Shotgun & Devillic Log: Getting Summer Ready
Kaiya nodded along quietly as she listened to Setsuna's points. "Yeah... that's true. Different people react to things in different ways. But... I can't even imagine who I would be without everything. Would I be like the girls at my old school? Would I have even gotten into making clothing? Would I be anything at all like I am now? As awful as some of the things I went through were... I think I need them all to be me." Yes, it was a deep conversation they had waded into, but it just felt natural to her, to be able to talk about this sort of thing with her boyfriend. And while she wouldn't have been able to say that she didn't *notice* Setsuna resting against her breasts, it didn't feel weird or *overly* excited about it (a little excited, yes, but nothing more than knowing he was there).
Setsuna smiles, and nods, "I feel the same way -- about my reckless clubbing, about the whole high school situation.... that's kind of part of what I was trying to say about not really wanting to think about what ifs, because... this is the reality. This is what my life has come to. If there's a situation where I didn't deal with it well the first time, well, now I have the experience to do better if it happens again."
Honestly, the whole thing about wanting to confess to Mikoto in high school and then Mikoto getting a horrible boyfriend, had probably contributed both to him asking Kaiya out fairly quickly, and feeling reluctant to end it once he found out her true age.
"I'm glad that we're both happy with who we are. And I like that idea: that with experience, we can do better if the same thing happens again." Kaiya responded happily. Weirdly, she was glad that they both had dark patches in their pasts. They weren't at all the same kind of patches, but having them meant that they could relate like this. She wasn't sure there would be a connection anywhere near this good with someone who just had a shiny, happy past.
"Yes," Setsuna agrees. He likes Kaiya as she is, so while a part of him wishes she'd never had to go through all that pain -- in that world, who knows if they were together. He also sees an opportunity to bring them back to a lighter place, and decides to take it, "For example, I'll never dye my hair strawberry blond again..."
That reminder of Setsuna with that atrocious hair colour choice made Kaiya laugh out loud. "Oh yeah, definitely not! And if you try again, for some crazy reason, I won't just come after you with a bottle of dye, I'll tell Kaneko-san on you!" She threatened with continued mirth, proving that his attempt at lightening the mood had succeeded.
Honestly, that Setsuna fully believes Kaiya would attack him with hair dye is one of many reasons he adores her. He laughs, "I can see it now -- you sneaking into my apartment to steal my year book, so you can show Kaneko-sempai what I look like with that hair, and letting him know I'm never allowed to do it again."
Kaiya's arms tightened around her boyfriend in an amused hug. "You better believe it! Maybe I should show him anyway, just so *no one* ever thinks to suggest it~" She added, but finished with a giggle. Honestly, she didn't think that Setsuna would ever try it again anyway, and certainly wouldn't let anyone else do it to him, except as some terrible prank.
"It may be wise to get out in front of it," Setsuna agrees with a sage tone, but a big grin on his face. He knows better now, but it's way more fun to joke about it. "Or else who knows what I might do?"
"Hmmmmmmm~ True~ You *are* kind of a wild card~" Kaiya agreed with another giggle. "Who knows~ You might try strawberry blond with spring green stars and burnt orange moons, or something~"
"Oh, maybe a nice straw green.... with a perm...." Setsuna jokes, thinking of the worst hairstyle for himself that he could think of - although the stars and moons in the strawberry were wild too, but he doesn't have much context for someone having those shapes... dyed in their hair?
"Oh! Oh no! No, no, no!" Kaiya protested, now full on laughing. "M-maybe, like, some permanent waves, but not a full perm! And definitely no green! Unless it was, like, jade green, but even then, maybe not."
Setsuna laughs heartily at the terror he'd clearly produced in his fashionista girlfriend, and continues to tease, "Are you saying you won't like me anymore, if I dye my hair a horrible colour?"
"Nope!" Kaiya got out between laughs, "I'm saying I will attack you with hair dye! I'd still like you, even if you shaved your head bald, or you dyed your hair puke yellow, or if you did your absolute best to make the worst looking rainbow to ever rainbow in hair. I might not be willing to be *seen* with you like that, but I'd still like you~"
Honestly, Setsuna fully knew all of this beforehand, although it's still nice to hear it said. Style is fixable, and their feelings aren't about how hot each other are - that's just a bonus. But he fully cackles at the phrase about her not being willing to be seen with him. When he recovers, he jokes, "Oh, then I should do it now, since we're not allowed to be seen together right now anyways...."
That just set Kaiya off giggling again. "Yes, yes, if you're going to commit hair hate crimes, you should do it now. Though, I think the band will hate you~ But... not my problem~" She added with a bit of a singsong in her voice, not meaning any of it, because she knew Setsuna didn't mean any of it either.
