i've been working over time

[takesnotes]

[Taku has kept a journal for as long as he could remember. Despite it's explicit purpose in helping record event he could not place what started the habit. Maybe it was to collect his thought and make notes on important events. Maybe it was just something to pass the time. Either way he wrote down random happenings from his day and it was all innocent enough. It was nothing that would cause shame except for when his sister found out and laughed at his 'diary'. He took precautions after that so no one else would stumble upon it but he didn't stop. Why should he? The most scandalous thing he has ever written were complaints about his boss. That's all it was ever supposed to be.]

I saw the calico stray again today. She meowed as I walked by but I can't leave any more treats out for her. The building manager already posted a note demanding whomever was doing such things to stop. It's a shame I think she would have let me pet her soon. Maybe I can buy some dried sardines and feed them to her myself without leaving out a bowl?

The boss praised my speech during the meeting! I will have to review my notes again so that I can continue to meet his expectations.

Owner-san has finally found another clerk to help out around the store. She's a high school girl and quite lively. I think the animals will take to her well, although she laughed when she heard I was there for fish food and not anything else. She reminds me of my sister. I should give her a call tomorrow to see how she is.

There was a flashy man on the subway today. It was the middle of rush hour but he was taking up two seats anyway. I'm not surprised no one said anything to him, he looked pretty shady. It makes you wonder how the youth of today is growing up.

Umeda invited me to drinks again. I said yes because he is my senior but I think he just uses me as an excuse to get drunk. I should say no next time he always causes a commotion. I don't think he would hold it against me but I'm afraid everyone already considers me unpersonable. No one else ever invites me out...

The flashy man returns! I can't fathom why he would be traveling during rush hour twice but it has hardly been a week. Does he actually work a respectable job? He was standing this time so he wasn't in anyone's way at least but he is awfully tall.

He is a student. He was with friends today and they were complaining about leaving during rush hour instead of later. I cannot believe he is enrolled at university. I knew students were supposed to be fashionable but i don't think I've ever seen one dressed like him before. They should be stricter about their public morals.

[But very few things stay true to their original purpose. Even in a journal, something made to keep track of events and to help one remember, Taku can't pinpoint when his casual observances of the mysterious student became habit. Evolved from a small anecdote every few days, a week or two between mentions sometimes, into something constant. Where his eyes would search out which car he saw the familiar silhouette as the train pulled into the station. When he started to purposefully enter that car every single day. It was so insidious that even he didn't notice it. Or he choose not to notice it.]

It was humid today, he didn't wear his jacket for once. He's surprisingly skinny. I wonder if he is eating enough. I heard it's common for students not to take care of themselves if left to their own devices.

I swear the student fell asleep on the train today. It's the first time I've seen him with a seat again since the first encounter. I was sure he was going to miss his stop but he got up right away! Maybe he was just dozing.

I think he got a haircut recently.

It's golden week and I didn't see him. He probably won't be on the train for the entire vacation. I wonder what he's doing with is free time. He's probably not in any sports clubs but he might be in an interest circle... I hope he is enjoying his time off.

His friends were with him again. The majority are women. I wonder if that is the norm now a days, I don't think I had a single female friend when I was in school. He doesn't strike me as type to be composed enough to two time women at least.

He wasn't on the train today.

The only free space on the train was near him today. I didn't mean to(!!) but I overheard some of his conversation. It looks like he is in a business class with the other and they were talking about a research paper and their respective topics. He was quiet but I'm glad he talks abot normal things with his friends too. His name is Kaede.

[It wasn't harming anyone. It was just casual observation. Some called it people watching, didn't they? It was hardly anything bad.

All of this was part of Taku's everyday life now. As normal as brushing his teeth in the morning or saying I'm home! with a wave towards the aquarium in his living room. Or getting on the same rush hour train after work that has been a highlight of his day for the past several months. It's definitely a day that Kaede has classes, he has seen him on Wednesdays consistently since the change in semester, so he is confident in seeing him. Right on time the train pulls in. Naturally as breathing he sidesteps one car down and crams into the same space as Kaede. He isn't with his friends today. That's normal, fellow students tagging along was always a random occurrence that he noted down. It meant that he wouldn't be able to overhear any snippets of his everyday life but, well, the car was unbelievably crowded today as it was. It would be a miracle if he could overhear any conversation.

