destinystrings | YOUR EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT ICE CREAM

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YOUR EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT ICE CREAM

Who: Nano Shinonome and anyone who wants free ice cream
Where: Amagi Inn lobby
When: Sunday afternoon
Summary: Nano's perfected a recipe for sea salt ice cream and wants to share
Warnings: Action brackets? Action brackets. Also, first thread is backdated to Saturday and locked to Xion.

Ever since Nano's memories got all jumbled up with Xion's, she's been trying to recreate a very specific taste that she can still faintly recall: the salty-sweet taste of sea salt ice cream. Apparently it was important enough to Xion that the taste remained on the tip of Nano's tongue too, and she thought it would be nice if she could figure out how to make it here in Hinoto-Ri to share not only with Xion, but with all of her friends. So today, after some taste testing and the Xion seal of approval, she's finally ready to reveal her creation to the world - and what better venue than the Amagi Inn, considering that Nano's now a co-manager there and that half the place's staff is already composed of people intimately familiar with the taste. On Sunday morning, after she's finished getting everything ready, Nano sends a message out to the COMPs of everyone on the Visitor network:

Today there will be an ice cream social at the Amagi Inn. I'm trying out a new recipe for sea salt ice cream, and thinking of adding it to the inn's summertime menu. Everyone is free to come and try some!

Once the guests have arrived at the inn, there will be a small reception area set up in the lobby of the inn. Nano is there, wearing a pink kimono and eagerly waiting with an ice cream scoop and bowls to serve the guests. She also has a number of sea salt flavored popsicles in a mini freezer that she borrowed from the Ichiban Market for the occasion, and to help keep the ice cream nice and cold while she waits for the guests to show up to try some. Otherwise, it's just a nice little social event where everyone can get a cool treat and relax a little while they mingle with the other Visitors looking to beat the summer heat.

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[It is not, of course, anywhere remotely close to being reasonable for Atsuro to try and have his serious talk with Nano in the middle of an event like this. Neither is he keen on making awkward small talk with her for a few hours. And so he waits until the last guest has trickled out and until most of the lights in the inn have gone dark...

He knocks at the door before entering, pulling it shut behind him as he glances around for Nano.]

...Hey, Nano!

I'm late, right? Sorry I couldn't make it. ...Do you need any help cleaning up?

[Nano appreciates Atsuro's discretion, even if she'd been sort of idly hoping he'd show up for most of the night. Not that she even really knows what to say to him at this point.]

O-oh... Atsuro-san!

[Yeah. How does she even act right now? Is she supposed to act normal, like nothing ever happened? Should she bring it up? Should she wait for him to bring it up?

In the end, she decides to do her best to play things naturally.]

Um... you can help me carry the leftovers back to the kitchen if you'd like...

[She's trying, but already she can't even bring herself to look him in the eyes. She's just way too nervous.]

[He had been hoping the atmosphere would be a little bit less awkward, but it seems Nano wasn't quite able to pull off the whole 'act normal' thing. Atsuro will do his best to play the part for two.]

Sure, I can do that.

[He'll head over to the remaining ice cream sitting in the freezer.]

It looks like this was a pretty big success. ...It was really nice of you to do something like this, Nano.

[If Nano had a real heart, it would probably be beating out of her chest right about now. As it is, the key in her back is simply spinning of its own accord - not quickly, but enough to be noticeable.]

Thank you! It's too bad you weren't able to make it earlier. It should still be good if you'd like to try some.

Aha... I was hoping I could make it, but I got caught up in... work.

[It was a Saturday Atsuro didn't even work every day during the week. He will reflect later that he probably should have had a better lie prepared.]

But thanks - I'll have one of the popsicles if that's OK. It's been a pretty hot day.

[Nano finishes putting away what was left at the end of the night, but leaves one popsicle out for Atsuro, handing it over to him.]

It's sea salt flavored. I hope you like it.

Sea salt...? Like they make in Okinawa?

[It wouldn't land on his Top Ten favorite ice cream flavors, but ice cream was ice cream. Atsuro slowly unwraps the offered treat.]

How did you learn how to make this, Nano? Just trial and error?

