(no subject)
This takes place on the evening of June 6th. The Mimi and Koushirou scene. Stay tuned for a Tentomon+Kou scene and a Mina+Kou scene.
Mimi hoisted her silver purse on her shoulder, letting it bounce against her hip as she departed the Sobu line in the JR station. What line had Koushirou-kun taken to get here? Meh. Not that it mattered.
...it still would have been fun to sneak up on him though. Served him right for shaking her up as much as she was already.
But she wasn't going to let him see. Sure, she was in the thick of otaku-town where all the techie-geeks reigned...and she felt like the fox in the hunt. Add the previous week's stresses to all that--
--well! She'll just show him! What's got him so pissy anyway? This had better not be some sort of trick.
Passing through the ticket turnstiles, Mimi waited against a pillar by the Electric Town exit, eyes peeled and attentive.
Koushirou was waiting, clean cut and dressed in a blue polo shirt and khakis. He looked as his watch, looking up every so often for Mimi. He grimaced to himself, stuffing his hands in to his pockets. So this whole Yamato business had happened. Well it wasn't like he cared...he just wanted all of this to be out there. That he was a person too.
The boy turned his head, giving Mimi the opportunity to get the drop on him. In his mind, he just wanted this to be over quickly. Badly if need be. Then he could go shopping for components. He could go back to his hiding place and just be.
My, he looked sharp. Mimi noted that Koushirou apparently dressed up for his Akiba excursions--better than the average ota, anyway. She giggled to herself, her spirit already lifting as she lightly pussy-footed her way over to where her classmate was standing.
Just...a few more...
"Excuse me, miss!!"
Mimi flailed her arms and jumped a clear meter away from the voice. "YIII!!" She spun, and saw an American tourist stare at her with a bewildered face.
"May I...help you?" She said in clear English. She glanced towards Koushirou over her shoulder. Had he heard her?
Koushirou was busy looking at his cell phone. He didn't notice much around him. He mumbled something about her being late, leaning on a wall a few feet away.
Mimi glared in his general direction. No. Of course not. Smiling brightly at the tourist, she put up her hands and waved them. "I am afraid I am from out of town, too!" That wasn't a complete lie. She bowed quickly, and pointed towards the Koban. "The police box can help you!" She spun on her heel and hurried over to Koushirou.
"Thanks for waiting!" Mimi gasped, recovering from the shock of being approached by a stranger. "You weren't waiting long?"
Koushirou turned his head, digging his hands into his pockets again. "Hey. How're you?" The boy leaned his head back, acting as if he hadn't to expected to see her. He stays put for the moment. "So you needed to talk?"
"I figured you needed to talk, since apparently you're upset with me for something that I am--ooh! here's a surprise!--I'm absolutely clueless about!" Mimi put her hands on her hips and leaned towards him. "What's with the moodiness, Koushirou-kun? Every time you disappear you come back and somehow get upset with me--without even letting me in on what it is I've done!"
Koushirou looks away. "Yeah, well...I've tried to tell you and you don't exactly listen sometimes. I don't even know if I'm saying it right..." He sighs deeply. 'You know I've never been good with people..."
"You've gotten better." Mimi took Koushirou by the elbow and pulled him away from the pillar. "Besides, we're always rushing things these days. Tell you what, I'll give you all the time you want tonight. Just talk."
Koushirou sighs and glances at her sideways. "Fine. But first whats going on with you?"
Mimi blinked and loosened her hold on Koushirou's elbow. "Nothing. I had talked with Tentomon a few days ago, and I was wondering what you were up to. You always just go off into your own little world, and you know, people miss you."
Koushirou looks off to the side. "The world goes on without me. Why aren't you looking for Yamato to bother?" The boy keeps to himself as he looks around him. "I mean it's not like I'm the only one in the group who you can go to."
Mimi's loose hold on Koushirou's elbow released, and she brought her hands to the strap of her purse for lack of anything else to hold. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you haven't found out." Her bright eyes dulled slightly, and she turned her face away from Koushirou to look at the tall buildings tacked with brightly-lit lights.
"I think I have bothered Yamato-san too much. He broke up with me." Her voice was high and lofty, but she wouldn't allow a clear view of her face while delivering the news. "He wouldn't be straight with the reasons why, but--"
She turned back to Koushirou, and smiled. "--I really shouldn't dwell on it! I mean, it shouldn't be a big surprise, right?"
