Canon is: 'Viewfinder' by Ayano Yamane

[takaba_akihito]

Dear Creepy-Kidnapper-Guy,

Look. You keep saying that the place I come from is 'obscure' and people consider it 'laughable entertainment, at best'. All of that is just a fancy way of saying most people won't know me, right? Or if they do, I'm basically not going to be taken seriously.

If people want to underestimate me, that's fine. It wouldn't be the first time. But no matter what they think- I'm not a joke or here for anybody's damned kicks.

As if that wasn't bad enough, you're hung-up on the fact I'll probably never see my buddies again as long as I'm here. Hell, not just the guys, but anyone else I know. It sucks that I can forget about nights hanging out with my friends, or celebrating the holidays together. Still, at least there's no chance in hell I'll run into any of those dangerous mafia guys here. It's not like I have any feelings of resentment or revenge, but I've been around Fei Long and the people he runs with enough for one life time.

Still. If Asami won't be here-

[ A beat, before Takaba just looks away with a scowl. ]

Tch. Whatever, I can deal with it.

Comments

[squeak_squeaker]

Did your mun really kidnap you? [Kronk was shocked! What if his mun kidnapped him and... and stuff? That was complicated to think about, though.]

[takaba_akihito]

Yeah. They did.
I mean, what else is this but kidnapping?

[ Shrugs helplessly. ]

I was minding my own business, and this stranger decides that I just have to belong to some creepy collection of people in his head. So- goodbye Japan, hello cramped headspace.

If that's not kidnapping, then I don't know what to call it.

[squeak_squeaker]

...woah. I think that happened to me too! One day I was just getting ready to do Yzma's laundry and then I end up here, in this girl's head. At first, I was really happy about it!

But now I'm not so sure anymore. [Kronk tried to smile, though. Even if he was kidnapped by a scary woman... hey, it wasn't the first time!]

[takaba_akihito]

[ Aw, shucks. Akihito can tell that Kronk's mentality is a little stunted or naive, so he automatically feels badly for potentially causing concern in someone who seems more child-like than most. ]

N-no. It might not be that bad, really.

[ He waves his hands a bit, trying to chase away what he'd said earlier. ]

I've been wrong about people and their intentions before.

[squeak_squeaker]

[Kronk was definitely a little... special. Or a lot. He took everything people said very seriously and on top of that, he was ridiculously gullible. He probably shouldn't even be on his own!]

I hope it's not bad! She seemed real helpful, she told me I could go meet people who'd be nicer than Yzma. [Almost everyone had been very nice to Kronk, so far... some even wanted to taste his cooking.]

[brb_comiket]

[A smile of poorly-concealed recognition begins to spread across Harumi's face.]

If your 'creepy kidnapper' is noisy and persistent, maybe you'll be able to find some of the others! I'm sure they've been 'kidnapped' before themselves.

[takaba_akihito]

[ Takaba may not be able to read minds, but the rather pointed look he's being given is hard to miss. ]

Yeah. I- really hope so.

[ There's just something about Harumi's openness which leaves him too distracted for much further conversation, at least until he clears up a nagging question in the back of his mind. ]

Um, excuse me if it seems rude. But- do I know you?

[brb_comiket]

[Aww nuts, he's on to me. Quick, Harumi, think fast.]

N-No!! I mean. No, I don't think so. Perhaps you're... mistaking me for someone else?

[takaba_akihito]

[ Smooth, Harumi. Just be thankful Akihito is far from the type to see through people that well. Perhaps he's just too trusting, even after everything. So he'll actually not prod the issue much, and instead will just take her word- with only the slightest hint of hesitation. ]

Nope. I'm not friends with any-

[ A cough. Way to open up and admit how very lame you are when it comes to the female populace. ]

..many girls.

You looked like you'd run into someone you've seen before, that's all.
Guess it's just my mistake.

herf sorry for the delay in reply - I was visiting family.

[brb_comiket]

[Indeed; for this character trait, Harumi was extremely grateful. However, all celebration over the averted crisis is kept internal and she offers only a gentle, understanding smile at his on-the-fly correction and assessment.]

No, it's alright. It was probably my fault, anyway. [She pauses, largely for effect.] ...Ah, but is that really true? You're attractive and seem nice enough - I would think you would draw a lot of female attention.