[ One of these days he's going to drop his book in the water. It hasn't happened yet, though.
Yosuke will be allowed to do his work in comfortable, warm silence for a few long moments, wherein Yu still seems to be asleep. But if at some point he happens to glance up, he'll notice Yu's eyes half-open and watching him. He's comfortable and stays quiet, because it's interesting, watching Yosuke work.
Nothing need be said of the way his heart rate vaulted when he opened his eyes to see the other boy. Mermaid? Mer...man? ... no, this is just going to lead to silly places.
Once their eyes do meet, Yu will smile, though he doesn't sit up just yet, not wanting to disturb Yosuke's work. ]
Hey.
[ He will curl his fingers, though. Whatcha up to, buddy? ]
[ Yosuke hadn't noticed for a while, really. It's only when he's nearly done does he place up. He jolts backwards in surprise, releasing Yu's hand. But he doesn't flee, just caught off guard and cautious. He looks a little sheepish. ]
H-Hey...
[ Whoops? He sinks back down into the water until his chin touches the surface. ]
[ Yosuke's eyebrows touch his bangs as he raises them at that. He looks a little less spooked and a little more curious. ]
Yeah?
[ So Yu had been thinking about him too? There's a sudden jump in his pulse at the thought. Probably just because they're kind of new to eachother, huh? When people are thinking about him, it's not always positive and it's mostly tied to the reputation that comes with his position. But it's a nice thought for once.
To Yu's question, he shrugs, his shoulders breaking the water's surface for a moment. ]
I just wanted to see it I could get away with it.
[ He pauses, sizing the other boy up for a moment. ]
[ There's humor in his voice, though now he's thinking that he won't be able to hide this at all. He'd been taking off the pearls around his friends, not out of any vanity, but because he didn't want to give anyone reasons to ask after the pearls' provenance. He can't take them off now without ruining the plant Yosuke twisted into them, though... he'll think of something.
He tilts his head at the question and doesn't answer it for a beat of time. The truest answer is "not really," as, typically, he really doesn't spend that much time here. But he's been by a lot since the day they met. ]
You could say that.
[ Amicably. ]
Since it's summer, I have more free time than usual, and it's a nice place to read.
[ That should be obvious, right? But suddenly Yosuke doesn't like feeling so ignorant of human culture. What do they do when they're not by the river? He's never thought about it before. ]
I guess that makes sense. I mean, there's been a lot of activity here lately.
[ He looks away for a moment, down towards the nearest bend. ]
[ For one reason or another, that wins a quiet. Yu's expression and everything about the set of his body will be inscrutable, but after an extended moment, he says, with some tenderness: ]
I do.
[ Yosuke probably means this place, the dock. But the nature of the statement and the tone in which it was said had made Yu think of Inaba in general. Of the friends he's made. Of the danger they're all constantly in. Of his uncle, and his little cousin.
[ Yu has a strangely thoughtful look on his face, one that Yosuke takes a good moment to absorb. He didn't think the question was all that deep, but something about his voice when he answers indictes that it is.
He's quiet for a moment, just watching and a little uncertain. Then without warning, he disappears back into the water.
And doesn't resurface for a few solid minutes.
Ripples eventually form before he shows up again. He produces a small sandal and places it on the dock. ]
[ Yu sits up straighter when Yosuke disappears. Did... he scare the other boy off with that answer? Why?
Somewhat disappointed, Yu waits in what he thinks might be vain hope of Yosuke returning, and is thinking of picking up his book again when he sees that flash of orange-gold in the water. He perks up, though it shows only in his posture and not in his face.
... did Yosuke leave to go get that, specifically? With a vaguely confused twist to his brow above an accommodating smile, Yu reaches out to take the sandal and turns it over in his hands. It's slimy, though the original color is still recognizable. It can't have been lost that long ago. And given the size... it must have belonged to a child. A kid must have been playing along the Samegawa and lost it. ]
It's a sandal. I'd guess it's a child's sandal, given the size.
[ Yosuke waits expectantly as Yu examines the object. He knows that humans wear them but he has no idea what they're called. At the new word, Yosuke perks up as well. ]
"Sandal."
[ It sounds vaguely familiar, like he might have heard humans say it in passing while he swam by. ]
There are a lot of those along the bottom. Do you want it? I already have some.
Do I... [ Yu laughs outright, surprised. ] No, no. That's alright. I have a pair of my own at home.
[ He's not sure how to explain how strange it would be for him to turn up with a collection of slimy shoes. He could never prepare enough answers for Dojima's one thousand needling questions.
Yu sets the sandal down, folding his arms in his lap. ]
Did you have other questions? About what it's like up here. I don't mind explaining.
[ Yosuke hadn't realized how silly of an offer that might sound. Yu's laugh surprised him, although not unpleasant, it does make him feel a little self-conscious. His find press sheepishly to the sides of his head as he breaks eye contact, wearing an uneasy grin. ]
Y-Yeah, of course you do. Heh heh.
