maskormenace | Fourth Bell | Oseibo?

[Late November and Thanksgiving's in high roll, quickly falling into Christmas and Akihiko's getting more and more aware of the contrast between holidays in America as compared to his home country. They celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas sure, but not in the same ways- at all. Besides Thanksgiving being almost a wholly American thing- Christmas was- well. A christian holiday anyway- he knew that, sure. But in Japan it was something completely other than what he's seeing here.]

[So the audio feed opens because it's easiest, he can continue looking at the 'CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS' reminder on a restaurant he enjoys. Early reminder, but it seems like an aged sign, like it's- just there and normal? To be- closed on Christmas?]

Hey, Akihiko here, and I have a question for people used to holidays in America- how does it work here? Christmas especially, I'm finding out that most restaurants are closed for it, but wouldn't that make going out on dates difficult?

I assume holidays here are different anyway, but Christmas especially seems like an entirely different thing. [A pause, turning to look at the other shop that gave him some confusion. Everything seems to be a lot more about family if anything. Not about romantic relationships, or friends.]

Do you celebrate at home then? Is a tree that necessary? Who do you usually give gifts to? Are you able to celebrate the holiday the same if you don't have a family to spend it with?

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... [His voice is a little softer now, slightly unsure.]

I do?

Yes? [His voice is just as monotone.]

I-- uh.

...

Why?

[This is starting to really confuse him.]

Yo, is there something wrong? I'm saying you're my family, so it means I care about you and we should spend the Holiday together. If that's cool anyway.

I. Yes, it's fine, it's just...

I've... Thank you. I wasn't expecting that.

What's there to expect?

I don't know. I didn't really celebrate holidays much.

We really didn't either in the orphanage, aside from visiting shrines and going to festivals. It was never really something we did as a family. But if I'm able to now, here, with you guys? Sure. [A smile then, you can hear it a little in his words when he continues.]

We'll eat a lot too for the holiday, we need to be healthy for the winter months, right?

[HE'S SO GLAD THIS IS AUDIO HIS FACE IS STARTING TO TURN RED.]

... You're soft-hearted. I'll be happy to join you.

[What wow, don't say that, it's kind of messing with his masculinity here, sheesh.]

I'm not being soft hearted, I'm just being honest! What's the big deal if you hang with us? We've gotta make up for any time we'd lose otherwise, right? And here we don't really have to worry about things like we did before. [A laugh.] Tch- even if I miss how easy training used to be.

Nothing's gonna stop you from training, anyway, right?

[He laughs softly.]

Dinner. What do you have in mind?

Well I can't stop now. No matter what this place throws at me, I have to keep at the to top of my game.

Not sure yet, looks like we'll have to stay indoors though. -Rose mentioned a turkey? But I guess people do ham and sweets here too. I don't think fried chicken is part of Christmas here. [He said almost sorrowfully.]

... What's stopping us?

I want fried chicken whether it's tradition or not. I hated eating those alone on Christmas so I never had them.

Wha- you never got to eat KFC in a group? All right. [A laugh.] I'll see if we can manage it. And hell, if we can't get KFC we'll just get a fryer and make our own.

My relatives insisted on healthy food. We didn't celebrate much.

... Is it really okay for me to go? Not just you and senpai...?

Yeah, it'll be fine. We're all in this together, right? It'll be nice to celebrate with the three of us.

... What do I need to bring?

Whatever you want, but I'll handle most of it. [He already planned on trying to plan out a bunch of stuff for him and Shinjiro, but hey, this works too.]

...

Maybe I should call you "dad" instead.

Are we doing presents?

... [Uh.]

They're both kind of- strange. [Mom or dad... but, he'll still take dad over mom.]

Yeah.

[Shush Akihiko he's really happy and trying to play it off as nbd. He doesn't want to cry on you again gosh.]

Is it?

... Do you want to go find a present for senpai together sometime?

[Please don't cry on him again.]

Calling me dad- or mom? Yeah? [Why would he call him either? He's not- either of them, it doesn't make any sense.]

Huh? Together? -Yeah, we can do that.

It was a joke.

I think it'll be fun. We could just make it a day.

Right- Ah no, you keep telling me that... [He just- doesn't get it. Why's it funny, because it's weird?]

Sure. Let me know when works best for you.

A weekday, maybe, after I get out of class. Early December.

audio;

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