[A day off in the middle of the week is a rarity for any Eden member, especially the unit's two popular seniors. But when it comes to time off from work, Hiyori's policy is to always make the most of it! And with Jun and Ibara at school, it only made sense to spend the day with Nagisa-kun.
So began their fun-filled afternoon. They went out for tea and cake together (cake is actually zero calories when Ibara's not there to count them!), they took a stroll together in the park, and they went shopping: Nagisa accompanied him to buy some items for Mary, and he accompanied Nagisa to a bookstore to buy some book that the ES library didn't have. Although they caught the eyes of some fans, no one disturbed them. All in all, it was a pleasant, peaceful outing.
Rather than go their separate ways after getting back to the dorm, Hiyori suggests Nagisa come up to his room. Rinne and Kanata are away on jobs, so they'll have the place to themselves, and Mary's been desperately wanting to see Nagisa! Perhaps they can watch that documentary Nagisa wanted to see. Nagisa smiles and accepts, they get in the elevator, they go up to the third floor, everything's great!
... so what's this uneasy feeling inside his chest? Or rather, why is his heart acting so strange? Is it just because this is their first time alone together after having "that" conversation?
Well, whatever it is, they're here. Hiyori walks Nagisa to the second room on the right and opens the door.]
Here we are ♪ Hmm, looks like Mary's asleep on the bed...
[A glance across the room tells him as much. He leaves his shoes before moving inside to set down the bag he's carrying. And then, well, it's time to turn around and address his guest. His guest who he's known for half his life, and whose company makes him feel warm and relaxed. Let's just ignore that heart issue and talk to him normally!]
[ after their fantastic, dream-like outing for the day, nagisa couldn't think of a better way to end it than to spend even more time with his childhood friend with no interruptions. if you asked him, he'd confidently say they were on a date, even though the topic of their relationship or anything remotely in the vicinity of it has not been touched upon ever since. oh, well. this is one of the few times nagisa has actually been to his room, and no sooner had his shoes been left behind, he hears hiyori mention mary, slowly turning to look at the bed and smiling. ]
...Mm. What a peaceful scene.
[ he takes a few steps towards the bed to take a better look at her, and also his current surroundings - a place filled with the lives of three vastly different people. ]
I thought we were watching the documentary, but if you'd like to watch something else, we could.
No, that's fine with me. Let's see, that one you wanted to see was about, er... undersea treasures, was it? Yep, we'll go with that ♪
[And here he's off to the TV. Since Kanata-kun was also interested in that documentary, they should have it under recordings! So he'll go ahead and pull that up while Nagisa watches Mary, who happens to be cuddled up with a certain plushie.]
There we go.
[He turns towards Nagisa, about to motion him over... but then notices Nagisa standing by the bed. Even from several feet away, he can see the look on Nagisa's face is soft. And that endears him, earning a soft expression of his own.]
[He takes a seat on the couch, crossing his legs and putting his elbow up on the armrest.]
I don't want to interrupt her. But she normally doesn't nap for more than an hour, so she'll probably wake up at some point while we watch. Then perhaps she'll come over here and we can all cuddle up together ♪
Play with Mary and take pictures, first of all! But apart from that...
[He taps on his chin as he thinks about it.]
Well, we've been awfully busy recently, so I'm often preparing for some job or another. Writing down answers to questions ahead of time, going over scripts, that sort of thing. Otherwise, I guess I read fanmail, check up on the latest trends, practice my skincare routine, look for deals, watch dramas, and other things like that.
What about Nagisa-kun? What do you do when you're alone?
[Hiyori has just the tiniest bit of mixed feelings about Ibara keeping Nagisa so close. But he knows better than to voice that thought, so he won't!]
Well, it's good that you're not alone, anyway. Though it does sound like he's been working you an awful lot. Which is exactly why we should cherish our days off, including this one! So if there's anything we didn't do today that you've been secretly wanting to do, just let me know, and I'll try to make your wish come true ♪
[ he's known hiyori for far too long to not be able to tell when something bothers him, even a little. he tilts his head to the side, blinking a few times. ]
...Is that so? For a moment I thought I saw a hint of some negative feeling from you. Perhaps I was wrong.
[ ...oh. maybe he doesn't know hiyori as well as he thought he did? maybe they were apart for far too long and that bond will never mend itself the same way... ]
[Oh no. Now Nagisa-kun's face is falling! He can't help but feel a pang of guilt when he sees that face!]
No, it's not like that at all!
[He shifts his eyes away, a little self-conscious about admitting to anything.]
I don't feel anything negative towards you! Although... I suppose I might've felt something a bit negative towards Ibara. Something like "How come you get to monopolize Nagisa-kun all the time? He's my childhood friend" ... or something like that. But that isn't your fault.
