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[catarou]

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ilu ;;;;

[domperignon]

[Hifumi waves at a passing young lady walking her dog.]

Not just the ones who can afford the luxury of my company! All the kittens of the world. From the shyest wilting violet to the sultriest vixen.

[catarou]

[ ..... ]

How generous of you.

[ For someone who's so well-spoken, Gentaro isn't sure what to say. Luckily, his place isn't too far from the cafe.

He unlocks the door and lets Hifumi in. ]

Feel free to make yourself comfortable.

[domperignon]

[Hifumi steps inside and removes his shoes swiftly, slipping on the guest slippers and offering a hand to help Gentaro balance so he can get his own shoes off.]

Wouldn't it be better if I made you comfortable? You're doing me a favor, aren't you?

[catarou]

[ He almost accepts that hand, but he's as poised as ever as he slips his off.

The offer gives him pause, and he tries to pretend very hard that the back of his neck feels very hot. ]

... I did not invite you here to receive something in turn. I am not nearly so self-serving.

[domperignon]

[Tossing his head back as he straightens up, Hifumi laughs.]

Oh, I'm not that kind of person! Hosts don't do things favor for favor. I'm just here to make one stray little kitten's life easier.

[He looks around to get the lay of the place.]

Let me serve you some tea while you relax, at least, on this beautiful morning!

[catarou]

[ ...

Gentaro draws in a breath, then levels a gaze at him. ]

Dispense with the host business, if you would. [ His words aren't harsh, at least. Some of that concern from earlier creeps into his expression. ] You were in a state not long ago. That is why I brought you here--to have a quiet, calm place to decompress.

[domperignon]

[Hifumi's smile falters slightly, and the actual exhaustion creeps into his eyes.

There's a pause, like he's honestly, truly resisting this request... But eventually his smile becomes a little apologetic, and he slips the jacket off his shoulders.]

...Taking care of people's, like, my thing...

[He tries not to sound ashamed of that in the face of someone who obviously doesn't need to be taken care of in the least.

The jacket is folded, and since he was told to make himself at home, he drapes it over the arm of the sofa before taking a seat near the arm.]

But... thanks for having me over!

[catarou]

I appreciate it. [ Not a lie. ] However, you have had a difficult night, I would guess. And earlier at the cafe, that reaction--

[ ... Was concerning, but he moves on. ]

I, however, have had a full night's rest and am not visibly exhausted, so allow me to make you tea.

[domperignon]

Mmmmmmm... Maybe.

[It was a difficult night. He doesn't want to get into it with someone who doesn't need to hear it, but he's a little more subdued now. It's from tiredness more than anything. His bedtime is creeping closer, after all.]

You don't have to go outta your way for me! You already did a whole lot letting me hide out here!

[catarou]

[ So... Gentaro really was incredibly wrong about Hifumi. As he watches him, he makes a decision. ]

Hmm. Make no mistake--it is not going out of my way for you. Rather, I was going to make tea for myself. [ That's a lie. ] Preparing a cup for you is hardly strenuous.

[domperignon]

[Hifumi smiles, and it's almost as bright as he wishes it was.]

Ahh, right! I kept you from getting some at the cafe, huh... My bad~! I'll owe you a cup!

[catarou]

[ Briefly, he pauses, but it's only the shortest moment before he continues making the tea. Chamomile, for Hifumi; jasmine, for himself. ]

Hmm. If you insist.

[ There's something strange about the idea of Hifumi owing him something. Or that they could end up at the same cafe together in the future. Strange, but... not exactly unpleasant.

The water finishes boiling, and he pours the tea. He adds just a tiny bit of honey to each of the cups and brings them over. He sets Hifumi's cup in front of him on the coffee table. ]

Be careful. It's very hot.

[domperignon]

[Hifumi, tired though he is, practically bounces forward to the edge of the couch cushion. It's better than the awkwardly quiet five minutes he just spent with his own thoughts while the tea got made.]

Thanks!

[Nothing's weird to Hifumi about being friendly even to someone who's technically a rival. Does it matter when they're not rapping? When Gentaro seems to have his back for a sec? He's not gonna argue much.]

