[ "Princess", ah yes, there it is. That infuriating nickname that usually mildly annoys her these days but is confirmation that her gentle teasing has struck a nerve in this case. Her amused smile in response says just as much.
It wouldn't be appropriate to continue smirking at him much longer though, not with Shinjiro actually making the effort to talk to her about this, to open up. That in itself is a sign of change, although she still isn't certain she can reciprocate fully - perhaps she was being left behind in that regard? Just like when she was once worried was happening with Akihiko. A worry niggling at the back of her mind that her friends are experiencing personal growth, yet she remains here, in the same place, stagnant. And yet hadn't she changed so much? After everything she'd been through back home? ]
So it isn't impossible then, for that not to be an obstacle. I expect it never even crossed your mind to be concerned about it because it just didn't matter to you what she was...
[ She's not sure where this train of thought is going, only that she needs to take another sip of her own bizarre drink for a moment. Like him, she is finding the jelly balls to be rather a hindrance... Still, after chewing another she continues. ]
I'm glad for you, Shinjiro. Glad that you have someone.
[They're talking about cute feelings stuff. He absolutely doesn't need to note that he found the six arms and massive snake torso and everything about her really hot, actually. It absolutely occurred to him what she was, but-- like Mitsuru said, not in a way that mattered.]
Basically that.
[And it really is a huge difference for them now. Sitting across from each other, tentatively talking about things that are personal, things with no wider meaning aside from how they feel. No major responsibilities or expected roles to fill or shows of bravado. Mitsuru entertaining the conversation without assuming the role of a fascinated outsider is a step in the right direction-- and Shinjiro himself feels like he's grown near unrecognizable at times.
Funny what a year and a complete change of circumstances will do.
He reaches over for one of the cookies, glancing across at Mitsuru a bit more intently.]
But I didn't come here to dote about my girlfriend. Whose the girl or guy you're thinking about when you're asking me that stuff?
By all means continue to dote if you wish. It's strange seeing you like this... but not in a bad way. Sort of like a dog walking on its hindlegs...
[ She chuckles softly... And ah, yes, there it is, the inevitable change, turning this whole discussion back around to her. Why even bother? There isn't anything to talk about. ]
I don't have anyone like that.
[ Right. Easy answer. She says it quickly, as though she doesn't even have to think about it as she reaches for one of the cookies herself.
She takes a bite, chewing it thoughtfully, mulling over everything he'd said and... ]
There is someone that I spend a lot of time with but it's- [ She pauses. ] it's not comparable at all. He's human and it's not romantic.
[ The lie about him being "human" is automatic, smooth. She could be exceptionally deceptive when she chose to be. Yukari might be her best friend now but even she would attest to that. She had said she wouldn't tell anyone and she meant it. ]
...We did go to get fast food pizza at 1am once. That was... surprisingly enjoyable.
[ It doesn't occur to her that that's a really weird thing for Mitsuru Kirijo to go and do. Not for one minute... ]
Oh yeah? Or maybe strange like President Kirijo herself hand washing her panties in the sink?
[yeah, remember when we first showed up in Aldrip and had no washer? Shinjiro remembers. Even if he never actually saw her washing her underwear, he's sure it happened. No way Mitsuru would tolerate wearing five-day-old crusty panties.
But there it is. No one quite like he and Dara, but someone she's met organically and been hanging out with. Possibly independently of her work or her status or anything. The fact that him being human is a lie goes completely unnoticed by Shinjiro-- Mitsuru is deft, and he has no reason to suspect they wouldn't be.]
Yeah? Good. [His lips turn up, clearly pleased to hear that. Is 1 am Pizza weird for her? Sure. Does she deserve it? Absolutely.]
I can see how that'd be weird for you. You never really got the chance to just.... Make friends with someone outside of school or SEES or anything, huh.
[there could be something said about it being lonely at the top-- but as true as it is, that feels trite, too simplifying.]
You don't have to be 'Kirijo-sama' here. You can just be Mitsuru.
[ That is met with an outraged spluttering noise. ]
You've never seen me do any such thing! Please refrain from mentioning my underwear when we're actually having a civilised conversation.
[ Not when she's made such a concerted effort for certain things to forever remain a mystery to him, no matter how long they might live in close proximity to one another... ]
...Perhaps I should I feel embarrassed to admit it, but... yes. I've never had many friends in general.
