Aqua, like a normal person: does as any actor about to be caught doing something deeply stupid would do.
He acts.
He closes his eyes, seeming confused at first, before flashing Ryoshu one of his most disarming, bright smiles, bringing a hand to his fringe.
Everything must go according to plan. I cannot falter. Not now.]
Ah, right... you were...? [He feigns perfect airheaded-ness at first, someone caught off guard, someone off of their groove.] Ryoshu-san, correct? My apologies for pestering you while you are at work.
I am just going out for some fresh air. [He closes his eyes, mouth drawn into a small, if strained smile, letting some of his anxieties bleed through the cracks.] I am... not feeling very well.
[All adults, when it came to staff in occasions such as these, are the same. They wish to be left alone to their work, to be unbothered, and as long as he has a good enough excuse, a well enough explanation—]
Please, don't tell Ruby. She... doesn't need that on her plate right now.
[She nearly scoffs. How foolish. She's been wrangling her rambunctious daughter for years. Ryoshu is well aware of what it looks like when a child is attempting to throw your notice off.
Hoshino Aqua wasn't a bad actor— in fact, this act of his might have fooled anyone else, if they were a regular guard. But Ryoshu took pride in her job and in excelling at it, even if she'd have preferred something bloodier.
Besides, she hasn't been hired for long, but she knows enough that this isn't how he acts.
Ryoshu raises her eyebrow at the last sentence— that really was the kicker. If Hoshino Aqua meant to simply step outside for a walk, why would he ask she not tell his sister, or better yet, his adoptive mother?]
[Perplexed, Aqua comes to a standstill to the woman before him, troubled by the way she trails him like a shadow. There's a confused glint in his eyes, as he bundles himself further into his clothes, the chill of the late evening settling down and deep within his bones.
He raises an eyebrow, after a while of the stand off, baffled by her insistence.]
You... can't? [Blink.] It's fine, you know. I am of age, Ryoshu-san. nothing will happen to me if I merely take a walk.
[Aqua forces a smile, weak but wavering, eyes drifting to the ground. He's got to hurry. If he doesn't, what could happen to Ruby, Kana—no, the rest of his family, his friends, his—
Nausea overwhelms him. Hand gripping onto a handrail to the side, he brings a hand to his mouth, trying not to retch the empty contents of his stomach right down the pavement.
How annoying. These emotions of his... They only get in the way.
He breathes heavily, attempting to get a hold on himself, panic settling into his veins, settling root like the most stubborn of weeds.
He doesn't cry. He hasn't, ever since he wrung all he had left in him, back on Tokyo Blade.]
[She sighs, already growing exasperated, the stand off just annoying her more.] I am your guard, H.A. The contract between your manager and L.C.B.T. includes you, not just B.K. [Then, she raises an eyebrow, expression dry.] I.T only a walk?
[Then, Hoshino loses the act, though not by any measure of his own. Ryoshu stands there, a dark shadow at his side as he turns leans over the guardrail, huddled in his clothes. He looks like...the kid, when their team had been assigned to that overly Christmassy town. Whimpering. Guilty.
Ryoshu waits for him to gather himself, not offering any gesture of comfort.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2026-03-25 10:37 pm (UTC)Despite his sombre mood, knife pocketed in stride, Aqua can't help but still at the weird acronym. At first, he thinks nothing of it, merely confused.
And upon further thought, he quickens his steps some more, expecting for whoever to have called out to him to be a mere fluke.
Ryoshu's charge is a true idiot if he thinks he can escape her notice that easily.]
no subject
Date: 2026-03-25 10:44 pm (UTC)Hoshino Aqua. Where are you going?
[The words are dry and she easily keeps pace with him, not even bothering to hang back.]
no subject
Date: 2026-03-25 11:18 pm (UTC)Aqua, like a normal person: does as any actor about to be caught doing something deeply stupid would do.
He acts.
He closes his eyes, seeming confused at first, before flashing Ryoshu one of his most disarming, bright smiles, bringing a hand to his fringe.
Everything must go according to plan. I cannot falter. Not now.]
Ah, right... you were...? [He feigns perfect airheaded-ness at first, someone caught off guard, someone off of their groove.] Ryoshu-san, correct? My apologies for pestering you while you are at work.
I am just going out for some fresh air. [He closes his eyes, mouth drawn into a small, if strained smile, letting some of his anxieties bleed through the cracks.] I am... not feeling very well.
[All adults, when it came to staff in occasions such as these, are the same. They wish to be left alone to their work, to be unbothered, and as long as he has a good enough excuse, a well enough explanation—]
Please, don't tell Ruby. She... doesn't need that on her plate right now.
I will be right back.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-25 11:31 pm (UTC)Hoshino Aqua wasn't a bad actor— in fact, this act of his might have fooled anyone else, if they were a regular guard. But Ryoshu took pride in her job and in excelling at it, even if she'd have preferred something bloodier.
Besides, she hasn't been hired for long, but she knows enough that this isn't how he acts.
Ryoshu raises her eyebrow at the last sentence— that really was the kicker. If Hoshino Aqua meant to simply step outside for a walk, why would he ask she not tell his sister, or better yet, his adoptive mother?]
Hmph. Can't do that, kid.
[And she just keeps following him.]
no subject
Date: 2026-03-25 11:41 pm (UTC)He raises an eyebrow, after a while of the stand off, baffled by her insistence.]
You... can't? [Blink.] It's fine, you know. I am of age, Ryoshu-san. nothing will happen to me if I merely take a walk.
[Aqua forces a smile, weak but wavering, eyes drifting to the ground. He's got to hurry. If he doesn't, what could happen to Ruby, Kana—no, the rest of his family, his friends, his—
Nausea overwhelms him. Hand gripping onto a handrail to the side, he brings a hand to his mouth, trying not to retch the empty contents of his stomach right down the pavement.
How annoying. These emotions of his... They only get in the way.
He breathes heavily, attempting to get a hold on himself, panic settling into his veins, settling root like the most stubborn of weeds.
He doesn't cry. He hasn't, ever since he wrung all he had left in him, back on Tokyo Blade.]
no subject
Date: 2026-03-25 11:55 pm (UTC)[Then, Hoshino loses the act, though not by any measure of his own. Ryoshu stands there, a dark shadow at his side as he turns leans over the guardrail, huddled in his clothes. He looks like...the kid, when their team had been assigned to that overly Christmassy town. Whimpering. Guilty.
Ryoshu waits for him to gather himself, not offering any gesture of comfort.
She really wishes she had a cig right now.]
no subject
Date: 2026-03-26 02:30 am (UTC)He coughs—and though nothing comes out, it sounds like he's dying, for a solid second, a baby bird with its neck on a twist.
It takes a few solid minutes for the world to stop spinning, a hand to his hair, fingers digging through his scalp.]
...Sorry, [He offers, near immediate.] I should... Hah, really get going...
[He inhales, astringent and sharp, the taste of acid lingering in his mouth.]
Yes, it's only a walk. Please... [He holds on the handrail, attempting to get a few steps in, trembling.] Take care of Ruby and the others for me...
[...He's not truly listening.]