⠀⠀⠀⠀... no, not really.
⠀⠀⠀⠀( The mainland was new and in disrepair. Perhaps Aoba had expected a finer glamour to its condition, but found only specks of synthetic glitter in the places where his fingers brushed it aside. All spectacle, all illusion. )
⠀⠀⠀⠀It's a little different than I expected.
⠀⠀⠀⠀( Aoba had always been honest despite himself. Or, at least close to it. And he'd never been much of a gambler—the entire allure of Shinkomi was wasted on someone like him. )
⠀⠀⠀⠀Good will neared extinction, but it didn't stop Aoba from squaring his shoulders with some amount of protective consideration. He would have felt guilty if anything bad happened to the other.
⠀⠀⠀⠀"Where d'you live, anyways? No, not like that, so don't say it."
⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm not a freak," Aoba groused, offended by the mere suggestion of it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀He lazily rolled one shoulder, considering the stranger. Aoba wasn't certain as to why he'd expected gratitude. This wasn't a city that cared to give it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀"Anyways, just get your ass up before you regret it. You look like you're a few hits from death, seriously."
⠀⠀⠀⠀Aoba turned to regard the mouth of the alleyway, gaze quietly defiant in the interest of dissuadimg passerbys who circled like sharks with blood.