[ Whoops?
But boy does he have questions. It seems to be enough to bring him around again. Yosuke glances to either side, checking for other humans. Seeing none close by, he decides to come closer and grips the edge of the dock. ]
I've got a few...what do you do when you're not at the river? What kind of fish are you always trying to catch?
[ Yosuke looking sheepish is very cute, but the uneasy look makes Yu feel a little bad. He hadn't meant to... it wasn't a bad thing! Just... hm. Cultural differences. ]
Ah, well... [ Yu considers that for a long moment. ] Maybe it's not so different from when you're away from the dock. I study, I work, I spend time with my friends and family... [ His smile is fleeting. ] As for the fish, well... anything that bites. [ He doesn't laugh, but the humor is there, lurking in his eyes. ]
[ What kind of work do humans do? He knows fishing is work but clearly Yu can't do that on land. He tilts his head as he listens, his fins relaxing slightly. ]
What are you studying? And what do you work on?
[ As for the fish, Yosuke lets out a huff that borders on laugh. ]
I guess that doesn't give me much of an excuse, huh?
[ Yu laughs again at all the questions, a quieter thing. ]
I didn't give you much of a choice, either. [ He remembers their struggle before Yosuke unceremoniously flopped onto the dock. ]
We study general subjects in school. Math, history, Japanese, geography, English, science... [ He pauses as he thinks about his work. Yosuke will likely have no frame of reference for folding envelopes. ] As for work, I help clean the local hospital, and during the week I work a lot with kids. As a tutor, and as ... someone who looks after them. [ "Daycare assistant" may not translate, but the idea will. ]
[ Those are a lot of things that he doesn't have to think about, really. Math? Well, he can count and estimate things fairly quickly. History? He knows the history of the Samegawa and his family line. Japanese? Clearly he speaks it. Geography...the general area, yes, anywhere the river goes and out to the ocean. But not beyond that. English? He's not even sure what that is. Science? Technically he is science, does that count?
He's a little intimidated, actually. Yu seems like someone who knows a lot...how much does he know about Yosuke's world, he wonders? But he doesn't ask. Not yet. ]
[ He blinks, looking down into the water. There's a pause, before he allows the rest of his body to float up. Turning onto one side, he shows where the hook had penetrated his fin and even pulls at the membrane. It's a little bit of a scab, but mostly healed over. ]
No problem. Almost good as new. Maybe I'll even get a cool scar out of it?
A valiant warrior, whose battle scars prove his mettle.... [ Yu recites the words as if recounting an old tale, his smile making his eyes crinkle. ] It'd suit you, I think.
[ Hearing it said like that feels a little self-serving, but it's exactly what he'd been going for. Yosuke can't help but grin and rolls onto his back. ]
That's the idea.
[ Is he rugged and cool now? ]
A few didn't believe me, but they still thought it was a good story.
[ There's actually some relief in that. Yosuke knows that if he'd actually given any indication that he stayed and chatted with a human, he would've been in much bigger trouble with the powers that be. (AKA parents.) Having other humans looking for him? Definitely would be a problem.
He's not sure if there's a joke hidden in there somewhere, but there's a whole lot of truth, too. Yosuke seems contemplative for a moment. ]
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Yosuke will be allowed to do his work in comfortable, warm silence for a few long moments, wherein Yu still seems to be asleep. But if at some point he happens to glance up, he'll notice Yu's eyes half-open and watching him. He's comfortable and stays quiet, because it's interesting, watching Yosuke work.
Nothing need be said of the way his heart rate vaulted when he opened his eyes to see the other boy. Mermaid? Mer...man? ... no, this is just going to lead to silly places.
Once their eyes do meet, Yu will smile, though he doesn't sit up just yet, not wanting to disturb Yosuke's work. ]
Hey.
[ He will curl his fingers, though. Whatcha up to, buddy? ]
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H-Hey...
[ Whoops? He sinks back down into the water until his chin touches the surface. ]
Didn't mean to wake you up...
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With his hands free, he examines Yosuke's handiwork with a curious smile. ]
It's okay. I was hoping I'd see you again. [ His gaze shifts to the other boy. ] What's this for? It's nice.
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Yeah?
[ So Yu had been thinking about him too? There's a sudden jump in his pulse at the thought. Probably just because they're kind of new to eachother, huh? When people are thinking about him, it's not always positive and it's mostly tied to the reputation that comes with his position. But it's a nice thought for once.
To Yu's question, he shrugs, his shoulders breaking the water's surface for a moment. ]
I just wanted to see it I could get away with it.
[ He pauses, sizing the other boy up for a moment. ]
You spend a lot of time here, huh?
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[ There's humor in his voice, though now he's thinking that he won't be able to hide this at all. He'd been taking off the pearls around his friends, not out of any vanity, but because he didn't want to give anyone reasons to ask after the pearls' provenance. He can't take them off now without ruining the plant Yosuke twisted into them, though... he'll think of something.
