Homeless... Maybe looking (forever?)

[kalakiriya]

I don't mind it at all, coming out here to talk with you again. We're giving this another chance! This isn't something we should pass up so easily, now that we have the opportunity at all.

I know you're looking for a home for me. I appreciate it. Take as much time as you need though.

It'd be nice to see friends again... I just don't know how much they'd want to see me.

... And what do you mean, you want to play me post-game? I mean, I'm okay with it. But how much sense does it make?

Comments

[kalakiriya]

Right! Time doesn't wait around for anyone, and time is just one of the few things we have together right now.

[Minato had this way of bringing Ryoji back to what was important and what was happening at this very moment. He knew Ryoji so well.]

After ramen, did you have any other plans? I might want to take you somewhere instead, as a way to make up for getting us sidetracked.

[evocalize]

Eh? I don't have any other plans- whatever you want would be fine.

[kalakiriya]

[Giving Ryoji the liberty to choose where to go? Nice.]

That sweet shop is near Hagakure, isn't it? Let's go there afterward.

Besides, the last time I went there, a group of cute girls walked in... I wouldn't mind if that happened again!

[evocalize]

[It's not like he's going to suggest any place dangerous to the both of them now, is he?]

You would really like that, wouldn't you? Maybe you'll even have some sweethearts to go with the sweets.

[kalakiriya]

[Nope, but Ryoji's mind works in strange ways, sometimes. He's happy enough Minato trusts him to make decisions like this.]

When you put it that way, then maybe we should skip the ramen altogether?

[Ryoji laughed.]

... Although, Minato-kun, if all goes as normal, you'd be the one walking out with them, not me.

[Because that's just want Minato does without even trying! It's something Ryoji can't help but be a little jealous of.]

[evocalize]

The rumbling in your stomach might drive them away. As for that- um, I suppose I could wait outside while you buy your sweets. [It boggles Minato that the girls somehow still went for him when they were walking together, despite half of the school having a crush over Ryoji.

But on second consideration, that doesn't seem to be something he'd approve of, so Minato waves as if he's dismissing a thought.] It'll be fine with me, I don't really like the attention.

[kalakiriya]

Even the best of us need a wingman sometimes... Is that the right word for it? [Ryoji wanted to make sure because he hadn't ever remembered needing one before, really. What a strange word.]

No, I wouldn't let you get too far away from me, Minato-kun, for that very reason!

But to be serious... I'm here to spend time with you. I should be paying attention to you, or as much attention as necessary.

[Since there's no point in smothering Minato either.]

[evocalize]

Yeah, but wingman's not supposed to divert too much attention from the main person. [He's not exactly protesting though, already getting prepared to walk.] A little attention will be enough.

[kalakiriya]

Whoever thought of that concept never considered someone like you as a wingman, Minato-kun.

[And walking it is! Ryoji laughed, thinking about that scenario and how the girls really would gather around Minato more than anyone else around the school. Even the fanclub around Akihiko couldn't compare.]

Just a little goes a long way with you. Ah, if we're going to the sweet shop, I should get something for you... You'd eat anything, wouldn't you?

[evocalize]

Don't think they ever did, and I'd eat anything you get for me at least. [Notice how Minato didn't say he'd take literally anything- there's things in the world that are not meant to be eaten twice.]

[kalakiriya]

[That's because you're not like Seta Souji where you'd just eat grass or anything laying around. Ryoji smiled again, thinking it over.]

But you wouldn't eat it out of obligation, would you? You do know I'd have to find out if you even have preferences or not.

[Since Minato was far from picky when it came to food.]

[evocalize]

[He can be a bit picky, though the food around here is so good that he has no issues with it.]

Anything from the sweet shop will be fine, though I guess I do prefer mochi. What do you like most, Ryoji-san?

[kalakiriya]

[Better than canned food, most likely?]

Mochi! I should've known. These are things I should've known to start.

As for me, hm... There are so many choices! If I did have to pick just one, I would go with konpeito. The design is cute, and you can share!

[evocalize]

I should have known you'd like konpeito the most too. It's sweet enough on its own, but it's even more so when you share it with someone else.

[kalakiriya]

Whoever thought up the idea of sugar stars like those is a genius. Ah, now you make me want to get those first before ramen!

[Ryoji chuckled since he was just kidding.]

But doing that will spoil the meal and ruin my appetite, if I'm not mistaken. But isn't it better to have dessert first before any meal? It's the best part, isn't it?

[evocalize]

That would be the Portugese, Ryoji-san. Some dishes are meant to be eaten after a meal but if you think dessert's the best you should save it for last- it'll probably taste better then, won't it?

[kalakiriya]

But what if I'm too full to have dessert? [Ryoji looked very concerned. This was a very important matter, yes, it was.]

But is it also possible to be too full for dessert? Everyone always seems to have room no matter what the main course is like.

[evocalize]

That's just because they know dessert's coming next. I wouldn't advise trying it anyway as indigestion's awful, hardly the kind of thing you'd want when trying to talk to a girl.

[kalakiriya]

I can imagine that it is! No one would want that either. [Ryoji had never experienced that before. He didn't really have to eat as much as Minato did.]

But if it comes last, it'll be the thing you remember the most since it came last? How strange... Some people consider the first is the best, but sometimes things that come last are the best.