[ There's a soft hum in his throat as she leans against him, whining, burrowing her head against his shoulder that way. It's cute, tickles at him more than anything, and Robby delights in watching Chizuru, listening to her. ]
You know loads of people. [ Come on, his tone implies, incredulous at the mention of all the people he knows. ] Melius? I know Viktor knows you. Tell me who you know!
[ He might have more people teaching him than Chizuru, sure, but does he really see Chizuru was particularly lonely? Surely not. She's just soft-spoken. A little shy, but not people shy, right?
(Because that's a big difference. Robby knows what he means.) ]
Maybe. But maybe it's also just Chizuru whining against Robby. Which is the much more likely option, if we're being real here.
At least she does pull back a little bit at that. Not that she isn't looking flustered anymore - she's still very much looking embarrassed, with paleblood-coloured cheeks and big eyes. ]
I mean, um, I.. I obviously know Scorpia too.. [ Duh. Since they're living together. ] And--
[ Chizuru is about to sum up some more people, it sounds like, but then she stops. There's a realisation in her eyes, something she didn't discuss with Robby yet, and it feels more important. ]
Oh, did you know..? There was actually someone here from my own time. Someone whose name I recognized! [ Look, that's exciting when you usually feel like you're the odd one out in this place, culturally speaking. Her eyes are more wide with that feeling now than the fluster from a moment ago. ] Even though I think he went back to the sea..
[ This really was starting to sound like a competition...
At least it doesn't go that way for real, since if Robby took five seconds to think about it--and he did, just a second ago--he'd realise he hasn't a clue who Chizuru's friends are. He could name her co-workers, but do you think he remembers their names?
(Uhh, one's called Manaphy?)
Instead, unintentionally, Chizuru saves him from that fate. And actually with an interesting fact, his eyebrows rising. ]
You did? Who? He some famous guy around Japan? [ He knows there was that guy who was friends with an author in town, but that doesn't sound like on the same level Chizuru is potentially implying here. ]
[ She nods. Almost instantly, mind you, and with so much energy. It seems that this topic gets Chizuru kind of excited..
(Even if it may just be because there's a faint shot at seeing the people she knows from back home again if people so close to them could just appear here.) ]
Ryouma Sakamoto.
[ Granted, that name might not mean much to Robby.. But Chizuru instantly recognized it. ]
It was a little awkward, since.. well, the Shinsengumi did assassinate him back home.. [ Okay, maybe that's a little bit more than 'awkward', but Chizuru herself does seem to realise as much, judging by the turn her tone takes when she says that. ] But strangely enough, he really didn't seem to mind. Even when he heard here that I was part of the Shinsengumi, he didn't get mad or anything..
[ Huh. Chizuru's interest alone is enough to encourage Robby's, but he is interested from what she's saying too. A wince for the assassination part, and he does want to ask about that, but... ]
Maybe his timeline was weird? [ Wonky timeline shenanigans? Even though Robby never has to think about it except for his dad.... ] Did he recognise the name?
[ Sure, he knows the Shinsengumi has a whole army, but they also sound like a mercenary group to Robby. Maybe they weren't even formed in the time this guy came from? ]
[ It's the former question though that seems to sap some of Chizuru's excitement, her tone and expression both instead turning more thoughtful - and perhaps even a tad confused. ]
His story seemed really complicated. [ But isn't anything in Trench. At least she feels comfortable talking about it on this level with Robby, since he also doesn't really seem all that used to strange things. Sure, he may know a lot about more modern stuff than Chizuru, but that feels like a different bucket of things altogether compared to this.
It still means Robby can understand this story sounds kind of wild, at least. U-Unless it's normal in his world.. somehow.. ]
He said he was from a place where heroes from the past are summoned again to fight in the future.. or something like that. [ At least she's aware she's probably not conveying it really well, but-- look, i-it was very strange and complicated! ] So it felt like it was all in the past to him, and he moved past it all..
[ There's always a downside to everything in Trench, huh. Even when you meet someone you actually recognize, there has to be some weird technobabble edge to it. ]
[ If it comforts Chizuru, Robby looks baffled as she explains this situation to Robby. Heroes? Summoned from the past to fight in the future? It's not a look that gets any better by the end of it, Robby quiet for a second before giving an incredulous huff. ]
That kinda sounds like us; 'cept this place is more like...the past meeting the future. [ With all the gadgetry... ] And we just need to live our lives and put up with the pthumerians.
