aoyagi-vbs

[aoyagi-vbs]

Why won't you come home. Please. I've tried for at least 3 banners that you were in and you didn't come home. COME HOME BRO.

?

I... am home. As far as I'm aware.

[aoyagi-vbs]

Happy Birthday, Kamishiro.

I'm still unsure of how to repay you, considering the gift your insight has given alone. But, I would very much like to visit your place of work for a show once things have slowed a bit on our end... it would be a valuable experience and a much appreciated break. So, thank you.

(Even if I could manage to bring home a plant, would I be any good at maintaining it...? Hm. I'll need to do more research before making a decision.)

Birthday Shenanigans ?

I was wondering if any of you would like any of the extra plants the other greening committee members and I grew recently, considering they’re of no use to me.

I also have a few extra tickets to a Phoenix Wonderland show or two laying around because—my schedule’s gotten too busy to attend them for a birthday outing or two—if that’s more of your taste.

(I really don’t want any of these vegetables in my house before I’m forced to eat them…)

@shinonome-akito-vbs @aoyagi-vbs @an-vivid-bad-squad @kohane-vbs @yuki-n25 @emuotories <- sorry if you either didn’t wanna be tagged or if i forgot you uwaa…

[aoyagi-vbs]

Toya embraces the manditory furrow of his brow, feelings of determination springing awake inside him like a sleeper agent— he could thank the simple mention of RAD WEEKEND for that.

Good. We'll be counting on that.

He recalls the novel. The character's journey of realisation. The acceptance of the people around them.

But as for the others, I assume it's safe to say things will change from hereon out.

For one, I don't think it'd be appropriate to always call you a 'he' anymore.

i! um! touya! can i! tell you something?

@kotaromita for PRIDE MONTH

Yes, anything.

A beat passes.

Are you... alright, Mita?

[aoyagi-vbs]

Aaaaaaooooooyyyyaaaaagiiiiiii-kuuuunnnn~ hi :3

— @wondahoi-otori

Hello, Otori. Azusawa was just telling us today about her recent Phoenix Wonderland visit. How are you?

[aoyagi-vbs]

Toya's expression darkens at mention of, well. Familial expectations. Specifically, betrayal of said expectations. He knew the feeling all too well. Although...

(I hope this isn't taken the wrong way, but I've never seen some of the things he mentioned as inherently feminine. Taking care of younger children, for instance. Or cooking. And given my own experiences with makeup...)

Then again, he'd needed his teammates' input to realise that maybe, just maybe, cradling a giant plush on the train would make himself himself a magnet for odd looks. Who was he to comment on what was 'normal'?

So he puts a hand to his chin, a habit he's picked up from frequent heavy thinking. Speaking slowly, but seriously.

I see.

I'm glad that you came to one of us about this. You should be able to present yourself as you like.

His expression softens.

...I would hate to see you uncomfortable otherwise.

i! um! touya! can i! tell you something?

@kotaromita for PRIDE MONTH

Yes, anything.

A beat passes.

Are you... alright, Mita?

[aoyagi-vbs]

Toya listens to her carefully.

Mm...

I'm not sure if relating my own experiences here is appropriate, but I think it's okay if you can't define those feelings at first. I also haven't done much research into the idea of labels beyond a... certain topic of my interest.

He pauses for a bit as if debating something, before shaking his head. The look in the boy— er, Kotaro's eyes— spoke of something profound, and whether that teetered towards hopeful or terrified was what Toya couldn't decipher.

It was always the essence of things that came easily to him, and never the answer. Had those detective novels really taught him nothing?

He stifles a frown at his own shortcoming, aware of how delicately he should go about the situation, at the very least.

For now, we can start with what you do know. You... mentioned liking the idea of being both male and female?

i! um! touya! can i! tell you something?

@kotaromita for PRIDE MONTH

Yes, anything.

A beat passes.

Are you... alright, Mita?

[aoyagi-vbs]

Toya nods slowly. It's an easy enough concept to grasp, at least he thinks so. Still, he remains plagued with questions.

Are those... grouped in with transgender under one category? Nonbinary, and that other one you mentioned, I mean. Can you use them together as interchangeable terms?

He pauses, studying Kotaro as the other blinks at him.

(Somehow, it's like I can't tell what he's thinking. Given the way he approached me about this, it's possible I might have overwhelmed him already...)

A–Ah. Apologies, if I said something wrong. An amount of this is relatively new to me.

I didn't even know putting a name to feelings like that was something people could do, until not too long ago. Even now, I'm still a little confused by some things, and why I hadn't heard of them before...

But, I want to understand. And... perhaps you could teach me, if that's alright with you.

i! um! touya! can i! tell you something?

@kotaromita for PRIDE MONTH

Yes, anything.

A beat passes.

Are you... alright, Mita?

[aoyagi-vbs]

(...I do try to time these things, usually. In this instance, I was busy worrying over whether I would mess up the second batch after the first's disappointment.)

I lost track of time, but my guess would be about 2½ hours in total for three dozen, plus the failed attempt, considering we had two rows of the oven... shelving? I suppose I should call them? Most of it was remaking the batter to be similar to previous batches, though I could never tell if we'd acheived that on my own.

Cookies, anyone?

I wanted to accommodate my friends' preferences this year, so I convinced Mom to tweak her usual recipe. She even offered to walk me through the actual process and let me make a few on my own.

I'm... rather proud of how they turned out. So I hope you all enjoy them.

