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[dereban]

Inaban

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[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto takes one last look at the skating rink, then instinctively reaches for Inaba's hand in an attempt to keep them together.]

The store I usually go to isn't actually that far, so... Th-This way, please.

[dereban]

[ She'll take his hand. There's a warmth that she feels there, something that she doesn't usually feel all that often- or rather, hasn't felt properly in a long while. Honestly, Inaba isn't sure if that feeling is just how this world works with physical touch or if there's something more to it.

Those feelings, however, are ones that she'll bury in her heart for the time being as she tries to soften her smile. ]

... Alright. [ Anyway, try to change the subject a little while he leads the way! ] You said that cooking fried chicken and cakes were within your wheelhouse, didn't you? What else can you cook?

[spacialeyes]

[Likewise, Yuuto is confused by how different it feels to hold her hand. It's calming and grounding, making each step feel more centered than the last. He's able to calm down enough to lose the shy note to his voice.]

If there's a recipe, I can cook just about anything? I like recipes with a science to them. It's a bit relaxing, I think..? So a lot of baking. Sometimes I'll cook pressure cooker recipes too.

What do you like cooking, Inaba?

[dereban]

[ The mention of science reminds her of a few people in the Foundation... maybe she should count her blessings that they're not here to meet Yuuto.

In fact, she's sure at least one or two of them would be a mess to see together. ]

Curry.

[ It's a simple admission. ]

A friend of mine- [ Oh, wait. She needs to correct herself. ] Or rather, a few were experts. I didn't know the secret recipe that they had, but I decided to make it. Plus, it's Taichi's favorite. But I didn't mind making other things as well, though I leaned a bit on more simpler recipes. Cooking isn't exactly my forte, but I learned it because I wanted to make the people I love happy... and one of my partners enjoyed eating a lot so I sometimes had to make large portions for him.

[spacialeyes]

You’re such a kind girlfriend, Inaba. Your boyfriends are really lucky.

[He laughs quietly, then adding:]

Nenonen cannot eat certain foods, so I’ve also gotten very good at making everything into a smoothie. And cooking with peanut butter. I wonder what a Christmas smoothie would taste like?

[dereban]

You think so? It's only natural to be able to do something for the people you love...

[ Cooking just wound up being one of those things. But she hums a little thoughtfully. ]

I don't know what those 'certain foods' are, but a good Christmas smoothie would probably use strawberries...? Since Christmas cakes usually have them. Although there's probably a variety of other options you can go for, too.

[ She pulls out her phone with her free hand and starts to look something up quick. ]

Some other options would be a cranberry smoothie, or... ah. Have you ever made a gingerbread house before?

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto is listening intently, already formulating how he would make a Christmas smoothie for Nen. He’s beginning to consider something strawberry with a milk substitute, when Inaba says something that rattles him.]

Gingerbread houses?? Who lives in them? Spirits??

[dereban]

Nobody lives in them. They're just for decorative purposes. But people build them this time of year... you could probably also make a gingerbread smoothie, is my point.

[ That she was trying make, anyway. ]

Stores would sell kits that you could use to build them. People could get pretty creative with this.

[spacialeyes]

Creative… I’ll get one for Tau-san…

[Yuuto can only imagine what kind of creativity Tau would apply to a gingerbread house. Also, his vision of a gingerbread house is probably incorrect, because he has never seen one before.]

Thank you for the idea. I’ll try that for Nenonen too. I’m sure that it would make them really happy… I want them to enjoy Christmas too.

[He smiles affectionately, but does avoid gushing.]

That reminds me. I owe you a Christmas gift that is not lewd. Let me know if you see anything interesting while we’re on our way.

[dereban]

Well, thankfully the grocery store should have kits, so I can at least help find ones that are appropriate for a first time. They're things that you can do alone or with other people, depending on what they want to do.

[ Oh, right... ]

Don't worry, I don't really need anything, promise. The scarf... [ She brings her hands close to it. ] It's enough.

[spacialeyes]

She likes small group activities and solo projects, but I’m sure that she could handle anything. She’s incredibly creative and talented.

[…]

Are you sure? I made it myself, so it’s probably not as good as something that you’d get in a store…

[dereban]

In that case, something bigger with a good amount of options would be a good choice as a gift, then. But we'll see what options the store has.