"Of course it's your problem. It's a waste of your fanclub money," Setsuna replies. Even though they don't pay for the account anymore. And by they, he means him, because it was his account. He sighs overdramatically, "I can't change my hair, alas, it's part of current promotions."
Kaiya shrugged at that. "I'm not paying any money for it, so no waste~ And even if you made your hair ugly, there are four other members with pretty hair to make the hypothetical money worth it anyway~" She continued to tease with a big grin. That dramatic sigh made her giggle again, though. "Saved by current promotions~"
"Drat, I don't get to make decisions about my own appearance anymore -- I mean, weird but true, but I don't actually mind. Clearly I can't be trusted with such decisions," Setsuna replies, loving this silly conversation.
"I mean, you *do* get to make appearance decisions, other than your hair colour, outside of your band appearances." Kaiya replied, somewhat more seriously.
Setsuna smiles at Kaiya swerving more serious, and agrees, "Yes. No one's raided my closet yet, or gone through my makeup drawer; you're right."
"Don't worry~ If you get really questionable, Miko-chan and I can do some raiding~" Kaiya 'assured' her boyfriend, happily straddling the silly and serious.
"Surprised you haven't gone through my closet yet," Setsuna jokes, actually not seeing any reason at all there would be for her to do such a thing.
"I mean~ Depends what you mean by 'gone through your closet'~" Kaiya retorted. She had certainly looked through his clothing several times in the past, after all.
"I mean, like. raided it. Like thrown out stuff or judged it or whatever," Setsuna replies with a laugh.
"Oh. Well. No, I haven't done anything to it, but I've certainly judged it~ I found it acceptable~" She added with a fake snooty voice and a cute grin that Setsuna probably couldn't see from his vantage point.
"Acceptable. phew," Setsuna replies, as though he'd been concerned it wouldn't pass spec. Most of his clothes are pretty simple, though he has taken care to get things that fit him quite well. He also has a few more cool things, and a few nicer things, including yes, a couple of proper suits.
That reaction made Kaiya giggle again, and she leaned in a little to give her boyfriend's cheek another little nuzzle. "I'm sure anything questionable would have mysteriously disappeared long before I got here anyway." She said, absolutely meaning that Mikoto would have taken care of it.
Oh, the chef laughs heartily at that, picking up on the implication, and admitting, "See, now I'm genuinely wondering if I have any clothes that 'went missing' after Mikoto moved in... it's hard to remember detail that long ago though..."
"If you didn't notice, then it was nothing you would miss, ne~?" Kaiya replied, not even sure herself if she was teasing anymore. However, the fact that all new additions to Setsuna's wardrobe since she had known him were more than 'acceptable', she had a feeling that he knew how to dress himself just fine, thank you very much. She doubted that anything of his had actually gone walking. Unless it had been something wildly out of character.
"Also true," Setsuna agrees. He doesn't actually think that he's bad at dressing himself or anything. He's not as fashionable as many of his friends, but he doesn't door poorly for himself either. He also doesn't buy new clothes that often, and a lot of his clothes were old, though maintained well.
With that decided, Kaiya just gave Setsuna another solid hug and a nuzzle. And then, a thought came to mind that had nothing to do with their previous conversations at all. "Mmm... is it okay if I stay over here sometimes during the summer, while you're away with Devillic?" The reason she asked was entirely to do with the impending heat. Today had been quite warm, but nothing compared to what was likely to come. And she and her brother tried to use the AC as little as possible at their place, which could lead to some very hot nights. She knew Keiji would probably spend a lot of time at Mikoto's place, and while she was sure that Mikoto would let her sleep on his couch, she didn't really want to interfere if she could help it.
Setsuna sighs gently at those intimate gestures, and settles in again. "Hmm? Yeah, sure, of course. you already have a key right?" He says. He doesn't mind at all if she stays over, even without hearing the reasons why. And he definitely agrees with those reasons why.
"Mhm, I have a key for downstairs." Kaiya confirmed, which always meant, to her, that she had a key since Setsuna's door was never locked (at least to her knowledge). She felt very warm and welcomed, though, that Setsuna agreed without even asking why. She did explain, though, "It's just that my place gets really hot in the summer, and we usually try not to use the AC at all. I mean, I won't over use yours either, but it's really hard to sleep when it gets really hot sometimes."
"Oh yeah, that makes sense. Well, remember that if I were home I'd be using the AC without worry, so don't feel too hung up on how much you're using it, ok?" he suggests. He doesn't need the money saving that not being home was going to grant him.
