#﹙・ᴰᵒ ᴵ ᵃᶰᶰᵒʸ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˢᵗ ᶤᶰ ʸᵒᵘˀ﹚

[digitalmadness]

Transmission received from: @stingslikeabee

Reading:

The truth was - Melissa had lost count of how many times Tanimura had come to her aid (or the one of her girls, or her establishment); at the end of the day, her tab was an ever-growing one where the cop was concerned, and one she didn't believe herself able to settle even if she had all the money (or alcohol) on the face of Earth.

But eventually she started to wonder - did he do it out of duty alone? Did Tanimura drop his things to come to her aid just because it was her job or was there something else to it? It was difficult to tell based on their past encounters considering how there was always something happening to warrant his presence - at this point, the poor man barely equated the club to some place for relaxation.

So that was why she had taken it upon herself to clear her doubts in a scenario free of any influences from third parties. Melissa invited him for lunch, a simple meeting that worked well under the guise of some gratitude for the assistance provided, and she didn't bring it up until they were leaving the place, stopping at the threshold of the place to call his attention as soon as the door was closed after them by an employee.

"Masa-kun," she spoke up, and moved as soon as she had his focus. The former hostess did not say anything in preparation - she just took advantage of her heels and pressed a kiss to his lips, one that was quick enough to avoid being seen by anyone passing by but lingered for a period of time that was sufficient to eliminate any doubts of that gesture being accidental. "Was that... Entirely out of line on my part or have I been reading the room correctly?"

❖

The mere thought of protecting the girls at the hostess club he swung on by - and he didn't seem to be quite surprise when he had encountered his first trouble there when he first started out - would float around in the back of his mind. Every now and then, Tanimura would pluck it whenever he's alone and think it over, ponder about it. If asked why he would do such things, he would say it's because there's no one else who's going to do it, except for themselves, especially since the club owner, Melissa, had to deal with customers being wild all on her own. A duty must be played. He couldn't sit back and let things happen. He can't turn a blind eye. So, he did what he could and that became a habit. A habit he didn't seem to mind, though the more he did it, the more he wonder why he's doing it. Is it because he couldn't turn a blind eye or did he grow into another reason? A reason he couldn't think of. A reason that is on the tip of his tongue. It's an itch he couldn't scratch, no matter what he did. Perhaps it's not something he should know, no matter how much he wanted to know. A burning sensation of an answer that couldn't be obtained. Well, it would have came when the two gotten lunch together. A gesture - for certain - to repay back to what he did for her and her girls. It's not like she's going to hide it, though she's not trying to either. The time flew on past and before he knew it, lunch came around.

Instead of wearing his usual outfit - the blue jacket that could be seen from miles away and be recognized to belong to him - Tanimura wore a thin jacket over a shirt and a pair of jeans. His hands tucking into the pockets of his jacket, though it isn't as comfortable as his normal jacket. He could taste the silvery of missing such pockets, even though he'll be back into it later that day. Nothing compare to what Melissa is wearing. Whatever she wore, she looked outstanding in it. There were times he wanted to compliment how beautiful she looked, though he always shallowed the compliments, not wanting to come off as overwhelming with such things. The buzzing sounds of the city - light sounds, given the crowds were not quite big for the day - been ignored. Even more upon hearing his nickname. Tanimua turned in response to his nickname being called, shifting his gaze onto Melissa. His mouth moved to form a simple "what is it?" question, thinking she probably forgotten to say something this entire time, only to have a brief kiss to his lips. His breath hitched in the back of his throat, though it didn't take long before he had to remind himself to breath. The startled look melting away, smoothing over in a softer expression, growing even more softer upon her question. Even if his mind buzzed with all sorts of thoughts and his blood pounding against his ears, he managed to catch her words. ❝No....no, not at all.❞ Hopefully his voice sounded stern as he wanted to. One hand moving to rub the back of his neck. ❝You know, you could have warned me. I wouldn't be taken back by surprised, but I suppose it is what it is.❞

[digitalmadness]

[ SUPPORT ] : following a massive emotional blow, sender takes receiver's hand and holds it in an effort to provide emotional support.

