Anri Takahashi

Kazuo tilted his head to the side, his green eyes filled with interest.  

“Affect the quality?” he blurted out. “Oh no! You’re fine! I mean, look at you. You’re dressed so handsomely, that was the last thing on my mind.”

He smiled gently at his remark, he was unaccustomed to surprise comments from a stranger. It was.. refreshing to say the least. Kazuo quietly watched the other boy tapping on his phone, unsure of whether to break the silence or just wait for him to be unoccupied. Choosing the latter option, he instead studies the boy’s face. Was he sick? Hmm, but face masks were commonplace here no? Sometimes they use it for fashion or to stop the spread of germs. It was best not to ask Anri though, he didn’t want to appear nosey during his first impression.

“Are you headed to an interview or something?” “If so…well then, good luck! My name is Takahashi Anri, by the way. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Kazuo stood up and out of habit smoothed out the created wrinkles. With a polite smile he bowed quite elegantly. This is how one introduces themselves, according to his family at least. 

“Oshiro Kazuo, the pleasure is all mine,”

Once again his tone of voice was relaxed and inviting, successfully showing his adequate knowledge in introducing oneself. He straightened his posture and looked down at his new found acquaintance with a quizzical smile. 

“I assure you that I am not attending an interview of any sorts. Although if you considered meeting new classmates an interview then perhaps I am. In actuality, I’m coming on this trip to develop a small village… and I suppose you are too?” 

He noticed the others different attire and began to doubt his own. Kazuo looked down at his attire, opening one of the jacket sides to attain a better view. The small movement created a little bit of wind in the heat, a faint smell of roses carried along with it. Perhaps this outfit really was quite odd considering the task at hand.  

Anri seemed surprised from the bow. So formal! Well, it doesn’t seem out of place given the rest of his attire.

“You’re right! I’m here to help out the village as well. And hey, that’s a good way to look at things! You sure are making a strong impression, in my opinion anyways. I hope that’s not too strange to say. I wouldn’t want to make you worry about it.” He smiled with his eyes, flashing a bright smile from behind his mask. He twirled his scarf around his arm while conversing with Kazuo. Despite appearing intimidating with his dress at first, Anri felt pretty relaxed talking to this new acquaintance.

“Well, my mom had a couple of your books around the house, and one day I read some of them! Takahashi-kun’s writing’s pretty good!” 

He gave the other a grin. It’s true, he had read a couple of his books. He’d never admit it, but he was kind of a fan of mushy romance novels. Especially ones with a happy ending, those were his favorite kinds! Shaking himself back into focusing on the conversation at hand, he continued.

“So, I guess you can consider me a fan, yeah! Not exactly a die-hard, but, I like reading your stuff!”

He fiddled with the headphones at his neck, excited and overwhelmed at the excitement Anri felt at the prospect of someone like him recognizing his writing. I mean, yeah, it’s nice to be recognized, but…? He’s still a person, right? Not some sort of higher-level being? 

“Hmmm… are you excited? Y’know, about the trip?” 

“Your mom reads them! Oh, heh, I had a feeling that was the case...! That’s so sweet...Thank you for the compliments.” He was overjoyed to hear that more people enjoyed his work, he always was! Not so much as a self absorbed thing, but he was happy to hear that he could give hours of entertainment to someone. Brightening up a person’s day with a tale about happy endings and true love was what he lived for!

Well, at least the fool had a sense of humor about him. Now it was just a matter of seeing how far she could push him….She gave a sort of displeased look at him, doing her best to give off an appearance of scorn.

“Mock me if you wish, mortal, but know that you do so in the presence of a queen,” she replied, her words slow and deliberate. “Perhaps you’d like to rethink your position, now that you’re aware you’re before royalty?” She asked, a sneer on her features as she twirled the parasol idly. “As for my parasol…it is rather lovely, yes. I bought from a store near my home.”

Hmm...He wanted to twirl something too! That looked fun, but unfortunately he doesn’t have a cool, batty parasol to shut out the sun with. He settles for assuming a hawty, arrogant pose; an arm crosses his chest, his other arm extends upwards with his hand resting under his chin, fingers fanning out.

Kazuo had been standing in the sun for quite a while, being one of the first to arrive at the bus stop was proving to be less important than he’d originally thought it would be. Considering the bus didn’t look like it would be coming any time soon.

The boy had already been quite excited for the start of the first trip he had been allowed to attend on his own since coming to Japan. He’d been ready for this for weeks, but his compact and stylish suitcase was serving as nothing more than a leaning post at the moment. Kazuo leaned back on his suitcase and flicked his wrist out to uncover his gold, diamond-encrusted watch.

