It's alright. [He doesn't seem to mind at all, blinking a little in surprise.] It's what you're most comfortable with, being proactive at all times. I can never fault you for that. Besides, nothing says we can't change the subject if you'd like, does it?
Maybe. But I'd like to be able to turn that part of my brain off once in a while.
[ especially considering there's a good chance they're going to die when they get home - if not here in this place. Mizuki quiets for a second, then turns to him with a more serious curiosity. ]
We won't be able to talk again after this ends, after all. I don't want to spend all my time with you thinking about this terrible game.
Then we should make the most of this. [They're both aware of what the future holds, after all.] I've never really...[He's not sure how to say "I highkey avoid talking about anything too personal" without sounding suspicious, so.] Anything you wish to know is yours to ask. Even when this ends...I'd like us to be friends rather than a relationship built on only keeping each other alive.
Eh...? Do you not think of me as your friend already? Now I feel lonely.
[ they're half teasing, but half... not... they haven't thought of him as only something keeping them alive since he took off his mask, at the very latest. ]
Not at all. I've always thought of you as someone familiar and close even in our early discussions. [Then?]
But...I can also recognize that sometimes the things I do and demand of people can take away from other people's time. [He bows his head a little. This is something that was, apparently, a realization he had in his own world and one he's been working on here.] I've always said you deserve the very best. I still believe that.
[ Huh. Funny - they haven't thought of him that way since the beginning. At this point, he's the only god who they don't feel like is making unreasonable demands of them and their time. Mizuki blinks at him, then laughs softly, reaching out to nudge his shoulder with one hand. ]
In that case, I think I deserve you. You're the best god, after all. [ a beat. ] All the time we've shared, I've given to you willingly.
[He immediately brightens again, smiling with little resistance when they speak again.]
And mine is yours, so...please, ask me anything else you'd like. Or we can just talk about anything at all. [Antoinette woofs in agreement but she's too busy leaning heavily against Tamaki's legs.] I want all of our time together to be memorable, and for the best.
[ as always, his big smile warms their heart right up. Once in a while, they think back and realize how foolish this all is. How have they been swept up so soundly in the words and actions of one of the people who took them here? Maybe this is how Hisato got sucked in, too. If there was someone bright and gentle like Tamaki on the other side of the Otherworld Broadcasts, with honest eyes, a tender heart, and a convincing story, they suppose they'd understand. This could still be a great big con with Tamaki taking them for a ride -- all because his sunny optimism and sensitive nature makes them all gooey on the inside.
Now is one of those times. Even so, they sink into the couch a little more, and let the thought pass them by. ]
Let's see... I already asked about your family. Oh, what about hobbies...? Do you have a favorite school subject? I know you mentioned business before.
[It's maybe one of Tamaki's flaws, not understanding everything about this competition to the best of his ability, but his strength is being able to charge ahead and be the best for Mizuki, be the one to approach everything with an optimistic mind. It's why he's happy to keep this going even as he thinks on it.]
I did! My father wants me to work with him to expand our enterprises, but that wouldn't have been until after I graduated. He was beginning to teach me a bit though...I don't think I have a favorite subject, really, but I like school. I like trying new things, so hobbies tend to shift depending on what I find to be fun at the moment. Games with my friends, trying all sorts of new foods and traveling new places, and music, of course. I haven't taken lessons or anything but I still play.
The Host Club takes up a majority of my time though.
Mm. [There's a nod.] My mother played as well, so I learned from her. And then I began teaching myself so I could play for her. It was something we could share together.
My mother was a wonderful person. [He looks and sounds fairly fond.] We lived together near Paris until I was fourteen. ...she was ill so we didn't get to play together often, but I didn't mind spending time indoors with her on those days. It's how I really learned to play.
[Because it made his mother happy, and it meant he could stay at her side.]
Thank you. I think so as well. [He grins then.] Those were the most fun days when we could play together. But when I left...[He falters a little before changing the subject smoothly.]
The Host Club uses one of the music rooms for club activities. We have a piano there, and so I thought it was appropriate to have a piano in this parlor as well.
No! No, no, Honey-senpai...[Give him a second, he's actually jamming a hand into his pocket and pulling out an old cell phone. He's clicking though before he pulls up a photo of the Host Club. All seven of them. He's pointing to the short blond clinging to the back of the tall dark-haired boy.] This is Honey-senpai.
[ he looks like he's 12. Mizuki is also a little charmed-slash-distracted by Tamaki's antique phone, but they don't comment on it for the moment, instead looking over at him with a raised eyebrow. ]
That's your senpai? Wow. He's so youthful that I feel jealous.
