Announcements: Cutting Costs (2024) » January 2024 Copyfraud Attack » Finding Universes to Join (and making yours more visible!) » Guide To Universes On RPG » Member Shoutout Thread » Starter Locations & Prompts for Newcomers » RPG Chat — the official app » Frequently Asked Questions » Suggestions & Requests: THE MASTER THREAD »

Latest Discussions: Adapa Adapa's for adapa » To the Rich Men North of Richmond » Shake Senora » Good Morning RPG! » Ramblings of a Madman: American History Unkempt » Site Revitalization » Map Making Resources » Lost Poetry » Wishes » Ring of Invisibility » Seeking Roleplayer for Rumple/Mr. Gold from Once Upon a Time » Some political parody for these trying times » What dinosaur are you? » So, I have an Etsy » Train Poetry I » Joker » D&D Alignment Chart: How To Get A Theorem Named After You » Dungeon23 : Creative Challenge » Returning User - Is it dead? » Twelve Days of Christmas »

Players Wanted: Serious Anime Crossover Roleplay (semi-literate) » Looking for a long term partner! » JoJo or Mha roleplay » Seeking long-term rp partners for MxM » [MxF] Ruining Beauty / Beauty x Bastard » Minecraft Rp Help Wanted » CALL FOR WITNESSES: The Public v Zosimos » Social Immortal: A Vampire Only Soiree [The Multiverse] » XENOMORPH EDM TOUR Feat. Synthe Gridd: Get Your Tickets! » Aishna: Tower of Desire » Looking for fellow RPGers/Characters » looking for a RP partner (ABO/BL) » Looking for a long term roleplay partner » Explore the World of Boruto with Our Roleplaying Group on FB » More Jedi, Sith, and Imperials needed! » Role-player's Wanted » OSR Armchair Warrior looking for Kin » Friday the 13th Fun, Anyone? » Writers Wanted! » Long term partner to play an older male wanted »

Waiting Afield at Dusk

Alium

0 INK

a part of Waiting Afield at Dusk, by cl.love.

None

cl.love holds sovereignty over Alium, giving them the ability to make limited changes.

421 readers have been here.

Setting

Default Location for Waiting Afield at Dusk
Create a Character Here »

Alium

None

Minimap


Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Image
Image
『 Yamada Hiroyuki 』
#5F6E51 │ #9E8893
Image