[ Not as cool as being considered a hero, huh....
But with that small distraction, Robby does get back on topic with: ] Did you two talk much?
[ It's definitely validating. After all, when Ryouma had told Chizuru about it, she had been alone with just him around, so it had been.. very baffling to try and come to terms with that wild story all by herself. And since she definitely sees Robby as someone who knows a little more than she does, there's something nice in seeing that he thinks it's a strange and confusing story too.
It makes her feel a little bit more normal - smiling thinly at his words while she listens to them. ]
We talked.. I wouldn't say much.. [ She hums, like she's trying to think of how to properly describe it. ] I mean, he and I didn't talk as much as we do.
[ But maybe that's an unfair standard to set, right. Few people can reach bestie levels of interaction. ]
So we weren't incredibly close or anything, but.. [ For the faintest moment her voice trails off, and Chizuru's hands grasp onto the edge of the couch seat as she thinks. ] It was just.. nice, I suppose. It's not often that I meet people here who come from a similar place and time as me, even if the circumstances were a little bit different for him.
[ It's nice, she means, to find someone who understands it so innately. ]
[ ...Yeah, comparing how often they talk to other people isn't really fair, huh.
But Robby lets it go by without comment, just a small funny thing for him to think about. Rather, he focuses on Chizuru's point, one that he tips his head too. ]
I get it. I mean, I have my dad and Tory and Mister LaRusso here, but when I actually talk with someone who knows the kind of world I'm from, and how weird this place is compared to it? It's validating. You wanna talk about the little things you miss without really complaining, it's just not--there.
[ And it makes your every day life feel lacking. ]
[ And while she's incredibly fond of Robby, Chizuru is also well aware of the culture clash between the two of them. Not that they haven't been mutually trying to learn about the other's culture and world, but there's truly something in having someone who understands it so instinctively. ]
Not to mention that he knew those men of the Shinsengumi from back home. Since-- um, even without, you know.. the assassination.. [ At least Chizuru looks awkward enough every time she brings it up.
It may have been the Shinsengumi's job, but that doesn't take away that it definitely was awkward at times. ]
They're all really famous back home. Most people would have heard their names, including him. So there was something nice too about someone remembering the people from back home who were important to me.
[ Especially when Chizuru hasn't seen them in so long now. Almost a year. ]
Sure, I could tell people what Hijikata-san is like.. but it's really different from learning about him because he exists in the same place as you, I think. Just like how it might be difficult for me to imagine people you know who aren't here, even if you'd describe them to me..
[ It's a shame, and one of those situations where there's no real solution. You just have to miss people, the way things used to be and how they made sense, even with the bad parts attached. They couldn't do anything about it: Chizuru could tell people about these people, but as she already said, it wouldn't be the same as already know.
Robby can only give a drawn out smile, and offer with some cheery certainty: ]
Well, if I ever meet a person I think's from your side of Japan [ or time, ] I'll be sure to send them straight your way. [ A beat, and ah- ] Your username's pretty good at trying to do that.
[ Oh, boy, Robby. Are you ever hitting on something here. It's like Chizuru's initial enthusiasm about talking about someone from her own time returns entirely as she smiles and pipes up with: ]
Isn't it so handy? Someone taught me about that soon after I first showed up here!
[ Even if that person is long gone now. RIP, Tanya.. Your efforts will forever be visible in Chizuru's username, especially since she didn't even have one set before that.. ]
I didn't realise before then that there is so much you can convey with these usernames! [ Chizuru sounding like she's an 80 year old granny alert. But at least she's an excited 80 year old granny..? ] They're so useful! Now if Hijikata-san or any of the others show up, they'll know it's me right away..!
[ Because surely no one else would be bothering to look for a famous group with a lot of members, right.
[ Ah, look at her...she's so proud. About making her username into a personalised ad. Robby can't be mean about that. ]
So, which one's Hijikata-san? [ ...wait, let him eye squint. ] Is that the one you said's just 'rough around the edges'?
