[Oh, a coffee shop! That's perfect. Then Niki can buy him a little drink as a bribe so it won't feel like a complete waste of Takasugi's time if he's just imagining things.]
you're the best, CEO-san! ☆ [He's definitely buttering him up a little, but he means it, too.] I'll be right over~
[Niki is both responsible and true to his word, but it helps that, like... it is, in fact, more serious than he claimed! So he'll definitely arrive at the shop pretty quickly.]
( "be right over" means he needs to drop what he's doing, then, a pen placed neatly alongside paper on top of a worn desk he lifted from another tenant on his street.
and where he might take his time, for these two, there's a hop in takasugi's step.
what niki will find upon entering is takasugi waiting in the front window, a playful smirk on his face as he watches every karterian passerby with chin in hand. )
Ahaha, sorry for the wait! [He knows he wasn't keeping him long, but...] I should've told you it was okay to order without me.
[Niki doesn't know how long he plans to stick around. Actually, he isn't sure what he's going to do at all. But for now, he takes a seat across from him.]
Thanks for agreeing to meet me. Honestly, I don't really get how a samurai can also be a CEO, but I'm sure you've got way more important stuff to be doing, so I really appreciate it!
[He really didn't need to say all that? Sorry, his filter is... questionable...]
Don't worry about it. If you had kept me waiting too long, I would have just sought you out myself. And it's because I'm really capable that I can juggle multiple things at once, you know. Capable. There's nothing that says a prodigy like myself can't be both manager and also a talented warrior.
( he taps a finger on the table. )
So. What was so urgent that you needed to meet me right away?
[Wow, he says all of that so casually and confidently, it's actually kind of impressive! Niki supposes he really can't argue that logic, either. Like, what the hell, sure.
But Takasugi cuts right to the chase (understandably—it's rare for Niki to reach out like this), and that's when Niki's façade truly falters. Where previously, he smiled and spoke easily, now, he actually hesitates a little.]
Um... Actually, I was just wondering if you've seen Rinne-kun lately.
[It's a genuine question. Not even a little accusatory. He doesn't think Takasugi has anything to do with it, because... Well, if he was doing something strange, Niki's sure Rinne would tell him that, too.]
( is this a trick question? like, is niki trying to catch him on something?
not that he would blame him if he were. but takasugi plays it cool regardless, and honestly, he's innocent right now. probably. )
I haven't gotten anything from him in a couple days, no. Why? If anything, you should tell him to stop holding back and contact me whenever he feels like it. You know. Just to have some fun, either of you. Life shouldn't always be about something as tedious as work.
( his gaze falls down to a paper menu below, a black claw tracing the words for something to drink. something that isn't too sugary, maybe. )
Ahaha... [It's not about that at all, but Niki sort of appreciates the sentiment anyway.] Well, I can't deny that. You should do the same, CEO-san!
[Niki doesn't actually dislike work because it means he gets to eat, but he really wouldn't be opposed to hanging out more. He's aware he should probably do more things that don't have anything do with food.]
[...he kind of had a feeling he was going to say something like that, though. He'd had the tiniest bit of hope that he might know something, but... he's sure Rinne would have let him know if something was off with him. There was very little Rinne didn't tell him.]
Um, well, the thing is, I haven't heard from him, either, and... that's not like him.
[Normally, when Niki talks about Rinne, his words are full of lies and half-truths. "He steals from me," except Niki always gives willingly and Rinne always pays him back twofold. "He's always dragging me down with him," except Niki loves being pulled into whatever interests Rinne most at the time. He doesn't like to talk about the way he really is or his habits or anything like that, but right now, it's kind of important.]
He also hasn't been home in a while, so I'm a little worried.
( instantly, he doesn't want to hear it. what does he mean by not being home? forget the drink.
for the first time around niki, his tone drops an octave lower. no jokes, no rambling commentary to get out of answering something properly. the inflection in his voice is completely serious. )
When did you last see him, and where? You should've shared this from the beginning instead of having us meet. Anything else might be a waste of time, depending.
I thought about that, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea. [He's about to reveal something about himself here, but Takasugi isn't the only one who's serious about this, so he doesn't hesitate.] I dunno if the devices here are monitored or anything like that.
[And maybe that's being paranoid, but Niki actually thinks about those things. That was even true at ES, after all—they secretly had separate phones specifically because of that. Since everything is a possibility right now, it just made sense to be extra safe.]
The last time I saw him was at work. He always shows up during a rush and does something annoying like only ordering water. [There's one of those half-truths. This part isn't important.] Then he said something about going off to gamble, but that was probably a lie.
