Not like Kashuu cared or anything. It's not like Kashuu was worried. Not like he was seriously concerned! Definitely not like he was a little bit scared!!
He definitely did eat all of Mutsu's castella, though. And that's exactly what he's gonna say when he GOES TO CONFRONT HIM, which is probably pretty soon after he settles down a little because Kashuu is at least kind of nice.]
Hey.
[Not a "hey how are you" but a "HEY PUNK I GOT WORDS".]
( Mutsu sure is trying to settle down. Did you know he was on level 293 of Konpeito Crunch back home and now he's stuck on level 124 in Cerealia? Can he ask Ceres to give him back his levels?! Also why can't he find any of his snacks? He's poking around the kitchen pantries and fridge and... he can't believe someone even ate the one he had hidden behind the milk in the fridge?! )
...
( Hmmm...
Oh, but what's with that tone, Kashuu? He looks up, brows knit and nose scrunched in offense like what did he even do? He just got here. He didn't have time to do anything wrong. Not that he would ever do anything wrong but some people just like to assume he's always doing something wrong. Thanks, Shinsengumi. )
[Isn't it sad, Mutsu... All those levels. All that cake. All for naught.
Kashuu sure isn't about to help him out either, apparently!! He'll rumble, punk. HE'LL THROW DOWN. Maybe not right now, but it's definitely on his to-do list, okay.]
You left your food out.
[Or, you know, unattended in the fridge for three days which is practically the same thing.]
Yep. So I like, took it on myself to clean the fridge out and make sure none of the stuff you left behind took up space.
[All that earned castella, gone! No longer waiting for poor Mutsu's return! Kashuu doesn't seem the least bit guilty about it, either, because of course he doesn't In fact, he still feels vaguely irritated...
( Aaaaugh. There's a very loud groan and he definitely muttered something about how annoying Kashuu is under his breath but he won't complain too much. Closing the refrigerator door and massaging the bridge of his nose, he eventually ends up crossing his arms in a defensive sort of posture and shoots Kashuu a glance, )
Whatever. ( Just, whatever. ) 'S not like it was just for me anyway but ya didn't have to eat everything like some wild piglet.
( He sure did call Kashuu a pig. But a piglet. That's cuter, right? )
[That's the exact kind of face that makes him want to pop Mutsu right in the face, BUT HE REFRAINS... Somehow.]
Nope. You're exactly as annoying as you were three days ago.
[TAKE HIM BACK, CODE.
Except not, because that would mean Mutsu vanishing into the goddamn ether because the sacrificial table has been ruined and Kashuu doesn't know where the spirits go, now.]
( Ugh, no comment because he's really didn't expect anything else but he won't flatter Kashuu more than he already is. Everyone else flatters Kashuu enough! It's Mutsu's duty to keep him grounded. )
Yeah? It was spring again back home. ( Hm, maybe he should update the others? ) It flew by! ( And he zips his hand up in the air to show exactly how fast it all felt. ) We had a big ol' party and everything!
Well, yeah. He earned it, ya know? ( Haru worked really hard that year? He deserved to have a big ol' party just for him. ) We had one for New Year too. Heh heh, that one was nice.
... Oh, yeah, guess ya wouldn't know about that, huh? ( If he remembers Kashuu's last report, the last thing Kashuu did was clear out Ikedaya or something like that? ) I guess I can fill ya in or something if ya want.
( He guesses. Is Kashuu still secretary in Cerealia? Does Mutsu have to report to Kashuu??? Would that make a difference? Hmmm. )
I'll try not to repeat anything ya already know but... it's a lot to remember, ya know? Not really sure where to start.
I know, I know. [He just wishes he was there to see it! Even if he technically will be someday... Ah, time travel.
BUT WHAT THE HECK, all these parties he missed out on!! He sighs, setting his hands on his hips and very much taking on that Secretarial Sword Air™ since it's time to get down to business. He can just mention that he has some things to fill Mutsu in on in a second...]
Just start from the top. The last time I went back, we were just starting the raid at Ikedaya, but Sayo told me that it turned out to be some kinda trap or something. [Why, vague plot.] He also said we've got some new comrades - Akashi Kuniyuki, Nihongou, Monoyoshi Sadamune, Gotou Toushirou, and Higekiri and Hizamaru. Outside of that, no one's really reported anything new.
