![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Well. Haruaki is clearly very insistent on this gift. Oda...doesn't really understand the concept of giving someone a gift you then have to make up for, but... he supposes it's really none of his business who gives Akechi what.
[Still, he...scratches the back of his head, uncertain.]
Ah... Yeah. He likes books too. Smart kid.
[Still, he...scratches the back of his head, uncertain.]
Ah... Yeah. He likes books too. Smart kid.
[ Surprisingly, no outburst comes, because– ]
Oh, do you mean the stuff with the mistletoe...?
[ Sano already bore the brunt of that particular bomb being dropped, dealt with all the fawning and prying about his first kiss. Haruaki knows now that it's not something he was particularly happy about, not something he would have chosen for himself. His own first kiss was stolen by the weird happenings in this place too, so he gets it...
But it's what makes him pause, cocking his head thoughtfully. ]
Do you really think stuff like that counts, Principal? Especially here, where we aren't under the same rules as we are back home.
[ It's an entirely genuine question. Douman knows more about the workings of the gods back in their world than he does, and he's earnestly curious as to how his boss thinks this world operates in relation to their own. ]
Oh, do you mean the stuff with the mistletoe...?
[ Sano already bore the brunt of that particular bomb being dropped, dealt with all the fawning and prying about his first kiss. Haruaki knows now that it's not something he was particularly happy about, not something he would have chosen for himself. His own first kiss was stolen by the weird happenings in this place too, so he gets it...
But it's what makes him pause, cocking his head thoughtfully. ]
Do you really think stuff like that counts, Principal? Especially here, where we aren't under the same rules as we are back home.
[ It's an entirely genuine question. Douman knows more about the workings of the gods back in their world than he does, and he's earnestly curious as to how his boss thinks this world operates in relation to their own. ]
.....
[There's a noise of something snapping. Loudly. But don't worry about it, it's surely just your imagination.]
You already knew?
[There's a noise of something snapping. Loudly. But don't worry about it, it's surely just your imagination.]
You already knew?
[No, wait, this isn't the time for that. Rather than getting ready to break out some comedy violence, Douman sits back, all perfectly formal Seiza, and gives his favorite troublemaker teacher a dire look.]
...Are you ready to bet Sano-kun's future on that it won't?
He won't be the only one suffering if it does, either.
...Are you ready to bet Sano-kun's future on that it won't?
He won't be the only one suffering if it does, either.
I'm not betting anything. I just don't know if it's that simple...
[ To his credit, he doesn't wilt under that look, spine straight, hands perfectly still on his thighs. ]
People say we don't even remember anything from here when we go home. [ Which... presents its own host of issues, but that's neither here nor there. ] I'm not saying Sano-kun should act recklessly, but it makes sense why he wouldn't tell random people about Takamagahara's rules, doesn't it?
[ To his credit, he doesn't wilt under that look, spine straight, hands perfectly still on his thighs. ]
People say we don't even remember anything from here when we go home. [ Which... presents its own host of issues, but that's neither here nor there. ] I'm not saying Sano-kun should act recklessly, but it makes sense why he wouldn't tell random people about Takamagahara's rules, doesn't it?
[Oda feels somewhat dazed. Haruaki looks...thoroughly pleased. It would be a shame to take that sparkle from his eyes, but...
[Ah, well. Akechi can handle his own conficts, Oda's sure.
[(It's a little funny... Just a little...)]
Yeah. No problem.
[Ah, well. Akechi can handle his own conficts, Oda's sure.
[(It's a little funny... Just a little...)]
Yeah. No problem.
Only if you think like a god. How do you think the other kid felt when he found out about what could have happened?
[Douman's expression turns cold at the memory of how crushed Sakura had been. His hand clenches into a fist against his leg, because Sano's neglience has forced Douman to be the one who hurt Sakura by telling him what should have never been needed to be brought up to begin with.]
[Douman's expression turns cold at the memory of how crushed Sakura had been. His hand clenches into a fist against his leg, because Sano's neglience has forced Douman to be the one who hurt Sakura by telling him what should have never been needed to be brought up to begin with.]
Principal...
[ Haruaki won't ask why. He knows why, at least partially. Douman cares about Sano, wants the best for him – of course he would intervene in a situation like this.
Still, though... ]
Don't you think that's something Sano-kun should have talked to him about once he was ready?
[ Haruaki won't ask why. He knows why, at least partially. Douman cares about Sano, wants the best for him – of course he would intervene in a situation like this.
Still, though... ]
Don't you think that's something Sano-kun should have talked to him about once he was ready?
Edited (WORDING......) 2026-01-04 02:13 (UTC)
['So how you were going to tell your students about your powers once you were ready?' The impulse to put his thought into words crosses his mind, but Douman decides against lashing out. Punishing others when you really want to hit yourself is a bad look, and not worthy Hyakki Academy's principal.]
I didn't tell him anything private. Just what he needed to know to understand the danger they were both in.
[A pause. He sighs.]
There absolutely are people out there who will use it against Sano if there's as much as a smear on his divinity. And they won't care what any of us thinks counts, or if we still remember or not.