.....The classroom was near silent save the sound of pens and pencils and flapping papers, all while the man at the front of the room scribbled down the words, the numbers, various formulas, and more symbols over the chalkboard hung on the wall. His voice was clear over the quiet of the room, and others' only filled it when he offered out a question, and called out a student, and then continued onto a new problem, or a new section, or a new...
.....Yamada Hiroyuki, of course, was somewhere else in his mind the entire time. Yes, he should have been paying attention, should have been taking more precise or detailed notes, especially if his current...scores meant anything, but right then he had much more important things to figure out! Surely he could catch up on math later? He always did! (Please don't believe him. It never happens.)
.....His current trail of thought was obviously on the person sitting in front of him. None other than Sato Itsuki, the academic prodigy himself. By some kind of odd luck Hiroyuki had gotten himself moved seats (What for? He hadn't caused trouble at his old one, and neither had the other student that had taken his old seat.) and ended up behind the teen, and while at first it hadn't been a big deal, presently he was unable keep his mind off him. Yes, he'd seen Sato in class - at that point in the year it was impossible to not at least know of him, or anyone else in their class for that matter. But it wasn't until he was actually sat in his new spot that he realized how he truly was. Seemingly no friends had been Hiroyuki's first note, and an upsetting one at that. The brunette always arrived to class alone, and beyond maybe a return of a hello to others, he would take his seat and keep to himself. Hiroyuki had attempted conversation with him several times, though it ended up mostly light and small...and the only time he could even catch him was during school hours anyway. He disappeared practically the second they were released, and so far Hiroyuki had been unsuccessful in catching him before he was gone.
.....That changed now, he'd long since decided. So maybe his plan had failed the last several times, Hiroyuki's never exactly been quick on his feet, nor has he ever really had any issues making new friends...yes, the situation was beyond a simple struggle for him. Though that meant nothing - it merely encouraged him more. So stubborn about keeping others away, they seemed to assume he just liked being alone, but he was sure that it was something else. Fear? Discomfort? Maybe he just struggled to communicate? Was there someone holding him back? Whether or not he ever came to the answer, Hiroyuki was confident in his desire to at least give Sato a friend in himself.
.....Oh, maybe he'd like to talk about school? He's at the top of our class, isn't he? And I'm... Hiroyuki paused, grimacing at the thought of his current standing in terms of academic achievement, or the sight of his much less than ideal notes laying before him. So maybe that wouldn't be a great idea. I'm trying to make a friend, not get a tutor. A quiet sigh left him, and he laid his head on his desk for a moment, receiving a short, confused glance from Shinichi to his left. Hard, Hiroyuki realized. It was hard to figure out how to successfully approach someone he'd already tried to several times, to figure out what he might like when he knew nothing of him beyond lonely and perfect grades. But that was the whole point of making friends, right? Learning more about them? He'd figure it all out. Somehow. Eventually. Or uh, something.
.....He sat up again suddenly then, eyes lighting up momentarily as another idea reached his mind. I'll invite him somewhere! To the neighborhood market nearby? That'd be fun! Right...? Yeah! I need to grab some things for Kaa-san anyway, so I could kill two birds with one stone! Maybe I'd be able to get him something too, some sort of snack? I'm sure he's hungry after classes all day. His notebook and pencil are dropped into his bag, nearly missed with his distraction. Then I'll just-
.....He's half startled by the sound of the bell, signifying the end of the class's hour, and as such, the end of their school day. Right, there had only been about ten minutes last time he'd checked, why hadn't he been paying attention? He could have costed himself his chance to finally talk to Sato, had he been too far lost in his own thoughts...
.....His own backpack isn't even shut completely, but it was good enough for the short time limit he has. He only hoped nothing would fall out. It was a few final, rushed movements and he's up from his desk, perhaps a bit too quickly given the couple of confused or curious glances once more directed his way. Despite the mess of a first attempt, it was too late to step back now - no such thing as a restart in real life, right?
....."Sato-kun!" And he'd spoken to him, stopped him from escaping without at least a response this time anyway. No walking away from this now. "Hey, hey, are you busy? 'Cause, well, I was wondering, maybe you'd want to go with me to the marketplace nearby. Just for fun! I could get you a snack or something, and we could hang out for a bit after?" The questions he left open as he waited, patient for the other's answer.

Setting

0 Characters Present

No characters tagged in this post!

Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by cl.love
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

XX Sato Itsukixx#AC5553
Itsuki can feel eyes on him, and it is absolutely distracting him from his notes. But he refuses to turn around and engage with the person he knows has been staring at him all goddamn day.

It's been a good two weeks since the class seating arrangement changed and in those two weeks it has become abundantly clear that Yamada Hiroyuki, who now sits right behind Itsuki, apparently has nothing better to do during lessons than stare holes into Itsuki's skull. Itsuki has no idea what he's done to deserve it- they've only spoken a handful of times. Was he not polite enough? Did he unknowingly say something that offended him? Or is Yamada simply spacing out all day long?

Itsuki doesn't know, and he kind of doesn't want to know. So he keeps his eyes on the board and does his best to ignore the staring. He learns to tune it out, after a while, but every time there's a lull in the lesson his thoughts drift back toward Yamada, because dammit, now he's curious.

Itsuki has zero plans to confront Yamada about all the staring and is ready to leave once class is done, but Yamada clearly has other intentions, getting right in Itsuki's way after the bell.

