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[locumstudentesquire]

// naruhodo

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XIMILIA

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[karumic]

[Apropos of nothing:]

😖
Look it's you

[locumstudentesquire]

...What in the blazes is that, and how on Earth are you doing it?

[He's going to proceed as if Kazuma didn't just drop a burn on him completely out of the blue, thanks. Overreacting would probably just encourage him.]

[karumic]

[Ryunosuke is right about that. And also BORING.]

The earpiece comes with a repository of little images you can put in your messages, it seems. Apparently they're called "emojis." Professor Mikotoba told me about them.
😤👉🥷🐍🌸🍢🗾🗻🥋♨🗡⚔

[There's no rhyme or reason to any of that. It's just a bunch of emojis he likes. He's actually kind of impressed there are so many related to Japan!]

action (kinda);

[heroooic]

[Finn walks up to the box, squinting down into it thoughtfully. Apparently, gift giving was the custom around here. A human custom, as far as Finn could tell. The thought gives him a weird fluttering in his stomach as he focuses on one of the new people he's met -- human or not -- racking his brain for what they might want...]

One microwave, please! [This one was too easy. Though, after a moment's more thought, Finn continues:] But those are kinda boring... so maybe a super stylish one? Oh and kinda retro? 'Cuz he's from old times. Heh, I don't wanna scare grampa with the future.

Later...

[This month's supply drop has arrived and with it, a little something special for Ryunosuke. He'll see a box wrapped in brightly polka-dotted paper, a coppery bow, and a small glittery gold tag with 'From Finn' printed on it. The wrapping job is too neat to be from Finn himself, clearly created by the ship's replicator based on his gift request.

Inside the box, he will find a bizarrely ornate microwave, complete with china cupboard for saucers and teacups. Still, despite the old-fashioned trappings, it is definitely a microwave.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke isn't used to doing the Christmas thing, and he's sort of been floundering on how to participate in the festivities or if he even should.

It's a total surprise then, that he gets anything from Finn at all. And the size of it... What the heck could be?

Only one way to find out...

...

...]

...Ah. This answers absolutely nothing, actually.

[Said aloud to himself, in solitude since Yujin is elsewhere at the moment. He has no idea what this is??? Sure looks fancy, though, so... Thanks, Finn??? He'll probably figure it out eventually.]

merry chrysler ryu!!

[softshoes]

[Sometime in the month-- while Yujin is conveniently not around their room-- a neatly-wrapped box appears at the foot of Ryunosuke's bed. There's a small tube made of festive, shiny paper at the very top, but carefully enclosed in tissue paper underneath it is a new armband... bearing, of course, the correct name this time.

There's a little note in there too:]

Dear Mr. Naruhodo,

Unfortunately, there's no way for me to make this gift official at the moment... That is a bridge we will have to cross when our time on the Ximilia has concluded. (At least we'll have some interesting stories to share with Susato when we return, won't we?)

It has truly been a pleasure to see all that you have accomplished over the last year, and I know there is much yet in store for you. Thank you for all that you have done in the pursuit of the truth, and-- from the bottom of my heart-- for all that you have done for our family.

I wish you every blessing in the new year.

Sincerely,
Yujin Mikotoba

[When Ryunosuke pulls open the Christmas cracker, it'll pop like a kid's toy firework, only to reveal several little trinkets on the inside: two tiny figurines of a mouse and a rabbit, a few caramel candies, a (frankly very ugly) paper crown, and an omamori for knowledge and learning.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[Wow OK Yujin, just casually knocking it completely out of the park and hitting Ryunosuke right in the feelings with this incredibly thoughtful letter and gift combo...

He does have somewhat mixed feelings about swapping out Kazuma's armband; it's something he has carried with him for so long now, through so much.. It's still important to him, even if its legacy has become somewhat... Complicated.

On the other hand... This is an incredibly thoughtful gift that Professor Mikotoba has given him here. And maybe it is time he stood as lawyer on his own merits...

Kazuma's armband is placed with reverence atop his dresser for the time being, flanked protectively by the little mouse and bunny figurines. He'll wear this new armband with pride from now on, and he'll keep that omamori on him as well, tucked away in his breast pocket.]

Action; pre glitch

[singlelogbridge]

[Maybe Ryunosuke is peacefully eating a meal on his own, or perhaps he's finished eating and is engaging in some other activity—some pleasant reading, talking to someone via the earpiece, plotting something nefarious (Wei Wuxian doesn't know his life.) The point is, he's probably minding his own business when a person shaped paper cut out climbs onto the table, turns to look at him, gives a little nod, and then proceeds to meander about the table.

Is it looking for something? It is a hallucination? Is it there just to confuse people? Ryonosuke's guess is as good as anyone's!]

