mahoraga | IC INBOX (LABYRINTHUM)

[ Megumi blinks at that line he's hearing. While the tantrum looked silly before, he's realising now that it's rooted in something deeper than that. ]

The library is a good place for that.

[ Should he address Akira's other insecurities? Maybe ... maybe not right now. He's much better at doing things, than he is talking about heavier subjects. What he can offer is his support. ]

There is an aisle for cookbooks. I can show you.

_{[ He hangs his head and exhales sharply, shoulders slouching. It's in relief as he can slowly feel his hot-boiled and demonic temper subside. At least he isn't a Devilman with malicious intent.. otherwise he'd tear the whole cottage down while blowing a gasket. He looks up, expression quite serious. ]}

Yes. Show me. I'll learn.. but just because it's to look cool and impress others. Not because it's girly.

[ This again. ]

It's not girly. A lot of men work as chefs, you know ...

[ The toxic masculinity! But he's quite free right now, so Megumi starts to gather his bag and things. ]

Do you want to head off right now?

Mm. Yeah, we can go! I want to get this figured out as soon as I can. There's also something else I'm trying to do..

_{[ Akira busies himself getting his shoes on by the door and looks at Megumi. ]}

You know Koko-chan? Ah.. Kokomi! Our other neighbor.. she is missing something very valuable. Something called a "Vision!"

[ This Akira really is getting himself involved in everyone's business and trying his best to help. He sounds like a very good and earnest guy. Out the door they go, on the way to the library. ]

It's probably similar to how I've lost my cursed technique. The Overseer is weakening us so that we don't revolt.

Maybe.. but maybe it is somewhere around here and it just lost! I’m going to keep my eyes out for it.

_{[ A shoved runs down his spine when he steps outside and he groans, folding his arms over his chest. ]}

Fucking cold weather. It feels like I’m in Hokkaido!

_{[ maybe wear clothes that keep you warmer.. ]}

It sucks. One of my missing powers helps me increase my body warmth at will.. I’m not used to being uncomfortable like this.

[ With how most people have lost their abilities, he doubts it's going to be as easy as simply finding them back. Otherwise, he would be spending most of his time doing just that. Anyway ... Megumi does note the name 'Hokkaido', because it's telling him they are both from Japan.

He's better dressed for the weather than Akira is, having ~~stolen~~ obtained a black tunic with long pants and a black hooded cloak. ]

You should learn to dress better for the weather. [ He probably isn't used to that at all. Megumi pauses, as if deciding something. ]

Do you want my cloak?

Pfff, no way. That’s yours. I’m tough enough to deal with it. It’s just annoying. I can dress how I want. I’m just mad I can’t alter my temperature. That’s what I am used to doing.

_{[ He’s quiet for a moment, but then he looks over at Megumi. ]}

Either way, I’m happy you and I have stuck together through all of this. Yuuji-kun is kind too.

[ He hadn't actually expected the boy to accept the cloak, given the general air of maschimo around him, but he thought he would offer anyway. Because the way he's dressing right now? It's a bit ridiculous, in this winter climate. ]

You feel too tough for ... winter clothing?

_{[ meg is just going to ignore his gay words huh ]}

Yeah. I used to be extremely vulnerable all the time. I'm trying to not be that way anymore. I got picked on and teased a lot.. I didn't have any friends besides Miki-chan. She protected me, so now I have an opportunity to protect her and others.

_{[ somehow this means just freezing to death to him but ok ]}

[ He doesn't want to think about gay words right now.

He's realising now ... how strange, earnest and ridiculous his new roommate is. ]

That's noble and all ... [ Sorry, he has to - ]

But what does that have to do with freezing in the cold? Don't be stupid. [ You know what? He is taking off his cloak, and he is going to attempt to wrap it around Akira. ]

_{[ HELP I'M BEING GAYLY ASSAULTED ]}

_{[ There is some resistance, but it's mostly just another Tantrum™ with not a lot of meaning to it: ]}

Oi! What is this!? This is fucking weird! I can still feel your warmth on it!!

_{[ and yet... he lets the cloak stay on him... cause warm... ]}

Edited 2023-01-23 22:52 (UTC)

[ That sure is a Tantrum™, but it doesn't deter Megumi at all. He sticks to his guns, wrapping the cloak around the other boy's shoulders. ]

That's because I was wearing it. [ His warmth, and his clean and paper-like scent. Enjoy. Despite the verbal dramatics, the other boy isn't actually physically protesting it very much. Between them both, Akira was clearly stronger, so he could easily push Megumi's hands off him if he really wanted to.

Stepping in front of Akira, he motions to button up the front so the cloak stays on. ]

But you feel warmer, right?