Koushirou froze, looking at the ground. Wow. They broke up. It was just yesterday he saw them together and now today they were split up. The computer genius put his hands in his pockets, gathering what he knew about the situation and came up with: "Fascinating"
He watched her out of the corner of his eye, sighing to himself. "So now you're bothering me?" It was enough to make him twitch. Was he the replacement until Mimi found another guy to latch on to? He went over the facts again in his head, trying to find a answer.
Fascinating? Mimi failed to see what Koushirou found so intruiging about her emotional peril. She pulled her lips into a thoughtful frown, "I'm not here to bother you. If that's the case I'll go home right now. I don't need to reminded of why I'm disliked." Her tone grew haughty as she continued walking down Chuo-dori. "I'm needing my friends right now, and I thought you qualified."
Koushirou thought about this and sighed. "Fine. I'm here." He didn't look at her as he continued walking beside her. His eyes staying on his surroundings.
"So take my mind off of it." It was honestly a request, but Mimi feared it came off as more of a command. "Please." She turned to look at him, and gave an earnest smile. "I honestly don't feel like socializing after all this--you're probably one of the only ones that understands how that feels."
Koushirou eyes her and sighs, looking at the ground. "I'm not sure what you want me to do, Mimi-san." He looks over at her. "I'm not even sure what we're doing here."
Mimi clasped her hands behind her back, and looked to Koushirou. "I want you to enjoy yourself. Everyone's been acting on pretenses lately. I want people to be honest with me for a change."
Koushirou frowns looks at her, turning his head away. "Then I should really go after speaking my mind." He looks over a store, making note of the sales inside.
Mimi felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She really couldn't handle another declaration of distaste from someone she cared for. What was she thinking, having gone this long in Japan without being privvy to everyone's disdain for her?
She understood being ignorant to it so long ago--but she was practically an adult now, no longer a naive child ignorant to the reality that not everyone is going to love you.
"...why?" She forced out.
A disappointed look appeared on Mimi's face--but she felt a bit relieved. She deflated a bit, and looked forward. Maids were standing in the sidewalk handing out tissues and coupons for their respective cafes.
Arcade music blared as they passed, and Mimi tried not to flinch. Why did Koushirou-kun like this place so much? Other than it being a distraction--she found it hard to keep her concentration in one place here.
"Do you enjoy being alone?" She asked once they had reached a quiet patch in the street.
Koushirou glanced at her briefly, shaking his head. He needed to get this out but the words. They weren't coming. How do you tell someone you dislike how you've been treated. Especially now. Should he really? Would it kill her? He frowns as his mind begins to clutter, not finding an answer.
"I don't know..."
The words don't exist yet. Think.
A disappointed look appeared on Mimi's face--but she felt a bit relieved. She deflated a bit, and looked forward. Maids were standing in the sidewalk handing out tissues and coupons for their respective cafes.
Arcade music blared as they passed, and Mimi tried not to flinch. Why did Koushirou-kun like this place so much? Other than it being a distraction--she found it hard to keep her concentration in one place here.
"Do you enjoy being alone?" She asked once they had reached a quiet patch in the street.
Koushirou stops at her question, looking at her in the face. "Sometimes it makes it easier to concentrate." He looks over toward the maids. "I never really understood why it was always me you clung to. I mean we're nothing alike as far as I can tell."
Mimi followed Koushirou's gaze and stopped on the maids. She quickly brought her eyes back to him, and gave a sheepish smile. "I don't think I could pinpoint just one thing, really." She entwined her fingers together, and continued to look at Koushirou's face, hoping that keeping her eyes on him would allow her to catch a glimpse of at least some sort of reaction.
"I guess part of the reason is because, looking back, you always seem to find a way to solve everyone's problems." She cracked a hopeful smile. "I guess I wish some of it would rub off on me?"
Koushirou looks away once more. "Mimi-san..." He takes a deep breath. "Last time you treated me like I wasn't even a person..." He meets her gaze, balling his fists as the tension builds. "And that hurt a lot because...Because....Nevermind." He releases his hands and lets them drop to his sides.
"I'm not perfect...If you would just think. Think and use that mind of yours. Alot of this would go away."
Mimi tilted her head in confusion. How did she treat him? Of course he was a person! She teased him, sure but--did it really bother him that much?
He seemed more upset than he was admitting. She saw his fists in the corner of her eye--had it kept for a moment longer, she would have probably taken an apprehensive step back. But before she could, he relented.
Mimi slowed her gait and let Koushirou lead ahead of her. Had she not been thinking? All this time with Yamato, she was so caught up in the relationship, in him--in making it work. Had she not noticed that she was hurting her friends?