This is a reeeeeally nice place you got here!

[catarou]

You're welcome.

[ He sits next to Hifumi, close enough to not be rude, but far enough away that it doesn't seem too forward. ]

Ah... Thank you. [ The most lowkey awkward thanks... ] Well, it certainly isn't anything extravagant, but it has what I need.

[domperignon]

I guess if you write a lot you don't get out a lot huh!

[Hifumi picks up the tea, blowing on the surface intermittently like it'll actually help.]

Or maybe you write really fast? Dunno! You're the first writer I've ever hung out with!

[catarou]

Hmm... you're not wrong, particularly when I have a deadline.

[ The amount of takeout he's ordered... He glances to Hifumi before taking a sip of his tea, and he says, like it's the most normal thing-- ]

On both accounts, actually; when facing down a looming deadline, my entire being becomes possessed by the ghosts of writers that have lived and died in this space...

[domperignon]

OMG that's, like, totally creepy!

[But more importantly.]

Do you pay rent, then? If a buncha people died here, it's gotta be cheap!

[catarou]

... Well, it was only a joke.

[ He takes a sip of his tea again. ]

I do indeed pay rent. The rate is absolutely... ghastly.

[domperignon]

[Hifumi somehow seems to think the joke was hilarious.]

Ahaha, I mean, I got stabbed at my apartment once! Weird stuff happens every day y'know? I couldn't call you on nothing!

[He finally takes a sip of the tea, then looks at it in quiet surprise for a second. It's... really nice, actually? Wild.]

Gosh, I bet this tea cost a heckin' arm and a leg, too!

[catarou]

[ Gentaro, meanwhile, looks downright alarmed. But Hifumi races right on past that extremely concerning admission, leaving Gentaro's head spinning a bit.

He surveys Hifumi, then composes himself and chuckles. ]

Far from it. It is only a standard chamomile. There are far more expensive teas, but... I prefer the simpler ones, often.

[domperignon]

[Hifumi hums interestedly for a moment.]

Isn't that the kind that's supposed to help you sleep? If it works, I'll go get some for Doppo! Thanks for the rec!

[And then he takes another sip.]

Hmmm... maybe it's the honey you used? Geez, it tastes fancy even if it's not! There's a real art to stuff like that! It seems simple, but when it's right, it's suuuuuper! Like... like fried chicken! Or sushi rice!

[catarou]

[ He nods, and... strangely, he finds he doesn't at all dislike this Hifumi. It's interesting, to say the least. Granted, he's still reeling from the whiplash of... everything? But he can roll with the punches. ]

Hmmm. I think I shall keep that my secret. [ Another thoughtful, considering sound. ] I suppose you'd have a taste for the finer things in life, hm?

[ It's not disparaging, but it does carry with it a touch of genuine curiosity. ]

[domperignon]

[Hifumi laughs brightly, waving that notion off.]

If I'm getting fancy food, it's for Doppo! Maybe things like shoes or jewelry, though? Those're nice to spend a little more on! I gotta look good or somebody'll say something!

[He is a guest in this house, but he now has the audacity to gently nudge Gentaro with his elbow.]

But you're a big famous author, right? So you gotta be the same! What's your splurge? Maybe... antiques? Do you collect something secret?

[catarou]

Hmmm. Considering your profession, I'm not at all surprised.

[ And then Hifumi nudges him, and he's so caught off-guard by it. It's... weirdly, not in a bad way. If his cheeks grow a little pinker, that's certainly nothing. ]

Hohoh~ Trying to collect my secrets, are you? That's quite bold of you.

[domperignon]

Well... I mean, turns out you're a pretty interesting guy, so maybe I wanna know more!

[Hifumi you have done like 88% of the talking here.]

Even if I wanna take you out sometime to say thanks, you might not let me. I gotta take it all the way ASAP!

[Another sip of tea or two, then he looks Gentaro over.]

And it turns out you've got a pretty handsome face up close, so maybe you feel relatable? Hmmm... dunno!