( Ugh, let's pull up a kitchen chair and have a seat because there's a lot but also nothing because #whyplot. But he gets it, he gets it and honestly, after doing this for over a year, he's not so bad at giving reports. He's definitely more nonchalant with Kashuu though, versus when he's giving them directly to Haru. Look, Kashuu doesn't give him head pats and scritches? Not that Mutsu would ever accept them. At least he's taking Kashuu seriously right now, though! Even if his posture is casual and his speech a little informal, that's just the way he gives reports, )
That's right. Something wasn't right about that place. ( Ikedaya. ) Had Haruji and us panicking real bad at the citadel. Ya know we almost sent another squad to get ya guys but ya came back just fine.
( Kashuu had clearly been through a lot but... that's not important right now. The important thing is they came back okay!!! It's not like Mutsu was going to head back to Kyoto for you guys or anything!!! )
Never found out what that was about but after that... things went back to normal. Got some new guys and did a bunch of missions, ya know? It wasn't easy but we got through the year alright. Ya know, "Christmas" isn't actually that bad? ( Considering their introduction to Christmas was Cerealian and... not so great. ) We got a li'l bit of time off for that... and then there was New Year and Haru's party and his birthday. Those were a lotta fun.
Oh, did ya know about Fudou-kun? Ya gotta watch for him... he's a good kid but... eh, it'll be okay. "Fudou Yukimitsu." Nobunaga's favorite or something like that. ( And a little young to be drinking but eh kanye shrug. ) Mmm... and then there's Shinano-kun. He's one of Ichigo-san's little brothers. ( There are like twenty of them what the heck. ) He's a li'l spoiled but ya don't gotta worry about him too much. ( And there, he ends up shooting Kashuu a sort of Look™. ) He likes to get close around Haru. Real close. And he's not afraid to ask either.
( Ugh, another spirit to compete with for Haru's attention and this one's a cute kid. )
Then there's the new guy we just got... Juzumaru Tsunetsugu. He's... ( How does Mutsu even describe him? The name's probably familiar enough given the fact Juzumaru is one of the great swords of Japan but still, that guy.... ) important. Not a bad guy but... real important if ya know what I mean.
( He's intimidating like Mikazuki used to be???
But that's it. That's his report and he's definitely waiting to get a sign off even if he it isn't heat pats and ear scritches. )
[At least Kashuu is pretty much used to Mutsu's style of report-giving, even if it's been like over half a year since the last time he's actually heard a proper run-down of things... It's almost nostalgic! Not for Mutsu since the lucky punk got to go back home, but for Kashuu it's been a while since he was returned.
That said, Kashuu's reaction to the report is probably the same that Mutsu remembers, too. He listens dutifully and quietly - even though he's also kind of prone to totally unnecessary side-comments sometimes... NOT THIS TIME, AT LEAST. His expressions pretty much give away whatever he's thinking, though. There's a little guilt on hearing that the whole Ikedaya thing had caused panic, but the same dissonant detachment that he always carries whenever that place is brought up. There's a little jealousy at the mention of all these neat parties, but his look is still soft, since he knows the swords and Haru certainly deserve it. He nods along at the description of Fudou.
His eyes sure do narrow at the mention of Shinano... You're on the watch list, punk. Hasn't even met the dang guy yet and Kashuu's already like POINTS AT EYES, POINTS AT SHINANO. Juzumaru almost pales in comparison, but fuck, the heavenly swords are always a menace too?? HE WAS JEALOUS OF MIKAZUKI FOR SO LONG...
But at the end of it all, he just sighs, leaning back a little and waving a hand through the air.]
What a busy year... It's good that our ranks are still growing, though. [Even if SOME NEW ADDITIONS are MENACES.] Haruji's still doing okay too, right? And everyone else? It doesn't sound too bad if we have time to throw some parties here and there... Nothing new from the organization or anything, yeah? Any new dirt on the enemies, or was that weird Ikedaya thing pretty much the last of it?
( It's funny kind of funny to watch Kashuu identify his rivals
But he nods! Because it sure was a busy year and they earned each and every one of their parties and breaks )
He's good. We're all taking care of him ( and just, very casually, off-handedly, ) especially you. ( And without even a beat, he's moving along like he didn't just toss Kashuu a single, basic compliment, ) Hmm... there were some rumors. ( And he frowns because it's something he really debated mentioning earlier. It's just rumors so they have no place in a formal report, right? This is better. ) They're just rumors but some are saying some reports are saying we might have enemies overseas.