...or maybe, just maybe...she felt that they deserved it? Both him and Jou-sempai...
She took several large steps to catch up with Koushirou, and once she reached his side, she drew closer to him to meet his eyes with hers--she was going to pull a concrete answer out of him. No more excuses. She wasn't going to allow for ignorance or miscommunication to alienate her from everyone. "How do you want to be treated?"
"I don't know." Koushirou looks off to the side, not wanting to look her directly in the eye. "Ever since then...ever since that stupid stuff with Jou...Ever since then, I wish I could take it all back. But I would need time travel for that and everyone knows that you would need an exponential amount of power in order to create a catalyst to..." He stops his explanation, feeling that cold stare as he starts to ramble. Did he ramble? Well what he just said made sense...the time travel bit. Nothing else.
"It's just...You make me want to hate you when really...I hate myself for liking you." There was a small blush on his face. "You're someone I care too much about and things like that really make me dislike such feelings. It doesn't make much sense." Koushirou pushes past her. Did he just confess? No. His words couldn't be taken like that.
Mimi watched Koushirou as he spoke--the space between them started to heat. Or was it her? He wanted to hate her?
"Was it because of back then?" Mimi muttered to herself, and snapped out of her reflection when she realized that Koushirou was leaving her behind. "Ah! Wait! Koushirou-kun!" She broke into a jog as she wove through the crowd. "Wait for me! Don't leave me behind!" Her plea come out more like a whine, and she shoved through the people, bumping into their shoulders and getting rammed with elbows before finally reaching him.
"WAITASEC!" Mimi bellowed, coiling both of her arms around his roughly. She tugged him closer, and forced him to look at her. "You can't just say something like that and walk away! We have to fix it!"
Koushirou meets eyes with her, blushing as he pulls away. "Let go. You can't fix this!" He stares at the ground. "This is just awkward now ok?"
His arm slipped from her grip, but Mimi leapt to catch it again. "No! Why can't it be fixed? Have I done something so horrible that you can't forgive me?"
Of course she did. Because of her, he and Jou-sempai had broken up...
...she would hate herself, too, if she was the reason for a couple to split up...
Like if Yamato had--if he--no! He said he hadn't. But why couldn't she just trust that? Just because he had spent so much time with them, with Catherine and the Russians...
...and he hadn't called her, even though...that doesn't mean...
...but what else could it mean?
She was dwelling on it again, and she hadn't even realized that it had provoked tears to well in her eyes.
Koushirou shakes his head, pulling at his arm. "No...It's just awkward!" He looks back at her, groaning now that he sees those tears. Damnit. He was supposed to leave this on top. Now she was pulling at him. Nice guy Koushirou would have to save the day.
Mimi looked around them. There were people everywhere. As dramatic a girl as she was, she knew better than to make a scene. She let him go, and looked away to blink a few times, willing the unwanted tears away. She didn't want Koushirou to think she was resorting to her old tricks. She didn't want his sympathy. She hadn't even intended of telling him about Yamato.
Awkward. He felt awkward? Well, that's just the type of guy he was. But Mimi knew how that situation worked. As long as she played confident, it would usually rub off on him, a little bit? After all, two people being awkward only makes the situation worse, right?
Taking a breath, and turning back around to face him, Mimi flashed Koushirou a bright smile--one that had gotten her out of so many previous pinches. "Well, don't be! I'm not, and you're in charge!" She swung her purse casually, and strolled back to him. "This is your turf, right? I'm absolutely helpless here! You're going to have to take the reigns here, Koushirou-kun!"
Koushirou frowns turning away from her as he slaps a hand over his face. "Mimi-san...You didn't even hear me the first time." He turns around and smiles. "Thats fine then. I guess I can't let a total newb get lost here. It would be unseemly for someone who gives advice on 2chan."
Just breathe in and out. He meets eyes with her, patting her on the shoulder and staring at her finally.
"I heard what you said." Mimi looked back at him. "You said you want to hate me, but you can't. I totally understand that." Pause. Mimi wrinkled up her nose. "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Koushirou sighs and just turns away. Same old Mimi. The computer genius finds a bench and sits down. "Maybe you should just get going."
"What is up with you?!" Mimi stalked Koushirou over to the bench and plants her bottom directly next to his. "I came all this way from Nakano to be all nice-nice with you again, and you're acting more stubborn than me!" She swung one leg over the other, and started to bounce her sandal off the tip of her toe.
Folding her arms over her chest, she closed one eye thoughtfully and glanced to Koushirou with the other. "Can't you just play nice? I'm trying here, you could at least meet me half-way!"