_{[ It's moments like these that Akira would feel his temper getting worse and worse; if his abilities were still in tact, he might would have transformed. That's how dramatic he is. That's how dramatic the 80's are. But Amon's powers are missing and he's left being a half demon half human with no redeeming qualities other than his honest and earnest heart. He can't transform, so he doesn't, and it serves as a grim reminder that he can't protect others like he wants to— that he's reverted back to being just an average guy with some physical demonic qualities that don't help him.

He glowers at Megumi, his cheeks turning a bright pink. If looks could kill, Megumi would be dead right now. Yet, his voice is oddly meek when he parts his lips to speak: ]}

So what if I'm warm.

_{[ He doesn't do anything. In fact, he just stands there 🧍‍♂️ ]}

[ Interesting. Akira is so clearly in discontent, but he's not resisting the action at all, huffily sulking in his own way. The additional warmth must be a huge relief. It's also kind of nice to be on the other side of this sort of attention. Usually, everyone is harassing Megumi and making him annoyed.

He straights out the creases in the cloak (they were annoying to look at), and finishes up by popping the hood over the boy's head. ]

Then your ears won't freeze and fall off.

[ That's the sort of scare tactic usually used on children. ]

My ears won't freeze and fall off.. I'm not weak like that.

_{[ his 80's sideburns provide his ears with some warmth.. maybe. Akira nostrils flare, huffing out steam in the space between them. His expression relaxes just a little bit when he notices something. ]}

What about you, huh? With a small body like that, you'll probably freeze.

[ He would argue that it has nothing to do with being weak, but he knows Akira's generally stubborn about this. ]

Pretty sure I'm taller than you. [ There was no need to give that petty reminder, but Akira has been petty from the beginning about what he finds masculine and what he doesn't, so Megumi is allowed this one thing. He has his pride as a guy too.

As for whether or not he's cold, it's true that he's chillier without the cloak. ]

I'm fine. [ But he isn't the sort to admit weakness either. ]

No.

_{[ Akira lifts his hand to his own head and stretches his palm slightly upward, sizing them up so it looks like they're the same height.. sneaky. ]}

We're the same. See? I mean, I could snap your body in half if I wanted to.

_{[ ... ]}

You're going to get sick because you have less skin on your bones than I do.

[ Oh. He was certain he was taller, but he doesn't feel strongly enough about this to really confirm it, accepting Akira's lies as they are. He won't deny that the other boy was stronger and had more muscle mass, but he wants to believe he would at least stand some sort of chance in a physical brawl. ]

I'll be fine, I said ... [ While it is chilly, and it shows in the way he's got his hands shoved in his pockets, he does also have long pants and a long sleeved shirt on, so he's better insulated than Akira would have been without the cloak. This makes sense. ]

... I think I could hold up against you. [ He will, at least, give it a really good try, and suffer later. ]

Yeah, right!

_{[ He playfully gives Megumi a shove. All of that fussy behavior disappears as quickly as it comes. He mimics Megumi but tucking his hands under the cloak and putting his hands in his pockets too. ]}

I'll show you show you how strong I am when we get home after we find something to read together.

_{[ They went here to find recipes, but it sounds like Akira wants to just hang out at the library too? He does. Cause books are nice. ]}

What's your favorite book you've found at the library?

_{[ please be something interesting ]}

[ Akira did prove his point there, at least. Megumi is shoved easily, pushed a step to the side before regaining his balance and giving Akira an annoyed look. Sounds like they might wrestle when they get home. He doesn't mind that too much, since he has to keep his combat skills sharp.

As for what his favourite book is... ] I don't have a favourite, but I'm reading this book on traditional brickwork.

[ How to make bricks ... It's not like he's a builder or anything??? ]

_{[ When Megumi staggers, Akira can’t help but grin wildly, all the while in his cute cloak that Megumi has loaned him. ]}

I look forward to beating your ass.

_{[ A book about bricks? Surely there’s a reason why. ]}

You’re wanting to make renovations to the cottage or something? I can help.

[ There's a flat look at that. In his current state, he does think Akira's right, but he's going to try his damnest to not be completely obliterated. Anyway ... ]

It needs them, don't you think? I would also love plumbing, but I don't think that's something we can achieve by ourselves.

[ Can you learn how to install pipelines by reading a book???? Anyway, while he's used to living in the poorer side of town, he at least had utilities. Megumi can't live like this. ]

God, tell me about it! The cottage needs a lot of work, honestly. But we make wishes here, right? When our pendant has enough energy.. hmm.

It would be nice to have a Japanese style bath. With a seat and a hose and plenty of space to soak. That’s how it was at Miki-chan’s house.

_{[ Suddenly, he throws his arm over Megumi’s shoulders, providing sudden warmth that he had been harboring from usher the cloak. ]}

Well, I support whatever you decide to do around the place. I can tear up or lift whatever you need!

_{[ he’s only okay with doing this work cause it seems macho.. ]}

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