mikodere | IC Inbox for Recollé

Oh, it's a good thing I called, then. I'd hate for you to feel lonely. Mikoto, don't cry! [ lol

But she's lonely, too. That's more or less her default state, though. ]

Is it okay if I come over?

Oi!!! [At least he's not stuttering any more.]

I'm not feeling lonely! [Then he mumbles, but still loud enough for her to hear.] Besides, I got Noa with me....

Yeah, you can come over. You heading over right now?

[ That's cute, too.

At that moment, Yuuko steps into view. He can definitely see her through the shop windows. She waves at him, wearing a bright smile. She has a... gift bag? No, there's nothing special about it, but given what Yuuko promised him last time, he should be able to guess what it is. ]

Yoohoo!

[ The chimed sound as she enters the shop, looking around to admire his wares. ]

This place gets smaller and smaller each time I visit...

[When he turns his head towards the window, his eyes immediately grew wide and luckily he had the desk that he was leaning against, or else he'd probably fall over from the shock.

How long had she been standing there?! Never the less, you needed to play it cool, Mikoto Mikoshiba!! He lets out a laugh and flicks some of his bangs back.]

I hope you mean that in the sense my merchandise sells so fast that the store looks smaller.

[#sosmoothsocool Watch out Yuuko, you've been hit by a smooth criminal. ... Okay he'll stop looking proud of himself. His eyes glance over to her giftbag, he already knew what was in there.]

So... did that keep you warm?

[ deadeyes

But, she'll let him have this. She should really stop being so nice to him. Why is she nice to him!?

He speaks again and she remembers. ]

Yeah, it did. [ She could tell him it also smelled nice, but telling that would just sound weird? It sounds weird. WEIRD. ] Thanks again.

[ She dares to make eye contact for the first time, and then— ]

[ —she turns away! ]

This store could use a little warmth, too! It hsa all this color, yet it doesn't feel welcoming at all!

You're welcome... [He smiles at her, with a light shade of pink forming at his cheeks from the thanks. He's... never really done anything like that and he still didn't know what posessed him to let her keep his jacket for the day.]

Huh?! [but then that smile transforms into a pout] This place has plenty of warmth!

[He suddenly places a hand on his chest.]

This store... has the warmth of my burning hot love.

[... Now he... just wants to crawl in a hole because if that wasn't the epitome of lame, he didn't know what was.

That hand that was on his chest now moves to his face as he's slowly sliding down face. His cheeks now has the warmth of a burning hot blush that he can't get rid of.]

Well, uh... what do you think this store needs to seem welcoming?

[ To that, the answer is clear. ]

Less pick-up lines.

[OUCH]

You know... I can agree with that. [His hand now reaches over to the back of his neck, trying to avert his eyes away from her gaze because he was still embarrassed by the stunt he just pulled.]

Anything else you think this place might need? I do... uh, worry with how I set up my displays.

Edited (bc typos!!!) 2017-02-10 07:01 (UTC)

Ahaha!

[ At least he knows he's embarrassing. With her hands behind her back, she looks at his displays then, wondering if there was something she missed. He's pretty good at what he does, isn't he? It's not a big shop, but it's something he can be proud of. And it shows! ]

Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with them. I don't exactly know what's missing, either...

[ Her eyes are on him as she says this: ]

I mean, everything in this shop is beautiful.

[There's a slight pause before he speaks. Normally, he was thrilled over the moon to receive compliments... okay he still was, but for some reason he didn't feel the urge to egg on for more. He was beyond touched that he couldn't even express in words.]

Thanks...that means a lot. I still got a ways to go to become like my father at perfecting... but I'll get there one day. [He was determiend to, anyway!!] But I'm really flattered that you think so.

[Suddenly, a jingling sound, that was accompained with tiny footsteps could be heard. Mikoto whips his head towards the sound and was delighted to see that it was his beloved queen; Noa! He immediately smiles and bends down to pet the cat, before turning his gaze back to Yuuko..]

Oh hey Noa! I don't believe you've met Yuuko yet, have you?

[The cat scurries her way closer to the girl, tilting her head in curiousity to the stranger, while swishing her tail back and forth.]

[ Her smile is a little wider now. Mikoto can act as bold and confidently as he wants, but he's cuter when he's honest. He has passions, dreams... Yuuko can't remember the last time she dreamt.

When the cat appears, Yuuko's eyes brighten. It was no secret that she was a fan of cats as much as the rest of the city was. However, as the cat approaches, Yuuko... steps back. ]

... She's cute!

[ And she does mean this, but as much as she wants to pet the cat, her hands insist on remaining clasped behind her back. ]

She is, isn't she?! [He was... very quick to agree to that statement. Noa was his precious queen, after all.] She can be a bit fickle at times, but she's overall a very well behaved cat.

[Did she... take a step back? Maybe he was just seeing things but he couldn't help but wonder.

However, Noa does take note of the girl taking a step back. This is unusual human behavior thought the cat. The black kitty continues to let out meows and starts walking circles around Yuuko, as if she were inspecting her.]

