sunshrouded | x IC INBOX

[AH YES, the guilt trip that lingers on and on endlessly... Kaoru would be so proud to know that it had been so effective and in such a lingering way. A backpat of victory for himself!

But the smile stays in place as Kaoru's posture straightens, both hands coming to rest clasped together at waist level after the flowers are gone from them.]

Tenka-san would say something like that... But I have much to be grateful to you for. [hAH] And even if I didn't, it makes me happy to know you. I can at least thank you for that.

[???????? why this........ he's just confused as he keeps looking at the flowers and then

it

slowly

clicks]

Wait, wait, wait!! You're the girl - I should be getting you flowers!

[LAUGHING

in a light and delicate and feminine way, of course.]

It's fine like this, isn't it? I just wanted to be able to give you something.

[And now there's some... grumbling...]

That's really nice and all, Kaoru-chan, but it should be my job, you know?! You're really pretty - you should get pretty things.

[instead he was too aniki for life and only got flowers for his little sisters... damn....]

[INCREDIBLE. At least no one can say he doesn't care for his family, right...

Kaoru raises one hand in a gentle sort of dismissal, and the other comes up to rest demurely against his chest. The very picture of a quietly flattered innocent maiden!!]

It's kind of you to think that. Such a sweet compliment is more than enough, so you don't need to worry yourself over trifling matters like flowers... I bought several arrangements for my apartment as well, so it's fine.

[And for some reason everyone and their cousin have been showering Kaoru with weird gifts lately so ??? truly, Tenka has nothing to worry about.]

[It's... not very fine, he doesn't think.... Honestly there's some guilt now, even as he moves the sunflowers in his arms and shakes his head.]

Then I'll repay you another way! Consider me in your debt.... or well - even more than usual, I guess.

[Seriously, how much has Kaoru done for him, he can't even.... keep track????]

Ah... I hope that you don't truly consider yourself to be in my debt. Gifts never need repayment.

[Gosh Tenka, why is Kaoru of all people the one who has to say this?? Kaoru's head inclines forward a little, an expression of polite concern present.]

And the other things that I do, I do because I enjoy them and because I like spending time with you. You owe me nothing at all.

[ . . . . . well, to be honest-]

Ha... Kaoru-chan, you make it really easy to like you when you say things like that.

[Still though, he shakes his head.]

But just trust me when I say that I think that I should show my gratitude toward you more... I'll definitely work on it!

[That just has Kaoru raising a hand, politely stifling a light, airy laugh and looking very charmed. Tenka sure has an oddly endearing way with words...]

My! I feel terribly spoiled by the kind words you always have for me. [KAORU HOPES THEY'RE BOTH KIND AND TRUE since that sure would make life easier.]

I'll trust you if you'd like, but for now, it's fine to just enjoy the flowers. I hope that they can brighten up your room a little in the same way that Tenka-san can brighten up a day.

[THEY ARE REALLY BOTH KIND AND TRUE because Tenka doesn't know how to do anything else with his dumb self.... god.........

Still though, he just shakes his head at that.]

They're great, Kaoru-chan. Nishiki-chan will love them especially, I'm sure. If they make her even half as happy as you've made me, then I think they'll do their job well.

[does he recognize half the shit that comes out of his mouth prOBABLY NOT]

[TENKA???? TENKA. Jesus. Someone throw this man a life raft, he volleys so wildly between being endearing and being dumb as a sack of bricks.

Kaoru, fortunately, is not dissuaded by this and actually perks up a little at the mention of the name!]

Oh - are you friends with Nishiki-san? She's a very lovely girl.

[Ah, right! He nods in response to that.]

Yeah! We both come from the same place - she knew Soramaru too so I took her in when she first arrived. After all, this place is too big for just me and Sousei.

I didn't know that you knew her too, Kaoru-chan.... Isn't she cute though?!

[doting aniki, dear god]

[Kaoru totally aimed wrong here, god... Instead of flirting, he should have been aiming to land a Tenka-shaped aniki.]

I see! I'm glad that you're all able to live together. [Nodding along in agreement to Tenka's assessment, too...]

She was very— blunt, but pleasant. I met her when it was starting to get snowy, before the heat stopped working. She was wandering around in the snow in an outfit that looked dreadfully cold, so I let her borrow my coat. I've spoken to her a couple of times since then, and it's always a nice experience.

[god it's true...... it's almost impossible to get Tenka to turn on family. kaoru you done goofed on this one]

That's probably because just about everything's still a new experience for her... [And his expression turns a touch solemn at that before he shakes his head. It's not really his story to tell.]

Do me a favor - though I guess it'd just be more to the list - and be good to her, Kaoru-chan? Nishiki-chan is really cute... and earnest. Too earnest. I just want her to be happy.

[CONSIDERING HOW KAORU VIEWS FAMILY THOUGH it's no wonder the idea didn't occur to him.......

But that shift catches Kaoru's attention, since the statement is poignant enough on its own, but it's the reaction and delivery that's most interesting. Kaoru can tell there's a story here that obviously isn't being told, but will respect that decision by only giving a faint hum of agreement.]

