tsukuharuko

[tsukuharuko]

"It's official, my rep? Gone, I'm gonna be known as Urameshi The Sucker in this town." Yusuke said as he had brought home another puppy from his travels (2 months after Taijiri's full recover) The puppy was a little brown dog of the Tosa breed. "Headed through a shortcut while on a job and heard him naggin'..apparently his owners left him tied up. Was pretty hungry cause he ate the bento i took with me for myself..then the little punk pretty much followed me wherever I went. Either way, meet Shinsuke." He offered the pup towards her to take over, here's another son for ya." (And with that..we've got all of Yusuke's doggies.)

From the stove where she was busy preparing dinner for Yusuke's return, Haruko stared down at the little pup as Yusuke handed it to her. Taijiri didn't seem to take the newcomer too well; he protectively stood in front of Haruko, taking suspicious sniffs in the air. She smiled and turned the hob off before cleaning her hands on the apron she was wearing.

"Oh, a bento thief!" She laughed, taking the small puppy in her arms. "Wow, look at these paws," she said, tickling one. "You'll become a big one, huh? Bigger than Taijiri, maybe," she smiled.

Taijiri didn't like the idea, and commented with a bark that made the new puppy -- Shinsuke -- quiver in Haruko's arms. Haruko shushed them both.

"Taijiri, be nice." She squatted and gently allowed Taijiri to get closer to Shinsuke. "You have to be a good big brother!"

Once offered with the chance of studying him closer, Taijiri took a few careful sniffs of Shinsuke before deciding he was alright enough to give him a small lick on the nose. Haruko chuckled, then glanced back up at Yusuke.

"You're going to turn this house into a zoo," she said with a smile, then quirked a brow at him and smirked. "Or maybe you were hoping for the same evening treatment as when you found Taijiri?"

[tsukuharuko]

The moment she saw Inosuke's eyes filling with tears, Haruko felt her heart crack. A thick knot pressed against her throat, and seeing him like that, knowing she was the cause of it, pushed to the verge of brusting into tears in turn. In fact, she already felt tears starting to stream down her face in turn, but before they invaded her cheeks, she threw her arms ahead and wrapped Inosuke in a tight hug.

"You're such a brave guy," she said, pressing her face against his sleeve in a poor attempt to repress her tears. "And it's just unfair how little time we had together... But..." She sniffled, tigheting her embrace around him. "Nevertheless. I'm so happy I got to meet you. Even if you always get my name wrong," she said, chocking a laugh at the memory of it. "It's a special mistake of yours to me."

She held him tightly, taking a moment to calm herself, and even just enjoying the closeness for a bit -- the feeling of holding him before she'd have to let go, sooner or later. Likely, the next day. Once she felt strong enough to hold back her tears, she pulled back and took Inosuke's hands in hers once more.

"For now... Let's just enjoy this evening together," she said. "Let's eat all the delicious food the old lady made for us."

With that, she reached for a shrimp and offered to Inosuke with a tired smile.

"And then, you can sleep here, if you wish," she offered with a timid look. "So you can guard me one last night. What do you say?"

Something broke inside his chest. He felt it crack and split into piece, like it had been struck with a hammer. A storm of feelings wreaked havoc under his ribs, his throat tightening, the air struggling to find its way to his lungs.

His very first heartbreak.

"Your... family..."

He had seen but glimpses of it, back when he had followed her through the well. That bustling, intimidating world was where she belonged. There were people there waiting for her, an entire life that she was supposed to be living. A life that she could not abandon for the sake of one wild boar child.

He didn't immediately notice when the tears started streaming down his face. Their warm touch had him twitch, his eyes shooting upwards to check the roof for a leak. Why was his vision so blurry all of a sudden? Why did his nose itch like he had caught a cold?

"I... I like all those people, but... they're not you..."

He knew nothing else but to be candid. To speak the entire truth, to voice the few feelings that he could identify inside the whirling storm.