[ Can you hear the quotation marks in Robby's voice, Chizuru, and also understand what they mean? Something something one of the guys who likes to threaten death on you that you're kinda into??? ]
[ .. though he puts the bar so low that it makes everyone else seem passable. It's not like Hijikata didn't threaten to kill her, after all, but it was so early on that Chizuru likes to think it was just practicality..
Besides, she's pretty sure anyone would laugh if she didn't describe Hijikata as rough around the edges. ]
Hijikata-san was the one I was closest to.. um, maybe aside from Heisuke-kun. [ But that's an entirely different kind of 'close'.. ] But I was technically working directly underneath him, so I ended up being near him a lot of the time. And he--
[ She thinks back on some of her last moments back home. So recent that it had been even after Inoue's death. Hijikata standing there, protecting her, turning himself into a monster for her sake-- ]
.. he did a lot for me. I owe him so much that I'd want to make sure to help him properly settle in if he'd show up here.
[ There's some respect there, certainly, though with the way Chizuru speaks about anyone, a person would think she has respect for all (and, well, she assumes the best of people, certainly). Robby notes it, just as a nice aside--because it's always nice when people have someone to depend on. ]
What would you do? You think he'd want some of your place's chopsticks and types of bowls and that? Tory could help with them if you needed them in a pinch -- long as you have some she can copy.
[ You know...! Just as an offer. When and/or if the time ever comes. ]
[ It's a good question - one that seems to leave Chizuru thoughtful for a moment. ]
Hijikata-san.. He's practical.
[ Not that the other men of the Shinsengumi can't be - or some, anyway - but she thinks that it's definitely Hijikata's special trait compared to the others. It's what makes him admirable to her. ]
If he ended up in a very different place like this, he'd know how to adapt. He's not the type to ask for anything special, instead figuring out to work with what he's got. [ Maybe because he always got so little, Chizuru thinks.
If your expectations are low, you're maybe ready to roll with anything. ]
But it'd still be nice to have something that's a little bit like home all the same, right? I think chopsticks are a good idea.. [ .. especially since imagining Hijikata using some of this place's cutlery is..
.. a lot. ]
And maybe clothes, just like we managed to get for me thanks to your help. I've never seen Hijikata wear anything as tight as you usually wear, Robby.
[ "Tight." Not that Robby is walking around with super tight tops that show off his pecs.. But anything that isn't super flowy is already tight by Chizuru standards, alright.
.. she might be starting to blush a little bit over here though, as she adds: ]
I-I mean, that's a lot to think about! [ O-Oh, mister Hijikata... oh.... S-Showing off your beautiful figure... ]
And Robby knows his clothes aren't tight by his modern standards, that it's different, but that really doesn't matter for the curious way his brows lift, his mouth tugging askew as he enjoys that particular description. Yes, he could maybe ask about Chizuru's feelings about the practical Hijikata-san.
...but all you need is one particular word choice to derail everything, so you can say, with a smirk on your face and a tone of innocent curiosity: ]
[ There we go. Chizuru's default reaction when something catches her by surprise, but is not immediately dangerous enough - look, the girl has been in a whole lot of suspenseful situations by now, she knows when to do more than just say 'huh?' - to really warrant any other action.
The rest of her reaction is the same too. Eyes growing wider, eyebrows shooting up, staring at Robby as she starts blushing and frantically stammering: ]
There's a lot tighter clothes out there than what I wear, [ Robby replies, like this is what absolutely what he meant, gesturing to his own current state of clothing (a shirt and long-sleeved one over that, jeans--the typical teen look. ] Shirts, trousers--you think he's got the arms to go sleeveless?
[ Horrible, absolutely horrible to this modest old-fashioned Japanese girl to make her think of her ""friend"" in such a way.
And to sound so casually curious about it too. What do you mean, Robby knows what he's doing?
[ This could legally be considered torture in some countries.
Or at least, it could if you'd judge by Chizuru's reaction to all of this. She looks like she's dying, blushing and stammering, unable to force any actually comprehensible words out of her mouth for a good few moments. Please don't read too much into how this reaction is very similar to the charming Robby clone a few months later when she's now thinking about someone who's clearly just a.. "friend"...
Just don't read into it. Thanks. ]
W-W-Why do you want to know?!
[ Because it does sound like he's just asking. She doesn't even realise he's teasing.
