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(closed) someone tell me
WHO: Nikkari and Keigo
WHERE: Club Sunshine
WHEN: forwarddate to 9/27
WHAT: boy meets host, what happens next is anyone's guess.
WARNINGS: probably none
[working at Sunshine is actually something Nikkari looks forward to most of the time - he gets to meet people, his boss isn't unreasonable, and in making people feel good about themselves, he feels good himself. juggling work and school isn't too hard given how he operates, and when he comes in today, tonight seems like a usual one.
except when he's told he's been asked for by name he immediately straightens up and makes sure he's perfectly presentable. there have been times in the past he's been asked for, but still, this one, he's told, is new. not totally out of the blue, since word of mouth happens, but still a nice surprise. means he has to make a good impression, if he hopes to pull someone back in the future. even if they don't ask for him, if they come back to the club, then that's a success.
when Keigo comes in, the staff will be pleasant and friendly, guiding him to a booth to sit in after getting his request, and leaving him to wait. there's an art to how long you make a customer wait for their host - never too long, but not too fast as to suffocate them. so when Nikkari approaches, it's not been too long.]
Excuse me.
[and he gives Keigo a smile.]
I hope I'm not interrupting your thoughts.
[when he sits down he's already wondering what kind of person this customer is - what kind of night they're after.]
WHERE: Club Sunshine
WHEN: forwarddate to 9/27
WHAT: boy meets host, what happens next is anyone's guess.
WARNINGS: probably none
[working at Sunshine is actually something Nikkari looks forward to most of the time - he gets to meet people, his boss isn't unreasonable, and in making people feel good about themselves, he feels good himself. juggling work and school isn't too hard given how he operates, and when he comes in today, tonight seems like a usual one.
except when he's told he's been asked for by name he immediately straightens up and makes sure he's perfectly presentable. there have been times in the past he's been asked for, but still, this one, he's told, is new. not totally out of the blue, since word of mouth happens, but still a nice surprise. means he has to make a good impression, if he hopes to pull someone back in the future. even if they don't ask for him, if they come back to the club, then that's a success.
when Keigo comes in, the staff will be pleasant and friendly, guiding him to a booth to sit in after getting his request, and leaving him to wait. there's an art to how long you make a customer wait for their host - never too long, but not too fast as to suffocate them. so when Nikkari approaches, it's not been too long.]
Excuse me.
[and he gives Keigo a smile.]
I hope I'm not interrupting your thoughts.
[when he sits down he's already wondering what kind of person this customer is - what kind of night they're after.]
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[the thought crosses Nikkari's mind that maybe Baren was trying to set them up, but he dismisses that - he doesn't need it, and he wasn't really looking. romance is something that happens fleetingly and then gets forgotten with him. connections were more important.
instead of laughing, though, Nikkari shrugs a little, smile easy and more fond as the waiter returns with their tea, currently steeping in cups.]
I'm almost not surprised he decided on something like that. He's pretty...impulsive, when he wants to be. But stubborn as well, so he'll make decisions that he'll stick by in a flash.
But that being said, you've got some options. One, we pretend this is a date and act like it, complete with me bringing up everything I like about you. Two, you could see being with me as a sort of trial run, and I'll give you honest feedback on what I think might work when you want to take someone out or not. Or, three...we could say to hell with the dating idea and take advantage of the time to simply enjoy each other's company. No pressure, no expectations, not me trying to win your heart or laughing at jokes that aren't funny. Only saying what we mean, pretty much.
[a host could be a therapist in one half hour and a yes-man in the next, changeable as a chameleon. so it was down to what Keigo decided.]
And yes, it's your call. I'm fine with whatever you choose, as long as I get to spend more time with you.
[that part falls out almost too easy, still with that gentle sincerity. he's been keeping himself in check for now, he earned one.]
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[ and that was why keigo had a feeling baren did this all on the express purpose of making someone money. such trickery... but he was determined to win out on that bet! surely with this assumption, it would be far too easy!
but ... nikkari was too damn good at his job. keigo felt stupid for the briefest of moments when he was overcome with a very genuine relief as the options were laid out to him. the guy was pretty open about this sort of thing, wasn't he? keigo could respect that.
with a pensive look, keigo huffed out a sigh. well, with those options, it was clear which route was the best to take. ]
Maa, you're pretty eager about that, aren't you... [ you'll get paid, don't worry, was the unspoken thought that prevailed in his head, but keigo did his part to keep his skepticism under control. for now. he owed that much to the guy for working such a (presumably) taxing job. ] But, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not do any pretending.
