#roseteinte

“… sakuragawa, was it?”

that was her name, right? admittedly, saeki didn’t necessarily pay attention to her in the station — he recalled meeting her once through hoshino, and the two of them appeared to be friends, or strangers with a common goal; however, he hadn’t anticipated this sudden proclamation.

he was… intrigued.

a daring smile formed on his face, eyes narrowed just slightly, saeki performing the obligatory Kabedon virtually anyone reading this scenario would expect, face leaning closer to sakuragawa, eyes dancing with playfulness.

“almost as cute as a beef?” he didn’t comment on her first few words — his interest in hoshino, regardless of intent, was rather prominent as everyone that was acquainted with either of them within the police station knew were close friends. he didn’t hide his bond with her. there was no reason to openly confirm nor deny the issue. besides, that wasn’t the words that piped his interest to begin with…

“if i didn’t already know how madly in love with beef you are, sakuragawa, i’d be hurt by that statement,” he used a index finger to subtly raise her chin, angling her face to directly look at his own, a sense of challenge igniting in his eyes,

“… what does a boy like me do to have a butt cuter than a beef’s?”

he held that pose with her, watched the way her eyes shined with the specks of light it captured, for a few seconds as if time paused and they were the only residents in the world.

it ended as abruptly as he initiated the action, saeki pulling away, taking a step back, and letting out a small laugh as he scratched behind his neck,

He is gleaming, radiating his own confident aura. There is a lot to the situation, but one thing is certain, Kazuki is the best little brother he could ever ask for! A good kid at heart, his care for sister sings loud for the heavens… in its own way.

“Kazuki! Your approval means the world to me! I’ll be the best big brother to you even, and I promise that lchika and I w-will always– h-hey!”

Now, he knows that Kazuki just has a rough way of speaking, and it’s not like he means exactly what he says, words are difficult, and phrasing goes out the window when any sort of love is at stake.

Now, how to say it, how to say it, without sounding like he’s simply correcting him? How to get his feeling across, how to –

“I-Ichika’s my partner! Independent and amazing and I l-l-love everything about her! The object of my affliction, but not a prize to be won!!! O-One day I’d like your approval also on b-being able to hold her hand in a webbed bliss, but that’s, that’s... no, no, no that’s embarrassing, but i-it’s not like I’d be glad to think about her with someone else... Guuuuh... Kazuki, thank you!! Your sister’s amazing!!!”

--all right, nailed it, never mind the clear mix ups of certain words, the purity of the meaning is there, probably.  Either way, his heart is beating fast. It goes without saying that this doki-doki feeling is exactly what he imagined reading his novels, except... actually, it’s much, much more.

There’s more to be said, like how he’d like to protect her sometimes, but that she’s totally badass for being able to handle herself, that they make the best team ever, that he’s overjoyed to have someone like her in his life. There’s no way to narrow down the reasons he’s totally head-over-heels for her. The little brother gave his stamp of approval! His future little b-brother...  Oh dear... is okay with having him around.

But, well, he’d be happy if he really could get along with Kazuki too.

She practically throws herself in front of the mirror, double checking her appearance. Her tail, fluffy. Her ears, twitching, but there’s not a strand of fur that’s sticking out of place. Not that she can see, anyway. Eyes, bright, everything perfect! She can almost hear Cassia’s voice in background, “El, you’re glowing you know. Why, you should jump up on stage right now!”

Does she have everything she wants to bring? Yeah, it’s all set to go in her trusty pack! It’s just extra, small baking equipment she’s not sure if he has... She’s been bouncing with excitement ever since they agreed to bake something together, just something simple. Of course, she’s no stranger to baking; this little rabbit is a pro! But there’s something real special about making a… could you call it a house call? Bakers don’t really do all that… but this is just friends helping friends, right? Absolutely!

Really, Eloise is glad to have gotten to know the town’s librarian better. Since she frequents the library, she’s wanted to be familiar with him at least, but to actually be friends, and to help him out, that’s a lot better. It’s not as though ruckuses in the library haven’t been caused around her… even if it’s often not her fault, but the case of others around her, she still wants to make it up to Cecil.

She’ll do her best to make sure this pie turns out to be really good!

Quickly, she leaves her house and hops right over to Cecil’s. The town isn’t big, so she’s there in no time! Is she there early? Probably, but she absolutely didn’t want to be late for this very, very important… day! Time to knock, knock, knock..! She doesn’t do it with too much force, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t moving fast, light on her feat, humming as she awaits Cecil. She hears lots of movement, and then a pause, before the doorknob finally moves. There..!

“Hello, I—”

--am here, Mister Cecil..!

