ayano's theory of bruises - 9/19, 4:15PM

[kagepuro]

Ummmm

Is there anyone on here who’s like...good at make up that can help me...Like one of those instagram models or something...

I was clumsy enough to give myself a black eye, and I need to hide it from my parents so they don’t freak out or get the wrong idea…

[A picture of Ayano follows, purple and black underline her left eye--thankfully not particularly swollen. Even so, whatever she smashed into must have smashed into her pretty hard. She wears a weak, sheepish smile on her face despite the heavy bruise. If it weren't there, this would be a perfectly good Facebook profile picture, in fact.]

It’s not that bad, right? Silly me...
Maybe I should just do the emo hair thing...?

Comments

[kagepuro]

[It's almost a little disheartening. She doesn't want him to get a warning. She wants them to acknowledge that something is wrong, and to get him help...The words that are coming out of Naoto's mouth are so complicated and scary. She hangs her head a bit, feeling as dumb and stupid as usual.]

I'll...press charge then, I think. Whatever happens...something should happen, right? I need to do something...

[A slight, likely forced smile.]

At least I picked the right person to get help from...I wouldn't have any idea what to do without you here explaining it to me...

[And another pat to Kanji.]

And you, too!

[truedetective]

I would say you would like to, yes. That's the way to lodge a formal complaint, and as I said, it means there's a record if he does anything violent later. But as is, especially given that he's a minor, it's unlikely that he'd face any significant penalty for the crime. Possibly just community service. I'm happy that I can at least walk you through this process. I understand it might be intimidating.

[kagepuro]

[Ayano leans slightly as she walks. They're getting closer to the Police Station and her nerves are starting to act up. She accidentally bumps shoulders with Naoto, and presents a weary smile in apology.]

I just want people to know about him. I think he needs help, is all.

[Folds her hands back behind her once more, taking slower, more careful steps.]

I'm kind of nervous about school. Stuff people might say after they find out what actually happened to me, and why my eye is all messed up...
[SIGH.]
No more bad rumors about me, please...

[truedetective]

[Naoto just nods at the wordless apology, a wordless acceptance in response.] That... I'm not sure you can get for him. He might need to seek it out himself, unless he does something much worse. [She glances sidelong at the older girl.] Why would you become the targets of rumors? It strikes me that he would be the one to get the lion's share of the gossip.

[kagepuro]

Because boys like to say mean things about girls. Bad things... Weird things...

[Nudges Naoto's arm with a weak smile.]

No offense.

[And turns her gaze back forward, towards the Police Station on the horizon that's getting bigger and bigger.]

I just wanna be me, you know? Having what happened to me sitting on my face...I don't like it very much, Naoto. Not at all...

[truedetective]

[Oh. Right.] H-hah, none taken, I assure you. [Excellent cover, Naoto.] I can hardly blame you for that. Even so... teasing can be cruel, but actual crimes and police reports are something else entirely. Whatever they say at school, you've done nothing wrong.

[kagepuro]

[Seeing Naoto lose his composure, for whatever reason he seems to lose it for, is immensely satisfying, somehow. There's a glimmer of something behind the outward strength that's...endearing? Ayano then gives him a warm look when he tells her she's done nothing wrong. There's no need to thank him again, is there? The look should be enough for now. Gratefulness.

But her feet slow and eventually stop as they reach the police station. The air seems to get thick and cold. Her fingers tremble slightly, idly stretching outward towards Naoto's hand before recoiling back without ever making contact. It's scary, and the situation is real again.]

I guess this is it, huh...?

[truedetective]

It is. [She nods.] Do you want me to come inside with you, or should I wait here with Kanji until you're finished? Whichever would be more comfortable for you I'm fine with.

[kagepuro]

[Ayano takes a slow step ahead of Naoto, towards the doors, balling her fists at her sides. Deep breath...

Unfurling one fist, trembling fingertips reach for the doors, the other's knuckles slowly turning white.

It takes a few seconds, but she cocks her head back to look at Naoto.]

...I'm sorry.

[A false smile.]

Looks like I can't do it by myself after all, hehe...

[truedetective]

[Naoto shakes her head, trying to give Ayano a somewhat comforting smile.

She's not very good at comfort?] That's all right. You don't need to apologize.

You're being brave trying to do this already. Let me tie Kanji up out here and I'll be right with you.

[kagepuro]

[It's...an interesting smile. Like he's not entirely comfortable with smiling, or maybe he doesn't smile very often? It's sweet though, and he doesn't seem like he's faking it all. He's trying to give her strength, right? Passing over into a language that maybe he's not as familiar in, just for her.

Come to think of it, as time is passing in slow motions and her eyes stay focused on Naoto's face, when has she ever seen this before?

Seeing Naoto around school before they knew each other, the picture on the network, and this whole time that they've been walking together.

This is the very first time she's ever seen him look like this. A little awkward and stiff, but he's smiling.

It's a nice smile.

She takes a mental snapshot before transitioning back into reality. Her feet guide her backwards, positioning herself behind Naoto where her shoulder lightly bumps against his arm, purely, well, probably, on accident.]

Ah, Naoto, okay...

L-Lead the way...! [And maybe, for a second, her heart started to flutter.]

[truedetective]

[Naoto isn't very used to smiling, no. She's far too serious. That's probably a problem. Ayano looks at her for perhaps only a second or two too long, but it's enough to make Naoto's cheeks start to warm. She reaches up to tug the brim of her cap absentmindedly, before reaching down to tie Kanji's lead around the railing of the stairs.] Stay. Good boy. [She then looks back up to Ayano.] Let's go in, then. [She climbs the stairs into the police station.]