1 hour 18 minutes 54 seconds.

He looked up to the sky and watched the clouds float by. Was it really worth riding a bus to this place so he could try to make some friends for a change? It probably would’ve been faster if he’d flown there himself. Plus he wasn’t really talking to anyone, they all seemed to be occupied..

‘Well, if I can wait 4 weeks for a single trip, then what’s a couple more hours?’

Kazuo’s optimism kicked in and his body relaxed ever so slightly. He sat on the top of his suitcase and continued to look up at the sky with a small smile on his face, still painfully aware of what was happening around him.

Every movement he saw in the corner of his eye seemed to make him believe the bus had arrived. But alas, none of them were indications of the bus’ arrival, not even this selfie. Kazuo didn’t think too much about it, the only thing that itched in the back of his mind was whether he’d ruined their photo. Kazuo had checked his appearance several times before leaving to school this morning, but it wouldn’t hurt to check now right?

He looked down at his clothing. Grey suit jacket and pants, white collared shirt, dark blue tie, black dress shoes. It was more casual than usual but it wasn’t wrinkly, so maybe it was his hair? He shook his head gently, not feeling any strange movement he went to touch it. But before he could feel his blonde hair, the other boy came up to him.

“Hey there! I was taking a picture and it looks like you got photo bombed on accident! I really liked the picture and wanted to send it to my mom, but I understand if you would want me to delete it…” 

Kazuo was caught by surprise and turned to the other abruptly, a little tuft of hair lifting up on the top of his head in the process.

“Oh? Apologies, I did not mean to obstruct the view of your picture. I do not mind if you send the picture to your mother. However, I do hope that my presence did not affect the quality of your picture..” 

Despite his inner state, his voice and body language suggested that he was cool and collected.

Anri let out an audible gasp when he saw the boy he was now addressing. The height difference between the two accentuated his already regal appearance, only making him look even more intimidating in Anri’s eyes.

“Affect the quality?” he blurted out. “Oh no! You’re fine! I mean, look at you. You’re dressed so handsomely, that was the last thing on my mind.” If anyone had to get photo bombed out of the crowd they were in, Anri felt like Kazuo had the least to worry about. His posture, his dress, everything down to the way his hair had flipped seemed elegant.

He gave his phone screen a couple of gentle taps and returned it to his pocket.

Haruto also stood up, realizing there really wasn’t a need for him to be kneeling down still. This guy seemed nice enough, and Haruto was honestly glad that the person he decided to help wasn’t some mean jerk. 

“Yep, that’s me!” 

He grinned, giving a small bow. A tad bit overdramatic, if you ask me. 

“I’m glad that you like my stuff! Me and my friend work super hard to put out nice things, and it makes me happy when people like it! Takahashi Anri, huh… Ta-ka-ha-shi…OH! You’re an author, aren’tcha? Not only would it explain all the writing things in your bag, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen some books by a Takahashi Anri!” 

He didn’t mind his bow, and considered it to be rather endearing. He giggled, holding his face as he was being bowed to.

“How polite of you!”

He nods as he listens to Haruto speak, beginning to rock back and forth on his feet in excitement. Anri didn’t quite peg Haruto for the type who would be interested in his writing, but he was flattered nonetheless. It wasn’t everyday he was recognized!

Truthfully, there were better things to do than wait for this.. this dumb old bus. 

Like eat.

Airi had been so ecstatic at the announcement of finally, finally getting to go on this trip that she had been hyping herself up for that the linguist had nearly tripped over herself in her hasty, childish attempt to be one of the first to arrive. She had skipped out on breakfast entirely in the hopes that there would be something to have once they arrived.

So you can imagine how she felt when time slowly ticked by with no sign of her transportation anywhere, among the 29 other unfamiliar students she had been grouped up with. 

A light sigh leaves the lips of the linguist, feeling her empty stomach growl as she idled near the front of the group, glancing this way and that with a disappointed expression. Maybe the date was wrong? Or the driver was running late? Either way, she was stuck here for however long was left with nothing to really do.

Airi decides to pass the time by studying the traits of her new classmates, scarlet eyes twinkling with their usual curiosity as she looks each one up and down briefly. She is surprised by the sight of unusual movement and in a quick moment has settled her inquisitive gaze on a certain blue-haired individual. 

It furthers when she watches the boy pretty much drop his bag from whatever he’s doing, and with a small gasp, Airi finds herself making her way over at once to help him out. 

