rambutan | CALL ME OUT: EVERYONE ELSE UP IN HERE REMIX (･｀ｪ´･)つ

Your flattery isn't going to work on me, you know.

[ He says that, but despite himself Aoba looks pretty happy about the compliment. It's still a nice thing to hear, even if Aoba's over here giving Koujaku all this shit.

Maybe he should compliment Koujaku too? He should probably let him know that Aoba also enjoys their time together, but the longer he hesitates the smaller the window of opportunity for a comment like that gets.

He's gonna be take a sip of his drink again just to give himself an excuse to not talk. So much for that... ]

It's the truth that also just happens to be flattery, maybe. [He smiles again, holding his drink but not drinking it just yet.] I just want you to know for certain you're a good friend of mine and you can come to me for whatever reason.

[He goes back to drinking again since Aoba is doing it, and he looks very relaxed and at ease.]

[ Putting the glass down. He's giving a genuine smile at that. ]

I know.

[ He's never had any doubts that Koujaku would be there for him if Aoba needed him. He always has been. ]

The same goes for you. Even if I don't know how to exactly, I'll always be willing to help you out when you need it.

[ A pause as he looks to the side at the women Koujaku was talking about earlier. He's still smiling good-naturedly but he's talking in a completely different tone of voice now. ]

Unless it's a problem with one of your fans. I don't want to be involved in any of that.

[He nods, agreeing with what Aoba has to say. Koujaku is a pretty private peson deep down, and while he probably wouldn't take Aoba up on the offer, it's the words and kindess behind the offer that makes him appreciate it.]

They are never a problem, they simply want to express and how their affection. Who am I to stop and limit them? It would be cruel of me to turn them down or tell them not to. [He feels more comfortable with going back to this side of him because sharing some of his issues with him isn't what Aoba needs in his life.]

[ Luckily for Koujaku (unluckily?) Aoba's about as clueless as you can get on this issue, so he's pretty happy to let it slide right on by.

In fact, here comes a flat look from Aoba instead. ]

What's with your definition of the word cruel?

To make a woman intentionally upset, I suppose. I want to be gentle and kind to all of them -- I can't help it. Making them upset, I try not to do that. [But he's sure he's made women upset, but never outright intentionally at least.] If she wants to do something, and her heart is telling her to, it's still not my place to stop her.

[he starts sipping at his drink again, but pauses to speak again.] Maybe one day you'll meet a person that you never want to hurt and protect. [Koujaku technically has, but still. He isn't going to admit that under these circumstances.]

[ Aoba's taking another drink while Koujaku talks to keep himself from responding to any of those comments right away. When someone's being obnoxious and needs to be told to knock something off it doesn't matter if they're a man or a woman.

The fundamental differences between Aoba's thought process and Koujaku's... ]

I already have people like that, but if they're doing something stupid I don't care what their heart tells them, I'm going to let them know they're doing something stupid.

You do? Then I'll hopefully get to meet her one day. [And he pats him on the arm, careful with his hair since he knows.] Especially if it's Tae-san, because I could really go for some of her home cooking after a few drinks. [Though, he's a bit curious to know who Aoba means.] Nothing tastes better than a home cooked meal when you drink a little too much -- it helps with hangovers.

[ Aoba's letting out a snort of laughter at that and shaking his head just once as he pulls up the menu on his coil. ]

In that case I should message her to warn her about the storm that's about to blow into our house.

[ Or more so she's got a heads up she's going to have two men showing up later looking to eat her out of house and home.

He's not making any other comment about the people important to him. Not because he's trying to keep it a secret but Aoba feels it should be pretty obvious at this point who his friends are, and Koujaku already guessed one with Tae. SORRY, BUDDY, there's no lovely lady that has managed to caught Aoba's disinterested eye. ]

I'll make sure to mind my manners and not shame myself in front of her. [Not that he would shame himself because that would be WAY too embarrassing. Even if he was totally wasted he wouldn't let himself disgrace himself in that manner. He's only a little buzzed right now anyway.] I'll help cover for you, too, if she starts to worry about you. [And he'll make sure Aoba gets home safely. He would have done that anyway, though.]

If you don't want to make her mad you better not.

[ Though as long as he didn't do anything too outlandish Tae would probably let it slide with minimum yelling. Still it's probably for the best that Koujaku isn't planning on turning up at his place sloppy drunk.