I'll treat her kindly... Though you shouldn't consider it a favor, Tenka-san. I consider her a friend, after all. [YEAH... oh boy.] She does seem like a very earnest and straightforward person, though. I can see where your concern may come from... But I'm certain that if she has people like you and Soramaru-san in her life, she'll be able to find happiness.

[ . . . . well, he shakes his head faintly.]

That's only gotten harder.... I guess I forgot to mention it to you, Kaoru-chan, but Soramaru....

[ . . . he shrugs faintly.]

He's not here anymore.

[damn, who turned.... down the sun.....]

He isn't?

[There's a little surprise present, but it actually comes and goes very quickly because Kaoru's a freakishly astute observer who can piece things together rapidly. He thinks, then, that Tenka's earlier hesitance during the conversation with Shuu might have stemmed from this - or from something similar, maybe. Something to do with the ancestor he mentioned, or perhaps a combination of the two.

But there are pieces missing from Tenka's family, and knowing how much Tenka treasures said family, it's not hard to understand why the sun just suddenly got stuck on a dimmer switch...]

...What a heavy weight. [It's a quiet remark, and Kaoru doesn't linger on it.]

Still, Soramaru-san will be able to help her once we all return to our homes, won't he? Your support would also help her, I would think... and this city is full of wonderful people, so Nishiki-san should be able to make good friends. Even if it becomes difficult, it's still possible.

[He isn't. And admittedly, Tenka appreciates the lack of lingering. It's still hard - to know that Soramaru's room is empty and he and Sousei are back to not having homemade meals packed for them when they go to work or have dinner. Tenka misses his little brother already.

He doesn't think he'll ever stop.

Regardless, he just manages a smile again as they continue to talk about Nishiki.]

I think so too. Nishiki-chan is really cute, after all! And she has a good heart.... I'm sure she'll be okay, but you know - older brothers just can't help but worry. It's our job.

[There might be some sort of weird not-actually-empathetic empathy at work here. It makes Kaoru think about the time spent before Chizuru had arrived and it's a stark, unpleasant reminder that she might be taken away at any time. It would be too difficult to handle, so it's out of respect for that difficulty that Kaoru leaves the topic largely untouched.

It's too private, and it would be too painful. Both for Tenka, surely, who loves his family so much but keeps to himself so closely that he doesn't even openly grieve the loss of a sibling, and for Kaoru, who just fails at sibling-related emoting in general.

Tenka's statement is echoed, either way, with a soft-sounding:]

It's the job of the elder sibling to look out for and protect the younger ones. [Definite agreement, there.] And Nishiki-san will likely benefit from having someone to watch over her, too.

Ah.... You understand, Kaoru-chan.

[And he's happy about it. There's definitely a feeling of camaraderie here as far as Tenka's concerned, seeing as it's someone else understanding the level of dedication and love that he feels towards his younger siblings.]

But I can only hope as much. Sousei and I do the best that we can but she's just a funny girl. Best for her to get to know all sorts of people.

[YEP... YEP, ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH. The camaraderie here is strong.

Kaoru just smiles in a brief, fleeting way in response to that. There is some understanding, at least, even if it's nowhere near what Tenka's imagining. Kaoru does truly believe in what was just said, after all.]

She will, I'm sure of it. She's a wonderful person to know and I'm certain that she'll be able to make many good friends for it. [A reassuring nod!] I hope that Tenka-san will be able to rest at ease just a little, even if it's in the nature of an elder brother to worry like this...

[Well, he just laughs in response to that and shakes his head fondly. Maybe.....]

Yeah, I'd have to say it's definitely just in my nature. I'm always going to be worried over her and all of the other members of our little family here. But if you're willing to help me take care of them, Kaoru-chan, then I'm sure it'll be fine.

[what's that sound off in the distance?? oh, it's an organ gently playing a funeral dirge for Tenka's inevitable demise...

Kaoru's expression shifts from minute surprise (because that's a lot of faith from someone who believes the world rests in his family) to a quiet and peaceful sort of contemplation. This guy... He really doesn't have much of a filter at all, does he?]

If someone is family to Tenka-san, who has treated me so well, then I would consider them family, too. I would be willing to do whatever I can, if it would help them and you. [The smile that follows is a little softer than usual, maybe a little warmer.

...And then, gently teasing:] Besides, I can't imagine that grey hair would suit you. It would be best if you avoid fretting yourself into old age so soon.

Edited 2015-02-22 11:27 (UTC)

[GUH-]

Don't even joke, Kaoru-chan!! I'm only 24! I'm not even as old as Sousei - he's the grandpa between the two of us, okay?!

[well that serious aura got shattered fast]

Oh, my... Are you certain you aren't just saying that because he's so stern? [Is Sousei actually the older one out of the two of them?? Kaoru doesn't seem to believe it...]

I didn't know that you were 24, either.

[SIDE-EYES... It's hard to tell if this is meant in a "are you pretending to be younger than you are" way or a "24 is pretty old" way, but clearly Kaoru is just teasing, right!!]

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