[At Baizhu's pointed look, the Rinne bird humorously squawks. "Awww, you don't wanna hear what I have to say, Doc? I'm real hurt!"
Or at least that's what he might be saying. Hiyori can't know for sure without a translator, hence the whole silly discussion! He does nod in response to Baizhu's words—]
True! Sometimes you're better off not knowing.
[—but then he addresses Changsheng again.]
But it sounds as though you do have a price. So if that's the case, you might as well name it. If it's "feeding you live mice as a treat," I'd prefer not to pay that, but if it's something like "giving a private concert" or "sharing the latest gossip," I'd be happy to oblige~♪
Live mice? Blegh! Is that the sort of thing popular among youngsters these days? Hmm, there’s really no accounting for taste, is there?
[ All spoken in a jovial tone as she senses another opportunity to tease, but Hiyori needn’t have worried, since she’s not a terribly good snake even by snake standards. ]
In that case, why not both? First a concert, then gossip! ♪ Or maybe first gossip, then the concert? Let's see here...
[He taps his chin with a gloved hand as he thinks. He hasn't exactly been very in-tune with all the goings-on at the resort recently, especially since Jun disappeared. Some of his gossip may be dated.]
I do know two people who went from being low-ranks all the way to "King" status recently. But that's not very exciting, so I'll share some love gossip! First, there's this girl named Rin Tohsaka who's dating a cat! Second, there was someone I thought was dating her boss, but he turned out to be dating someone with dog ears. That's fine by me I suppose, since he didn't sound good enough for her anyway. For Topaz-san, that is.
[Another pause, as he thinks of some more "love gossip."]
Then I have two friends who I think might like each other, but I don't know that for sure. I don't suppose I'll ever confirm it, but I hope everything works out for them. Then I met this man named Matoba-san who's desperately in love with his roommate, apparently. His roommate tasked me with figuring out what's in his heart, but I'm afraid I have to forfeit that mission. Still, I wish them the best, too! And I wish you and Baizhu-san good luck with your loves and your lives~♪
[The last line is said teasingly. Maybe with any luck they'll focus on that, and not on why he has to forfeit or why he'll never confirm if his friends like each other or not.]
[ Both man and snake stare back at him as he lays all this out, Changsheng uncomprehending but happy to be there, while Baizhu’s ears prick up at the romantic foibles of certain acquaintances of his.
Of course, he knows better than to take idle gossip seriously, but still… ]
Heheh, who knew the young master had so many friends! Why don’t you have any interesting gossip for us, hmm?
I’m afraid patient confidentiality is still paramount, Changsheng, but I’m sure the young master will forgive me for that.
[ Even if not all of his friends are patients. But that’s not the point here! He can’t help but notice that Hiyori’s trying to zero in on his love life (or lack thereof, more like), and that manages to take his mind off of the more alarming parts of Hiyori’s words for now. ]
I appreciate the very…thorough report, Hiyori. I only wish I had something equally as interesting to say.
[Actually, not everyone he mentioned was a friend, and some of them he very much does not get along with... but since he's nearing the end of his time at the resort now, he's willing to let bygones and be bygones and wish them all the best with their love lives!!]
Don't worry about it. [First he addresses Baizhu.] There's nothing wrong with keeping things private. If you want to keep your love life a secret, that's perfectly fine. Not that I mind hearing about other topics, too, of course.
[From his perch, Hiro gives a squawk. Perhaps he's saying "Oi, c'mon Doc, spill the beans." Hiyori throws him a smile—he really will miss that little rascal—before dropping his gaze to Baizhu's shoulders and addressing Changsheng.]
If you like love topics, maybe you can carry out my mission. Finding out what's in Matoba-san's heart! He's about this tall, he's an exorcist, he has dark hair, and his room was on the bottom floor last time I checked. But the person you'll be reporting to is Rokurou-kun, the man he mooches off of! ♪
[He winks.]
Or I could tell you my own love story, but mine's rather uneventful compared to some people's.
Edited (sorry, my thumb slipped) 2026-02-13 12:30 (UTC)
[ He can’t help looking startled when Rokurou is mentioned, because he does guiltily harbor feelings about that man, and judging from Changsheng’s knowing look…
But then Baizhu shakes his head with a laugh, trying to play it off like it’s nothing, especially since Hiyori’s brought up something even more important.
“And that's why I need someone to promise they'll look after him. No matter what happens, I don't want him to do the same thing that other "me" did. I don't want him sacrificing himself.” ]
Oh, I’m not so sure about that. You’re quite the lively young man, after all, and I’m sure Jun appreciates that about you.
[Hm. He caught that look. Baizhu must know Rokurou, but not know he's Matoba's roommate! (Unless they've moved on from each other...? It has been a bit since Hiyori last spoke to Matoba.) Thankfully he won't pry or ask about any potential love triangle.
No, they're on the subject of his love life. Hiyori smiles warmly and agrees,]
True, he loves me lots and lots! ♪
["Loves," in present tense. Even though Jun's gone from the resort, Hiyori doesn't see him as dead. Their souls go back when they become statues: that's what he and Bakugo figured out (or so he thinks). And even when they're both home, and they've forgotten this place entirely or else only remember it as a vague dream, Hiyori is sure they'll still be drawn together. After all...
For him, it was love at first sight.]
So I guess I'll tell that story after all. It all started a few years ago. I was looking to wash my hands of some stuff, and I wanted a fresh start, so I was touring a school I thought I might transfer to. The place looked dreadful, to be honest. They were supposed to be training to be idols, but no one's eyes had any life in them. Until I saw a boy practicing through a window.
