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[ Compared to her usual loud and confident attitude, there's almost something timid in the way she notices his hand doing that, grabbing it lightly in return and still with an actual blush on her face. So.. this is it, right? There's no way back anymore, but the more she thinks about it, the more she doesn't care if there is or not. The only way for her always is forward, so if it's going forward together with him now, then that's a good thing. A good thing for sure. ]

.. Me too.

[ For the briefest moment she lets her voice trail off, let the silence linger just a little, but then she figures she should say now what she couldn't say in the moment before - just to be just as open with him as he was with her, right? ]

Besides, about that last thing.. I'm not always as good as you might think I am either, you know? I haven't told anyone here before, but it's not like I've always told the truth, I've lied two times before. [ .. Although the fact that she makes such a big deal out of lying two times should say enough in itself.. ] One time to stop a teacher from being ostracized and another time to protect a friend from getting hurt physically. So.. I get it. 'The ends justify the means', 'it's about the reason behind the lie and not the lie itself', I know that all, but it's still.. difficult. [ to unite that with her thoroughly established ideals. ]

So that just means we can.. well, help each other, right? ... T.. together.

[ God, she almost feels like some sort of flustered schoolgirl now (you mean you aren't, Asahi?) but at least she got that out, one way or another. ]

[He has two immediate thoughts, which he decides to keep to himself: first, that this feels very different from when Rapunzel grabs your hand and tugs you along (that one looks a lot like what Haruhi does to people who are not him). It's funny how light, and loose, and soft it seems in comparison -- not that the others can't be that, but, well, it's a matter of individuality, isn't it? And individuality she has in spades. This seriously is a girl who's counted the number of times she's lied intentionally on one hand. Man, he's set himself a challenge here. A challenge leavened, admittedly, by how innately likable he finds people who are so straightforward about their hopes and wishes. That, he supposes, is the common thread between her and those other two for whom he has affection.

Which makes him wonder even more what exactly she meant to say by emphasizing "love." Love love love. How complicated...

The second one is something he's more reluctant to think of immediately at this moment, which is that, in a narrow, parochial, probably-subversive sense, he figures that she could be one of the most effective liars there is -- that is, she could be. If everyone knows she doesn't lie, even when it comes to painfully embarrassing things, it's great cover for when she does lie. And he could probably learn something useful from that, couldn't he?

Which he figures is not a thought that would appeal to her at all, and in fact it's a little shameful, even.

But in fact, that's just one way of looking at this. That would be making him a more honest person, wouldn't it? And lies being more effective is almost unavoidable. If you look at it the right way, there's nothing so bad about it. How complicated. Again.

And at the moment, though he loves complication, it's not at all complicated to find it, well, cute, how flustered and nervous she continues to be. And what she's saying: helping her -- if he's interpreting this correctly -- learn to decide when it's better to lie for a better result -- is a rather charming idea.]

Certainly. Together. I'd be glad to help you with that. Or, really, anything.

[He has to smile at that. This all seems to be working out well enough--peacefully enough (~~no punching?!~~)--and in commemoration, he gives her hand a light squeeze.]

[ As fumbling and nervous as she is, she does realise none of this is bad. It's making her nervous, but it's more since it's so.. good in a way she's never experienced before, which is what makes her slowly try to explore this whole new territory. Slow, fumbling, but.. smiling too now, slowly but surely, especially when she feels that squeeze as a confirmation of sorts and she awkwardly tucks a strand of hair behind her ear with her free hand. ]

The same counts for me. If there's anything you ever need, just.. feel free to ask me, no matter what. [ Helping out the people she's the closest to is something she's never minded, and when it's the person she's.. well, dating, then it's even more natural. Like something she doesn't even have to think about. ] My power here is that one that drains other people's pain, so.. you know. [ A pause and she squeezes back - lightly, even though that takes quite some effort since she's used to being way more rough physically.. ] Just in case.

[ But Asahi wouldn't be Asahi if she wouldn't be weird in offering even herself up for something like that, casually as if it's just the same as all other thoughts. ]

Ah... I don't think I'd like to see that one in action very much, Asahi. I'd rather not see you hurt, and--particularly not because of me.

[He shrugs a bit self-consciously. It's odd to articulate feelings in such a straightforward manner for him, indubitably true as they are (well, who would want any of that stuff? To happen to anyone at all?). It's not hard for him ordinarily to compliment people, even to flirt--it certainly wasn't when he began this whole mess--but the difference between "Itsuki" saying it and he himself saying it is vast.

Still, what assuages his own feeling of awkwardness is her evidently greater one. In the widest sense, he's usually there to make things easier for people (read: Haruhi; recently read: Rapunzel), and this evidently is pretty hard (or at least takes an effort) for her. That reminder makes it easier for him to smile down at her and say in a softer tone:]

But, after all, that's one of the things that makes me like you. Do, ah, remember, though, that... you should take care of yourself, too. For my sake, at least.

