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Post by Kimura Kyōryoku on Sept 22, 2017 14:34:39 GMT
Once again, here he was at the illustrious Sunflower modeling agency. It was one of those discretely tucked away building in Shibuya, just like most buildings around here that wasn't the old 104. There were multiple modeling agencies vying for jobs in this ward, but for some reason, Sunflower just had this essence about it. An essence that reminded him that modeling was one of those make or break careers with no set path. People here were delightfully fucked up, or at least needed to make themselves seem delightful in order to get jobs around here. That's just why he was here, to add some pep in the step of these girls, knowing there were quite a few who needed his services.
Otherwise, why would he be here, to take in the sights of beautiful ladies? That was a honorable pass time, but it wasn't as though he couldn't find just about any other place in Shibuya to do it. Some of these girls were deeply egotistical and had their head up their own asses anyway, not to his surprise. They were going to be the next big top model some day, may as well cultivate that personality while you're still a small name, right? Some people couldn't help but try to make themselves more important than they were, probably due to their crippling self-esteem issues. A lot was being pushed on them anyway, the thought of being thinner, more sleek, more fashionable in appearance and body type.
Just more for him to prey upon when it came right down to it, which it was about to. Walking through those doors into the temperature regulated lobby, Kimura went right to the front desk for some small talk. Just a few compliments, ask them how their day is going, tell them that you needed to be somewhere, drop a few names. There was never an appointment for him-- not like he was the type of person with that kind of pull here. Just gotta keep them going long enough to forget that you're just some guy they let into the building. It'd be dangerous if it wasn't someone like him, although it's hard to say he wasn't at all dangerous. What he was selling did have the ability to kill some people if they weren't careful about just how much they were gonna use in a single day.
Selling synthetic stress relief wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, but it sure did pay the bills and in volumes at that. As he bid himself adieu to the receptionist, the socialite made his way to the elevators and quickly closed the door so that he'd have his privacy. Not like he was gonna fix his hair or anything, just liked it better that way, no one to ask him why he was there. A simple in and out was all he needed, as well as a pocketful of cash to make his day a little bit better. Hopefully, there would be no distractions going into this deal, sometimes another person would try to pull his client away or try to get in on his action. There was competition to be had here, definitely, not like he was the only one offering this service in Japan.
He just looked at himself as though he was the one offering the best products with the best customer service. Which is why he was there today, delivery, a lost art to some. Pressing that number three button on the elevators switchboard, it began to move and pull him from the ground. There was always this slight nausea that came with a moving lift, but not one that wasn't immediately dealt with by the body's regulating abilities. Within a minute or so, he'd be right where he needed to, walking through a couple of the make up stations before finding just who it was that contacted him. Thankfully, everyone was blind to him, too busy focusing on themselves and their soon to be successful careers.
"Need some powder?" Kimura teased the girl, already knowing just what she needed. Just had to alert her to his presence and get it over with, having her take him to a more secluded hallway. The deed had been quickly done and she was off to the bathroom to do just as he suggested. Go and powder her nose. Talking some bullshit about a stress filled work day to him like he cared, really wasn't much of a looker for this business. It wasn't like him to put people down to their base attributes, but that's the entire point of modeling. All about look, not about the substance of personality, but the appeal of what you had to offer the world. Quite a cutthroat and rigorous industry, coming from someone like Kimura, almost made it sound scarier.
He stayed in the hallway for a good couple of minutes as he continued to count his money and make sure he wasn't being ripped off. Didn't look as though anyone was coming, quickly able to stash it and start walking out. Everything was looking good, no one suspected a thing, and he'd been paid properly. Sometimes, there was someone bugging security about his presence but he could always talk his way out of that. Definitely knew enough people here to manage that and he could bring up his former talk with the receptionist as someone who allowed his presence. Now, he just had to get to the damn elevator and end his time here hastily.
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Post by Ami Tanaka on Sept 22, 2017 17:03:59 GMT
"Okay Ami-chan, just one more pose and we'll be done!"
Ami let out a quiet sigh and nodded, changing her position a little bit until the photographer judged her position perfect (so just slightly sexualized and teasing, focusing more on her than the clothing she had) enough to take a picture, snapping away a few times while throwing her the occasional half-assed compliment. Sure, it all sounded professional and enthusiastic, but she knew that the photographer could give less of a shit about her as long as her body sold his photos and the magazine they were put onto. Once she was given the permission to leave and pack up for the day, she bowed her head and quietly made her way out.
