girlybruiser | 𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

Of course! No need to worry about a little dust.

Send me your location. I know how to check that now. Very impressive, I know.

[ Being terrible with phones, perhaps more so than someone from the 1950s, it takes Haru a few minutes before she is able to send the location. ]

Did that work?

[ It's off a main street in Stellari and directions show it shouldn't be hard to get to. ]

It will appear closed from the outside, but please feel free to come in!

I think I know where to go. I'll be there soon!

[And he is! True to his word, he arrives no later than the fifteen minute walk it took to get there. He debates whether or not to knock first, but Haru did say to simply come in, so, after some thought, he opens the door and makes his way inside.]

Hello? Haru?

[ The soft jingling of a bell indicates Neil's presence, which sees Haru emerging from behind a counter and greeting him with a small wave and smile.

The cafe is cluttered, with lots of chairs tucked into a corner, some placed at some tables. There are boxes, some random plates and utensils, and some plants laid across tables as well. ]

Hello, Neil-kun! Please don't mind the mess. It's still getting sorted.

[Despite the mess, Neil looks wondrously around the space, going so far as to turn in a slow circle, a wide smile spreading out over his face.]

Haru, this is spectacular! I think I can already see your vision...

I'm happy to help you set things up if you're in need.

I appreciate the offer and I may have to take you up on it sometime.

[ She's rather short after all; there are shelves she can't reach and there's no ladder yet, so everything is sort of stacked in a fashion where Haru can manage on her own. ]

Were you alright on the way over?

[ The wish granting hasn't grown problematic, has it? She has to wonder if things were relatively safe outside, given the ordeal in April. ]

[Neil hasn't thought of such practical things as wish-granting being dangerous yet, so her question surprises him a bit. He nods his head.]

No trouble there. We're actually quite close to my cottage right now.

I'm glad to hear. I suppose I can't help but worry just a little bit with such things... magic is still a mystery to me, after all.

[ She gestures around the empty, dusty cafe and beams. ]

You're the first outside the employees to see the cafe. Like I said, there's still a lot to do, but when it's all done I hope everyone will enjoy it.

[ She points to a corner that seems to be cleared of most furniture, with a small platform that seems to indicate a stage. ]

I was thinking of that spot where you would perform the day of the soft launch. What do you think?

[It's an honor to be the first to see the café, and it's an honor to have a platform to stand on and recite his poetry. He's wasted no time getting to work on the poem, though he certainly takes his time writing it, giving it all the attention it deserves (because Haru deserves that). His smile is warm.]

It's brilliant.

Thank you!

[ It makes her proud to hear, unable to contain the swell of pride in her chest.

After all, she said she would work hard for this and ensure the Okumura was restored in one way or another. ]

I thought poetry would be lovely to hear at the launch. I enjoy a good live performance of music and such, but I'd like to think there's something about poetry that would connect and move people.

That's exactly what it should do. [He laughs.] I mean, if I do it right, then...everyone in the room ought to feel something, even if it's not the same thing the person next to them is feeling.

[He seems to catch himself rambling, freezing halfway through a gesticulation. Heat rises to his cheeks, and he laughs again, quieter this time.]

Listen to me. All I mean is... You're right. Poetry is a great way to get everyone connected.

Haru. I'm going to do my absolute best for your opening. I promise you.

[ His dedication is so earnest, she can't help a large smile and clapping her hands together in excitement. ]

Let's both do our best, shall we?

[ Father couldn't see it, but she would try her hardest anyway.

She then gestures to the room, for any table for Neil to pick. ]

Do you need anything before you grant this wish?

[With a firm nod, Neil and Haru are in agreement. He takes the nearest table without much thought, eager to carry on, get straight down to the business that brought them here today. Haru seems to be on the same page about that too.]

As far as I can tell, all I need is you and your wish. Let's...start with something small, maybe.

[ Haru slides into the seat opposite, idly swiping away any specks of dust on the surface, trying to think of something "small" to wish for.

Something simple, perhaps. ]

I wonder... it's hard to think about what I may wish for.

[ There are many things she wants, but the lessons she's been taught have shown her that some things are not meant to be.

