Try To Call You Every Day (I'm Rehearsing What To Say) \\ON HIATUS\\

chp 1

Atsushi gulped and put a hand on Kyoka's shoulder. "She can tell you." He was looking everywhere except the cashier. Kyoka noticed and rolled her eyes, unimpressed at her brother's display of cowardice. (He would later argue that he was not, in fact, a coward. He was just a little wary of the man.)

The man behind the counter (his nametag said 'Hi! My name is Akutagawa Ryuunosuke!', with a smiley face that kinda looked dead inside, Atsushi decided it did not suit him) pointed to a person in the back that was arranging shirts and other trinkets.

"They can help you," Akutagawa deadpanned, sounding tired as fuck despite his joyful nametag. The person who was moving clothes around looked up.

They smiled when they saw Kyoka (at least, Atsushi guesses they smiled. They were wearing a mask, but the corners of their eyes crinkled, so he took it as a sign of kindness.) and beckoned to come over to them. Akutagawa Gin, the tag read. They seemed like they could be trusted, even though he guessed they were related to the other Akutagawa.

So Atsushi stood there awkwardly with said Akutagawa. He wasn't sure if he should try to make small talk.

He cleared his throat. "Sooo. My Chemical Romance," he started, noticing Akutagawa's shirt. Akutagawa's head snapped up to face him. Atsushi continued. "My little sister likes them, and she's always trying to get me to listen to them."

Akutagawa's glare softened the slightest at the mention of the girl liking the same band. "She has good taste," he answered gruffly.

Atsushi laughed nervously. "I guess. It's not really my style, but I don't mind it."

The silence fell once again. He glanced to the back of the store, where Kyoka and Gin (he called them that to differ from Akutagawa, who seems like he really doesn't want anyone to call him by his first name.) were talking about a Billie Eilish shirt that was on sale. Apparently, today only, you could get three shirts for the price of two. He could practically hear his wallet crying from relief at the low prices.

Atsushi shifted from foot to foot, not sure what to do. He looked around from where his feet were anchored to the floor. He felt like if he moved, Akutagawa would be annoyed at the commotion he was making. From the way he was still angrily staring at Atsushi, he would kill him on the spot, no hesitation.

Weird. People usually like Atsushi. Akutagawa probably didn't like anybody.

Someone probably hurt him, Atsushi thought. Then he immediately felt terrible because he assumed that his attitude had to do with his past. Maybe he's just like that.

He was seriously about to audibly apologize when Kyoka came back. He closed his mouth. Kyoka handed him three tshirts, and walked to the counter. He followed.

God bless Kyoka.

She was the only one that stopped him from making a fool of himself 99.9% of the time. The other .1%, he didn't want to talk about.

He looked at Akutagawa. Akutagawa looked at him. They both looked away.

Atsushi payed for the items and turned to leave with Kyoka trailing after him. Before they left, Kyoka turned around and waved to Gin.

"Bye Gin-san. Thank you."

Gin smiled at her. "Anytime, Kyoka-chan."

¤¤¤

Oh, to be an adult and work at a fucking Game Stop.

Hey, at least he isn't like that loser with the bandages that works at the crusty skating rink. (He believes the real queston is, why the fuck is there a skating rink in a mall? Then he remembers: Japan.) Fyodor sees children there quite a lot.