"Yeah, but..." Kaiya started to say that he *wouldn't* be home, but then relented, believing that her boyfriend wasn't just saying that to be nice. After all, if he *wasn't* in a band, he *would* be home and using the AC, and she wouldn't be using it when she was at school, or when it wasn't too hot to be home, so instead she ended with, "Okay, I'll try not to." And smiled again, feeling rather relaxed and cared for, now that that was sorted.
Setsuna can't see Kaiya, but he can kind of feel that some kind of processing had happened there. He's glad when she relents and accepts what he's saying. He pats her leg gently, just because that's kind of what he can reach of her. "Good. Then I won't have to worry about you getting heatstroke when there's a heatwave."
That touch on her leg was welcome, and accepted for what it was. "Oh! Definitely. I mean, even if you hadn't been comfortable with it, for one reason or another, I would have just asked Miko-chan if I could camp on his couch if it was that bad. No need to worry about me for that!" She assured him.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to subject you to that," Setsuna agrees. Not that Mikoto's couch wasn't comfy, but that Mikoto's couch is in Mikoto's house where Mikoto would like to sleep frequently with Kaiya's older brother, which could be awkward.
"Thanks. I'd rather not subject me to that either." Kaiya agreed with a little wrinkle of her nose at the thought of spending the night that way. Sure, Mikoto spent the night frequently with her brother at *their* apartment, but there she was in her own room, in her own bed, and whatever she may or may not hear from her brother's room she could ignore. The same likely could *not* be said about sleeping on Mikoto's couch. Either they would be too weirded out by her being there to do anything (mostly her brother, honestly), or she would feel awkward being there and probably hearing stuff from the bedroom. Nope, much less awkward to just sleep in her boyfriend's empty apartment.
"Besides, if I were here, you'd be sleeping over here fairly often too. So the only difference between normal is just me not being here," Setsuna reasons. And Kaiya was going to be there for the one festival, at least.
"Yeah, but only on non-school days, ne?" Kaiya replied, this having been true up until now, at least. Even being at an arts school, her days started rather earlier than his still. But, otherwise that was true. She was sure that Setsuna would be happy to have her over when he was home, and if it was a really bad heatwave... well, she could always sleep on *his* couch.
"Do you have a lot of school days in the summer?" Setsuna teases, since that's the longest break in the Japanese school year.
"I mean, the first month of technical summer! And then, even though the school is on holiday for a lot of July, and then all of August, there are some days where certain classes are running all day that I want to attend. They're optional, but there's one all on lolita fashion, and another on historical fashion trends." Kaiya responded, then added, "But yeah, there aren't *too* many school days in the summer, so I can come to at least one of your lives," Which she already had a ticket for, "and spend time with friends and stuff." She was trying to decide on which other show or shows she wanted to go to. She didn't want to take too much advantage of knowing the band, but she also didn't have a ton of disposable income. Most of the money from the commissions she was doing for Naoto and Mitsuo were already earmarked for supplies for classes, so she didn't have enough to follow the band all over the place like some of the fans.
Setsuna chuckles at being called out, and listens with interest to the idea that there are a few optional school days she'll go to. "Oh that's cool... and I think you have enough commissions to keep you busy the rest of summer break, even when I'm not around."
"Yeah, I do! Though, it's going to be a little annoying, not having Naoto-kun or Yamamoto-kun around to do fittings as I go." Kaiya admitted. Sure, she had their accurate measurements to work with, but she still liked to do fittings on bodies as she went, if she could, especially when she wasn't super familiar with that person's particular body.
Setsuna shrugs, and says, "Well, that can't be helped, unfortunately. Let's focus instead on how awesome it is how many commissions you already have. And you have some stuff for people who'll be around too, right?"
"Hmm? Yeah, that's true, I do. Nothing as elaborate as for them, though. But maybe that's good. I can do the smaller projects to break up the bigger ones. And the smaller ones I can get done quicker so I might get some more word of mouth traffic so I can get more commissions by fall." Kaiya agreed.
"Sounds like a plan," Setsuna replies with a smile. "If only Shotgun could somehow get even more traction, and be ready for new outfits... but they're doing so well already it feels greedy to ask for more anyways."
"Yeah... Though, maybe if they can get a full album out they might want to do a costume change. I mean, I think they want to do a video with their current costumes for one of the songs, and they could release that as a single... or they could release it all as an album? But whenever they do a second video, they'll need new costumes then for sure." Kaiya mused. She had obviously been thinking about it, and had a few different ideas to float to the band members when the time came, but she also knew that the band didn't have a ton of money at the moment to be thinking about new costumes. Even if they just paid for the materials, it was still going to be a lot.