B-But then why would he be asking? Why is he conjuring this image into her mind?
Chizuru moves her hands up to her face, covering it out of shame. It looks like steam might escape from her ears soon.. ]
I-I don't think Hijikata-san would like wearing that stuff very much at all..! U-Unless he had to!
[ Oh, Robby can not hold back on laughing now. A chuckling that keeps up between his teeth, the wide grin that spreads on his face as he shifts himself, leaning one arm up on the upper back of the couch as he gives Chizuru all of his attention. ]
Chizuru, [ he says with a scandalised reaction, ] you want to see him dressed like that, don't you?
[ Hijikata-san? Dressed in tight modern clothing? Chizuru!
Someone, please, come and save Chizuru...for there is no apparent mercy in Robby. A true Cobra Kai student, right here.
Except he will--giving this a moment, you know, just to let Chizuru suffer some--click his tongue. ] It's alright, I won't tell him if he shows up. This is between me and you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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You know loads of people. [ Come on, his tone implies, incredulous at the mention of all the people he knows. ] Melius? I know Viktor knows you. Tell me who you know!
[ He might have more people teaching him than Chizuru, sure, but does he really see Chizuru was particularly lonely? Surely not. She's just soft-spoken. A little shy, but not people shy, right?
(Because that's a big difference. Robby knows what he means.) ]
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[ .. is this a competition now?
Maybe. But maybe it's also just Chizuru whining against Robby. Which is the much more likely option, if we're being real here.
At least she does pull back a little bit at that. Not that she isn't looking flustered anymore - she's still very much looking embarrassed, with paleblood-coloured cheeks and big eyes. ]
I mean, um, I.. I obviously know Scorpia too.. [ Duh. Since they're living together. ] And--
[ Chizuru is about to sum up some more people, it sounds like, but then she stops. There's a realisation in her eyes, something she didn't discuss with Robby yet, and it feels more important. ]
Oh, did you know..? There was actually someone here from my own time. Someone whose name I recognized! [ Look, that's exciting when you usually feel like you're the odd one out in this place, culturally speaking. Her eyes are more wide with that feeling now than the fluster from a moment ago. ] Even though I think he went back to the sea..
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At least it doesn't go that way for real, since if Robby took five seconds to think about it--and he did, just a second ago--he'd realise he hasn't a clue who Chizuru's friends are. He could name her co-workers, but do you think he remembers their names?
(Uhh, one's called Manaphy?)
Instead, unintentionally, Chizuru saves him from that fate. And actually with an interesting fact, his eyebrows rising. ]
You did? Who? He some famous guy around Japan? [ He knows there was that guy who was friends with an author in town, but that doesn't sound like on the same level Chizuru is potentially implying here. ]
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(Even if it may just be because there's a faint shot at seeing the people she knows from back home again if people so close to them could just appear here.) ]
Ryouma Sakamoto.
[ Granted, that name might not mean much to Robby.. But Chizuru instantly recognized it. ]
It was a little awkward, since.. well, the Shinsengumi did assassinate him back home.. [ Okay, maybe that's a little bit more than 'awkward', but Chizuru herself does seem to realise as much, judging by the turn her tone takes when she says that. ] But strangely enough, he really didn't seem to mind. Even when he heard here that I was part of the Shinsengumi, he didn't get mad or anything..
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Maybe his timeline was weird? [ Wonky timeline shenanigans? Even though Robby never has to think about it except for his dad.... ] Did he recognise the name?
[ Sure, he knows the Shinsengumi has a whole army, but they also sound like a mercenary group to Robby. Maybe they weren't even formed in the time this guy came from? ]
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[ It's the former question though that seems to sap some of Chizuru's excitement, her tone and expression both instead turning more thoughtful - and perhaps even a tad confused. ]
His story seemed really complicated. [ But isn't anything in Trench. At least she feels comfortable talking about it on this level with Robby, since he also doesn't really seem all that used to strange things. Sure, he may know a lot about more modern stuff than Chizuru, but that feels like a different bucket of things altogether compared to this.
It still means Robby can understand this story sounds kind of wild, at least. U-Unless it's normal in his world.. somehow.. ]
He said he was from a place where heroes from the past are summoned again to fight in the future.. or something like that. [ At least she's aware she's probably not conveying it really well, but-- look, i-it was very strange and complicated! ] So it felt like it was all in the past to him, and he moved past it all..
