mikodere | IC Inbox for Recollé

[ 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.

[YUUKO PLEASE.

He's practically choking on air when she says that and is nervously flailing his arms in the air.]

W-What? No not at all!! That's just wrong!!

[At least he didn't have to worry about her being that young. Mental panic averted! Well, he's still panicking but for different reasons.]

Then... are you a high school student?

[ She LAUGHS FOREVER. Is that what he's worried about? She could tell him the truth. She's pretty young for her level, though. Should she tell him she almost skipped a grade, too? Nah, he'll panic. ]

Why are you so curious? If you want a kiss, you could just say so!

[ It's a joke... only not really. She has that same cheeky smile again as she adds, ]

You'll have to wait a year, though.

[... Whoah.

WHOAH!!!

If it was possible, steam would be flying out of his ears from how red he was looking right now.]

I-I-I n-never said I wanted a kiss! B-Besides, s-shouldn't you be telling ... s-someone special that? And not some silly [Yes, he even called himself silly] florist owner?

[Okay. At least that nailed down her age. 17!]

Oh, I'm just teasing. I have to agree; you are pretty silly. Did you think I was going to give you my first kiss just like that? [ ...

But, she's not that cruel. ]

You have to work for it!

[ She's fond of him, after all, and a year is longer than people think. If things don't change in that time, it would all be worth it. ]

I hope I'm not interrupting anything, though. You seemed really into your game...

W-What?! N-No not at all!! [Once again... he finds himself tongue tied at the mercy of Yuuko. It didn't take much for him to become a flustered mess. But it was like, she knew exactly what buttons to press to turn him into a blushing hot mess.] You should share your first kiss with someone that you really like, anyhow!!

But maybe he's becoming more fond of her as well.]

B-Besides, I'm not exactly ready to give out my first kiss...

[Oh no, he actually admitted that. He's... just going to hope that Yuuko didn't pay too close attention to his confession. COUGH COUGH MOVING ON...]

No you're not. [He lets out a nervous cough at the mention of his game.] I-It was just for killing time since there weren't any customers around. But uh, it's nice to be able to actually talk to someone so... thanks for being here. Along with bringing back my jacket too.

[ Someone she likes? Who could that be? Ah, he's so pure. She likes pure. ]

... It's nice talking to you, too.

[ But now she's looking for common ground. She can flirt all she wants, but that wouldn't be as fun. Getting to know him— that's interesting. ]

I like games. [ She really does. When you're out of the loop at school, what else can you do to kill time? Besides, Nobu likes games... ] What kind of games do you like?

Oh, you do?! [There's some sparkle in his eyes when she mentions she likes games too. He was a little surprised to hear that but happy at the same time because something in common?! And this nerd likes games a lot.]

I like all kinds. [Particularly... dating simulations but he'll keep that part a secret for now. He'll tell her in due time (or if he gets caught playing one.)] RPGs and fighting games are probably my favorite genre.

I've been really hooked on this MMORPG called Obsidian Plains Online, it's a lot of fun but it's also very addicting. [He probably looks like the biggest nerd talking to her right now but he's so excited that the embarrasment hasn't even hit him yet.] What kind of games do you like?

[ Wow, he likes games almost as much as Nobu does. It's nothing she's not used to, but... she didn't think he'd be the type. Keep it cool, Yuuko. ]

I like anything that has a good mystery. So, horror games? Games you can play with friends aren't bad either. Like fighting games and Mario Party... Mm! You tend to become enemies by the end, though.

Obsidian Plains... I think my friend likes that one too. I hear she's pretty strong, but I don't play so I wouldn't know.

Maybe we should play a horror game together, then. I feel like those are extra fun when two people are playing together. [Although, Mikoto has a sneaking suspicion that he'll be screaming and cursing the whole time while Yuuko sits there chill. So... maybe that wasn't a good idea.]

Yeah, games with friends are fun until... yeah. [He lets out a dry laugh.] Mario Party is a friendship ruiner for sure. Especially when someone's star gets stolen. I'd recommended Dokapon Kingdom but that one seriously destroys friendships.

[Nobu's the only person he knows that plays it and she's very strong. Could it be...? Nah. It would be too much of a coincidence.] Maybe... one day I'll run into your friend, especially if she's that powerful.

[ ...Yep, he's a nerd like Nobu. You can do this, Yuuko. ]

Maybe! [ It'll be funny. Nobu's lowkey intense. ] She's good at a lot of games. Even dating sims! I didn't know there were tricks to those.

[Wait. She played... dating simulations?!

This was a woman that was after his own heart. Don't mind him, Yuuko, he's going to stare at you in awe for a bit before he excitedly responds.]

I'm impressed with you! Dating Simulations do require strategy. Because you have to pay close attention to the story and that helps when choosing the right options. Trying to get all the endings in one game takes a lot of time and dedication.

[He's sounding an awful lot like he's an expert at this...]

[ She's a casual. Don't get too excited... ]

I suppose that's why you're such an expert with women, hm? [ She chuckles. Okay, that was mean. ] I'm just kidding. With that face, I think you could get any girl you wanted.

Hey! [HE'S GOING TO POUT AT YOU FOR THAT COMMENT, YUUKO...]

[Normally, he would have said something stupid like "That's because I am the handsome playboy of Recollé!" or something just as equally dumb. But he's somehow able to refrain himself and actually act like his normal meek self around her. Plus, it didn't help that she complimented his face..] T-Thanks... not sure about getting any girl because I still have a long ways to go. [On like everything that pretains to human interaction.] You're... really pretty yourself.

[He wouldn't be surprised if she had a boyfriend. She could probably charm over anyone with that cute face of her's.]

What are your hobbies? Sorry, I kind of went on a tangent about video games. Tell me about yours.

[ He thinks she's pretty, but everyone does. She knows it's not enough to make people stay. So she smiles. It's the least she could do for an honest compliment from someone so shy. ]

My hobbies?

[ She knows what he said. She's just stalling. Among her hobbies, she has a few mainstays. ]

I like basketball, swimming, collecting those little antiques like I'm Ariel from The Little Mermaid... and reading! Do you know the Prince of Cats? I like that one. Yato does, too. You should ask him about it.

So you are the sporty one. You part of your school's basketball team? [He lightly chuckles at the mention of Ariel.] That's a cute hobby. Just make sure you don't brush your hair with a fork like she does.

[Yato's name causes him to visibly cringe.]

I'd rather not ask him about it. But no I haven't heard of it! The title sounds interesting. [Because he likes cats.] What's it about?

[ sweats nervously ]

Ahhh, that's a surprise! [ It's fantasy YA lit crossed with standard light novel fare. Embarrassing. ] There's a cat... Anyway, you have to read it to find out.

As for clubs, I... [ She suddenly looks smaller. ] don't have any.

Okay, I'll check it out and let you know when I do. [A+ description because it's already caught his interest. He'll read anything with a cat.]

[Oh no. Did he say the wrong thing? Quick, think of something, Mikoto! He'd feel terrible if he made her feel bad.]Well, when I was in school I used to claim that I was part of the "go home" club. I wasn't interested in joining anything.

[None the less... he was still wanted to see her play sports in action. Even if sports was never his thing, he wanted to see her having fun.]

I'd like to see you play basketball, though. How good are you?

[ Let her know what you think of Prince Nekosuke and Chizuru's romance, Mikorin...

And, ah. Her closest friends aren't sporty people, so this is new. Why does he want to watch her play? Oh god, she better make it good. Does she have sexy basketball clothes? why is she like this ]

Um, I can play alright... Don't laugh if I mess up.

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