[ The lock of hair hanging loosely down into Mine's face touches the glass, he leans that close in now. The repetitive motion of the claw is meditative. He'd become so focused that he doesn't realize it looks like he's gunning for the plush itself that way. ]
What? Ohβ
[ The squirrel toy is tantalizingly close to dropping with just a bit more of a push. A glance back at Nishikiyama is brief. Mine's voice steadies despite the intensity of his concentration. ]
I'll get it for you.
[ He'd been following Nishikiyama's strategy from earlier. So, one more try of grabbing the headβ Chestnut the squirrel drops into the prize slot below and the claw machine itself cheers. Mine stays glued to the window, but his eyes widen. ]
[ Nishikiyama's big baddie persona slips when he sees Chestnut fall, and he's eager to crouch down to collect the prize from where it's landed. Some part-time staff nearby make an hourly wage to clap for Mine's victory and provide themβ two grown men who stick out like sore thumbsβ a complimentary congratulations. Nishikiyama tucks his squirrel under the armpit of his jacket. ]
[ Mine's expression softens into a rare smile as he watches Nishikiyama collect the prize. A sense of accomplishment swells in him. His gaze sweeps over the game center after pulling away from the console. ]
Do you think so? [ That's praise, essentially. Acting like that over a game and a toyβ ]
You blew money, but that's normal the first time. You got through it without needing the staff to come pity move the toy over for you or give tips.
[ As he notices Mine's smile, his own softens. The moment between them is pleasant, but Nishikiyama doesn't want it exposed in public for long. He tries looking elsewhere, at the MesuKing machine close behind them. The weirdly sexual visuals make it awkward. ]
Want to get a quick bite to eat or something?
[ Cafe Alps isn't far. He doesn't want to be in the game center anymore, he's decided. They've garnered enough attention for others to make rumors, and he doesn't want that. His squirrel's head is flattened under his arm. ]
[ He'll have spent like, what, most of the 5,000 yen he exchanged for coins. It's not exactly an amount of money that matters to Mine these days. Nishikiyama dragging his gaze away frees him from confessing he'd never set foot in an arcade, let alone played even one of the games here before; his hometown didn't even have one. MesuKing isn't something he'll want to play.
His eyes remain on Nishikiyama. Mine returns to his own observation upon stepping in here. They stick out and should go elsewhere. ]
Yes, that sounds good.
[ There's enough time left for that, too. Mine's smile begins to fade some but isn't going completely. ]
[ The cafe isn't too far of a walk from the game center, and Cafe Alps is experiencing a lull. The prime of lunch hour on a weekday has passed, and Nishikiyama and Mine are shown a seat quicklyβ led to somewhere bright with lots of sunshine. Nishikiyama paws through the menu, deciding on an iced tea and carbonara set. The cowboy Chestnut plushie with him looks much more out of place now than it'd been before, with the other prizes visible in the machine. He pays it no mind, laying it in the corner of the booth. ]
You were going to buy the properties I asked for after this? Or go back to your office?
[ Though he doesn't say why he's asking, he wants to confirm why Mine can't stay out with him. ]
I'm going back to finish the purchasing contract on our end, then I have a meeting with trade representatives from a technology venture.
[ He shares openly, sensing there's a reason Nishikiyama asks, but not sure what part really interests him. Mine doesn't say how much more of his afternoon will be taken up by that meeting, for example. Details are imprecise, but mostly innocuousβ ]
[ Nishikiyama remains equally vague and, stranger than before, he's not as obsessed with the mention of Hiyoshi. He laces his fingers together beneath his chin, resting it on the webbing. ]
[ He tries to gauge the response for something that asks him to elaborate on specifics. Nishikiyama doesn't clearly say, or even subtextually, and Mine stays without leaning forward or back in his chair. Not his entire day. ]
[ Their food arrives after he says so, each plate set down across from them. The waitress leaves with a polite bow, but Nishikiyama isn't assed to even notice. ]
[ Mine's much too focused on his answer as well, eagerness burns in his eyes. After a moment he takes fork and knife, like automated, but even then he doesn't start on his meal. ]
Alright, I'll make sure of that.
[ Everything about his invitation seems tensile. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
What? Ohβ
[ The squirrel toy is tantalizingly close to dropping with just a bit more of a push. A glance back at Nishikiyama is brief. Mine's voice steadies despite the intensity of his concentration. ]
I'll get it for you.
[ He'd been following Nishikiyama's strategy from earlier. So, one more try of grabbing the headβ Chestnut the squirrel drops into the prize slot below and the claw machine itself cheers. Mine stays glued to the window, but his eyes widen. ]
no subject
[ Nishikiyama's big baddie persona slips when he sees Chestnut fall, and he's eager to crouch down to collect the prize from where it's landed. Some part-time staff nearby make an hourly wage to clap for Mine's victory and provide themβ two grown men who stick out like sore thumbsβ a complimentary congratulations. Nishikiyama tucks his squirrel under the armpit of his jacket. ]
Didn't even take you that long. Not really.
no subject
Do you think so? [ That's praise, essentially. Acting like that over a game and a toyβ ]
It was fun. [ Mine says, off-beat. ]
no subject
[ As he notices Mine's smile, his own softens. The moment between them is pleasant, but Nishikiyama doesn't want it exposed in public for long. He tries looking elsewhere, at the MesuKing machine close behind them. The weirdly sexual visuals make it awkward. ]
Want to get a quick bite to eat or something?
[ Cafe Alps isn't far. He doesn't want to be in the game center anymore, he's decided. They've garnered enough attention for others to make rumors, and he doesn't want that. His squirrel's head is flattened under his arm. ]
no subject
His eyes remain on Nishikiyama. Mine returns to his own observation upon stepping in here. They stick out and should go elsewhere. ]
Yes, that sounds good.
[ There's enough time left for that, too. Mine's smile begins to fade some but isn't going completely. ]
no subject
You were going to buy the properties I asked for after this? Or go back to your office?
[ Though he doesn't say why he's asking, he wants to confirm why Mine can't stay out with him. ]
no subject
I'm going back to finish the purchasing contract on our end, then I have a meeting with trade representatives from a technology venture.
[ He shares openly, sensing there's a reason Nishikiyama asks, but not sure what part really interests him. Mine doesn't say how much more of his afternoon will be taken up by that meeting, for example. Details are imprecise, but mostly innocuousβ ]
Also, I'll send you that information on Hiyoshi.
no subject
[ Nishikiyama remains equally vague and, stranger than before, he's not as obsessed with the mention of Hiyoshi. He laces his fingers together beneath his chin, resting it on the webbing. ]
For the rest of your day.
no subject
My workday, yes.
no subject
[ This part may give away what he's trying to ask. ]
no subject
[ Mine's heart flutters. Now he understands. His earlier apprehension is entirely absent from his face. ]
Are you? I'd like it if you came over.
no subject
[ Their food arrives after he says so, each plate set down across from them. The waitress leaves with a polite bow, but Nishikiyama isn't assed to even notice. ]
Leave tomorrow morning open too.
no subject
Alright, I'll make sure of that.
[ Everything about his invitation seems tensile. ]
At 8 o'clock.
[ He'll be home then. ]