ic contact;

[condoner]

This is Tsunemori! I'm sorry, I'm not here right now, but please leave a message. I promise to get back to you once I'm able. Thank you very much! ( action → text → voice → video )

Comments

[condoner]

Well, of course, they do, but I wouldn't let them do that.

[ she'll just watch him work with intensity. damn you adolf!!!!! damn you!!! ]

[zitteraal]

[ It's all Akane deserves for bullying him into friendship!!! ]

There's a first time for everything. [ So blithely... and he makes a gesture, a little crook of one soapy finger. ] Bring me your coffee cup and plate, I'll wash it too while I'm at it.

[condoner]

[ ugh... she just makes a face at that comment. ]

No. I'll clean them on my own.

[zitteraal]

...Do as you like, then.

[ But at the same time, he's just going to also dry these dishes with the nearest dishtowel... and whatever may be left on the drying rack, because. Because Reasons. ]

[condoner]

[ why are you such a housewife??? ]

That's right, I will.

[zitteraal]

[ he's had a lot of practice, ok...!!

but once he's done drying the dishes, he wipes his hand and then

pats Akane on the head. ]

Don't look so offended. I'll get out of your hair soon.

[condoner]

That's not— [ needed? of course, it is. adolf has a life, too, you know.

what she means by that look? of course not. why would she want him to leave?

but she fumbles with her words instead of being able to say anything coherent, and eventually just deflates. ]

[zitteraal]

[ In all honesty, it'd unsettled him when he couldn't find Akane in his list of contacts: someone'd asked him if all his 'friends' were well and accounted for a few days after the jungle incident, and he'd had to stop and sidestep talking about it, because her absence was disconcerting.

It'd reminded him not to get too attached to anyone— it'd just be difficult otherwise— but Akane's fumbling in the here and now is still endearing, and he still has a hard time being completely dismissive. ]

I know. [ He says simply, before patting her head again and putting everything in her kitchen back into place. ] ...Don't think I don't appreciate it.

[condoner]

W- Well, [ ah... she's still kind of flustered. ] thank you for visiting.

[ ... ]

I appreciate it even more.

[zitteraal]

It was just a status check.

[ His last attempts to be tsun... but it's largely destroyed by how his expression softens for a moment, for just the split second between him looking at her and then turning to move back to the living room to gather his scarf. ]

Try not to go missing again.

[condoner]

It'll be something I'll try not to do again.

[ she nods as she follows him back to the living room. ]

If I can help it, anyway.

[zitteraal]

...Well. Then again, if your disappearance means that you were able to return to your world, we shouldn't be complaining.

[ He wraps his scarf back around his mouth, tucks his jaw under the fabric. ]

[condoner]

There are still some things I need to do here, so I can't leave.

[ her tone is soft, but you can tell she's dead serious. ]

[zitteraal]

[ What he knows of Akane, he knows that she's painfully earnest. He doesn't doubt her words in the least, really. ]

If that's what you've decided, fine. But if you can, depend on others for help when you need it. Someone needs to keep reminding you about that.

[ A light hn, and he heads towards the front door again. ]

You have my number if you ever need to call.