[ There's always a downside to everything in Trench, huh. Even when you meet someone you actually recognize, there has to be some weird technobabble edge to it. ]
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That kinda sounds like us; 'cept this place is more like...the past meeting the future. [ With all the gadgetry... ] And we just need to live our lives and put up with the pthumerians.
[ Not as cool as being considered a hero, huh....
But with that small distraction, Robby does get back on topic with: ] Did you two talk much?
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It makes her feel a little bit more normal - smiling thinly at his words while she listens to them. ]
We talked.. I wouldn't say much.. [ She hums, like she's trying to think of how to properly describe it. ] I mean, he and I didn't talk as much as we do.
[ But maybe that's an unfair standard to set, right. Few people can reach bestie levels of interaction. ]
So we weren't incredibly close or anything, but.. [ For the faintest moment her voice trails off, and Chizuru's hands grasp onto the edge of the couch seat as she thinks. ] It was just.. nice, I suppose. It's not often that I meet people here who come from a similar place and time as me, even if the circumstances were a little bit different for him.
[ It's nice, she means, to find someone who understands it so innately. ]
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But Robby lets it go by without comment, just a small funny thing for him to think about. Rather, he focuses on Chizuru's point, one that he tips his head too. ]
I get it. I mean, I have my dad and Tory and Mister LaRusso here, but when I actually talk with someone who knows the kind of world I'm from, and how weird this place is compared to it? It's validating. You wanna talk about the little things you miss without really complaining, it's just not--there.
[ And it makes your every day life feel lacking. ]
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[ And while she's incredibly fond of Robby, Chizuru is also well aware of the culture clash between the two of them. Not that they haven't been mutually trying to learn about the other's culture and world, but there's truly something in having someone who understands it so instinctively. ]
Not to mention that he knew those men of the Shinsengumi from back home. Since-- um, even without, you know.. the assassination.. [ At least Chizuru looks awkward enough every time she brings it up.
It may have been the Shinsengumi's job, but that doesn't take away that it definitely was awkward at times. ]
They're all really famous back home. Most people would have heard their names, including him. So there was something nice too about someone remembering the people from back home who were important to me.
[ Especially when Chizuru hasn't seen them in so long now. Almost a year. ]
Sure, I could tell people what Hijikata-san is like.. but it's really different from learning about him because he exists in the same place as you, I think. Just like how it might be difficult for me to imagine people you know who aren't here, even if you'd describe them to me..
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Robby can only give a drawn out smile, and offer with some cheery certainty: ]
Well, if I ever meet a person I think's from your side of Japan [ or time, ] I'll be sure to send them straight your way. [ A beat, and ah- ] Your username's pretty good at trying to do that.
[ It sure is a username, isn't it. ]
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Isn't it so handy? Someone taught me about that soon after I first showed up here!
[ Even if that person is long gone now. RIP, Tanya.. Your efforts will forever be visible in Chizuru's username, especially since she didn't even have one set before that.. ]
I didn't realise before then that there is so much you can convey with these usernames! [ Chizuru sounding like she's an 80 year old granny alert. But at least she's an excited 80 year old granny..? ] They're so useful! Now if Hijikata-san or any of the others show up, they'll know it's me right away..!
[ Because surely no one else would be bothering to look for a famous group with a lot of members, right.
C-Clearly. ]
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So, which one's Hijikata-san? [ ...wait, let him eye squint. ] Is that the one you said's just 'rough around the edges'?
[ Can you hear the quotation marks in Robby's voice, Chizuru, and also understand what they mean? Something something one of the guys who likes to threaten death on you that you're kinda into??? ]
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[ .. though he puts the bar so low that it makes everyone else seem passable. It's not like Hijikata didn't threaten to kill her, after all, but it was so early on that Chizuru likes to think it was just practicality..
Besides, she's pretty sure anyone would laugh if she didn't describe Hijikata as rough around the edges. ]
Hijikata-san was the one I was closest to.. um, maybe aside from Heisuke-kun. [ But that's an entirely different kind of 'close'.. ] But I was technically working directly underneath him, so I ended up being near him a lot of the time. And he--
[ She thinks back on some of her last moments back home. So recent that it had been even after Inoue's death. Hijikata standing there, protecting her, turning himself into a monster for her sake-- ]
.. he did a lot for me. I owe him so much that I'd want to make sure to help him properly settle in if he'd show up here.