(More importantly, it only took one 'failed' batch this time, and even that was just too much of a crunch. If I can master the craft, perhaps I can make cookies for everyone more often...)

@shinonome-akito-vbs @an-vivid-bad-squad @kohane-vbs @kotaromita @enanan-online @lonely-alchemist-wxs

[aoyagi-vbs]

He cocks his head ever so slightly.

Transgender...?

(Where have I... ah–!)

Isn't that when people feel more like they should be another gender than they are?

I purchased a novel a few months ago where the protagonist's best friend expressed thoughts like those, and I've heard the term tossed around in online forum discussion for the book.

It's not something I'm fully familiar with, but I quite enjoyed it as a B-plot. Reading the way the character navigates their feelings was a fascinating experience.

He remembers it a bit more clearly now; days of ploughing through descriptions that managed to be both new and riveting. An internal conflict that wasn't tethered to romance, for once– a topic cautiously mishandled in other works he'd seen. It was a welcome change.

Why do you ask?

i! um! touya! can i! tell you something?

@kotaromita for PRIDE MONTH

Yes, anything.

A beat passes.

Are you... alright, Mita?

[aoyagi-vbs]

i! um! touya! can i! tell you something?

@kotaromita for PRIDE MONTH

Yes, anything.

A beat passes.

Are you... alright, Mita?

[aoyagi-vbs]

Here, MEIKO. I made sure to leave a batch of cookies for you and the others, inspired by some of your coffee-based menu items.

And– don't worry, I... made sure to have them tasted and verified this time. I won't have a repeat of White Day cupcake conundrum.

– @aoyagi-vbs

Eh?! I appreciate the detail, Toya. But don't you think the gift giving should be the other way around?... They do look delicious, thank you once again fufu.

You are welcome to stay, we are more than excited to have you celebrate with us even if it's just for a moment.

[aoyagi-vbs]

Ah...! Thank goodness. I was wondering whether I'd made them sweet enough for everyone else's tastes, but it looks like I won't need to be worrying about that now.

Cookies, anyone?

I wanted to accommodate my friends' preferences this year, so I convinced Mom to tweak her usual recipe. She even offered to walk me through the actual process and let me make a few on my own.

I'm... rather proud of how they turned out. So I hope you all enjoy them.

(More importantly, it only took one 'failed' batch this time, and even that was just too much of a crunch. If I can master the craft, perhaps I can make cookies for everyone more often...)

@shinonome-akito-vbs @an-vivid-bad-squad @kohane-vbs @kotaromita @enanan-online @lonely-alchemist-wxs

[aoyagi-vbs]

Azusawa...

(It's as if my struggles finding unique gifts for people have been realised. But at the same time...)

(This is perfect.)

Toya picks up the box of tea packets, examining its contents and reading from it.

"English Breakfast Tea blends a variety of black teas into a potent mix of serenity and alertness." It sounds intriguing, I think I might have to try it sometime in place of my regular brew.

His eyes glimmer with poorly contained excitement at the prospect of the mug changing colours.

You mean... I can finally tell when my drink is cooling faster than I'd like when reading? That's– that's genius...!

He quickly takes a cookie from the container, hesitating.

Actually, it'd be a waste not to eat these coupled with the tea. Heh. Perhaps I can test the mug's capabilities, too.

TOYA I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT TELLING YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY D:

But I have a gift for you!!! :3

@kohane-vbs

No worries, Azusawa. With how we've been practicing, it's no wonder things are slipping our minds lately.

And, thank you. It's hard to describe it, but the wrapping paper alone feels like you.

[aoyagi-vbs]

TOYA I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT TELLING YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY D:

But I have a gift for you!!! :3

@kohane-vbs

No worries, Azusawa. With how we've been practicing, it's no wonder things are slipping our minds lately.

And, thank you. It's hard to describe it, but the wrapping paper alone feels like you.

[aoyagi-vbs]

Wait I'm so confused??? Bc like I scrolled down your blog and like why are some of your comments legitemately mean its not like you

//ik the actual reason dw I'm asking Toya

(Oh. Maybe it would have been wise to delete those before...)

They... were...

(!)

Our accounts were compromised... for April Fools'. By hackers. At least, I assume that's what occurred since none of us recall posting anything during that time.

(Phew. It's still baffling to me that none of us remember anything from back then. We're still not sure what any of it was about.)

[aoyagi-vbs]

hey uh, touya! do you have a minute? i sort of wanted to discuss something with you. about your songs!

- @kotaromita

(My songs...?) (He clearly has something to say. I could use some constructive criticism if that's what this is about.) Right, sure. What did you want to talk about?

[aoyagi-vbs]

So I've been told... but I quite enjoy seeing everyone's reactions to receiving them. And I've gotten homemade cookies in return, so it's a fair exchange.

I think I'll take you up on that offer to stay for a bit. It wouldn't make much sense to skip one of my favourite places today.

Here, MEIKO. I made sure to leave a batch of cookies for you and the others, inspired by some of your coffee-based menu items.

And– don't worry, I... made sure to have them tasted and verified this time. I won't have a repeat of White Day cupcake conundrum.

– @aoyagi-vbs

Eh?! I appreciate the detail, Toya. But don't you think the gift giving should be the other way around?... They do look delicious, thank you once again fufu.

You are welcome to stay, we are more than excited to have you celebrate with us even if it's just for a moment.