You can pet her if you'd like! [pause] Or not if you happen to be allergic or anything. It seems lie Noa is curious about you.

Edited (html fail) 2017-02-12 07:41 (UTC)

I'm not allergic...

[ Mikoto looks so expectant. The last thing she wants to do is let him down, but her luck didn't always work that way. Although Yuuko loves animals, animals don't always like her back. This has been a tried and tested fact.

Her eyes shift between him and Noa, and the often bold Yuuko now feels a little more like prey. ]

She doesn't... bite or anything, does she? [ She crouches, smoothing her skirt under her legs. ]

Nah, she doesn't, she's never bitten a stranger. The only people that she's ever bitten are my dad and myself. However, my dad deserved it since he was teasing her with food.

[He... wasn't going to talk about the many times that he was bitten by his own cat.

Noa blinks and simply stares at Yuuko for a few seconds before she takes a step closer. When she's close enough to the girl, her little cat nose wiggles and lightly sniffs at the girl. When Noa finally looks up at Yuuko and makes eye contact, she lets out a happy meow and rubs against her legs, letting out a soothing puring sound.]

I think she likes you?

[ Noa makes eye contact and Yuuko is nervous. If not even Mikoto's cat can't accept her, then that would sting...

All she expects comes crashing down when Noa purrs, and a bright smile blooms across Yuuko's face. Her cheeks are rosy as she starts petting a cat for the first time in what seems to be forever. She laughs, even, when whiskers tickle her fingers. ]

I guess she's an exception to the rule.

[ Again, her eyes meet Mikoto's. She doesn't regret coming over. ]

Did you try to win her over with your pickup lines, too? [ lol ]

An exception...?

[Noa continues to let out soft purrs when she receives pets from Yuuko. In her cat mind, it felt nice to petted by someone else other than her pathetic owner. She shows her appreciation and affection by nuzzling against Yuuko's hand. It was also her way of asking for more pats.]

Hey! [Once again, he finds himself blushing... especially when he remembers that awful pick up line from earlier.] N-Noa's special and doesn't need to be swayed by pick up lines!

I actually found her as a kitten hanging around at the shop. I think she was abandoned? Whatever the case, I suppose it might have been fate since I first caught her sniffing the flowers.

[ As Yuuko continues to pet Noa, she mumbles, ] Fate, huh.

[ The flowers led the cat to him, who took her in without a second thought. Well Yuuko doesn't actually know what went on in his head, but... He's kind. She knows that much. ]

Like when you caught me?

[ ... Okay. Yes. She's doing this now. ]

[It's like Yuuko's words never fail to have the power to instantly make him freeze up and turn into a blushing red blob.

Because... that's exactly what he's doing right now.]

M-Maybe?

[a beat.]

Wait no, ignore that. I-I mean.... [He's just going to continue to stutter like a fool.] I thought you didn't believe in fate?

[ And he's back. She definitely likes this side of Mikoto more. ]

Well! [ She rises from the floor, each step toward him sending him closer to his death until she leans over the counter. ] Maybe I changed my mind.

[ As silly a concept as fate was, she won't deny how it's brought her small victories. ]

Hey... [ Despite coming this far, she begins to avert her eyes, as if the shyness is finally catching up to her. ] Will you let me stay here for the day? I promise I won't be a bother.

[ It's a school day. Any good student should be class right now, but if Mikot tries to argue, she will insist. ]

[One of the things that Mikoto has learned from playing dating simulations and dealing with real girls is that....

Real girls are a whole lot more complicated and confusing. He could feel his face growing redder when she leans against the counter.] I-If that's the case... that's a... quick change of mind.

Sure, I don't mind. I just hope you don't get bored hanging around here with me [pause] and my cat. I can't imagine anything exciting happening here today.

[Come to think of it, how old was she anyway? Would it be rude of him to ask? He was under the assumption that she was in school. High school or university was the question.]

You... aren't in school or anything, are you? I mean, it is a weekday after all.

[ It's hard when the choices aren't laid out for him, huh... Luckily enough, she's not after exciting things to do. The way she sees it, there's a certain kind of fun to be had by simply talking to him. ]

Hm? [ She props her chin up with her hands, not moving an inch from her spot. ] I'm just here to kill some time. People usually say I look older than I am.

[ That... doesn't answer his question. ]

You look pretty young yourself!

[Okay, so since she said that then he didn't think she was in University since that's what he was assuming. (Or he could just... directly ask her but he's dumb.)

Wait. She wasn't a junior high school student, was she?!] Don't tell me you are a middle school student.

You think so? Glad to know that running this shop hasn't made me age or anything!

[... Mikoto you are only 20 soon to turn 21 and you've been only running this shop for 6 months.]

[ Of course he hasn't aged!? Between that and his wrong assumptions, he's not intentionally being that funny, but she laughs all the same. ]

I'm not that young. [ a beat

then a mischievous smile ] Unless you're into that.

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2/2 I'M SO EMBARRASSED....

i feel you... i feel you so much

THANK YOU FRIEND ♥

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