"Very true. I know they've been building up connections through Takuya-senpai.... hopefully they can do something sooner than later," Setsuna agrees - not just because he wants success for his friends, but also because he wants to hear more of their music.
"Oh yeah~ I think I heard something about that. They were meeting with someone to help them with a video, right? Or, at least, Ayase-san was?" Kaiya responded, brightening up a little more. She wasn't super clear on any of the details, but she thought she had the broad strokes right.
"I think they're definitely talking about it; I know Ayase-kun and Takuya-senpai have become fast friends and are always talking -- one might even say scheming -- about business stuff."
"'Scheming'~" Kaiya repeated with a giggle. "I hope they scheme lots of awesome things for both bands~ You have to tell me when you know what the new schemes are~"
Setsuna laughs then says, "Ok, I'll try not to zone out next time they're talking." he promises, although honestly he's just not always around when they're talking this stuff. He is decently business minded himself.
"Awesome~" Kaiya replied brightly, though even if Setsuna never listened, or never told her the schemes, she probably wouldn't actually care. "When you do pay attention... is band business at all like restaurant business?" She asked instead, sure that her boyfriend would have taken notice if there was any crossover.
"Hmm, I mean. If you abstract it out enough, yeah. You have to consider your audience with what you're providing them; you have to consider advertising -- do you rely on word of mouth, or do you put money into it. Obviously other things are very different - actual music production, vs managing back end food supplies. With the restaurant I have more considerations about staff and payroll; with a band you don't really add staff so much as you get contractors to help you with stuff..." he shrugs.
"Oooooh... So only in the broadest sense." Kaiya replied thoughtfully. "That's kinda neat, but I guess it makes sense if you tune it out most of the time~" She added, gently teasing.
"I got decent at all the backend stuff specifically because I wanted the restaurant to work, but my interest is... cooking and people enjoying my food, not all the back end stuff," Setsuna explains. It's just that you need the business stuff to not fail. Then he laughs, realizing, "Actually that's exactly like being in a band. You do all this bullshit like music videos and marketing tours and the fancy costumes but really you wanna play music and have people enjoy it."
Kaiya nodded along with Setsuna's ideas about the business part not being the thing he loved about the restaurant, but then laughed along with him when he voiced his realization about music. "Oooh~ That's so true! You just wanna do the thing you enjoy, but to make money doing that thing, you need all the behind the scenes business stuff~"
"Yup. So in conclusion, capitalism is bad for art," Setsuna replies, which is both true and delivered like a punchline.
That made Kaiya giggle again. "It really is~" She agreed, then gave her boyfriend another hug. "I mean, capitalism is bad for so many things. But... I don't know what would work better? I mean, I like the idea of not *needing* to work to survive, but I don't know how that would realistically look..."
"Well, that's because while lots of people have lots of ideas about how that would look, nobody's been able to have a real, large scale test, because capitalist countries come and invade, or destabilize the government from inside," Setsuna replies, not that he's a political theory expert or anything.
That brought a sigh from Kaiya, "That sucks. Maybe one day something will work out, but I guess we just have to live in the world the way it is for now." She replied. "Good thing you're pretty good at business stuff~"
"Yeah, I'm lucky enough that I don't get to have too many complaints about the current system. I'm doing ok," Setsuna admits. For one, he doesn't have to worry about letting his girlfriend run his AC all summer while he's gone.
"Pfft~ I think you're doing *more* than okay~" Kaiya retorted with amusement. With his restaurant and his budding band career, she really did think that Setsuna was doing very, very well in life. Nevermind owning the building that his restaurant and his home existed in.
Setsuna decides against arguing, although compared to a millionaire or billionaire, he's not that wealthy. Certainly not the 1%, even if he is doing way better than most people he knows or most people his age. He suddenly remembers that Akina girl hitting on him just because of his stature in life, and sends his thanks again to his god that he'd found Kaiya. "Well, I'm happy to share my wealth anyways."
That comment made Kaiya smile softly, and she gave her boyfriend another, strong, hug. "I don't know if I say it enough, but I really am appreciative of all the help you've given to me and my brother." She knew he wasn't looking for thanks with his comment, but she really was thankful, and felt that she should say so.
"Of course. Because it's normal to feel grateful when helped. And it's also normal to help people you care about when you have more," Setsuna replies, since that's all he really sees it as. If one of his employees came to him and was like 'omg my bike got stolen' he would help them get a new one. It just seems normal to him.
Kaiya's arms stayed tight around her boyfriend for a little longer before giving him a kiss to the cheek. "Well, I still think you're amazing." She said, not exactly arguing, but having a different past experience that coloured her perspective.
