demarcates | IC INBOX

[ ...just stares at. ]

... don't look at me like that.

How should I look at you, then?

[ With stars in your eyes. ]

I would say... about any other way.

[ ohhh kondou-san oohhh ]

...Hou. What a dangerous answer, Kondou-san. [ he's terribly amused, although he's not exactly sure why—or if there's any particular reason, even. it's an ever endearing response to get from the other, though, even if it's far too wrapped with opportunity for hijikata to not try and pry a little at. ]

Wh-- why? Now I'm starting to wonder if I really should be worried.

I'm just kidding.

Don't worry, I'll try to have some fun tonight.

If you don't, then I would have failed in my mission.

You're not gonna let yourself fail, are you?

I could never forgive myself if I did fail.

I can't have that, you're too hard on yourself as it is.

So you're doing this because of me, huh?

I am not! And besides which, this is for a perfectly worthy cause.

[ He smiles a little at that. ]

I'm doing this for you. There is a small difference, Toshi.

Kondou-san...

[ he doesn't know what to say when it's put like that even though he also doesn't know the supposed small difference mentioned. still, something about it said like that pricks his shyness because why why why he shouldn't be. as much as Hijikata realizes it makes him feel really happy to have Kondou's attention he knows the others need him more.

to argue with him, though, seems so pointless so instead with him looking down now he only can reach to wrap his hand around the other's now and keep it like so because whatever Kondou's keeps brushing up against his, anyway, and now holding his hand is an extra good distraction to focusing his feelings towards. ]

[ "Because of him" makes it sound as though Kondou doesn't have a choice, or that he feels obligated to. But doing it for him is what Kondou is after, that he wants to make Hijikata happy for his own reasons, not just because he's sick of seeing him look so miserable most of the time. He has a lot weighing on his mind at the moment, and if Kondou can alleviate even some of that, then it's worth it - isn't it?

Arguing is definitely pointless, though he'll give Hijikata that explanation if asked. Soon enough it isn't his main concern, however, when he feels Hijikata's hand wrap around his, and his smile widens considerably then. Though the blush on his cheeks doesn't seem like it'll go away any time soon, either... ]

A-ah, is there anything in particular that you'd like to try first?

Whatever you like, it's all new to me.

[ there's a lot of people, though, so it does seem to be a popular thing for the locals.

that's got to mean something. maybe. Between this and the speakeasy they get a lot of entertainment from the nightlife in this place. western culture is so... busy. ]

How about we try some of the food first? I've found something that seems palatable. We could both use the sweetening up.

[ Congratulations, Hijikata, you have officially got the worst date ever. ]

[ oh man, that liking of sweets is going to kill them both, isn't it. ]

All right, let's try it.

[ this could be the worst decision he's made in zelien yet. ]

[ Of course it is! Kondou wastes no time in dragging him over to the stand, after gaining his approval. ]

I've only tried one of these. The bright pink food is rather sweet, but it's delicious!

[ Hijikata officially has no say in the matter, as Kondou gets a bag for him. ]

It's food...? [ but that doesn't even look edible! Hijikata looks a little surprised, enough he can't even object because he's sure he never would have thought that to be food if Kondou hadn't just told him so.

...and just how sweet is sweet, anyway? ]

It is! Come on, Toshi, just try a little bit.

[ Don't mind Kondou as he takes the liberty of opening the bag, then tearing off a small chunk of the candy floss before offering it up to Hijikata. ]

It won't bite.

[ from the look on his face, Hijikata may or may not believe him. nevertheless, he isn't going to refuse the offering, especially after he agreed to go try some of this stuff with the other. it takes him a second or two but then he finally does reach up to be able to take it from the other.

the only thing is that once he gets his hands on it, he looks ever more confused by the texture because it really doesn't feel like something anyone can eat.

is Kondou even sure he really ate this stuff...

ah, well, he's going to have to hope that his friend is sure because he's just going to put the supposed food in his mouth before he gets any more reasons to maybe not try it. ]

[ Don't mind Kondou: he's just going to stand here and watch with an eager look on his face, hoping that Hijikata will like it just as much as he does. And well, even if he doesn't, then Kondou will likely finish it off for him.

... but he'd prefer that he liked it for what it was! ]

[ ...COULD YOU NOT LOOK AT HIM WHILE HE'S GOT SOMETHING IN HIS MOUTH HUFF.

hijikata seems suddenly overly conscious of this for a moment, even though the scenario is really not all that new. same thing, different place, different time, different... food. it's enough to make hijikata puff his cheeks ever so slightly (you are so embarrassing, kondou-san) before glancing off a little as he focuses on eating this because wow that hopeful look makes him feel really bad about disappointing him.

the thing that does surprise him, though, is that having let it linger in his mouth does seem to confirm its edible because he can taste it... and what the hell it really has no substance to it, it's pretty much already melted.

...it melts? what the hell. he goes to say something after swallowing and getting the taste mostly off his tongue. ]

...It's

[ REALLY STRANGE. ]

...really sweet.

[ an understatement they can't have anything sweet for about a week now after that, do they really expect people to eat a BAG of it...??? ]

...It's good, though.

[ Guess whose face automatically lights up when Hijikata doesn’t seem to mind it? Kondou’s, of course. He’s just pleased that he can share something like this with him, though of course there’s no guarantee that he’ll actually eat more of it after that initial mouthful. Kondou, on the other hand, is already eating some of it himself. The man has a sweet tooth that can never be soothed; it just can’t be helped. It all has to go. ]

You like it? I'm glad! The sweetness took some getting used to, even for me, but I think it’s worth it. It’s just so different to anything that we have at home.

[ Says the man who spends a large chunk of his time trying to find or actually eating sweet things. Who would have thought. After putting a good dent in his own bag of it, however, he gives Hijikata something of a mischievous look, and edges slightly closer to him. ]

Or should we find you something sweeter? [ Teasing, always teasing. ]

[ well, at least someone's predictable.

...or... not.

hijikata blinks, pretty well aware he's getting teased (because when is he not wow when does kondou learn he always loses at this game when he instigates it!!!), but he doesn't really seem to have much of a counter to tease him back with. it throws him off, and he sort of knows he shouldn't say it, he really is just asking for it— ]

Like what...

[ because kondou definitely said that he didn't try any other food and how does it get sweeter than pure sugar, anyway, and don't look at him like that unless you got something good, mister, because he suddenly feels really embarrassed that he isn't preempting this. ]

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lmfao omg

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