Never heard much about that again, though, so... Ya know how rumors are.
[He's got so much competition already that he has to keep on his toes, okay...
What the heck, though-- A single, basic compliment from Mutsu is still a surprise?! A pleasant one - but as usual, it isn't acknowledged beyond a huffy:]
'Course I am. [Obviously!! But he does look undeniably pleased, both about the compliment itself and the fact that Haru is doing well.]
Overseas, huh... [But rumors are rumors, as Mutsu said, so he just waves that off too. He'll keep it in mind.] Alright. You gonna bring this report to Haruji later?
( Maybe he feels a little bad because Peanut hasn't had his first real Christmas and missed an awesome New Year and like two more parties and a bunch of holidays. )
Mhm, but it looks like everyone's still recovering from the last mess and it's not important right now, ya know?
( It's only been three days here. There are still broken robots all over the streets and humans are resilient but they need a little more time to bounce back than spirits. )
[It's hard to imagine a Christmas that doesn't involve chainsaw santas and murderous elves...]
Yeah, he will. [They all know how Haru is by now.
But that's a good lead-in to the next part.]
—I know you just got back, but we need to talk. Like, at the sanctuary. [So right off the bat Mutsu will probably know it's Big Stuff, since Kashuu's still wary about speaking of it anywhere that CERES can overhear.]
[WELL GOSH it's not like he was waiting to make sure Mutsu had settled in a little or anything--]
Annoying.
[But off he goes, leading the way to the sanctuary without further pause other than to grab his jacket before leaving the apartments.
Seems like he's not keen on wasting time now, at least, since he pretty much speed-walks the way there and starts talking as soon as they're both within the CERES-free building.]
A lot of things have happened since you left, y'know? It's inconvenient! [ANNOYING.] ...And there's some other stuff I've been learning about too. We'll need to organize a meeting eventually so we're all on the same page, but I'll start off with the newest stuff, okay?
( He's a ronin's sword he's used to being on the move and on the run, okay.
He'll definitely follow along, having no problem keeping pace but as he does so, he's checking out some of those robot bodies and pieces lying around the street. Heh, so it was really only a couple of days? But once they're at the citadel, there isn't a whole lot of time before they start to feel sick so he's glad Kashuu is cutting to the chase (like a good Shinsengumi sword). )
Can't leave guys alone for a couple of days? ( He's joking, he's joking, because he knows things can fall apart in Cerealia overnight. But he'll flop on one of the couches and nod along. He has no idea what Kashuu is talking about but if they all need to get together then they all need to get together. ) What happened?
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action, post canon update!
Not like Kashuu cared or anything. It's not like Kashuu was worried. Not like he was seriously concerned! Definitely not like he was a little bit scared!!
He definitely did eat all of Mutsu's castella, though. And that's exactly what he's gonna say when he GOES TO CONFRONT HIM, which is probably pretty soon after he settles down a little because Kashuu is at least kind of nice.]
Hey.
[Not a "hey how are you" but a "HEY PUNK I GOT WORDS".]
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...
( Hmmm...
Oh, but what's with that tone, Kashuu? He looks up, brows knit and nose scrunched in offense like what did he even do? He just got here. He didn't have time to do anything wrong. Not that he would ever do anything wrong but some people just like to assume he's always doing something wrong. Thanks, Shinsengumi. )
What?
( You wanna go? Right now? )
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Kashuu sure isn't about to help him out either, apparently!! He'll rumble, punk. HE'LL THROW DOWN. Maybe not right now, but it's definitely on his to-do list, okay.]
You left your food out.
[Or, you know, unattended in the fridge for three days which is practically the same thing.]
1/2
But wait? What does Kashuu mean by "he left his food out?" )
What d'ya mean?
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( For a year! He worked hard! He did a lot! He earned that castella! )
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[All that earned castella, gone! No longer waiting for poor Mutsu's return! Kashuu doesn't seem the least bit guilty about it, either, because of course he doesn't In fact, he still feels vaguely irritated...
Even if he might also be relieved.
Just a little, you know.]
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( Aaaaugh. There's a very loud groan and he definitely muttered something about how annoying Kashuu is under his breath but he won't complain too much. Closing the refrigerator door and massaging the bridge of his nose, he eventually ends up crossing his arms in a defensive sort of posture and shoots Kashuu a glance, )
Whatever. ( Just, whatever. ) 'S not like it was just for me anyway but ya didn't have to eat everything like some wild piglet.