[ his gaze shifted to nikkari directly, fixing upon him purposefully. ]
I get tired of pretending.
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whether he knew it or not, that one line spoke volumes, steering Nikkari towards a path. and the smile he has on is one of a friend.]
Then I won't pretend for you. I promise you that.
[simple as a declaration, said from the heart. if Keigo trusted him enough to be honest about why he came here, then Nikkari can certainly return it with honesty - which, truth be told, is his natural state of being. without knowing, they'll both be more comfortable.]
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[ for someone like keigo, who thrived on being the person everyone wanted him to be, it was oddly... sobering to be so blatant about the very thing he did best causing him grief. it was true, he wanted to be the person others could rely on to make them laugh, to make them happy, but it became so overwhelming, hiding all the things that bore down upon him.
maybe the fact that keigo didn't know nikkari at all was the blessing in disguise. being candid with a stranger somehow felt easier than it was with even his closest friends. less guilt, maybe. less expectation, most likely. no real pressure, definitely.
and for as flighty as keigo could be, there was one thing he felt particularly confident in, and that was picking up on cues when it mattered most. the way nikkari was looking at him wasn't lost on keigo, and he felt his chest wrench slightly. how stupid for something so simple to make him experience such a deep sense of relief.
so he smiled. and it was a soft, genuine thing that seemed to brighten his expression. not a beam of sunshine, but a warm glow that radiated slowly. he'd return to full effect soon enough. ]
Thank you. That really means a lot to me.
[ more than you know. ]
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now that they understood each other, the rest of the night would be easier. nothing to expect, no consequences to face in the morning, if Keigo chose.
they're interrupted by the waiter bringing back their teas, which Nikkari quietly thanks them for, before he picks up his cup and holds it out a little.]
To tonight.
[because yes, he's still a weird dork who's going to toast to them like he said he would. not lingering too long on the subjects that required so much trust, lest Keigo get uncomfortable.]
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[ well, if the lack of pretending was the true focus here, keigo predicted a far more relaxing evening. it would be... difficult, to shake the habit, however; the ingrained reaction to most things he experienced was to cover it up, to hide it away and deflect. undoing years worth of behavior for one night would be a trial. but, for the sake of relaxing, for the sake of making any form of connection, keigo would try his best.
he couldn't help but laugh a bit at nikkari's almost grandiose way of regarding the situation, but he responded in kind. he held his cup upward, tilting his head to one side as he regarded nikkari with an unfettered gratitude. ]
Yes, to tonight. Hopefully it'll be a good experience for us both, yeah?
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You don't have to worry about me. I'll be happy if I can keep seeing that cute smile on your face.
[if the two of them could laugh, that was enough. because it would be real between them, and not for anyone's pride.]
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[ keigo, likewise, took a drink from his cup, giving a vibe that was more or less relaxed, at least compared to when he first showed up. not having to pretend... even if it just for one evening. it was such a relief.
though, if that was the case, then it meant that keigo couldn't really reel in his reactions as deftly as he might have liked. not that he ... really could otherwise, but. ]
E-eh?
[ he regarded nikkari with a surprised expression, a flush returning to his face at that brazen remark. this guy... ]
O-oi... what was that about not pretendin'... You don't gotta keep sayin' that kinda stuff to me.
[ because why would a guy like this find him appealing in any regard? ]
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[the eyebrow above his visible eye lifts just a little bit, and he presses down the laugh inside him. sincerity really was foreign to this guy, huh?]
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[ one of these days, keigo would become self-aware enough to realize that his lack of confidence was probably annoying. at least for now, he was realizing that maybe it wasn't a great idea to continuously doubt someone, no matter the circumstances.
maybe it made him an idiot, but it was better safe than sorry. he frowned, turning his head to one side as he rubbed at his neck in a sheepish gesture. ]
...Sorry. I'm just not used to people bein' that blatant with me, I guess.
[ or honest. ]
Especially not about my... [ he looked a bit more flustered as he came up upon the word. ] ...appearance.
