pair with a landscape view, but then I saw these ones that had a landscape and a holder that looked like a duck! And I knew right away that I had to get those ones.

[ Elan listens to the explanation with an expression of amusement. It's very funny to listen to all of that. He's even more surprised to find himself rather endeared. Then again, he shouldn't be that surprised by himself when it comes to Hiyori at this point, should he? ]

You're lucky I appreciate your sense of humor.

[ His response is dry, but fond. ]

I'll hold onto these for special occasions. My first real fancy set of utensils!

Fufufu ♪

["Who wouldn't appreciate my sense of humor?" ... is what he'd say if he possessed zero self-awareness. He knows plenty of people wouldn't like it. That's why he doesn't spend too much time teasing and clowning around during interviews. But he is glad Elan likes the humor and the utensils.]

Glad you like them! Even us nobles don't eat from gold-plated chopsticks and fine silver all the time, so I'd say we're pretty well-matched now. Then I guess there's one other thing...

[He reaches into his bag again and draws out the second and final housewarming gift. It's another box, this one bigger, but similarly thin. As he passes it over to Elan, he remarks:]

Let's see if you can guess what's inside this one.

[The packaging doesn't offer any clues. But it has the same weight and feel as a box containing two picture frames.

Because it is, in fact, a box containing two picture frames.]

You're really spoiling me, aren't you?

[ He sounds more amused than anything else. He gives him a nod and regards him curiously as he reaches into his bag and then - oh. Hmm. What's this? He takes the new box and turns it over in his hands, weighing it as if he's trying to make sure he understands what's going on with this thing. ]

Huh.

[ He purses his lips. Unfortunately, he is not too experienced with picture frame weights. So it could be anything as far as he's concerned. ]

Some kind of decoration?

Yep, and you can thank me all you want for it ♪

[Modest.

He waits for Elan's guess. Which turns out not to be wrong, but also isn't very precise. Hiyori rests a hand under his chin and replies back:]

You could say that! I'll give you one more hint: it's related to one of Elan-kun's hobbies.

...well, they've got to be photos of something, then.

[ He knows his hobbies and he doesn't have a lot of them. ]

Shall I go ahead and open it up?

Close!

[But not quite right. He figures he's kept Elan in suspense for long enough, though.]

Go right ahead.

[When he opens the box he'll find two frames inside. Two frames containing pressed flowers. While he's looking over the gift, Hiyori explains:]

These I found at a local crafts store. I happen to like flowers, so they caught my eye as something I'd like, but I also thought of you and your hobbies. I wasn't sure if you'd been putting your photos on display in your apartment, or if the walls were completely bare, but either way these seemed like they'd encourage you to show off your work and add a touch of beauty to the place.

[Any more gifts like this, and he'll probably qualify as a sugar daddy.]

[ Oh. Elan blinks as he examines the frames and then he laughs quietly. ]

...that's sweet.

[ He means "sweet", too. ]

I'll find something to put in them. And here I don't have anything for you. I feel a little out done.

[Elan's reaction pleases him. The look in his eyes is soft and affectionate.]

Ah, but you did have something. You got me this fried rice!

[Here he picks up his utensil again, so he can wave around a forkful. Then, after popping that into his mouth:]

... Don't worry about it. This was an unexpected visit. I got you those things because I wanted to. You can consider them a "congratulations" gift for settling down and obtaining normalcy. Or maybe a "coming of age" gift, though I'm not really sure how old you are.

Old enough.

[ He shrugs. ]

Housewarming it is. Or apartment-warming in this case. Maybe it'll make this place feel a little more lived in.

[ He laughs and takes another bite of his food. ]

I didn't exactly have anything planned. Do you want to do anything today? Or are you alright with being a shut-in?

Elan-kun prefers to keep an air of mystery, huh?

[Maybe it's all those years living as an undercover body double. In any case, he takes another bite as well.]

I'm fine with whatever you want. Half an hour isn't really enough time to plan out a fun-filled itinerary, especially when you've got to cook, so I wasn't expecting that. But if you want to show me around your favorite local spots, then feel free. If not, we could always watch a movie together. Or some of my performance videos. Or, we could sing again! ♪

Hm.