Koushirou crosses his arms. "I think the probability of that is 23% at this rate." He looked around the sights and sounds of Akihabara. "Why did you come anyway? You knew I was sour over all of this..."
Mimi slouched on the bench, and stared ahead. "I don't care. I'm not the type to just leave people to stew over their negative feelings. If there's even a chance of me fixing it..." She faded off. "...would you rather me just give up on you?"
Koushirou didn't look at her and sighs. "Sometimes. Othertimes No." He didn't want to be the wandering ball of angst. It made no sense. "But being with Jou was the worst mistake I ever made. I wasn't myself then but even so...It was a mistake I made. I...hurt someone I care about. But the way you treat me for it, despite how I try to make it up, just hurts me more!"
g....h Mimi avoided looking at him. gI never knew you were sorry. I thought you were blaming me for everything.h
Koushirou looks at the ground. "The truth is....I always....Tch..." His face pulls into a stern look. "Nevermind. It's stupid."
gYou don't say stupid things.h Mimi softly encouraged. At least, that's what it was meant to be.
Koushirou says nothing. "Just forget it. This is pointless. We got the problem out so it's fixed."
Mimi frowned.gIt won't be fixed until you're happy again.h
"I'm fine." Koushirou looks back at her, forcing a smile. He stared down at her, making sure not to meet her eyes.
Mimi leaned in critically.gEven though I know better than to believe you, I probably wouldn't do any good pushing you, would I?h
Koushirou blushed, gulping as she leaned in. He glared at her. "Please don't do that, Mimi-san."
gWhy?hMimi leaned in closer and gave an aggressive growl.gYour passive-aggressiveness won't solve anything.h
Koushirou stared at her, darting his eyes off to the side. "This is stupid." He looks at her again, frowning. "You're too close to me." He was closer now.
gThen get up.h Mimi challenged.gThough I'll follow.h
Koushirou blushed further. "Kinda hard to with you in my face." He attempts to and only succeeds in getting closer which prompts him to sit back down. Damnit. How do I get out of this?
He tries again and gets the same result. He gulps. He really wasn't used to being this close to anyone.
Mimi flatstared at Koushirou's weak attempts to escape.gYou're going to have to push me out of the way.h
Koushirou glares at her. "Now you're blocking my way."
"I haven't moved. You have." Mimi glared back.
Koushirou frowns. "You started this."
Mimi grinned, and laughed. "Oh my God, you just turned back into a fourth grader!"
Koushirou glares colder at her. "Look whose talking." Thump Thump. He looks down, trying to think his way out of this conversation.
"Nah, this is flirting." Mimi stated matter-of-factly. "Only grown-ups do that."
Koushirou gulps and suddenly leans forward, touching his lips to hers. It was enough to make him scream. Atleast it would make her jump...That's a rational answer.
Mimi's life went still for a split moment. Her vision went black, her ears went deaf, and her entire body seized function. All in one moment, everything came back to her, like water circling the drain, the eye of the whirlpool centering on the closed space between them. There was no warning--Mimi clawed her nails into Koushirou's shirt and threw him off of her and the bench. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?"
Koushirou just stands up, shoving her aside. He looks back at her. "I don't know. I don't want to know either." He is quiet for a moment, clenching his fists. "And I liked you for quite awhile...And...I don't want to. You're destructive. You only want to see me like I'm your guinea pig. Like I'm the guy you want to make better so you can say you did him a favor. That's why you are around me. We have nothing in common save for the fact we're both destined....That's it. So I really don't get why I like you and it drives me crazy and it needs to stop...Bye." He starts walking, quickly almost immediately.
Mimi couldn't move. Wow. That was smart. He had managed to come up with a way to get away from her without her following. She watched him lose himself in the crowd, and put a few fingers to her mouth. She lowered her eyes, and looked down at the faded knees of her jeans. But had he meant to hurt her in the process? Surely he didn't. They were friends, right? She pressed her lips together, and pulled them into a pensive line. Then why did it cut so deeply?
Koushirou walked awhile. He finally stopped, taking a deep breath and sighing. He knew this would end badly. He counted on it really. It was water under the bridge now. She would leave him alone and all of this was over. In a way, it was relieving. He really didn't need to be in this place. It would only cause more people to be hurt in the end. So while Mimi was probably almost in tears, Koushirou found himself holding those things back. He needed to take all of this and keep it away from the other Chosen. He was the voice of reason. The brains behind the Chosen Children. He couldn't cause them to be anymore disconnected than they already were. This was his designation. To take this hardship for the team in order to maintain stability.
