hiroto has a tense air about him, even now, but that's because of his goal. his and masaki's goal.
"my brother... Masaki and I have been trying to get a lead on him."
he can't say smokey will be able to help them... but.
His head lowered ever so slightly, the smallest of grins formed on his lips from amusement. But his expression quickly regains its seriousness as the grin faded.
ใ I had a feeling something was on your mind. What are you planning on asking me about him? ใ
โ
๏นmasaki shakes his headใa smile tugging at his lips as he glances over the eagle sticker. there's that playful tone once again. what a pathetic moment of weakness. .๏น
nope.แ i won't let you. not a single yen leaves your pocketใ got it.แฃ
โ
{ as often as the two bicker-and how it might be more one-sided when it comes to hiroto-hiroto would also do anything for masking. they're all each other has in the world... }
was thinking an izakaya. . . i'll pay.
{ offering to pay because he might have picked up an odd-job
โ
๏นthere's a moment of hesitation as hiroto suggests the switch-up. it's soon forgotten as he gets back to workใbrows furrowed slightly. money's still tight.๏น
. . if you want somethingใwe can get it. >
โ
โ
rightโ๏ธ i told you.แ
๏นsifting through his toolbox. trying to find something bluntใyet sharp enough to cleanly remove the stickers. masaki didn't want to scratch his brother's beloved after all.๏น
eagle aniki's stayingใthough.
โ
โas...well as I can be.โ
he managed to utter only the same string of words smokey had, but he stands in front of the other.
โactually, i don't expect anything from you.โ
here it comes. โbut if you are serious about that favor i was planning to ask you about Takeru...โ
Oh, he could tell, yet he doesn't make a comment on it. Instead, Smokey just gives a small shake of his head before his gaze wanders off towards nothing.
ใ She's been fine, she's been looking after Ari a lot recently. ใA small pause. ใ She hopes you are doing well. ใ
Hiroto tries not to smile. He is pleased with himself, and the praise has him in higher spirits, yet he still tries to bite it back with a more serious nod.
Honestly, the man isn't doing a very good job of it.
โHow is Lala doing?โ
The corner of his lips twitched slightly, not a scowl but a smile of sorts. It was short - lived, though. ใ You were quick to refuse. But I mean it, I can't offer cash but if you need a favor done, that's the least I can do. ใ
And he meant that wholeheartedly.
.... he could tell. It was the same for everyone in this district.
Hungry. Tired.
Seeing this place reminds him to be grateful be can even take a warm shower.
ใ Thank you for that, and for looking after Lala as well. If I had something to give you as payment ... ใHe trailed off, but it was clear where that sentence was going.
He hasn't had either in a while. He has been busy focusing more of the people of Nameless City rather โโท
โmn, he is someone i trusted for the job, after all.โ
hiroto keeps distance, though, curiously watching Smokey's expression. his lips look pale. he also looks like he could use a decent meal and a drink.
ใ It would have been worse if there was an infection, but I was told there wasn't one. Somehow. That man โ that doctor, took care of me better than I thought he would with those stitches. ใ