Nope's Peak r2 - DATE 1 with Joker

[flamingprick]

[Well they never did get a hangout night at the last game, so.

Rin is standing outside of the playplace, eyeing it. He's already slipped off his shoes and set his sword aside, but he's waiting for Akira before he dives in.]

You know, this feels more like just goofing off than a real date.

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[THIS IS TOO MUCH HORSEPLAY, AKIRA IS NOT USUALLY SO. . . LIKE THIS. . .]

[anyway he's gonna lie at the bottom of the ball pit now and now move, thanks]

[flamingprick]

[That's part of the territory when you're friends with Rin. He's pretty much horeseplay incarnate.

Also Rin is quick to bounce back and sit up again, laughing once more.]

You know, this has gotta be the best date I've ever been on.

[He's only ever been on like two total, so.]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira experiences new things every day. . .]

[Akira sits up after Rin does, laughter dancing on his tongue as well]

It's because we're friends.

[rubs at once eye with his palm, before standing up and wading to the edge of the ball bit]

And neither of us are taking this too seriously.

[flamingprick]

How can we take this date seriously? You're dating someone else, so it's not a real date anyway?

[Which means they get to have FUN]

[purrtagonist]

[EXACTLY]

Basically.

[and he takes a seat on the edge of the ball pit, flopping backwards onto his back, hands linked behind his head. and then, more thoughtfully]

. . . I guess that's why this is easier. I don't have to explain to you why I'm not into the premise of this game.

[flamingprick]

You just lucked out on your first 'date' that way.

[He tosses a ball up to Akira.]

...

Did I ever tell you about Shiemi?

[This is relevant to the dating game I swear.]

[purrtagonist]

Yeah. I did. Although I'd hang out with you like this even outside of this gam-- [oof, the ball is landing on his stomach, which gets him to sit up]

Shiemi?

. . . no, you didn't.

[flamingprick]

Of course you'd hang out with me outside of this game, I'm just the coolest friend you could possibly have.

[Self-image issues related to dating aside, Rin does have quite the ego. But the joking tone drops a bit when he starts talking about Shiemi.]

She'a a girl from my world. We're in the same grade at school, and she used to go to exorcist cram school with me. She's...really nice. And sweet. And pretty much the friendliest person I've ever met.

[It's pretty clear from his tone that he's very fond of her.]

She...Well. I. I like her. A lot.

...no, 'liked' is probably a better word. Things didn't work out between us.

[She doesn't want to date anyone actually.]

I never really thought about it before, but since we're all here now and this is about going on dates and stuff, I think that's my 'type.' Someone who's kind and gentle like that.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . . . . oh. an understanding expression crosses Akira's features. rejection always stings. even he's felt it before, because even Akira Kurusu has had unrequited feelings]

You know. . . [leans back on one hand] I think it's possible for people to have more than one 'type.' But that aside, I'm sorry it didn't work out.

[flamingprick]

[He shrugs at that.]

It happens. She said she wasn't ready for a relationship, so that's pretty much that. I wouldn't want to push her into anything, she's still one of my friends.

The reason I mentioned the 'type' thing is that Shirayuki is a lot like her. They're both even interested in plants.

[Not that he's crushing hard on Shirayuki yet or anything, but it's just. A feeling.]

[purrtagonist]

It does happen. It still sucks.

[he empathizes, but also perks up a bit when Rin mentions Shirayuki]

Ah? Day two, and there's already someone you like?

[flamingprick]

It's not a 'like.'

[He sounds a touch sullen as he says that.]

She's just cute, that's all.

[purrtagonist]

[aw, friend. . .]

Why don't you talk to her more, then? Maybe it'll turn into "like," or maybe you'll just want to stay friends with her.

[he shrugs!]

Either way, it can't hurt.

[flamingprick]

Maybe. I was gonna talk to her anyway, so we'll see.

[There's other cute people here too so.]

I was kinda thinking maybe I'd find out if I actually like guys or not here too. There's a lot more here that aren't super-old or super-evil.

[purrtagonist]

Like Allen?

[his eyes are sparkling with a hint of mischief]

[flamingprick]

[He blinks a couple times at that.]

He's a friendly guy, sure. What about him?

[purrtagonist]

He also isn't super-old, or super-evil.

[JUST SAYING. and he continues, totally innocently]

I feel like you two would get along, that's all.

[flamingprick]

[AKIRA HAS A POINT...]

He's a pretty good friend, yeah! We get along.

[Look, Rin already made some new friends.]

I didn't really think about it 'like that' though. Should I?

[purrtagonist]

[he shrugs!]

Only if you want to. I'd give you the same advice I gave you regarding Shirayuki: talk to him more. That's all.

[Akira's advice is always so simple]

[flamingprick]

Well I wanna hang out with him anyway, so that'll be easy.

[Watch out Akira, he might come back in a couple days with more FEELINGS to talk about.]

[purrtagonist]

[he will be READY]

Exactly. You don't have to have anything figured out yet, anyway. It's only the second day.

[WHICH. SPEAKING OF??]

. . . you know, I'm glad that no one died last night.

[flamingprick]

[OH YEAH THAT IS A THING TOO]

...yeah. Maybe things really are different this time.

[purrtagonist]

. . . maybe.

[leans forward, shoulders hunched, hands linked together under his chin]

[flamingprick]

...oi.

[Moving through the ball pit to get over to where Akira is now.]

It's gonna be alright.

[purrtagonist]

I know.

[shoots Rin a reassuring smile, just to show that he isn't moping, or stressing]

It just feels strange.