[Week 1, Saturday: Ichigo, Monika]

[purrtagonist]

[it isn't right after the trial-- they all need some time to calm down, don't they?-- but at some point while it's still a reasonable hour for all of them to be awake, Akira is grabbing both Ichigo and Monika and guiding them to Sheep Heavenly]

[because they are getting her a new, non-bloody outfit, gdmit!]

Question. [for Monika] Skirts or leggings?

. . . or both?

[Ann wears both!!]

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[they're all like this, so focused on others to the potential detriment of themselves. maybe that's one reason why Akira decided to pour his concern over Monika so much. she was strong-- he earnestly believed that-- but he didn't want her to push herself beyond functionality trying to help others]

[and maybe that's also why Ichigo's smile, as bright as it is, warms him from the inside out]

[there isn't much he can add to what Ichigo says, so he just. watches Monika disappear into the changing room. watches as his partner's expression softens, turns into something earnest and happy. this was. . . how things should be for them. no murder, no death, no reapers. just teenagers being teenagers, and caring about each other along the way]

Mmmm.

[that's a noise of agreement with what Ichigo has said, by the way]

[chr]

[ monika might be busy getting into the skirts picked out, but that doesn't mean she isn't listening. without her face to betray her expression, it's hard to tell she was at all affected. maybe "strong" is one word for it, but monika thinks of herself as stubborn. ]

You'd think that would happen more here... But you're right. I don't know why we haven't hung out before now. It's nice, even if tomorrow might not be pleasant [ i mean, lmao, they're probably about to watch someone suffocate in a few hours ] there's always tonight.

[bladeisme]

[His smile falters a little at the mention of tomorrow - because he still feels guilty over Terra, despite really not having much to do with his decision or making people vote for him - and the smile that comes back onto his face is much tighter and closed than it once was.]

...Yeah. There's always tonight.

[Anyway -]

Let's pick a shirt out for you while you're in there - Any requests for colors?

[purrtagonist]

[they'll always have tonight. a bit of respite in an otherwise tumultuous atmosphere]

If your skirts are green, white or black might go well with it. Don't worry about matching if you'd rather choose your second favorite color, though.

[chr]

[ hey so my last tag is now the worst now that we know too much about ass/terra

but anyway ]

So... I uuuuusually go with white. It matches my ribbon and I haven't really changed that. But! You guys wear black a lot, right?

[ monika is poking her head out, drawing the curtains close so only her head can be seen. she does look at ichigo for a moment, and her expression is apologetic but... she'll get to him, soon. for now, she's just checking. ]

[bladeisme]

[I WAS TRYING TO FORGET YOU HORRIBLE PERSON

He's still keeping on that smile - the funny thing is, it would look like he's fine to anyone who doesn't know him well, but...

Too bad she missed his actual smile when she was busy changing.

He nods, already heading towards the shirts.]

Well, I wouldn't say I wear it a lot, but - I think it'd look nice on you, anyway.

[purrtagonist]

[WE'RE ALL TRYING TO FORGET THE DISASTER THAT IS ASS/TERRA]

[it isn't until Ichigo brushes past him towards the shirts that Akira notices his own faltering smile. he hesitates as well, brows furrowed, nose wrinkled, but otherwise pushes towards the shirts, too]

I'm only wearing it because it's my school uniform.

[and none of these shops are his #aesthetic, and we all know how important Akira's #aesthetic is]

Buuuut if that's what you're looking for. . . [something loose and flowy!!]

[chr]

[ oh no, they're both adorable.

also, we all experienced that together. they don't know it now, but these teens are BONDED through the power of... seeing way too much. ]

I was just thinking it'd be cute if we matched. Akira, you're next, though.

[ dress up!! dress up!! dress up! ]

But, yeah, throw it over. I'll try it.

[bladeisme]

I might pay to see Akira in a green skirt.

[HE'S CLEARLY TEASING, but he couldn't help give that little jab because, well. Akira can take it, he proved that in Ikea.]

[purrtagonist]

Red is more my color, actually.

[he replies in an even deadpan, adjusting his glasses as he does so. to hide his desire to smirk in amusement]

[chr]

You're handsome in both colors, but a red and green skirt would probably a kilt, right?

[ which. like. is a manskirt right ]

[bladeisme]

A kilt would work.

[And now he's imagining it and trying not to crack up, and uh -

It's not working so well.]

Pfft-

[purrtagonist]

[you know what? if Ichigo imagining him in a kilt gets him to laugh, earnestly and without restraint, then he's okay with this]

Do you think they sell kilts here? Or should I put in a special request with Max?

[chr]

Ichigo deserves a special request, don't you agree?

[ monika also just wants to see the look on max's face tbh lmao ]

[bladeisme]

I'll pay you ten ripcoins if you go through with it.

[And then he breaks out laughing, because -

-well-

For once, he doesn't feel sorrowful, or guilty, or any of the other emotions he's been struggling with. For once, he just feels normal - something he hasn't felt in a very, very long time.

And that alone is something worth smiling about.]

[purrtagonist]

[fingeguns in Ichigo's direction]

Deal. Be prepared to pay up, chump.