[Yep. Even though Ibara claims it's only a "business relationship," he cares about them all. Hiyori's all too happy to tease about it.
But not this time—this time he's far too distracted by Nagisa's own declaration of love. Said so warmly, with such a soft smile, meant just for him and no one else. Hiyori's eyes widen and his breath catches in his throat. It's enough to melt his heart, enough to steal all the air from his lungs. Of course, they've said they love each other lots of times, but this time... This time he can't ignore the implications.
Nagisa didn't mean he loves him as "family." Or at least, that isn't all he means.]
... you've gotten a lot bolder.
[His face loses some of its surprise, the look in his eyes gone soft. There's a note of pride to his voice; he still remembers when Nagisa couldn't express himself in words, since he's the one who taught him how to hold a conversation in the first place. Nagisa's changed. He's changed. They're no longer children, and their love isn't the same as it was then.
That's nothing to run away from, though. He'll embrace Nagisa as he is, pressing up against his side and holding tight onto his hand.]
But that's good, since I like hearing how you feel. You don't ever have to hide your thoughts or feelings from me. My "love" is the same as yours, after all.
[ the grip on his hand tightens again when hiyori embraces him; he doesn't return the gesture, but not out of malice. this simply feels quintessential hiyori, so he smiles, leaning his head against the other's. ]
...Is that so? I don't know how to tell if someone feels the same, however.
[ he's not trying to put down hiyori's feelings at all, either. he's being honest; if there's a way to know exactly how another feels, he's sure hiyori would know it, and this is where hiyori would tell him how, too. ]
[He draws back just enough to peer at Nagisa's face.]
Well, there are lots of different ways to show love. Using words, hugging someone or squeezing their hand, preparing their favorite food or buying them a special gift... For someone like Ibara, love is shown through work, I suppose. You won't ever hear him say "I love you," but he might work hard to land you a job opportunity.
[He muses aloud, tone casual, before pausing to think some more. He and Nagisa have always been open about their love for each other, but it doesn't mean they were on the same page. Until very recently, they weren't. Because love is love, but there are also different types of love, and he hadn't realized that what Nagisa felt for him was that type.
Does Nagisa need to be shown his feelings are returned...?
His heart quickens, though he tries to maintain the same casual tone as before.]
If you're ever not sure about something, you can ask. I'll always tell you how I feel. But if it's just about "love," then...
[He pauses, cheeks coloring just a tiny bit.]
I love Nagisa-kun in all the same ways you love me.
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So began their fun-filled afternoon. They went out for tea and cake together (cake is actually zero calories when Ibara's not there to count them!), they took a stroll together in the park, and they went shopping: Nagisa accompanied him to buy some items for Mary, and he accompanied Nagisa to a bookstore to buy some book that the ES library didn't have. Although they caught the eyes of some fans, no one disturbed them. All in all, it was a pleasant, peaceful outing.
Rather than go their separate ways after getting back to the dorm, Hiyori suggests Nagisa come up to his room. Rinne and Kanata are away on jobs, so they'll have the place to themselves, and Mary's been desperately wanting to see Nagisa! Perhaps they can watch that documentary Nagisa wanted to see. Nagisa smiles and accepts, they get in the elevator, they go up to the third floor, everything's great!
... so what's this uneasy feeling inside his chest? Or rather, why is his heart acting so strange? Is it just because this is their first time alone together after having "that" conversation?
Well, whatever it is, they're here. Hiyori walks Nagisa to the second room on the right and opens the door.]
Here we are ♪ Hmm, looks like Mary's asleep on the bed...
[A glance across the room tells him as much. He leaves his shoes before moving inside to set down the bag he's carrying. And then, well, it's time to turn around and address his guest. His guest who he's known for half his life, and whose company makes him feel warm and relaxed. Let's just ignore that heart issue and talk to him normally!]
So! What are you in the mood for?
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...Mm. What a peaceful scene.
[ he takes a few steps towards the bed to take a better look at her, and also his current surroundings - a place filled with the lives of three vastly different people. ]
I thought we were watching the documentary, but if you'd like to watch something else, we could.
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[And here he's off to the TV. Since Kanata-kun was also interested in that documentary, they should have it under recordings! So he'll go ahead and pull that up while Nagisa watches Mary, who happens to be cuddled up with a certain plushie.]
There we go.
[He turns towards Nagisa, about to motion him over... but then notices Nagisa standing by the bed. Even from several feet away, he can see the look on Nagisa's face is soft. And that endears him, earning a soft expression of his own.]
.....~♪
[For now, he doesn't interrupt!]
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...Sorry. It appears I got distracted.
[ by cuteness......... ]
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[He takes a seat on the couch, crossing his legs and putting his elbow up on the armrest.]