[Because if it was just something like that, he thinks Rinne would probably be fine. Due to his upbringing, Rinne knows how to take care of himself. That's why...]
I just feel like it might have been something out of his control.
Maybe they are, and maybe they aren't. But are you saying that Patho-Gen would get in our way if we were trying to find someone? Though even if they tried, they'd find it difficult to dissuade me from going all out. And besides, from the moment we got here and had these implanted in us, we pretty much signed away our privacy.
( he taps the back of his neck with two fingers, right behind that unique curl of hair. )
But I’ve got a way to track Amagi-kun. He asked me to modify his device to access your room early on, and so I decided to wire in a hidden GPS tracker just in case I needed to hunt him down for something later. You can judge me however you want for that, but it's already been done. In fact.
( takasugi shoves an open palm across the table in front of niki. )
I mean, for all I know, they might have something to do with it.
[But Takasugi makes a good point... Maybe there's no point in worrying about stuff like that when they're probably already screwed. The thought doesn't even surprise him—that's just his luck!
Yet, for as little as he trusts their seemingly generous benefactors, Niki doesn't actually hesitate to pull out his device and offer it to Takasugi. This choice isn't a complicated one—if Rinne is going to be in that situation, then it only makes sense for Niki to be, too. If Rinne jumps, then Niki jumps. If Rinne falls, then Niki falls. He'd follow him anywhere.
...well, it's not just that. He thinks it might be okay to choose to trust Takasugi, too. This is something he's willing to bet on.]
I kinda doubt you'll ever have a hard time tracking me down...
[Niki has nothing to hide. But then again, this sort of thing might happen to him, too, so...
To your ever dependable President, the most sensational prodigy from Choshu? Everything will be fine.
( but he doesn't bother looking niki in the eye as he says this, pulling out his own device to set them together and get to work.
blue flashes light up the screens as he navigates through applications, tweaking settings and protocols like someone who's really comfortable with a computer. it's a talent he doesn’t showcase in public very often, given it contradicts the identity of the era he hails from. once he's done making the necessary changes, he slides niki's device back.
he should've done this months ago, really.
the signal for rinne is somewhere that makes his mouth turn into a thin line, takasugi rapping his fingers impatiently against the cool wood. )
Will you be alright with waiting if I set out to retrieve Amagi-kun?
[Does he really think that? Or is it because he doesn't care if something happens to him? Niki doesn't want to jump to conclusions, so he won't, but he wonders...
That doesn't change what he's going to say, though.]
Ahaha... Well, it's true that you are pretty cool and reliable. [Probably! Takasugi hasn't let them down so far.] But you're our friend, too, so...
[With a little hesitation, he slides a hand across the table and gently pokes one of Takasugi's hands with a finger while he works. He doesn't want to get in the way of what he's doing, and frankly, he's just shy, but...]
Think about it, okay?
[It doesn't have to be something like this. Niki isn't technologically illiterate, but it might be complicated! Still... a contingency plan or something feels like it would be nice. Just in case. They probably should have done something like this in the first place.]
( it's been forever since someone bowed to him like this.
it reminds him of a time when these formalities were the norm. back then, his fellow clansmen would plead for favors that, to them, felt like pulling teeth. whenever they stumbled over their own policies and hit a wall in the name of change, they would pull takasugi away from the consequences they tried to impose on him and shamelessly ask him to take charge. which he did, of course.
now, it hits different. it's the deference of a young man who shouldn't have to shoulder this anxiety. life should be fun, after all, for those who want to enjoy it. )
Naturally.
( when he rises to his feet with the familiar clack of those sandals, takasugi pats the top of niki's head twice. )
Now. Head on home and wait for me. Brew yourself some tea and do your best to unwind. By the end of the night, I’ll have turned things around to bring him back with me, even if it means shaking up the entire neighborhood. You can count on that.
[Niki's never been very good at asking for help. So afraid of causing trouble for others, he's learned to live his life by keeping his presence as small as possible. He is an acquired taste, after all—too much of a strong flavor all at once can be a little traumatizing.
But when Takasugi pats his head... He's glad he asked for help. Because this gesture isn't something he has to do, and his words of comfort, too, are not a requirement. Niki only came to him because he wasn't sure what else to do. He didn't come here for reassurance, so it strikes him that he takes the time to be kind to him at all. He really doesn't have to.]
Thank you. [He already said it, but he'll say it again. He'll say it a hundred times.] I owe you one.