He could have tried to reason her. To bargain with her, to plead her to stay, to cry some more until her heart broke for him as well - yet none of these options even brushed his mind. He understood her better than he'd even understood a human being. She had made her decision, and he would respect it.

As much as it tore him apart.

"You... you watch out for big yokai, alright? You know how to kill them now. If anyone ever bothers you, or doesn't show you any respect, you know what to do! You show 'em who's boss! Remember that, alright?"

His voice broke along the end of his sentence. His frame shook with heavy sobs, tears running down her palm as she reached to touch his cheek. He leaned into her caress as would a cat, a wide smile curling at his lips.

"I'm gonna be fine. The old granny's tempura will give me all the strength I need. I'll be strong... and brave... so my underling will respect me! And I bet I can find even more! So you can go home... and not worry about me!"

[tsukuharuko]

Haruko took the notepad and the pen with a grateful smile and a little bow as a thank-you.

"My name is Tsukushima Haruko," she answered. "And no worried, your secret is safe with me," she added with a chuckle.

She then looked down at the notepad and the quick, swift signature on it. She tilted her head a bit, a curious pout on her lips.

"I totally get it, though" she said. "It must be boring, signing off authographs all the time. I mean, I don't get it much," she murmured, glancing down at the notepad, "it's just a scribble--"

Oh shoot, that maybe sounded wrong! She coughed a bit, embarrassed, offering an apologetic smile.

"I-I mean, I'm sure they're very meaningful to your fans! And they appreciate the patience to put up with it," she stammered. "I guess... It's maybe just because I'm not a big fan of... Anyone in particular..."

Why did that sound even worse...?

"A-Anywho, I'll be back to my duties... B-But call me if you need anything please!"

And with that, and one last bow, she quickly hurried back to the counter, where Momoi was waiting for her with an eager grin. Haruko ripped the page from the notepad and handed it to her with a huff.

"Here," she said, only to pull back the autograph before Momoi could seize it to give her a firm look. "But you must promise not to tell anyone he comes here. I don't want this place to become a crazy mess of fans, and I'm sure my boss would like it even less."

"Okay, okay," Momoi huffed, "though you'd have many more customers like this..."

"We're happy as we are." Haruko handed her friend the autograph with a sigh. "Plus, between university and working here, I'm busy as I am already. I couldn't imagine the stress of handling a whole crowd."

Shit! It was for someone else! That almost guaranteed he'd have to make it out to someone. Well, she hadn't asked him to write anything else, so maybe he could get away with just the autograph. That was the safest option. He'd try that and just hope and pray she didn't ask for more. There was no way to turn that request down without looking suspicious.

So for now he just gracefully accepted the pen and notepad, keeping an even expression while he tried to convince himself that even if the waitress did ask for a dedication, it was unlikely that she or Momoi had studied Enji Mizu's handwriting.

As he bent down to sign the paper, he was grateful his hair brushed down over his eye, temporarily obscuring her from his sight and hiding his face. Good. Less of a chance for any noticeable hesitation to slip through. One quick movement of the pen, and it was over. Hopefully. He offered both the notepad and pen to her, smile back in place.

"I appreciate you keeping it quiet that I'm here." And equally appreciated the option to change the subject to distract her before she could ask him to write something else. "I don't mind signing an autograph now and then, but this place is too relaxing for that kind of commotion. I'd like to be able to come back here some time. Maybe it could even become a more regular spot," he added with a shrug.

"Though if I start coming more often, that means I'll be seeing more of you, too. What's your name? So I can greet you properly next time."

[tsukuharuko]

"Oh."

Now she felt bad for teasing him. Haruko let her hand drop and lowered her head with an embarrassed grimace. Second gaffe of the morning; first a physical burnt, and now a moral one. Great job, Haruko, she thought with a pout.

"Well... You'welcome to stay over whenever you want," she offered, hoping to make up for the shortcoming. "There's enough space for two people here, I think."

She nervously played with the edge of her skirt, mulling over Yusuke's words. Finally, she found the courage to glance at him, studying his expression with a shy look.

