[One thing can be assured for Mukuro, at least- Chikusa sticks to his task as stubborn as a train on rails. Without missing a beat, he heads straight to the snack aisle and methodically begins to comb through everything. What a good thing that he's quite familiar with Mukuro's tastes by now. The only thing he needs to worry about is deciding what and how much to get with what he was given.]
[Needless to say, it's a time intensive process. Chikusa is nothing if not mindful of these things. Yet, for someone watching closely and familiar with him, something soon becomes apparent. Subtly, he's lingering near the end of one aisle, perfectly in view of a clear that's stocking up a self.]
[As Mukuro might guess, this is the object of Chikusa's attention.]
[Unlike most of those who flitter in and out of the ruins of Kokuyo Land, the boy Chikusa is quietly eyeing is... well, healthy, for one thing, which is perhaps why his height is so much more noticeable. No poor posture and broad shoulders make it so that he seems smaller than he really is. Despite this fact, he's not very intimidating at all. The most likely cause for this is his droopy but bright green eyes, a softness to his person that helps accentuate the careful way he goes about his job.]
[And, frankly, not too bad looking, either.]
[Despite having gotten everything he came for, Chikusa still seems to hesitate making an approach of any sort. As it turns out, a long walk isn't enough time now that he has to deal with staring the situation in the face. Fortunately, however, the clerk in question manages to spot him. Immediately, there's a friendly smile lighting up his face.]
"Ah, it's you!"
[One of Chikusa's fingers twitch against a box he's holding, but he stays in place as the clerk comes over to him.]
"It's... Kakimoto-san, right? I was really surprised when you introduced yourself last time but left so suddenly."
...Just 'Chikusa' is fine.
[If, from this bit of conversation, Mukuro is visualizing Chikusa abruptly giving out his name at the end of a transaction and booking it before the clerk can get over his bemusement... Yeah, that's exactly what happened. That's absolutely what drove him to consulting the internet for how to talk to people.]
['Clerk-san' doesn't see to mind, at least. In fact, he seems pleased to already be on first name basis now.]
"Well, I'm glad you came back... Are you having trouble with something?"
...No. I'm done.
[And with that, things seem like they'll go on as usual. Chikusa is fairly quiet as Clerk-san goes back to the register with him, still smiling and seeming content. It appears as though everything will go on as usual- silence and departure-]
How have you been?
[The words are so abrupt, not really in question, but in tone, as though something he accidentally dropped out of his hands. Clerk-san seems a bit surprised at them, but it's impossible to tell what Chikusa himself is feeling. The reliable stoic expression is firmly in place, even with all the mental groaning at himself. Yet, there it is again, that bright friendly smile.]
"I've been well! We just celebrated my little sister's birthday not too long ago. Ne, when is yours, Chikusa?"
October.
"Then it's a ways off... I'll remember for this year, then. Ah, here's your total."
[It's a mundane conversation by normal standards, but it's a lot of effort on someone like Chikusa's part. Not that it shows until after he's waved and left, shoulders slumping slightly as he adjusts his glasses.]
[It was maybe a couple minutes worth of conversation. Is it supposed to feel this exhausting? Then again, he did a lot of working it up in his own mind...]
[He can think about it on the way back. After all, (as far as he knows), Mukuro-sama is waiting for him.]
no subject
[Needless to say, it's a time intensive process. Chikusa is nothing if not mindful of these things. Yet, for someone watching closely and familiar with him, something soon becomes apparent. Subtly, he's lingering near the end of one aisle, perfectly in view of a clear that's stocking up a self.]
[As Mukuro might guess, this is the object of Chikusa's attention.]
[Unlike most of those who flitter in and out of the ruins of Kokuyo Land, the boy Chikusa is quietly eyeing is... well, healthy, for one thing, which is perhaps why his height is so much more noticeable. No poor posture and broad shoulders make it so that he seems smaller than he really is. Despite this fact, he's not very intimidating at all. The most likely cause for this is his droopy but bright green eyes, a softness to his person that helps accentuate the careful way he goes about his job.]
[And, frankly, not too bad looking, either.]
[Despite having gotten everything he came for, Chikusa still seems to hesitate making an approach of any sort. As it turns out, a long walk isn't enough time now that he has to deal with staring the situation in the face. Fortunately, however, the clerk in question manages to spot him. Immediately, there's a friendly smile lighting up his face.]
"Ah, it's you!"
[One of Chikusa's fingers twitch against a box he's holding, but he stays in place as the clerk comes over to him.]
"It's... Kakimoto-san, right? I was really surprised when you introduced yourself last time but left so suddenly."
...Just 'Chikusa' is fine.
[If, from this bit of conversation, Mukuro is visualizing Chikusa abruptly giving out his name at the end of a transaction and booking it before the clerk can get over his bemusement... Yeah, that's exactly what happened. That's absolutely what drove him to consulting the internet for how to talk to people.]
['Clerk-san' doesn't see to mind, at least. In fact, he seems pleased to already be on first name basis now.]
"Well, I'm glad you came back... Are you having trouble with something?"
...No. I'm done.
[And with that, things seem like they'll go on as usual. Chikusa is fairly quiet as Clerk-san goes back to the register with him, still smiling and seeming content. It appears as though everything will go on as usual- silence and departure-]
How have you been?
[The words are so abrupt, not really in question, but in tone, as though something he accidentally dropped out of his hands. Clerk-san seems a bit surprised at them, but it's impossible to tell what Chikusa himself is feeling. The reliable stoic expression is firmly in place, even with all the mental groaning at himself. Yet, there it is again, that bright friendly smile.]
"I've been well! We just celebrated my little sister's birthday not too long ago. Ne, when is yours, Chikusa?"
October.
"Then it's a ways off... I'll remember for this year, then. Ah, here's your total."
[It's a mundane conversation by normal standards, but it's a lot of effort on someone like Chikusa's part. Not that it shows until after he's waved and left, shoulders slumping slightly as he adjusts his glasses.]
[It was maybe a couple minutes worth of conversation. Is it supposed to feel this exhausting? Then again, he did a lot of working it up in his own mind...]
[He can think about it on the way back. After all, (as far as he knows), Mukuro-sama is waiting for him.]