[Sincerely. Because Niki would do anything to make sure that Rinne is okay. Maybe that's why he actually feels a little better... Because Takasugi gives words to the feeling in Niki's heart—"even if it means shaking up the entire neighborhood." Niki wouldn't want anything less.
He'll definitely pay him back. Even if things don't go well... But he wants to believe in their dependable hero.]
Be safe, okay? If something happens to you, too, then I'm really outta luck!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2025-08-01 05:39 pm (UTC)Somewhere inside, then
I'm getting sick of all this heat
( he'll send coordinates of a little coffee shop near the waterfront. you know, a real hole in the wall. )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-01 09:36 pm (UTC)you're the best, CEO-san! ☆ [He's definitely buttering him up a little, but he means it, too.] I'll be right over~
[Niki is both responsible and true to his word, but it helps that, like... it is, in fact, more serious than he claimed! So he'll definitely arrive at the shop pretty quickly.]
action
Date: 2025-08-02 04:14 am (UTC)and where he might take his time, for these two, there's a hop in takasugi's step.
what niki will find upon entering is takasugi waiting in the front window, a playful smirk on his face as he watches every karterian passerby with chin in hand. )
Finally. I was just about to order something.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-02 04:54 am (UTC)[Niki doesn't know how long he plans to stick around. Actually, he isn't sure what he's going to do at all. But for now, he takes a seat across from him.]
Thanks for agreeing to meet me. Honestly, I don't really get how a samurai can also be a CEO, but I'm sure you've got way more important stuff to be doing, so I really appreciate it!
[He really didn't need to say all that? Sorry, his filter is... questionable...]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-02 06:37 am (UTC)( he taps a finger on the table. )
So. What was so urgent that you needed to meet me right away?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-02 06:53 am (UTC)But Takasugi cuts right to the chase (understandably—it's rare for Niki to reach out like this), and that's when Niki's façade truly falters. Where previously, he smiled and spoke easily, now, he actually hesitates a little.]
Um... Actually, I was just wondering if you've seen Rinne-kun lately.
[It's a genuine question. Not even a little accusatory. He doesn't think Takasugi has anything to do with it, because... Well, if he was doing something strange, Niki's sure Rinne would tell him that, too.]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-02 05:42 pm (UTC)( is this a trick question? like, is niki trying to catch him on something?
not that he would blame him if he were. but takasugi plays it cool regardless, and honestly, he's innocent right now. probably. )
I haven't gotten anything from him in a couple days, no. Why? If anything, you should tell him to stop holding back and contact me whenever he feels like it. You know. Just to have some fun, either of you. Life shouldn't always be about something as tedious as work.
( his gaze falls down to a paper menu below, a black claw tracing the words for something to drink. something that isn't too sugary, maybe. )
1/2
Date: 2025-08-03 12:22 am (UTC)[Niki doesn't actually dislike work because it means he gets to eat, but he really wouldn't be opposed to hanging out more. He's aware he should probably do more things that don't have anything do with food.]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-03 12:28 am (UTC)Um, well, the thing is, I haven't heard from him, either, and... that's not like him.
[Normally, when Niki talks about Rinne, his words are full of lies and half-truths. "He steals from me," except Niki always gives willingly and Rinne always pays him back twofold. "He's always dragging me down with him," except Niki loves being pulled into whatever interests Rinne most at the time. He doesn't like to talk about the way he really is or his habits or anything like that, but right now, it's kind of important.]
He also hasn't been home in a while, so I'm a little worried.
[More than a little.]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-03 03:04 am (UTC)( instantly, he doesn't want to hear it. what does he mean by not being home? forget the drink.
for the first time around niki, his tone drops an octave lower. no jokes, no rambling commentary to get out of answering something properly. the inflection in his voice is completely serious. )
When did you last see him, and where? You should've shared this from the beginning instead of having us meet. Anything else might be a waste of time, depending.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-03 05:14 am (UTC)[And maybe that's being paranoid, but Niki actually thinks about those things. That was even true at ES, after all—they secretly had separate phones specifically because of that. Since everything is a possibility right now, it just made sense to be extra safe.]
The last time I saw him was at work. He always shows up during a rush and does something annoying like only ordering water. [There's one of those half-truths. This part isn't important.] Then he said something about going off to gamble, but that was probably a lie.
[Because if it was just something like that, he thinks Rinne would probably be fine. Due to his upbringing, Rinne knows how to take care of himself. That's why...]