"Thank you," Setsuna replies, deciding it was definitely best to accept the compliment rather than try to convince his girlfriend that he's not amazing. Besides, while it just seems natural to him, he's aware that there are a lot of people in the world who are stingy or even greedy.
That brought another gentle, happy sigh from Kaiya, and she leaned her chin on Setsuna's shoulder and closed her eyes, just enjoying the easy togetherness again for a little bit.
The rest of the evening passes with the same gentle familiarity.
Setsuna smiles, and nods, "I feel the same way -- about my reckless clubbing, about the whole high school situation.... that's kind of part of what I was trying to say about not really wanting to think about what ifs, because... this is the reality. This is what my life has come to. If there's a situation where I didn't deal with it well the first time, well, now I have the experience to do better if it happens again."
Honestly, the whole thing about wanting to confess to Mikoto in high school and then Mikoto getting a horrible boyfriend, had probably contributed both to him asking Kaiya out fairly quickly, and feeling reluctant to end it once he found out her true age.
"I'm glad that we're both happy with who we are. And I like that idea: that with experience, we can do better if the same thing happens again." Kaiya responded happily. Weirdly, she was glad that they both had dark patches in their pasts. They weren't at all the same kind of patches, but having them meant that they could relate like this. She wasn't sure there would be a connection anywhere near this good with someone who just had a shiny, happy past.
"Yes," Setsuna agrees. He likes Kaiya as she is, so while a part of him wishes she'd never had to go through all that pain -- in that world, who knows if they were together. He also sees an opportunity to bring them back to a lighter place, and decides to take it, "For example, I'll never dye my hair strawberry blond again..."
That reminder of Setsuna with that atrocious hair colour choice made Kaiya laugh out loud. "Oh yeah, definitely not! And if you try again, for some crazy reason, I won't just come after you with a bottle of dye, I'll tell Kaneko-san on you!" She threatened with continued mirth, proving that his attempt at lightening the mood had succeeded.
Honestly, that Setsuna fully believes Kaiya would attack him with hair dye is one of many reasons he adores her. He laughs, "I can see it now -- you sneaking into my apartment to steal my year book, so you can show Kaneko-sempai what I look like with that hair, and letting him know I'm never allowed to do it again."
Kaiya's arms tightened around her boyfriend in an amused hug. "You better believe it! Maybe I should show him anyway, just so *no one* ever thinks to suggest it~" She added, but finished with a giggle. Honestly, she didn't think that Setsuna would ever try it again anyway, and certainly wouldn't let anyone else do it to him, except as some terrible prank.
"It may be wise to get out in front of it," Setsuna agrees with a sage tone, but a big grin on his face. He knows better now, but it's way more fun to joke about it. "Or else who knows what I might do?"
"Hmmmmmmm~ True~ You *are* kind of a wild card~" Kaiya agreed with another giggle. "Who knows~ You might try strawberry blond with spring green stars and burnt orange moons, or something~"
"Oh, maybe a nice straw green.... with a perm...." Setsuna jokes, thinking of the worst hairstyle for himself that he could think of - although the stars and moons in the strawberry were wild too, but he doesn't have much context for someone having those shapes... dyed in their hair?
"Oh! Oh no! No, no, no!" Kaiya protested, now full on laughing. "M-maybe, like, some permanent waves, but not a full perm! And definitely no green! Unless it was, like, jade green, but even then, maybe not."
Setsuna laughs heartily at the terror he'd clearly produced in his fashionista girlfriend, and continues to tease, "Are you saying you won't like me anymore, if I dye my hair a horrible colour?"
"Nope!" Kaiya got out between laughs, "I'm saying I will attack you with hair dye! I'd still like you, even if you shaved your head bald, or you dyed your hair puke yellow, or if you did your absolute best to make the worst looking rainbow to ever rainbow in hair. I might not be willing to be *seen* with you like that, but I'd still like you~"
Honestly, Setsuna fully knew all of this beforehand, although it's still nice to hear it said. Style is fixable, and their feelings aren't about how hot each other are - that's just a bonus. But he fully cackles at the phrase about her not being willing to be seen with him. When he recovers, he jokes, "Oh, then I should do it now, since we're not allowed to be seen together right now anyways...."
That just set Kaiya off giggling again. "Yes, yes, if you're going to commit hair hate crimes, you should do it now. Though, I think the band will hate you~ But... not my problem~" She added with a bit of a singsong in her voice, not meaning any of it, because she knew Setsuna didn't mean any of it either.
"Of course it's your problem. It's a waste of your fanclub money," Setsuna replies. Even though they don't pay for the account anymore. And by they, he means him, because it was his account. He sighs overdramatically, "I can't change my hair, alas, it's part of current promotions."
