[There's nobody around and they're close enough to speak quietly, but the Aliea name sticks as usual when they're in public. Reina looks up from the large cat as she lets him catch the string and start playing a game of tug-of-war with it. That sure is a cat. That sure is a cat large enough it looks like it's swallowed up her legs, and that sure is the look Reina always had when she was in love with something but trying very, very hard to contain her reaction.]
... He was different from the rest. It reminded me of Izuno.
[He knows that look. It wasn't one Reina had on her face too often--years at Aliea had made it more rare, but it's instantly recognizable from the way her blue eyes look up at him, glinting with the tiniest bit of white.
He knew immediately. He knew immediately that she wanted this creature. Hiroto couldn't even call it a cat--it was too large, but not large enough to be a lion.]
[Reina nods, then her attention is already back to the furry creature. She lets it have the ribbon before snaking her arms around its big body to scoop it up. Now that it's back in her arms it's very easy to see how big it is -- all of the cats here are supposed to be kittens, but this one's about the size of a fully grown one, and a particularly big grown cat at that. With Reina not being that big of a person either, it's especially large.
As for Reina, she steps out of the pen and closer to Hiroto, clearly intending to show him the cat. She isn't saying she wants it -- yet.]
[You don't really realize how big a cat is until you see it being carried like that, and Hiroto's eyes visibly widen.
That is no kitten.
When she steps closer to have him inspect the cat , his hand reaches out gently to test if the cat wants a pet. After all, he wants to see if the cat's temperament is as laidback as Izuno's was as well.]
He seems pretty taken with you too, I can hear his purrs.
[The cat, completely content to be held in the girl's arms, looks up curiously at Hiroto and tilts his head toward the offered hand. Pets? Heck yeah he'll take them.]
Do you think so?
[Reina's cheeks flush a little at his comment, too. It's nice to be liked by something, human or animal.]
The cats at the Sun Garden were always a lot more skittish.
Do you think... [She pauses, searching for her words, holding the cat closer.]
I want to take him home. [It's not the first time she's told him something she wants, but she can't help but feel a little timid, just like the first time she asked Hitomiko about those stray cats.] Is that... would that be okay?
[Hiroto had decided long before she'd ever spoken those words. Seeeing her hold that cat, the way she looked at it as if she were too afraid it would disappear the way their hopes did when they'd asked at Sun Garden.
[With the way her eyes light up he might have -- well, he's definitely been granting her wishes left and right. It's obvious that he's just about made her day in some major way, and she's silent, but nodding with quiet enthusiasm as she nuzzles into the cat's fur.]
[And that was more than enough for Hiroto. He had already made his decision by the time she'd even thought to ask. It was clear from her body language--the way she held the cat so similarly to the way they all did when they asked Hitomiko.
That cat could not have been a more perfect choice.]
So.
[He says cheerfully, reaching over to rub the giant cat's ear once more.]
[That's where she freezes, face still half-buried in the cat's fur. You can see her cheeks reddening as she averts her eyes, apparently using the cat to hide from him.]
... In my head I was already calling him Izuno.
[Izuno Yuu was often a boy who got trolled and lorded over by some of the girls and that hierarchy has not changed over the years.]
[Hiroto imagines right. She would if it were necessary, but he offers her an out, and he's someone she can take that out with safely. Eyes lighting up at his suggestion she gives him a smile she can't hold back.]
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[There's nobody around and they're close enough to speak quietly, but the Aliea name sticks as usual when they're in public. Reina looks up from the large cat as she lets him catch the string and start playing a game of tug-of-war with it. That sure is a cat. That sure is a cat large enough it looks like it's swallowed up her legs, and that sure is the look Reina always had when she was in love with something but trying very, very hard to contain her reaction.]
... He was different from the rest. It reminded me of Izuno.
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He knew immediately. He knew immediately that she wanted this creature. Hiroto couldn't even call it a cat--it was too large, but not large enough to be a lion.]
...I see the resemblance.
[Giant, fluffy, and intimidating.]
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[Reina nods, then her attention is already back to the furry creature. She lets it have the ribbon before snaking her arms around its big body to scoop it up. Now that it's back in her arms it's very easy to see how big it is -- all of the cats here are supposed to be kittens, but this one's about the size of a fully grown one, and a particularly big grown cat at that. With Reina not being that big of a person either, it's especially large.
As for Reina, she steps out of the pen and closer to Hiroto, clearly intending to show him the cat. She isn't saying she wants it -- yet.]
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That is no kitten.
When she steps closer to have him inspect the cat , his hand reaches out gently to test if the cat wants a pet. After all, he wants to see if the cat's temperament is as laidback as Izuno's was as well.]
He seems pretty taken with you too, I can hear his purrs.
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Do you think so?
[Reina's cheeks flush a little at his comment, too. It's nice to be liked by something, human or animal.]
The cats at the Sun Garden were always a lot more skittish.
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Mmm.
I remember. Haruya liked to chase them around. That might be why.
I think he just wanted to take one in, like the rest of us.
[And in the end, they were always denied.]
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It couldn't be helped. One of the boys was allergic to cats.
[Still, there's a smile on her face as she runs her hand through the cat's long fur.]
Hey, Hiroto?
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[He catches her smile, and just seeing it on her face is enough to make his heart swell, watching her thread fingers through that fluffy fur.]
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I want to take him home. [It's not the first time she's told him something she wants, but she can't help but feel a little timid, just like the first time she asked Hitomiko about those stray cats.] Is that... would that be okay?
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He couldn't deny her even if he wanted to.]
I think it's a great idea.
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Thank you...
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That cat could not have been a more perfect choice.]
So.
[He says cheerfully, reaching over to rub the giant cat's ear once more.]
He needs a name. That's how we know he's yours.
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... In my head I was already calling him Izuno.
[Izuno Yuu was often a boy who got trolled and lorded over by some of the girls and that hierarchy has not changed over the years.]
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I can imagine his face right now at having our cat named after him.
[A hand scritches at the cat's belly fur, eyes almost closed from his smile.]
Izuno, then.
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I-I'm going to ask for the papers.
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[His arms stretch out, ready to take the cat to free her arms up.]
Or would you like me to come with you. I can grab the papers.
[He knows how long she's wanted this. And the idea of the cat now being hers...he can't imagine she wants to let go any time soon.]
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Okay. They're over this way.