It's actually a recipe from Xion-san's world. I remembered some of the taste from when I had her memories, and I thought it would be nice if she could have a taste of home again. Kairi-san and Namine-san are from the same place too, and since all of them are working here now and are some of my closest friends, I wanted to do something to show how much I appreciate all of them. And to share it with all of my other important friends, too.

[Nano smiles, nodding.]

So I used what I still remembered and just tried until I got it close. Xion-san was my taste tester, and she said I got the flavor perfect, so I decided to have this party to celebrate.

Huh...

[Atsuro listens to this explanation with a few nods of the head as he takes a few licks of the popsicle. Given that he hadn't the least idea how to make ice cream, he was pretty sure it was a miracle on a stick.]

You're always doing what you can to try and cheer us up... I never would have thought of something like that, even with those memories.

[Nano doesn't find it particularly out of the ordinary, so she looks momentarily confused before blushing and smiling at the compliment.]

I'm happy it worked. I don't know what caused the problem with everyone's memories, but I think it was a good chance for some of us to get to know each other better.

[Atsuro gives Nano a small smile as he lowers his hand slightly, the popsicle forgotten.]

That's one way to think about it. I learned a lot about the person I swapped with, too...

[Optimistic, kind, cheerful, brave. What was there to not like? ...Still, with a slight sigh, Atsuro will maneuver the topic towards the direction they were both waiting for.]

Ah, Nano...

I think, um... I've thought more about what you said to me a few weeks ago - at Tanabata.

Oh...

[Nano sort of sensed that this conversation would eventually get around to this point, especially once Atsuro stopped eating the ice cream halfway through. She immediately casts her gaze to the floor, unable to look him directly in the eye.]

U-um... okay...

[There's a lot she wants to say right now, but she's stopping herself. She at least wants to hear him out.]

[Oh god no she looked so sad already this was worse than fighting Babel or the Bels. Put him in front of a world-destroying demon anytime this was absolutely the worst thing he's ever had to do. Atsuro lowers his own gaze as well before sighing slightly.]

Well. You know... You are important to me, Nano. You always will be. But, I...

I don't think this would work.

[A slight pause before he glances up towards her with a soft smile.]

There are a lot of... logistics problems. We're not from the same world, we're... we're not the same species, and -- honestly, who knows how long we'll have in this place? But I don't want to say it's because of any of those things. That wouldn't be... right. It's not fair to you.

I think... I owe it to you to say the most important thing.

I care about you as someone I want to be with as... a friend. A good friend. I've enjoyed all the time we've spent together, and I'm really glad we've been able to get close. But...

I don't think I can feel that way about you.

[And there it was.]

[Nano allows herself the tiniest little sliver of hope at the beginning of Atsuro's speech, but her cautious smile immediately falters again as soon as he gets to the first 'but.'

She's silent for the rest of it, giving him as much time as he needs to articulate his own thoughts. She owes him at least that much. If he's watching, she does flinch noticeably at the line about 'not the same species.'

By the time he's done, there are already tears running silently down her cheeks, tiny little droplets falling from her eyes and onto her feet as she hangs her head. It takes her a few moments to catch her breath and put on a smile for him, but smile she does, even though the tears that continue to flow.]

I... I understand, Atsuro-san. It's all right. Really, it is.

[This is the hardest thing Nano's ever had to do, too. Having a crush was a completely new experience for her, and so too is being rejected. And as wonderful as the first experience was, as much as it made her robotic heart flutter, this one stings her deeply. But it's all part of being human.

Or at least, pretending to be.]

I just don't want to lose you, Atsuro-san...! You... you really will keep being my friend, won't you?

[Even though he just said he would, Nano desperately needs some reassurance here. She wants to run over and hug him, but she's just barely restraining herself as she chokes back a frustrated sob.]

[Oh no she was crying now he ought to have expected it and steeled himself against this inevitability, but Atsuro, too, is feeling the weight of the situation. His whole life, he had wanted friends -- the love of his friends to fill in the void he constantly felt, the presence of his friends to fill the gap left by the ones who were supposed to be there for him. He had sought them out at every opportunity, and he had treasured them, and he had clung to them.