"
Sato-kun!" Yamada says, instantly drawing attention to them both. "Hey, hey, are you busy? 'Cause, well, I was wondering, maybe you'd want to go with me to the marketplace nearby. Just for fun! I could get you a snack or something, and we could hang out for a bit after?"

Itsuki doesn't respond right away. He's caught off guard. It's been a while since anyone has invited him out, as most of their classmates have either hated him from the beginning or realized he's as boring as they come in the friendship department. Yamada clearly hasn't gotten that memo. Tragic. Itsuki plasters a smile on his face and hopes Yamada does alright with disappointment.

"
I'm sorry, Yamada-san, but I'm afraid I can't. I have to study before cram school tonight. But thank you for the offer. Have a good night."

And with that, Itsuki leaves, hoping Yamada will get the message and this will be the end of it.

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Image
Image
『 Yamada Hiroyuki 』
#5F6E51 │ #9E8893
Image

.....There was a long moments silence as he waited for Sato to respond, though was that really a surprise with the way Hiroyuki had approached him? He didn't read too much into that hesitation. His answer came soon after, though, "I'm sorry, Yamada-san, but I'm afraid I can't. I have to study before cram school tonight. But thank you for the offer. Have a good night." And faster than he expected, faster than his expression could even fall from the response, before he could even really respond, Sato was out and gone from the room and his reach once more.
.....It's a sudden burst of laughter from behind that pulled him from his small daze at the almost immediate rejection, and Hiroyuki's gaze snapped back to land on Shinichi where he still sat at his desk, a taunting expression slapped on his face. He merely returned it with a faint pout before leaning back on Sato's desk now behind himself, a small whine joining his voice as he spoke, "What? Stop looking at me like that," but Shinichi only laughed at him again as he finally stood up, and soon enough he was next to him, a hand moving to clap his shoulder, "why are you so shocked? Come on, everyone knows Sato-san's more than an impossible case. Just give it up before you drive yourself crazy."
.....He can't help the sense of irritation at the other's words, and he quickly shrugged his hand off, shifting away a bit. "Give it a rest, I'm not about to just give up so easily." An eye roll followed, and he looked back at his classmate, "everything takes time, especially this sort of thing."
.....Shinichi moved his hands back then, up in some sort of surrender, "well, don't say I didn't warn you. You may be the ever popular Yamada Hiroyuki-san, but that doesn't mean you can just make friends with anyone and everyone you'd like to. There's an exception to every rule, you know?" He turned away then, returning to his desk to pack up his own things, though his gaze shifted back with its faint taunt returned, "I suppose at the very least, I look forward to seeing how far you'll make it before finally giving up."
....."Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm really feeling better about this now." He let the sarcasm drip from his words, but the brunette only laughed at him again, and their conversation was ended. Hiroyuki wasn't sure anything better would have come from it in the end anyway.
.....It took him some time longer to actually leave the classroom after that, though he could only say the reason was because he'd fallen back into his thoughts once more. Sure, he'd been rejected this time, and by the sound of it, it wouldn't be the last either. But he couldn't invite him to do the same thing over and over - that would become redundant and lazy in no time. At the very least he had to really show he was making an effort...without overwhelming Sato too much than he already likely would anyway. What else would be simple and easy enough for a first hangout, though?
.....Can't do the marketplace again for awhile, so what else is there? The park? What about one of the shrines nearby? I bet he'd like something like that, it's quiet at those, isn't it? Oh, what about that aquarium?- Hiroyuki stopped himself there, and a short bout of laughter escaped him, No way! That'd probably feel like too much for him, plus it's like a date. I'm trying to make a friend, a friend...okay, then what about...

Setting

0 Characters Present

No characters tagged in this post!

Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by cl.love
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

XX Sato Itsukixx#AC5553
Itsuki doesn't think very hard on that invitation from Yamada. He doesn't think about it at all, actually, until two days later, when lo and behold, that invitation becomes the first invitation.

(The fact that there was a first, that there were several, makes Itsuki's head spin.)