Soz I got SUPER BUSY the last few days I'M HERE NOW

[locumstudentesquire]

[A hallucination is Ryunosuke's first bet, honestly. He's in the middle of eating when the little paper man appears, and the mere sight of it prompts him to freeze comically, mouth still wide open, a forkful of food lifted partway there. His eyes, wide and bulging in confusion, follow along with the talisman's movements, while he sloooowly sets his fork back down on his plate, and quietly shuts his mouth.]

Um...

[WHAT IS THIS???

There seems to be something written on it... Whatever it is. He's going to put is head down closer to the surface of the table and try to squint more closely at it. ]

You're good! <3

[singlelogbridge]

[Meanwhile the little paperman has paused in its wandering, one little paper hand on its hip and the other miming the movement of a person scratching their head in bewilderment. Apparently it didn't find whatever it was looking for. It's then that it turns back to Ryunosuke and sees him staring, so naturally he gives him a big wave.

With his previous mission abandoned whatever it was, he takes the opportunity to wander closer to the stranger and look at what he's eating. He's curious, alright? And he's maybe having a little bit of fun at the man's reaction.]

[action]

[karumic]

[The morning they all plan to depart on their little road trip for the orb, Kazuma puts a plan into action for his personal mission: that is, he is going to say one single lie, and then swear himself to silence for the rest of the day. He's totally used to that, so it's foolproof.

The unlucky recipient of this lie is his very own partner, whom he trusts to know himself enough to be able to tell it's a lie. And so, that morning, instead of greeting Ryunosuke like a normal person, Kazuma just takes him by the shoulder and looks him solemnly in the eye.

And says:]

Ryunosuke, I forgive you for all those sukiyaki meals you owe me.

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke-- who can't even begin to fathom what Kazuma's about to say to him, but is nonetheless experiencing a small panic attack about being grabbed and stared at with such solemnity-- squints back at him in utter confusion.

(His little ear fins were flared up a second ago, but now they droop down to a more relaxed position once more.)]

O-oh. Um. Okay? [...] Why are you telling me this right now, exactly...? I mean, it is for the best, as I'm not sure I'll ever have the money. But...

[He'd probably be more willing to sniff out the lie if it wasn't such an attractive one. Alas, he dreams of being let off the hook for his sukiyaki debts. He's not going to look this gift horse in the mouth too hard.]

[karumic]

[Unfortunately, Ryunosuke will not be receiving any (verbal) explanation, as that would defy the entire purpose of this exercise. Instead, Kazuma claps Ryunosuke again on the shoulder, nods decisively, and...

...turns on his heel and walks away without another word, waving a hand over his shoulder.

Bye!]

Text; un: raddude5000 After Newt’s Movie Night

[heroooic]

i cant BELIEVE

You didnt TELL ME.

[You absolute CLOWN]

Text;

[locumstudentesquire]

[Well, this sure is cryptic. And ominous.]

Sorry?

Text;

[heroooic]

You and Kazuma???

text; un: jtd (a few days post-ciraiwei)

[doooooog]

[ A lot has happened in the last few days. A lot had hurt. A lot was still coming back to Jake in waves, memories of faces and people from the prior ten days gradually connecting with the ones from his concert or from final fleeting glances through the portals. The face of the little mushroom girl that Ryunosuke took such a shine too only seemed to appear in Jake's mind several days later, as he lays face up on the sunlight room grass. It's only seconds later that his mind navigates to the man's inbox, more subconscious than anything deliberate.

Maybe it was overestimating their importance to each other, glimpsing only a faint snippet of their time together, but something about this felt necessary. ]

hey, you got a second?

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke keeps finding himself thinking about her too. He wishes he could just put the matter out of his mind, as the truth may as well be forever lost to him, but that's the problem with lacking closure on something; you brain just keeps coming back to turn over the possibilities.

He has no idea that Jake messaging him has anything at all to do with that, though. He's reading in his quarters, trying to distract himself from the melancholy when the message comes through.]

Jake? Yes, of course. What can I do for you?

[doooooog]

i was just heading to the kitchen to make a little lunch. you want a sandwich?

action | mid-road to ankata

[karumic]

[As they stand at the storefront of the restaurant, it dawns on Kazuma that he may have made a mistake.

The place is, just as he remembers it, very cute. The decor is pastels and little stuffed cubits and the menu is almost entirely various baked good and desserts, also shaped like cubits. When Kazuma had walked by it last week, he'd only thought that looks like the kind of place Ryunosuke would like with some fond disdain before going on his way. And, in his defense, that is probably still true.

