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[dereban]

Now you're making me curious.

[ And you know the words 'curiosity killed the cat'. ]

I mean... you should be able to. You should be allowed to.

[ She's a hypocrite, though. Her own fate can't be changed. She isn't allowed to. ]

[spacialeyes]

Am I~? [It’s almost like he hid something there to purposefully get her to at least think about cutting it open.

He closes his eyes to hide any change in their colour while he elaborates.]

Remember when we went to Watanagashi together? And I told you that I never got to go to festivals…

That was only a bit true. I did sneak out into festivals when I was younger. I caused a lot of trouble and hurt a lot of people. My family started locking ‘Yuuto’ up in the shrine’s inner quarters, where I couldn’t bother people. Back then, holidays like Spirit Day were things that I had to spend alone. And I thought I’d have to be locked up for Christmas too.

I don’t want that for you… But if you’re going to be away, at least don’t be alone. I want you to have a bit of company. Even if it’s in the form of a cake.

[dereban]

... should I be worried that you put something weird in here?

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto pauses. Maybe his feelings weren’t received, but!

He can still take a hint and lighten the mood.]

It won’t huuuurt you, if that’s what you’re worried about?

[dereban]

...I'm cutting it right now. Pass me a goddamn knife.

[spacialeyes]

Wha- Right now? But then you won’t be surprised later?

It’s not going to hurt you… It’s just embarrassing? For me??

[And yet, a convenient spirit lights up and comes to make a knife with magic. In exchange for some of the starling in Yuuto’s pockets, of course.

He whines when he sees the knife materialize on the table.]

[dereban]

Too bad. I'm taking matters into my own hands.

[ Let's cut open the cake!! ]

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto is very conflicted. He wanted her to try the cake, sure, but something tells him that this is more dissection project than taste testing! And she was supposed to take this home!

His tail begins to rattle with anxiety when she cuts in. It is indeed a strawberry shortcake, though the center is made of a softer strawberry-cream filling. He likes to flex his skills, apparently. But the softness of the center hits something hard in resistance. Noticing this, Yuuto tries to frown.]

See? Safe! I wouldn’t bully you with cake.

[And if she decides to investigate further, there is a red plastic capsule in the center of the cake.]

[dereban]

... huh. Wait, hold on, there's something actually in here--

[ She's going to go ahead and hunt for that red plastic capsule. ]

Aha. Found something. Let's seeeee...

[ Can she open it? ]

[spacialeyes]

[Yeah, it’s an easy open. Like a gachapon capsule, it only needs a squeeze and twist to open it. And, like a gachapon capsule, out comes her prize: a slip of paper with some really bad math jokes written on it.

Yuuto is bright red. It was a childish idea and he didn’t want to see her judge his humor. They were meant to cheer her up if she was alone and eating the cake, but alas. Now he feels like he’s being judged.]

… Th-there. See? It’s just a stupid cake and- stupid jokes and..! Nyah!

[dereban]

Nyah...?

[ Wait, this feels awfully familiar to her in a way that's a little bit uncanny, but she refuses to think or talk about it. ]

Why the hell would you put a capsule of jokes in a Christmas cake...? None of these are even any good.

[spacialeyes]

Not even one?

[And why is she making him explain himself?? Yuuto can feel the embarrassment burning his ears now. She had might as well kill him with the knife.]

They were supposed to... m-make you laugh... [He looks away, then stands up. ] Never mind! It was stupid. You don't have to keep the cake if you don't want it either. I'm going to feed those cats. [before they ask for spirit knives too.]

[dereban]

I'm keeping the cake because I can't say no to free food. It'd be a waste otherwise.

[ And Inaba isn't about wasting things. ]

Honestly, what's more ridiculous about this is that you didn't even know that today was a couple's holiday... putting something in a cake is more something you'd do with a lover than a friend, you idiot.

[spacialeyes]

[She might hear him drop the cat food cans after she says that. Fortunately his power is good for shielding the kittens and he uses the time spent retrieving them to cool his face.]

Now you're telling me that gambling is for couples too? Nnnnn. [His tail rattles against the floor, before he stands up and begins open cans. Yuuto makes his love for the kittens obvious when he empties their food into a china saucer. When he returns, his face is only slightly less red. Yuuto is using his power to try to force his temperature to lower and combat the blushing.]

It wasn't meant to be like that... ugh. Please don't tell Ryoko about this. I'll never hear the end of it...

[dereban]

Not necessarily gambling. But just... the idea of hiding something in food is actually a pretty common proposal trope. You'd hide the ring in food or a drink until your partner finds it.

Also, I make no promises.

[spacialeyes]

[the smallest of:]

fuck.

[Good thing he didn't go with the windchime idea. Yuuto sways on his feet before kneeling to set down the wet food place. And he decides not to immediately return to the table.

she's his ex

his ex

his

EX.]

Ahahaha. I guess... The real joke was on me then, huh? Too bad I'm an idiot, ahaha...

[He glances at her, silently asking if he's even allowed back at the table after this.]

[dereban]

[ She lets out a deep, heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging a bit. ]

I don't know how you somehow miraculously keep stumbling into things like this... geez.

[spacialeyes]

I'm sorry.

[He knows it's because he never had chances to socialize outside of his family, but he won't say it. Now that all of the kittens are gathered at the bowl, Yuuto moves closer to the table.]

I guess I've been so worried about everyone that I lost sight of how careless I am... again. I seem to be doing that a lot somehow. Maybe I'm just talented... You're so much better at these things than I'll ever be.

[dereban]

It's fine; I knew it was just your unawareness. But saying that I'm much better... I just have slightly more experience and used to play Cupid a lot.

[spacialeyes]

Cupid...

[Yuuto stares at her thoughtfully... But he's not so stupid as to ask his Ex for help in securing his boyfriend as a roommate. He'll figure that out on his own, right?

Besides. He'd rather learn more about Inaba... Even if this topic is dicey.]

Is that a hobby of yours, Inaba? It doesn't surprise me... You're really observant and clever, huh..? Is it fun to 'play Cupid?'

[dereban]

Used to. I don't do it anymore, for... obvious reasons. I suppose you can say that it was a hobby because I do a lot of people watching.

[spacialeyes]

I see... A hobby like that might be a bit too powerful in a world like this one, huh?

[Yuuto leans into the table on his elbows.]

You are really observant though. You had me figured out even before I did... and I think you've seen through most of my masks by now. That must be kind of lonely..?

[dereban]

Oh, don't worry--people watching is going to come back in full force sooner rather than later.

[ Having the cameras around the city will help with that. ]

I wouldn't say it's lonely, though. But the way I figured you out... I guess you could say I have two friends who are similar.

[spacialeyes]

Maybe putting you in charge of the cameras was a weird idea, if you have hobbies like that…

[He is ready to tease and not be so serious, but she brings up her friends again. Even now, he takes a moment to admire the way that Inaba looks and sounds when she mentions her friends. It reassures him that their breakup was the best decision.]

You mentioned Iori-san… I didn’t realize there was a second person.

But they’re why you stayed around me, huh? I’m grateful.

[dereban]

Hmm? Do you want to be in charge then, Yuuto? You can figure out how to fix them if they go down all. By. Yourself.

[ She smiles, but it's definitely not a kind one. It's one that's almost cruel and malicious, full of evident teasing.

But that soon fades when he mentions Iori. ]

Mm. You're pretty similar to Iori in some aspects, yeah. You're also similar to Taichi in some aspects, too. But your similarities to them wasn't why I...

[ She trails off. ]

Forget it. Any of that crap's unimportant, anyway.