coastal | voicemail.

It's hard to go wrong with the people here.

[He's liked pretty much literally every single person he's met?! Granted, he's an outlier in that respect and probably shouldn't entirely be counted, but still!]

Someone who likes parties as much as that girl did will probably come along again at some point, so if that happens, will you go with me?

[ . . . . . . .

That gets her to look up at him a little suspiciously because he's asking her to go to something that she doesn't like? But also he likes them and still wants her company, even though she just expressed her distaste for them?

Kashuu???]

... You'd really want to go with me?

[Which is.

A little dangerously phrased.

Because there is room for rejection even now, to be told that this is a joke, and Lili is sincerely scared of that. But given her tendency to be a little bit more indulgent this month - a little bit more shameless in asking for validation - she's so very clearly, terribly hopeful at the same time.]

[LOOK, he's just convinced that he can change the experience up for her a little. Clearly she's just doing parties wrong if she hasn't had as much fun as he did...!

That said, while the hopefulness earns her a mildly confused look, he answers without hesitation.]

Duh! I wouldn't ask otherwise.

[Duh.

Which is the reason behind the confusion, really. When has he ever not meant something he's said? ...When it comes to this sort of thing, anyway.]

I mean, if you reeeally think you'll have just the worst time ever even if you go with me, it's not like I'll make you. Just think about it, 'kay?

I don't have to think about it.... [Just - saying that now before he gets the wrong idea?! Because it's not like she thinks she'd have a bad time with Kashuu. Rather, she's just going to fuss with her hair even as she looks away.] Going with you would be... [Fun?]

... I'd like that.

[Compared to the idea of not going at all or going alone - Kashuu wouldn't abandon her, even if he's easily distracted. At least she can say that with certainty.

Except given his confused look, she just frowns and is pushed forward just a little bit more by that same desire for validation, for confirmation:]

But... you're asking because you like me, right?

[Not because he thinks it'd be funny to see her flounder or something like that - she doesn't think that Kashuu would! Except she wants to hear it...

She'll look back on this a week later like "what was I thinking?"]

[HECK YES a victory before the battle even starts, Kashuu's already pleased like the lame bean he is.

That question catches him off guard a little, though, if only because... when is Lili ever that straight-forward about things like this?! And then the first thing he does is LAUGH so, you know, good work Kashuu. But he quickly follows that up with an actual sentence, at least, so she won't just be waiting in awful suspense for a thousand years.]

What kinda question is that? Aha! I already said it before, didn't I? I liked you from the very start. It's not like I like you less the more I know you - I just like you more! So if I ask you to a party just 'cause of that, it's enough, right?

[THE LAUGH SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF HER THOUGH.

There's a moment where her eyes widen and she looks just about ready to bolt it because that's so rude, he's so rude.

And then he keeps going.

THAT'S SO RUDE, HE'S SO RUDE.]

[It'd be enough to normally send Lili into a crazy tizzy, complete with arm flailing and looking away from him - but this is the sort of thing that she's been craving. More than just buying every nice pair of shoes in sight, she's always been looking for this kind of confirmation that people like her.

So instead she's just blinking, because people liking her from the start is rare. People who like her the more time that they spend with her are even more rare, despite what Kashuu might think. Instead of growing embarrassed though, she takes a moment to bask in it, even as her heart beats a little faster.]

... It doesn't make a lot of sense. [For someone like Kashuu to like someone like her.] But I'm glad that you do and—

[It takes her a second longer but-]

... I think that even if it were things that I didn't like very much before... they would be better with you.

Well, that's the plan, anyway.

[WHAT A SMUG LITTLE PUNK... But it's just good-spirited teasing at least, even if yeah, that was totally his logic. Going to places you don't like is always better if you go with people you do like, right? He's pretty sure that's how it works!]

So! I guess we're getting a little ahead of ourselves since there aren't even any parties to go to now, but it's good that we have it all figured out already. I'll keep you to it, so you better not forget, o-kay?

[NO TAKEBACKS.]

[Kashuu is too smug for life and Lili just flusters a little bit because she's not sure how to deal with that. Send help. Still though... it's nice to know that he wants to help her have fun - even if she doesn't quite understand it.

But she appreciates it.

Still though, she shakes her head.]

I won't forget. If you want to have a party so badly, I think my birthday is coming up - so I can host one then if you truly wish.

[Lili knows how to throw a good party at least. ~~Why do princesses keep doing this? Stop.~~]

[Princesses just want to have a good time...

But he looks surprised! AH, WHAT THE HECK, LILI.]

