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[This was their favourite game--or rather, it was MINAHO'S favourite game, as they sit at one of the outside cafe table's at the Soccer Garden Shopping mall. They'd both gotten something from the nearby smoothie stand, sipping it in the hot sun as they kept their eyes peeled on the people around him.
It was amazing what you could deduct using context clues about the people around you. A mall brought all types, and with the variety of reasons for meeting here/shopping here, it made for a great game of 'guess what this person's motive is'. Manabe, a boy who seemed more into statistics and calculations, actually was fairly good at it himself, although don't ask Minaho how he'd come to some of those conclusions mathematically.
Guess that's why Manabe was the winner of the supercomputer competition...
There's a sip of his smoothie--lime and coconut as he tries to find someone who looked like they were on a mission, eyes finally settling on a man continuously looking at his watch and rocking back and forth on his heels.]
[It's entirely Minaho's favorite game. If Manabe hadn't won a few rounds, he might not even have bothered all that much with it. Well... if he hadn't won, and if Minaho wasn't halfway decent company. His observations were useful. From a completely different perspective than Manabe's. Which was interesting -- he had to admit. Completely unfathomable, but interesting, now that they weren't arguing anymore.]
[... smoothies weren't bad, either.]
[Admittedly, he hadn't really been looking. He'd been paying attention elsewhere that shall not be named, but, dutifully, he turns his head. Taking his time before answering, to try and ponder what his friend could possibly be asking next.]
Yes, I see. The one who thinks he's late, isn't he?
[An unlikely friendship, to say the least. When Inazuma Japan had first formed, they were two that seemed to never see eye to eye. Manabe, who often relied on his calculations (always accurate ones), and Minaho's immense understanding of human personalities, they tended to mix like oil and water. Two completely different mindsets, but the same brilliance underneath.
He enjoyed Manabe's company. Enough that he probably wouldn't ever consider with enough thought that it could mean something more than just someone to hang out with. For someone so perceptive to people's motives and feelings, they sure didn't have any effect when it was about him...or his own feelings themselves.
His fingers grip his chin, ears wiggling eagerly at Manabe's answer.]
Late...?
Or early?
[A small hint of challenge sounds in his voice, curiosity curling off his words as he leans forward, inspecting the man's behavior just a little more.]
[This is where you pause and sip your drink, right? He's seen that before. And so he does. Pointedly keeping his eye on their target. And not the other boy.]
[He's got to seem more aloof after all. Not to seem like he's enjoying this -- enjoying Minaho's company. Gotta keep up appearances. With as easily as Minaho reads people, it would be a shame to let himself be one of them. Put himself in the same level as the people they used as pawns.]
[Manabe had a point, he muses, sipping on his drink in thought as his eyes continue to scan their unaware subject of study. If it was truly too late that it would cause an issue...he'd call the person, or at least take his phone out to text...
Manabe's attempt at making himself seem more stoic is only met with friendliness on Minaho's end. To him, he could see right through it--the boy's attempt to be more mature than he let on. In his opinion, that's why he was here. To make sure that Manabe's not thinking too hard, despite their activity.
He wanted him to have fun, especially with him.]
What if he's early. And just nervous making sure he got the time right.
He could still call. That stands a better chance of getting the answer he needs than him constantly staring at his watch.
He's only wasting time, that way.
[So there.]
[Despite Minaho's attempts, he is bound and determined to maintain that cool exterior. That mature adult in a child's body. Let Minaho be the relateable, friendly one. He's fine as he is.]
[Who knows how long this soccer endeavor is going to last, after all. It's probably better for all of them if he doesn't make too deep of a connection.]
[Minaho's curiosity averts from the man for just a moment, instead zeroing in on the boy who's sitting across from him at the table. While he brought up some good points, certainly, there's one thing that sticks out.
One thing that Manabe seems to be kind of sticking to in his reasoning, and it can't help but pique his curiosity. His ears wiggle in excitement, leaning over the table, straw between his teeth.]
