adoringpast | ic inbox for recolle;

I suppose I should have known it'd be a touchy subject. [He smiles while toying with a broken heart chocolate.] Although I guess this rules out the possibility of me cooking for you anytime soon. I don't know if I'd be able to meet your standards, not knowing what iodized water is and all.

[The triple-shot espresso he ordered before sitting is finally set down between them.] Honestly, I think it's kind of admirable you're able to be that disciplined. Between all my classes I get kind of lazy about my health.

[Absurd amount of caffeine is only case in point.]

I get swamped with classes too, but it's still not an excuse to disregard your appearance and health?! You're an RA, aren't you? You should be a better example for the idiots who are staying in the school dorms.

[ but that keito may or may not have wanted to cook for him anyway... normally he would've returned that with a scathing comment that maybe his cooking is terrible, but. instead he turns his head away slightly, going a little red in the face. whether it's from frustration that keito can be such a lazy-ass or that throwaway comment, he doesn't say. ]

Speaking of the idiots who are staying in your dorms, did you know that your stupid roommate kept a cat in your room the whole damn time?

[Keito. Immediately. Pales.]

Who else have you told?

[LEO]

No one else? Relax, I'm not gonna snitch or anything. It's none of my business.

[ including the fact that mary has a secret booze ring... sena's loyalty knows no bounds, apparently ]

[He does relax. In fact he kind of melts into the back of his chair.]

I appreciate it. If anyone found out I was breaking the rules it would be the death of me. [Not really. But, you know.] I'd probably have to give Mr. Darcy up too.

[Which is Unthinkable.] Did you meet her? She's adorable, isn't she? I couldn't bring myself to turn her away.

She's... [ THE CUTEST ORANGE BALL OF FAT FLUFF HE'S EVER LAID HIS EYES ON ] Okay, I guess.

Leo was holding her the wrong way though, which ticked me off. Isn't she pregnant? You have to be more delicate in handling those kinds of cats. Here, I'll demonstrate.

[ There's a little gray one just sitting near their table and Sena stands up for a bit to pick her up by the... armpits? Under her front legs with his one hand, and supporting her rear end with his other hand. There. ]

See? You're not even supposed to carry her that much while she's pregnant.

[ huffs, but flashes a rare gentle smile down at the cat nonetheless. he's just as weak to cats like most people... maybe even more so. ]

[Sena's smile is contagious. It's a nice break from his constant scowl, maybe even cute. More importantly, it's the first time Keito's seen the allure that made him a model.]

I didn't know... Do you mind if I try? [He holds his hands out even if it's not the best idea to trade a cat over a table with food and drink.]

[ he sure as hell is not gonna pass the cat over their food and drink, so he'll stand up and move over to keito to carefully hand her over to him. ]

There. Just remember what I told you, all right? ♪

[ why is he always teaching keito things... this is weird. isn't keito supposed to be a smart guy? isn't sena supposed to brush him off?

this is a weird day. ]

[Keito follows the instructions down to a T and holds the cat like she's Beyonce's child. The cat purrs, swatting at his chin when he leans down to coo at her. Keito laughs and offers a finger for her to play with instead.]

I hope my ignorance hasn't affected Mr. Darcy's babies. I'd feel awful.

So long as you keep this in mind, she should be fine.

[ no... this is too cute, sena's turning away again while covering his mouth with his hand. what is with cats and making people more appealing? ]

I mean, I've never kept a cat myself so that should be common sense. I simply don't have the time for one.

[ that's why he goes to this cafe whenever he has time. akira did tell him that he's welcome. ]

I can imagine. Honestly, it's a bit strange meeting someone who's busier than me.

[Although it seems lonely, having no time to stop that he can't even have an animal.]

I'm sure Leo's already done it, but since you've already met Mr. Darcy I see no reason why you can't come over and play with her anytime you like. Provided you keep her secret.

[don't tell mary]

Aside from my modeling job, I sometimes work at my friends' restaurant to help him out. On top of school too, so.

[ and there's the entire thing about getting hired for a host club but that's a story for another day. ]

But yeah, I can keep it a secret. Like I said, it's none of my business and I have no one to tell it to anyway.

[ he can take this and mary's secret to the grave, don't worry. he takes a sip of his tea and clears his throat... and lowers his head down almost bashfully. about that... ]

... I'd rather not have Leo around when I'm visiting, though.

[Keito stops petting the cat. She mewls in protest.]

I'm not sure I can really guarantee that... Can I ask why? I know he's a lot to handle but he's really not so bad.

He is a lot to handle. And maybe even more from here on out.

[ huffs ]

You know those memory flashes you get from the app? We appeared in the same memory, so that means we knew each other back then.

You're kidding. Really?

[The cat leaps off his lap in anger as he leans forward.]

Was it something bad?

[ NO, KITTY BABY, COME BACK... ]

N-No, it's not too bad. He made me a song, is all.

[ and he knew his real name and will not stop using it and it's SO ANNOYING ]

I just don't want to get involved even more with that. Whatever we had back then, it doesn't apply here anymore.

[A small part of him is glad that his roommate isn't a maniacal supervillain. He wouldn't put it past him.]

I think that's understandable. I take it Leo sees it a different way.

He wants us to be friends after all that. Can you imagine someone who's barely around in your life, let alone in your classes, only to realize that you actually have a connection with them the entire time?

It's irritating, since it's gonna make us remember more of that shit and--

[ siiiiigh. his expression changes from annoyance to uneasiness. ]

I don't know how much more I can handle it, to be honest.

[ he's only told this to takumi, his close friend, so saying this to someone he's recently acquainted with sure is intriguing. ]

That's right. You've been roped up in this longer than us, haven't you?

[Can he even imagine it? Remembering so much that a second life begins to take shape and cement itself. The few memories he's gotten are simple things–startling, but easy to ignore. What would it be like to remember another person? To remember a person here?

He stares into his espresso, sipping it when it gives him no clear answer.]

I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can convince Leo to be less intense.

[Doubtful, but... Worth a shot.]

[ breathes a sigh of relief ] Thanks. [ and takes another sip of his tea. he... actually feels a lot better about this now. ]

It really is just your luck to be stuck in the same room as him. [ a wry smile pulled at the corner of his mouth ] I'll wish you the best then, Keito.

[ just gonna eat one more broken piece of chocolate. he's sort of getting used to the flavor now, at least. ]

[oh he sees that. he sees that and grins.]

Another piece? How daring. I'm honored you'll sacrifice your diet for me.

Don't get ahead of yourself. Why you even bothered to buy chocolate now of all times still confuses the fuck out of me.

[ and why heart-shaped... keito can just fucking wait for freshens to restock??? ]

[He shrugs. Takes another sip.]

A whim. I saw it and figured now was as good a time as any. Even if they were hearts.

[Still an embarrassing shape but Sena probably wouldn't read into it. After all, there was nothing there to read.]

But you can just wait until --

[ ugh, whatever. of course sena is reading into it - why else would keito bring heart-shaped spicy chocolate a few weeks after sena posted that ice cream thing on the app??

but nah, sena's the one who's getting way too ahead of himself. he has to chill. ]

Never mind. What's done it's done, though I'm not sure if I can finish all of this.

I didn't think you would. That's why they're mine.

[To prove the point he pops one into his mouth and smirks.]

I'll heroically sacrifice myself to save you from the horrors of chocolate misery, Sena. Don't worry.

ic inbox for recolle;

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