Still it hurt knowing he just did that.
Mimi hoisted her silver purse on her shoulder, letting it bounce against her hip as she departed the Sobu line in the JR station. What line had Koushirou-kun taken to get here? Meh. Not that it mattered.
...it still would have been fun to sneak up on him though. Served him right for shaking her up as much as she was already.
But she wasn't going to let him see. Sure, she was in the thick of otaku-town where all the techie-geeks reigned...and she felt like the fox in the hunt. Add the previous week's stresses to all that--
--well! She'll just show him! What's got him so pissy anyway? This had better not be some sort of trick.
Passing through the ticket turnstiles, Mimi waited against a pillar by the Electric Town exit, eyes peeled and attentive.
Koushirou was waiting, clean cut and dressed in a blue polo shirt and khakis. He looked as his watch, looking up every so often for Mimi. He grimaced to himself, stuffing his hands in to his pockets. So this whole Yamato business had happened. Well it wasn't like he cared...he just wanted all of this to be out there. That he was a person too.
The boy turned his head, giving Mimi the opportunity to get the drop on him. In his mind, he just wanted this to be over quickly. Badly if need be. Then he could go shopping for components. He could go back to his hiding place and just be.
My, he looked sharp. Mimi noted that Koushirou apparently dressed up for his Akiba excursions--better than the average ota, anyway. She giggled to herself, her spirit already lifting as she lightly pussy-footed her way over to where her classmate was standing.
Just...a few more...
"Excuse me, miss!!"
Mimi flailed her arms and jumped a clear meter away from the voice. "YIII!!" She spun, and saw an American tourist stare at her with a bewildered face.
"May I...help you?" She said in clear English. She glanced towards Koushirou over her shoulder. Had he heard her?
Koushirou was busy looking at his cell phone. He didn't notice much around him. He mumbled something about her being late, leaning on a wall a few feet away.
Mimi glared in his general direction. No. Of course not. Smiling brightly at the tourist, she put up her hands and waved them. "I am afraid I am from out of town, too!" That wasn't a complete lie. She bowed quickly, and pointed towards the Koban. "The police box can help you!" She spun on her heel and hurried over to Koushirou.
"Thanks for waiting!" Mimi gasped, recovering from the shock of being approached by a stranger. "You weren't waiting long?"
Koushirou turned his head, digging his hands into his pockets again. "Hey. How're you?" The boy leaned his head back, acting as if he hadn't to expected to see her. He stays put for the moment. "So you needed to talk?"
"I figured you needed to talk, since apparently you're upset with me for something that I am--ooh! here's a surprise!--I'm absolutely clueless about!" Mimi put her hands on her hips and leaned towards him. "What's with the moodiness, Koushirou-kun? Every time you disappear you come back and somehow get upset with me--without even letting me in on what it is I've done!"
Koushirou looks away. "Yeah, well...I've tried to tell you and you don't exactly listen sometimes. I don't even know if I'm saying it right..." He sighs deeply. 'You know I've never been good with people..."
"You've gotten better." Mimi took Koushirou by the elbow and pulled him away from the pillar. "Besides, we're always rushing things these days. Tell you what, I'll give you all the time you want tonight. Just talk."
Koushirou sighs and glances at her sideways. "Fine. But first whats going on with you?"
Mimi blinked and loosened her hold on Koushirou's elbow. "Nothing. I had talked with Tentomon a few days ago, and I was wondering what you were up to. You always just go off into your own little world, and you know, people miss you."
Koushirou looks off to the side. "The world goes on without me. Why aren't you looking for Yamato to bother?" The boy keeps to himself as he looks around him. "I mean it's not like I'm the only one in the group who you can go to."
Mimi's loose hold on Koushirou's elbow released, and she brought her hands to the strap of her purse for lack of anything else to hold. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you haven't found out." Her bright eyes dulled slightly, and she turned her face away from Koushirou to look at the tall buildings tacked with brightly-lit lights.
"I think I have bothered Yamato-san too much. He broke up with me." Her voice was high and lofty, but she wouldn't allow a clear view of her face while delivering the news. "He wouldn't be straight with the reasons why, but--"
She turned back to Koushirou, and smiled. "--I really shouldn't dwell on it! I mean, it shouldn't be a big surprise, right?"
Koushirou froze, looking at the ground. Wow. They broke up. It was just yesterday he saw them together and now today they were split up. The computer genius put his hands in his pockets, gathering what he knew about the situation and came up with: "Fascinating"
He watched her out of the corner of his eye, sighing to himself. "So now you're bothering me?" It was enough to make him twitch. Was he the replacement until Mimi found another guy to latch on to? He went over the facts again in his head, trying to find a answer.
