[Well she's definitely in luck, because Karamatsu is never busy, nor does he ever really know where he's going. One thing he isn't used to, however, is having strangers come up and talk to him first, particularly not other girls. Especially not girls like Aya, who are so far out of Karamatsu's league that they might as well be on another planet. It's for this reason that he doesn't realize she's even talking to him until she says the one word that gets his attention.]
...Cool?
[He echoes, reaching up to pull his glasses down just enough so he can peer at her over the top of them, as if doing so would make her disappear and turn out to be some sort of daydream he'd imagined up. But there she is, smiling up at him so sweetly that he can feel his heart clenching in his chest. He actually has to pause to find his voice, something that doesn't happen often with Karamatsu.
Just like that he's back in action, pushing his glasses back into place as he mirrors her grin with one of his own, his other hand moving to brush his bangs out of his eyes.]
Well, you've asked the right person. Whatever help you need, I will assist you, my dear.
[He could cry, he could really cry. Has one of his Karamatsu girls finally arrived? He wishes someone was around to pinch him, but he doesn't want to wake up either.]
[Something about him is weirdly cute, Aya thinks. She can't quite describe what it is. An air about him that he isn't quite as above-it-all as his appearance first suggests. She likes it; it makes him more approachable. He's personable, too, not seeming to have any reservations about offering help even to a stranger. Aya beams more broadly.]
Perfect! It's just over here, at the shoe store...
[With a bounce in her step, Aya leads him back from the bridge, her twin plaits bobbing and swishing to the beat of her stride. The two pairs of shoes are right where she left them; Aya quickly kicks off her owned pair and slides her feet into one of each sandal she's agonizing over. Then she turns around and clasps her hands behind her.]
[Aya would probably be the first to call Karamatsu approachable. It's more common that people are trying to get as far away from him as possible, or trying to distract his attention so they can ditch him while he's not looking. Usually not hard when he gets wrapped up in one of his trademark, painful speeches about something or other.
Karamatsu follows Aya over to the shop, still marveling over his unbelievable luck. Luck that he doesn't usually have. But he just needs to play it cool...maybe then nothing will happen to make this go awry.
His interest is not at all feigned when she shows him the shoes, a hand lifting to rest thoughtfully against his chin. Or maybe he's...posing? Probably both.]
My...you have a rather keen eye for fashion. I dare say that both pairs look absolutely stunning on you.
[In all honesty, it would be easy to just pick one or the other to appease her. They're both equally nice pairs of shoes...but Karamatsu knows that isn't quite going to do.
He tips his head to the side slightly, raising a brow behind those shades of his.]
Actually...how about I purchase the second pair for you?
[It's said before he can stop himself or even rethink that offer. How much are the shoes? Does he even have enough to buy them? Surely, he must...even if he has to give up every last cent on his person.]
[Aya's expression quickly shifts from good humor to horrified shock. Wow, that escalated fast! Where did that come from? Maybe he means well, but it's way too much. These are expensive shoes, and they're perfect strangers.]
No, that's okay! I didn't mean it like that at all... I was just looking for a quick opinion.
[Karamatsu just shakes his head, seemingly unphased by how much the shoes may or may not be.]
I know- but I think those shoes would be put to far better use in your possession! Then their beauty will not go to waste as they languish in the window of this shop.
[Sweet, sort of. It's mostly just really awkward that he didn't take the hint the first time. Aya feels rather horrible now. If she'd had any idea something like this was going to happen, she wouldn't have asked him.]
[That's Karamatsu for you. When in the presence of a pretty young girl (a prospective Karamatsu girl, if you will) his usual tendency to not be very perceptive about things gets even worse, meaning that he isn't really picking up on her discomfort. All he can think about is assisting her in not only what she'd asked of him, but by also doing her a service in making her day.
At least, that had been the plan.
It's her expression that finally stops him though, since that's not the face of someone whose thrilled by his generosity.]
[Was something the matter? How was anyone this clueless? Aya isn't even paying attention to the shoes anymore. She plucks one pair up and sets the other aside: done deal she's getting this one.]
No, everything is fine. I wanted this pair after all! Thanks for your help!
[It's almost cute how clueless he is. What a strange juxtaposition, too, to be dressed in a leather jacket and sunglasses like some James Dean emulator and yet be such a dork behind the shades. Of course the rest of his appearance isn't really in the popular-guy camp but Aya didn't care about that.
She decides since he's letting it drop, she will too.]
I see... Unfortunately, I only came out for a pair of shoes.
[Beat.]
Ah! My name's Fujimiya Aya! It's nice to meet you.
Ah... I don't live here. I'm in the Kaigan district of Minato, where the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay is. I'm just visiting to shop because my friend told me about this shoe store!
[The entire town? That was a bit much to agree to... Aya wasn't necessarily opposed to seeing more, or even to doing it as part of a casual date-- provided it was during the day and only to public places-- but she was somewhat dubious there was really so much distinguishing about this area as to require a full canvasing.
After a pause to consider, she tips her head.]