"I... I'm sorry," she muttered. "I didn't know about your childhood. That was a stupid comment. But I think it's nice that you're willing to live close to your mother," she said. "Most guys would think it's uncool or something... I think it's kind of sweet, actually."

━━   ❝   𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐡 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱, 𝐈'𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫.   ❞    Not directly above her but a floor above at the very least, though the fact that she called him a ‘mama’s boy’ brought a rather sour expression on his face, as to be expected from Yusuke either way. “Most guys my age usually have a childhood with their parents.” His eye closes after feeling her grab his cheek. Yusuke is really the only family his mother has, considering everyone she’s ever known had cast her aside the moment her pregnancy was announced.

Considering how annoying that was to think about, he’d just clear his mind. “Either way there are bigger rooms at the complex, but they’re at the bottom floors, but if ya don’t have the money t’ live that extravagantly, then yer screwed.”

[tsukuharuko]

"Middle class...?"

Haruko blinked, confused. Were houses that much different in Tokyo? She had only seen her flat and her dorm so far after all... And she wouldn't call her family upper class. But for sure, houses were much smaller in the big city compared to the countryside, so maybe that played a role in the perception of their size.

"I didn't know you lived close to your mom," she laughed, amused at the idea. "Most boys your age would rather keep distance from their parents." She smiled and reached out to give Yusuke's cheek a light pinch. "So you're a mama boy. That's cute."

Haruko sighed at the headpat, not sure whether of relief or embarrassment. The awkwardness of the accident was still very much burning on her cheeks, but there was that odd, soothing effect Yusuke had on her that made her feel better somehow.

"Only a year and a half?" She quickly glanced at him. "Huh... You seem to have lived a lot of adventures in such a short time. I wonder how you manage. I'm busy as I am with studying and my part-time job..." She sighed. "I gotta say it's admirable."

She let her eyes wander around for a moment. Odd how Yusuke's presence had taken over her apartment so qucikly. It wasn't like he was messy, but wherever she looked, there would be small traces of his presence. His clothes, his bag... The jacket he gifted to her.

"How is your apartment?" She asked. "Is it that much smaller than this?"

[tsukuharuko]

Once she was done showering, Haruko grabbed one of the clean towels hung next to the bath tub and wrapped it around her body. She stepped out, picking the blanket she had abandoned on the floor and leaving it on top of the washing machine as she walked her way back to the bedroom. Once there, she found two sweet boys waiting for her return.

"Oh! You moved Taijiri here!" She walked up to the puppy, who was miraculously still snoring peacefully. She rubbed his tiny head with a finger and chuckled before giving Yusuke an eloquent look. "You know what having him here means, right? No more action for tonight."

She stood up and let herself fall back on the bed with a sigh. Between the warm water and the action from earlier, she felt exhausted. Happy but exhausted. She turned at Yusuke with a smile as her hand reached for his.

"Can I borrow one of your shirts for tonight?" She asked. "I didn't pack much, I came here in a bit of a hurry."

Good thing they had taken the habit of leaving some pieces of clean underwear at each other's place in the last months.

━━   ❝   𝐘𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐈'𝐦 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭.   ❞    That was Yusuke’s rebuttal as the smile remained on his face…God he’s not sure if the expression was going to leave his face for the remainder of the day. As she’s leaving to get herself cleaned up Yusuke is left by his lonesome heading into the kitchen, thinking of a way that would surprise her the next day. He couldn’t just give her breakfast in bed. He’s been doing that…even before they were dating…though the content of the breakfast can be different. Hrmmm but after a night of grunts and sounds, she’d probably want to wake up WITH HIM in bed..he’s seen that’s quite a big deal within dramas.

Thinking about it now, while this might not be their first rodeo it was still the first time they’ve been with one another as a couple…so waking up with her is really the greatest idea he could come up with, it’d be great for himas well knowing that he has someone at his side, someone he can trust and confide in, someone who wouldn’t leave. “God, what’d she do t’ me?” He asked as he grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge for the two of them, and then picked up the little puppy and heads back towards the room, gentl setting the sleeping dog down.

