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[spacialeyes]

Ehehe. I'll save those other places for a different day then!

Let's tour the shrine then! I told you that there's a hot spring, right? There's a lot of other stuff here too. Like a balcony at the top, private libraries, our house... Let's go! [And he does offer his hand, though he's ready to drop it if she doesn't seem interested.]

[dereban]

I remember. It's been a while since I've been to one -- do you want to hop in together?

[spacialeyes]

[And Yuuto, without missing a beat (or using a brain cell,) answers:]

Sure! That would feel nice. It has a great view too! I can grab towels while we’re on the way.

[He’s too happy to hear she would relax in a hot spring to think of anything else.]

[dereban]

[ If there are any potential issues, Inaba herself doesn't seem to see them. Or perhaps she just doesn't actually care? She smiles a little brighter, humming pleasantly. ]

If it has a nice view, that makes it even better.

[spacialeyes]

This way then!

[He leads Inaba past the rose garden and through the large entrance gate, gradually taking her back to the more private parts of the castle-like shrine.]

The number of people working here has been reduced while I'm grounded, so we'll have a lot of privacy wherever we go. It's been pretty relaxing, actually... Has your week been okay thus far?

[dereban]

Hm? Is your mom putting you to work or something in their place, then?

[ She thinks it's probably so that the punishment has more levity with less people, but she wonders if there's more to it than just that. Nevertheless, Inaba's hazel gaze wanders around her surroundings, taking it all in. ]

I've been fine. Just working on a few potential projects.

[spacialeyes]

Sort of! I am doing my best to make up for the trouble by working harder. But it’s for my Rumor. She doesn’t want many more people to think about me.

[Since he’s stuck here more than usual.

Yuuto takes the walk slowly, having noted that Inaba commented on a view being a good thing and guessing she might want to soak in the sights. They have to pass over the balcony and by it’s grand view in order to get where he’s taking her anyway, so he slows to let her see it.]

That sounds fun. You’re always so busy… When you’re ready, then I’d love to hear about them.

[dereban]

[ For a moment, she finds herself pausing, her gaze falling slightly as her gaze looks down at the floor beneath her feet, her steps slowing down just ever so slightly before eventually headed to a stop.

She rocks on her heels a little bit, still not looking up at him. ]

This is probably a stupid question that's coming out of nowhere, but... do you think that I'd actually be good at being a leader for people?

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto turns to face her, noticing her mannerisms have become almost uncertain. The question does come from nowhere and reminds him of what Fauna was suggesting before. He takes a few seconds to gather his thoughts, before nodding.]

I do.

Do you want to be the leader, Himeko?

[dereban]

Mm, it's more --

[ Crap, she mentally scolds herself for sounding a little more meek. ]

I've been talking and thinking about it. About creating a proper group to help unite everyone. Because as it is right now, we're just random strangers meeting up now and again for meetings thrown by whoever asks for them and it's disorganized. Not to mention that everyone's in their own little groups, which...

[ She pauses and shakes her head. No, it's best not to talk about her own issues. This isn't about her. ]

Anyway, that's all I wanted to ask, really.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto knows better than to push this time. But he does want her to know that she's allowed to talk about it more... How does he express that without being annoying? His own tension shows in the way his belt sways and his smile softens.]

I think that a group sounds great. Communicating is the best way to solve problems, right?

[He steps backwards, towards the railing;] Let me know if you need anything. Both 'Yuuto' and 'the Spacetime Kami' are happy to help! I want to help you all get home safely too.

[dereban]

Yeah, of course. But I didn't want it to just be a group to solve the core issues, but also have a general base of operations for all Fallen Stars. Like a centralized hub where they can get all their information, where other Fallen Stars can teach other various skills -- and probably more than that.

I need to bring it up publicly to the entire group first. But the framework is done, as well as the group name.

[spacialeyes]

Oh… A base needs a location, right..?

[Yuuto wonders how much help he can offer there. It seems like the Fallen Stars have soured towards kami, so he doesn’t want to overstep and risk making everyone uncomfortable. Even if he’s technically both. Then again, Fauna seemed to think that he wasn’t entirely hated.

His interest is again earned when she mentions already having a name.]

C-Can I know the name ahead of time? Or is that a secret..?

[dereban]

Basically. I was thinking that maybe something could be built from scratch, but... that'd take a long time, wouldn't it?

[...]

Canis Major. That's the name I came up with.

[spacialeyes]

Time isn’t a concern for me. So if that’s what you really want, then it will happen. Just have faith!

[He’s eager to help somehow, so the idea of working hard to make the base doesn’t bother him.]

Ah… That’s the constellation with sirius. It’s a good name for you all.

[dereban]

What, should I start handing you a bunch of Starling under the table or something?

[ She's making a faith joke. ]

Yeah. Basically I wanted to keep a theme to make it easy to memorize.

[spacialeyes]

Hmm~ Under a table, in a back alley, with disguises! Ooor you could be my girlfriend and I'd do it for a "please?"

[While he's being silly:]

Hey hey. You picked a really sirius name! [Moving on before anyone can groan at his pun:] I like it though. The name and the idea. I think it'll be a big help!

[dereban]

Oh, that's when you meet me right outside the Denny's parking lot for a one v. one.

[ And then Inaba says something that Yuuto might regret: ]

You want me to say 'please'? I thought you were the M here. I didn't know you were into begging.

[ Awful. ]

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto laughs, completely relaxed in her company again, until she throws that at him. He makes a small noise of surprise as he turns to face her again, cheeks already more red than he’d like. How does he respond to that???

He’s really missed goofing off like this. Despite being red faced and flustered, Yuuto tries to feign some calm and confidence as he reaches out to hold her chin. He frowns stubbornly when challenging her back:]

So you don’t want your secret base?

[dereban]

Hmm? I never said that.

[ There's a teasing lilt to her voice, her gaze fixed on his with dark eyes filled with determination. ]

I don't mind saying it... although are you sure that's what you want?

[spacialeyes]

[He begins to relax again, but only slightly. This kind of teasing can get dangerous fast. If he pushes back then he could be taken under pretty fast.

Yuuto doesn't release her face, at least, and returns her gaze. But his own determined expression is giving way to shyness. It's hard not to melt a bit when he sees that look in her eyes. Inaba really is the most amazing girl he's ever met.]

... I-- The Spacetime Kami rarely receives requests of any sort, so... I'm not sure what it's like. [He's trying to pretend this is strictly a 'professional' matter, hoping to recover some courage.]

[dereban]

[ Inaba sees those slight shifts in his reactions and mentally takes a note of all of it as her grin widens a little mischievously. ]

Then... maybe I should ask the spacetime kami for many requests. That is, if he wouldn't mind me saying 'please' many times.

[spacialeyes]

[It's when that offer makes him blush that Yuuto realizes:]

... Why is the idea of you saying 'please' making me like this? I-It's only polite to say 'please' to a kami! This is normal!

[Her smile is worrying him.]

[dereban]

[ Oh, that expression is absolute gold and she plans on milking it for all its worth, so she finds herself playfully humming before trying to push her voice a little more innocently. ]

Hmm? Is that so? I'm sorry, I'm from another world so I don't know any better...

[spacialeyes]

I'm not that stupid.

[Yuuto moves his hand to cup her cheek rather than holding her chin. This gives him some power in their weird teasing battle, right? He's not sure. It may be impossible to win in this kind of game, but he's here to try.

Part of that effort apparently includes blushing a lot and struggling to hide it.]

W-Well. If you say it enough, I'll do anything that you ask. I'm a very generous kami. What would you like, Himeko? Just the base?