The whole school was divided into "special students" and "non-special students." I could tell from his clothes that he wasn't in the special class, so his chance of making it as an idol was absolutely dismal. But there he was, singing his heart out anyway. I thought it was beautiful, so I decided I'd live my life like that boy—and after joining the school after all, I made him my partner.
[He pauses, his gaze far-off and fond, before he clarifies:]
My stage partner, that is. Idols are supposed to be chaste, so we didn't have "that" sort of partnership. It was getting swept off to this place that gave us that push we needed there. I used to resent that. I kept thinking, "I don't want to give this horrible place any credit for my love life." But by now, I've accepted it, just as I accept all the wonderful friends I've made here.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Or at least that's what he might be saying. Hiyori can't know for sure without a translator, hence the whole silly discussion! He does nod in response to Baizhu's words—]
True! Sometimes you're better off not knowing.
[—but then he addresses Changsheng again.]
But it sounds as though you do have a price. So if that's the case, you might as well name it. If it's "feeding you live mice as a treat," I'd prefer not to pay that, but if it's something like "giving a private concert" or "sharing the latest gossip," I'd be happy to oblige~♪
no subject
[ All spoken in a jovial tone as she senses another opportunity to tease, but Hiyori needn’t have worried, since she’s not a terribly good snake even by snake standards. ]
I’m sure we’d both be satisfied with a concert—
But, of course, we won’t object to any gossip!
no subject
[He taps his chin with a gloved hand as he thinks. He hasn't exactly been very in-tune with all the goings-on at the resort recently, especially since Jun disappeared. Some of his gossip may be dated.]
I do know two people who went from being low-ranks all the way to "King" status recently. But that's not very exciting, so I'll share some love gossip! First, there's this girl named Rin Tohsaka who's dating a cat! Second, there was someone I thought was dating her boss, but he turned out to be dating someone with dog ears. That's fine by me I suppose, since he didn't sound good enough for her anyway. For Topaz-san, that is.
[Another pause, as he thinks of some more "love gossip."]
Then I have two friends who I think might like each other, but I don't know that for sure. I don't suppose I'll ever confirm it, but I hope everything works out for them. Then I met this man named Matoba-san who's desperately in love with his roommate, apparently. His roommate tasked me with figuring out what's in his heart, but I'm afraid I have to forfeit that mission. Still, I wish them the best, too! And I wish you and Baizhu-san good luck with your loves and your lives~♪
[The last line is said teasingly. Maybe with any luck they'll focus on that, and not on why he has to forfeit or why he'll never confirm if his friends like each other or not.]
no subject
Of course, he knows better than to take idle gossip seriously, but still… ]
Heheh, who knew the young master had so many friends! Why don’t you have any interesting gossip for us, hmm?
I’m afraid patient confidentiality is still paramount, Changsheng, but I’m sure the young master will forgive me for that.
[ Even if not all of his friends are patients. But that’s not the point here! He can’t help but notice that Hiyori’s trying to zero in on his love life (or lack thereof, more like), and that manages to take his mind off of the more alarming parts of Hiyori’s words for now. ]
I appreciate the very…thorough report, Hiyori. I only wish I had something equally as interesting to say.
no subject
Don't worry about it. [First he addresses Baizhu.] There's nothing wrong with keeping things private. If you want to keep your love life a secret, that's perfectly fine. Not that I mind hearing about other topics, too, of course.
[From his perch, Hiro gives a squawk. Perhaps he's saying "Oi, c'mon Doc, spill the beans." Hiyori throws him a smile—he really will miss that little rascal—before dropping his gaze to Baizhu's shoulders and addressing Changsheng.]
If you like love topics, maybe you can carry out my mission. Finding out what's in Matoba-san's heart! He's about this tall, he's an exorcist, he has dark hair, and his room was on the bottom floor last time I checked. But the person you'll be reporting to is Rokurou-kun, the man he mooches off of! ♪
[He winks.]
Or I could tell you my own love story, but mine's rather uneventful compared to some people's.
no subject
But then Baizhu shakes his head with a laugh, trying to play it off like it’s nothing, especially since Hiyori’s brought up something even more important.
“And that's why I need someone to promise they'll look after him. No matter what happens, I don't want him to do the same thing that other "me" did. I don't want him sacrificing himself.” ]
Oh, I’m not so sure about that. You’re quite the lively young man, after all, and I’m sure Jun appreciates that about you.
no subject
No, they're on the subject of his love life. Hiyori smiles warmly and agrees,]
True, he loves me lots and lots! ♪
["Loves," in present tense. Even though Jun's gone from the resort, Hiyori doesn't see him as dead. Their souls go back when they become statues: that's what he and Bakugo figured out (or so he thinks). And even when they're both home, and they've forgotten this place entirely or else only remember it as a vague dream, Hiyori is sure they'll still be drawn together. After all...
For him, it was love at first sight.]
So I guess I'll tell that story after all. It all started a few years ago. I was looking to wash my hands of some stuff, and I wanted a fresh start, so I was touring a school I thought I might transfer to. The place looked dreadful, to be honest. They were supposed to be training to be idols, but no one's eyes had any life in them. Until I saw a boy practicing through a window.
The whole school was divided into "special students" and "non-special students." I could tell from his clothes that he wasn't in the special class, so his chance of making it as an idol was absolutely dismal. But there he was, singing his heart out anyway. I thought it was beautiful, so I decided I'd live my life like that boy—and after joining the school after all, I made him my partner.
[He pauses, his gaze far-off and fond, before he clarifies:]
My stage partner, that is. Idols are supposed to be chaste, so we didn't have "that" sort of partnership. It was getting swept off to this place that gave us that push we needed there. I used to resent that. I kept thinking, "I don't want to give this horrible place any credit for my love life." But by now, I've accepted it, just as I accept all the wonderful friends I've made here.