Now the former detective sat upon the mattress, no covers on it yet as he looked into the box at the poor defenseless animal who slept in it..comfortably so, wondering if it knows its safe…wondering if it’d grow to trust Yusuke and not just act out because of what it went through. “I really hope I don’t screw the pooch.”

[tsukuharuko]

What Oddly Specific Colour Palette are You?

"I gotta say, it's a really cute one! I like it!"

Tagging @ervaurem @whirling-fangs @experimentalfma @asmaticbomb @wild-pineapple-butt

[tsukuharuko]

"Happy Nashi no Hi!"

"Today the Coffee Bean will offer special pear-flavoured drinks and desserts! Feel free to pop by!"

[tsukuharuko]

As Yusuke entered the cafe, Haruko's boss heaved a groan at his request, giving Haruko a stern frown. She answered him an embarrassed smile before turning back at her favourite customer.

"Nu-uh. Regular price. In fact, boyfriends pay an extra fee." She leaned over the counter with a grin. "One kiss for the order. Two for a double pump of pear syrup in your drink."

━━   ❝   𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭?   ❞   Yusuke said as he stepped into the vicinity, probably for the thousandth time in his life. It’s never a bad idea to come for a snack before leaving town.

[tsukuharuko]

"Happy Nashi no Hi!"

"Today the Coffee Bean will offer special pear-flavoured drinks and desserts! Feel free to pop by!"

[tsukuharuko]

The offer of help came as a blessing. Haruko stared at the boy with shiny eyes, much as if she was a starved person who had just been offered a decent meal.

"Help?" She echoed with a stammer. "Really?" She added an eager nod at that. "Please! I'd be... Grateful!"

Finally a word she knew she used properly.

With that, she went back to her lunch with a much happier mood, even somewhat enjoying its odd taste. Alfons' question, however, distracted her for a moment more.

"Different?" She blinked, swallowing the mouthful. "Oh. Yes. Very." She offered a nod. "We have... Sando? Sandwich. But often is... Homemade. Bento." She drew a box on her notebook, scribbling something inside it. "Rice. Vegetables. Fish. Very healthy." Then she glanced at the bag of crisps in the tray with a confused look. "No crisps in Japanese lunch."

Had he accidentally made her feel stupid being able to answer the question so quickly? It hadn't been his intention, but then again, he didn't know many people who went out of their way to try to find out more about a subject that most people found either boring or too complex and useless in real life to have any real interest in.

He quickly shook his head firmly at her self-assessment. "No, not at all! It's kompliz-" He cut off the word in the wrong language and gestured with one hand while he searched for the right one. "It's complicated," he nodded at the presumably correct word choice, "but I study a lot! I like to. If it would help, we can try to study together," he offered. "I just...need to learn some of the words in English," he admitted. Teaching her German chemistry terms would only make it more confusing and wouldn't be helpful in this situation.

But if she didn't want to dwell on it, he'd let her change the subject. Alfons's gaze followed her finger toward the chips, pausing for a moment at the unfamiliar word. Doitsu? Right, that was what she'd called Germany earlier. He'd have to try to remember that. He glanced back down at his own meal, a greasy-looking hotdog and a salad with some unknown dressing. It was a different kind than the one he'd tried yesterday, but he couldn't identify what either dressing was.

With a shrug, he picked up the hotdog with one hand and gave it a cursory glance. "The lunch there is like it is here. Not very good." He paused for a bite before he continued. "But when you are sixteen, it's okay to leave to buy lunch and come back." It seemed unlikely that that would be allowed here, though. Maybe they didn't trust their students enough. But he wasn't picky about food really; just about anything was fine as long as it was edible. "Is the food in Japan different from here?"

[tsukuharuko]

The answer stole Haruko a sigh of relief. Despite being a VIP, Enji Mizu seemed a rather friendly one after all. He probably deserved the popularity, if he was so nice with fans.

