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un: cantilena
This might be a weird question but bear with me. I think some of us remember having a life before the one we've supposedly lived in Crane City or beyond. But does anyone remember dying? Literally dying or being led to believe you have.
I won't ask the specifics. You don't even need to tell me your name if you don't want to. Death is a very personal thing and one of the first things they teach you in my profession is to avoid asking direct questions about the event itself. But I've been turning the possibilities in my head and even the reincarnation angle doesn't really fit. If you've got any insights or ideas I'd love to hear them. Or if you know anything about the afterlife/netherworld in general. Either way, let's swap notes.
I won't ask the specifics. You don't even need to tell me your name if you don't want to. Death is a very personal thing and one of the first things they teach you in my profession is to avoid asking direct questions about the event itself. But I've been turning the possibilities in my head and even the reincarnation angle doesn't really fit. If you've got any insights or ideas I'd love to hear them. Or if you know anything about the afterlife/netherworld in general. Either way, let's swap notes.
no subject
...
But she hears him loud and clear, which is why she turns her head toward him, visibly flustered. There are other places playing her music?! That... weirdly makes sense, but at the same time, she's a bit dumbfounded. ]
Ah, yeah. Right. I'm glad they like my stuff enough to play it. Still feels really weird, though.
[ Maybe her own music will drown her out. ]
no subject
Yup. My associates and employees love your work. They can't stop looping your music, especially in the Naganoodle. I've had to tell them to alternate with a few other artists so the customers don't get bored, but they insist.
Are you surprised? You have a really nice singing voice.
no subject
Seriously, on loop? I can't even imagine. I never had that kind of luck before, it always felt like I had to fight for fans.
[ A playful grin starting to spread, she directs it straight at him. ]
And it sounds like I might've just earned one more. Or do I need to do more to win you over?
no subject
His response to the grin is almost immediate—a soft smile in turn, followed by his retreating gaze. That's too much sunlight for someone like him. At least, so he thinks.
But there's a warmth that fills his chest that feels distinctly... not familiar, but right. Like it belongs, despite him never knowing that it had been missing.
Is this what he remembers? ]
Tsk. You've done plenty. I think the least I can do is support your music career here. Real or not, it's right in front of you, right now.
[ Golds slowly pan up to meet her gaze properly. ]
You deserve that happiness.
no subject
Little does he know that there's a bit of happiness sitting not too far from her now. It's more than a little unfair. Her gaze darts away briefly before she forces it back toward him. ]
Maybe you're right. I didn't have the time or the opportunity to really pursue it before. There was so many other things going on...
[ And now there aren't. She can go out and make something of herself, pursue what makes her happy without guilt or regret.
... ]
You know, there's something I wanted to ask a while ago but never got the chance to. Pre-Duocaeli days.
[ Hopefully he gets the time context. ]
no subject
A pair of miso ramen bowls loaded with tonkatsu (on the left, specifically...) come across the table. Kaito forks over some credits and then shoos the chef away. In an instant, everyone's stepped out for a conveniently timed smoke break. ]
Whatever the case may be, if you have the opportunity to pursue something important, you should do it. At least try.
[ He doesn't touch his ramen. Instead, Kaito grabs a cup of tea and takes a sip. Although his brows raise, there's no clear indication that he explicitly understands what she's referencing.
But he has a hunch. ]
If you have the opportunity to pursue something important...
[ Siiiiip. ]
no subject
She doesn't seem to notice that the place has emptied out, instead grabbing a pair of chopsticks before offering them out to him. ]
It feels a little selfish considering what I should be doing, but life is short. You never know when it might get pulled out from under you. Sometimes you've got to take a chance.
[ ...Nice, that's as good a segue than ever. ]
End of the month, Brava. It's a cute wine bar on the Promenade that has regular performers in on the weekends. I'll be there on the last Saturday of this month. I was wondering it... you'd come see me perform.
[ Oh god that sounded desperate! Quick, backpedal! ]
I mean, obviously no pressure! It's no big deal if you can't make it, or if you don't want to! I just never got the chance to ask back then.
no subject
Oh shit, is she asking him out??? Wait, is this a test of their past friendship? Were they friendzoned the entire time? If he says yes, does that just mean he's walking into a trap— ]
—Um.
[ 'Don't just "Um" and then pause, you idiot!' ]
I-I mean, yes. Yes! Yes? [ Cough. He finally picks up his chopsticks, breaks them cleanly, and proceeds to inhale a good quarter of the bowl's noodles before following up. All in ten seconds. After the spectacle, Kaito clears his throat and attempts to pass things off as if he hadn't just done all of... that. ]
Um. Yeah.
