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[ Her answer cinches it: she definitely was someone important. That makes sense from the way she carries herself, from her commanding attitude (which is becoming less and less threatening, but still).

Then again, her answer also confirms that she probably doesn't want to be treated like someone from an ivory tower. Atsushi can't even fathom it, being born into that sort of status, but it must be a little lonely too. He doesn't exactly want people to treat him differently because he's an orphan, either. Labels hurt.

So he shakes his head quickly, like a cat shaking out water from its fur. ]

Eh? No, I definitely won't! Not if you don't want me to. [ Now he's waving his hands in front of his chest too, in the universal sign of 'no no no'. ] I don't think I'd know how to act differently even if you told me to, anyway.

.... What a genuine answer.

[But.... she doesn't dislike it. All too easily, she's placated by that level of sincerity and especially since he's giving her the exact answer that she wants. He wouldn't even know how to act differently? That's.... good, then. That means that she can speak freely, right?

To be able to get to know someone outside of those who want to get close to her for her status.... wouldn't that be nice?]

I don't want you to.

I'd rather hate it if you did, really.

[ He isn't sure if his answer was genuine as much as it was a clumsy assertion of a sad truth— that he's not good at being himself, let alone anyone else— but her acquiescence is heartening, and he blinks back owlishly at Lili's response. ]

I'm... sure you got a lot of that back at home. I wouldn't want to add to that.

[ People being insincere, deceptive. That's their problem, not Lili's, and if there's one thing Atsushi can't stand, it's people who act callously without regard for how deeply their words cut. ]

It's never good, when people...don't look at you.

[ . . . . it's true. There would be plenty of times when Lili would be viewed solely as the General's daughter - who would try and fail to be well-mannered and gracious when greeting guests. So many times she would take pride in her station in the very same moment that she would hate the way that others would treat her differently because of it. But it's all she's ever known.

Only lately has she been trying to do something differently.

As they wait for their food, she settles just to take a sip of her water before answering as lightly as she can.]

Now I only wish to do things so that I may earn the attention of others. I'd rather my actions speak for themselves. That's all.

[Rather than the lip service of saying that she's different from other nobles... why not prove it?]

[ That's the sort of answer that hits a little close to home, a sentiment that's all too familiar in his recent life: 'I want to do something, I want my actions to mean something'.

It's a gentle twinge in his heart, and his expression hardens for the second it takes for him to think of what to say to this. ]

I think your actions speak pretty loud and clear— but, still.

[ A tentative tilt of his head. ]

Let me know if there's something I can do to help, anytime...? Sometimes it's hard, doing things just by yourself.

[ . . . mmph. She knits her brows together a little bit at that and she's definitely concentrating on finding a way to say this without coming off as rude. It's easy for her to be carelessly rude to Atsushi - and she won't catch herself all the time - but this is something that's important for her to say.

And he's.... only being nice, isn't he?]

I know... that you want to help.

But I've received the help of others far too much and they-- [They get hurt. He's already turned partially to stone for her.]

... I'm tired of being protected too!

[ 'I'm tired of being protected'. That's a sentiment he's not sure if he understands, but it's the sort of thing that you don't say lightly, is it? It doesn't sound like something people say, just to say it— it's a resolution, and it's something he'll listen to and digest.

(He's reminded a little of someone who he knows, of small hands and sad poise and all the strength in the world.) ]

I... think I know what you mean. Sometimes, it's important to know that you can do something. That you're not just a burden.

[ Ah, has he said too much? He takes a beat, but presses on. ]

But, regardless... even so, I'd still like to be there for you if I can.

—That is... of course you can do anything that you want to! You seem very capable, at any rate, but... you're never alone, if you don't want to be?!

[Ah... The backtracking surprises her.

All of it surprises her.

He understands that she wants to be more independent - to be more than the dead weight than she's imposed upon others - but even then... he's really determined to help her, isn't she? It brings a bit of color to her cheeks as she turns her head away slightly and fixes her hair just to give her hands something to do instead of curling around the cloth of her dress.]

I still don't understand why you'd be so kind to me.

[Everything he's done.... And when she does manage to look him in the eye, she's a bit more determined.]

But... in exchange, you must let me help you too then...!