And what position is that, Manabe-kun? Do you have a motive in mind?
[The moment in which, if Manabe were more in control of his internal monologue, he would have kept his reaction under cover. Or, at least, less obvious.]
[He sputters a bit, which succeeds in knocking his glasses down his nose an inch or so. That, at least, gives him the opportunity to pause and push them back up -- giving him time to plan out his response.]
I might! But it's just obvious! He's waiting for some sort of date! Isn't he?
[Minaho's voice is quiet, contemplative, watching as the man continues to fidget with his jacket sleeve, the way his eyes dart back and forth. He's nervous....]
That's got to be it! [Green eyes light up, leaning forward and scooping up his smoothie for a victorious sip. Manabe had won this one, definitely, but he'd like to think they were all group efforts.]
You're better at this than I thought, Manabe-kun.
[There's no hint of sarcasm in that, either. Truth be told, moments like this were the most fun he'd had. Soccer was definitely up there too, but sometimes, getting to hang out with people you never thought you'd strike a friendship with, whether it be distance or personal interests...it was amazing what you could find when you look in all the wrong places.
[He's not sure if he meant it to come out offended or not. It's some weird combination of irritated and calm. Offended and proud. In that way only someone like Manabe can pull off. It's sort of impressive.]
[Like he wants to take pride in the fact he won this one, but still. The thought of Minaho thinking he wasn't good at something pokes him -- in a bad way. An irritating way.]
[They're both at the same level in soccer, just about, so why does this have to be different? Why can't --]
[Manabe's fussing goes over Minaho's head--maybe he did glance over some of the more minute parts of the lavender-hair boy's personality. Maybe he took for granted how much Manabe liked to spout facts and statistics and forgot that he's still a sensitive boy who wants validation underneath. Minaho was ever good at tact, and although he meant it exclusively as a compliment...
Sometimes it doesn't always come out that way.]
Well--If we agreed on a date, and if I was at the right spot at the right time...I wouldn't be nervous about that, I guess.
[Sorry, Minaho, that bit comes out in a sputter. One he doesn't entirely intend. He'd choke on his words if he were that sort of person, but indignation comes more easily.]
[Minaho had only intended the 'we' in the general sense, as in 'my date and I', but Manabe just immediately made this a little more awkward. And it shows in the way his little hair wings spring up like bamboo shoots. It's not that Minaho was completely stupid to his own feelings. Sure, he enjoyed spending time with Manabe whenever he could, and one could argue that their outings could be seen as a date if you squint...but Minaho had pretty much deduced that friendship was sometimes the end goal.
He was lucky he got that.]
W-Well what I meant was...[Please give him a moment to clear his throat, collect himself.] My apologies Manabe-kun, I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd go on a date with me.
[But his smile returns, albeit shakily.] Just...you know, if I -had- one.
[His fault for assuming Minaho meant them. His fault for thinking beyond friendship -- but with the way some of the others acted around each other, with the way people seemed to be obsessed with pairing off, or tripling off, what was he supposed to think? When his teammate, when the person he spent much of his off-time with, started talking about dating?]
[It was a logical step!]
[... okay, so it wasn't as logical as he preferred to be, but statistically speaking, when someone started talking to you about dates, it had some kind of intention behind it!]
I -- of course! Of course that was what you meant! I was just testing you.
Good for you, Minaho-kun, you've passed.
[He declares that last bit with a fist smacking into his palm. To regain composure. And pretend I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd go on a date with me didn't... oddly sting.]
[Silence draws out longer than Minaho wants (or feels comfortable with), unable to even take a sip of his smoothie without it feeling like he's just stalling for time. The way Manabe says it, his stammering and stuttering could be either out of mutual embarrassment or something much, much more.
His green eyes can't trace the source of it, either. There's no clues he can pick up.]
...Passed, huh...
[His eyes move up, looking at the sky briefly before going back down to stare him right in the eyes.]