He tilts his head at the question and doesn't answer it for a beat of time. The truest answer is "not really," as, typically, he really doesn't spend that much time here. But he's been by a lot since the day they met. ]
You could say that.
[ Amicably. ]
Since it's summer, I have more free time than usual, and it's a nice place to read.
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Why? What's different about summer?
[ Yosuke is aware of the change of seasons, of course, but he's not sure what that means to humans. Wouldn't he fish more this time of year? ]
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School. School of fish.
Heh. He should use that pun sometime. ]
Most of the time, I would be in school. We're taking a break right now, though, so my days are free. I can spend as much time here as I want.
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[ That should be obvious, right? But suddenly Yosuke doesn't like feeling so ignorant of human culture. What do they do when they're not by the river? He's never thought about it before. ]
I guess that makes sense. I mean, there's been a lot of activity here lately.
[ He looks away for a moment, down towards the nearest bend. ]
You must like it here.
[ Tentatively... ]
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I do.
[ Yosuke probably means this place, the dock. But the nature of the statement and the tone in which it was said had made Yu think of Inaba in general. Of the friends he's made. Of the danger they're all constantly in. Of his uncle, and his little cousin.
He cares about this town. ]
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He's quiet for a moment, just watching and a little uncertain. Then without warning, he disappears back into the water.
And doesn't resurface for a few solid minutes.
Ripples eventually form before he shows up again. He produces a small sandal and places it on the dock. ]
What's this?
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Somewhat disappointed, Yu waits in what he thinks might be vain hope of Yosuke returning, and is thinking of picking up his book again when he sees that flash of orange-gold in the water. He perks up, though it shows only in his posture and not in his face.
... did Yosuke leave to go get that, specifically? With a vaguely confused twist to his brow above an accommodating smile, Yu reaches out to take the sandal and turns it over in his hands. It's slimy, though the original color is still recognizable. It can't have been lost that long ago. And given the size... it must have belonged to a child. A kid must have been playing along the Samegawa and lost it. ]
It's a sandal. I'd guess it's a child's sandal, given the size.
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"Sandal."
[ It sounds vaguely familiar, like he might have heard humans say it in passing while he swam by. ]
There are a lot of those along the bottom. Do you want it? I already have some.
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[ He's not sure how to explain how strange it would be for him to turn up with a collection of slimy shoes. He could never prepare enough answers for Dojima's one thousand needling questions.
Yu sets the sandal down, folding his arms in his lap. ]
Did you have other questions? About what it's like up here. I don't mind explaining.
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Y-Yeah, of course you do. Heh heh.
[ Whoops?
But boy does he have questions. It seems to be enough to bring him around again. Yosuke glances to either side, checking for other humans. Seeing none close by, he decides to come closer and grips the edge of the dock. ]
I've got a few...what do you do when you're not at the river? What kind of fish are you always trying to catch?
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Ah, well... [ Yu considers that for a long moment. ] Maybe it's not so different from when you're away from the dock. I study, I work, I spend time with my friends and family... [ His smile is fleeting. ] As for the fish, well... anything that bites. [ He doesn't laugh, but the humor is there, lurking in his eyes. ]
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What are you studying? And what do you work on?
[ As for the fish, Yosuke lets out a huff that borders on laugh. ]
I guess that doesn't give me much of an excuse, huh?
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I didn't give you much of a choice, either. [ He remembers their struggle before Yosuke unceremoniously flopped onto the dock. ]
We study general subjects in school. Math, history, Japanese, geography, English, science... [ He pauses as he thinks about his work. Yosuke will likely have no frame of reference for folding envelopes. ] As for work, I help clean the local hospital, and during the week I work a lot with kids. As a tutor, and as ... someone who looks after them. [ "Daycare assistant" may not translate, but the idea will. ]
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He's a little intimidated, actually. Yu seems like someone who knows a lot...how much does he know about Yosuke's world, he wonders? But he doesn't ask. Not yet. ]
...It sounds like you're a pretty busy guy.
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I'm used to keeping my time occupied, that's all. By the way, I meant to ask. How is your fin?
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[ He blinks, looking down into the water. There's a pause, before he allows the rest of his body to float up. Turning onto one side, he shows where the hook had penetrated his fin and even pulls at the membrane. It's a little bit of a scab, but mostly healed over. ]
No problem. Almost good as new. Maybe I'll even get a cool scar out of it?
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That's the idea.
[ Is he rugged and cool now? ]
A few didn't believe me, but they still thought it was a good story.
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I haven't told anyone. [ His voice is quiet and measured. ] I didn't think you needed the scrutiny.
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He's not sure if there's a joke hidden in there somewhere, but there's a whole lot of truth, too. Yosuke seems contemplative for a moment. ]
What'd you think they'd do?
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[ He's honest, his smile having been replaced with a more serious look. ]
I figure there's probably a reason why you haven't really interacted with humans before. Whatever it is, I don't want to ruin that.
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