First is the marketplace. Then an arcade. Then karaoke. Then a park, a shopping mall, Akihabara. The natural history museum. An aquarium. Those last two were actually difficult for Itsuki to say no to, because hell, a museum and an aquarium sound like very interesting places to see. But he's not about to give up on his own principles just because Yamada has better intuition than some.

So he rejects Yamada, every time, without fail. And every time, without fail, it gets harder to do so, because Yamada just keeps on asking. He'll invite Itsuki out, get rejected, wait a few days, and invite him out again! It feels like Itsuki's rejections just spur him on even more.

A small, hidden part of Itsuki is flattered by the attention. But he doesn't stay flattered for long.

Their classmates start to take note of Yamada and Itsuki's conversations, and Itsuki starts to take note of their staring. He hates that there are people watching him, judging him, and he cowers. He shrugs off Yamada more quickly and makes a point to leave the room much faster than he used to once class is over, not wanting to be caught in another invitation for people to laugh at.

This happens, once. Yamada blocks his exit at the end of the day and invites him somewhere. Itsuki isn't really listening. Everyone still in the room is watching, judging, trading whispers and giggles and staring at him. And Itsuki snaps. He's sick of this. He wants this to end.

"
I don't know what this is about or why you can't seem to take a fucking hint, but I'm never going to say yes, so why don't you pick someone else to piss off until the ends of time?!"

Itsuki doesn't wait to see Yamada's reaction, heading straight for the door and trying to tune out the laughter he can hear ever so clearly. He forces himself to unclench his teeth, his fists, to slow down. They don't bother him. They don't get to him. They can't get to him, not anymore.

It's a lie, of course, but he continues to tell himself that lie until he's convinced everything is fine.


XX ❋
Yamada leaves him alone. When Itsuki comes to class the next day, Yamada is staring out the window and ignores Itsuki completely throughout the day. It's like taking a breath of fresh air.

The feeling doesn't last though, because somehow, Itsuki has gotten used to Yamada staring at him, asking him for answers, chattering all through lunch about anything and everything. Itsuki misses it, and it pains him to even think the thought. When did he end up like this?!

Two weeks pass with awkward silence from Yamada, and while Itsuki definitely isn't about to initiate conversation with someone he's made clear he can't stand, he's definitely considering it. Then he comes to class one day and finds a folded-up note in his desk with an invitation to meet by the stairs at the back of the school during lunch. It isn't hard to guess who wrote the note.

Itsuki turns to shoot Yamada a quizzical look, but Yamada isn't looking at him. He just stares out the window, same as always. Itsuki frowns. He hopes to God it actually is Yamada and not some other classmate of theirs. Somehow he gets the feeling Yamada wouldn't beat him up for laughs.

Lunch comes. Itsuki crumples the note in his pocket and gathers his things. Yamada isn't in his seat- big shocker. Itsuki makes his way down long hallways and to the set of stairs no one uses.

And, just as he'd predicted, Yamada is waiting. Itsuki raises an eyebrow at him.

"
And? Do you have something to say, or are you just mad I keep rejecting your advances?"

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Image
Image
『 Yamada Hiroyuki 』
#5F6E51 │ #9E8893
Image