Fascinating? Mimi failed to see what Koushirou found so intruiging about her emotional peril. She pulled her lips into a thoughtful frown, "I'm not here to bother you. If that's the case I'll go home right now. I don't need to reminded of why I'm disliked." Her tone grew haughty as she continued walking down Chuo-dori. "I'm needing my friends right now, and I thought you qualified."
Koushirou thought about this and sighed. "Fine. I'm here." He didn't look at her as he continued walking beside her. His eyes staying on his surroundings.
"So take my mind off of it." It was honestly a request, but Mimi feared it came off as more of a command. "Please." She turned to look at him, and gave an earnest smile. "I honestly don't feel like socializing after all this--you're probably one of the only ones that understands how that feels."
Koushirou eyes her and sighs, looking at the ground. "I'm not sure what you want me to do, Mimi-san." He looks over at her. "I'm not even sure what we're doing here."
Mimi clasped her hands behind her back, and looked to Koushirou. "I want you to enjoy yourself. Everyone's been acting on pretenses lately. I want people to be honest with me for a change."
Koushirou frowns looks at her, turning his head away. "Then I should really go after speaking my mind." He looks over a store, making note of the sales inside.
Mimi felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She really couldn't handle another declaration of distaste from someone she cared for. What was she thinking, having gone this long in Japan without being privvy to everyone's disdain for her?
She understood being ignorant to it so long ago--but she was practically an adult now, no longer a naive child ignorant to the reality that not everyone is going to love you.
"...why?" She forced out.
A disappointed look appeared on Mimi's face--but she felt a bit relieved. She deflated a bit, and looked forward. Maids were standing in the sidewalk handing out tissues and coupons for their respective cafes.
Arcade music blared as they passed, and Mimi tried not to flinch. Why did Koushirou-kun like this place so much? Other than it being a distraction--she found it hard to keep her concentration in one place here.
"Do you enjoy being alone?" She asked once they had reached a quiet patch in the street.
Koushirou glanced at her briefly, shaking his head. He needed to get this out but the words. They weren't coming. How do you tell someone you dislike how you've been treated. Especially now. Should he really? Would it kill her? He frowns as his mind begins to clutter, not finding an answer.
"I don't know..."
The words don't exist yet. Think.
A disappointed look appeared on Mimi's face--but she felt a bit relieved. She deflated a bit, and looked forward. Maids were standing in the sidewalk handing out tissues and coupons for their respective cafes.
Arcade music blared as they passed, and Mimi tried not to flinch. Why did Koushirou-kun like this place so much? Other than it being a distraction--she found it hard to keep her concentration in one place here.
"Do you enjoy being alone?" She asked once they had reached a quiet patch in the street.
Koushirou stops at her question, looking at her in the face. "Sometimes it makes it easier to concentrate." He looks over toward the maids. "I never really understood why it was always me you clung to. I mean we're nothing alike as far as I can tell."
Mimi followed Koushirou's gaze and stopped on the maids. She quickly brought her eyes back to him, and gave a sheepish smile. "I don't think I could pinpoint just one thing, really." She entwined her fingers together, and continued to look at Koushirou's face, hoping that keeping her eyes on him would allow her to catch a glimpse of at least some sort of reaction.
"I guess part of the reason is because, looking back, you always seem to find a way to solve everyone's problems." She cracked a hopeful smile. "I guess I wish some of it would rub off on me?"
Koushirou looks away once more. "Mimi-san..." He takes a deep breath. "Last time you treated me like I wasn't even a person..." He meets her gaze, balling his fists as the tension builds. "And that hurt a lot because...Because....Nevermind." He releases his hands and lets them drop to his sides.
"I'm not perfect...If you would just think. Think and use that mind of yours. Alot of this would go away."
Mimi tilted her head in confusion. How did she treat him? Of course he was a person! She teased him, sure but--did it really bother him that much?
He seemed more upset than he was admitting. She saw his fists in the corner of her eye--had it kept for a moment longer, she would have probably taken an apprehensive step back. But before she could, he relented.
Mimi slowed her gait and let Koushirou lead ahead of her. Had she not been thinking? All this time with Yamato, she was so caught up in the relationship, in him--in making it work. Had she not noticed that she was hurting her friends?
...or maybe, just maybe...she felt that they deserved it? Both him and Jou-sempai...