I didn't technically answer any questions, though.
[The part of him seeking composure would be glad Minaho's assessment leans toward embarrassment. Or at least, just plain thought of it. If he knew that's what was going through his friend's mind. Instead, he just bends his attention to his smoothie.]
[Yep. Totally composed here. Nothing untoward or stinging here. He's fine, this is fine.]
Yes, passed.
[And then Minaho is looking right at him. And Manabe is the one to look away.]
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MinaMana; peoplewatching
[This was their favourite game--or rather, it was MINAHO'S favourite game, as they sit at one of the outside cafe table's at the Soccer Garden Shopping mall. They'd both gotten something from the nearby smoothie stand, sipping it in the hot sun as they kept their eyes peeled on the people around him.
It was amazing what you could deduct using context clues about the people around you. A mall brought all types, and with the variety of reasons for meeting here/shopping here, it made for a great game of 'guess what this person's motive is'. Manabe, a boy who seemed more into statistics and calculations, actually was fairly good at it himself, although don't ask Minaho how he'd come to some of those conclusions mathematically.
Guess that's why Manabe was the winner of the supercomputer competition...
There's a sip of his smoothie--lime and coconut as he tries to find someone who looked like they were on a mission, eyes finally settling on a man continuously looking at his watch and rocking back and forth on his heels.]
Interesting...
You see that guy right there, Manabe-kun?
no subject
[... smoothies weren't bad, either.]
[Admittedly, he hadn't really been looking. He'd been paying attention elsewhere that shall not be named, but, dutifully, he turns his head. Taking his time before answering, to try and ponder what his friend could possibly be asking next.]
Yes, I see. The one who thinks he's late, isn't he?
[Hah! Tell him he's right.]
no subject
He enjoyed Manabe's company. Enough that he probably wouldn't ever consider with enough thought that it could mean something more than just someone to hang out with. For someone so perceptive to people's motives and feelings, they sure didn't have any effect when it was about him...or his own feelings themselves.
His fingers grip his chin, ears wiggling eagerly at Manabe's answer.]
Late...?
Or early?
[A small hint of challenge sounds in his voice, curiosity curling off his words as he leans forward, inspecting the man's behavior just a little more.]
He could be waiting for someone who IS late.
no subject
[This is where you pause and sip your drink, right? He's seen that before. And so he does. Pointedly keeping his eye on their target. And not the other boy.]
[He's got to seem more aloof after all. Not to seem like he's enjoying this -- enjoying Minaho's company. Gotta keep up appearances. With as easily as Minaho reads people, it would be a shame to let himself be one of them. Put himself in the same level as the people they used as pawns.]
[It's unseemly.]
It's what I would do.
no subject
[Manabe had a point, he muses, sipping on his drink in thought as his eyes continue to scan their unaware subject of study. If it was truly too late that it would cause an issue...he'd call the person, or at least take his phone out to text...
Manabe's attempt at making himself seem more stoic is only met with friendliness on Minaho's end. To him, he could see right through it--the boy's attempt to be more mature than he let on. In his opinion, that's why he was here. To make sure that Manabe's not thinking too hard, despite their activity.
He wanted him to have fun, especially with him.]
What if he's early. And just nervous making sure he got the time right.
no subject
He's only wasting time, that way.
[So there.]
[Despite Minaho's attempts, he is bound and determined to maintain that cool exterior. That mature adult in a child's body. Let Minaho be the relateable, friendly one. He's fine as he is.]
[Who knows how long this soccer endeavor is going to last, after all. It's probably better for all of them if he doesn't make too deep of a connection.]
I would call, were I in his position.
[sip.]
no subject
[Minaho's curiosity averts from the man for just a moment, instead zeroing in on the boy who's sitting across from him at the table. While he brought up some good points, certainly, there's one thing that sticks out.
One thing that Manabe seems to be kind of sticking to in his reasoning, and it can't help but pique his curiosity. His ears wiggle in excitement, leaning over the table, straw between his teeth.]
