BERTOLT

[bloodread]

Comments

[perspire]

I did.

[ he tilts his head ] Yakuza? What's that?

[ joins him on the ground, drawing his knees to his chest ]

[bloodread]

Organized crime families, pretty much. My best friend is the heir to one of the biggest Yakuza families around. He's been blackmailing people since he was ten, burying people since he was thirteen, and scheming since he could talk.

[ Faintly, there's a shadow of a smile here. ]

I associate with "bad people", so what's another one?

[perspire]

[ it takes a moment, but he lets out a genuine laugh ]

I'm glad I met you, Kijima.

[bloodread]

[ He is too much of a tsun to reciprocate, so the momentary glance away will have to be enough. ]

Yeah, yeah. Don't make me punch you again.

[perspire]

[ for once, this icon is accurate ]

I might punch you back this time.

[bloodread]

...you really are a masochist, huh.

[perspire]

... people might really think that about me now, huh?

[bloodread]

[ Rather than snark back immediately, Akira seems to think about this. ]

People go with whatever's loud and in their face, so yeah. [ He forgot who said that during trial but he was distracted. ]

[perspire]

[ lets out a sigh at that ]

Thinking about everything, it makes sense, but... [ just sort of. awkwardly shrugs ]

[bloodread]

But what?

[perspire]

It's not like I enjoy it.

[bloodread]

Getting hurt? [ Just to make sure. ]

[perspire]

Yeah, it's just something I accept as happening.

[bloodread]

[ > Akira will remember that. ]

What do you like?

[perspire]

--You know, with everything I've done since I was young, I don't think I ever really figured that out.

I liked reading? And using my 3DMG during training was fun, but...?

[bloodread]

[ Nod. ]

I don't really know either, but riding my bike is nice.

[perspire]

Oh, I never learned to ride one. What's it like?

[bloodread]

You can go 100+ kilometers per hour and the cops can't catch you in their cars, that's what it's like. [ A small grin here. True freedom, or something like it. ]

[perspire]

... I didn't know they could go that fast.

[ but he grins at him ]

I bet it's like when I use my gear then. Like you're flying?

[bloodread]

They can go a hell of a lot faster, but I don't want to blow out my engine with all the stops and turns you need to make in Tokyo.

[ He thinks on that for a moment. ]

...yeah, it's something like that. You can fly with your gear?

[perspire]

Yeah! We launch ourselves through the air, using the hooks to grapple onto whatever it can hold onto.

[ a bit shyly at this part ] I was... actually the best of my training class in using the gear.

[bloodread]

[ Akira opens his mouth then closes it and shakes his head. ]

I'd ask to see, but.

[perspire]

[ gives him a sad smile ]

I would have loved to show you.

[bloodread]

...do you believe in ghosts?

[perspire]

What are ghosts?