ᴘʀᴏᴍᴘᴛᴇᴅ ᴀsᴋ ━ ﹗

❖

There's a number of things Tanimura took blows. Mainly ones that left him injured and struggling to recover yet he's back on his feet every single time. When it came to emotional blows, it truly depended. A lot of times he would take a step back and let himself breath. Wander around Little Asia and let his mind go off, spiraling yet not letting it consume him.

Now, it had been such a long time since a hard emotional blow came swinging around.

The false accusation and the venom in his sister's words left him to be devastated. The once cheerful girl, who looked at him with bright smiles and admiration, had stared at him with anger. No hate. Just anger. For something that's out of his control.

It's not his fault for a small fire to break out in Little Asia and him not being there in time to help put. In fact, Tanimura was elsewhere at the time. By the time the news had reached him, it's been far too late. A numbered of deaths - unsure on how many - had occurred and it left him unable to breath. And his sister thought he was off gambling again, which is not the case.

After his sister left, leaving Tanimura to wander elsewhere after helping with whatever he could, he had found himself at a familiar site. Melissa's hostess club. A secondary home he could go to. And he didn't realize how much he's been shaking until smaller hands reached out to gently touch his arm, bringing him back to reality. And steering him to the nearest seat.

❝Sorry.❞ The word rolled off in a whisper, which he thought it's part of his imagination. His head hanging low.

[digitalmadness]

❛ can’t sleep? ❜ (for Tanimura!)

ᴘʀᴏᴍᴘᴛᴇᴅ ᴀsᴋ ━ ﹗

❖

While Akiyama's voice - coming from behind - had came out in a low tone, it didn't stop Tanimura from getting startled. For once and for whatever reason, he had became startled, which he shouldn't be. Given that the two seemed to check up on each other. It shouldn't come as a surprise the loan shark would turn up where Tanimura would be found hiding, not far from where Little Asia is. A place he didn't go too far to walk to, especially since he couldn't bring himself to go anywhere else.

Feet took him away from the edge - away from the railing he leaned up against - and turning him away to face the familiar face that the dull neon lights glowed around. Just enough to see who it is. Well, if the voice isn't already a clue enough for it.

❝You know, this place can never sleep, right? Kamurocho, I mean.❞ The joke rolled off his tongue. Just to lighten the mood, even though there's nothing to exactly be so down in the dumps. Well, quite down in the dumps for Tanimura, though he may not say anything, unless Akiyama asked about it. Rummaging through his jacket, he took out a pack of cigarettes. And there he goes handing one out for the loan shark to take. ❝What about you? Can't sleep?❞

[digitalmadness]

{Continuing from (x) for: @akiiyamashun }

✦ Muse: Mᴀsᴀʏᴏsʜɪ Tᴀɴɪᴍᴜʀᴀ

❖

While the sleep had certainly been noted, nothing has been said. Instead, Tanimura kept his mouth shut. Then again, it would add fuel to the fire if he mentioned anything, given how Hana looked. Disapproving of the situation. Particularly at Akiyama, who probably should have gotten up by now and done something. Well, only a guess. Tanimura could only assume based on the knowledge he had from his visits from time to time. Even if his visits were brief.

Tanimura moved to take a cigarette for himself, giving a nod of thanks. It's been a while since he had one. Since.....huh, it's been since last night. Regardless, he took it, lighting up his own shortly afterwards.

❝I was just curious if you wanted to hang out. No business related stuff this time.❞ The shift in the response he gotten could only mean one thing and he didn't need to look behind him to know what's going on. He didn't dare look over his shoulder. Instead, he kept his eyes focused on Akiyama. A reassuring smile sitting on Tanimura's lips. ❝Only if you are up for it that is. I don't want to hold you back if you are doing something.❞

Leaning back, getting himself a little more comfortably, he let out a breath of smoke before going back. Then, a shift in his behavior at those words. The reassuring smile dropped immediately.

❝Not at all! In fact, I only visited a few times because I was curious if they needed any help.❞ That and his business also took him in the area. Why not stop and take a break? Only for a short period of time before jumping right back into work.