He grunts as a fresh wave of passengers push him further into the car and closer to Kaede.]

Comments

[takesnotes]

[What does one do when the phrase they believe to be innocuous gets more of a raise out of someone than a devious lie? Taku knew Kaede's full name before, of course, it's why he tried to glance over the admission as much as possible. A normal person wouldn't make such a big deal over learning a stranger's name. He thought he was safe. That tone indicates anything but.

Despite the close proximity, Taku had been looking anywhere but Kaede. They're too close for comfort is the issue. He doesn't want to overstep his bounds but he cannot help but turn towards the student in confusion at his reaction. Fear over angering him mixes with interest over the new development. This was something he didn't know. He can't help himself, he needs to record every second it, his gaze shifts as he watches every twitch of emotion on Kaede's face. Annoyance, bordering on anger, pulled back and hidden behind a disinterested smirk. The explanation is just as fascinating. Does he not get along with his parents? Is he trying to make a forced joke out of the incident? What could be behind this? So focused on cataloging his thoughts Taku is unaware of his own hand, clenched into a clammy fist on his knee. Talking face to face was so exciting his heart might not be able to take it. He couldn't let it end there. He had to learn more.

But he couldn't push him. The interaction was strained as it was. But he wanted to know more. He had to handle this delicately. It might be dangerous but he wanted to prolong it. There wasn't assurance Kaede would ever approach him again in the future. Was it so bad to be proactive just this once? He could happily return to their separate existences if he could only satiate his curiosity a bit more.]

I see. [Don't push the issue, don't apologize. Yet he can't say something as simple as 'Kaede-san' either, his heart clenches at the thought.] You do stand out quite a bit compared to all the office workers commuting. I wouldn't bother too much over the talk if I was you.

[Awkward, forced, and he continues hesitantly to provoke another reaction out of him but is denied. Although that is to be expected, with no further response he resorts ice breakers that would have people groaning after parties. No one cares about the weather but he doesn't know what is safe. What he should say. So instead he accepts the silence and they ride along without his useless chatter. Until the train approaches Kaede's next stop. With resignation he accepts that their second meeting will come to an end and he won't learn anymore. No, that wasn't the right way to think about it. He learned something new. That was enough. He shouldn't be greedy.

Except his stop keeps approaching and he doesn't say anything or move to stand up. It occurs to him right as the train begins to slow that something might be amiss but he can't say anything to that affect. He shouldn't know the boy's stop after all. Not that he wants to say anything either. The intercom dings, the doors open and close, and Kaede does not move a muscle. It feels like lying again to not alert him but his happiness taps down that dark feeling boiling in his stomach. He was blessed with a few minutes more. This is fine.

Damn. I missed my stop.

Taku turns towards him, showing a concerned frown. His heart is racing.]

Oh dear, how far ago? Would you be able to jump off and walk? Do you want- [me to call a taxi? No. That's not a normal flow. Wrong level of familiarity.] any help? I still owe you that favor.

[It's not the best save but better than the alternative.]

[hahafish]

[True to form, Kaede hears nothing said about how he stands out. It's not like he needs to; he already knows that. The bit about not paying the local rabble any mind would amuse him at least, if not make any impact - he usually doesn't, but on days like this when he's already out of sorts... It's a pain. His routine is already thrown off from having a fight, and it's like every petty offense is the greatest wrong that could be done to him instead; things he could have brushed off are making him do this. Act like a child.

What would his grandmother say? he wonders again, and something in his expression darkens for the second time this ride before he tunes back into the conversation somewhere around "jump off and walk." Maybe he ought to just do that... There's nothing else demanding his attention right now.]

I'll figure it out. [He shifts in his seat to lean forward on his knees, in more of a position to get up and leave at the next stop than his stock-still staring at the door minutes ago. This old man... Kaede glances at him, brow furrowed slightly, like he's just really clued in that he's bringing up that favor again. Like it actually meant something, which is the part that gives him pause. That's...