[ It's not kindness: it's busyboding, he knows that. It's the only way he can feel good about himself, because maybe one day someone will come along and give him a certificate that nullifies 18 years of his life, a piece of paper that says 'you are allowed to be alive'.

It's weak, and self-serving. But even then, he'd like it if Lili could be happy with herself.

So he doesn't touch upon that first bit, only smiles with mildly bashful hesitation. ]

Ah... sure. If it's okay with you, I'll definitely ask you for something if it comes up.

[ This is new to him! This is new, and a little scary. ]

I'd like that a lot. [ He likes her a lot!! ]

[It's... admittedly an easier agreement than she expected.

So she blinks and sits up in her seat, looking at him with a mixture of surprise and gratitude - even more gratitude now than when he'd been offering to help her.

Oh how desperately does she want to help someone who's helped her.]

You will...? Make sure that you will! Promise me...!

[-- that you won't forget her when you need someone.

It's funny how this fear of being forgotten nags at her without it even catching her notice.]

Promise...?

[ Huh. How is it that people really receive conviction from someone about promises, again? There's the route of papers and contracts, but that seems entirely too formal.

Think, Nakajima, think.

After a second of consideration, he finally stops, and.

Reaches out with one pinky finger. ]

Ah, okay. I promise.

[ PINKY PROMISE.

(Atsushi, Lili is your age....what are u doing) ]

[ . . . . . . . Lili is Atsushi's age.

Lili also didn't have many friends as a child.

So she's really confused right now.]

.... What're you doing?

[Ah. The struggle of being a friendless tsun.]

E-eh?! Do you not have pinky promises in your world...?!

[ He's stuck there dumbly for a moment, still holding out his pinky, before he starts on this very...unhelpful explanation. ]

I-it's something to people do when they make promises! You see, you just... tangle your pinkies together and shake! I guess it's just superstition, but... I just thought, maybe you'd like to formalize this? N-not that I want to make it an obligation, of course!

[ . . . what. With their pinkies? She blinks once before offering out her own, mirroring his outstretched hand. Is it like how she's seen people shake hands here... except this is for pinkies and promises?

(She doesn't seem to realize that this isn't some Other World thing - she just never had any peers her own age to pinky promise with.)]

It wouldn't be an obligation. I want to.

[She reaffirms that first.... because she can't be genuine with much, but she'll be absolutely sincere about when she wants to be of use to people.

But you got her to extend her pinky out, Atsushi.]

Like this?

[ This is also Atsushi's first clumsy attempt at pinky-promising, and accordingly, he's not as suave or smooth as he'd like to be about the whole affair. He swings and misses once, twice, before finally getting in a good position to lock fingers.

When he does, though, he winds his pinky firmly around Lili's and shakes his wrist with more conviction. ]

—There! Like this.

[She's kind of just watching as he misses.... Is that ceremonial.... Is there a reason behind why he's missing..... should she pay attention to that if she wants to recreate this?

But then he gets it! And she's tentatively going to curl her finger back around his and mimic the wrist shaking motion. Hell yeah, learning.

That said... this promise means a lot to her! So even if she doesn't understand the purpose of the whole "pinky promise" thing, she's still really happy about it. It means that he's promising to tell her when he needs help, right? So that way she can help him and repay all the kindness that he's showed her.

He's kind. But those words can't make it out of her lips.

Instead, the corners of her lips turn up into a smile without her even noticing.]

It's a promise, then!

[ There are a lot of things to feel good about here: having made a promise with someone, for one. It's not every day that he gets to do something like this, and this is a fresh, strange experience for himself, as well—

—but even beyond that, ah.

She's smiling.

That's all he could have asked for from this day, really, and the expression is contagious, spreading a slow but wide curl of his lips to match. Learning! Progress! But above all, happiness. ]

I won't forget. It's a promise, Lili-san.

[ Atsushi should probably let go sometime within the next century, though, because the waitress with their food is staring at the two of them like "when are these kids gonna let me do my job". ]

[It is a promise - but Lili's at least vaguely more in tune with the surroundings than Atsushi apparently as she uncurls her pinky from his and slips her hand away as she gives the waitress a polite, slightly more reserved smile.]

Forgive us, miss. Is that ours? Thank you for your patience.

[She's in a good enough mood to slip right back into her trained niceties, apparently.]

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