[He lets a slight pause pass, and then, to lighten all this a bit, adds:]

Well--would you like to go to dinner tonight, by the way?

That's why I said 'just in case'..

[ But it's little more than a half-muttered mumble as an afterthought. Even if the compliments still make her a little awkward and embarassed because of the newness of it all, but she's already dealing a little better with it - it's all just about moving step by step, even with this, huh..? Those thoughts are better suited for when the situation actually arises, either way. ]

Ah, I.. wouldn't mind that though. [ At least she seems to grow a little more back to the usual Asahi by now, with the way she starts to smile - not quite as boldly as usually, but it's definitely genuine. ] Sort of like a celebration, I guess?

[He laughs lightly a little at that mumble.]

Well, then, just in case you ever need to set anything on fire, Asahi, let me know as well.

[He looks bemusedly to the side at her. Her smile, the not-as-boisterous version, makes her look really cute, after all. Which, he reminds himself, is a thought more appropriate for Kyon than himself. Still, surely in this situation it can be forgiven.]

Sure, a celebration, though I guess we don't really need an excuse to go on a date.

Date-- a-.. a date, yes, right. [ She nods a few times to herself, as if she's trying to get it into her own head that this is a thing that is happening now. ]

Sorry, I just haven't called anything like that before, so I didn't think of it, but.. yeah, it'll be a date. [ ... ] So maybe I should say 'it's my first time, please be gentle!'

[ And at that she laughs loudly.. Asahi, that's not usually.. used in that.. context-- ah well, she doesn't even seem to realise, too obliviously far gone in her laughter. ]

[--At first he's really startled. Then he, too, has to laugh. He's not one hundred percent sure if she knows what she's implying, but he's pretty sure it would be kinder, more or less, to let it go and enjoy that particular bit of humor privately and indistinguishably:]

Ah, you really haven't done it before? Well, I'm honored to be your first.

[Okay maybe not ENTIRELY privately.]

Is there anywhere you'd particularly like to go?

[ She's oblivious to him making a joke out of it - she's just taking it at face value, but that's probably a good thing here considering otherwise she would probably go into another blushing (and possibly violent) fit. ]

No, I'm fine with eating anything! [ At least she seems to have calmed down quite a bit by now, enough to practically seem like she's usually. Just with less yelling, even if she's always sort of loud. She's probably relieved by now, honestly.. ] I like trying new foods and there's already a lot of them I like, so.. if you know some good place, then I'm all up for it!

Hmm. Well, I do have a place I like. It's Western... Italian fusion, I think it's called. Maybe you've been there already?

[ probably for the best about the little joke. He doesn't have any particular desire to get punched by her, and he is just as well able to guess what that would result in. It's not a night on which there should be any particular reason to need a reservation or something.

He's really very grateful that this is going so well, so low-drama. Her affections are understated, but nevertheless clear--not that her saying so isn't enough given what she's like. Idly, his thumb traces along the side of her finger entwined with his, before he moves to let go (one can't walk the whole way holding hands, right? Well, unless she wants to).]

If you're hungry, we can go now.

[ She did like the hand holding, but in public might just be a little too much for her as she is now - especially since it would most likely leave a trail of beaten up guys who might decide to make an off hand remark about the hand holding behind them. It shows, either way, in the way she lingers right where she was standing already for a moment or two before she actually moves too. ]

Right now is fine! [ Grabbing her jacket which was half-flung over a chair-- ] I haven't been there before.. I guess western stuff must be pretty common in a place like this though.

[ There, jacket's on, moving to open the door before looking back at him. ]

.. Come on! [ And now her grin is definitely back to enthusiastic. ]

[ the smile on his face widens slightly as hers lights up rather more. She is also the kind of girl who doesn't dreadfully take hours to get ready (other pleasant if minor qualities). Hey, maybe holding hands is out on the way there, but she's a quick adapter, obviously; she could easily not die from embarrassment when it's a little darker and there are fewer people around, and Asgard is in its settled early fall night routine. It's a lovely night for that, too, with the detritus of plants gone and the animals departed and the place generally back to its placid state. He laughs quietly and follows her.]

Ah yes, don't leave me behind, please.

It'd be sort of stupid to go alone when we're going to eat dinner together.

[ No shit, Sherlock, but she seems to mean it as a joke judging from how the grin is still plastered to her face, and she closes the door behind the two of them once they're out in the hallway. Don't worry, Itsuki, maybe you can ease her into holding hands.. at this stage it's not really like she'd punch him over it or whatever, either way. ]

So, is it far away from here?

[Well, he's not too pressed on the issue. Although it would be nice. And probably make her blush, which, honestly, probably wouldn't mind that either. It, too, looks cute on her.

These are all very un-esper-like thoughts, though, which maybe he can forgive in himself at the moment, but which he nevertheless still tries to repress, almost unconsciously. It's pretty new for him too, all of this, when taken seriously, or at least moderately seriously, but he rests in the security that not much is required, after all. It's not any more complex than it looks on the outside. Right? Well, not yet, anyway.