Aoba dismisses the comment. ]

It's fine. I'm not planning on making Granny worry in the first place.

[ Not anymore in any case. ]

I am always on my best behavior in front of women. [As cheesy as it is, it's true. He wants to be a good guest, and going over to Aoba's place, he can relax there, too.]

Love makes people worry, nevertheless. [And he starts drinking again, because it's a very true fact. Familial, friendly/platonic, and romantic... even with their differences caring about someone makes them worry.]

[ A snort. Yeah, he knows how Koujaku is around women, but at least he doesn't act like that around Tae. It'd be kind of uncomfortable for everyone involved if he did.

Aoba slowly spins his glass around without taking another drink yet himself. ]

Either way, I think I've done enough of that already. I'm not going to give her any reason to worry about me unnecessarily.

[ Even if he doesn't remember a lot of it, Aoba really did make Tae's life difficult for several years of his life. ]

That's a good attitude to have. [He's sincere with his words, and he cares about Tae, too.] Maybe not forgetting to lock the door before you leave work will be the next thing you can work on. [He teases, laughing a few times.]

Work is going well, though at that junk shop? [To change the topic, as he doesn't like talking about the gap of time between him leaving and coming back to the island.]

[ Haha, look at his expression fall flat now. ]

I know, I know.

[ It's not like he leaves it unlocked on purpose. He's just really spacey about that for whatever reason. Definitely needs to work on that one. ]

Work's about the same as it always is.

[ Which means fine, but he still has to put up with obnoxious tiny terrors from time to time, and it's not like they're swarming with business at any given point in time. ]

I'd ask about work for you, but I keep hearing girls all over talking about you.

[He laughs at Aoba's reaction as it's pretty funny and cute.] Maybe finding you an alarm that'll wake you up and put you in a good mood might help. [Chance of that happening is very low, Koujaku.]

You've been working there for a bit now, right? You probably have an interesting story or two by now. [BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU GO OUT DRINKING, AOBA... exchange dumb stories, pretend to care, and drink.]

Oh? What do they say? [He's actually... curious, but his reasoning is probably different than what Aoba would think.]

[ There is never going to be a time when Aoba wakes up and is happy about it. ] I've tried different alarms before. It doesn't help.

And I have, but I don't know if there are any really good stories about it. [ Just awkward customers weirdly into his voice, but he doesn't particularly want to talk about that one.

He doesn't have to be dismissive of his work stuff though since Koujaku seems to be taking interest in what his customers are saying. Aoba's getting this really douchey smirk on his face as he rests his arms on the table and leans forward a little.

It's clearly definitely different from what Aoba thinks it is. ]

You really want to know?

[He'll get the work stories go because the change in Aoba's demeanor interests him. He can't help be curious, because he's heard quite a bit of stuff, but hearing what Aoba has heard is different. He also actually cares what he's heard, too.]

Of course. Though, if you heard something about me being engaged or someone's soulmate, those aren't true. [He says, smiling, trying to add humor into the situation again.]

[ Surprisingly enough Aoba had yet to hear any stories like that. Or maybe it's not that surprising because he can't see Koujaku settling down with one woman. A playboy like him can't settle down with one person, can he? (Haha... little does he know.)

He gives Koujaku a mock serious look of disgust. ]

"Engaged"? What have you been telling these women, Koujaku?

Some women take actions and words to heart more than others. [AKA he is kindly putting some of these women are delusional.] It's because they feel things more intensely, but for the most part I have cleared it all up.

[And he didn't forget.] So what have you heard? Don't back out, now. [And he starts taking another sip of his drink, almost finished with this one.]

[ Aoba meanwhile still has a good half of his drink left. Considering his alcohol tolerance this is probably for the best. And while Koujaku is sugarcoating that, Aoba knows what he's really trying to say is some of the women after him are completely crazy.

He leans against his hand and sighs loudly. ]

I don't know if I even want to tell you. You'll get a swelled head.

You can't lead me on only to pull back, Aoba. [He looks a little disappointed, but actually he'd be fine with it.] Is it really that flattering, though? [He laughs.] Maybe it's too embarrassing to say... I understand.

[ A scoffing sound. ]

Ah, it is. It's embarrassing just listening to them go on sometimes.

CALL ME OUT: EVERYONE ELSE UP IN HERE REMIX (･｀ｪ´･)つ

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