.....Hiroyuki hadn't been prepared, hadn't expected the snapped response he'd gotten from Sato that day. (If he's honest, he'd never thought him to even be capable of that kind of volume and language, but expectations were broken all the time, weren't they? Sato would be no exception to that.) Angry, sudden, unexpected, and his classmate was long gone before he can even begin to process what just happened.
.....It was the uproar of laughter from the rest of the class that finally pulled him out of his shock, and in and instant he could feel the rush of heat to his face, a building blush (and one that comes as a major surprise; it isn't often that he can find himself so embarrassed, and now is most definitely a moment he has a hard time finding enjoyable or easy to laugh off.) He had to bite his tongue to keep himself from saying anything he might regret in the heat of the moment, frustration building faster than he'd like as he looks at each of them. Even then, it's not like they're all just laughing at him. How many were laughing at Sato instead? It wasn't like it was an every day event to see him blow up like that.
.....Hiroyuki, of course, couldn't lie and say the words didn't hurt, or the expression he gave him, or just anything that happened for that matter. He couldn't lie and say he wasn't upset, or frustrated, that there wasn't an odd sense of anger building up inside of him - something he hadn't felt in...well, ages. His mother had panicked over him when she'd arrived home from work later that day; his emotions were showing a bit too much on the outside it seemed (Umeko hadn't come home until even later after their mom, but if the way Ran and Eri avoided him when they came out of their rooms meant anything, it was likely that he didn't look his usual self at the moment.)
.....So he left him alone, or couldn't get himself to do anything else with how he had been feeling when he came to class the next day. When Sato arrived to class, he turned himself away, didn't say a word, and throughout the lectures, he stared out the window instead. And for all he could tell, Sato was relieved.
.....It wasn't until several days later that Hiroyuki found himself occasionally glancing to Sato again, to wanting to talk to him again, to spend lunch with their conversations filling the silence again. But he had no idea how to re-break the ice, not after all of that. He'd always been able to with people he hadn't seen in a long while, with people who he may have become distanced with, but after a...fight? Trying to think back on past experiences gave him nothing; he'd never fought with anyone before, so how did people even begin to mend everything after something like that?
.....It's a stolen key that gives Hiroyuki his solution. And where exactly did the key unlock? The roof of course, one of the few places off limits to students, which meant that no one would be up there. Completely empty, quiet, and free. But why something like that? Because Hiroyuki had realized Sato's aversion to crowds and attention, of course! (Although perhaps he was...a bit late to that realization, and it may have taken a bit too much for him to finally piece it together. But it didn't matter! He knew now.)
.....To make his case clear, Hiroyuki had never planned on actually stealing something, but the idea had presented itself, and at that point it was too tempting to turn down. But how had he even gotten the key? That would be through his rather common meetings in the teachers' office, for his grades of course, not because he was causing any sort of trouble. (Because he hadn't been caught causing any. Not yet anyway.) His homeroom teacher had been late to it, having apparently been assisting some of the others with moving and dropping some things on the roof. It was only then that Hiroyuki had spotted the key, which the man had vaguely mentioned to be the one to roof before carelessly tossing it onto his desk. He'd been unable to take his eyes off the metal object throughout the meeting, and by some kind of ridiculous string of luck, the man had left halfway through their meeting to grab something, and it was in that short opening that he'd snagged the key.
.....Yes, he was well aware that he'd be in some deep shit if he were caught with the key, so he would just make sure he wasn't. He couldn't help the small burst of adrenaline though, or the excitement, and it had taken everything in him to not run as fast as he could down the halls the second he'd left the room.
.....The final week of not speaking to Sato he'd let drag on, not because he wasn't eager to share his new secret and show the teen what he had planned, but because he felt it best to let any sort of suspicion blow over first. He well knew the risks - Kaa-san would kill me! - and wasn't about to walk the two of them right into getting caught. So instead, it was best to let them search around until they simple decided it was lost. What a shame! Guess you'll just have to be more careful next time sir.
.....Two weeks of their uncomfortable silence, and Hiroyuki finally decided to act. It's a torn piece of paper from his notebook that he scribbled his neat enough writing onto, and he carefully folds it once he's finished his note. Tossing it onto Sato's desk is what got Shinichi butting in as usual, a dumbfounded laugh escaping him. "Hiroyuki-kun you cannot be serious."
.....He doesn't even have time to respond, not before Sato walks through the class doors, and he forces himself to finally look away, back towards the window. It takes every part of him to not look when he sits in his desk, and it takes some kind of miracle for him to not grin when he turns to look back at him. Not until he's turned to face the front again does Hiroyuki finally spare a grin, if only so he wouldn't end up bursting into laughter then and there.
.....By the time they're finally released for lunch, he makes his move. Fast of course, before Sato could notice him leaving. It was his turn to disappear before he could do anything about it.
.....He arrived to the stairs not terribly long later, excitement building up again once he settled himself in his spot. It only occurred to him then, however, that Sato could easily just decide not to follow what the note said and stay in class, but before he can begin to panic, the brunette appears around the corner, and Hiroyuki breathes a quiet sigh of relief before he's giddy again. Watching him walk is almost painful truly, and he's relieved when the other finally arrives, though not without speaking first, "And? Do you have something to say, or are you just mad I keep rejecting your advances?"
.....Hiroyuki paused at his words, blinking once, though he quickly shook his head soon after, a hand waving in front of him in half a panic, "I didn't tell you to come here to get mad at you or anything! I promise!" Is his frantic response, a weak laugh leaving him soon after. "I was just, well, I was hoping I could show you something, that's all. Only if you want that, of course!" He moved a step back, foot resting on the first stair. A warm, hopeful smile surfaced then, "so if you want, will you follow me?"