[ Since Inaba is the type of person who cares about both quality and price when it comes to shopping. ]

I'm sure. The fact that you made it is already amazing. Sure, it's not professionally made or anything, but it's unique. It's made by you, not some random person or robot in a factory whose name I don't even know. And it's special. The sentiment and feelings that went to it are what matter. It's a lot more thought out than what I gave you, in any case.

[spacialeyes]

[His smile becomes more shy as she elaborates on why she likes the scarf. It feels strange. He’s glad that she likes something that came from him.]

… I’m glad. I’ve always wanted a friend to make a gift for. So um… thank you for accepting it. That makes me really happy.

I hope my love keeps you warm- [He hears the phrase from home leave his mouth-

Remembers where he is-

And covers his face with both hands.]

[dereban]

...

[ Inaba isn't exactly stupid in this regard, so when she hears him pause and let go of her hand to cover his face, she also stops to look at him properly with bright amber eyes. ]

Are you alright?

[spacialeyes]

I said something stupid..! I-I’m sorry, I-I… I meant… I hope my feelings keep you warm…

[dereban]

Mmm, I got it, don't worry.

[ For some reason, she sounds a bit... disappointed? But she hides it behind a smile. ]

Anyway, let's not get too flustered before we're there.

[spacialeyes]

So it’ll be okay to be flustered once we’re there..? [He reaches back for her hand, already missing the comfort and stability from her touch. But he’s already quickly distracted. They’re passing one of the many Christmas trees that decorate the city streets, but this one has caught his eye.]

… There’s a star on top?

[dereban]

Hm? Ah, yeah... when you're decorating a Christmas tree, you usually have a star topper. There are some people who use other types of toppers, but a star is the most common.

[spacialeyes]

It’s pretty… I wonder which star it’s supposed to be?

[He notices someone running a booth near the tree. It looks like some sort of information booth, which would presumably have the answer for his question.

His belt wags.] Can we check it out?

[dereban]

Back home it's supposed to be the Star of Bethlehem-- although it's probably different here, I'd guess.

[ She does notice that his tail is wagging, however, so-- ]

It's on the way, so it should be alright.

[spacialeyes]

[He gasps in excitement when she agrees and begins leading the way over. He’s so happy and comfortable with her that he speaks too freely;]

I haven’t been able to see the stars with all of the lights, so I’ve been going crazy… I wish I could align with this one.

[Though even once they’re at the booth, Yuuto doesn’t get to learn about stars. He’s getting an explanation of the missing tradition here: The one where they’ll get gifts if they kiss under the tree. Yuuto looks dejected for a moment, because stars aren’t involved. Then he brightens with excitement.]

A gift! Another present for you!

[dereban]

Wait-

[ Her face is red at this point and she can hear her voice crack into higher pitches. A rarity for her. ]

You're okay with this sort of thing!?

[spacialeyes]

[A part of him does resist the idea. He can’t kiss Inaba. He’s not completely sure why, but he’s pretty sure that it’s taboo. Probably because, to Yuuto-]

Mm. Friends kiss all of the time, right?

[So he shouldn’t be shy about kissing Inaba. She’s a friend. It shouldn’t feel strange. It should be normal.

But he can feel his heart rate picking up. That… That’s not how it should be for friends.]

Do you want to try? They said it’s a tradition and you’ll get some jewelry out of it. I can help if you want it?

[dereban]

Friends don't kiss all the time!

[ It's an immediate retort. Her face is burning and she can hear the way her voice screeches but she is trying real hard to pull herself together. ]

I certainly don't kiss my friends unless we're doing some stupid shit!

[ She has, in fact, played spin the bottle before. So it's not like she hasn't kissed her friends before, but it was more of a "haha funny icebreaker as a distraction from all the awful shit" versus a tradition. ]

B-Besides, I'm sure you wouldn't want to kiss me...!

[spacialeyes]

[He won’t say that she’s wrong. People can have all sorts of boundaries after all. Honestly, Yuuto wouldn’t kiss just anyone- Even when he has started to misunderstand certain social rules.

But he is beginning to suspect that something is wrong with him. It’s her retort about whether he wants to kiss her or not that finally explains the way his heart is racing. Yuuto’s smile becomes shy and he nods.]

I want to. If you do too… Ah, I’d be quick so I don’t… hurt you, of course. [He can’t forget that his soul is disgusting!] It’s alright if you don’t want to… We don’t have to try it.