She took several large steps to catch up with Koushirou, and once she reached his side, she drew closer to him to meet his eyes with hers--she was going to pull a concrete answer out of him. No more excuses. She wasn't going to allow for ignorance or miscommunication to alienate her from everyone. "How do you want to be treated?"
"I don't know." Koushirou looks off to the side, not wanting to look her directly in the eye. "Ever since then...ever since that stupid stuff with Jou...Ever since then, I wish I could take it all back. But I would need time travel for that and everyone knows that you would need an exponential amount of power in order to create a catalyst to..." He stops his explanation, feeling that cold stare as he starts to ramble. Did he ramble? Well what he just said made sense...the time travel bit. Nothing else.
"It's just...You make me want to hate you when really...I hate myself for liking you." There was a small blush on his face. "You're someone I care too much about and things like that really make me dislike such feelings. It doesn't make much sense." Koushirou pushes past her. Did he just confess? No. His words couldn't be taken like that.
Mimi watched Koushirou as he spoke--the space between them started to heat. Or was it her? He wanted to hate her?
"Was it because of back then?" Mimi muttered to herself, and snapped out of her reflection when she realized that Koushirou was leaving her behind. "Ah! Wait! Koushirou-kun!" She broke into a jog as she wove through the crowd. "Wait for me! Don't leave me behind!" Her plea come out more like a whine, and she shoved through the people, bumping into their shoulders and getting rammed with elbows before finally reaching him.
"WAITASEC!" Mimi bellowed, coiling both of her arms around his roughly. She tugged him closer, and forced him to look at her. "You can't just say something like that and walk away! We have to fix it!"
Koushirou meets eyes with her, blushing as he pulls away. "Let go. You can't fix this!" He stares at the ground. "This is just awkward now ok?"
His arm slipped from her grip, but Mimi leapt to catch it again. "No! Why can't it be fixed? Have I done something so horrible that you can't forgive me?"
Of course she did. Because of her, he and Jou-sempai had broken up...
...she would hate herself, too, if she was the reason for a couple to split up...
Like if Yamato had--if he--no! He said he hadn't. But why couldn't she just trust that? Just because he had spent so much time with them, with Catherine and the Russians...
...and he hadn't called her, even though...that doesn't mean...
...but what else could it mean?
She was dwelling on it again, and she hadn't even realized that it had provoked tears to well in her eyes.
Koushirou shakes his head, pulling at his arm. "No...It's just awkward!" He looks back at her, groaning now that he sees those tears. Damnit. He was supposed to leave this on top. Now she was pulling at him. Nice guy Koushirou would have to save the day.
Mimi looked around them. There were people everywhere. As dramatic a girl as she was, she knew better than to make a scene. She let him go, and looked away to blink a few times, willing the unwanted tears away. She didn't want Koushirou to think she was resorting to her old tricks. She didn't want his sympathy. She hadn't even intended of telling him about Yamato.
Awkward. He felt awkward? Well, that's just the type of guy he was. But Mimi knew how that situation worked. As long as she played confident, it would usually rub off on him, a little bit? After all, two people being awkward only makes the situation worse, right?
Taking a breath, and turning back around to face him, Mimi flashed Koushirou a bright smile--one that had gotten her out of so many previous pinches. "Well, don't be! I'm not, and you're in charge!" She swung her purse casually, and strolled back to him. "This is your turf, right? I'm absolutely helpless here! You're going to have to take the reigns here, Koushirou-kun!"
Koushirou frowns turning away from her as he slaps a hand over his face. "Mimi-san...You didn't even hear me the first time." He turns around and smiles. "Thats fine then. I guess I can't let a total newb get lost here. It would be unseemly for someone who gives advice on 2chan."
Just breathe in and out. He meets eyes with her, patting her on the shoulder and staring at her finally.
"I heard what you said." Mimi looked back at him. "You said you want to hate me, but you can't. I totally understand that." Pause. Mimi wrinkled up her nose. "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Koushirou sighs and just turns away. Same old Mimi. The computer genius finds a bench and sits down. "Maybe you should just get going."
"What is up with you?!" Mimi stalked Koushirou over to the bench and plants her bottom directly next to his. "I came all this way from Nakano to be all nice-nice with you again, and you're acting more stubborn than me!" She swung one leg over the other, and started to bounce her sandal off the tip of her toe.
Folding her arms over her chest, she closed one eye thoughtfully and glanced to Koushirou with the other. "Can't you just play nice? I'm trying here, you could at least meet me half-way!"
