usarinpa | inbox 👁️ [ic]

[Hey Mizuki, guess what? There's a box of cookies for you, that's signed by Rin, that comes with a little note.]

Mizuki,
I made you these cookies! You seemed a bit sad when we first met, so I hope these will cheer you up. Feel free to come and talk to me whenever you want to.

- Rin

[ Sometime that evening, Mizuki finds her way back to their room at the inn. She's not entirely paying attention, so she nearly kicks the box as she's about to open their door, but she sure is glad she didn't! Looking down the hall, she doesn't see anything at any other doors, so she doesn't think she can blame the Aldrip locals for this one.

When she takes the box into the room, she realizes she is alone for now. Her expression brightens despite herself as she reads the note, and she's taken a seat on their couch as she goes.

A moment later, Mizuki is fiddling with her charm. It'd probably be easier to just march over to Rin's room, but she's gotta get used to using this thing sometime.

She thinks it's ringing? And once she hears the sound of Rin picking up, she'll speak casually like one would into a phone. It's a voice call. ]

...Hello? Hey, is this Rin?

[Oh, she wasn't expecting a call. She perks up when she gets the call, and immediately recognizes the girl's voice on the other end. She sounds just as excited as when she first met Mizuki.]

This is Rin! Hi, Mizuki! Did you get the cookies I made you?

[You can practically feel her smile and excitement over the phone.]

[ Thank god, that probably would have been an awkward misfire if she got it wrong. Mizuki can't quite match that excitement, though Rin does get to hear her laugh. ]

Yeah, I did. I'm glad my roommate didn't get them.

[ Maybe she'll share, maybe. ]

Thanks, by the way. You didn't have to do that for me.

Oh? You have a roommate already? Someone from back home?

[Given Mizuki's demeanor before, she didn't think she'd have a roommate but! She is glad.]

Oh, I wanted to! They're specially made for you, so I hope you enjoy them. I don't really get to bake back at home, so... I decided to take advantage of that.

. . .

[ Though she can't it within herself to say much at first, Mizuki smiles. She could already tell by the coloring that they were especially made for her, but it's certainly something extra to hear it confirmed. ]

Well, you did good. And... yeah. Someone I found from home. Let's call him a stray.

Thank you Mizuki! That means a lot, coming from you!

[She clasps her hands in delight, glad that her gift seemed to be well received. She had worried that maybe cookies weren't her thing, or that they wouldn't be enjoyed, but seeing Mizuki's reaction was more than enough to make her happy.]

Hah. Sounds like some sort of house pet when you put it like that.

[ There's finally a bit of a laugh in response. Whether they were her thing or not, Mizuki's not rude... well, not to people who don't deserve it. ]

I've always thought he was like a pet cat. Then again, I'm pretty sure he feels the same way about me...

Unfortunately for him, I'm cuter.

Edited (syntax nitpicking njldjs) 2023-02-28 02:15 (UTC)

Yeah, I gotta agree. You're a cutie pie!

[Rin was never one to mix up words. If she thought someone was cute, then she sure as hell would say it to their face. One of the many charms about her.]

Maybe I'll meet this pet cat sometime.

[ Rin absolutely does not deserve that. Unfortunately, Mizuki, at this point, is still unaware of his true nature. ]

He gets around, so I don't doubt it. Just be careful around him.

He might decide he likes you. [ and she can't always be there to pull him away by the ear like a certain character in the Kusemon anime. ]

And what happens when he likes you, hm?

[She's very curious about him, but there seems to be some sort of fondness on Mizuki's end that she can't quite ignore. However, given her somewhat cagey demeanor from before, Rin doesn't want to poke fun at her obvious fondness for this person.]

Is he some kind of pervert or something?

[It's said with a fairly teasing tone, even if she hit it on the mark.]

[ ...Pft.

There's an audible snort from Mizuki at the bull's eye from Rin. ]

Figures! Even people who've never met him can tell. But... [ Her voice trails off here, and you could practically hear the moment her tone changes to something more serious. ] Can I be honest?

[Oh, that was a weird shift. Rin blinks a few times, and tilts her head to the side, even though Mizuki can't see. However, she doesn't hesitate to speak, more than happy to let Mizuki speak her mind.]

Of course you can. What's up?

[ There is a pause, because Mizuki is not used to being so open about such things. The girl made her cookies, though. She doesn't owe her anything, but perhaps she feels a little more inclined. ]

He's been acting a little off.

I didn't think much of at first, because he's a total weirdo anyway, and... and he doesn't really remember everything I do. [ Behind, as always. ]

But sometimes I worry about him.

[Oh. Rin isn't very good with emotional things, but in a way, she understands Mizuki and her worries. It was obvious that this roommate of hers was special, and she can only frown as she hears Mizuki's voice. Her free hand grasping the fabric of her dress, wondering what she could do to help ease her worries.]

I know it's not the easiest to tell that to someone... So thanks for opening up to me, Mizuki.

I'm not the best at this sort of thing to be honest with you, and I know telling him that you're worried isn't easy... But if he's acting weird, maybe observe him a bit more in secret?

[ Yes, hello. Mizuki also isn't very good at emotional things, and she did not sign up for these feelings or concerns. Imagine how she feels right now—

The reminder that she opened up doesn't help either. Like, maybe she shouldn't have done that? But... it doesn't feel terrible. ]

You mean, like when he thinks I'm not looking?

Uh huh. When people aren't looking, they tend to be their genuine self, rather than put up a wall or act.

[It was an honest suggestion. She doesn't know the guy, after all, and who knows -- maybe Mizuki will find that he's off for a reason.]

It's just a thought, I guess. Coming from someone who does a lot of spying on her enemies.

He's...

[ And she trails off here, as if she's less sure of what she's about to say than she had been a moment ago. She presses forward anyway, however, attempting to sound confident. ]

He's not the enemy, but it's not a bad idea. [ Plus she'd be able to keep her investigative skills sharp. ] ...Thanks.

[You know, she's not going to say anything. There's just a simple smile, as she brushes some of her hair back.]

He doesn't have to be for you to take a peek.

[She does shake her head, not thinking that she needed to be thanked.]

No problem, Mizuki. I hope that you can figure out what's going on with your pet cat.

I will.

[ One way or another. ]

His name's Date, by the way. If he ever tries anything, you can give him a good strong punch for me.

Date, huh? Oh, don't worry! I'll give him a good noggin. Not enough to hurt the dude, but enough to make him feel it, for sure.

... Maybe with a bit of lightning magic to really give him a good noogie.

Just make sure I'm here to see that. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

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