Relax.

Yeah, okay. Maybe it's nerves for him, too... But no, that's silly. It's about the complicated situation around it... yeah. Right. Moving on.]

It's a fair walk, yes. Maybe twenty minutes or so. Is that all right?

What, do you really think walking for a bit is a problem for me? I can do it no sweat! Don't worry, I won't be the first one of us to complain.

[ She stretches her arms as she walks, laughing - apparently she's.. a little more relaxed now, but when she speaks up about the next thought that pops up in her mind her loudness seems to decrease just a little bit again. ] And.. well.. walking with you isn't too bad specifically either. ... It sounds pretty nice, actually.

[He smiles warmly, but at her first words gives an almost challenging, sly twist to it.]

Well, I won't be the first one to complain either, Asahi.

[Ah, but also, in his continuing campaign to ~~hunt dere~~ flirt in a normal way:] Though really, maybe it's because I have nothing to complain about, when I'm with you.

[Take that, "isn't too bad specifically either"!]

It's a nice day for a walk. Autumn is probably my favorite season, after all.

[ WHY DO YOU THINK SHE'S BEING SO ROUNDABOUT WITH HER WORDING. Honestly saying what you mean is difficult when it's embarassing and still sort of difficult, okay, she's trying-- but darnit, that move is just unfair. Really, really unfair, and her face starts to color up a little once more, even as she glances off to the side a little and lets out a faint huff. ]

I think there's something good about every season.. [ okay, just answer normally, don't think about the other part-- darnit, she really can't put it out of her head. ] So.. walking in any season with you would be fine.

[omg having an honest tsundere girlfriend is pretty awesome in situations like this, clearly.]

Well, I think you're right. But you might still have a certain favorite season. [And now:]

So, it's just fine, hm? Ah, well.

[He smiles teasingly.] You're sure it's only just fine?

[ Now he's just abusing it. Abusing it for sure. But Asahi isn't fast enough to catch onto that while she's embarassed, apparently. Especially not when he's asking it like that, the last thing she wants is for him to misunderstand.. ]

I.. it's more than just fine! It's.. awesome, yeah, awesome! [ the yelling increases along with her embarassment by now though. ] Don't understate my feelings..!

[Okay okay! He would feel bad if it weren't totally harmless and pretty hilarious. Also, if she's embarrassed, she shouldn't be yelling like that, anyway, right?!

Still, how should he try to calm this from a raging torrent to a more reasonably flowing river that can provide hydroelectric power?

He elects to try putting an arm around her shoulder.]

I'm not. I might be teasing you a bit, Asahi. Don't worry, I don't understate you at all. Or underestimate you.

Don't do that.

[ The teasing, that is -- but even though she doesn't want to be embarassed anymore, it's not like she entirely minds the teasing, hence why she doesn't say anything like 'I hate it'..

And she might just be leaning a little into the hold either way. ]

Not.. too often, at least.

Not too often... Hm, all right. Once in a while, then.

[His smile finally dims a bit, into a more just-typical expression. It's a fine if crisp day here, and walking like this is especially nice since it's warmer with her next to him. There's nothing like the feeling of being warm when it's cold outside. It's an old thought but a true one.]

Anyway... How have you been doing lately? Did anything of interest happen to you during the recent plant invasion?

I guess nothing too interesting.. [ It's almost as if being this close to him actually makes her a little more quiet - a little more on a normal person's level, at least. Apparently even Asahi (with as obliviously thick-headed as she can be) can sense that being too loud would just not really suit the situation, walking this close to him.. A nagging voice in the back of her head reminds her that people could see them, but after that post it's not like there are people that don't know yet, right? So.. it's.. not embarassing, definitely not..! Just keep telling yourself that.. ]

The animls were pretty nice though, so I tried to buddy it up a little with some of them. Thinking about it, it's probably one of the least bad things that happened here, huh? Since it wasn't that bad at all in the end.

[And he appreciates that she's not yelling right into his ear. It's better if she gets all the embarrassment out of the way now, right...? Soon she won't think anything of walking around like this. And why should she, after all? Nothing wrong is being done here, Ms. Tsuntsun...]

Yes, I agree. Personally, I thought it best to avoid the situation if possible, but it became clear it was relatively benign. And it is what happens in the end that matters, after all. I hear that some people received presents, apparently in response.

[A smile twitches at the corner of his lips again.] Do you think there are other events that look better in the end? For example, you recall the "hugging" one, I suppose?

[ You can take a tsundere out of the tsun but you can't take the tsun out of a tsundere, okay.. But at least when the conversation is casual and she's this close to him she doesn't seem to tsun as much.

Except then there's the mention of that event. And the faintest eyetwitch, but she tries to shake it off. ]

That one was.. well, not really good either.. [ she grits her teeth just slightly. ] It caused a lot of people embarassment, you know! [ like you, asahi? ] And one of my friends seemed to get super upset about it, forcing something like that on people just.. isn't right.

Edited 2012-10-20 13:36 (UTC)

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