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by cl.love
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

XX Sato Itsukixx#AC5553
Yamada promises he isn't angry, and the desperation in his tone leads Itsuki to believe he's being honest, despite what the circumstances might suggest. But why call him all the way out here?

"
I was just, well, I was hoping I could show you something, that's all. Only if you want that, of course!" Itsuki kind of doesn't want that, truth be told. "So if you want, will you follow me?"

After a moment's hesitation, curiosity wins over suspicion, and Itsuki follows Yamada up four flights of stairs until they come to a landing at the very top- the landing to the roof, which is off limits to student. Itsuki watsches in horror as Yamada pulls out a key and unlocks the door.

"
I'm not going to ask how you got that, but I swear, if I get in trouble for being up here, I'm never going to speak to you ever again." Itsuki growls out.

He hadn't pinned Yamada for a delinquent.
Never judge a book by its cover, he supposes.

The roof is, as expected, completely empty. There are tree leaves and piles of dust scattered about, there are cracks in the cement, and some of the rails are even bent. Itsuki raises an eyebrow at Yamada's proud smile. Of all the things to turn into a surprise, why the school roof?

Itsuki doesn't understand, and he's concerned. This place isn't safe. What if they get caught up here without permission, or get caught with the roof key? Itsuki's grades and reputation are on the line with this whole gig. And if this gets back to his parents somehow... well, he'll be fucked.

Itsuki walks over to a particularly warped piece of railing and pokes it with his finger. It bends.

He gestures to it with a frown. "
We could die if we fell through this."

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Image
Image
『 Yamada Hiroyuki 』
#5F6E51 │ #9E8893
Image

