(open to various)

[splasher]

WHO: makoto tachibana + various
WHERE: all over! depending on top level
WHEN: throughout the month? maybe this week, woops
WHAT: makoto meeting and doing things with a number of people. this is a catch-all for all them threads i promised.
WARNINGS: TBA but nothing at the moment

Comments

❥ELIZABETH

[splasher]

[it's been a while, makoto thinks, when walking around the neighbourhood puts him right in the same area as the wolf's new home. his family has kept in contact with the wolfs, an unstrained and friendly relationship throughout the years, but it's true that makoto was the one usually interacting with the family of three the most.]

[breaking into a light run, he heads over to their car. elizabeth seems to be struggling with groceries.]

Auntie, hi!

[he was just walking by, honest! heading home as it were, his gym bag slung across his chest. he's always been a helpful and responsible young man, this kind of thing is normal for him.]

Can I help you with those?

❥FREYA

[splasher]

Hey! You made it!

[how strange it was for him to message someone he had met online to arrange meeting to play sports at some crazy hour in the evening. it's unlike him, but the mutual interest had him abandoning a more cynic outlook and considering--instead--that this could be beneficial to his otherwise lonely basketball court sessions.]

[as it were, he had been throwing the ball into the basket for the past thirty minutes or so, practicing a couple of switch and turns while pretending he had an opponent aiming to take the ball from him.]

[his excitement is palpable]

Freya, right?

[he heads on over, ball under his arm, right one outstretched to shake her hand]

Makoto. It's nice to finally meet you.

[belligerentwarrior]

[It was kind of a strange event for both of them, thought Freya had more reservations about basketball than she did meeting some guy off of Retrospec. It was a little arrogant, perhaps, but she always figured she could take care of herself if the need arose. It couldn't hurt to be more connected with people in the community; even if they were technically in different communities, her apartment as pretty close.]

Same. Hope you weren't waiting here too long. [It was still rather cold, after all, by her heat-acclimated opinion. She takes the hand with a firm shake.]

[splasher]

Just a bit, but I got to warm up.

[since that much is important, too, and as a swimmer in high school he understands the importance of such initial step.]

[the court is set so that there's actually goalie posts at either end of the court that can be moved about, to allow for a game of soccer if those arriving feel inclined for it.]

[makoto makes sure to point this out]

You want to play football?

[belligerentwarrior]

[She gives a small shrug, though she does seem pleasantly surprised by the set-up.] Maybe next time. Basketball's what you've been waiting for, yeah? I'll let you have this first one.

❥ANYA

[splasher]

[makoto dries his hands on a kitchen towel after finishing washing the last of the plates from dinner and consequently the sink. he likes to help around when he can, especially because anya's home always receives him with food and leftovers to take home with him (not that he is without, but it was different from japanese food... and he was weak to cake).]

[he glances around the kitchen, putting the towel back in its place, and unrolling his sleeves down. it's not uncommon for makoto to come hang out with anya in these 'sleepovers,' especially because their mothers worked together, usually with similar shifts. graveyard shift for one meant the same for the other, and while makoto's father was off on a business retreat for the weekend and he could handle himself on his own, it has become a sort of tradition for both himself and his friend to keep each other company.]

[tonight? they're having red jelly with vanilla ice cream for dessert and maybe some quiet time.]

Anya?

[makoto is also painfully aware that anya has had a slip into different languages lately. he tries his best, but he can't help but be concerned.]

[constellates]

[Nothing puts Anya in a good mood quite like dessert.

Even as she's finished fetching Makoto's special set of blankets and sheets from the closet, bringing them out to properly furnish the guest room into a place that he can stay overnight. She's coming back from that room, gently closing the door behind her and perking up when she hears her name.]

Вот! I am here, Mako-nii.

[And she'll skip back over to the kitchen now?]

And I am excited for dessert?

[splasher]

Heheh, I'm excited too.

[he admits, having the decency to look embarrassed at the prospect of dessert putting him in a good mood.]

And at this rate you'll have to teach me Russian, it feels.

[he jokes lightly about it, because he doesn't want anya feeling in any way bad about her new language acquisition. he does have to admit that it can be quite the adorable display on the girl]

[heading to the fridge, he pulls out the ice cream from the freezer, and is now heading to the cupboards to pick out their bowls after closing the freezer's door]

Hmm, did you make your favourite jelly flavour?

[constellates]

Да! Yes, I did.

[And she'll help out now that she's gotten the chance too, getting spoons and the jelly to complete their little set for dessert.

Still at the language mention, she giggles faintly.]

Does Mako-nii want to learn? Anya can teach... I am very lucky. A lot of people are asking me to teach them - to make me more... comfortable, maybe? It is sweet.

❥ISA

[splasher]

[he's pretty... sure he's got everything. he understands why he's got to the groceries, considering how busy or unable to his parents are and he's got lots of free time as of late, but several time he has forgotten one food item or another. and for some reason he refuses to write up a list.]