Kaiya shrugged at that. "I'm not paying any money for it, so no waste~ And even if you made your hair ugly, there are four other members with pretty hair to make the hypothetical money worth it anyway~" She continued to tease with a big grin. That dramatic sigh made her giggle again, though. "Saved by current promotions~"
"Drat, I don't get to make decisions about my own appearance anymore -- I mean, weird but true, but I don't actually mind. Clearly I can't be trusted with such decisions," Setsuna replies, loving this silly conversation.
"I mean, you *do* get to make appearance decisions, other than your hair colour, outside of your band appearances." Kaiya replied, somewhat more seriously.
Setsuna smiles at Kaiya swerving more serious, and agrees, "Yes. No one's raided my closet yet, or gone through my makeup drawer; you're right."
"Don't worry~ If you get really questionable, Miko-chan and I can do some raiding~" Kaiya 'assured' her boyfriend, happily straddling the silly and serious.
"Surprised you haven't gone through my closet yet," Setsuna jokes, actually not seeing any reason at all there would be for her to do such a thing.
"I mean~ Depends what you mean by 'gone through your closet'~" Kaiya retorted. She had certainly looked through his clothing several times in the past, after all.
"I mean, like. raided it. Like thrown out stuff or judged it or whatever," Setsuna replies with a laugh.
"Oh. Well. No, I haven't done anything to it, but I've certainly judged it~ I found it acceptable~" She added with a fake snooty voice and a cute grin that Setsuna probably couldn't see from his vantage point.
"Acceptable. phew," Setsuna replies, as though he'd been concerned it wouldn't pass spec. Most of his clothes are pretty simple, though he has taken care to get things that fit him quite well. He also has a few more cool things, and a few nicer things, including yes, a couple of proper suits.
That reaction made Kaiya giggle again, and she leaned in a little to give her boyfriend's cheek another little nuzzle. "I'm sure anything questionable would have mysteriously disappeared long before I got here anyway." She said, absolutely meaning that Mikoto would have taken care of it.
Oh, the chef laughs heartily at that, picking up on the implication, and admitting, "See, now I'm genuinely wondering if I have any clothes that 'went missing' after Mikoto moved in... it's hard to remember detail that long ago though..."
"If you didn't notice, then it was nothing you would miss, ne~?" Kaiya replied, not even sure herself if she was teasing anymore. However, the fact that all new additions to Setsuna's wardrobe since she had known him were more than 'acceptable', she had a feeling that he knew how to dress himself just fine, thank you very much. She doubted that anything of his had actually gone walking. Unless it had been something wildly out of character.
"Also true," Setsuna agrees. He doesn't actually think that he's bad at dressing himself or anything. He's not as fashionable as many of his friends, but he doesn't door poorly for himself either. He also doesn't buy new clothes that often, and a lot of his clothes were old, though maintained well.
With that decided, Kaiya just gave Setsuna another solid hug and a nuzzle. And then, a thought came to mind that had nothing to do with their previous conversations at all. "Mmm... is it okay if I stay over here sometimes during the summer, while you're away with Devillic?" The reason she asked was entirely to do with the impending heat. Today had been quite warm, but nothing compared to what was likely to come. And she and her brother tried to use the AC as little as possible at their place, which could lead to some very hot nights. She knew Keiji would probably spend a lot of time at Mikoto's place, and while she was sure that Mikoto would let her sleep on his couch, she didn't really want to interfere if she could help it.
Setsuna sighs gently at those intimate gestures, and settles in again. "Hmm? Yeah, sure, of course. you already have a key right?" He says. He doesn't mind at all if she stays over, even without hearing the reasons why. And he definitely agrees with those reasons why.
"Mhm, I have a key for downstairs." Kaiya confirmed, which always meant, to her, that she had a key since Setsuna's door was never locked (at least to her knowledge). She felt very warm and welcomed, though, that Setsuna agreed without even asking why. She did explain, though, "It's just that my place gets really hot in the summer, and we usually try not to use the AC at all. I mean, I won't over use yours either, but it's really hard to sleep when it gets really hot sometimes."
"Oh yeah, that makes sense. Well, remember that if I were home I'd be using the AC without worry, so don't feel too hung up on how much you're using it, ok?" he suggests. He doesn't need the money saving that not being home was going to grant him.
"Yeah, but..." Kaiya started to say that he *wouldn't* be home, but then relented, believing that her boyfriend wasn't just saying that to be nice. After all, if he *wasn't* in a band, he *would* be home and using the AC, and she wouldn't be using it when she was at school, or when it wasn't too hot to be home, so instead she ended with, "Okay, I'll try not to." And smiled again, feeling rather relaxed and cared for, now that that was sorted.