I didn't tell him anything private. Just what he needed to know to understand the danger they were both in.
[A pause. He sighs.]
There absolutely are people out there who will use it against Sano if there's as much as a smear on his divinity. And they won't care what any of us thinks counts, or if we still remember or not.
[ Haruaki hears him. He does. He's nodding along, listening intently–
And finally his rigid posture breaks, and he resumes pouring the tea, first for Douman, then for himself. It gives him time to chew this over.
It's complicated, isn't it? On the off chance that the things they do here matter at all when they return home, perhaps Sano could be punished for it. It wouldn't be fair, or just, or right, and Haruaki may be a coward, but protecting Sano would be a reason to stand up to gods again. There's always a way to resolve things peacefully. Always.
He doesn't share any of that. Instead, picking up the cup and balancing it on his palm, he tries to gentle this in a different direction. ]
How did that person take it? I don't even know who it was, he didn't tell me...
And finally his rigid posture breaks, and he resumes pouring the tea, first for Douman, then for himself. It gives him time to chew this over.
It's complicated, isn't it? On the off chance that the things they do here matter at all when they return home, perhaps Sano could be punished for it. It wouldn't be fair, or just, or right, and Haruaki may be a coward, but protecting Sano would be a reason to stand up to gods again. There's always a way to resolve things peacefully. Always.
He doesn't share any of that. Instead, picking up the cup and balancing it on his palm, he tries to gentle this in a different direction. ]
How did that person take it? I don't even know who it was, he didn't tell me...
[Douman accepts his cup with a small bow. He picks it up and cradles it between his hands, but doesn't drink from it. He has tried his best to keep Sano-kun's secrets, even now from Haruaki-kun. They weigh way too much for anybody but the boy to have any right to reveal them. But doesn't Sakura-kun have the same rights? Doesn't he deserve the same amount of respect and care?
The warmth of the tea seeps into his skin, but his heart feels squeezed and chilled once more. Douman doesn't know what kind of face he is making right now, and he doesn't want to know.]
He took it in the worst way possible. Having Sano-kun fall and suffer divine punishment right in front of his eyes couldn't have gone much worse.
.....he's blaming himself.
The warmth of the tea seeps into his skin, but his heart feels squeezed and chilled once more. Douman doesn't know what kind of face he is making right now, and he doesn't want to know.]
He took it in the worst way possible. Having Sano-kun fall and suffer divine punishment right in front of his eyes couldn't have gone much worse.
.....he's blaming himself.
[ Which makes sense.
Haruaki would blame himself if he were in that position, too.
That doesn't mean it's right, though. ]
So... there's this guy who feels like it's his fault that Sano-kun might have broken a rule, and then there's Sano-kun who will feel like he made a mistake getting close to a human here...
[ His eyes drift down for a moment, lingering on the placid surface of the tea before lifting to meet Douman's again. ]
And then there's you, who had to teach both of them a hard lesson.
[ It's a difficult position to be in. It's a balance they have to learn to strike, as those tasked with guiding young people into brighter futures.
Haruaki can deal with smoothing over Sano's reopened wounds. If he can work out who the other person was, maybe he can get to know them and eventually help them, too. But that's all for the future, near or far– at the moment, Douman is the only one in front of him, and he has all of Haruaki's focus. ]
How do you feel about it, Principal?
Haruaki would blame himself if he were in that position, too.
That doesn't mean it's right, though. ]
So... there's this guy who feels like it's his fault that Sano-kun might have broken a rule, and then there's Sano-kun who will feel like he made a mistake getting close to a human here...
[ His eyes drift down for a moment, lingering on the placid surface of the tea before lifting to meet Douman's again. ]
And then there's you, who had to teach both of them a hard lesson.
[ It's a difficult position to be in. It's a balance they have to learn to strike, as those tasked with guiding young people into brighter futures.
Haruaki can deal with smoothing over Sano's reopened wounds. If he can work out who the other person was, maybe he can get to know them and eventually help them, too. But that's all for the future, near or far– at the moment, Douman is the only one in front of him, and he has all of Haruaki's focus. ]
How do you feel about it, Principal?
[This really says it all:]
I'm surprised to see you here, Abe-sensei.
[It's early morning, the camp all waking up, breakfast prepared and passed out - by none other than his funny friend.]
You know the guy in charge?
I'm surprised to see you here, Abe-sensei.
[It's early morning, the camp all waking up, breakfast prepared and passed out - by none other than his funny friend.]
You know the guy in charge?
Oh.
[Well. Eren doesn't...not seem like the type to kill and eat someone.
[Just picture him in a sailor uniform, Haruaki. You'll be fine.]
It's nice of you to help out anyway, in that case.
[He holds up his now-full mug of coffee.]
Thanks.
[Well. Eren doesn't...not seem like the type to kill and eat someone.
[Just picture him in a sailor uniform, Haruaki. You'll be fine.]
It's nice of you to help out anyway, in that case.
[He holds up his now-full mug of coffee.]