❝ Are you okay? ❞ she asks with simple concern once she’s made her way over, crouching down and reaching for some of the supplies herself.  ❝ You gotta be more careful! ❞

Anri glances around the crowd of people in wonder. There’s just so many here! And, well, none of them heard him apparently. He takes note, remembering to be louder next time. He begins the chore of picking up each individual item and returning it to his bag, unfortunately having to set it down on the dirty floor as he does this.

Hearing the sound of feet shuffling towards him followed by the voice of a young girl, he lifts his head up to get a glimpse of the stranger who has taken interest in him.

Placing the pens and pencils in the other’s hands, the boy gave a small chuckle at the scolding of the bag. That was actually kinda funny in Haruto’s mind, instead of just a little weird or something. Standing back up, he waited for the other to finish up before speaking again. 

“Ah, don’t worry about it! You needed help, that was enough for me to lend a hand! I’m super-excited too! Honestly, I’d be surprised if anyone wasn’t. Oh! I’m Haruto, by the way! Haruto Mizushima, what’s your name?” 

The Youtuber seemed to speak at a mile a minute, using quite a bit of hand gestures as he talked. It’s almost as if he was just pure energy, most of which was aided by caffeine. 

He snatched up the pencil’s from Haruto’s hand...and unfortunately, dropped them again. Whoops, shit happens. He picks them up again, laughing at himself. Once he finishes packing up his stuff back into his bag, he stands up and gets a good look of the boy he’s been talking to.

shslbatty:

Carmilla had to smirk just a bit at Anri’s suffering. The poor fool should’ve thought to bring a parasol like her. Still, she did unknowingly share his sentiments. Why was it so uncomfortable out today? And where was the bus? As Anri walked over, she eyed him up and down, as if sizing him up for something.

“Definitely a pain, yes,” Carmilla replied after a bit, her bored expression twisting into a grin. “A terrible, burning pain. After all, don’t you know? Vampires hate the sun, kuhuhuhu…” She trailed off, keeping her eyes on him to see how he handled the joke. Maybe this could be fun……..

Anri blinked, pausing for a moment to think about what was just said. He was only a little disappointed she didn’t indulge him in his curiosities about where her umbrella came from. Though, he wondered, did this girl have middle school second year syndrome? Vampires weren’t real, surely she knows that. Pretending was fun though, he was all for pretending.

Carmilla sighed, holding a parasol above her to keep the sun off of her. At least as far as everyone else had seen in this group, the sun had been kept off of her pale skin for as long as she had been outside, the parasol having a cute bat pattern that didn’t really fit the harsh personality of the owner. She saw a few people here and there that were supposed to be going on this trip with her, but most of the students were filtering out for the day until it was just she and the other thirty. Looking around, she didn’t really recognize……anyone, red eyes sizing her new coworkers up. 

In defiance of the evil sun, he plucked a notebook out from his bag and held it up above his head. Begone dreadful sun! You’re definitely not wanted here.

He begins to scan the crowd for familiar faces, unfortunately not finding any. What he does see though, is a person who looks to be as fed up with the sun as he is. Upon making eye contact with them, he holds a hand up to his chest, eyebrows arched upwards, as if to signal that he’s saying ‘Me? Really? You’re looking at me?’ He waves in her direction before walking towards her.

The clatter of books and writing utensils grabs Haruto’s attention in a flat second. Practically spinning around, the blonde kneeled down to help the other. He’d been in a situation where his belongings spilled before, and from his experience it is not fun whatsoever! He’d never wish that on another human being, but yet, here it is happening. So, needless to say, Squidboy to the rescue! 

Haruto cringed a bit at his internal dialogue, before grabbing a notebook and handing it to the boy with a smile on his face. Well, this was definitely more interesting than anything else going on at the moment, and Haruto was an individual of very short tolerance towards boredom or doing nothing. Scooping up some pens, he spoke.

“Don’t worry, you’re not inconveniencing anyone! At the very least, not me, I don’t think! Are you okay? Was it just your bag that fell?” 

Haruto’s concern towards this total stranger was almost admirable, even if it was mostly due to the fact that he was absolutely fucking bored right now. 

He was beginning to worry that the people around him would all just…leave him hanging. Luckily, a friendly face happened to swoop in and introduce themselves! Smiling with his eyes, he proceeded to pick up his books and utensils with the other boy, happy to be assured he’s not inconveniencing anyone.

Anri began packing his tote again, returning those books back to where they belong.

“Oh yes! It was just my bag that took the fall. I suppose I just wasn’t being careful enough. It’s hard to be…I’m just so hyped for this trip!—Oh. I would like to thank you too! For stopping to help, haha…”