Had been what she planned on saying, but her words are cut off as the door closes again. She blinks. Is everything okay? Is he okay? That had been him, right? What happened? Is she here too early? Had she been the wrong person? No… Cecil seems like the person that wouldn’t mix schedules, huh? Then... Wait, did he change his mind about wanting her here? He.. wouldn’t do that either, would he? Hmm... she tilts her head. Should she knock again?

“...”

Certainly she’s confused! But… oh! The door is opening again, thank goodness!

“That’s okay! I am a little early!” She laughs, honestly glad everything is okay. “So… Yes, let’s get started! Thank you for having me over!” And carefully, Eloise enters Cecil’s residence. It’s very nice! Very suiting to him, she thinks. It’s very homey.

She follows him to the kitchen, eyes darting around the area after she sets down her supplies, examining the space they’re working with, when his question hits her. Check the pack for the… the… apron..! How could she, a baker, forget her trusty apron? That’s right… in her hurry to get outside, she left the one she meant to bring, neatly, on her rack. She meant to put in her pack with the rest of her things, but she ended up scurrying too fast to recall it.

Whoops!

“I… left it at home. Seems I bounced over here in such a rush… But I really didn’t want to late at all! You really never know what sort of foot traffic awaits a bunny…” There really is a lot of that… Considering all the recent events and all. But..! He’s offering one of his! Should she take it..? She…

I’d love to borrow one! It’s much better than suddenly jumping home to get mine… That’d be rude!

“I’ll borrow one, if you really don’t mind, Mister Cecil! Thank you very much!” She moves to the rack, looking over all the ones hanging, before she grabs one and puts it on over her clothes. Now she’s ready for business, for sure! She whirls back around, looking directly at Cecil, and… oh, she notices that the aprons are rather similar, which makes sense, considering they both belong to him… Fitting, if they’re going to be baking together, in the same place, then it’s kind of like a uniform, right? Actually, it’s more… wouldn’t that be a couple thing? Her parents did that sort of thing too, now that she thinks about it…

Which is precisely why she’s going to stuff those thoughts back down in the hole! She has to have a clear head to bake right! Well… There’s always all that “Love’s a secret ingredient that makes everything taste better!” But! But! But!! She has to bake! Alongside Cecil! She’s got this! For sure!

She shakes her head and smacks her cheeks, stretches out her arms and does a small hop for her legs. Cecil’s ready, so she is too!

Theyare seated, relaxing, that usual care and comfort that’s representative of a major level of trust. Usually they’d practice, sort out things for the band, or just “let lose” (the way mock-up rebellious teens in a dangerous situation could). Of course, there are still words that are unsaid, that heave weight but, any of this is immediately dispelled once the CD is pulled out.

“That’s a popular song in the west, right?”

Akito asks, looking the CD over. There’s something… oddly specific about the way this CD feels though. Would Ichika have allowed Kazuki to get a song with stronger language and non-kid friendly themes? Somehow… Somehow, Akito thinks that it’s not quite this way.

Onee-san does care about Kazuki, so I think… even if she doesn’t know much about music, one listen might’ve been too much for her. 

However, Akito has never actually heard this particular song, so he can’t be too sure.

“Is now alright? Since you’re offering, I may as well take a listen now.”

He opens up the CD slot on his laptop and places the CD within it, quickly loading it up when the driver recognized it. Such hip beats are quite popular, resonating with a young crowd and someone sticking with the adults that don’t immediately want to toss it in the garbage. As a hobbyist composer, it’s interesting to hear what’s actually sitting well.

Then it starts playing and somehow… things make a little more sense. Even with their English skills still in progress (Akito’s are likely better than Kazuki’s) he can tell that this is a modified, censored version. Of course Ichika would better approve of it. She probably thinks it cute or endearing or something “fun.”

“Too hot! (Hot yeah!) Called a police and a fireman!”

Plus… these are children’s voices, and something is certain, it’s probably not originally sang by them.

Regardless of the current vocal artist, however, Akito cant deny how lit this song is. That’s right, the catchy tune warrants the popularity and distracts any big thought process. It’s like they’re normal teens again, simply living and rocking and progressing toward dreams with no barriers before them.

Needless to say, he’s humming along, at the very least. You bet they're going to dab (on them “haterz”)... in theory, at least (I’m very sorry, Ichika-oneesan...). It’s time to get their cups and put some water in them and enjoy the rest of their time hanging out as they always do.

He agrees, it is pretty good.

Well... If Ichika does some how approve of these “tame” versions of cool and in songs, that could be a better foot for remedy, right? Or they could get yelled at for blasting the music, but there’s always his house for it.