Her father can never be brought back, Akira can't stay in Tokyo, the Okumura name is still tainted, albeit back on track...

And with Father's Day approaching, it's not as if she hasn't already sat with these thoughts and emotions, processing it bit by bit. It's not her first Father's Day without hers, but it's a strange sensation to repeat it when it was August for her a few months ago. ]

... um, I guess there might be something.

[Neil's smile is gentle. He nods, encouraging. Haru seems nervous, or...perhaps just hesitant. Neil can't pretend to know why, but he's eager assuage her fears.]

What is it? Tell me.

[ Her gaze settles on her lap for now, not able to meet Neil's just yet.

It feels so silly, but he seems understanding. Maybe there's no need to beat around the bush with this. ]

A long time ago, Father and I used to sit down and share meals together. On Father's Day we would get wagyu, which was one of his favourites.

[Neil offers what she's shared the reverence it deserves. He doesn't know much about Haru's father, and he has complicated enough feelings about his own, but it's not as if he doesn't understand loving them, wanting to hold onto those cherished memories. He waits a few moments to see if she'll continue, then, when she doesn't, quietly asks:]

Is that what you'd wish for? That meal?

[ When her gaze lifts, Haru's face is pink and bright and flustered, as if revealing this information is some sort of deep and dark secret she's been too afraid to share. ]

Um, yes! I know it's silly, but... we don't get to have meals anymore together and the thought is nice.

[ In her mind, back to the days before Okumura Kunikazu put profit and power before his own flesh and blood. ]

It's not silly! [Neil shakes his head.] It's not.

Here.

[He lays his arm down, palm up, on the table.]

Give me your hand. [He's the sort of person to have a twinkle in their eye when they smile.] It works better that way. Trust me.

[ Oh, her face is hot and there's a fretful moment that Haru wonders if Neil can see her face, probably red as a tomato now, and if she should bury her face in her hands instead.

The boys in this world are too forthright! ]

Okay! Um...

[ No, Neil is far too polite and properly; he wouldn't do anything so uncalled for with her.

So her hands reach toward his, shaking just a little with anticipation. ]

Like this?

[Having embarrassed her so badly embarrasses him too, and then they're both red-faced, but it's nothing to worry over. He holds her hand loose, friendly - and necessary, he thinks, to really make sure she gets what she's looking for...

[He closes his eyes. He tries to picture a perfectly cooked wagyu dinner - but he tries to leave some of it up to Haru too. He tries to, if he can, bring both their ideas together to create...

[A meal, right there between them on the table. Neil lets go of her hand and straightens in his seat. It looks good. Really good...]

How's that, Haru? [He laughs through his words, gesturing down at the plate.] A small miracle, isn't it? Tell me how it tastes.

[ When he lets go, Haru looks down to see the plate of what is clearly Grade A wagyu before her

There's a small gasp, astonished that Neil actually managed to actualize her wish into existence. ]

Oh! You really did it!

[ She looks between Neil and the plate, mouth agape just a little before she realizes how silly she must look and conceals her mouth with her palm. ]

That's amazing... I can't believe this is actually happening.

[ She takes the fork and knife and cuts into a small corner, taking the daintiest bite.

But oh... this tastes good. Her palm presses to her cheek with delight. ]

[Neil watches with bated breath, his expression reflecting that of Haru's as she tastes the wagyu.]

Well. How is it?

It tastes as it should: rich and buttery, with a sweet finish. The way Father liked it.

[ It's amazing that Neil was able to grant this with such little information.

She nudges the plate toward him then. ]

Please have some. After all, this is your work.

[ She's not sure if it took anything out of him to grant the wish, but to enjoy a meal with someone? Well, that's just another part of her wish. ]

Our work, I say. [All said while taking a bite himself indeed.]

Holy-- [Holy nothin'! Watch your tongue, Neil.] It's delicious.

But I mean it, Haru. When I took your hand, I tried to...I don't know...sort of combine our... Magic? Or just...our essence? [He starts laughing at himself.]

Oh, I don't know. I thought we'd work together to make it real. That's all.

𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

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she's so scandalized - are u sure ur not the one from the 50s, haru?

she may as well be

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wrapped!