.....Hiroyuki is more than relieved when Sato does follow him up the stairs, and once he was sure he wasn't planning on changing his mind, he picked up his pace and brought the both of them up the four flights of stairs. He didn't look back to see the other's expression as he dug the key out from his pocket, only focused on his own giddy flee in that moment. It had been a bit since he'd done something like this, even longer since someone else was around to do it with him. Even if, he noticed out of the corner of his eye, the other person looked absolutely horrified at what he was witnessing.
....."I'm not going to ask how you got that, but I swear, if I get in trouble for being up here, I'm never going to speak to you ever again." Are Sato's words in response, Hiroyuki only forcing out an airy laugh, though he couldn't help but pout at that. What? It's not that bad, I could have pulled something much worse, couldn't I? So long as he didn't end up going off to tell Hiroyuki off to someone, it would be fine anyway. He could handle the disappointment if his surprise wasn't taken as well as he'd wanted.
.....The lock undid with a satisfying "click" from the other side, and he quickly opened the door, holding it for Sato as he passed by him and moved out into the open area. He followed behind soon after, faster pace to catch up with his classmate as he looked around the area himself as well. Empty, quiet, free, just as he'd expected and wanted. Surely Sato would like something like this?
.....He watched Sato move around the area for a moment, hopeful for some kind of excitement to show through, or maybe a mischievous look, maybe a smile, or just anything that wasn't negative, though instead he moved to the railing at the end of the roof, and Hiroyuki watched him poke the metal. It bent under the pressure, and he blinked once, though he isn't surprised. It had to be off limits for a reason, they had just happened to figure that out now. No big deal.
.....Sato, however, didn't seem to take that very well. Turning to face Hiroyuki, he gestured to the now worsened railing, a clear frown stuck on his face, "we could die if we fell through this."
.....Hiroyuki could only stare for a moment, though a burst of laughter escaped him soon after. He was that worried?
....."I mean, I guess we could?" He finally responded after his short laugh, "but I'm pretty sure you're not stupid enough to lean on something so clearly dangerous, right? Unless you think otherwise." He let out a quiet snicker then, gave a small grin, before he moved further out onto the open, eyes gazing over the edge of the railing. Someone could spot them if they stayed close to the edge, so maybe they'd just have to stay low, or hope that no one was looking up.
.....His gaze moved back to Sato after he felt he'd gotten a good enough view, smile returning to its place on his face. "I can tell you think I'm crazy, but I promise I didn't just do this for any stupid reason." A hand moved to the back of his head, and he can't help but rub at it awkwardly, eyes shifting away. "I know I realized your discomfort...way too late, but I thought maybe I could make it up to you through this. You get stressed out around a lot of people, or when there's too many eyes on you, right? So up here you won't have to deal with any of that. It's totally free and away from everyone else." He paused again, his hand dropping back to his side before he shrugged. "You don't have to use it if you don't want, but I figured you might like an option like this to relax and breathe." A final smile, a little brighter this time if only so he could shove the creeping awkwardness back, or hide the surfacing nervousness. Once more he was at the point of no turning back, and he merely hoped his intent would get across to Sato this time, without upsetting him so much again.

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by cl.love
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

XX Sato Itsukixx#AC5553
Yamada's dismissive response to the very real possibility of death has Itsuki's blood boiling for a good long moment, but he forces himself to contain his frustration. The last thing he wants is to snap at Yamada again- he still feels guilty for snapping at him the first time.

The frustration easily melts away, however, because Yamada's explanation for this unexplained rooftop rendezvous is... touching. Sincere. Heartwarming.

It warms Itsuki's heart a little, and now he really feels guilty for being so rude.

So Itsuki can't help but smile. It's a little awkward, a little guilty, more than a little uncomfortable. But it's a smile, and Itsuki honestly doesn't remember the last time his smile wasn't fake.

(Probably during one of those conversations with Yamada, but Itsuki doesn't want to admit that.)

"
Thank you," He says, fidgeting with the strap of his bag. "And I'm sorry. I don't think it was fair of me to snap at you like that. I just... I'm not used to people trying so hard to talk to me, you know? Most people at this point either leave me alone or stick to platitudes."

"
Anyways, you should probably make a copy of that key and put the original back. If staff start asking students about it and they find it on you, you'll be instantly busted."

Itsuki looks around the roof and thinks. They can't stand too close to the rails, since someone could see them from below. And, you know, since they could literally fall to their death if they're not careful. Most of the roof is a mess of leaves and dust, not exactly appealing for a picnic - God, why is he thinking of this as a picnic? It's not some damn date! - but his eyes land on the stairwell, encased in a small building just like in pretty much any romance anime ever.

It's tall enough that the debris from nearby trees shouldn't have made it on top, and though there might be dirt from rainwater, it'll probably be cleaner than the rest of the roof.

Itsuki smirks and gestures to the platform. "
What if we sit up there?"