"Thank you! Just a moment, please!"

She rummaged in the pocket of her apron, fishing the notepad she used for orders and the pen she wrote them with. She browsed te pages until she found a clean one, and offered everything to Enji Mizu with a grateful smile.

"It's for my friend Momoi," she said. "I had her promise not to spread the word about you being here, don't worry. My boss is not exactly a fan of loud crowds," she explained with a chuckle. "And she would have to lose a client, or more, because of them."

"Thank you." He nodded his appreciation and turned to look out the window as she returned the the counter. It would be rude to return to his book for such a short wait, and peoplewatching could hold his interest well enough if it wasn't for a long period of time. He didn't pay any mind to the conversation behind him at the counter. Even if he'd been paying attention to what was going on back there, he wasn't close enough to even be able to hear what their hushed tones were saying.

When she set the small plate and steaming mug in front of him, Russell's gaze slowly shifted from the window to the order she'd suggested. Even the warm, sweet scent of the coffee and pastry felt welcoming, just like everything else about the cafe, from the comfortable decor to the friendly service. He raised his head to smile up at her appreciatively, but before he could thank her, she hit him with the question he always dreaded the most. An autograph.

Russell had spent weeks practicing imitating Enji Mizu's signature, repeatedly writing the characters on seemingly endless sheets of paper until his pen moved at a speed that looked convincing enough to be believable that it was his natural handwriting. Even then, it was tireless work to make sure it matched closely enough. Overall, he was relatively satisfied with the result. As far as he could tell, most fans would likely not be able to spot the difference, but there was always that chance that someone more well versed in handwriting analysis would be able to spot something subtle that he hadn't noticed. He hadn't been called on it yet, but there was always that nagging worry in the back of his mind that next time could be the time he was caught.

He tried not to let his smile stiffen, but he managed to recover himself in a few seconds. So he just gave her an agreeable nod, forcing a cool demeanor. "If you have a pen, I can give it to you right now," he offered, praying she wouldn't ask him to make it out to anyone. He wasn't nearly as confident as he seemed about making a personalized note look as believable as a specifically practiced signature. At least if it was just the name, he could drill those specific characters into his head, but a regular note was much harder. So he was never the one to offer and preferred to avoid it if it wasn't a specific request.

Trying to keep the focus off of what she may interpret as reluctance, he quickly gestured to the pastry and added. "This looks delicious, by the way. I appreciate the suggestion."

[tsukuharuko]

"This is no time for those dirty jokes of yours!!"

To say that Haruko was freaking out was an understatement. She was so lost in her shock she didn't even realised she was pulling Yusuke's hair as a reaction to the unexpected, horrifying surprise.

"I... How?? I've never done anything similar! WHat if I hurt you! No-- What if I kill you?!" She exclaimed, her voice shrill for the growning anxiety."

She never realised how useless she was compared to anything about Yusuke's world... Until now. The mere idea of even touching that blade made her nauseous. No -- the mere idea of hurting Yusuke in any way made her nauseous. She couldn't bring herself to risk it.

"I mean... I'm not sure I can...!" She stammered as she started shaking. "Should I... I don't know, call a magical doctor, something like that...??"

He nodded his head and followed her into the bathroom, where he’d be undergoing this transformation from long to short hair. He sat down within the tub..and felt a sting against his left shoulder but..figured it’s maybe a scrape or cut 𝐇𝐄'𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄��𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘, for now it was nothing to be concerned about. Though there was something utterly relaxing about Haruko maintaining his hair, he felt it parted..and even lets the braid slide since he’s going to lose the hair either way.

━━   ❝   𝐃𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨.   ❞  Yusuke spoke softly as he closes his eyes and was more than ready to enter the gateway of utter relaxation under Haruko’s care until he heard her yelling over something. “A what? A knife?” He asked her as though he’s got nothing but a splinter embedded within him. However, once he realized that it was 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗔 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗡 lodged into his flesh he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh is that all, least I know where that pain came from..and the numbing must be the blood loss..or whatever that sword’s doin’ t’ me. Probably anti-demon..could ya pull it out? Huh, never thought I’d tell YOU that.”