( He sure did call Kashuu a pig. But a piglet. That's cuter, right? )
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Yeah, well - I wouldn't have had to do that if you didn't just up and disappear, y'know! So it's your fault!
[SETTING HIS HANDS IMPERIOUSLY ON HIS HIPS. He'll use 5 year old logic all day, he was born ready for this kind of ridiculous argument.]
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Yeah? So ya did it all on your own?
( And this is the kind of cheeky face that gets him in trouble, )
Did ya miss me?
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Nope. You're exactly as annoying as you were three days ago.
[TAKE HIM BACK, CODE.
Except not, because that would mean Mutsu vanishing into the goddamn ether because the sacrificial table has been ruined and Kashuu doesn't know where the spirits go, now.]
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And ya haven't changed in a year.
( He'd stick his tongue out if there were 20 more feet between them. )
At least those robots are gone so there's that... and it looks like ya came out okay enough.
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[He came out JUST FINE except for his messed up eye, but no one can tell it's a problem from the outside, at least...
That said, he's just giving Mutsu the Kickable Puppy a scrutinizing look before deciding to let go of his petty gripes for 5 seconds.]
...You were back home for a year?
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Yeah? It was spring again back home. ( Hm, maybe he should update the others? ) It flew by! ( And he zips his hand up in the air to show exactly how fast it all felt. ) We had a big ol' party and everything!
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But he's paying close attention to what Mutsu says, at least, since he does trust this knucklehead to fill him in well when he's done being a PUNK.]
We had a party? [HUFFS... HUFFS!! That's not fair, ugh. He wants a party? The last time he went home, he just got shoved through 6-3.] Geez...
[The war is still ongoing a year later too, huh? Not that he expected it to be a quick one.]
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... Oh, yeah, guess ya wouldn't know about that, huh? ( If he remembers Kashuu's last report, the last thing Kashuu did was clear out Ikedaya or something like that? ) I guess I can fill ya in or something if ya want.
( He guesses. Is Kashuu still secretary in Cerealia? Does Mutsu have to report to Kashuu??? Would that make a difference? Hmmm. )
I'll try not to repeat anything ya already know but... it's a lot to remember, ya know? Not really sure where to start.
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BUT WHAT THE HECK, all these parties he missed out on!! He sighs, setting his hands on his hips and very much taking on that Secretarial Sword Air™ since it's time to get down to business. He can just mention that he has some things to fill Mutsu in on in a second...]
Just start from the top. The last time I went back, we were just starting the raid at Ikedaya, but Sayo told me that it turned out to be some kinda trap or something. [Why, vague plot.] He also said we've got some new comrades - Akashi Kuniyuki, Nihongou, Monoyoshi Sadamune, Gotou Toushirou, and Higekiri and Hizamaru. Outside of that, no one's really reported anything new.
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That's right. Something wasn't right about that place. ( Ikedaya. ) Had Haruji and us panicking real bad at the citadel. Ya know we almost sent another squad to get ya guys but ya came back just fine.
( Kashuu had clearly been through a lot but... that's not important right now. The important thing is they came back okay!!! It's not like Mutsu was going to head back to Kyoto for you guys or anything!!! )
Never found out what that was about but after that... things went back to normal. Got some new guys and did a bunch of missions, ya know? It wasn't easy but we got through the year alright. Ya know, "Christmas" isn't actually that bad? ( Considering their introduction to Christmas was Cerealian and... not so great. ) We got a li'l bit of time off for that... and then there was New Year and Haru's party and his birthday. Those were a lotta fun.
Oh, did ya know about Fudou-kun? Ya gotta watch for him... he's a good kid but... eh, it'll be okay. "Fudou Yukimitsu." Nobunaga's favorite or something like that. ( And a little young to be drinking but eh kanye shrug. ) Mmm... and then there's Shinano-kun. He's one of Ichigo-san's little brothers. ( There are like twenty of them what the heck. ) He's a li'l spoiled but ya don't gotta worry about him too much. ( And there, he ends up shooting Kashuu a sort of Look™. ) He likes to get close around Haru. Real close. And he's not afraid to ask either.
( Ugh, another spirit to compete with for Haru's attention and this one's a cute kid. )
Then there's the new guy we just got... Juzumaru Tsunetsugu. He's... ( How does Mutsu even describe him? The name's probably familiar enough given the fact Juzumaru is one of the great swords of Japan but still, that guy.... ) important. Not a bad guy but... real important if ya know what I mean.
