he smiles politely back at you; you stare politely right on through.

[no_equivalent]

Who: Katsuro Fujieda, Kimiko Norstein (Nariko Ono, V-Mon, Labramon)
What: How to save a friendship. Or something like that.
When: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - Noonish
Where: Neon City - Shopping District

Comments

[fightersthunder]

"Oh, you'd look adorable!" said Nariko, as she was snapped out of... well, looking like she was looking around for something to appear.

"It's really, um, pretty!"

[outof_thin_air]

Katsuro sighed, and pulled a handkerchief out of his chest pocket. "Here," he said, taking her by the shoulder so he could wipe her face with it. Luckily, the cuffs still allowed him some free arm movement.

[no_equivalent]

Kimiko couldn't contain the blush on her cheeks as he wiped her face with that handkerchief. But she let him do as he pleased, frozen from the contact between his hand and her face.

"Thank ... you."

[outof_thin_air]

Katsuro finished, and put the handkerchief back into his pocket.

"... Kimiko-chan," he said, noticing her expression. "What's wrong...?"

[no_equivalent]

"Just ... wasn't expecting this," Kimiko admitted, averting her gaze and sighing a little.

"I should have been able to put it together so we could have avoided being in this situation, but nope ..."

[outof_thin_air]

"... Everyone gets fooled sometimes, Kimiko-chan," Katsuro said, smiling wide. "You're still one of the smartest people I know..."

He looked down. "And ah... this situation... maybe it's not so bad to be in it..."

[no_equivalent]

She blushed at the compliment, but still didn't look directly at him. Kimiko instead focused on the second thing he'd said.

No, not really that bad ... but awkward. Definitely awkward.

"Mn ..."

She sighed.

"So. How've you been?"

If they were stuck in this situation together, may as well try and talk. And ... make things less awkward.

[outof_thin_air]

"I..."

Katsuro paused for a minute, and looked down.

"... I've been a disgrace as a man!" he declared, suddenly.

[no_equivalent]

Kimiko blinked, then looked at him with a weird expression.

"... what?"

She sighed and tilted her head to the side a little, very much confused at that sudden outburst.

"Okay, seriously, whatever happened can't be that bad ..."

[outof_thin_air]

"You don't get it..." Katsuro said, balling his hands into fists. "I've been wanting to talk to you, and all this time... it didn't even happen until V-mon made it happen..."

He clenched his eyes shut. "I've been too afraid to set things right..."

[no_equivalent]

Kimiko looked down, exhaling a little.

"That's not completely your fault. I wanted to talk to you, too, but ... well, it was just ... you know, awkward."

She looked up at him again, looking into his eyes.

"I've missed you."

[outof_thin_air]

Katsuro's jaw fell open a little, and he looked up.

"... I..."

He sighed. "Kimiko-chan, you're my best friend. Especially after so many of my other friends have left. And..."

He bit his lower lip, but he forced himself to continue.

"... I miss Aveline-chan. But I also know I have to keep living my life, and... I don't know if I have those feelings anymore. When I think of someone like that, I... I... I think of you."

[no_equivalent]

Kimiko's eyes widened and she could only stare for several moments. She tried to speak, and ... well, an entire mess came out.

"I-- ... you- ... h-huh?!"

Kimiko had had feelings for Katsuro for a long, long time ... but never in a million years would she have ever expected to return those feelings.

[outof_thin_air]

"... You heard me..." he said, meeting her eyes. "Kimiko-chan, I... you're my best friend and... I really like you..."

[no_equivalent]

Kimiko could feel her cheeks heat up and her heartbeat quicken.

"I-I ... I ... really ... like you, too."

[outof_thin_air]

Katsuro smiled a bit sadly.

"Then... we've been avoiding each other for no good reason, huh?"