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Image
Image
『 Yamada Hiroyuki 』
#5F6E51 │ #9E8893
Image

.....It was Sato's smile, however awkward it may have looked, that finally let Hiroyuki relax, actually breathe, and truly feel like this whole thing wasn't about to horribly backfire on him. He couldn't help his quiet sigh as the tension is his shoulders relaxed, or the more genuine, but quiet laugh that slipped past his lips soon after.
.....The other's apology did catch him a bit off guard in the moment, though no less appreciated for it. He hadn't meant for any of this to warrant or (and by god he hoped not) force an apology from him, though at the very least now he was sure he could leave behind any bitter feelings that may have tried to cling to him before. The words themselves he acknowledged with a short nod and a small smile, though Sato's next words had him pausing momentarily.
....."Anyways, you should probably make a copy of that key and put the original back. If staff start asking students about it and they find it on you, you'll be instantly busted."
.....Eyes moving down to the key he still held in his hand then, he quietly let the realization of the continuously real possibility that he could be caught wash over him, before a hand moved to the back of his head. Yeah, getting a copy would be the best course of action before they started suspecting too much and ended up catching the two of them up here, but would it be costly? ...Nah, I'm sure there's a cheap place somewhere, it can't be that bad. I bet Umeko would know one, I'll have to ask her tonight.
.....His attention finally returned to Sato once he spoke again, gaze snapping back up before looking over to where he seemed to be talking about: the building keeping cover over the stairwell.
....."Up there?" He echoed, staring up at the top for some time as he let his thoughts take over once more. A quick glance around the rest of the surrounding area proved that it was mostly dirty, and with the very old and not very reliable state of the railings, it would probably be best not to be anywhere near it, no matter how much Hiroyuki tried to laugh off the idea of the potential of falling to their deaths from the edge. A single misstep and they'd be a goner. No way could he explain that to his mom, especially if he was the one who ended up dead in the first place.
.....Up on the top of the miniature building, though, would likely be cleaner than any of the area before them was looking, and even though the risk of falling remained, the height from that top to the roof's was much smaller and would likely only result in some scrapes and bruises at best, or a sprain at worst. Or so he hoped.
.....A new smile he flashed in his classmate's direction then, excitement building once more. So not only was he okay enough with this whole thing to seemingly not be on the way to report him, he was totally on board. "Nice eye, Sato-kun! That'll be perfect."
.....Hiroyuki could definitely count this endeavor as an absolute success.

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sato Itsuki Character Portrait: Yamada Hiroyuki
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by cl.love
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

XX Sato Itsukixx#AC5553
"Nice eye, Sato-kun! That'll be perfect." Itsuki huffs a laugh at Yamada's praise.

Walking ahead of Yamada, Itsuki makes his way around the stairwell and quickly finds what he's looking for- a ladder onto the top platform. The metal is starting to rust just like the railing around the edge of the roof and Itsuki swears it's a little bit crooked too. Itsuki tugs on it, attempts to pull it off the wall. The ladder doesn't move an inch.
I guess it's stronger than I thought it would be.

Carefully, so very carefully, Itsuki grabs hold of the ladder and steps onto the first rung. It doesn't come crashing down on him when he puts his full weight onto it, and Itsuki sighs in relief.

I just hope it'll be strong enough for Yamada, too.

Through a stroke of luck, both of them manage to climb onto the platform without falling. Itsuki brushes away some dust and makes himself comfortable, allows himself to enjoy the view- the school courtyard, the streets beyond, the rows of houses beyond the streets, the city skyscrapers beyond that. Itsuki hadn't ever thought their school was tall enough for a view like this.

He sneaks a look at Yamada as he eats and wonders how long he's been planning this roof nonsense. Was it just a recent idea? Or has he been planning since the day Itsuki yelled at him? It still seems strange for him to have cared that much after being embarrassed in front of others.

But then, what does Itsuki know of making friends?

"
Thank you," he says again, wanting to make sure his gratitude is clear. "For staying."

Because that's the one thing Yamada has done that no one else in Itsuki's life ever has: stayed. He kept going, kept trying, even when Itsuki pushed him away and embarrassed him. Even then, he stayed. And though Itsuki has no idea if this will last - whatever this is - he's really, truly grateful.