SHIBUYA x CROSSING

Yasumu: “Ah, hello. Sorry, this is Tsukasa Yasumu… Lee’s… friend.”

Gale: “Oh, you’re that one guy! What do you need?”

Yasumu: “I know it’s — kinda strange fer me ta be callin’ you an’… not him, but… I was jus’ wonderin’ if he… got in safely.”

Gale: “Don’t mind, don’t mind! He’s here, and he’s fine!— well actually, he’s acting really off. Know what that’s about?”

Yasumu: “I uh — mighta have had ta do with that. Tha reason why he’s off. It’s kinda a… long story, but le’s just say he doesn’t… really like it when people try ta take care a’ him. Uhm… ya prolly shouldn’t… mention that I’m callin’ ya. He migh’ git mad.”

Gale: “Huh. If you say so! He probably won’t find out, so don’t worry. Though, did you do something to his eye? It has a different static composition, so…”

Yasumu: //there is a short pause.

"Tha’… uh… might… be… mine. He — lost his because a’ doin’ somethin’ stupid and unnecessary fer me, so I… replaced it."

Gale: “…hmmm, alright.” His tone seems slightly more serious, but then picks right back up. “Other than that though, how’re you?”

Yasumu: // pauses again, but this time, for less time.

"I am… doin’ okay. Uh. Yeah. B— but, enough about me! Yeah. I’m more curious about you, yeah? Have ya been busy?"

Gale: “Heh. Well, life of a composer is always busy, isn’t it? But I’ll always find time for whatever I wanna do, so who cares!” He hums, sounding jolly.

Yasumu: // nods, even though no one can see it.

"Yeah, yeah. Tha’s… good. I’m glad you take things… in stride. It’s really — relaxin’ ta hear, ya know?"

// chuckles kinda sadly.

Gale: “Eh? Okay then, whatever that means!” He laughs a little. “How did that curry a few days ago go?”

Yasumu: “It… it went aigh’! I… uh, well, I overcooked it a little from not payin’ attention, but it was pretty good regardless. … Have you been eatin’ okay…?”

// and he sounds almost slightly concerned. but really, his concern is displaced…

Gale: “Hey hey, the house isn’t burned down at least!” Laughter. “Sure sure, food is great! Now that you mention it, I should bring Ling out for some nice food now that he’s back…” his voice trails a bit. “Why you worried about how I eat, though?”

Yasumu: …

"You’re — you’re right. I’m sure ya take care of yerself fine. Why am I concerned? Guess I’m just… used ta bein’ concerned fer… a, anyway. Anyway. I think goin’ out fer food with ‘im would be a great idea! He doesn’t eat enough. An’ I’m sure ya know a lotta great places!"

Gale: He blinks (though not that anyone can see). “Huh… Hot pot sounds great! If he lost his taste in some good ol’ Chinese food I’m going to be so disappointed in him.”

Yasumu: “Mmm, yes, definitely! Tha’ sound delicious, actually. One day I’d like ta try some authentic Chinese cuisine, ya dig? I can only image how good ya git ta eat sometimes… I doubt he’s lost any taste fer it if he liked it in tha first place.”

Gale: “Haaah! Maybe you should come over sometime, we got plenty of space! If you wanna I can take a day off and show you around sometime, who even caaaares!”

Yasumu: “Tha’… tha’ would be nice. But I — I dun think I could come by anytime soon, even if I wanna, yanno? Gotta — u-uh. Yeah. Things ta do, ya hear? So it’d… have ta wait, but I would… really like to! Someday, at least.” He laughs, it’s somewhat awkward. “Although… speakin’ of things ta do… can I ask ya somethin’?”

Yasumu: “Would ya mind if I — called ya ta… check up on Lee every so often? Like, if tha’s a — a problem, then I understand, but I… I’m worried, yeah? An’… well, I dun think he’ll… anyway, if tha’s not gonna fly would ya mind… shootin’ me a message if he starts actin’… really weird? Would tha’ be aigh’? I’m just — yeah. Yeah.”

Gale: “Eh? You sure worry for him a lot. Friends like you are good. Call me up whenever you want, ay? No harm in worrying for someone!” Yasumu: “Mm… y, yeah. I guess I worry too much fer a… friend. Either way, I really appreciate yer time. I sincerely thank ya fer what yer doin’.” He says, a smile light in his voice.

Gale: “Don’t worry about it!” He laughs a little. “Maybe that’s what he needs anyways, he barely watches his health… but what he does have are a lot of people willing to save him, I suppose.”

Yasumu: “He’s just… such a good guy. Even if he doesn’t see it himself…” He starts, sounding kinda sweet-tempered. “I guess it just makes it hard for people ta leave him alone! Hahaha.” His laugh is then loud, sounding more like his usual self. Oh shit — that was kinda embarrassing to say aloud, wasn’t it?

Gale: “Pffft, it’s all good. I didn’t see him myself back then, but I heard from the composer who originally handled him that he used to be a really cheerful kid. Kinda sad he’s lost that now, isn’t it?”

Yasumu: “Usedta be really cheerful…? What woulda made him take such a different outlook now…?” He kinda asks it impulsively more than anything.

Gale: “I dunno. He was already kinds quiet and withdrawn by the time he was with me, so maybe it had to do with the week? It’s not like a lot of people don’t come out weeks damaged. Then again, all depends on the location! Some places are nicer than others. Shibuya’s considered really friendly, y’know. UGs often go for total annihlation.”

Yasumu: “Mm, that much I figured… seen too many transfer guys from other districts who’re jus’… out fer blood. But, even if I am curious about Lee… is askin’ a guy about their time in hell really somethin’ I should really do? Aughhh…” One could practically hear him scratching at his hair in his indecision.

Gale: “Hey, you’re his friend, so no harm in asking, right? At worst he’ll refuse to talk about it.” He pauses for a moment. “Everyone’s the way they are for a reason! Some reasons just hurt more than others.”

Yasumu: “Yeah… yer right. …I guess I jus’… dun wanna make anythin’ more fragile. But it’ll be fine. Yeah, yeah. — Shoot, I’ve taken up a lotta yer time, haven’t I?”

Gale: “Eeeeh? How is it gonna make things more fragile? It’s not really an offensive question. Don’t worry about my time, by the way. I’ve got more than enough! It’s all good.”

Yasumu: “Well, if ya say so… an’, well, anythin’ can be an offensive question when someone’s prolly pissed atchya, yanno?” He sighs.

Gale: “Hmm? Dunno know what’s on his mind, but he seems more stressed than angry. Kinda weird, he hasn’t really been assigned work yet. Point is, I don’t think he’s that pissed that he’s holding a vendetta!”

Yasumu: “… Stress, ya say…? Hmm… still. I jus’… yeah. Gwaaaah, sorry, sorry, I haven’t got any manners, it seems! Anyway, I should prolly git goin’. I’ve said too much, an’ I dun wanna be ventin’ anythin’ to ya. Tha’s just weird, since we ain’t so well acquainted. Anyway, if you’ve got nothin’ ta ask me or anything, I should prolly stop takin’ up yer time, eh?” He asks, laughing slightly. Perhaps this attitude is particularly Japanese, but he simply doesn’t know how else to hold back from wibbling over Ryan.

Gale: “It’s not a problem or anything. Bye though, I suppose!” He laughs. Yasumu: “I’ll… prolly be callin’ ya soon. Hopefully I’ll manage ta make tha conversation a bit less one-sided next time, eh?” He finishes, laughing slightly.

Yasumu: “See ya.” He laughs one last time, then hids the end button on his phone.