Somehow, though, he'd neglected to register that this is very clearly a date spot when he decided to bring Ryunosuke here for his birthday. Ryunosuke may be absent-minded, but he isn't clueless; it's very obvious what this looks like. And it is not a situation Kazuma is remotely ready to be in.

But he can't back out now without making it weird, so his only recourse is to keep a straight face and blithely pretend he doesn't notice. Wonderful.]

--I-I, ah, happened to spot this place the other day and thought it seemed like the kind of thing you'd like. [Technically the truth, that's what he's good at. Only a little bit of a stammer. He got this.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[When Kazuma had suggested they do something for his birthday, just the two of them, he'd honestly tried not to read too much into it. They used to go out to eat together all the time, after all, and it wouldn't even be the first time they've done so on one of these missions.

Looking at his choice of venue though? It's basically impossible not to ask questions.

Ryunosuke is still doing his best to try and temper his expectations though, because glancing curiously at Kazuma, he can sense a sort of aura of stress around the other man that he's getting better and better at picking up on. The question, really, is what specific aspect of this situation is causing him to be so... Internally flustered. Is this some kind of veiled message, and THAT'S why he's so tense? Does it not actually mean anything, and he's just worried Ryunosuke won't like it? Did he underestimate how embarrassing it would be to accompany another man to a place like this?

Hard to say without more information. But his own heart is beating a little bit faster, questions bubbling up in the back of his mind.

Ryunosuke forces himself to look back at the store front instead, eyes flicking over the menu and the decor and all, and he realizes... Kazuma's not wrong. Even from here he can tell there are like, at least 10 different things he already wants to try eating.

Casting a sidelong grin at his friend, he nudges him lightly in the side with his elbow.]

Wow. You're really willing to set aside your macho image long enough to join me in eating some fancy desserts? This is a good present.

action, after anakin's post

[softshoes]

[Now that Yujin's suspicions about Phoenix Wright have been confirmed publicly, it's... probably time to address that, isn't it?

Once he's finished today's pre-mission preparations in the infirmary, Yujin returns to their shared room in search of Ryunosuke. Luckily, he doesn't have to search far-- the younger man's calmly reading like he doesn't have a great-something grandson walking around the Ximilia every day.

It's also now that Yujin realizes he. Isn't... quite sure how to address this complex Wright-shaped vision of the future, or what he even wants to get out of speaking about it at all. The future alone is dizzying enough, but seeing it through the eyes of a friend's ancestor? It's another can of worms entirely. But Yujin's not a diplomat for nothing: he'll figure it out, probably.]

There you are, Naruhodo-kun. [Casual as ever, he crosses the room and takes the chair at his own desk.] I actually have something important I wanted to speak to you about. Do you have a few moments?

[locumstudentesquire]

[Attempting to read, more like. He's trying to distract himself, but he's pretty sure he's read the same sentence over about five times now, his attention continuously sliding off the text and wandering back towards certain other matters.

And speaking of which...

Professor Mikotoba enters, and to Ryunosuke's credit he manages to keep his reactions on a micro level, for once. Stiffening nervously when his roommate returns, jolting very slightly when he's addressed... A cold chill of dread runs up Ryunosuke's spine.

He already knows where this is going.]

Mikotoba-Kyōju...! [He closes his book and looks up, swiveling in his chair. He tries to sit back casually, forcing a smile.] Of course! What can I do for you?

action, post-search request

[softshoes]

[A couple of days have passed since their little escapade at Clifton's office with Sherlock and Watson. Safe to say, Yujin is concerned. It's impossible for someone to remain with Ryunosuke and John at all times to ensure their safety after being caught, and even if it weren't, such behavior would undoubtedly attract its own attention too. So far, nothing seems to be amiss, yet... They've been put in the sights of the eye that watches them from the skies above. There's no getting around that one.

But at least he can still check in on the lad. Luckily, Yujin's gotten out of work a bit earlier than usual, leaving him just enough time to drop by Ryunosuke's house before he makes his way back to his own home. He shoots the younger man a message via earpiece just before leaving the office. In less than fifteen minutes' time he's knocking at Ryunosuke's door: his brow will stay knitted with worry until the younger man appears, intact, and not as some strange metal doppelganger.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[With some advanced warning, Ryunosuke is quick enough to answer the door. He is careful to try and get a peek to confirm who it is before he actually opens it though, for obvious reasons.

The look on Yujin's face... He feels a twinge of guilt for how worried the older man seems, even if that worry clears up as soon as Ryunosuke actually appears in the doorway, intact.

Greetings and pleasantries are exchanged for the sake of appearances, in case any nosy neighbors are listening in. But as soon as they're inside and the door is shut...]

You know, you really needn't look so worried... Odds are, if something DOES attack me, I should at least have time to send out some last words to your ear piece.

[Even if they're just terrified screams.]