usedlaserbeam | 017 | Goldenrod City

[It may seem like an odd endeavor, wandering the snowy streets of Goldenrod in such relatively unpleasant weather, but sure enough, that's precisely what Yagyuu's doing today. It's not the first time he's gone over these streets and it almost certainly won't be the last; he's not so much exploring today as he is just walking the familiar byways, his breath making translucent clouds in the chilly air.

There's a Vulpix riding along with him, curled around his shoulders and supported atop his backpack, nuzzled in close to his neck like an oversize, furry, Fire-type scarf. If the weight or the awkwardness of ferrying her in that way bothers him, he certainly doesn't show it; his own scarf is draped light but snug from his neck to his chin, and the collar of his heavy winter coat is turned up as added protection against the cold.

He's carrying a few bags with him, of varying sizes, all unmistakably from the Goldenrod Department Store—evidently, he's been out shopping. And perhaps he still is, because at the moment he's stopped in front of the frosted glass window of a jewelry store, peering in at the display and watching the light catch the facets of the gemstones as they glitter against their black velvet backings.]

Another four days and you'll be six months old, Masako. It is strange how time flies, isn't it?

[He's speaking quietly, more to himself than the little fox on his shoulders.]

And strange, too, how much can change in seven months.

[And he seems to dwell on that, lost in thought, as the jewels gleam bright in the window and the fine mist of his condensing breath drifts and disperses in the cold afternoon air.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

When I said I'd come to your rescue in the future, Marui-kun, I will admit this isn't precisely what I had in mind.

What flavors?

[Well, look who it is. They have a knack for meeting up in the cold, don't they.]

I never was much a fan of purple. Good afternoon, Kujikawa-san.

[ she'll regret her snowy day wanderings one of these days. ]

Me neither, actually. [ tugging the scarf down a little to speak properly. ] You've been busy.

[He glances from the bracelets in the window to Rise, momentarily wondering if that's bait to get him to talk about the grand scheme of things, or if it's as simple an inquiry as where he's been today. Either way, the dual possibility wins his faint approval.]

That's only to be expected, when there's a great deal to do. [But he smiles, lightly, which given Yagyuu may be tellingly suspicious in itself.] Are you going to demand to see the contents of all my bags?

It seems you've been here a month longer than I have.

Though I did return home for a month and a half.

You returned home and then were brought back?

[Okay, well, that's relevant to his current interests.]

If it's not too forward to ask, would you be willing to answer a question for me about that experience?

Yes. According to the calendar here, I was gone for a month and a half. Back home, I was gone for only a few weeks.

[ She figured this was due to miss his home. ]

Oh no, not at all. I will do my best to answer them.

Yes, I've heard that there's something of a time discrepancy between the two.

[His partner gone six months and not once had he ever noticed a difference back home—]

When you were brought back, did you return with memory of your previous stay in Johto? Or if not possessed of it from the beginning, did it...come back, gradually, over time?

I remembered everything.

From he moment I arrived to New Bark to the moment I arrived to Violet. I remembered the names of all my friends here --- including my Pokemon.

I tried to contact my other friends back then, Shinn and Athrun. I wasn't successful because they were away on assignment. I spoke to Shinn while he was here though ... and he too remembered everything.

I see. You weren't made to start anew, as it were; you were permitted to resume where you'd left off, figuratively speaking.

[There's another lingering pause, here.]

That's helpful to know, thank you.

Mnm. You are welcome.

[ Pause. ]

It actually helped me a lot to know that I could still leave this world with my memories. I do not want to forget a single person or experience here ... it helped me become a better person.

You're an optimist, then. I'm glad it's worked out for you this far...and likewise, that you were able to remember. I imagine your friends would've been quite distressed if you hadn't.

I do try, but I admit that it isn't always easy.

I do understand. I have met many friends who returned but couldn't remember anything about this place or me. It was a sad feeling. Memories are so fickle and fragile in this world.

How did you react to it, when they forgot you? Did you try to remind them of your history together, or simply start anew?

I was sad initially ... but I understood that I can't change what has already been erased.

So, at the moment we are starting over. I also made her a promise that no matter how many times she does forget me, I will always make an effort to be her friend.

[He rolls the stone over in his hand, eyeing it, before he just puts it back. The game didn't exactly show the stones, but he can guess well enough as to what it is.

He wraps both hands around the cup instead, blowing over the steam before taking another sip.]

Isn't she a little young to be growing up so soon?

That's noble of you. But won't your endurance wear down over time? If she she were to forget you time and time again.

She is six months old this week. I don't train her as hard as I do some of the others, and I won't send her into battle, but she's stronger than she looks.

[And now it's his turn to pick up the Fire Stone, mimicking Niou's motion of turning it over in his fingers.]

When she evolves, though, it won't be my choice. It's Kirihara-kun's.

[Don't worry, he's only joking. Though the fact that it's Akaya's choice makes him look at him properly, slightly curious.]

It is~?

[By now, Masako has begun to creep her way back out of her hiding place, nose twitching, sneaking carefully back toward Yagyuu's legs.]

Why not? They're both the baby of the team.

[That's such a weird logic, Yagyuu.]

Didn't you name her wrong then?

[He tilts his head, peeking down at her, then looking back up at him. He's a little amused.]

[Soon she is close enough, and laser-fast, Yagyuu scoops her up, holding fast as she wriggles and squirms and finally settles in his arms. He's careful not to let the Fire Stone touch her, replacing it in the bag once he's sure he won't drop her by freeing one hand to do so.]

That's something you ought to ask Fuji-kun.

[He pets her fondly.]

It'll be easier for him to accept his own evolution if he has someone else's to control in the process. We won't be his third-year senpais forever.

I will be fine, because I know it will be worth it. She is a very sweet girl and her friendship is important to me.

But it is sweet of you to worry.

[He just scratches his head at that, shrugging the whole thing off. Mainly the part about asking Fuji about the name.

...Though he does let his eyes flicker to watch Yagyuu's hand - just for a split second - before they move back to his coffee.]

Y'sure leaving him in charge of another living thing is a good idea?

[It's amusing to him, the thought of that scenario, of Niou seeking out Fuji to discover what his partner was playing at all along. And it is, in a way, a trick of his own, but it's one that would play out as much on Seigaku's genius as on Niou, and perhaps that's what makes him find it so palatable after all.

A little prince once met a fox and learned a bit of wisdom from it as a parting gift: "You become responsible, forever, for that which you have tamed."

Most people were aware that this little fox ended up with the name Masako. Few would have the capacity to realize just how close she came to being Fujiko, instead.]

Only in charge of her evolution. Appraising her skill, deciding when to take her to the next level—it's good practice for a future captain, isn't it?

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