And what position is that, Manabe-kun? Do you have a motive in mind?
no subject
[He sputters a bit, which succeeds in knocking his glasses down his nose an inch or so. That, at least, gives him the opportunity to pause and push them back up -- giving him time to plan out his response.]
I might! But it's just obvious! He's waiting for some sort of date! Isn't he?
no subject
[Minaho's voice is quiet, contemplative, watching as the man continues to fidget with his jacket sleeve, the way his eyes dart back and forth. He's nervous....]
That's got to be it! [Green eyes light up, leaning forward and scooping up his smoothie for a victorious sip. Manabe had won this one, definitely, but he'd like to think they were all group efforts.]
You're better at this than I thought, Manabe-kun.
[There's no hint of sarcasm in that, either. Truth be told, moments like this were the most fun he'd had. Soccer was definitely up there too, but sometimes, getting to hang out with people you never thought you'd strike a friendship with, whether it be distance or personal interests...it was amazing what you could find when you look in all the wrong places.
Heh, he almost sounds like a dating app.]
I don't think I'd be that nervous, if it were me.
no subject
[He's not sure if he meant it to come out offended or not. It's some weird combination of irritated and calm. Offended and proud. In that way only someone like Manabe can pull off. It's sort of impressive.]
[Like he wants to take pride in the fact he won this one, but still. The thought of Minaho thinking he wasn't good at something pokes him -- in a bad way. An irritating way.]
[They're both at the same level in soccer, just about, so why does this have to be different? Why can't --]
[Wait what.]
You think you'd be calm, waiting to date someone?
no subject
[Manabe's fussing goes over Minaho's head--maybe he did glance over some of the more minute parts of the lavender-hair boy's personality. Maybe he took for granted how much Manabe liked to spout facts and statistics and forgot that he's still a sensitive boy who wants validation underneath. Minaho was ever good at tact, and although he meant it exclusively as a compliment...
Sometimes it doesn't always come out that way.]
Well--If we agreed on a date, and if I was at the right spot at the right time...I wouldn't be nervous about that, I guess.
no subject
[Sorry, Minaho, that bit comes out in a sputter. One he doesn't entirely intend. He'd choke on his words if he were that sort of person, but indignation comes more easily.]
Why would you imply we were on a date?
no subject
[Minaho had only intended the 'we' in the general sense, as in 'my date and I', but Manabe just immediately made this a little more awkward. And it shows in the way his little hair wings spring up like bamboo shoots. It's not that Minaho was completely stupid to his own feelings. Sure, he enjoyed spending time with Manabe whenever he could, and one could argue that their outings could be seen as a date if you squint...but Minaho had pretty much deduced that friendship was sometimes the end goal.
He was lucky he got that.]
W-Well what I meant was...[Please give him a moment to clear his throat, collect himself.] My apologies Manabe-kun, I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd go on a date with me.
[But his smile returns, albeit shakily.] Just...you know, if I -had- one.
no subject
[It was a logical step!]
[... okay, so it wasn't as logical as he preferred to be, but statistically speaking, when someone started talking to you about dates, it had some kind of intention behind it!]
I -- of course! Of course that was what you meant! I was just testing you.
Good for you, Minaho-kun, you've passed.
[He declares that last bit with a fist smacking into his palm. To regain composure. And pretend I didn't mean to insinuate that you'd go on a date with me didn't... oddly sting.]
no subject
His green eyes can't trace the source of it, either. There's no clues he can pick up.]
...Passed, huh...
[His eyes move up, looking at the sky briefly before going back down to stare him right in the eyes.]
I didn't technically answer any questions, though.
no subject
[Yep. Totally composed here. Nothing untoward or stinging here. He's fine, this is fine.]
Yes, passed.
[And then Minaho is looking right at him. And Manabe is the one to look away.]
Some questions can be unspoken, can't they?