She didn't hate modeling. In fact, she loved the job. It was one of the few things she could use her body for without feeling excessively slimy, and she found the idea of putting on different clothes like a fun way to earn some cash, but she hated the environment she was forced to work in. While Sunflower was one of the more hafu inclusive modeling offices in Shinjuku, she was still one of the few among the many other purebred Japanese models. And all of them avoided her outside of work related issues, even the other hafus. She was... Too different. Simple as that. Too different in body, face, and mind.
She brushed those thoughts away from her mind as she got to changing back to her usual outfit. Away with the dress, on with the usual tank top and jacket. On with the jeans and away with the meh high heels, back on with the sneakers. She felt much more natural and real in her own outfit, which simply made sense. The her that had her pictures taken was just a fabrication by some bigwig modeling company that wanted to sell a certain kind of image to a certain kind of people. Natural selection at work in its own way, she supposed. She picked up her things and quickly pushed out.
Maybe she should start doing things solo. She passed by a few models discussing their futures, something about working for a new company soon, something about magazine X and how magazine Y was offering even more to get her under their wings, all the usual work related bullshit that she didn't want to think about the moment the clock struck the metaphorical twelve and let her go off into the real world, away from this fabricated and poorly made wonderland disguise. All it was hiding was another kind of hell dedicated to squeezing out the most from girls (and a few boys here and there) for a profit margin.
She'd need to head out with Ganimon tonight. The crab hadn't had the chance to go out in a day or two, and she felt like a little stretch of his legs on the beach would do him good. Maybe let him take a swim while she took twelve on the beach and did some homework and read up on things she'd been missing. Browse the net a bit, listen to some music, stargaze and all that and head home once he'd crawl out from the deep blue sea.
She was so sunk into her thoughts about the night that she didn't even notice Kimura as she turned a corner, bumping right against his chest with her own, taking a shaky step back. "Ah, sorry." She spoke out quietly and already prepared to scram, expecting it to be some co-worker... Only to look a lil' bit up and blink. Huh. That was...
"Eh?"
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Post by Kimura Kyōryoku on Sept 23, 2017 4:14:23 GMT
Just about out of there until someone bumped right into him, chest to chest. Stumbling a little, Kimura caught himself and soon caught a look at just who it was that managed to make him fall back. Fate and its coincidences, the person he'd been sharing sake with about a week back, in a place like this? Actually, this was the exact kind of place he could expect to find her given the context of their conversation. Didn't get too smashed that night that he wouldn't remember it. So, here they were, both in a sleazy modelling agency with vastly different reasons for being there.
Thankfully, she didn't fully recognize him at first, at least not enough to say hello yet. Just enough to be stunned that he was there, probably because she wasn't expecting to see him. Not like he didn't feel similarly, just wasn't as shocked right now to not capitalize on it. She hadn't seen him do anything wrong, he was ultimately in the advantage and could continue to use it to further that advantage. Especially once they were out of the fucking building, then no one could blow his cover. "The beautiful Ms. Tanaka, continuing to grace my presence," a simple statement, one true of this situation.
He'd press down on the elevator call button, waiting for it as they both stood there in what was almost silence. Outside of the droning music over the speakers at this place to keep people from killing themselves. Once the doors opened, he'd stand aside for a moment, letting her through first, "After you." As she got in, the young man followed suit and hit the button to return to the lobby. It wasn't worth letting the awkward silence get to either of them, so a thought came into his head. She must be leaving if she's not gonna press another button, right? Hopefully, she wasn't busy, allowing him to complete his segue rather than answer any possible questions.
"So, what are you doing today? If you're not too busy, I wouldn't mind taking you to lunch. My treat," Another generous offer, just like when they met for the first time. Obviously, Kimura was down for paying for her expenses just like he did that night, not expecting her to take advantage of his kindness. She wasn't about to refuse out of guilt for how much she made him spend, was she? It was hard to tell, didn't gauge how much importance she put on financial status, mostly that of others. Not many people said no to a free lunch, even better when you get to spend it with a dashing rogue such as himself. Maybe even more could come from this, although there wasn't much interest in trying to turn this occurrence into anything more.
