glitterpants | [ RIVERVIEW ] ✖ IC contact

[ Demi-god, Angel? Karamatsu is just being Karamatsu, isn't he? Aoba can't help but burst out into a light, bubbling laughter. ]

Pff. Don't be silly. I'm just me.

_{[ oh.. such happy laughter, it actually makes him genuinely smile. ]}

I see.. you must be a miracle then! I feel a lot better!
It is just something about you that is natural?

[ A miracle... stop it, stop complimenting him. He's turning red! ]

...S-sure. That's me, all... natural!?

[ He's lying, and badly at that. He's starting to sweat - why did he go and do something stupid like this in the first place?!? But then again... Karamatsu seems to be in better spirits so... it's fine. This is fine. ]

Karamatsu, I said that so you don't have to worry about our friendship.

I mean, of course not, I wasn't too worried, you know. It's just sometimes..
_{[ oh man, his leg is bouncing.. ]}

Sometimes I think that I am too much, so they all run away!
_{[ He says this in a way that he's trying to make sound cool, like maybe he's too cool, and people are intimidated so they run off— not the fact he's obnoxious and it's a huge turn off. He's not looking at the camera, but comes back with a robust statement: ]}

Do not worry, I would never hurt you!
_{[ Karamatsu, you cry if you step on a bug by mistake. ]}

Aah? Is that so...?

[ Aoba folds his hands under his chin and rests it on them. Hmm, he's not really convinced, and let's face it - Karamatsu isn't very convincing. Cat's out of the bag already so he's not really going to rub his face in it. ]

You really shouldn't promise the impossible, Kara-kun.

Oh? You fear me, then? Is it a lack of faith in me? I will say this sincerely: I will not do anything to hurt you.
Your friendship and who you are— they are much too valuable to me for that.

[ Aoba grumbles, his words slurring with displeasure: ] Don't be stupid, I never said anything like that!

It's just that it's only natural that the closer you get to someone, the more likely it is that you might hurt them. Not necessarily on purpose, but that's just how it goes when you open up--mhn...!

_{[ His smile fades and he cocks his head to one of his shoulders. ]}

Ah.. did--
Did that happen to you in the past? You got close to somebody.. and they hurt you later?

[ Oh no, this backfired. He meant to alleviate pressure on Karamatsu and ended up putting himself on the spot. Flustered, Aoba gets defensive. ]

N-no. [ Yes. And more importantly, he hurt a friend. Aoba clams up, too embarrassed to elaborate. ] ...Nevermind, it sounds stupid.

_{[ He can understand wanting to hide emotions very well, so Karamatsu doesn't pursue the topic any further. ]}

Well..
I think your voice is very beautiful. You could perform at he Budokan with a voice like that.
_{[ His pipeline dream. ]}

Teach me how to talk like that, will you?

[ Aoba makes a small embarrassed sound through his nose, his mouth sealed. Karamatsu just made him blush. ]

B-Budokan? [ Aoba's voice goes even softer under the weight of that compliment. He has no idea what that place is. He mumbles around his words in a fluster. ]

It's nothing special but... since you always say embarrassing things, I'll... do it.

_{[ He hadn't expect Aoba to say yes to such a ridiculous request, so he almost double takes, a small noise of surprise escaping his lips. ]}

Ah! So you will do it? You will teach me to speak like an angel?

[ Aoba huffs. This request was silly enough, don't exaggerate it! It makes him feel awkward! ]

Don't ask the impossible. I'm not an angel.

But since your heart is set on it, I'll teach you... at least so you don't embarrass me in public anymore.

Come on, now.
Have I ever embarrassed you?
_{[ KARAMATSU KNOWS DAMN WELL HE HAS. ]}

Only like every time?!

[ No, you come on. ]

Anyway, I guess I can't complain since I just said I'd rather you be yourself around me. So it's a mutually beneficial arrangement.

[ Oh god, he just sounded like Noiz just now. ]

Only one other person has ever told me that, you know.
Heh. It puts you in a rather exclusive category in my life.

[ Aoba finds himself leaning into the screen in confusion and no small amount of genuine shock. ]

Ehh? Are there really so few people who have told you you're a little much in mixed company?!

[ Aoba may have misunderstood... ]

_{[ Aoba is so cute to misunderstand him, but Karamatsu does the same thing all the time. ]}

No, silly. I meant.. be myself.
_{[ He says this like it's a good thing. A strange response. ]}

[ That is a strange response. Aoba assumes he isn't counting his family, who... surely accepts him to some degree as himself. ]

...You mean outside your family? Who was that?

Is this someone here in quarantine?

_{[ sweats profusely...... ]}
A—Actually, Osomatsu-niisan is the only one who has told me that..
That's who I was talking about..

That makes perfect sense!

Your older brother probably gets you better than anyone, right?

[ Judging from the excited tone in his voice, he sounds like he'd love for nothing more than to have an older brother to know him so well. He's a little envious of Karamatsu. ]

—To an extent.
_{[ He;s fidgeting. ]}

I'm.. a mystery and nobody will be able to understand.. a real loner!
_{[ Karamatsu doesn't even understand himself. ]}

[ Sounds fake but okay ]

A loner who wants to be loved by the world over.

You're lucky to have family here. Just think of how hard it is for anyone else who comes here without a friend in the world.

[ Now that's real loneliness. He hovers thankfully away from that side, because someone he cares about very deeply remembers him. Cares, even. To an extent. ]

It's.. _{[ complicated ]} .. a blessing, yes.
_{[ Sometimes he wonders if he would prefer to be an only child.
Sometimes he wonders if his efforts to impress them is even worth all of his exhaustion.
Sometimes he wonders if he'll ever actually be appreciated.

It looks bleak, and so, he tries to ignore it. He tries to ignore how angry he is at all of them.

Can he say that aloud? Of course not. ]}

I suppose you just have to pick and make your own family, hah?
After all, family doesn't have to be by blood.

I... I wasn't talking about me.

[ If only Aoba had even a clue about how complicated Karamatsu's relationship with his siblings actually was, or how worthless he felt. Aoba puffs out his cheeks and mumbles defensively. Wow, don't just go and say things that he... might be in denial about. He's totally talking about other people! Other people not him!

He brightens a moment later. ]

But I think you're right. I've already found a friend, after all. There's hope for us yet. ☆

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