( He's intimidating like Mikazuki used to be???
But that's it. That's his report and he's definitely waiting to get a sign off even if he it isn't heat pats and ear scritches. )
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That said, Kashuu's reaction to the report is probably the same that Mutsu remembers, too. He listens dutifully and quietly - even though he's also kind of prone to totally unnecessary side-comments sometimes... NOT THIS TIME, AT LEAST. His expressions pretty much give away whatever he's thinking, though. There's a little guilt on hearing that the whole Ikedaya thing had caused panic, but the same dissonant detachment that he always carries whenever that place is brought up. There's a little jealousy at the mention of all these neat parties, but his look is still soft, since he knows the swords and Haru certainly deserve it. He nods along at the description of Fudou.
His eyes sure do narrow at the mention of Shinano... You're on the watch list, punk. Hasn't even met the dang guy yet and Kashuu's already like POINTS AT EYES, POINTS AT SHINANO. Juzumaru almost pales in comparison, but fuck, the heavenly swords are always a menace too?? HE WAS JEALOUS OF MIKAZUKI FOR SO LONG...
But at the end of it all, he just sighs, leaning back a little and waving a hand through the air.]
What a busy year... It's good that our ranks are still growing, though. [Even if SOME NEW ADDITIONS are MENACES.] Haruji's still doing okay too, right? And everyone else? It doesn't sound too bad if we have time to throw some parties here and there... Nothing new from the organization or anything, yeah? Any new dirt on the enemies, or was that weird Ikedaya thing pretty much the last of it?
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But he nods! Because it sure was a busy year and they earned each and every one of their parties and breaks )
He's good. We're all taking care of him ( and just, very casually, off-handedly, ) especially you. ( And without even a beat, he's moving along like he didn't just toss Kashuu a single, basic compliment, ) Hmm... there were some rumors. ( And he frowns because it's something he really debated mentioning earlier. It's just rumors so they have no place in a formal report, right? This is better. ) They're just rumors but some are saying some reports are saying we might have enemies overseas.
Never heard much about that again, though, so... Ya know how rumors are.
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What the heck, though-- A single, basic compliment from Mutsu is still a surprise?! A pleasant one - but as usual, it isn't acknowledged beyond a huffy:]
'Course I am. [Obviously!! But he does look undeniably pleased, both about the compliment itself and the fact that Haru is doing well.]
Overseas, huh... [But rumors are rumors, as Mutsu said, so he just waves that off too. He'll keep it in mind.] Alright. You gonna bring this report to Haruji later?
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Mhm, but it looks like everyone's still recovering from the last mess and it's not important right now, ya know?
( It's only been three days here. There are still broken robots all over the streets and humans are resilient but they need a little more time to bounce back than spirits. )
Heh, he'll probably wanna know real soon, though.
( Knowing Haru. The kid never rests. )
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Yeah, he will. [They all know how Haru is by now.
But that's a good lead-in to the next part.]
—I know you just got back, but we need to talk. Like, at the sanctuary. [So right off the bat Mutsu will probably know it's Big Stuff, since Kashuu's still wary about speaking of it anywhere that CERES can overhear.]
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Well, what're ya waiting for?
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Annoying.
[But off he goes, leading the way to the sanctuary without further pause other than to grab his jacket before leaving the apartments.
Seems like he's not keen on wasting time now, at least, since he pretty much speed-walks the way there and starts talking as soon as they're both within the CERES-free building.]
A lot of things have happened since you left, y'know? It's inconvenient! [ANNOYING.] ...And there's some other stuff I've been learning about too. We'll need to organize a meeting eventually so we're all on the same page, but I'll start off with the newest stuff, okay?
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He'll definitely follow along, having no problem keeping pace but as he does so, he's checking out some of those robot bodies and pieces lying around the street. Heh, so it was really only a couple of days? But once they're at the citadel, there isn't a whole lot of time before they start to feel sick so he's glad Kashuu is cutting to the chase (like a good Shinsengumi sword). )
Can't leave guys alone for a couple of days? ( He's joking, he's joking, because he knows things can fall apart in Cerealia overnight. But he'll flop on one of the couches and nod along. He has no idea what Kashuu is talking about but if they all need to get together then they all need to get together. ) What happened?
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