[text/action] - backdated to the 14th

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I can't believe it, I've been here for so long. Roughly speaking, I've been here since 2012, even when you count my six month absents, it's still a pretty long time.

Anyhow! It occurred to me that today is Pi Day. Coincidentally, in Japan, today is also White Day. Traditionally, it's when a girl had gave you Valentines chocolate, the guy has to return the favor on this day. Well, that's traditionally speaking, it's been awhile but I made cookies for the occasion! Feel free to pick up a bag over my dorm room. ＼（＾▽＾）／

[Go on, there are at least a dozen of small plastic bags, someone has been rather bake-happy.]

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[ARE YOU A MURDERCHILDREN HOWEVER? Because there's something a bit more special for you. Each person gets their chocolate delivered to them in-person, whether he has to go to their dorm room or even looking around the campus. They're specially made for each person okay.]

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[Of course it would be rather weird for him to leave out his roommate. He's certainly not Naoki never mind Pixle plays both of them gdit but it was still hard to strike a conversation with him, but regardless it wasn't nice to leave him out. So he made a slightly bigger batch and was ready to give it to him whenever Nanjo comes back from class, hey, it might be a nice icebreaker after some odd time only having (really, really) small conversations.]

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[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[WELL WELL, IF IT ISN'T MONDO. It's probably been a while since you've really caught up with him, Chihiro. He's been kind of elusive. When he catches a glimpse of Chihiro out the corner of his eye, he subtly switches direction and climbs up the stairs like he meant to go there anyway, just to disappear from his sight, hoping he didn't notice him there in the first place.]

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[That's... really strange. He had been trying to catch up with Mondo for some time, assuming the taller boy had simply got caught up with his own plans. But, Chihiro definitely noticed that Mondo tried to avoid him.

His initial surprise was quickly overcome with concern as he catch up with Mondo at the stairs.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[That's the sound of footsteps following behind. There's no getting out of this one. He stops his ascent just near the entrance to the roof and looks back to acknowledge him.]

Oh, Fujisaki. You're in a rush. Need somethin'?

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Well, erm, it's White Day and I know it doesn't go like this but....

[He pulled out a box wrapped in, of all things, cartoon dogs patterns and handed them to Mondo.

Of course he was still thinking of Mondo's recent strange behavior, but rushing in to the matter at hand seemed like a bad idea.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[Not what he was expecting! Shit, he even forgot it was White Day. And before you ask, he definitely didn't know anything about Pi Day. And worse? He didn't even realize it was Chihiro's birthday yet. Mondo shifts his body around and can't help but turn completely pink.]

Th-this... But I'm a... I'm a guy! Why are you giving this to me...?

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W-well... why not?

[It was still rather fresh in his memory that Mondo had been rather gloomy just before Valentines, and he would have made him a batch without as so much as thinking the implications if he weren't busy being smitten by a rather (admittedly) charming looking fellow that day.]

I thought you might like them...

[Of course, he forgot to add that he made batches for everyone, but he was his nerves were taking control of him just as his cheeks has been more than pink through this ordeal.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[He's especially not good at thinking when he's getting tense... nor is he good at filtering his speech and actions.]

Just so we're clear, you're not trying to make a laughingstock outta me with this, are ya?!

[AUGH, why is he such a shitmouth? Of COURSE Chihiro wouldn't do that... But because of the way he's blushing like that, it's fairly obvious to Mondo that... maybe there are some underlying feelings at play here. No way... How is he supposed to handle something like this?]

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[By instinct, Chihiro backed off by two steps.]

O... of course not!

[How was he to handle this, Mondo looked angry and... rather confuse honestly. At least they were out in the open so things might not turn for the worst case scenario.

At least. He hopes not- wait no! They can't go back to square one, he needs to put more faith in him.]

I made them because I like you....

[Yeah, that totally doesn't sound awkward at all. Please let him slink into embarrassment.]

... As friends! As friends.

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............ I'm sorry.

[And now we're back to old habits.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[OH! GREAT! HE'S MAKING HIM WANT TO CRY. What stellar behavior Mondo was exhibiting. It always splinters his heart to see Chihiro get this way. He feels like such a dickweed, but when does he not? In an attempt to reassure him, he reaches out to place his palm on the top of his head but hesitates for a hasty withdrawal.]

Jeez... Don't apologize! I shouldn't have yelled accusations like that. My bad...

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[Oh that... he felt a bit fearful, but at the same time... why did he felt disappointed?]

No... it came out rather strangely, I should be the one who should apologize....

[But it's been awhile since Mondo was being... defensive and it was concerning for him.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[This is just spiraling down the abstract banister of awkwardness.]

Shit, let's just... forget about apologies! I don't really deserve it, but... if you went through the trouble, I might as well shut up and accept it...

[Aww, look how flustered he is about one stupid gift.]