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[there's a tinge of disbelief - sure, he'd guessed about the lack of compliments, but it's different to hear it verified.]
But...if it bothers you, I can always cut it out. Maybe it's being here that makes me forget that it's not always the best idea to come out and say it.
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Aah, well...
[ keigo glanced back towards nikkari, a sort of embarrassed smile curling at his lips. ]
It... It doesn't bother me. Not really. Not...
[ he chuckled softly. jeez, this wasn't where he expected things to go, but if he wanted to have a nice time... ]
Not if you actually mean it. It's um.
[ the redness on his face seemed to deepen slightly. ]
It's nice.
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As long as you aren't bothered.
[best to not stay too long here, though.]
Tell me a little about yourself? None of that "I'm just a loser" stuff allowed.
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[ with that out of the way, keigo visibly relaxed. it would be much easier to tackle this without allowing himself to feel the insecurity he was prone to. ]
Ah, well. [ he laughed, twirling his fingers through his hair. ]
I'm a student at the university. I'm pursuing a degree in photography!
[ he seemed fairly proud of that. ]
It's definitely my passion!!
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[Nikkari brightens at the information, taking another drink of his tea.]
That's not something you hear every day! Is there any kind of photography you want to do most - landscapes, the ones where you zoom in real close on something, stuff like that? I don't know too much about photography, so I'd love to hear about it.
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[ keigo couldn't help but laugh at nikkari's response. it was almost endearing the way he seemed to be genuinely interested in keigo's field of study, and keigo was all too willing to indulge him. ]
Aah, well, actually... I kinda like taking photos of people best.
[ he withdrew his hand from its spot entwined in his hair, instead threading his fingers together as he took on a more thoughtful expression. ]
Candid stuff, I guess you'd call it. The everyday lives of people, when they aren't mugging for a photo... that's when you see their true emotions best.
I guess sometimes it makes you feel like you're connecting with a stranger, in that way.
[ he paused, glancing up at nikkari with a slight nervousness to his eyes. ]
Uh, though, that makes it sound like I follow people around or sneak up on them... that's not really what I meant!! I sorta meant more like that people are just as much the part of the scenery as the buildings or the trees or the sky... they all kinda fit together, y'know? And when people know they're bein' photographed, they tend to play themselves up... it's not always natural!!
[ ... and now he was rambling. ]
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No, I get that - when I know someone's taking a photo, I want to look my best or give them a smile I think they'll like. I care about being perfect or acceptable. And candid photos don't let you go down that path. You see people as they actually are. Not how they want to be seen. Kinda plays into the idea of truth, doesn't it?
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[ keigo breathed out a sigh of relief. he was so used to others thinking he was a little too passionate about the things he enjoyed, so this was just another reason to relax around nikkari. he smiled, half out of sheepishness and half out of pure gratitude. ]
I'm so glad you understand! That's exactly what I mean!
[ he hadn't really had a good talk about his passions lately. nikkari was in for a treat. ]
I'm the same, honestly... it might make me a little hypocritical, in that sense... I don't like any side but my best being recorded. But at the same time, when people aren't puttin' on that kinda act... it definitely gives you a sense of the type of people they are. The little things that make them happy or sad... I like seeing that side of people.
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Yeah, that's right! It's something worth treasuring, I think.
[ he looked down at his glass of tea, holding it between his palms. ]
It's even better if it's someone you care for a lot. But, I guess you'd hope that those people wouldn't hide it from you in the first place.
[ after a moment, keigo was suddenly struck with a realization: he'd been talking about himself an awful lot. with a gasp, he straightened in his seat, looking somewhat embarrassed. ]
Ah!! I've been ramblin' about myself a lot! But, y'know, I wanna know more about you, too! What are things that you like? Hobbies and stuff! [ ...that sounded lame. ] A-are you in school, too?
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[better than saying "my sleeping schedule is a mystery even to me." but he notes the comments on Keigo talking about someone he cares for.]
Undecided, though. I haven't found something I want as much as you want photography.
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[ keigo nodded, his lips curling into a pleased smile. ]
Well, you seem like a smart person, so I'm sure you'd be able to find somethin' and really be great at it!
[ and that was a genuine compliment. really, keigo had been quite impressed with nikkari's observational skills, and that spoke for a lot. ]