[he's taking his time counting and identifying what he's got in his trolley before heading to check out, but in doing so and not keeping track of his surroundings, makoto ends up accidentally bumping into someone with the front of the trolley.]

Ah, sorry!

[but he's quick to react, pulling back and looking up apologetically--only to find himself mildly gawking.]

[doesn't he know this person?]

Um. Isa?

❥RITSU

[splasher]

[after managing to make all these books and dictionaries and small encyclopedias fit inside the box, makoto takes a moment to check if there's anything else he's missing... before taking out his phone and sending a text message to one ritsu kageyama]

[he hopes the boy really likes this. it was something makoto did out of boredom, initially, so he didn't bother to ask if it would be alright with the other.]

hey it's makoto from the tachibana store
we met a while back not sure if you remember?
anyway if you have some time and want to drop by
i put together a box for you with academic books
and some other self-study kind of things
some are mine that i have no use for anymore and some
others we just won't be selling because they're older editions
of new books we have stocked
let me know alright?

[esperimental]

[ When Ritsu checks his phone, he is surprised. Graciously accepting is probably the ideal choice here, but he can't help voicing(/typing) his own confusion. ]

An entire box? Makoto-san this is very kind of you but what brought this on?
I don't think I could possibly deserve this much for free.

[ Note to his meta self cross out "kindness isn't excessive" on Makoto's hearts list. ]

[splasher]

like i said, i have no use for them anymore
and it's fine we're not having losses because of this
it's just a couple of books maybe four? so it's not big deal
i just think you'll be putting them to better use than i will

[esperimental]

If you're certain. This is a really unexpected (and pleasant) surprise, I'll drop by soon.

ありがとうございます.

❥JADE

[splasher]

Eh? You want to learn Japanese?

[the surprise is not just in his voice, but also in his expression. he falters with the keys, but after a moment he's opening up the book store's doors. it's early in the morning on a saturday, and it's surprising that jade's up and hunted him down for this very specific favour.]

[(makoto's still trying to wake up himself!)]

...I guess we have some books about it.

[he says carefully, in that mumbling way of his, as he allows her in first, turning the sign to open after they close behind them. he switches some lights on and goes to the back of the counter, setting his bag down and booting up the computer.]

[he looks up at her]

Where's this coming from?

[rhapsodeity]

[ at his initial question, jade nods enthusiastically, a grin plastered on her face. she turns, walking backwards into his parents' shop - surrounded by all the books in a foreign language, she has to wonder why she never bothered before. ]

I've been thinking about some things! For one, well... I think a friend of mine might appreciate it if I learn some new languages. Secondly, a lot of incredible astronomy and technology related things are happening outside America, so learning new languages is always good, isn't it?

[ a beat, and jade puts her hand down on the nearest book cover; she recognizes this one because the title has english in it, and smiles lightly. this must be similar to what anya feels. ] Sorry for hunting you down so early, but... It's pretty exciting! Remember when I used to read books with you as a kid?

[splasher]

That was so long ago...

[he thinks, nostalgia hitting him but also feeling a bit embarrassed at the memory. he used to be a lot more chipper and less-ashamed about things when he was younger. jumping onto his second year of high school (and his growth spurt) made him feel all that more embarrassed about things]

[like liking stationery and stopping to play with cats in the street and having a critical eye over his own fashion sense (even if his love for sweaters was a little too old-man for some)]

You're always a kid to me anyway.

[big brother blindness to jade growing up. bigby probably tells her this a lot]

But... You seem pretty set on it. It's very forward of you to think about it in such a useful way.

[stepping away from the counter now, he goes over to a bookshelf with education/academic books, and reaches up for a couple of slim books. he looks through the pages, and seeming satisfied, hands the three over to jade]

You'll have to begin with the alphabet. Hiragana, then katakana, and then it's kanji from there on out. [a smile] I gotta set the store first, but if you've got the time, you can start trying to write them several times on a piece of paper, and when I'm done I'll explain them to you.

❥RIN&CHIYO&MIKOTO

[splasher]

[makoto plops down on the couch next to whoever is sat there, a spoonful of yogurt in his mouth and the cup held with his hand. he's glancing at the tv, and then frowns, making one of his what the hell faces. he took a break to go to the bathroom then the kitchen, hoping that maybe if he was slow in his short trek rin and mikoto would actually be past this part in the game.]

[otome game.]

[because apparently chiyo "doesn't know how to play it right," as is typical of big brothers to say when they think they know better.]

[hanging out at the matsuokas place is nice; it isn't a very big home, but it's homely and familiar and has an excellent view of the ocean at the back. makoto can't believe they're stuck playing this game though]

Isn't it obvious that she wants chocolate cake?

[he's tempted to teach these noobs how to play]

Re: ❥RIN&CHIYO&MIKOTO

[gnasher]

She's an athlete, what athlete would want chocolate cake? It'll just piss her off.