It's something. He's still going to refuse - politely! - and just get on with his walk home when a tiny chime rings from inside his jacket pocket. His phone. So that'll be the email all about what he's ruined about his life this time, then - and a long one, given the amount of time it took.

Well, forget that. He tugs his jacket closed like that will silence his phone for the rest of however long it takes and fixes the older man with a smile that's suddenly interested in his silver linings and miscellaneous babbling.]

Sure, why not. What are you going to do from here?

[Like, he's just saying.]

[takesnotes]

[And the end comes as quickly as expected when it comes to conversation between strangers. There was no way that Kaede would continue talking to him when there was more important things to consider such as getting home. The dismissive response cuts and he only has himself to blame for building up his own expectations. He should just accept when their paths cross and not push the issue. That was his fault. He would have to reflect on it later. It was only putting their tenuous relationship in danger. It was a bitter pill to swallow but he has to. He leans back in his chair, ready to bid the other goodbye as he stands. Except he is thrown for another loop.

Sure, why not.

There is no way for Taku to know what caused him to change his mind but change it did. Will he ever feel stable when talking to him? Like the world wasn't slightly off-kilter at all times? He wasn't the most confident men at the best of times but he thought himself competent at least. Yet here he was left speechless as he follows the bizarre pace of a man near half his age. And he was only happy to be included in it.

Only a few seconds pass in silence but the train is near completely stopped. Maybe Kaede believes he has stumped the businessman and will come away with the encounter with a laugh but he has been given one last chance and will seize it. That smirk might be at his expense but what does he have to lose?]

Nothing. [The intercom dings, the crowd by the doors shuffle as commuters leave the car. And Taku stands suddenly, grabs Kaede's upper arm, and begins walking onto the station.] But I'll manage something from here.

[They are one stop away from Kaede's place and quite a few from his own. He's had no excuse to visit this residential area before, he's going in blind. Everything is a jumble, his heart is pounding, and he needs to say something. He carried through with this crazy idea and he needs to see it to the end. With a slight start he realizes he's still touching the student and quickly drops his hand. It's difficult but he collects himself. Enough to keep his voice steady as if this wasn't a big deal. That's the most he can hope for after doing something like this.]

It's much easier to figure something out now that we've stopped moving further away from our goal. Now I can pay for your return trip or something else if you'd prefer. I can manage anything now.

[By some miracle he turns to cockiness at the end. He's not sure of anything he's saying at this point but maybe that will be explanation enough for a college student.]

[hahafish]

[Kaede is in this for a laugh, a distraction, a what-will-he-do-now if nothing else - that much is true. But in contrast to the lazy and confident control he's had of the situation until now, what he gets when his arm is grabbed is surprise. It occurs to him to think this is taking a turn for the worse, he's run into a serial killer or something and since this looks like nothing more than a respectable businessman throwing a rowdy delinquent off a train, no one will pay them any mind-- but he doesn't actually think it. Not seriously. He's genuinely surprised, and it shows on his face without any effort from him to mask it as he's literally dragged off the train.

When they've stopped moving and he's let go, he's tugging his sleeve into place when it occurs to him that this is something he would do. He's probably done this before, actually - yanking someone off a train at the wrong stop. The only difference is that he does it to people he actually knows, but something about the unexpected action holds his attention where he'd likely be better off taking some return trip fare and getting the hell out of there.

Belatedly he wonders, Doesn't this guy have somewhere to be? He's made no mention of this being his stop either, nor is he rushing to get rid of Kaede and get back on the next train. Kaede watches the one they've just left slowly pull out of the station curiously, then looks back at his train-hopping companion. This isn't his neighborhood, he never comes to this stop, what kind of help is this really...

Hmm.]

I hope so, or dragging me off the train like that might put me in a bad mood later.

[But he's not here because he's in a rush to get home, so without any ceremony he slings an arm around the other man's shoulders in camaraderie, like they're old friends and not strangers from a train. Without waiting he turns to steer them away from the station and see what there even is at this stop besides other people's houses, alright...]

Dunno about you, but I'm sick of the train today. That takes 'return fare' off the list, so what's your next big idea?