Of course I'll go.
1/2
It takes a few seconds after he answers again for it to fully register. It isn't even supposed to be a big deal, but she can't deny the little leap her heart does when he tells her that he'll go. It doesn't matter that she's inviting him as a friend, she's over the moon. ]
You will? Really?
[ Don't sound so excited! It's not like this is a date or anything (...had they ever gone on a date, she isn't sure they have). She claps her hands once, grinning from ear to ear. She'll probably look back and realize that she looks like a complete idiot, but that's a future Hibiki problem. ]
I promise, it'll be worth it! I've got some new material I'm planning on bringing, and the space is great. Better than the dingy clubs and bars I usually play. And I'll pick up the cover charge for you, so don't even worry about that! The drinks will be on me! [ Speaking of which! She pulls her attention away from Kaito to look toward the front of the shop. ]
Excuse me--
2/2
Blinking a few times, it becomes deafeningly clear how quiet this place is. No customers, no staff in sight... She visibly quiets as confusion sets in, brows knitting as she realizes that they are the only two sitting here. It seemed weird that he would invite her to a public place to talk about private matters, but Hibiki knows it's best to not ask questions and go with the flow when it comes to him.
There's no way everyone cleared out because of him... right? ]
no subject
Hm. ]
Yes, really. And don't you worry about covering any charges. I'll be bringing your biggest fans to the venue, so there's going to be a lot of profit to be made from the ticket sales. [ Hope you're ready for a few dozen Nagagoons to be in the front rows with signs.
It takes a second, but Kaito eventually picks up on the fact that she's only now realizing how empty the little stand is. His smile grows. ]
Ah. I don't think I've told you, have I?
Here in Crane City, my family has a hand in the operations of every shop that sells ramen, from big name restaurants to little stands.
I get to enjoy a few privileges because of this... background quirk.
no subject
Turning her attention back to him, surprise apparent on her face, she tries to smooth that over with a smile. But it comes off more sheepish than anything. ]
Why do I feel like I drew the short end when it comes to crazy backgrounds..?
[ Wanna trade? He can be a teacher and she can be a part of the Big Noodle operation in Crane City. ]
I guess that explains why you'd want to meet here. Do we have a time limit? How long before everybody comes back?
no subject
Please. Being a big name isn't that glamorous. Do you know how many phone calls I have to take at all hours? I miss things back home when I ran my own business...
[ Yeah, Kaito doesn't get much sleep here either, but it's for completely different reasons now. Thanks, Ramen Yakuza life. ]
We have another two hours. You can take your time here.
[ The scrape of plastic feet on concrete signals Kaito pushing out of his stool so he can step around the stall's counter. ]
So, what's the songbird looking for? Want a drink? We've got cheap beer, cheaper beer, some knockoff brand of sake...
no subject
[ She's mostly joking here. Some job security and a reliable paycheck would be nice, but Hibiki doesn't envy him here. Giving up his family business to manage another that he has only a tenuous tie to has to be hard, she can only imagine.
Watching him round the counter, a small smile slides onto her face as she finally starts to relax. Good. That's plenty of time. ]
Let's go with your second-cheapest beer. [ Wow, big spender! ]
...Actually, how much is all this? I usually just get a plain bowl.
no subject
[ His tongue pokes out as some (real) sleight-of-hand comes into play to make it look like he just slipped out a bottle of Crane City's Finest from his coat sleeve.
Wait. She's Nightfell CRAU, not PSL. She doesn't even know—
A quick tug against a nearby bottle opener has the liquor's vapors wafting from its vessel. ]
Here you go, our second-cheapest beer. Wonder why they call it Crane City's Finest if that's the case. As for the food? It's, uh...
[ Oh, he knows the answer right away. The pause is coming from how jarring it is to have that memory just kinda existing when he knew he'd never heard of this place in his Real Life before. ]
Probably only eight bucks more than a usual bowl? Got it as an extra large and doubled the tonkatsu on the side. Not that you're paying tonight anyway, y'hear?
no subject
That's what they say about any cheap alcohol, doesn't matter where you are. Pretty sure you can't tell the difference after a couple anyway, so it might as well be true.
[ Scooping up some hot noods, Hibiki gawks at him as he rattles off the price. Not that he knows it off the top of his head, but EIGHT BUCKS MORE?! Never mind that he's paying for it (they'll get to that one later). ]
.......You know I'm a teacher, right?
[ Not everyone is pulling in Noodle Cartel money, Kaito! But also she is not leaving even a speck in this bowl. Her overly-cheap soul won't allow it! ]