Okay... If you were to recommend just one place in the town a visitor should see, what would it be?
[Karamatsu has to pause and think on that for a moment, glancing off to one side. Where would he take a girl visitor if he had only one place to bring them?
When he replies, it's automatic and before he can really process what he just said.]
My friend runs an oden stand that serves some of the finest fare this side of Japan.
[That's curious... he seems so stunned that she said yes. But why would he have asked if he hadn't thought it possible? Combined with the fumbling over his words, it's kind of adorable. Aya giggles behind her hand, warmth in her eyes.]
[Now, the only thing Karamatsu has to worry about is being potentially stood up, like many of them have...but there's no way such a sweet girl would do that to him.]
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...Cool?
[He echoes, reaching up to pull his glasses down just enough so he can peer at her over the top of them, as if doing so would make her disappear and turn out to be some sort of daydream he'd imagined up. But there she is, smiling up at him so sweetly that he can feel his heart clenching in his chest. He actually has to pause to find his voice, something that doesn't happen often with Karamatsu.
Just like that he's back in action, pushing his glasses back into place as he mirrors her grin with one of his own, his other hand moving to brush his bangs out of his eyes.]
Well, you've asked the right person. Whatever help you need, I will assist you, my dear.
[He could cry, he could really cry. Has one of his Karamatsu girls finally arrived? He wishes someone was around to pinch him, but he doesn't want to wake up either.]
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Perfect! It's just over here, at the shoe store...
[With a bounce in her step, Aya leads him back from the bridge, her twin plaits bobbing and swishing to the beat of her stride. The two pairs of shoes are right where she left them; Aya quickly kicks off her owned pair and slides her feet into one of each sandal she's agonizing over. Then she turns around and clasps her hands behind her.]
Which one?
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Karamatsu follows Aya over to the shop, still marveling over his unbelievable luck. Luck that he doesn't usually have. But he just needs to play it cool...maybe then nothing will happen to make this go awry.
His interest is not at all feigned when she shows him the shoes, a hand lifting to rest thoughtfully against his chin. Or maybe he's...posing? Probably both.]
My...you have a rather keen eye for fashion. I dare say that both pairs look absolutely stunning on you.
[Which is the exact opposite of helpful.]
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[It'd be a lie to say it wasn't appreciated, though. What girl didn't like being complimented? Even if it is a little cheesy.]
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But it's the truth!
[In all honesty, it would be easy to just pick one or the other to appease her. They're both equally nice pairs of shoes...but Karamatsu knows that isn't quite going to do.
He tips his head to the side slightly, raising a brow behind those shades of his.]
Actually...how about I purchase the second pair for you?
[It's said before he can stop himself or even rethink that offer. How much are the shoes? Does he even have enough to buy them? Surely, he must...even if he has to give up every last cent on his person.]
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No, that's okay! I didn't mean it like that at all... I was just looking for a quick opinion.
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I know- but I think those shoes would be put to far better use in your possession! Then their beauty will not go to waste as they languish in the window of this shop.
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[Sweet, sort of. It's mostly just really awkward that he didn't take the hint the first time. Aya feels rather horrible now. If she'd had any idea something like this was going to happen, she wouldn't have asked him.]
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At least, that had been the plan.
It's her expression that finally stops him though, since that's not the face of someone whose thrilled by his generosity.]
Ah...is something the matter?
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No, everything is fine. I wanted this pair after all! Thanks for your help!
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[...]
You're welcome!
[And just like that, he's smiling again, as if that awkward conversation hadn't even taken place.]
If you need anything else, please, don't hesitate to ask! I have quite the eye for fashion, so you've come to the right person for help~
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She decides since he's letting it drop, she will too.]
I see... Unfortunately, I only came out for a pair of shoes.
[Beat.]
Ah! My name's Fujimiya Aya! It's nice to meet you.
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[...Oh. Well, that sure is a thing he forgot. Introductions.]
Ahh...where are my manners?
[He dips his head slightly in turn, smiling.]
Matsuno Karamatsu. It is a pleasure.
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Yeah. Are you local to this part of the city?
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But.]
I see...and have you been interested in seeing more of this area?
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I could show you, if you are interested.
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After a pause to consider, she tips her head.]
Okay... If you were to recommend just one place in the town a visitor should see, what would it be?
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girlvisitor if he had only one place to bring them?When he replies, it's automatic and before he can really process what he just said.]
My friend runs an oden stand that serves some of the finest fare this side of Japan.
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Oden, huh? Okay, I guess you've got me. How does Sunday afternoon work?
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[Karamatsu actually seems...genuinely surprised by Aya's acceptance, his eyes widening a little as he looks back over at her again.]
...er- I mean- yes! Of course it does! Perhaps we could...meet where we first met?
[IE, the bridge.]
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The bridge? Sure. One o'clock?
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[Now, the only thing Karamatsu has to worry about is being potentially stood up, like many of them have...but there's no way such a sweet girl would do that to him.]
I promise not to be late.
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