IC BOX - EMPATHEIAS

[deathboss]

> For whatever reason, Eikichi is not available right now.

> Are you going to leave him a message or mail?

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[purrtagonist]

[absolutely??]

[no j/k he doesn't think of sushi at all when he thinks of Eikichi]

Really?

[a beat]

Don't be offended when I say that surprises me a little bit.

[deathboss]

[There's a small laugh from Eikichi at that comment.]

Heh heh...I'm not surprised...it's ironic, isn't it? The person who hates eating sushi and the smell of fish [Eikichi how the hell would he know that] is the best sushi chef in the entire city?

[That is also a bold claim.]

Pops been raisin' me to take over the restaurant one day. Never was a fan of it, but guess it helped me manage this entire spa operation, y'know? [Training to be a sushi chef is pretty intense in Japan. Also that might explain how a punk attitude kid can run a business successfully.]

And...as much as I hate it, I can't get rusty 'bout it either.

[purrtagonist]

[he's about to comment on how he had no idea Eikichi hated fish until now, but--]

So it's a family business. [but, in hindsight, it does explain how Eikichi manages the spa so well]

Is taking over your dad's restaurant what you want to do with your life?

[deathboss]

[So quick the words barely have time to leave Akira's mouth.]

Hell no! I want to be a visual kei rock star!

[purrtagonist]

[well then]

Then. . . why are you so worried about getting rusty at sushi-making?

[if he didn't want to take over the restaurant and preferred to be a visual kei rock star, why didn't he focus his efforts on reaching that goal?]

[deathboss]

[...well shit.]

...I-i still kinda feel responsible? [Fuck it, he was doing this for his old man but...] If I don't run it, who will? I mean...I could...do...both?

[purrtagonist]

[TIME 2 PROTAG]

If you really wanted to do both, then I believe you could. You've done a great job with the bathhouse, after all.

But that sort of determination should come from your heart, not a sense of responsibility.

[he's suddenly reminded of Makoto]

[deathboss]

[Eikichi is...not used to this type of protaging. When Tatsuya was doing things, it was 'LET'S SEE HOW EIKICHI HANDLES THIS ON HIS OWN' type of interaction. Which is why he's a caught off guard for a few seconts of silence.]

[The compliment does help, however (and two musical notes would be over his head if there was a visual cue).]

I can't just...toss out responsibility on the side either, bro. The place doesn't just employ us, there's a team working there too. People who send him fish...people who go there and enjoy the food...tch. Great. As much as I hate the place, I do kinda miss it the more I talk 'bout it.

Sides, pops is like...the most traditional man in Japan, I'm pretty certain. Even if I wanted to step away, he'd hunt me down.

[HIS LIFE IS CONFUSING.]

But just you wait, I'll also be a famous Visual Kei star in the future!

[purrtagonist]

[heh. he smiles on his end of the link. this wasn't where he expected the conversation to go, but! that's how Confidants work, isn't it?]

Hm. Sometimes, a sense of responsibility can come from the heart, too.

[IT JUST ALL DEPENDS]

But if you become famous, I'll make sure to look up your albums when I go home.

[deathboss]

I guess so!

[What's with the whole heart theme for these guys anyway. Geeze.]

See that's your first mistake! There's no question I won't become famous!

[Sure Eikichi.]

Anyway...let me know when you're available! You've got five years to go as a Itamae in training!

[A beat.]

Kidding! I'll try to give you a much more concise course. Plus no one should have to do perfect rice for close to ten years.

[Guess who had that happen.]

[purrtagonist]

[PHANTOM THIEVES OF HEARTS!!]

[also he politely doesn't mention that he had never heard of Eikichi before coming to Verens, haha sobs]

I was about to say, if it takes five years to learn how to make the perfect sushi roll, then you'd probably be better off hiring someone else.

[a smile]

But as long as you don't mind taking on a novice as a student, then I don't mind taking you on as a teacher.

[deathboss]

That's fine! ...as long as you promise not to laugh.

[???]

[purrtagonist]

[uh]

[huh]

People don't usually say that unless there's some reason to laugh in the first place.

[deathboss]

It's just...promise me you'll keep the training secret. No one needs to know what I really look like.

[uuuuuuh...]

[purrtagonist]

[UUUUUH]

. . . okay.

[I feel as though Mishina-san is about to share something very private with me. . .]

You can count on me to keep a secret.

[deathboss]

Okay then...tonight after the kitchen closes. I'll show you.

[MY TRUE FORM wait. Thankfully it's not the same day as Yu because of timey whimy probably.]

[purrtagonist]

Got it. I'll even sneak in through the back, to make it seem just as illicit at it sounds.

[AKIRA. . .]

[deathboss]

H-hey! I'm being serious here!

[purrtagonist]

I know. And I'm trying to balance out that seriousness with ill-timed humor.

--> Onward to action?

[deathboss]

Oh.

[Oh.]

Sorry. I'm just a little nervous, bro. Well front or backdoor, just make sure you knock.

works for me!

[purrtagonist]

[nervous, huh]

Right. I'll see you then.

[and! after the bathhouse closes, Eikichi will hear a perfectly punctual knock on the back door]

super duper action time

[deathboss]

[It takes a minute before the door opens. And when it does, Akira will quickly realize why.]

[It's...a normal teenager. Dressed up in this world's version of a sushi chef outfit. The lack of colored hair and makeup, devoid of rings and silver chokers, the only thing that makes Eikichi look like...well Eikichi is his red eyes and slightly less pale skin. Otherwise, he could pass off as a younger version of his dad.]

Don't tell anyone about this.

[I am a makeup-less Eikichi. The true self...]

[purrtagonist]

[blinks]

[blinks again]

[blinks veeeery slowly]

Ah-- you look good.

[is that an attempt to break the ice? maaaaybe]

But as I said, your secret is safe with me.

[deathboss]

[Akira no. Don't say that. Eikichi turns away for a few seconds, biting his tongue and trying not to turn into a tomato.]

O-okay. Anyway.

[He practically tosses him an apron and a cloth for his hair.]

Put these on and we'll start. Have you ever worked a kitchen before?

[purrtagonist]

[catches the apron and immediately slips it on over his neck, tying the strings at the back. at least it isn't pink and frilly like the last one he wore]

I have. I helped Boss in the kitchen of his cafe back home all the time.