[ No matter how popular she might, how respected and admired... none of that stuff necessarily meant having actual friendships. If anything it meant people were usually intimidated by her and that always made it easier for her to keep them at arm's length. ]
You're right though. I'm glad of that - although I cannot say that I don't miss the benefits "Kirijo-sama" had. Having my laundry done for me for example.
[ She smiles at that, well aware of how it sounds but... Honestly, who would ever willingly do laundry again if they had someone else to do it for them?
Although all of this friendship talk has her wondering something... she suddenly looks distinctly more awkward for a moment. ]
...Have you ever held Akihiko's hand? [ What is this question even, Mitsuru...?? ] Or, well, any good friend's hand really?
[ Implying that a) Shinjiro would ever be the hand holding type and b) that he had any good friends outside of Akihiko... Except, well, she happens to know that he'd branched out far more than he ever had back home, made more friends. In which case, perhaps he's in a better position to enlighten her? ]
[Rough laughter and nodding is the only response she gets to her outburst-- that's the absolute limit, she's made it clear, and it's likely that if they weren't in the middle of this talk, he'd be executed on the spot. Understood. He lifts a hand in surrender, more than happy to leave that one alone in favour of their talk of friends.]
Nah, nothing embarrassing about it. It's not like I've had many friends before either.
[And then she asks: 'Have you ever held Akihiko's hand? and instantly his thoughts are to those nights in an unfamiliar home, immediately after the fire, his best friend inconsolable no matter how tightly Shinjiro held onto him--]
As kids, sure. Probably haven't in years, though.
[He shrugs, reaching out for another one of those cookies. He'll have to remember that bakery.]
Aki was pretty emotional as a kid, so it came with the territory. I guess after a while it just sort of stopped.
[He's not sure who pulled away. Himself probably. Once Akihiko had his new family and his goals and could stand up comfortably on his own and fight with his own purpose.]
I bet Kotone's the kind to hold hands with everyone, though. Probably doesn't even ask.
[ Hey, if he doesn’t make a note to remember the name of that bakery then she will prompt him. These are good.
And right, of course they would have held hands as small children. It hadn’t been what she was thinking of when she asked the question about them but of course that makes sense. ]
…Somehow the image of him being emotional always makes a lot of sense. These days I think he just channels it differently. [ You know, into punching things. ]
And I think you’re right about Shiomi. That seems just like her…
[ For a moment she has a strong recollection of that time she had been hit with corruption and Kotone hadn’t exactly taken no for an answer in dragging her out of the house… She’s probably one of the few that would dare do something like that with her. ]
So then you don’t think it’s… unusual? It can simply be a friendly gesture.
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no subject
It wouldn't be appropriate to continue smirking at him much longer though, not with Shinjiro actually making the effort to talk to her about this, to open up. That in itself is a sign of change, although she still isn't certain she can reciprocate fully - perhaps she was being left behind in that regard? Just like when she was once worried was happening with Akihiko. A worry niggling at the back of her mind that her friends are experiencing personal growth, yet she remains here, in the same place, stagnant. And yet hadn't she changed so much? After everything she'd been through back home? ]
So it isn't impossible then, for that not to be an obstacle. I expect it never even crossed your mind to be concerned about it because it just didn't matter to you what she was...
[ She's not sure where this train of thought is going, only that she needs to take another sip of her own bizarre drink for a moment. Like him, she is finding the jelly balls to be rather a hindrance... Still, after chewing another she continues. ]
I'm glad for you, Shinjiro. Glad that you have someone.
no subject
[They're talking about cute feelings stuff. He absolutely doesn't need to note that he found the six arms and massive snake torso and everything about her really hot, actually. It absolutely occurred to him what she was, but-- like Mitsuru said, not in a way that mattered.]
Basically that.
[And it really is a huge difference for them now. Sitting across from each other, tentatively talking about things that are personal, things with no wider meaning aside from how they feel. No major responsibilities or expected roles to fill or shows of bravado. Mitsuru entertaining the conversation without assuming the role of a fascinated outsider is a step in the right direction-- and Shinjiro himself feels like he's grown near unrecognizable at times.
Funny what a year and a complete change of circumstances will do.
He reaches over for one of the cookies, glancing across at Mitsuru a bit more intently.]
But I didn't come here to dote about my girlfriend. Whose the girl or guy you're thinking about when you're asking me that stuff?
no subject
[ She chuckles softly... And ah, yes, there it is, the inevitable change, turning this whole discussion back around to her. Why even bother? There isn't anything to talk about. ]
I don't have anyone like that.