[Rin's cranky contribution from the floor, as he leans against the couch and casually invades Mikoto's space (a "backseat player" sounds cool on paper, but what it really means is he complains a lot while Mikoto handles the controls and Makoto despairs)]

Don't be too eager. Say you're busy and you'll catch up with her later. It'd be more romantic to talk during the evening, anyway.

[elbow, elbow, against Mikoto's shin]

[mikodere]

Yeah, exactly! Plus it doesn't help that this chick's a tsundere and she'll just get even more grouchy if we give her something sweet.

[Wow for once, he finds himself agreeing with Rin.

Normally, he would have been annoyed at the invasion of personal space, but right now, he was in the middle of a conquest; winning over the tsundere athletic girl in this dating simuation. For so long, this girl has given him a hard time and he hasn't been able to achieve a good ending with her. BUT HE WAS DETERMINED!! He was going to win her over even if it took sweat, blood and tears.]

What? Wouldn't that just make her mad, though? Since she's asking us.

[As much as he hated to admit it, Rin did have a point. If he came across as being too eager, then the girl would probably think he's weird. He lets out a long sigh as he picks his option.

>Sorry I'm busy. Can we hang out later?]

Let's hope this works.

[Suddenly, the girl on the screen gets annoyed. "Ha?! Well FINE, it's not like I wanted to hang out with you or anything! Go find someone else to spend your time with, DUMMY!"

Mikoto felt like his heart just shattered into a million pieces. He's quiet for a few moments before he silently hands the controller over to Rin.]

❥RIN&MAKOTO

[gnasher]

[he's not nervous.]

[what would there be to be nervous about? it's not like he didn't go to plenty of parties at boarding school. granted, said parties boasted a bunch of jocks and idiot teenage boys, so it was fairly easy to blend talking about reps and swimming and the culture festival they were all subject to. and, granted, Rin was a captain then, of a very respected team, and not the over-worked first year vice captain of a swimming team that could really use a boost in numbers and discipline. and, granted, Rin at the very least knew members from his team or acquaintances from his classes would be at any given party, so if it got really awkward, he could always retreat to the familiar. and granted, nothing ever got too rowdy, because booze, drugs, and sex were all fairly quick ways to get expelled from the prestigious academy]

[okay, maybe he's a little nervous. but that's what this shopping trip was going to remedy, in part: it always helped to be prepared]

[Rin arrives at Makoto's family home, hands tightening on the two coffees he's brought along. he's shown up a couple minutes early, and derps at the prospect of ringing the doorbell with both his hands full]

[splasher]

[makoto, on the other hand, is relaxing while eating some onigiri as his late breakfast (is this in the morning? it is now), having the day off from work (after asking his father for permission!). he happens to glance out the window in the kitchen and sees someone at the door--the red is unmistakable--and opens it up with a casual,]

Good morning, Rin.

[he speaks japanese because that's what he feels most comfortable with, and because rin is one of the few people he feels most comfortable speaking japanese to, rather than english.]

Come in. Mum's sleeping, so we've gotta be a bit quiet.

[he pulls out slippers for rin to change into; grabs the coffees from his hands, so he can remove his shoes, and into the kitchen right on the side]

I'm just finishing breakfast, but I'm ready to go afterwards.

[at least he's all dressed and showered already!]

[frostythehitman]

[ 3pm. Classes are out, and James has about half an hour before he's due on the football field for practice. So while the halls steadily clear out, he takes his time at his locker, packing his bag. He also pulls out his duffel bag of football equipment out, along with his football helmet. With the backpack on his back, the duffel bag hefted on one shoulder, and the football helmet nestled under the other arm, James has got quite a wide berth.

Unfortunately, in the after school rush, it makes it much more difficult for him to walk against the flow of traffic towards the field.

Honestly he should have just waited, but now he's annoyed, and he will fight his way through this crowd if he has to. He (probably) won't but he certainly looks like he might, the way he's concentrating on this and shouting at kids around him. ]

Come on, keep it moving! Pick one side of the hallway and stick with it, will you?!

[splasher]

[it's funny, how after graduating makoto didn't expect to walk down the hallways of a school again. imagine his surprise when he found himself doing so more often than not now. and in a co-ed school no less.]

[he's receiving private lessons in maths and science and in essay writing; if he wants to pass the university entrance exams for the fall semester, he really needs to keep sharp.]

[then again, it feels like the only requirement for him to take the entrance exams is to be able to survive the hallway traffic in this school. especially because he has no idea where the physics lab is supposed to be? this school is bigger than what he expected.]

[the shouting makes him freeze up (the opposite of what james wants, surely), and makoto just stares ahead like a deer in headlights]

So-sorry! I'm not so sure on where I should be going...

[this is NOT the person to ask for directions, makoto thinks belatedly. he hopes he's wrong.]

[frostythehitman]

[ Ooooooh my god. Who even is this guy, some post-puberty freshman?

James sighs--very audibly, very annoyed. He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms for effect (which is quite a feat, with everything he's carrying). ]

Alright, where are you going?