[The moment drags on it almost feels like months. He's not certain he picked the right path. It would be impossible to mask his recognition of Kaede and yet would remembering him be too strange? But he was approached first. What was he expecting if he didn't think there was any chance he would be remembered, especially when he opens with such a distinct name calling. Taku thinks through the logic fervently, convinces himself its the right choice, but the uncertain smile makes him question it all over again. He must have slipped up. Botched the entire second encounter. He should have pretended like he didn't know him at all despite the blatant lie. That would have been the normal expectation.
Almost immediately Taku tenses up. A business smile and manners might get him through most of his social interactions but this is so far removed in his head they vanish completely. Every action is blown up in his perception. Every misstep must be painfully obvious. Who has he been fooling? No one. Kaede must be aware that he is strange. He looks away, down at his lap where he fidgets plucking at his thumb. He's expecting Kaede to nod and walk away but then he replies and sits down.
Sits down right next to him. Their legs bump. He's quite bony, isn't he? Has he been eating enough?
Taku shifts away and bumps into his unfortunate other neighbor. There's a bothered exclamation as they push back and look up from their phone but it falls on deaf ears. It should probably occur to him that looks like he's bothered by the other sitting down rather than trying to give him more space for a more positive(?) reason but there's a reason tunnel vision has never been praised. Honestly, puzzling out why Kaede is still talking to him takes precedent. Or why he's officially introducing himself. It's been so long and he just appears and acts like talking to strangers is standard fair. Maybe he can play pretend again for one more train ride and just talk to him. Just stop worrying. Kaede chose to talk to him so he shouldn't worry. No one around them cares. He shouldn't overthink it. Just chat. Then they can part for however long until Kaede talks to him or loses interest.
Suspense like that wouldn't be good for his heart.]
Ah- Hajime-san then.
[He would do something business normal like try to shake his hand or something but then Kaede strikes without warning. Of all questions to be asked while hes worrying over being found out.
Do you always take this train?
How does one approach this? The uncertainty, the panic, flashes in his eyes for half a second. Of course, the honest answer is everyday. It's the best route between his work and his apartment. That's the truth. The overlap in cars is where it gets difficult. But he doesn't have to say anything about that. No one would wonder about that, right? A businessman on a schedule isn't strange.
The hesitation lingers before he manages to slap on what he thinks is a normal smile and laugh lightly, a little self deprecating.]
Yes, the strangest little things become habit. [An understatement.] It's a bit crowded but I always look at the silver lining, at least I'm not working overtime when I catch this train.
[The half truth worked the first time. Please let it work this time.
Hopefully Kaede didn't notice how sweaty his palms were.]
no subject
it almost feels like months. He's not certain he picked the right path. It would be impossible to mask his recognition of Kaede and yet would remembering him be too strange? But he was approached first. What was he expecting if he didn't think there was any chance he would be remembered, especially when he opens with such a distinct name calling. Taku thinks through the logic fervently, convinces himself its the right choice, but the uncertain smile makes him question it all over again. He must have slipped up. Botched the entire second encounter. He should have pretended like he didn't know him at all despite the blatant lie. That would have been the normal expectation.Almost immediately Taku tenses up. A business smile and manners might get him through most of his social interactions but this is so far removed in his head they vanish completely. Every action is blown up in his perception. Every misstep must be painfully obvious. Who has he been fooling? No one. Kaede must be aware that he is strange. He looks away, down at his lap where he fidgets plucking at his thumb. He's expecting Kaede to nod and walk away but then he replies and sits down.
Sits down right next to him. Their legs bump. He's quite bony, isn't he? Has he been eating enough?
Taku shifts away and bumps into his unfortunate other neighbor. There's a bothered exclamation as they push back and look up from their phone but it falls on deaf ears. It should probably occur to him that looks like he's bothered by the other sitting down rather than trying to give him more space for a more positive(?) reason but there's a reason tunnel vision has never been praised. Honestly, puzzling out why Kaede is still talking to him takes precedent. Or why he's officially introducing himself. It's been so long and he just appears and acts like talking to strangers is standard fair. Maybe he can play pretend again for one more train ride and just talk to him. Just stop worrying. Kaede chose to talk to him so he shouldn't worry. No one around them cares. He shouldn't overthink it. Just chat. Then they can part for however long until Kaede talks to him or loses interest.
Suspense like that wouldn't be good for his heart.]
Ah- Hajime-san then.
[He would do something business normal like try to shake his hand or something but then Kaede strikes without warning. Of all questions to be asked while hes worrying over being found out.
Do you always take this train?
How does one approach this? The uncertainty, the panic, flashes in his eyes for half a second. Of course, the honest answer is everyday. It's the best route between his work and his apartment. That's the truth. The overlap in cars is where it gets difficult. But he doesn't have to say anything about that. No one would wonder about that, right? A businessman on a schedule isn't strange.
The hesitation lingers before he manages to slap on what he thinks is a normal smile and laugh lightly, a little self deprecating.]
Yes, the strangest little things become habit. [An understatement.] It's a bit crowded but I always look at the silver lining, at least I'm not working overtime when I catch this train.
[The half truth worked the first time. Please let it work this time.
Hopefully Kaede didn't notice how sweaty his palms were.]