[tsukuharuko]

"Empty tank, huh?" Haruko chuckled, a pleasant shiver covering her legs in goosebumps at Yusuke's touch. "Well. I would expect one of your dirty jokes right there... I'm even ashamed I thought about it," she realised, tilting her head on a side with a slight frown. "Damn... I'm really spending too much time with you, am I?" She laughed.

Not that she minded. In fact, she lost no time to lean in and brush her lips against his, lacing her fingers behind his nape. She gave him a soft kiss before beginnging a trail of pecks along his jaw.

"So? What would I need to pack before I come?" She asked. "... To stay at your house, I mean?"

Yeah, she was definitely spending too much time with him.

━━   ❝   𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲.   ❞  She’s still young so, there wasn’t any rush for her to know what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. If anything, Yusuke knew in his heart he could never just stick to one profession, considering his demonic longevity, he’d probably have to move around a lot once people realized he’s not getting any older. Hmmm, that would mean he would outlive Haruko too there was a look on his face for a moment, it was brief but the sadness was there, it was ephemeral but it was still there. 

“Energy? Oh for healing..yeah reiki’s a bitch t’ charge up once I run out of affection.” He says with a smile on his face, a little sly as she leads him further into her flat and onto the couch with her atop of him and his hands holding each side of her thighs to keep her nice and secure upon him. “Are ya gonna help me out with my empty tank?” Now there’s a smirk on his face. Crap, he really hope he is not disrupting her from very important school work. His conscience is telling him to make a small mention about her homework, but the part of his brain that's INCREDIBLY SELFISH for her affection told him to shut it.

[tsukuharuko]

Haruko held tightly onto Yusuke's shoulders, pressing her forehead agains his shoulder to shield her eyes from the wind as he jumped from one building to the other one. That and... Well. Being with Yusuke felt safe, but being so high up still scared her somehow. Better not looking down too much.

"I hope no one can peek under my skirt!" She whined against his shoulder as he speeded up towards the school.

Touching the ground was a real relief. Haruko climbed down from Yusuke's back amidst the curious look of other students. Her cheeks were already starting to warm up at the unwanted attention, and litterally flared up as Yusuke claimed his reward.

"Oh, aren't you cheeky," she muttered, head sinking between her shoulders. She picked a notebook from her bag and lifted it to her face level while the other hand reached for Yusuke's shirt, pulling him so his lips could meet hers behind the cover of the pages. A little bit of an improvised privacy, she thought as she kissed him.

"Now go," she said, giving him a gentle show and a soft pinch at the nose. "And don't pout the whole day away. I'll see you tonight." She glanced a bit around before adding in a whisper hidden by her hand: "And then you'll get the rest of the payment for the lift here."

━━   ❝   𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡.   ❞   He said with a smirk on his face as he stood up now and walks towards the edge of the balcony. “Besides, it’s not the first time we kiss ontop of a rooftop, not sure why you sound embarrassed.” Yusuke braces against the floor and leaps into the air, his body gliding whilst Pu cheers gleefully as they soared into the air and lands on one rooftop. Yusuke had simply continued 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, he’d run then jump and run then jump until they were at the school’s rooftop within a record time of seven minutes.

“Thanks for flyin’ Air Urameshi.” He made sure 𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐘, no flips or twirls that would make her even more nervous than she was when they started. Now he squats down to set her back onto the floor, and then later stood up straight. “The fee is one kiss…or a few actually. I’m not gonna see ya til later tonight. Yer gonna have t’ give me somethin’ t’ tide me over until then.” Not to mention it gave him time to continue a rather stubborn case he’s doing.