[He's just laughing a little. Also please ignore that it's definitely a flip phone because Ouran is old as sin.]
Haninozuka is his family name. He's actually the eldest of all of us. He's in his third year of high school along with Mori-senpai. [He points to Mori in the photo.] The loli-shota type, and the wild type.
It is! I've seen pictures of these online before. I've heard they were basically indestructible.
[ they may be confusing his phone with a Nokia. In any case, they're gentle with it, indestructible or not, and squint at the small photo of his friends. ]
So that's your Kyoya-kun... He looks like he'd be the #1 in your class, doesn't he? Haha. [ nodding. ] The other three are?
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Mm. Let's do that, Tamaki-kun.
[ a pause; then they laugh a little. ]
I ended up turning the conversation to business again, didn't I? I've really got to stop doing that.
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[ especially considering there's a good chance they're going to die when they get home - if not here in this place. Mizuki quiets for a second, then turns to him with a more serious curiosity. ]
We won't be able to talk again after this ends, after all. I don't want to spend all my time with you thinking about this terrible game.
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[ they're half teasing, but half... not... they haven't thought of him as only something keeping them alive since he took off his mask, at the very latest. ]
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But...I can also recognize that sometimes the things I do and demand of people can take away from other people's time. [He bows his head a little. This is something that was, apparently, a realization he had in his own world and one he's been working on here.] I've always said you deserve the very best. I still believe that.
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In that case, I think I deserve you. You're the best god, after all. [ a beat. ] All the time we've shared, I've given to you willingly.
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And mine is yours, so...please, ask me anything else you'd like. Or we can just talk about anything at all. [Antoinette woofs in agreement but she's too busy leaning heavily against Tamaki's legs.] I want all of our time together to be memorable, and for the best.
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Now is one of those times. Even so, they sink into the couch a little more, and let the thought pass them by. ]
Let's see... I already asked about your family. Oh, what about hobbies...? Do you have a favorite school subject? I know you mentioned business before.
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I did! My father wants me to work with him to expand our enterprises, but that wouldn't have been until after I graduated. He was beginning to teach me a bit though...I don't think I have a favorite subject, really, but I like school. I like trying new things, so hobbies tend to shift depending on what I find to be fun at the moment. Games with my friends, trying all sorts of new foods and traveling new places, and music, of course. I haven't taken lessons or anything but I still play.
The Host Club takes up a majority of my time though.
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You haven't taken lessons, but you're still that good on the piano? Wow. You're like a prodigy.
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[ they can easily imagine him as a mama's boy. ]
You and your mother must have been close, then.
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[Because it made his mother happy, and it meant he could stay at her side.]
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Well, it worked. You sound great. If she could hear you now, I bet she'd be proud of you.
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The Host Club uses one of the music rooms for club activities. We have a piano there, and so I thought it was appropriate to have a piano in this parlor as well.
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[ do they look slightly guilty for a second? no, surely he imagined it ]
And here I am, taking naps in there all the time... How gauche.
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[Yes please just. Let Tamaki assume Mizuki only means napping.]
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Honey-senpai...?
[ what a name... they make a single assumption from this. ]
Tamaki-kun, did you have a girlfriend back home?
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No! No, no, Honey-senpai...[Give him a second, he's actually jamming a hand into his pocket and pulling out an old cell phone. He's clicking though before he pulls up a photo of the Host Club. All seven of them. He's pointing to the short blond clinging to the back of the tall dark-haired boy.] This is Honey-senpai.
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[ he looks like he's 12. Mizuki is also a little charmed-slash-distracted by Tamaki's antique phone, but they don't comment on it for the moment, instead looking over at him with a raised eyebrow. ]
That's your senpai? Wow. He's so youthful that I feel jealous.
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Haninozuka is his family name. He's actually the eldest of all of us. He's in his third year of high school along with Mori-senpai. [He points to Mori in the photo.] The loli-shota type, and the wild type.
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[ the early 2000s were a wild time, and Mizuki doesn't understand... they're mostly teasing him, though. ]
Oh, can I see your phone? I've never seen one that old before in person.
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The cool type, the little devil type, and the natural type. [Pointing at Kyoya, the twins and Haruhi in that order.] We cater to everyone.
[It's an old phone but it was new for him, probably.] Is it really that old...? Well to you this must be a relic.
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[ they may be confusing his phone with a Nokia. In any case, they're gentle with it, indestructible or not, and squint at the small photo of his friends. ]
So that's your Kyoya-kun... He looks like he'd be the #1 in your class, doesn't he? Haha. [ nodding. ] The other three are?
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