Trash Squad Day 2: Yusuke Date

[truthstranger]

[This is actually a pretty lucky date assignment, overall, since Shuichi is pretty comfortable around Yusuke and the greenhouse is really a pretty good date location. Relatively. Shuichi has also brought along some rice balls and tea.

He still looks a bit nervous, though.]

Well... it looks like its just the two of us. What should we do?

Comments

[artisticliberty]

If these are the same people responsible for all killing games, it is worth looking into, at the very least.

[we did swear revenge, after all]

Blaming "the world" for cruelties and injustices made upon you... how cheap.

[truthstranger]

Mm, I don't think they did the one that took place here. Though one of the raccoons mentioned he was a big fan.

We did... manage to convince the outside world that the killing game was wrong, I think. At least, enough to make them stop watching, and stop the game.

[artisticliberty]

You should not have had to endure such terrible things, regardless of what the world desired. I am sorry.

[truthstranger]

M-Mm... well, I'm out of it now, at least.

[artisticliberty]

Yes, of course.

[he glances down at his sketchbook]

I am almost finished. Just a few more minutes?

[truthstranger]

Ah, of course...

[he still looks a little distant, but he settles back into place with a faint smile as he remembers what they're doing. his nervousness from before is gone, at least]

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke continues sketching for a while, this time glancing from shuichi to the flowers, and he finishes with a slight flourish]

There. I think that will do just fine. Would you like to see it?

[truthstranger]

Yes, definitely.

[he sits up a bit more, a tiny flush rising to his cheeks again. he's never been a subject of art before]

[artisticliberty]

[he turns over the page to reveal a sketchy portrait of shuichi, his expression and demeanor quiet yet full of a gentle kindness; he's smiling a little, just the corners of his mouth turning up, and his cheeks are flushed slightly. blooming cyclamen flowers surround him, framing him, one in particular pinned to his collar]

[truthstranger]

Ah.

[//////]

Is that really what I look like...?

[artisticliberty]

It is the you that I see most often. The purest you that I can imagine.

[truthstranger]

That's...

[how can he just say things like that...?]

...That is, it's beautiful. So that's very flattering.

[artisticliberty]

I often do not consider the opinions of others when it comes to my art, unless they are an artist or connoisseur themselves... however, it would have been disappointing if my subject did not approve.

I am glad you like it.

[truthstranger]

[he laughs a little]

Well, it's true I'm not much of a connoisseur. Maybe I'll learn more, eventually.

[artisticliberty]

If you are interested, I can offer you some recommendations for places to start.

[truthstranger]

Ah, sure. That sounds great.

[artisticliberty]

I should take you to some of the galleries in Ueno once we return home. Even those with only a passing interest in art would find it of interest.

[truthstranger]

I'm sure that would be a lot of fun... especially going with you. I'll look forward to it.

[artisticliberty]

[aw yiss already planning our next date]

Then it is settled. Shall we take a break for lunch?

[truthstranger]

That sounds good.

[he shifts to pull out the food and tea]

[artisticliberty]

Did you prepare all of this?

[truthstranger]

Ah, yes... it's really not that much.

[artisticliberty]

It looks delicious. I am humbled by your generosity.

[truthstranger]

T-Thank you.

[he passes him a rice ball and some tea]

I can't do anything fancy, but... I like cooking.

[artisticliberty]

[he takes it]

I enjoy it myself, though my lifestyle does not allow for anything extravagant. I used to cook much more often.