Setsuna can't see Kaiya, but he can kind of feel that some kind of processing had happened there. He's glad when she relents and accepts what he's saying. He pats her leg gently, just because that's kind of what he can reach of her. "Good. Then I won't have to worry about you getting heatstroke when there's a heatwave."
That touch on her leg was welcome, and accepted for what it was. "Oh! Definitely. I mean, even if you hadn't been comfortable with it, for one reason or another, I would have just asked Miko-chan if I could camp on his couch if it was that bad. No need to worry about me for that!" She assured him.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to subject you to that," Setsuna agrees. Not that Mikoto's couch wasn't comfy, but that Mikoto's couch is in Mikoto's house where Mikoto would like to sleep frequently with Kaiya's older brother, which could be awkward.
"Thanks. I'd rather not subject me to that either." Kaiya agreed with a little wrinkle of her nose at the thought of spending the night that way. Sure, Mikoto spent the night frequently with her brother at *their* apartment, but there she was in her own room, in her own bed, and whatever she may or may not hear from her brother's room she could ignore. The same likely could *not* be said about sleeping on Mikoto's couch. Either they would be too weirded out by her being there to do anything (mostly her brother, honestly), or she would feel awkward being there and probably hearing stuff from the bedroom. Nope, much less awkward to just sleep in her boyfriend's empty apartment.
"Besides, if I were here, you'd be sleeping over here fairly often too. So the only difference between normal is just me not being here," Setsuna reasons. And Kaiya was going to be there for the one festival, at least.
"Yeah, but only on non-school days, ne?" Kaiya replied, this having been true up until now, at least. Even being at an arts school, her days started rather earlier than his still. But, otherwise that was true. She was sure that Setsuna would be happy to have her over when he was home, and if it was a really bad heatwave... well, she could always sleep on *his* couch.
"Do you have a lot of school days in the summer?" Setsuna teases, since that's the longest break in the Japanese school year.
"I mean, the first month of technical summer! And then, even though the school is on holiday for a lot of July, and then all of August, there are some days where certain classes are running all day that I want to attend. They're optional, but there's one all on lolita fashion, and another on historical fashion trends." Kaiya responded, then added, "But yeah, there aren't *too* many school days in the summer, so I can come to at least one of your lives," Which she already had a ticket for, "and spend time with friends and stuff." She was trying to decide on which other show or shows she wanted to go to. She didn't want to take too much advantage of knowing the band, but she also didn't have a ton of disposable income. Most of the money from the commissions she was doing for Naoto and Mitsuo were already earmarked for supplies for classes, so she didn't have enough to follow the band all over the place like some of the fans.
Setsuna chuckles at being called out, and listens with interest to the idea that there are a few optional school days she'll go to. "Oh that's cool... and I think you have enough commissions to keep you busy the rest of summer break, even when I'm not around."
"Yeah, I do! Though, it's going to be a little annoying, not having Naoto-kun or Yamamoto-kun around to do fittings as I go." Kaiya admitted. Sure, she had their accurate measurements to work with, but she still liked to do fittings on bodies as she went, if she could, especially when she wasn't super familiar with that person's particular body.
Setsuna shrugs, and says, "Well, that can't be helped, unfortunately. Let's focus instead on how awesome it is how many commissions you already have. And you have some stuff for people who'll be around too, right?"
"Hmm? Yeah, that's true, I do. Nothing as elaborate as for them, though. But maybe that's good. I can do the smaller projects to break up the bigger ones. And the smaller ones I can get done quicker so I might get some more word of mouth traffic so I can get more commissions by fall." Kaiya agreed.
"Sounds like a plan," Setsuna replies with a smile. "If only Shotgun could somehow get even more traction, and be ready for new outfits... but they're doing so well already it feels greedy to ask for more anyways."
"Yeah... Though, maybe if they can get a full album out they might want to do a costume change. I mean, I think they want to do a video with their current costumes for one of the songs, and they could release that as a single... or they could release it all as an album? But whenever they do a second video, they'll need new costumes then for sure." Kaiya mused. She had obviously been thinking about it, and had a few different ideas to float to the band members when the time came, but she also knew that the band didn't have a ton of money at the moment to be thinking about new costumes. Even if they just paid for the materials, it was still going to be a lot.
"Very true. I know they've been building up connections through Takuya-senpai.... hopefully they can do something sooner than later," Setsuna agrees - not just because he wants success for his friends, but also because he wants to hear more of their music.
"Oh yeah~ I think I heard something about that. They were meeting with someone to help them with a video, right? Or, at least, Ayase-san was?" Kaiya responded, brightening up a little more. She wasn't super clear on any of the details, but she thought she had the broad strokes right.