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Post by Ami Tanaka on Sept 23, 2017 14:03:45 GMT
She'd gotten his name during those events, but she blanked for a moment. The night wasn't an exact haze, she knew how things went. She went in, met him, Michael Jackson with a ridiculous wig was there, digimon stuff happened, they walked home, and then... Hm. Something. Her mind blanked at the end, but she did remember that she woke up with a slight headache the next morning. Nothing uncontrollable, thank god. Didn't drink too much, then. Just right. Still, the name snapped to her mind before the pause after his greeting became too awkward, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.
"As charming as last time, Kimura." She bowed her head and managed a little smile on her face. She casually waited for the elevator with him and joined him as it came down, bowing her head down at his courtesy, not pressing any other buttons after him. They were heading for the same goal, then. Outside. Why was he here, though? She hadn't managed to ask about his job, had she? Maybe he was just related to one of the models here? Or maybe he was just doing a delivery on some other models family's behalf. She knew some of the girls had their family get them items they forgot, this could be the case now. No matter, she wouldn't prod. He didn't prod about her business last time, so it's just polite to return the favor.
She snapped out of her thoughts about what he was doing here when he asked what she was doing today. Quick to work, eh? Well, she'd gotten that impression from him the first time they met. "Well, not really. I should do some studying, but I can do that later today instead of right after leaving here... And who'd go and deny a free lunch?" There's a little soft laughter coming from her as she twirls with her hair again. She wanted to cut it down a bit, but the agency told her that she'd need to keep it long for a little bit for the sake of the photos they were going to take. Dammit.
"Especially when the charming company with it also comes for free." A little compliment doesn't hurt at all, with Ami leaning back and against the elevator wall, fingers tapping her side. They don't have to be in silence for very long as the elevator drops down and opens up, letting them slide on out. "So what place were you thinking, huh? Got anything specific in mind, or are you feeling like winging it? I'm fine with anything." Ami stretched and yawned a bit after and held her hands behind her head as they walked. Man, she felt stiff all over. Post-work tightness and all.
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Post by Kimura Kyōryoku on Sept 24, 2017 0:52:55 GMT
So far, so good, she didn't yet bother him as to why he was there. Not that it panicked him, as the ride down continued, his mind slowed a bit from its usual racing pace and scheming machinations. Work was over, now it was time to play, quite probably with the finest toy he'd seen in a while. Seemed wrong to call her that, but she was a part of a company that used these girls like dolls playing dress-up. Maybe he wasn't quite as keen on dressing up, rather the opposite had tended to plague his mindset. The attraction was there, on both sides, especially with the way they spoke to each other.
During their first encounter, they'd gotten pretty quickly acquainted, almost as if to see who would bend to the others pressure. She didn't strike him as the type to try and break men down with her feminine wiles. Never did she look like she was prowling for a guy to play with her, not like she had to deal with a shortage of on-comers. Must've gotten looks in the street, whether it was because of her skin color or her amazing body type. Definitely a pure fit for modeling, just not in their xenophobic, close-minded country. That was for sure, no one was treating her as a citizen, more like a fetish if anything. Society was cruel, the only way to win against it was to prove cruelty just didn't work on you.
Not like he wasn't cruel himself, exploiting others to get what he wanted, more often than not succeeding. Was he evil for this? You have businessmen every day trying to cut corners and lay off workers so they could ensure every dollar they make isn't being used on those less fortunate. Would've been killing each other for objects that shined if the concept of currency had never been invented. This was a different time though, if you weren't trying to further your social status in some way, you were losing out. Kimura's vice for this stature just happened to be finances and women, not like she would complain. A free lunch was more than acceptable to her, even if it had caused him to leer and touch.
Which reminded him, the feeling of her head on his chest from that night still lingered. Didn't get much of a good feel for how soft her skin was, but that was about to change. She'd accepted his offer, told him her plans, and essentially complimented him on both his looks and his personality. Of course he was going to take this opportunity to try and interlock fingers with her as they walked out of the elevator and, soon enough, the building. Not so much as a 'reach out and grab' like some might do, but just keeping himself close enough to her that their hands would have to bump into each other at some point. Once enough contact was established, the attempt to go hand-in-hand with her was easily pursued.
Not like he would be upset by her choice to go against it, they weren't personally involved like that yet. Yet being the operative word, Kimura liked the idea that it was not about if, simply when. Maybe it was today, maybe it was a month down the line, eventually it would happen. Right now, lunch was about to happen, and she questioned him on just what she wanted. "I'm in the mood for Shabu-Shabu if you are. Unless you have something else on your mind. Maybe some sweets, fitting for someone with such sweet lips," The young man's ever constant grin continued to remain elusive and sly, just like his subtle compliments.