Now somebody had offered to give him more than he could ever have asked for, and he... He had come up empty. It would have almost been a relief to realize that he had thought of Nano the same way she thought of him, to be able to reciprocate. But he had not, and... He felt almost as disappointed that he hadn't been able to find this within himself. As Nano cries, he lowers his head and swallows hard. He half-raises a hand to his eyes before he realizes he would be poking himself with a popsicle.

Love was a strange thing. The desire to be with someone... Was there any more to it than that? If he was honest with himself... wasn't that something he already felt? Could it really be because of her that he hadn't been able to find what he had sought in his heart?

...But he had spoken what he has truly felt, and there is nothing more he can do. When he speaks again, his own voice is slightly choked, and he has to clear his throat a few times before he can be intelligible.]

Of course, Nano...! I... I wouldn't want to lose you because of something like this.

[A slight pause.]

You... still want to be my friend?

Of course I do!

[It comes out a little louder than she'd intended, and she blushes in embarrassment, but at least she's looking him in the eye now, hands clenched into tight fists in front of her chest.]

You're very special to me, Atsuro-san... I'd never want to lose you either. You were my first real friend here. You helped me so many times, and made me feel like I really belonged. You've always been there for me, whenever I needed it... sometimes even when I didn't know I needed it, or even if I didn't ask.

[She's getting a little rambly, and starting to recognize it, so she takes a moment to shake her head before continuing.]

I could never throw all of that away. Never.

Ah...

[He finds himself unable to respond to this outburst at first, flushing red as he hears the sincerity pouring from Nano's heart. Nothing he had ever done was out of the ordinary for what he would do for any of his friends, but from Nano's viewpoint... He catches now, what he had missed before, and it is the significance of that phrase - like I really belonged that he finally begins to comprehend. The moment she had revealed her 'secret' -- She had been afraid of being rejected, and he... he had never quite understood.]

Thanks.

I'm... happy I could be there for you. I really am. It means a lot to hear you say that.

[A slight pause now before he shakes his head, a slight smile on his lips.]

You don't ever have to worry about losing me as a friend, Nano. I promise.

[Every act of kindness Nano has experienced since coming to Hinoto-Ri has been too special to her to even put into words. It might just be common behavior for her friends, but every single time it's touched her heart. Smiling and clasping her hand over her heart, she takes a deep breath as she tries to calm herself down.]

...Thank you, Atsuro-san. I'm so glad to have you as a friend.

[And now, she will cautiously approach him for a hug. She can be just a little selfish after all of that, right?]

[If she didn't want a hug, he probably would have tried for one (although he might have changed his mind asking a girl you just rejected for a hug was not proper protocol he didn't think). Regardless, Atsuro smiles and...

Pauses.

...And drops the half-melted popsicle into the trash receptacle before stepping forward to respond. He gently slides a hand around her back, patting her softly once.]

...Nano?

Whoever you end up with will be a really lucky guy. ...I'm sorry it can't be me.

[Nano allows herself to linger there for just a moment, arms wrapped shyly around Atsuro's midsection as she rests her head on his shoulder. She pretends for just a single fleeting moment that he said yes, and that this is their celebratory hug. But she's careful not to let that line of thought run away with her, and pulls back after a few moments.]

...Thank you, Atsuro-san.

[Smiling genuinely now, she nods, raising a hand up to wipe the few stray tears away from the corners of her eyes.]

[He steps back, too, and now that his hand is free, rubs slightly at the corners of his eyes. ...That had gone better than he could have expected. She had understood - And he hoped, too, that it meant she would get over her crush in time. Brief infatuation with the first person here who had wanted to be her friend... That was what this was, in the end.]

Do you... think you want a little time alone?

[Nano's still learning how to be human, and maintaining close personal relationships is the most important part of that to her. While she has no idea how to behave after being rejected or how to get over a crush, the one thing she does know is that Atsuro is very precious to her, and that she'd do anything to keep him as a friend. Somehow, it will probably work out.

All the same, Nano nods back at him.]

Yes, I think that might be for the best... I have a lot of work to do tonight before I go home.

[And probably a little more crying to do.]

[He is perfectly cognizant of what that actually means. Atsuro takes a few steps back with a faint, lingering smile.]

OK. I'll... see you later, then.

Have a good night, Nano.

Good night, Atsuro-san. Please be careful on your way home.

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YOUR EXISTENCE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT ICE CREAM

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