I don't want to interrupt her. But she normally doesn't nap for more than an hour, so she'll probably wake up at some point while we watch. Then perhaps she'll come over here and we can all cuddle up together ♪
sorry i had to disappear for a bit ;;
...May I ask you something? What is it that you do here when you're alone?
[ unless he's never alone? ]
No worries!
[He taps on his chin as he thinks about it.]
Well, we've been awfully busy recently, so I'm often preparing for some job or another. Writing down answers to questions ahead of time, going over scripts, that sort of thing. Otherwise, I guess I read fanmail, check up on the latest trends, practice my skincare routine, look for deals, watch dramas, and other things like that.
What about Nagisa-kun? What do you do when you're alone?
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...I see. It's good that you keep yourself busy.
[ --oh. he was not expecting the question to be directed back at him. ]
...I'm hardly ever alone. Ibara tends to keep close, which I am grateful for. I usually read, or prepare whatever Ibara left for me to do.
[ he's always doing homework...... ]
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Well, it's good that you're not alone, anyway. Though it does sound like he's been working you an awful lot. Which is exactly why we should cherish our days off, including this one! So if there's anything we didn't do today that you've been secretly wanting to do, just let me know, and I'll try to make your wish come true ♪
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...Did I say something wrong, Hiyori-kun?
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Hm? No, of course you didn't.
[Goodness, maybe Nagisa can read his mind.]
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[ ...oh. maybe he doesn't know hiyori as well as he thought he did? maybe they were apart for far too long and that bond will never mend itself the same way... ]
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No, it's not like that at all!
[He shifts his eyes away, a little self-conscious about admitting to anything.]
I don't feel anything negative towards you! Although... I suppose I might've felt something a bit negative towards Ibara. Something like "How come you get to monopolize Nagisa-kun all the time? He's my childhood friend" ... or something like that. But that isn't your fault.
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...That almost sounds like jealousy. Are you jealous of Ibara, Hiyori-kun? I didn't know that.
[ but now he's thinking if maybe he does spend too much time with ibara and not enough with hiyori and, surprisingly, the answer is yes. oh no. ]
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[He sticks his nose up in the air.]
He's just some workaholic! And our cunning producer, I suppose. But the point is, he could never even dream of coming between us ♪
[He shuffles closer on the couch, until he's pressed up against Nagisa's side, grabbing Nagisa's hand and squeezing it tight.]
Right?
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...Why would he come between us? He cares about both of us.
[ or, so he assumes. well, he's not going to say it out loud either way. he holds his hand back instead - his grip warm and gentle. ]
...I love him, but not in the same way I love you.
[ he says this with zero shame, too. ]
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But not this time—this time he's far too distracted by Nagisa's own declaration of love. Said so warmly, with such a soft smile, meant just for him and no one else. Hiyori's eyes widen and his breath catches in his throat. It's enough to melt his heart, enough to steal all the air from his lungs. Of course, they've said they love each other lots of times, but this time... This time he can't ignore the implications.
Nagisa didn't mean he loves him as "family." Or at least, that isn't all he means.]
... you've gotten a lot bolder.
[His face loses some of its surprise, the look in his eyes gone soft. There's a note of pride to his voice; he still remembers when Nagisa couldn't express himself in words, since he's the one who taught him how to hold a conversation in the first place. Nagisa's changed. He's changed. They're no longer children, and their love isn't the same as it was then.
That's nothing to run away from, though. He'll embrace Nagisa as he is, pressing up against his side and holding tight onto his hand.]
But that's good, since I like hearing how you feel. You don't ever have to hide your thoughts or feelings from me. My "love" is the same as yours, after all.
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...Is that so? I don't know how to tell if someone feels the same, however.
[ he's not trying to put down hiyori's feelings at all, either. he's being honest; if there's a way to know exactly how another feels, he's sure hiyori would know it, and this is where hiyori would tell him how, too. ]
no subject
Well, there are lots of different ways to show love. Using words, hugging someone or squeezing their hand, preparing their favorite food or buying them a special gift... For someone like Ibara, love is shown through work, I suppose. You won't ever hear him say "I love you," but he might work hard to land you a job opportunity.
[He muses aloud, tone casual, before pausing to think some more. He and Nagisa have always been open about their love for each other, but it doesn't mean they were on the same page. Until very recently, they weren't. Because love is love, but there are also different types of love, and he hadn't realized that what Nagisa felt for him was that type.
Does Nagisa need to be shown his feelings are returned...?
His heart quickens, though he tries to maintain the same casual tone as before.]
If you're ever not sure about something, you can ask. I'll always tell you how I feel. But if it's just about "love," then...
[He pauses, cheeks coloring just a tiny bit.]
I love Nagisa-kun in all the same ways you love me.