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What would you do? You think he'd want some of your place's chopsticks and types of bowls and that? Tory could help with them if you needed them in a pinch -- long as you have some she can copy.
[ You know...! Just as an offer. When and/or if the time ever comes. ]
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Hijikata-san.. He's practical.
[ Not that the other men of the Shinsengumi can't be - or some, anyway - but she thinks that it's definitely Hijikata's special trait compared to the others. It's what makes him admirable to her. ]
If he ended up in a very different place like this, he'd know how to adapt. He's not the type to ask for anything special, instead figuring out to work with what he's got. [ Maybe because he always got so little, Chizuru thinks.
If your expectations are low, you're maybe ready to roll with anything. ]
But it'd still be nice to have something that's a little bit like home all the same, right? I think chopsticks are a good idea.. [ .. especially since imagining Hijikata using some of this place's cutlery is..
.. a lot. ]
And maybe clothes, just like we managed to get for me thanks to your help. I've never seen Hijikata wear anything as tight as you usually wear, Robby.
[ "Tight." Not that Robby is walking around with super tight tops that show off his pecs.. But anything that isn't super flowy is already tight by Chizuru standards, alright.
.. she might be starting to blush a little bit over here though, as she adds: ]
I-I mean, that's a lot to think about! [ O-Oh, mister Hijikata... oh.... S-Showing off your beautiful figure... ]
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And Robby knows his clothes aren't tight by his modern standards, that it's different, but that really doesn't matter for the curious way his brows lift, his mouth tugging askew as he enjoys that particular description. Yes, he could maybe ask about Chizuru's feelings about the practical Hijikata-san.
...but all you need is one particular word choice to derail everything, so you can say, with a smirk on your face and a tone of innocent curiosity: ]
Do you think he'd look good in something tight?
[ :)
:)
:) ]
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[ There we go. Chizuru's default reaction when something catches her by surprise, but is not immediately dangerous enough - look, the girl has been in a whole lot of suspenseful situations by now, she knows when to do more than just say 'huh?' - to really warrant any other action.
The rest of her reaction is the same too. Eyes growing wider, eyebrows shooting up, staring at Robby as she starts blushing and frantically stammering: ]
W-W-What is t-that question supposed to mean?!
[ Yeah, Robby. What does it mean!! ]
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There's a lot tighter clothes out there than what I wear, [ Robby replies, like this is what absolutely what he meant, gesturing to his own current state of clothing (a shirt and long-sleeved one over that, jeans--the typical teen look. ] Shirts, trousers--you think he's got the arms to go sleeveless?
[ Horrible, absolutely horrible to this modest old-fashioned Japanese girl to make her think of her ""friend"" in such a way.
And to sound so casually curious about it too. What do you mean, Robby knows what he's doing?
He's just asking questions! ]
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Or at least, it could if you'd judge by Chizuru's reaction to all of this. She looks like she's dying, blushing and stammering, unable to force any actually comprehensible words out of her mouth for a good few moments. Please don't read too much into how this reaction is very similar to the charming Robby clone a few months later when she's now thinking about someone who's clearly just a.. "friend"...
Just don't read into it. Thanks. ]
W-W-Why do you want to know?!
[ Because it does sound like he's just asking. She doesn't even realise he's teasing.
B-But then why would he be asking? Why is he conjuring this image into her mind?
Chizuru moves her hands up to her face, covering it out of shame. It looks like steam might escape from her ears soon.. ]
I-I don't think Hijikata-san would like wearing that stuff very much at all..! U-Unless he had to!
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Chizuru, [ he says with a scandalised reaction, ] you want to see him dressed like that, don't you?
[ Hijikata-san? Dressed in tight modern clothing? Chizuru!
Someone, please, come and save Chizuru...for there is no apparent mercy in Robby. A true Cobra Kai student, right here.
Except he will--giving this a moment, you know, just to let Chizuru suffer some--click his tongue. ] It's alright, I won't tell him if he shows up. This is between me and you.
[ Have a wink, Chizuru. ]