I just feel like it might have been something out of his control.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 03:25 am (UTC)( he taps the back of his neck with two fingers, right behind that unique curl of hair. )
But I’ve got a way to track Amagi-kun. He asked me to modify his device to access your room early on, and so I decided to wire in a hidden GPS tracker just in case I needed to hunt him down for something later. You can judge me however you want for that, but it's already been done. In fact.
( takasugi shoves an open palm across the table in front of niki. )
Give me yours, and I'll do it again.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 05:20 am (UTC)[But Takasugi makes a good point... Maybe there's no point in worrying about stuff like that when they're probably already screwed. The thought doesn't even surprise him—that's just his luck!
Yet, for as little as he trusts their seemingly generous benefactors, Niki doesn't actually hesitate to pull out his device and offer it to Takasugi. This choice isn't a complicated one—if Rinne is going to be in that situation, then it only makes sense for Niki to be, too. If Rinne jumps, then Niki jumps. If Rinne falls, then Niki falls. He'd follow him anywhere.
...well, it's not just that. He thinks it might be okay to choose to trust Takasugi, too. This is something he's willing to bet on.]
I kinda doubt you'll ever have a hard time tracking me down...
[Niki has nothing to hide. But then again, this sort of thing might happen to him, too, so...
And actually, on that note:]
What if something ever happens to you?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 02:59 pm (UTC)( but he doesn't bother looking niki in the eye as he says this, pulling out his own device to set them together and get to work.
blue flashes light up the screens as he navigates through applications, tweaking settings and protocols like someone who's really comfortable with a computer. it's a talent he doesn’t showcase in public very often, given it contradicts the identity of the era he hails from. once he's done making the necessary changes, he slides niki's device back.
he should've done this months ago, really.
the signal for rinne is somewhere that makes his mouth turn into a thin line, takasugi rapping his fingers impatiently against the cool wood. )
Will you be alright with waiting if I set out to retrieve Amagi-kun?
( like he's a sack of potatoes or something... )
1/2
Date: 2025-08-04 05:47 pm (UTC)That doesn't change what he's going to say, though.]
Ahaha... Well, it's true that you are pretty cool and reliable. [Probably! Takasugi hasn't let them down so far.] But you're our friend, too, so...
[With a little hesitation, he slides a hand across the table and gently pokes one of Takasugi's hands with a finger while he works. He doesn't want to get in the way of what he's doing, and frankly, he's just shy, but...]
Think about it, okay?
[It doesn't have to be something like this. Niki isn't technologically illiterate, but it might be complicated! Still... a contingency plan or something feels like it would be nice. Just in case. They probably should have done something like this in the first place.]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 05:54 pm (UTC)I'll be okay.
[A nervous wreck, but he already is one, so it's totally fine. He'll be okay.
He bows his head, here. His words are serious, sincere, and honest in a way he typically isn't.]
...thank you. I really didn't want to have to ask, but if something happens to him, I...
[He doesn't know what he would do with himself. That person really means the entire world to him. He doesn't think he can live without him.]
Keep in touch. If there's anything I can do, I'll do it.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 02:18 am (UTC)it reminds him of a time when these formalities were the norm. back then, his fellow clansmen would plead for favors that, to them, felt like pulling teeth. whenever they stumbled over their own policies and hit a wall in the name of change, they would pull takasugi away from the consequences they tried to impose on him and shamelessly ask him to take charge. which he did, of course.
now, it hits different. it's the deference of a young man who shouldn't have to shoulder this anxiety. life should be fun, after all, for those who want to enjoy it. )
Naturally.
( when he rises to his feet with the familiar clack of those sandals, takasugi pats the top of niki's head twice. )
Now. Head on home and wait for me. Brew yourself some tea and do your best to unwind. By the end of the night, I’ll have turned things around to bring him back with me, even if it means shaking up the entire neighborhood. You can count on that.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 03:44 am (UTC)But when Takasugi pats his head... He's glad he asked for help. Because this gesture isn't something he has to do, and his words of comfort, too, are not a requirement. Niki only came to him because he wasn't sure what else to do. He didn't come here for reassurance, so it strikes him that he takes the time to be kind to him at all. He really doesn't have to.]
Thank you. [He already said it, but he'll say it again. He'll say it a hundred times.] I owe you one.
[Sincerely. Because Niki would do anything to make sure that Rinne is okay. Maybe that's why he actually feels a little better... Because Takasugi gives words to the feeling in Niki's heart—"even if it means shaking up the entire neighborhood." Niki wouldn't want anything less.
He'll definitely pay him back. Even if things don't go well... But he wants to believe in their dependable hero.]
Be safe, okay? If something happens to you, too, then I'm really outta luck!