idk we're going with it

[usogi]

Comments

[messianic]

[Wow rude.

Minato just stays in place, not even bothering to try to remove those hands.]

I've been a very good boy, Senri-san. Are you going to give me a present?

[MINATO YOU RUINED IT.]

[usogi]

[his hands drop then, it's fine - ]

Haaa? No fair! Did you pretend that you didn't know who it was just so that you could swindle a present out of me? Sneaky!

[nevermind that minato was probably on his present list anyway,,]

[messianic]

Oh no... you caught me... now what will I do...

[The dryness continues.]

[usogi]

Mm, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't know if you have a future in theater, Minapyon.

[just a thought,,]

Is that what you were up to before I found you? Tricking people into getting you gifts for Christmas?

[messianic]

... Hm. Oh well. I guess I'll have to do something else.

[ANYWAY. He lifts the bag.]

Actually, I was going Christmas shopping. Do you want to come with?

[usogi]

You need my discerning eye for detail and bargains, right?

[senri hums happily and moves closer as if to peer into the bag - ]

Is my gift in here already....?

[messianic]

[Gently tugs it away.]

You're a little nosy, Senri-san.

[Anyway!]

I was headed for the antiques shop next.

[usogi]

[wh--]

It is, isn't it...

[minato why did you sign up for this]

Mm, okay! Antiques! ... are you friends with interesting, old-fashioned people, Minapyon?

[who would like antiques?

eccentrics, senri thinks]

[messianic]

Interesting people, yes...

[Not necessarily old-fashioned, though.]

I think antique stores tend to have a lot of odd and interesting items, not necessarily just old things. It's a good place to look for things that people might not otherwise receive--that's all.

[usogi]

Mm, really? I don't know all that much about it...

[He admits that and - for once, it's not a lie. It would be harder to bullshit about something he's never experienced before, so he'll go along with the chance to deepen their bond by showing interest in something Minato's clearly more knowledgeable about!

(he might think a little too much about his friendships)]

But I promise I'm a willing student! I'm in your care, Minapyon-senpaiiii.

[messianic]

[He definitely thinks too hard about this.

Minato doesn't seem too bothered by this, though...well. sans the name.]

Isn't that...a bit of a mouthful...?

[AH WELL.

ONWARDS TO THE ANTIQUES STORE.]

Besides, it's not like I'm an expert... but I think it'd be fun to see what we can find.

[usogi]

[Senri makes a happy little humming noise as he keeps pace with Minato, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he tilts his head to the side.]

Me too, me too! I have a few people left on my Christmas shopping list, so maybe I can pick something up for them...?

Do you have anything in particular that you're looking out for? Sporty type? Fashionable type? Nerdy? Punk?

[messianic]

... Is it okay if I say all of the above...?

[Minato has a lot of people to shop for.]

What about you? What sort of people are you shopping for?

[usogi]

Wooow, I had a feeling, but you really are a popular guy! Lucky me for stealing some of your time.

[but he hums in thought as he counts off on his own hands]

Some of the same? People I play basketball with, some girls who come to my shows - oh, what do I get a rich kid who already has the money to buy everything? I'm sort of wondering if I make him homemade gingerbread, it might turn out like those dramas where he starts tearing up because no one's ever made him something so full of love before?

I don't know if it'll happen, but wouldn't it be funny?

[messianic]

[Oh my god... it's so many words, all at once... but Minato's pretty okay with just listening thoughtfully, and finally what he interjects is:]

You could give him gingerbread men who are holding hands...and say it represents your friendship.

[FUCKING CHEESY.]

[usogi]

[guess who's Talkative

up until he hears that suggestion, and processes it, and can't help a wry smile]

... would that make you cry?

[messianic]

Yes. [No, but Minato doesn't cry.]

Very big tears. Ghibli tears, in fact.

[HM.]

[usogi]

Then consider it done! There'll be a whole bunch of gingerbread cookies symbolically conveying our friendship coming your way for Christmas, Minapyon.

[is this the truth

is this a lie

it depends on how bored senri gets and if the dorm kitchen is free, apparently]

That's a sight I have to see.

[messianic]

... Hm. I'll be looking forward to it.

[He seems...okay with it.

ANYWAY.]

Do you really like baking, or something?

[usogi]

Mm, sometimes! I got bored one time over break and picked up a recipe book just to teach myself something new?

[this is a lie.]

But you're funny, Minapyon. I'm not saying that just because I feel like making a mess in the kitchen. I think it'd be more fun to see a different kind of expression on your face, to be honest!

[but at least that really is the truth.]

[messianic]

Is that right...? That's pretty impressive, learning how to bake over break like that.

[Huh!!

Anyway...!!]

I can't imagine why you'd feel that way about something like that, though. I make plenty of expressions. [You Do Not, Minato.]

Besides, for me... any gift would make me happy, I think. Isn't it more about being in someone's thoughts that's really important, and not the gift itself?

[1/2]

[usogi]

Mm... Minapyon, can you take a selfie with me soon? There's a Christmas tree and some pretty displays around here, right? I need to post on social media anyway, so....

[also so he can see just how limited his expression range is]

[usogi]

[but senri pauses at that sort of explanation, tilting his head at the thought.

maybe minato's way of gift giving and receiving is correct.

but aside from small gifts from fans, and people who like his work, senri doesn't receive many gifts. he doesn't really know what it's like to be in people's thoughts. the bitterness of that thought swirls briefly before he releases it with an exhale of his breath into the cold air]

... and I still want to give you something that you'd like, that takes a little more hard work than a gift card or something.

I think it's nice to see people receive gifts that make it clear that someone's paying attention to them, and all their likes and dislikes. That kind of familiarity... it's cute! Really cute.

[it's not something he knows - but it's still something he likes to see.]

[messianic]

[There's a long pause as Minato considers that. It's sweet, really...but in return, doesn't that mean it's only fair that he gets something for Senri that's just as meaningful?

Isn't that what's only right, for someone who he considers a friend?]

Yeah, of course we can take a selfie. Whenever is fine.

[His expression won't change either way.

But more importantly...]

Anyway...I guess I'll just have to find the perfect present for you, too, then.

Since someone who's paying so much attention to my likes and dislikes...deserves something that suits them perfectly in return, right? I'll be looking forward to your reaction on Christmas.

[usogi]

[ . . . and Senri can't help a laugh at that, from how the warmth of it blooms from his chest and stretches out. His hand comes up to his mouth to try to muffle the noise, embarrassing as it feels.

He thinks it's a little unfair.

He's lied about half of his interests, so... Ah, it's not like he can just say that either, so...]

Even knowing that you want to do that is more than enough for me.

[Given the uneven playing field he's set up in his pursuit of maintaining interesting conversation - ah, well.]

But I'll look forward to it anyway...! Thank you in advance. ♪