...we made plans, but... I wasn't sure about following up with them. I didn't... know how comfortable Taiga was with us dating openly in the first place. I thought I was embarrassing her or moving too fast just being affectionate... mmmn.
[ She doesn't know if she told this to anyone, but. ]
I... really, really wanted affection, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. I guess... I wanted to feel like she was attracted to me, and that I wasn't forcing her into this.
[Oh Ryoko… He would pinch her, but he can see that she’s already putting herself through enough just admitting that.
It’s strangely nice to talk about successful relationships with her too… After all of this time, they’re both in a place where they can smile at together. So he doesn’t tease or scold.]
You know that that’s normal, right? It’s normal for couples to have to learn and set boundaries when they start dating. Inaba and I struggled with that too. For a little while.
[and then they broke all of their own rules consensually in a matter of hours.
And then took out the last rule like a week later.
Sure, but since December...! I felt lonely! You can tell by now that she doesn't like talking about tough things like that, right? I didn't want to bug her!
I mean, I don't want to go that far, but just some cuddling and light kissing's good enough for me?!
I mean, yeah! It’s kind of awkward to ask your partner what the rules for that sorta thing are… but it’s more awkward and painful not to know, right? You’re going to have to do some weird stuff as a couple.
A-And… ‘that far…’ isn’t a requirement either. You just need to be honest.
[ That's what she was talking about before... ah, well. Whatever, it doesn't matter, ultimately. ]
I don't really care, you know. You both mostly know what you're doing, and you're actually together again. I'm not going to dictate what you can and can't do or anything.
Anyway... you're right. I'll try to bring it up soon.
[There’s the briefest of moments where mentioning Speck causes Yuuto to tense. He holds his breath, clenches his fist, and thinks way too many things at once. Their little argument in Canis Major still haunts him more than he’d like.
… but the moment passes. He buries those thoughts and puts on a head empty expression.]
Wouldn’t that be good for Speck-san? It might build character.
...I'm pretty sure they were only nice to you to gain your favor. Not that they really needed to, but... well, that's why I've asked you to start saying "no".
...when someone is trying to gain someone's attention and they find out they can't get it, no matter how hard they try... that'd cause them to give up, I'd think.
Yuuto... no matter what. I don't want anyone to use you as a stepping stone. No one, not even me.
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Yeah? We... went out to eat, did karaoke and rested under one of the cherry blossom trees.
[ ??? ]
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[He didn’t realize that it was THIS bad???]
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[ She doesn't know if she told this to anyone, but. ]
I... really, really wanted affection, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. I guess... I wanted to feel like she was attracted to me, and that I wasn't forcing her into this.
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It’s strangely nice to talk about successful relationships with her too… After all of this time, they’re both in a place where they can smile at together. So he doesn’t tease or scold.]
You know that that’s normal, right? It’s normal for couples to have to learn and set boundaries when they start dating. Inaba and I struggled with that too. For a little while.
[and then they broke all of their own rules consensually in a matter of hours.
And then took out the last rule like a week later.
Don’t look at Yuuto for advice.]
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I mean, I don't want to go that far, but just some cuddling and light kissing's good enough for me?!
[ ...wow. ]
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A-And… ‘that far…’ isn’t a requirement either. You just need to be honest.
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...although. I guess it helps that we live by ourselves? We wouldn't need to get a hotel or anything.
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Not even going there.
Especially when his brain has a rare instance of being On when Ryoko says that. He stares.]
… Oh. [No way she thinks that about the day Inaba was sick.]
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...what's that look for?
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What comes out of his mouth:]
Do you think that’s why Inaba got sick?
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Did. Did you do that outside first?
[ yuuto????? ]
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[wait.]
Oh! Uhhh. We… didn’t do anything at the hotel. Except… kiss. Did you think…
Anyway, uh. What I’m saying is! It’s normal to have to set boundaries. You two should talk about it…
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I don't really care, you know. You both mostly know what you're doing, and you're actually together again. I'm not going to dictate what you can and can't do or anything.
Anyway... you're right. I'll try to bring it up soon.
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[He still sounds surprised when he says it.]
We should all go out somewhere… together… Aisaka-san hasn’t gotten a chance to meet her properly. I think they’d understand each other..?
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And... well...
[ ...It's Yuuto. It should be okay. Right? ]
Taiga... when she's mad, sometimes doesn't hold back. She--
[ A thought crosses her mind right away. ]
She's not allowed to meet Speck, under any circumstances.
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… but the moment passes. He buries those thoughts and puts on a head empty expression.]
Wouldn’t that be good for Speck-san? It might build character.
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...In faux surprise. ]
Why, Yumeno Yuuto. I'm surprised at you.
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[ Person? Is that even the right word? ]
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[Or maybe that was only because he was desirable in that moment? He’s not sure.]
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They used to try really hard, though. We’d always do our best to help people… I wish that I understood why they’d stopped.
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Yuuto... no matter what. I don't want anyone to use you as a stepping stone. No one, not even me.
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[Yuuto sighs.]
I’m sorry that they’ve caused so much trouble for you. There’s no way that Inaba will let them help her now either.
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