chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

[He moves to sit up himself, finally. He finds that note, reading it over for a moment. There might have been a grin as he looks at the handmade plush. He then looks to Susato and leans forward to give her a hug. Both as a thank you, and an apology.]

It's perfect.

[ That's because you are perfect might just be her first thought, but she manages to talk herself out of childishly putting him on a pedestal. She enjoys his embraces for a few more seconds, and she feels a little stiffened by a combination of the gesture and surprise, but then she returns the hug in kind.

She leans her head against his chest to hear his heart beating. ]

It marks a happy occasion, does it not? Before I made yours, I made one for myself to practice, and one for Naruhodo-san, too. [ Seeing him again after so long... and it had been even longer for Kazuma. She pulls back to meet his eyes. ] Speaking of him, he will probably want to see you.

[ No, she's certain he will. ]

...Happy late birthday.

[Probably for the best.] Hm. I'm sure he does. [. . .] But he can wait. [He'll understand, right? He starts rubbing her right shoulder in a comforting manner.]

You should tell me what else I've missed. How's the store? How are you?

[ Just when she was about to get up—

Okay, no, that's a lie, though he certainly doesn't make it easy. She closes her eyes and decides to give them both a few more minutes while they catch up. Being pulled into another nightmare scape of a friend? Tackling a dream board quest to find peace and justice for a fallen soul who'd taken refuge in the town in the form of a wisp? ...Which happened to involve getting lost in the woods, and taking down the creature responsible for the murder?

......Probably not the best openers!

But she'll get there. ]

It has been a long month... but the Harvest is fine. The koi are doing quite well... So well, in fact, I think it's become a bit of a problem.

Edited 2023-04-06 23:48 (UTC)

Oh? [A long month can mean a number of things. But she ensures things are fine. He's going to set the plush on his lap for now.]

Are they getting aggressive? Or...?

[ She nods, giving a bit of a stretch as she slowly pries herself off him. She still sounds a little groggy. ]

There are so many now that I think the lack of space is stressing them. Mr Turtle doesn't like it either...

But I've already drafted something for the Dream board this month, so hopefully some of them go to good homes soon.

Ah, I see. [That kind of "doing well".] Maybe we can make a temporary holding pen for a few of them-

[Just as he tries to make conversation, his stomach starts to growl loudly. Huh, he has been asleep for a month.]

[ Susato tilts her head. Not that she can blame him for wanting to jump back into things, though the rumbling of his stomach does make her laugh. ]

We'll need to get your strength back up first. Take your time and get dressed. I will make breakfast. [ Once she stands, she automatically plucks a decorative rubber band off her wrist and puts her hair up in a lazy ponytail. ]

Hah...right. [Wouldn't be the first time he's been engrossed in something and forgotten to eat. Though he's surprised he hasn't just keeled over from lack of food all month. He'll just nod, watching Susato take her leave, plush still sitting on his lap. He still doesn't feel like any time has passed until he tries to actually walk.

His legs felt like jelly as he put some weight on them. Let's just try and stand, remember how to walk, slowly. Plush in his arm, he'll eventually remember how to move his legs so he can get a change of clothes. After a very well needed stretch. He definitely cracked a few bones doing so. So stiff.]

[ Susato, oppositely, is moving at her usual pace and is already at the door by the time Kazuma stands, and when she turns, she actually feels badly that she didn't think to stop sooner. She'll linger at the door for a moment longer, then walks briskly in his direction to meet him at his wardrobe. ]

Do you need help first? [ She heard those bones cracking... ]

No, I'm all right. [He needed that stretch.] I just...need to walk around for a bit. [Maybe he should go open the window, get some fresh air. He'll start walking over to it. Was there a howl somewhere in the distance...? Ah well, the breeze honestly felt nice and just what he needed. Maybe a little too breezy.

Ah.

The window now has a one large dragon head poking in and practically "pouncing" Kazuma.] Mmf! [Dragon slobber in the morning. Wonderful.]

[ Ah, yes. Fang says "happy birthday," too. Susato giggles at the sight rather than discourage the poor girl, who's been missing her master even more than the snakes downstairs. ]

Not to worry, that will wash off.

[ Because dream magic, it won't actually look (or smell) like someone who's been asleep for a literal month, but... he'll still want to shower, right? ]

She missed you.

[Smell or not, he's definitely taking a shower after this.] I can see that! Hey-! [He misses you too, but don't make your master fall over! He can barely walk as is. But he ends up laughing at how ridiculous Fang was being.]

Easy! All right, all right, I'm awake! I'll see you in the living area, all right? [She gets a few more assuring headpats, even a little face nuzzle before she must reluctantly leave. By leaving it's actually just hovering around outside the window so she can see him at all times. A sigh as he wipes some dragon slobber off his face. ] Goodness. I should have seen that coming to be honest.

. . . Me, too.

[ Best alarm clock ever. If Kazuma was groggy before, that should've definitely helped. She grins, and despite the dragon slobber, she closes the distance to helpfully give him a peck on the cheek.

Sadly, this still requires for her to lean up onto her tip toes. ]

[He might have leaned forward a little to make it easier for her. A little smile plays on his face. What a gal to be kissing someone who just got slobbered on.]

Of course. [He's trying to get his arm around her, but Fang can be heard whining.] Ah...it seems like someone doesn't want to wait.

[ Susato comes down in the following moments, turning at a particularly loud whining from Fang. She glances at her, and eventually smiles with some sympathy, the poor girl. Maybe she is hungry, too? ]

Why don't we share a meal with her out on the porch today? You can enjoy a shower while I get everything ready.

Can you meet us out there? [ Not that she can guarantee Fang with have anything to left of her meal by the time he's done, mind you. ]

[Well she stopped whinning and seems to accept the proposal.] Heh, that works for me too. I could use the fresh air.

[Well, Susato isn't quite free from him as he sneaks in a quick peck on the head.] I will see you both out on the porch then? [Fang doesn't really have anything she needs to do and perfectly fine just hovering around until Kazuma leaves the room.]

[ Susato beams. By now, she know exactly what Fang likes to eat and how she likes it, so Susato is already mentally going over what they might have leftover simply laying around their fridge to be cooked, without having to go downstairs to the restaurant. She gives a nod, and a wave at Fang as the dragon continues to hover. ]

I will see you then.

[ By the time Kazuma finds himself on the porch, there will be a traditional Japanese breakfast waiting for him. They've learned all sorts of recipes, both from all around their world and some from others, but she thought a little taste of home would be appreciated after such a long, expected sleep.

He will find that his favorite tea is still steaming hot, along with the food in both their bowls, and Susato herself can be seen scooping some sort of meat drenched in sauce into Fang's bowl. ]

[Time to himself, minus the dragon watching outside. But he definitely needed this moment to put himself back together without further embarrassing himself. He'll try not to take too long, but he's definitely going at some leisurely pace to get ready. The shower was definitely the great pick me up he needed.

Eventually he'll grace the porch of his presence, dressed in light clothing. Fang swings around from the side of the house to join the both of them.]

Mmm, smells good out here. [His nose getting a whiff of that Japanse breakfast. Definitely the right call on Susato to make this.] Looks just as good as home. [Fang's attention is at least slightly moving away from just Kazuma now that he's out here and there's a meat bowl being prepared for her.]

[ There's the sound of familiar tippy-taps as Kazuma speaks. Upon seeing what Susato is doing, Fang immediately knows the deal and is waiting (not-so-)patiently for Susato to set down the bowl, not unlike a very large dog. It gets an affectionate chuckle out of Susato every time, but maybe it's her good spirits that cause it to sound a little airier and lighter today. ]

Hehe, you are home.

[ She knows Kazuma misses Japan, but hopefully he appreciates the reminder. As long as she is around, she will always try to recreate that feeling for him.

Finally, she sets Fang's breakfast in the same corner near her bed, and then moves so she can join Kazuma on their sofa at the tea table. ]

[Fang is doing her best, can't do anything about the drooling. Seeing two her favorite people together and awake, she's content munching away on her meal. Kazuma will give her a passing headpat before joining Susato at the table.]

I suppose I am. [He waits for Susato to be seated before joining her.] Itadakimasu.

Itadakimasu.

[ Susato watches as he sits next to her, then waits for him to say the usual words before she says them herself, placing her hands together in appreciation. Her eyes remained closed for a while longer. After that, there's just the sound of spoon clinking against glass, and a couple raindrops seem to drip onto their roof cover overhead.

Maybe she just imagined it. ]

[He's trying to be polite about the way he eats, but after a bite, it hits him how starved he was. Eating a little more quickly while trying not to scarf it all down.]

Delicious. [Is this how Ryunosuke feels when presented a plate of food? Those few droplets gradually turns into a light spring shower.]

[ She visibly beams at his approval, though before she can say much in the way of return, she swallows a bite and immediately looks up when the droplets become a spring drizzle. Not even the weather souring can bring her down, however. In that moment, she can only think of the flowers that will follow. ]

Ah... Rain makes for perfect reading weather, don't you think?

Do you remember how we spoke of the reading nooks before you fell asleep?

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