Eh— Seriously?! [IMMEDIATELY PUTTING BACK whatever inane clothing item he's probably been holding onto this entire time because he needs both of his hands to gesture wildly.] Say something sooner! When's "coming up", huh? And isn't it the job of other people to do the party-throwing for you—?

[Surprise parties are the only type of birthday parties that matter, right??]

[ . . . . . why, Kashuu. Lili blinks because she was just about to turn and look for another pair of sandals or something to grab but he's reacting so strongly? Why?]

July 23rd. [So a little bit over a month.] It's not that important, it doesn't need to be a large affair here. No one really knows of my status and I'd rather they don't.

But who would throw a party for me anyway?

[That's not even looking for validation.

She just doesn't think that it's really worth celebrating.]

That's only like, a month away!

[Who cares that he managed to throw Hijikata's party together in a week or so, this stuff is important. He makes a huffy sound, setting his hands on his hips.]

Even if it's not a big thing, it's still important! Besides, it's not like you've gotta tell anyone anything outside of "hey, it's my birthday!" [GOD. He also gives her A Look™ at that, because of course he's going to answer, but this will make it hard for him to throw a party sneakily.]

Me, duh.

[ . . . . She tilts her head.]

You don't need to do that. Don't go to the trouble. [For a richgirl.mp3, Lili has a lot of issues with attention being drawn to herself. Honestly, she and Kashuu are so different in some ways.] It merely means that I'm a year older. It's just a day.

It's an important day! Being a year older is a big thing for humans to celebrate!

[Because they only have so many of them AHA......... But that's depressing and Kashuu just prefers to think of the fact that everyone deserves a day where they're treated extra special and people celebrate the fact that they were born.]

What about a small party? Kinda like Hijikata's?

You're not even human!

[Even though he acts more human than her?! smh...... but Lili's just shaking her head at that, sighing.]

It'll either be a proper party or no party at all. I don't care about a guestlist as long as there's good food. [Because Lili's used to inviting a shitton of people she doesn't know....]

You're not seriously considering this, are you?

That's why I know it's important!

[For humans!! He's seen it! He knows, okay, he's practically an authority on humany things by now...!

He's also giving her a look at that. Gosh, Lili, just be satisfied with a small party?!]

Well, I dunno what a proper party is to you, but yeah!

That doesn't make sense!

[Kashuu??? Please stop.... but she's just going to give him a look to match.]

A respectable party - an acceptable number of people, but if I must attend it in my name then there should be a banquet table of food.

[And then immediately after:]

But don't bother trying to set it up!

Sure it does!

[He doesn't provide any other argument though, apparently just expecting "BUT YES THOUGH" to be enough... Okay, Kashuu.

A banquet table of food though, what the heck.]

—Eh, wait - why not?!

It doesn't!

[TEAM KEEPS ARGUING-

But she's just going to shake her head.]

That's not necessary. You don't have to plan that for me. I'm capable of planning it myself if I even want a celebration.

It does, it does!

[Is he 5 or 500... He's also definitely pouting in response to that?!]

How's it gonna be a surprise if you're the one planning it for yourself? And isn't that a lot of stress and work, too?

Saying that it does twice doesn't make you any more correct!

[they're both 5 apparently

but she's just

gonna pause to rub her temples]

It's not going to be a surprise regardless when you're telling me that you're going to plan it. And I planned a festival, a party is nothing in comparison. Not to mention even the festival was simple compared to what I do back home - so why are you being difficult about it?

Then what if I say "it does, it does, it does!"?

[IS THAT MORE RIGHT, LILI!! Ah, is he going to give her a headache at this rate...]

Ah— [Except fuck he totally forgot about the part where he doxxed his own plans.] ...Well, whatever! The details would still be a surprise. And isn't that part super important?

[THERE'S A HEADACHE INCOMING

WHICH IS WHY SHE'S HONESTLY GOING TO REACH OUT TO COVER KASHUU'S MOUTH WITH HER HAND AFTER HE'S DONE]

If you say "it does" one more time, I'm leaving you in this store by yourself!

[LILI, WHY!!!!!

But since Kashuu is feeling pretty touchy-feely because of the ridiculous effects, he'll just reach up and grab her hand, holding it with both of his and apparently not even thinking about letting it go.]

Fine, fiiine. But hey, are you seriously considering throwing it yourself?

[BECAUSE HE'S ANNOYING

But also this is Kashuu and since it's Kashuu, she just assumes he's being needy as fuck and doesn't pull her hand away. He'll let go eventually, right?]

Of course I am.

[Lili's always been terribly independent.]

There's no need to trouble you with it when I'm capable of managing it on my own.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[1/2]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject