Study Session

[halfemptyglasses]

"Oh, good evening, Autor-senpai," Mirai greets when she opens the door to her sparse room. "I'm sorry there's not much."

The plush bed sits unmade, the comforter piled on the end. A small stack of books and papers wait on the low table that serves as her desk next to a few canned juices. Living on the fund for minors provides the necessities but not much else. Still, Mirai can't complain.

"We'll pretty much have to work from the floor," she says, padding over there with stocking feet. "Ah, and please help yourself to something to drink."

Comments

[halfemptyglasses]

"And fasting again?" she softly asks.

[herr_bookman]

Autor glances at his broth, and nods. "I'll... I'll eat really well before and after. I promise," he replies, just as softly. "I've been doing this for years and it hasn't ever been as disastrous as it was then. I got careless."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai nods a little, knowing she can't stop him. She picks up her chopsticks again and eats.

"It'd be a pretty sad state if you had to rely on others to feed you again," she says, her voice a little lighter now.

[herr_bookman]

The boy glances up sharply, his jaw dropping and his face burns. "Ah-! I, um..." he stammers, resting a hand on his reddening neck to keep from flailing. "I really appreciate that you, ah, did that. And I'm probably not going to--I mean, no I won't--ever be in a position like that again. Yes. But, um, thanks again, because it was really kind of you to help me out like that, and er, yes. Yes."

Friends feed each other frozen yogurt... Right?

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, I'm sorry! I was trying to joke! I didn't mean to embarrass you!"

[herr_bookman]

Autor holds his hands up. "Oh, no! In retrospect, your joke was hilarious," he says, and means it. "And it's okay to embarrass me! Friends embarrass each other sometimes--Rae, for one, takes great joy in making me flail--and truth be told, this is something I probably should be embarrassed about on occasion, because it's actually really quite funny, and like I said, was kind of you to do for me, too."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai folds her hands in her lap and sighs. "I still don't know if I'm any good at that. I kind of wish there was a being friends test I could study for."

[herr_bookman]

Autor mimics her body language, and nods. "Rae has to assure me that I've learned how to be a friend on occasion, and believe me when I say I'm still learning, too," he says quietly. "As far as I understand it, being a friend is an odd mix of vulnerability and understanding boundaries. It's about trust, and extending the benefit of the doubt, which--correct me if I'm wrong--but I believe you've done that for me."

He glances up, shy. "I like having you as a friend, Miss Kuriyama."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai lets his words seep in before giving a small nod. "I- I think I like this. That I can trust you. That we're friends."

[herr_bookman]

Autor cheers in his head, but keeps his exultant celebrations restrained on his face, with a small, soft smile. "Good. I'm happy to hear that."

He cocks his head. "Are you still hungry? You can have that second bowl, or we can break into dessert."

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, what about you? We could share it. Like, split it up between the two."

[herr_bookman]

Friends share dinners, right?

"Really?" he asks quietly, almost shy. "I'd appreciate that. I still need to drink my own broth, but after that we can split the third bowl. Thank you, Miss Kuriyama."

He rummages through his food bag and locates the bowl, which is still warm.

[halfemptyglasses]

"I mean, you made it. And you like it, right? So if you're still hungry, you should. I don't mind."

She finishes up her own bowl and grabs another juice.

"Are you comfortable? It's not too cold in here, is it?"

[herr_bookman]

"Yes, but I primarily made it for you," Autor says, uncapping the bowl and pushing it towards her. He sips his broth, pleased with the taste, and sets his bowl aside.

"It's a bit cold, but I'm all right. Are you cold?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"A little. Hang on."

Mirai gets up and walks over to the bed, grabbing her comforter and tossing it around her shoulders.

"I have a spare if you want one?"

[herr_bookman]

"Oh, please," Autor says, easing into a smile. "I'd appreciate that, Miss Kuriyama."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai grabs a blanket, this one folded up, and hands it to Autor.

"What did you bring for dessert?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor wraps the blanket around his shoulders with a nod of thanks--and instantly regrets it. The covering smells like artificial strawberry. Like Mirai.

Think on my shoes, think on my shoes, he thinks. He's grateful for her distracting question, and nods again.

He turns away for a moment, and messes with something. When he turns back to her, he presents a plate full of green tea and apricot mochi, pastel balls artfully arranged with mint leaves.

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, they look good," she says, taking a seat again. "I-is it all right if I have one now before the rest of our dinner?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor sets the plate down near her. "Of course. They're meant to be eaten," he says, and plucks one up for himself.

The mochi is sweet and chewy, with a subtle flavor of matcha. Autor decides that he really enjoys all the Japanese food he's tried because of Mirai, and vows to learn how to make more of it.

"Next time, I'll make us some of these."

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, it's sweet," Mirai says in approval at the apricot mochi. "C-could I take some of these with me when I go?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor sits up. "Of course. I... didn't realize that you were leaving so soon," he says. "Is there... Can I do anything for you before then? Or are you pretty much prepared?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"Well... I mean, if I just leave it alone, it... it won't get better. I don't really know what else you can do, b-but you have been helping." She looks at her hands a moment before going, "I don't really know how I'll ever be able to thank you, Autor-senpai."

[herr_bookman]

Autor holds up his hands. "Oh, no, don't worry about that. Just come back safely, that's all," the boy says, and then wraps up in the blanket again. "You're quite welcome, though. I've enjoyed being here for you."

He nibbles on his mochi a moment more, considering her. "Miss Kuriyama, have you ever been sledding?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"Hm? No, not really. Why do you ask?"