Thanks.
Oh. No.
[Oda shakes his head. Is he still allowed to take a sandwich?]
I just stopped by for some supplies. An errand for my roommate. He's in good with the big guy.
[Oda shakes his head. Is he still allowed to take a sandwich?]
I just stopped by for some supplies. An errand for my roommate. He's in good with the big guy.
[ Too bad, Haruaki's taking one for him and placing it in his hand. Yummy yummy breakfast time or else. ]
That's still an important job! So fuel up!
[ And then he's plunking down right next to Odasaku, breakfast service forgotten for the moment.Maruki Someone will probably come grab the coffee and sandwiches and pick up where he left off anyway. ]
Wait, who's your roommate?
That's still an important job! So fuel up!
[ And then he's plunking down right next to Odasaku, breakfast service forgotten for the moment.
Wait, who's your roommate?
[Looks like it's time for breakfast. Odasaku scoots a few inches to make more room for Haruaki, enjoying a bite of his sandwich before he answers.
[Ahem.]
Dolph Laserhawk. He owns Club Quartz.
[Ahem.]
Dolph Laserhawk. He owns Club Quartz.
[ Ohh! The super tall guy!!!
GASP!!!! ]
I saw him on Sleepr! He seems so handsome and super cool!!!
[ Which is also how he would describe Odasaku, so.
Haruaki whips his head around to look for him, even though by virtue of Odasaku being on a supplies run, it means he isn't here. ]
Can I meet him next time I visit you?
GASP!!!! ]
I saw him on Sleepr! He seems so handsome and super cool!!!
[ Which is also how he would describe Odasaku, so.
Haruaki whips his head around to look for him, even though by virtue of Odasaku being on a supplies run, it means he isn't here. ]
Can I meet him next time I visit you?
Me?
[Douman's eyes widen slightly and leans back, taken by surprise that anybody else would consider his position within this whole mess. Or maybe Haruaki-kun doesn't, and he simply wants to hear his opinion on the matter at hand. Or maybe there isn't any great thought behind that question at all. It's hard to tell sometimes, and Seimei's reincarnation has sometimes insane luck when it comes to hitting close to people's hearts.]
... I didn't enjoy it, naturally.
[Douman's eyes glance from his cup of tea to one side of the table to the other, avoiding Haruaki's eyes before they finally settle thoughtfully on something off to the right.]
There's a saying, "don't shoot the messenger." But I felt way more like the messenger who shot the recipients. More than once, in Sak- Sano-kun's partner's case. That child seems to be carrying deep wounds about the idea of hurting others and being abandoned because of it, and all of this hit square where it hurts.
[He worries his bottom lip, wondering if he hadn't told too much already. The relationship he had with Sakura-kun is hard to put into words, but they had been close. But this thing had given Douman his own slap from reality. Dreaming was nice, but nothing good came out of Ashiya Douman trying to get close to anyone.
The thought has him sigh and finally take a sip from his tea.]
Overall, I find this particular case pretty dismal. I don't want those kids to think that befriending each other was a mistake.
...But I also get why there are these rules for gods, and how it could become an important lesson for Sano-kun. And I am angry that so many would use Sano-kun as an excuse to go after what they really want.
[Douman's eyes widen slightly and leans back, taken by surprise that anybody else would consider his position within this whole mess. Or maybe Haruaki-kun doesn't, and he simply wants to hear his opinion on the matter at hand. Or maybe there isn't any great thought behind that question at all. It's hard to tell sometimes, and Seimei's reincarnation has sometimes insane luck when it comes to hitting close to people's hearts.]
... I didn't enjoy it, naturally.
[Douman's eyes glance from his cup of tea to one side of the table to the other, avoiding Haruaki's eyes before they finally settle thoughtfully on something off to the right.]
There's a saying, "don't shoot the messenger." But I felt way more like the messenger who shot the recipients. More than once, in Sak- Sano-kun's partner's case. That child seems to be carrying deep wounds about the idea of hurting others and being abandoned because of it, and all of this hit square where it hurts.
[He worries his bottom lip, wondering if he hadn't told too much already. The relationship he had with Sakura-kun is hard to put into words, but they had been close. But this thing had given Douman his own slap from reality. Dreaming was nice, but nothing good came out of Ashiya Douman trying to get close to anyone.
The thought has him sigh and finally take a sip from his tea.]
Overall, I find this particular case pretty dismal. I don't want those kids to think that befriending each other was a mistake.
...But I also get why there are these rules for gods, and how it could become an important lesson for Sano-kun. And I am angry that so many would use Sano-kun as an excuse to go after what they really want.
[Ah...
[Oda's expression just...sinks a bit.]
Sure. Yeah, but...not right now.
[His chest feels tight. He's never been one to burden others with his own fears, but he hears himself say it anyway.]
He's not doing too good.
[Oda's expression just...sinks a bit.]
Sure. Yeah, but...not right now.
[His chest feels tight. He's never been one to burden others with his own fears, but he hears himself say it anyway.]
He's not doing too good.
Page 10 of 11