Koushirou crosses his arms. "I think the probability of that is 23% at this rate." He looked around the sights and sounds of Akihabara. "Why did you come anyway? You knew I was sour over all of this..."
Mimi slouched on the bench, and stared ahead. "I don't care. I'm not the type to just leave people to stew over their negative feelings. If there's even a chance of me fixing it..." She faded off. "...would you rather me just give up on you?"
Koushirou didn't look at her and sighs. "Sometimes. Othertimes No." He didn't want to be the wandering ball of angst. It made no sense. "But being with Jou was the worst mistake I ever made. I wasn't myself then but even so...It was a mistake I made. I...hurt someone I care about. But the way you treat me for it, despite how I try to make it up, just hurts me more!"
g....h Mimi avoided looking at him. gI never knew you were sorry. I thought you were blaming me for everything.h
Koushirou looks at the ground. "The truth is....I always....Tch..." His face pulls into a stern look. "Nevermind. It's stupid."
gYou don't say stupid things.h Mimi softly encouraged. At least, that's what it was meant to be.
Koushirou says nothing. "Just forget it. This is pointless. We got the problem out so it's fixed."
Mimi frowned.gIt won't be fixed until you're happy again.h
"I'm fine." Koushirou looks back at her, forcing a smile. He stared down at her, making sure not to meet her eyes.
Mimi leaned in critically.gEven though I know better than to believe you, I probably wouldn't do any good pushing you, would I?h
Koushirou blushed, gulping as she leaned in. He glared at her. "Please don't do that, Mimi-san."
gWhy?hMimi leaned in closer and gave an aggressive growl.gYour passive-aggressiveness won't solve anything.h
Koushirou stared at her, darting his eyes off to the side. "This is stupid." He looks at her again, frowning. "You're too close to me." He was closer now.
gThen get up.h Mimi challenged.gThough I'll follow.h
Koushirou blushed further. "Kinda hard to with you in my face." He attempts to and only succeeds in getting closer which prompts him to sit back down. Damnit. How do I get out of this?
He tries again and gets the same result. He gulps. He really wasn't used to being this close to anyone.
Mimi flatstared at Koushirou's weak attempts to escape.gYou're going to have to push me out of the way.h
Koushirou glares at her. "Now you're blocking my way."
"I haven't moved. You have." Mimi glared back.
Koushirou frowns. "You started this."
Mimi grinned, and laughed. "Oh my God, you just turned back into a fourth grader!"
Koushirou glares colder at her. "Look whose talking." Thump Thump. He looks down, trying to think his way out of this conversation.
"Nah, this is flirting." Mimi stated matter-of-factly. "Only grown-ups do that."
Koushirou gulps and suddenly leans forward, touching his lips to hers. It was enough to make him scream. Atleast it would make her jump...That's a rational answer.
Mimi's life went still for a split moment. Her vision went black, her ears went deaf, and her entire body seized function. All in one moment, everything came back to her, like water circling the drain, the eye of the whirlpool centering on the closed space between them. There was no warning--Mimi clawed her nails into Koushirou's shirt and threw him off of her and the bench. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?"
Koushirou just stands up, shoving her aside. He looks back at her. "I don't know. I don't want to know either." He is quiet for a moment, clenching his fists. "And I liked you for quite awhile...And...I don't want to. You're destructive. You only want to see me like I'm your guinea pig. Like I'm the guy you want to make better so you can say you did him a favor. That's why you are around me. We have nothing in common save for the fact we're both destined....That's it. So I really don't get why I like you and it drives me crazy and it needs to stop...Bye." He starts walking, quickly almost immediately.
Mimi couldn't move. Wow. That was smart. He had managed to come up with a way to get away from her without her following. She watched him lose himself in the crowd, and put a few fingers to her mouth. She lowered her eyes, and looked down at the faded knees of her jeans. But had he meant to hurt her in the process? Surely he didn't. They were friends, right? She pressed her lips together, and pulled them into a pensive line. Then why did it cut so deeply?
Koushirou walked awhile. He finally stopped, taking a deep breath and sighing. He knew this would end badly. He counted on it really. It was water under the bridge now. She would leave him alone and all of this was over. In a way, it was relieving. He really didn't need to be in this place. It would only cause more people to be hurt in the end. So while Mimi was probably almost in tears, Koushirou found himself holding those things back. He needed to take all of this and keep it away from the other Chosen. He was the voice of reason. The brains behind the Chosen Children. He couldn't cause them to be anymore disconnected than they already were. This was his designation. To take this hardship for the team in order to maintain stability.
Still it hurt knowing he just did that.