Once they were out of the building, he'd turned left, trying to enter Shibuya's main streets and all of its attractions. They'd find a hot pot place at some point, if that's where lunch persisted to. There were more than enough top dining choices to take her to, whether he had to guess or look it up. "You make your days sound so stressful, you know that? If you need something, you can always ask me. I'm more than willing to help a lovely lady with whatever she needs," Looking at her as he spoke, he knew he was offering more than he said. Maybe far more than he said, because it was easy to take more than what he was initially giving. This could've easily became a situation where his foot was farther in that just his mouth, having pretty much swallowed it if she took it too literally.
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Post by Ami Tanaka on Sept 24, 2017 14:04:55 GMT
"Shabu-Shabu sounds good. I didn't eat breakfast today, woke up juuust a bit too late. Lady needs her beauty sleep sometimes and all." Sleeping late wasn't an usual problem for her, but sometimes she had to indulge. And in a way, it was rebelling against her work as well, even if she still apologized for being a little bit late when she got to work. The modeling industry wasn't as tight as the usual workplace, but there was still the usual stigma relating to just how you should act towards your coworkers and your bosses especially, and to her, her boss was the man or woman taking her photographs that specific day.
She didn't combat against the swing of his hand and the eventual interlacing of fingers. It was what it was, and hey, his skin was smooth and nice to the touch. She was pretty casual about physical contact and things like this, so she didn't make a big deal out of it, just smiling to herself as she took it all in. The day was sunny, too. She did remember hearing something about it getting windy later when she listened in on the weather forecast while quickly dressing up, but maybe she was just mixing that with what dad had been rambling about to mom. Something about winds during the upcoming trip he was taking his class for... Bleh. He talked way too much and sounded way too much like the weather forecaster.
There'd been something that happened that night that she just couldn't recall. He took her home, and then what? There was something that was rubbing the back of her nogging, but she just couldn't recall what it was. Maybe she was just imagining that something had happened, like a drunken haze that loomed around that portion of her memory, inserting outrageous ideas into her mind. Not that she really had any big expectations of what had happened, it was something very small. Had she paid him with a few 100 yen coins as a thanks for taking her home? Had they shaken hands? That's really minor... But.
Bah, whatever. He hadn't mentioned it, so it wasn't important. She wiped some of her hair to the side, away from her eyes. Hmm... "A model's life can be pretty stressing. And I've got studies on top of that. I don't know if I'll be doing this stuff forever, so I'm preparing for other things on the side. Future's always something people are a bit uncertain about, right?" She glanced over to him, pondering upon his offer. Just what WAS he offering? He didn't super sleazy, not sleazy enough to offer something like... Hm.
"What're you offering? Help's always nice to get, but not every kind of help's good." The tan beauty stared back forwards and kept moving, shoes tapping against the pavement. They were getting there, slowly. The streets were starting to get busy, though. Early morning workers got off of their shift and the ones starting their afternoon to evening shifts were getting their move on, so the streets would be packed soon enough. So, in preparation, she pressed herself just a tad bit closer.
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Post by Kimura Kyōryoku on Sept 24, 2017 19:30:11 GMT
A decision was reached quickly between the two of them, Shabu-Shabu had been their main course for this luncheon. It'd been a while since his last bowl, exactly what had caused his earlier cravings for it. Now, all they needed was to reach the destination, not like that would take them much time. As they continued to walk, the focus was put more on the small talk they had going on, about her beauty sleep. "Must be well rested to be one of the most beautiful women in Tokyo," Yet another compliment thrown her way, both had been pleasant with each other. Some might call it a 'puppy love', but neither had placed their feelings to the forefront when doing these things.
Instead, they were just subtle gestures, telling each other that they enjoyed spending time together, even if they've only just met. You'll have people in your life like that, people you'll spend weeks with and then forget all about them. Kimura was all about that life, moving on from one person to the next, making no big connections. This was a little different however, holding her hand without being asked to. It didn't exactly mean much, but the young man wasn't the hand-holding type, only doing it to appease others requests. She didn't ask for this, yet she made no move to disallow their contact.
