#kaen externally: *flirts with him instead*

[strywoven]

@crookedredtie has requested a story : "Hey, don't look at me like that. I deserve a break now and then, too, you know..." His brow's furrowed as he takes another bite into his Topsicle, his other hand acting as a makeshift fan to cool his flushed cheeks. The summer heat's clearly been an influence on his decision making. He's quite obviously enjoying his cold treat, too, and is quick to make it known that he isn't willing to share. "If you want one so bad, get it yourself. Surely you can handle that, can't you...?"

𝑼𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Summer is not their favorite ; never has been.  It’s the bleak , brooding sobriety of w i n t e r where Kaen thrives most ( everything rightly absolved for one grand measure of the year , reduced to ice & cold & frozen peace ) .  One could very well argue the heat is what stokes their ire , FEEDING their deep-seated frustrations ; like a certain s e e t h i n g something , a lurking distemper , just under the skin , polluting their character , EAGER for the opportunity to immolate a too-fragile host.  But did such a fire not need k i n d l i n g ?  Did it not need a reason to burn to begin with ?  Secrets like those , of course , are always kept close ( hidden cleverly behind a pleasant veil & kindly air ) ; Kaen can play pretend all they like , but some things … NEVER CHANGE ( & history could verily repeat itself if we are not careful enough ) .

Thus , packed away are their cozy overgrown shawls and sweaters and come out are the l i g h t e r and b r i g h t e r wears ( much to their chagrin , though their manager practically insisted they incorporate proper color into their wardrobe for the warmer seasons , at the very least ) .  Uncomfortable enough is the fact they cannot simply walk through Inaba without being recognized , now they’re risking being NOTICED & SEEN !  A terrible thing , that.  Being in the spotlight was one thing , having people’s gaze fixed to you off-camera – expectant , prying , hungry – was an entirely different occasion ( & one they did not much favor ) . They were indeed warned that venturing into stardom would feel much like selling their soul , they simply didn’t figure it to be quite so o b v i o u s .  So there they stand , top buttons of their shirt casually undone , the collar splayed / flayed delicately to the sides for a PLEASANT ENOUGH VIEW .

❝ Look at you like w h a t ? ❞  Like THIS , apparently , with finger and thumb tugging down the pair of sunglasses so they may fix Adachi with a pointedly disapproving look over the rim of the tinted lenses.  Red brows raise at his words , Kaen scoffs softly , pushing the sunglasses back into place over their eyes.  ❝ Who said y'didn't deserve a break ? I jus' find it funny I’M more personally concerned ‘bout your job than you seem t’be. ❞  Arms cross , head turns away.  Truthfully , it’s really none of their business w h a t he does with his time ( however , if he’s going to continue to insert himself into their life , it seems only fair they feel inclined to do the same ! ) , even when he elects to spend it unwisely.  ❝ Didn't y'say you had things to take care of t'day ? … Yet , here y’are , I guess. ❞  Words can barely be considered chastising , but they are prodding him a bit , if only to tease.

A shrug is given. ❝ Well , hey , do what y’want !  I can’t stop you. ❞  Not that they’d think to t r y .  Turning , Kaen is already making an exit , leaving him to his own devices , though not before tossing another remark over their shoulder , giving him ONE LAST THING to consider , ❝ Oh , by the way , I'm plannin' on takin' y'out for drinks later , alright ? M'treat. So get your work done or e l s e ! ❞  Oh , if only he could see the SELF-SATISIFIED smirk on their lips.