[ Right. Easy answer. She says it quickly, as though she doesn't even have to think about it as she reaches for one of the cookies herself.
She takes a bite, chewing it thoughtfully, mulling over everything he'd said and... ]
There is someone that I spend a lot of time with but it's- [ She pauses. ] it's not comparable at all. He's human and it's not romantic.
[ The lie about him being "human" is automatic, smooth. She could be exceptionally deceptive when she chose to be. Yukari might be her best friend now but even she would attest to that. She had said she wouldn't tell anyone and she meant it. ]
...We did go to get fast food pizza at 1am once. That was... surprisingly enjoyable.
[ It doesn't occur to her that that's a really weird thing for Mitsuru Kirijo to go and do. Not for one minute... ]
no subject
[yeah, remember when we first showed up in Aldrip and had no washer? Shinjiro remembers. Even if he never actually saw her washing her underwear, he's sure it happened. No way Mitsuru would tolerate wearing five-day-old crusty panties.
But there it is. No one quite like he and Dara, but someone she's met organically and been hanging out with. Possibly independently of her work or her status or anything. The fact that him being human is a lie goes completely unnoticed by Shinjiro-- Mitsuru is deft, and he has no reason to suspect they wouldn't be.]
Yeah? Good. [His lips turn up, clearly pleased to hear that. Is 1 am Pizza weird for her? Sure. Does she deserve it? Absolutely.]
I can see how that'd be weird for you. You never really got the chance to just.... Make friends with someone outside of school or SEES or anything, huh.
[there could be something said about it being lonely at the top-- but as true as it is, that feels trite, too simplifying.]
You don't have to be 'Kirijo-sama' here. You can just be Mitsuru.
no subject
You've never seen me do any such thing! Please refrain from mentioning my underwear when we're actually having a civilised conversation.
[ Not when she's made such a concerted effort for certain things to forever remain a mystery to him, no matter how long they might live in close proximity to one another... ]
...Perhaps I should I feel embarrassed to admit it, but... yes. I've never had many friends in general.
[ No matter how popular she might, how respected and admired... none of that stuff necessarily meant having actual friendships. If anything it meant people were usually intimidated by her and that always made it easier for her to keep them at arm's length. ]
You're right though. I'm glad of that - although I cannot say that I don't miss the benefits "Kirijo-sama" had. Having my laundry done for me for example.
[ She smiles at that, well aware of how it sounds but... Honestly, who would ever willingly do laundry again if they had someone else to do it for them?
Although all of this friendship talk has her wondering something... she suddenly looks distinctly more awkward for a moment. ]
...Have you ever held Akihiko's hand? [ What is this question even, Mitsuru...?? ] Or, well, any good friend's hand really?
[ Implying that a) Shinjiro would ever be the hand holding type and b) that he had any good friends outside of Akihiko... Except, well, she happens to know that he'd branched out far more than he ever had back home, made more friends. In which case, perhaps he's in a better position to enlighten her? ]
no subject
Nah, nothing embarrassing about it. It's not like I've had many friends before either.
[And then she asks: 'Have you ever held Akihiko's hand? and instantly his thoughts are to those nights in an unfamiliar home, immediately after the fire, his best friend inconsolable no matter how tightly Shinjiro held onto him--]
As kids, sure. Probably haven't in years, though.
[He shrugs, reaching out for another one of those cookies. He'll have to remember that bakery.]
Aki was pretty emotional as a kid, so it came with the territory. I guess after a while it just sort of stopped.
[He's not sure who pulled away. Himself probably. Once Akihiko had his new family and his goals and could stand up comfortably on his own and fight with his own purpose.]
I bet Kotone's the kind to hold hands with everyone, though. Probably doesn't even ask.
no subject
And right, of course they would have held hands as small children. It hadn’t been what she was thinking of when she asked the question about them but of course that makes sense. ]
…Somehow the image of him being emotional always makes a lot of sense. These days I think he just channels it differently. [ You know, into punching things. ]
And I think you’re right about Shiomi. That seems just like her…
[ For a moment she has a strong recollection of that time she had been hit with corruption and Kotone hadn’t exactly taken no for an answer in dragging her out of the house… She’s probably one of the few that would dare do something like that with her. ]
So then you don’t think it’s… unusual? It can simply be a friendly gesture.