Here they were, walking down the streets of Shibuya, hands locked in what some might call a loving embrace. They were only getting closer to each other as they managed to soon find their way to the crowded main streets that made up the ward. Really did look like a young couple, unsure if either would deny it outright if anyone asked. He wasn't the type to say no unless it was heard directly from the other party. Probably the best way to figure out another persons interest in you without having to bluntly ask yourself. Not like he was above that, but it simplified things to a certain degree.
It only became more and more obvious that Tanaka wasn't just a pretty face, not that he'd only taken her to be one. She had ambition in education, trying to protect her future just like all the other young people in Japan. It was hard to say if he was one of those things she needed to protect herself from, not having her best interests at heart but not wishing to do her any harm. Time would have to pass for that question to answer, it wasn't out of character for Kimura to genuinely care for another person. "If modeling isn't your passion, then you'll always have time to pursue one. It's not keeping you boxed up, is it? If you want to go to a university and study something you love, go for it," She didn't need his advice, but she had it anyway.
Now came the smart question, just what was Kimura offering. Originally, he left it vague to see what she wanted from him, but the ball was effectively in his court. Hopefully, it'll remain there, too. It was his turn to negotiate the terms of their current 'relationship', forming it into what it may become. "I can't lie, I'm not honestly the best student unless we're talking chemistry. I'm just saying you don't look like the type of girl who should be alone. Maybe there will be a night where you need a shoulder to cry on. Maybe you want a mans strong arms around your waist, comforting you with his presence. Maybe you want to ask a strange question and have no one to turn to for an honest answer. That's most of what I'm offering, a man who knows what he is good at and willing to use those skills for you," He spoke calmly and gently, articulating each word as it came out of his mouth. A young man who spoke with expert precision, getting to the heart of the matter.
As he got done talking, they were right at the front of the restaurant, one that was recently renovated from its originally traditional look. Although it still maintained some sense of its atmosphere, the decor was a bit more appropriate and befitting than before. Nice, seasonal flowers graced the tables, their yellow-orange glow fitting the lighting and illustrations on the walls. Slowly pulling her in further, he asked the server for a table for two, quickly seated and handed menus. With this change of pace also came a change of topic from the socialite, "My, it's barely become autumn and yet they have these well preserved kinmokusei all around." This wasn't going to distract her from answering him, it just served to cover any silence that may come after. Rejection didn't scare him, but the quiet stillness that came after it was unbearable.
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Post by Ami Tanaka on Sept 25, 2017 10:36:06 GMT
"You've got a pretty good way of making people like you, don't you? With honeyed words like that and all." Ami snorted. It wasn't a belittling snort or anything like that, instead being just a simple sign of amusement and acceptance. She didn't mind the compliments, after all, who did? Kimura had this air of charisma and suaveness to him that not a lot of people could tout around without a lot of preparation, and she was fairly sure he was winging a lot of what he had said and would say. Charisma like that, the raw skill of speech, should be respected. And so she would, even if she'd acknowledge it vocally as well.
"Prettiest woman is stretching it, though. At least, if you ask about 99% of the population going 'round here." Ami scrunched her face for a moment. Did she feel bitter her about her own situation? Well, of course she did. It's why she joined Nightmare and started to actively try and pursue that tamer business whenever she had her nights free. It was a way to let out steam, to try and handle the society that was constantly giving her shit for her dad and her tone of skin. And hell, even her slightly foreign body type. "Hafu models are just a bonus. Like the dancing bear at a circus. No-one buys a magazine for just them, unless tan girls happen to be their fetish."
Yeah, maybe she was just a bit bitter about it. "It's what it is, though. And if I can help it, they won't be seeing me for my whole youth. I thought modeling would be a way to try and combat for acceptance or something, but that proved to be a bit of a tall dream to have." She blinked and looked over to Kimura before chuckling a bit awkwardly, lifting her free hand to scratch at her cheek, smiling softly. "Ah, sorry. I rambled a bit, didn't I? Shouldn't go around dumping by thoughts like that. It's just easy to have loose lips about work stuff right after leaving work, right?"
His answer was rounded like a circle. It felt a bit vague, but she was gathering that that's what he was aiming for: a shoulder to lean on, a hand around the waist, someone to talk to and listen to. Hm. She didn't really have any confidants sans Ganimon, and even then, he really couldn't help her with her more human problems, after all he was a digital crab monster that preferred to be quiet unless talked to. Dad was busy, and so was mom, so all she really had were her own thoughts that she occasionally blurted out to people she had discussions with.