[digitalmadness]

Melissa had not been in the club when it all happened, but rather back at the office, in calls with a few suppliers. It was the frantic knock to the door that brought the episode to her attention - a customer with too much alcohol in his bloodstream who decided to disregard the local no-touch policy, despite the manager's warnings.

That escalated into a brawl - one that didn't turn into an uglier thing because Tanimura happened to be there. He quickly and efficiently restrained the guy and dealt with the situation with far more grace than expected - the small cut on his lip had been a lucky hit by the drunk and bothersome customer who was now banned for life from her club.

"Masa-kun, I am so sorry. You came here for fun and you end up working," she sighed heavily, hands gently placing an ice pack wrapped in a cloth against his face, eyes examining him up close for any additional injuries, "I cannot thank you enough for handling him, but I can start with our menu - anything you want tonight is my treat."

Uɴᴘʀᴏᴍᴘᴛᴇᴅ ᴀsᴋ ━ ﹗

❖

A mere visit to the club is suppose to be quick. A drop in to say hello and see if everyone is okay. Not once did he expect for a customer being wild on alcohol and trying to stir up trouble for the girls. Well, then again, Tanimura is not surprise either. These things do happen from time to time. While it is wrong and should not happen to anyone, it should be handle with swiftness. And that's what he did. Sure, he might have came out with a few injuries - small cuts and a few bruises, mind you - but he still felt irritated for the incident. More so for the disturbance. Luckily, no one was hurt. Other than himsf and the man he took care of. Well, if you wish to count the victims as shaken up by what happened.

Finding himself sitting on one of the many chairs of the building, his gaze only lifted upwards, turning his attention on Melissa. A reassuring smile tugged at Tanimura's lips. The coldness of the ice pack swept into the bruise on his cheek. Small, yes, but still visible to see.

❝Don't be sorry. These things happen. While,❞ Tanimura paused, shifting around in his spot to get comfortable. ❝It is not right for these things to happen, though I'm glad it didn't go too badly in the end.❞

That he is grateful for. It didn't turn from bad to worse in the end. So, Tanimura didn't have to worry too much.

❝You don't have to, you know. I'm only doing what's best.❞

[digitalmadness]

❝C’mon now. You can’t be serious.❞ Moving to sit back into his chair, one arm moved to settled on the table. His gaze briefly closed before opening again. Lips pressed together.  What can he do? Tanimura is not much help here. Even if he could get involved, there’s not much to do for him. Better safe than sorry.  ❝No, I will not go.....no matter how much you tried to bribe me.❞

[digitalmadness]

😱 Make a silly face at my muse (for the muse of your choice haha)

ᴘʀᴏᴍᴘᴛᴇᴅ ᴀsᴋ ━ ﹗

❖

While making silly faces is not Tanimura's best suit, there were times he could pull it off. Only if certain things could triggered it. Such as food or drinks. In this moment, it seemed he had managed to buy a new flavored drink. Just to try it out. Hearing that his favorite store is bringing in a new type of drink, he decided to go check it out immediately. Even if it is a little detour on what he is originally doing. His plans could wait another minute or two. Apparently, the flavor is suppose to be a mixture of both sour and sweet. Perfectly balanced. How they could pull it off, he is unsure. One thing for sure Tanimura knew it's not what they were hoping to pull off. More on the sour side, causing his face to twist into a much silly way. Sure, he took a small sip from it, but the taste continued to remain.

❝What did I get myself into?❞ The words slipped out a little too loudly as he moved to sit himself down. The drink being placed next to him, careful to not be near the person he sat next to. ❝Have you tried the new drink? It's a little too sour for my taste.❞

[digitalmadness]

No matter how hard Tanimura fought against the exhaustion crashing over him and dragging him into the depth of sleep, it was too much to bear. His eyelids grew heavy before shutting completely. His eyebrows knitted in the middle softened up. And a single yet soft snore escaped him.

In getting pulled into such sleep, Tanimura had ended up moving. His head finding the nearest solid surface for a pillow.