"I think they're definitely talking about it; I know Ayase-kun and Takuya-senpai have become fast friends and are always talking -- one might even say scheming -- about business stuff."
"'Scheming'~" Kaiya repeated with a giggle. "I hope they scheme lots of awesome things for both bands~ You have to tell me when you know what the new schemes are~"
Setsuna laughs then says, "Ok, I'll try not to zone out next time they're talking." he promises, although honestly he's just not always around when they're talking this stuff. He is decently business minded himself.
"Awesome~" Kaiya replied brightly, though even if Setsuna never listened, or never told her the schemes, she probably wouldn't actually care. "When you do pay attention... is band business at all like restaurant business?" She asked instead, sure that her boyfriend would have taken notice if there was any crossover.
"Hmm, I mean. If you abstract it out enough, yeah. You have to consider your audience with what you're providing them; you have to consider advertising -- do you rely on word of mouth, or do you put money into it. Obviously other things are very different - actual music production, vs managing back end food supplies. With the restaurant I have more considerations about staff and payroll; with a band you don't really add staff so much as you get contractors to help you with stuff..." he shrugs.
"Oooooh... So only in the broadest sense." Kaiya replied thoughtfully. "That's kinda neat, but I guess it makes sense if you tune it out most of the time~" She added, gently teasing.
"I got decent at all the backend stuff specifically because I wanted the restaurant to work, but my interest is... cooking and people enjoying my food, not all the back end stuff," Setsuna explains. It's just that you need the business stuff to not fail. Then he laughs, realizing, "Actually that's exactly like being in a band. You do all this bullshit like music videos and marketing tours and the fancy costumes but really you wanna play music and have people enjoy it."
Kaiya nodded along with Setsuna's ideas about the business part not being the thing he loved about the restaurant, but then laughed along with him when he voiced his realization about music. "Oooh~ That's so true! You just wanna do the thing you enjoy, but to make money doing that thing, you need all the behind the scenes business stuff~"
"Yup. So in conclusion, capitalism is bad for art," Setsuna replies, which is both true and delivered like a punchline.
That made Kaiya giggle again. "It really is~" She agreed, then gave her boyfriend another hug. "I mean, capitalism is bad for so many things. But... I don't know what would work better? I mean, I like the idea of not *needing* to work to survive, but I don't know how that would realistically look..."
"Well, that's because while lots of people have lots of ideas about how that would look, nobody's been able to have a real, large scale test, because capitalist countries come and invade, or destabilize the government from inside," Setsuna replies, not that he's a political theory expert or anything.
That brought a sigh from Kaiya, "That sucks. Maybe one day something will work out, but I guess we just have to live in the world the way it is for now." She replied. "Good thing you're pretty good at business stuff~"
"Yeah, I'm lucky enough that I don't get to have too many complaints about the current system. I'm doing ok," Setsuna admits. For one, he doesn't have to worry about letting his girlfriend run his AC all summer while he's gone.
"Pfft~ I think you're doing *more* than okay~" Kaiya retorted with amusement. With his restaurant and his budding band career, she really did think that Setsuna was doing very, very well in life. Nevermind owning the building that his restaurant and his home existed in.
Setsuna decides against arguing, although compared to a millionaire or billionaire, he's not that wealthy. Certainly not the 1%, even if he is doing way better than most people he knows or most people his age. He suddenly remembers that Akina girl hitting on him just because of his stature in life, and sends his thanks again to his god that he'd found Kaiya. "Well, I'm happy to share my wealth anyways."
That comment made Kaiya smile softly, and she gave her boyfriend another, strong, hug. "I don't know if I say it enough, but I really am appreciative of all the help you've given to me and my brother." She knew he wasn't looking for thanks with his comment, but she really was thankful, and felt that she should say so.
"Of course. Because it's normal to feel grateful when helped. And it's also normal to help people you care about when you have more," Setsuna replies, since that's all he really sees it as. If one of his employees came to him and was like 'omg my bike got stolen' he would help them get a new one. It just seems normal to him.
Kaiya's arms stayed tight around her boyfriend for a little longer before giving him a kiss to the cheek. "Well, I still think you're amazing." She said, not exactly arguing, but having a different past experience that coloured her perspective.
"Thank you," Setsuna replies, deciding it was definitely best to accept the compliment rather than try to convince his girlfriend that he's not amazing. Besides, while it just seems natural to him, he's aware that there are a lot of people in the world who are stingy or even greedy.
That brought another gentle, happy sigh from Kaiya, and she leaned her chin on Setsuna's shoulder and closed her eyes, just enjoying the easy togetherness again for a little bit.
The rest of the evening passes with the same gentle familiarity.