She let the matter sit for now as she was pulled along and inside the restaurant, taking her seat and watching the menu in thought. She didn't answer to his observation about the kinmokusei, letting the discussion sit for a moment, perhaps to play with him a bit. Maybe just a bit mean spirited, but she liked the idea of playing around a bit with an experienced socialite. She laid the menu down for now and decided to answer his question. "You're offering an awful lot there. A shoulder to cry on always sounds nice, so I'd be dumb to deny that. Friends are always nice to have."
Her fingers tap against the laid out menu, walking across, dancing across and hopping across it as she ponders. "What do you want in return then, huh? Or are you just being a good samaritan by offering someone all that?" Ami chuckled soon after saying all that, though. "Don't worry, I'm fairly sure you're just being nice with no ulterior motives. You don't give off the air of being an especially scummy guy or anything. Working in modeling just makes anyone a little bit paranoid about everyone."
She'd had a few... Propositions, directed at her. Obviously. That was just the nature of the modeling business. She'd dealt with it so far, and she'd keep dealing with it. "Buuut, if I had to give an answer... Sure. Why not. Having friends is always good, like I said." She searched around her pockets for a while before grabbing a small notebook, ripping out a slip of paper to write her number on it, sliding it over.
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Post by Kimura Kyōryoku on Sept 25, 2017 16:40:28 GMT
Before he could even manage to offer his 'services' so to say, she was already indulging him into telling him every little thing. Her struggles, her inability to relate to such a bigoted and exclusive society. If you didn't fit the mold, you didn't belong here, that's the message of every day life in Japan. Either you're a salaryman or you're not worth anyone's time, words he'd overheard spending some night with the boys back at the nightmare headquarters. We're living in a time of disenfranchised youth all across the world, asking for more than just to be another cog in the machine. They weren't so different-- maybe that's why he was drawn to her hand earlier.
Beauty only got a person so far, a truth he knew from simply living life and being given few opportunities because of it. Opportunities with people, ease of access to certain jobs, the ability to pick and choose above those who didn't meet society's standards. Of course, unless you managed to remain placated, you would begin to ask for deeper meaning. Not just some pretty face in the crowd. The standards for men and women were quite different, he knew that, couldn't quite compare himself to the radiance of this young woman. Definitely he never had to deal with any form of harassment caused by it, girls just weren't bold enough to go up to a guy and say 'hey, nice ass'.
Nodding along, he tried to place it in his head word-for-word, soon to retrace his metaphorical steps for later. They were at the cusp of entering the restaurant and ordering, she had already apologized for rambling on. For right now, all he could manage was, "Don't worry, it's fine." She had no reason to feel sorry for talking and feeling and being human. Maybe if he did that more often, he wouldn't have felt so bad for himself when things got rough. It was this certain kind of strength, this willpower that motivated her to continue through and endure whatever life gave her.
This had slowly become an awkward situation, bargaining what they wanted out of a friendship from one or the other. She didn't say what she would provide him, instead asking exactly what did he want from her. Originally, the answer was simple and easy to disguise, but now it took a more complex form. It was time for a different tactic, lighter and softer, especially given that he had the benefit of the doubt. "I'm not exactly sure, not many times do people ever ask what I want," He paused for a moment, looking away as if to say he didn't want to embarrass himself, "Cuddling would be nice." By this point, she could probably figure he enjoyed being embraced by others.
So, here they were, sitting at a restaurant, being handed her number, waiting for a server. Essentially, what was a friendly offer now took more of the form of a date. At least from his point of view-- they were discussing their relationship, about to order food on his dime, and make pleasant conversation. Sooner or later, a waiter came and took his head right out of the clouds by asking for what they could start with to drink. Quick to remove the attention of the man from their table so they may have some privacy, Kimura piped up, "Just some water for now, thanks." It was a bit rude for him to decide for the table, but it wasn't as though he wouldn't be back to take further orders, she'd yet to open her menu.
Neither had he for that matter, still thinking about what they'd spoken of in the streets earlier. This bitter feeling of alienation lingered throughout her day and, probably, most of her life. The young man once again made an attempt at physical contact, draping his hand over hers as he spoke, "I was being serious about what I said earlier by the way. I'm sorry if other people don't see what I see, but that's just the world we live in. You shouldn't let the idea that you're not fully Japanese ruin your beauty. Don't worry about if every person here accepts you, only worry that the people who matter to you accepts you." This was probably the most direct he'd been with her all day, looking her in the eyes and actually speaking sensitively.
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