[ He seems to consider that for a moment. ]

There might be a place or two... although part of me just wants to stay in...

[ He's mulling this over, not quite coming to a conclusion just yet. ]

Singing would probably not make the neighbors happy, unfortunately. No matter how good it is.

So we can't be too loud together, huh? That's a shame.

[He muses aloud innocently, chewing another bite of his meal after.

Though his phrasing might have sounded a little less than innocent.]

[ Ha. Elan's eyes spark with a sense of amusement. ]

Oh, probably not. But I'm sure we can find a way to avoid disturbing the neighbors.

[ Also totally innocent. ]

I don't think we need to gag anyone just yet.

That's a relief. Elan-kun doesn't seem like he'd have that kind of hobby.

[Okay, so maybe he's given up on the innocent act.]

Plus you had such a lovely voice last time. It'd be a shame if I couldn't hear it properly. I'd rather have you sing for me!

[Automatically assuming Elan's the one who'd be gagged??]

I don't think I'd want to be gagged either, unless someone asked very nicely.

[ He laughs, taking it all in stride. ]

Unfortunately no singing. I don't even have a karaoke machine.

Then I guess I should've bought you that! I don't like to carry heavy equipment myself though, so I would've had to enlist Jun-kun to carry it.

[It's unclear whether or not he's kidding. But as for what they can do right now...]

Anyway, even if we're not singing, that still leaves other options. We could watch something—like my videos, or that travel program I mentioned! ♪ Or we could change our minds and go somewhere. Or we could play a game, if you have any of those around. Or I could tell Elan-kun all about my adventures while you listen.

[He twirls his empty fork in the air as he goes down the list of ideas.]

[ Elan laughs and puts his chin in his hands. ]

Travel program sounds like a good start. We'll have to see how it goes, I think. If we get bored of that we can find something else to do, right? It's not like we're locked into something.

That's very true. Alright, travel program it is, then!

[He'll finish his rice and drain the rest of his tea. After getting up from the table:]

I bet Elan-kun's excited to see my lovely face on the big screen ♪

[And then, once they've put their dishes away:]

You don't happen to have a laptop that can hook up to the TV, do you?

It'll be nice to have a version of you I can mute if I want to.

[ He's teasing. Probably.

But as they're putting the dishes away: ]

Of course. It basically comes standard these days. Give me a second to get that set up...

[ The laptop comes out and he spends a moment or two futzing with some wires... but it'll be set up in no time! ]

[He makes a face at that.]

Rude!

[But it's a playful sort of pout.

After putting away their dishes, he flops down on the couch. Does it cost a fraction of the couches he grew up sitting on in his household? Undoubtedly, but it's comfortable enough. He's adaptable!]

Great! The program is called 'On the Road with Eve!' A name that's simple, but effective ♪ You can find the whole thing streaming on [insert Youtube knockoff here]. Jun-kun's in most of the episodes with me, so you'll be able to see him, too!

[Once Elan searches the name of the program, he'll be able to see a variety of episode names and thumbnails. Most of which show him and Jun doing some activity or another: making pottery, pounding mochi, greeting animals, even farming and fishing. Each episode takes place in a different location, with a focus on lesser-known cities and rural areas.]

Mmmhm. I gotcha.

[ He's already navigating through the menus and looking for it. It isn't that hard to find, honestly. The name is unique enough. He pauses as he pulls up the episode list, then glances over his shoulder at his lounging companion. ]

Do you have a favorite episode? Or should I just pick one at random?

It's hard to choose just one favorite, but let's see here...

[He leans forward to look at the screen and see which offerings popped up first. And, upon seeing one particular thumbnail, he chirps out:]

Ah, now that's a good one. For that one, we traveled to a small town famous for its kabocha. But not enough people were moving there, so the town was trying to advertise itself using their mascot, Lord Gourdsworth! ♪ Jun-kun and I got to wear the mascot costume, which is an adorable round squash wearing a crown and royal robes. Then, when we unzipped the costume, everyone's eyes boggled! They were shocked to see two handsome idols had been inside all along. We also did some farming, and of course we got to eat the squash in the end.

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sorry for the delay