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[Oh god, the overwhelming amount of mix feelings going here.]

I... suppose so? I mean, you don't really have to but I would really appreciate it.

[But wait, there was something else on his mind. But, should he say it now? Then again, if he were to do that again, a chance to catch up with Mondo might be even harder.

Chihiro bit his lip in hesitation, but ultimately, he decided to wing it.]

Oowada-kun... just a moment ago, were you trying to avoid me?

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[He just HAD to ask, didn't he? It was embarrassing that he noticed. He was cornered into doing one of two things: lie or tell the truth. And he had to act fast, or else the hesitation might allow him to see right through him. And needing to explain why he'd avoid him in the first place seemed like an awful lot of trouble that he was reluctant to get into.]

No, I... was just going up to the roof for some fresh air... I didn't know you were there.

[After it came out, he felt this nagging anxiety that Chihiro knew the real truth. It was glaring down upon him like the sun during the dog days of summer.]

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[Well, they weren't glaring, but there were a pair of concern big Bambi eyes looking at him from below.]

Really? I don't mean to accuse but... you don't sound that entirely sure.

[It was pretty easy to tell, actually.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[Just as he thought. And now that he tried to lie and it was obvious, he only looked worse, didn't he? He gave up and decided to just be honest. That's what he should have done in the first place. He let out a stream of breath and mustered up the fortitude to confess the truth.]

Okay. I admit, I was trying to avoid you. But it's not 'cause I don't like you or anything, so don't get the wrong idea.

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[While he felt somewhat relieved, it also made Chihiro even more concern. He had a feeling that it was a pretty sore one, regardless if he had any sort of relation or involvement to it. It was probably a good idea to be a lot more careful with how he talks to him this time, or maybe for a long while even.]

Alright do you... want to tell me what's wrong? If you'd like that is...

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[Mondo shuffled around in place with his hands going into his pockets.]

It's too complicated to even bother. Just a bunch of self-esteem crap, I guess.

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Are you sure? I don't mind listening, considering...

[He's always in the self-esteem club anyways, probably a close contender as club president.]

In any cases... I'll be more than happy if there's anything I could help you with.

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[Because Chihiro put it like that, because it's Chihiro, Mondo falls silent, weighing his next action. After a few pauses, he speaks again.]

Follow me.

[He turns to proceed through the door that leads to the roof.]

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[Seeing Mondo's actions, he wordless followed the other towards the door. Chihiro felt somewhat nervous, though he try to put aside his own feelings by continue walking, subconsciously however he put some distance for his own comfort.]

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

[Mondo didn't stop moving until he was at the edge, where the school grounds spread out before him from this bird's eye view. He could feel the jitters start their dance inside him knowing that his private feelings were about to be put on stage before Chihiro, but they never showed save for the extra length to his frown. He leaned his back up against the wall in a kind of slump. He could sense that Chihiro seemed to be a little uncertain about this situation, and it only served to remind him of why he should be feeling uneasy, being alone up here with the likes of him.]

So you wanna know what's on my mind? I'm not very good at expressing myself like this, but... I guess I could give it a shot.

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[Chihiro moved forward, enough that he'd still be in ear shot. It wasn't as worse as before, considering that now he and Mondo could be in one room without making him feel the need to retreat, but in this kind of tense situation... honestly, he simply succumbed back into instincts, much as he hated it.

Chihiro shook his head.] It's fine, I mean, saying anything is still better than nothing at all...

[butterbelieveamanspromise]

Maybe you're right...

[Being able to talk with someone about what was weighing on him, in his experience, had always helped lighten the burden some. After Daia died, he wasn't able to get it very easily.]

It's about a lotta things. Mostly myself. After all that happened, you'd think I'd change a little for the better, but in the end, no matter what I do... I know that my shitty actions, no matter how much I regret them, keep affecting people.

[Take Chihiro, for instance. Right now, there's the reminder creeping through the shadows of his awareness that they're alone, just them, and all it takes is one swing, one slip on the controls that he's so damn afraid of losing. His face squeezes into a kind of agitation.]

In a way, I'm kinda freaked out. How do I... stop? I know I'm cut from a different cloth than most of you, and that only makes it harder to connect, but even so, I'd still... Look. You guys are all I have left. And at this point, I feel almost nervous even being around you. Like I'm gonna screw something else up. So it feels like... At this point, the way I am, it's better for everyone if I keep my distance until I know how to get a grip.

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I suppose but.... [He bit his lip, not entirely sure how to put his thoughts into words.] I don't think that closing yourself off from completely us would be the right answer. I mean, I didn't stay far away that long....

[True that they had kept distance before, to keep each other's sanity intact despite Chihiro's desire to mend their friendship. Though at the same time, they did slowly hung out more together, and somehow, it felt to him like it was how they had showed better progression.]

Maybe you need a teacher, or something to exercise self-control...?