[tsukuharuko]

Haruko sighed at the headpat, not sure whether of relief or embarrassment. The awkwardness of the accident was still very much burning on her cheeks, but there was that odd, soothing effect Yusuke had on her that made her feel better somehow.

"Only a year and a half?" She quickly glanced at him. "Huh... You seem to have lived a lot of adventures in such a short time. I wonder how you manage. I'm busy as I am with studying and my part-time job..." She sighed. "I gotta say it's admirable."

She let her eyes wander around for a moment. Odd how Yusuke's presence had taken over her apartment so qucikly. It wasn't like he was messy, but wherever she looked, there would be small traces of his presence. His clothes, his bag... The jacket he gifted to her.

"How is your apartment?" She asked. "Is it that much smaller than this?"

━━   ❝   𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞.   ❞   He was surprised that even someone like him could have seen a bright side to such a situation. “If we ever do go out again and it goes off without a hitch, then it’d be a big confidence booster for ya, and whatever happened t’day would just be nothin’ more than a freak accident and fluke. Somethin’ t’ laugh about in the future.” Now with his pants being in the washer, and wearing another pair, he felt really brand new at this point. Still it made things clear that he needed to head back to his own home.

However, for now he’d simply crash against her couch alongside her. A hand gently patting the top of her head. “Ya worry too much, though at the very least we can spend our time here before I have t’ go back t’ my building. Wished it was as spacy as this place though, but heey what can ya do?” He spoke under his breath and leaned into his seat.  “But yeah when I worked around here, it was more of a business thing when I first met ‘em.”

THEY WERE JUST ONE of the places on his family’s turf that owed protection money..something the family’s former officer before him would exploit. A terrible practice that nearly put all of the properties in their district under red. “I guess everything that happened after that little business meeting was pretty much by chance. T’ be honest they didn’t even have t’ like me..I wouldn’t say they were wrong t’ hate me. This was probably a year before I met ya…year and a half maybe.”

[tsukuharuko]

"I mean-- Cake is nice," Haruko muttered in defense, as if it was enough of a justification to actually hide her true intentions.

Part of her felt bad for her macchinations. But she was too curious for her own good, and well, she also wanted Yusuke to have a chance to meet the people he helped once too. He deserved to see the result of his good actions up-close. After all, why would he hide himself from them...?

"I would never tell that story to anyone," she replied, cheeks burning bright. "I promise you it's as mortifying for me as it was for you... Even if I got out of it unscathed," she admitted with a sigh.

"I guess the only questions I have is... Well. Do you want me to behave in a certain way?" She asked, giving Yusuke a hesitant look. "It sounds like you don't want to be recognised, and I don't want to be a problem for you while we visit."

━━   ❝   𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐤𝐞.   ❞  He made a counter with a smirk on his face. But hey if she wanted to check the place out then he doesn’t see the harm in that and so 𝗔𝗦 𝗨𝗦𝗨𝗔𝗟 Yusuke then nods his head. “H’alright we’ll take a look tomorrow..considerin’ they’re givin’ the cake out free, means that there’s probably gonna be a line…or maybe there’s more about it that got lost in advertisement but I do have shades I can wear. Also, they’ve never seen me wear casual clothing either so I should be safe enough going there as a civvy.”  Yusuke couldn’t help but cross his arms over his chest and began thinking on his girls, his eyes wandering towards the ceiling, wondering 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄, how were they with school? Have they made advancements in their aspiring careers, and what is the situation with one of their father’s health?

“Guess it wouldn’t be bad t’ see ‘em again. I’d say I would intr’duce ya to the girls but the last thing I need is you blabbing about the story when ya friggin’ burned my lap with hot soup. That’s a 𝙎����𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝙉𝙊 𝙊𝙉𝙀 needed to know ever. He’d quicker die than face that kind of embarrassment but then again..they’d have stories to tell about the days he was Tsuru..big bad yakuza guy, happened to be nothing more than a goof. “Either way before we go, do ya have questions about the place? People, stuff like that? Cause it really looks like yer tryin’ t’ turn this little promotion into a project for school.”