Then he comes back, a book in his hand. He sits himself down in a chair, starts reading.
He wishes he knew better what to do, but for now he just provides a presence. Besides, it's nice reading in the kitchen with the smell of good food around him.]
[It there's anything Haru learned during his stay here- it's that he needs to be more open with his friends and his feelings. But as he gives the curry one last taste before pouring it into two bowls, he finds he can't do so easily. Years of hiding will do that to anyone.
A bowl of curry and a bowl of rice. He sets them on the table, then providing chopsticks and a glass of water.
[Mewt has been watching him cook the whole time. She's now meowing loudly and climbing up his leg in order to beg for some chicken. He doesn't oblige her, but he does allow her to sit in his lap and brace herself against his chest to try and bite at his spoonfuls of food. He's used to this enough to dodge her. He even pets her between bites.]
[The cat is so spoiled. Rei wishes he could truly disapprove, but he's given her treats just for looking sort of sad more times than he really should.]
[He takes a deep breath, scritching Mewt as he gathers the words.]
Makoto is-
[Saying it seems too final, too real. But this is Rei- they've been through a lot together during their time here. Feelings are still awkward, too slippery in his hands. As he struggles with the last word, his skin starts to glisten, allowing Mewt to slip away and run off to go clean herself.]
[Rei pauses, then puts down his own utensils, sighing softly.]
I know, Haruka-senpai. I'm sorry.
[He wishes he could say more than that, do more than that. But he doesn't know what. He watches Haruka, taking note of the way his skin is glistening. He knows Haru has another power, but hasn't seen it in action really. He wonders if that is it.
Now isn't the time to worry about it, since Haru doesn't seem to like it anyway.]
[Rei doesn't mean to sound so surprised, but in all the time he's been with them, he's never seen Haru and Makoto fight. They're not like himself and Nagisa, who squabble and bicker often, who have had the occasional fight and then made up with each other after.
He's also not from far enough in the future to know about regionals, to know about Haru's doubts about his future. Other than Nagisa's troubles with his parents, everything seemed fine back home. So what could have happened?]
I'm sorry, senpai. Fights hurt, but... as long as you make up after, it's alright, isn't it?
[Even if he's never seen them fight personally, surely they've had fights before.]
[It's their first real fight ever, he wants to say. It's supposedly all right but it makes him uneasy to think about it, he wants to tell him. He can't stand the fact that he's put such a hurt expression on Makoto's face, is what his heart is yelling out.
But instead he just extends his hand, turning it in the kitchen lights.]
This is my second power, Rei.
[He clenches his fist, and there's a gross squelch noise.]
[...ick. Rei can't help a shiver running down is spine. The shimmering is pretty, but that noise.
Rei tries to wipe off the grossed out look on his face and be polite. Haruka is in distress and it's his job as kohai to cheer him up, not make him feel worse!
That said, he's not completely successful.]
Oh. I'm... sorry. But it's alright, Haruka-senpai. Would you like me to get you a... towel, or something?
[He's not sure what to do about power-induced body ooze.]
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action;
Furiously cooking. He's already got the appetizers done and is now working on a meal.]
Rei, taste this-
[He holds up the ladle of green curry for Rei to try.]
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Rei dutifully tastes the curry, giving it thought.]
A little bland... could use some more seasoning.
[It's actually pretty good already, but previous experience tells him he might as well give Haru something to change.]
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[Haruka returns to his pot, stirring and adding in a bit more [insert spice].
He's very, very focused on his cooking.]
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Then he leaves.
Then he comes back, a book in his hand. He sits himself down in a chair, starts reading.
He wishes he knew better what to do, but for now he just provides a presence. Besides, it's nice reading in the kitchen with the smell of good food around him.]
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A bowl of curry and a bowl of rice. He sets them on the table, then providing chopsticks and a glass of water.
He sits across from Rei.]
Let's eat.
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Thank you for the food, Haruka-senpai.
[He takes a bite, wondering if he should broach the topic or just eat in silence.
He opts for silence for now.]
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Do you... normally let her do that?
[He seems disturbingly practiced at it.]
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[And he just doesn't have the heart to not give into her EVERY WHIM.]
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She's going to shed hair into your food.
[So that's all he's going to say on the matter.]
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It's fine- I keep her away.
[He gently pushes her down- then sets down his spoon and continues to pet her idly.]
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I suppose we know why she's so happy here.
[Why wouldn't she like it somewhere where they let her sit at the table during mealtimes and give her treats?]
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Rei...
[He takes a deep breath, scritching Mewt as he gathers the words.]
Makoto is-
[Saying it seems too final, too real. But this is Rei- they've been through a lot together during their time here. Feelings are still awkward, too slippery in his hands. As he struggles with the last word, his skin starts to glisten, allowing Mewt to slip away and run off to go clean herself.]
-gone.
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I know, Haruka-senpai. I'm sorry.
[He wishes he could say more than that, do more than that. But he doesn't know what. He watches Haruka, taking note of the way his skin is glistening. He knows Haru has another power, but hasn't seen it in action really. He wonders if that is it.
Now isn't the time to worry about it, since Haru doesn't seem to like it anyway.]
I wanted to check on you, for that reason.
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Thank you, Rei.
[...though the more he thinks about it, the worse his. Condition. Is getting.]
At least- it's safer. Where he is now.
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It is. And he was from the future, and he saw us there, so we know we'll see him again.
[He hopes that gives Haruka some heart. According to others he's talked to, this shouldn't be forever. They'll go home, one day.]
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He just.
Sighs.
And looks down at his now moistened clothing. More sighing.]
He told me- we had a fight. If I go back-
[He'll have to experience it. He'll have to have his fight with Makoto. And he doesn't know how to feel about that.]
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[Rei doesn't mean to sound so surprised, but in all the time he's been with them, he's never seen Haru and Makoto fight. They're not like himself and Nagisa, who squabble and bicker often, who have had the occasional fight and then made up with each other after.
He's also not from far enough in the future to know about regionals, to know about Haru's doubts about his future. Other than Nagisa's troubles with his parents, everything seemed fine back home. So what could have happened?]
I'm sorry, senpai. Fights hurt, but... as long as you make up after, it's alright, isn't it?
[Even if he's never seen them fight personally, surely they've had fights before.]
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But instead he just extends his hand, turning it in the kitchen lights.]
This is my second power, Rei.
[He clenches his fist, and there's a gross squelch noise.]
It's unpleasant.
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Rei tries to wipe off the grossed out look on his face and be polite. Haruka is in distress and it's his job as kohai to cheer him up, not make him feel worse!
That said, he's not completely successful.]
Oh. I'm... sorry. But it's alright, Haruka-senpai. Would you like me to get you a... towel, or something?
[He's not sure what to do about power-induced body ooze.]
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[He stands up, trying not to get his-- whatever this is everywhere.]
Um. Thank you, Rei-
[He looks to the side, as he always does to hide the gratitude that shines so clearly in his eyes.]
-I. Appreciate you being here.
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[And he hopes he can keep being there. He doesn't want either of them to go through this alone.]
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We're in this together.
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[He watches Haru go, then looks back at his food just in time to see Mewt sneaking her way toward his bowl.] Ah- cat, no!