Another Love (Raiji & Gatichan)

[Gatichan]

:: Another Love ::

 

 

Name: Ryzu Sato

 

Age: 22

 

~ Ryzu is a student at a college, part-time working at the local coffee shop not too far from his apartment. Although his job usually involves a fair amount of social interactions he prefers to keep aloof from everyone, his seemingly distant demeanor making for the lack of anyone special in his life. Bound by his coy personality, Ryzu relentlessly avoids any kind of situation that would make his true nature come out but for the same reason, it usually happens when he least expects it to.

 

 

Name: Teru Sumino

 

Age: 23

 

Profession: biochemical scientist working for a pharmaceutical company, that is actually funded by the government to undergo special, secretive experiments involving, amongst others, gene mutations

 

Need to know: Teru is new in the city. He's come with orders to research more into Nekos - their habits, their abilities, their personalities etc. - and use this information for Project E.N. He still doesn't know much about this city, hasn't much knowledge about how to gte around and doesn't know anyone. Teru prefers to keep to himself, isn't very talkative and prefers innate objects to loud and nosy people. Has several reservations with regard Nekos.

[Raiji]

Soft sigh escaped Ryzu's lips as the door of the shop he was working at closed behind him. Not a second later, sky opened up and everything on the other side of the glass door was cut off by a dark curtain of rain. It seemed people inside didn't really mind the weather, and why would they? Ryzu let his eyes glance around the room as he strolled to the back, acknowledging his manager with nothing but a barely notable nod.

 

"Greetings!" The old man flashed one of his ever-lingering smiles and Ryzu just had to ask himself would the owner still be so inclined towards him if he knew Ryzu's true form. 'Probably.' Replied a small voice in his head as the said man shoved his jacket in an old locker. 'Not everyone's as bad as you chose to believe.' Ryzu just huffed on his thoughts but as soon as he got back to the front of the coffee shop, small smile tilted on his lips. He was led to believe people react better to hosts that don't look bothered all the time and once again he had to wonder why did he choose to work with people instead of finding some sort of job where no one would care how he looks like.

 

As hours passed by, weather started to calm down and more than once Ryzu thought how grateful he was that the place he worked wasn't as big as the usual coffee shops. Just a few tables that were almost randomly scattered around could take just so many people and that made his job easier, sometimes even leaving him enough time to relax and daydream.

Just as the sky darkened enough for the street lamps to turn on, Ryzu proceeded to do the same indoors and soon the room was bathed in a soft light creating a rather cozy atmosphere. As the blue eyes fell on a couple snogging at one of the tables that was shoved in the corner, Ryzu couldn't stop a sad smile that tugged on his lips.

[Gatichan]

Teru glared at his stupid red umbrella that was letting him down. His train had hardly just pulled out the station of this seaside city and immediately it had begun to rain. And Teru, believing that he’d be just dandy because he had a brand new umbrella, found himself swearing when the blasted thing refused to open itself and left him stranded, beside his small travelling bag with wheels and heavy notebook case that hung at his side, in the pouring rain. Gritting his teeth and trying not to hate this city for its unfriendly welcome, Teru eventually stuffed his umbrella into a nearby dustbin and raising the collar of his expensive, long black coat and began walking away from the central train station.

 

Despite the dreadful, unexpected downpour, there were many people about. Keeping his face low as the wind whipped against it, Teru’s eyes flashed around, methodically taking in all the details. Couples in love, a mother and her child, more businessmen, schoolgirls chattering and laughing gaily as they prettily turned their umbrellas in the rain- at first glance, nothing there pointed out to Teru that this was indeed the city with the highest percentage of reported neko sightings. A phenomenon that he had come to hopefully change.

 

The rain lessened somewhat, but when Teru checked his watch, he saw that it still wasn’t time for him to check in at his hotel yet. Perhaps he could grab a bite somewhere nearby. Raising his eyes higher, his attention was drawn to a small, cozy looking café. He wondered if the workers there would be friendly to a foreigner like him, but just then the clouds above his head burst again and he had no choice. Running towards the café and pulling his bag along behind him, Teru pushed against the café door. A small bell chimed as he entered and once inside, Teru shook his head like a wet dog. The smell inside was inviting and his stomach rumbled- he hadn’t noticed how hungry he was until that moment. Puffing his cheeks out as he ran a hand through his hair, he rolled his suitcase towards the first free table that he saw there and placing his notebook bag with great care on the second chair, threw himself ito the one opposite.

[Raiji]

Ryzu looked up when the tiny bell rang, the bell he learned to pretty much dislike. It would be rather sad if he spent his days hating the thing that announced entrance of people whose presence meant he will have enough money to pay the bills, so he decided disliking it would be a better choice. After all, more people meant more work for him and that's why he was there after all. Tugging down a silly gray apron his manager forced him to wear, Ryzu took a deep breath and prepared for another encounter with yet another stranger that will storm through his life. Or he had hoped so, it was getting late and he was getting pretty tired. Classes in the morning, work in the afternoon... His schedule didn't leave him much free time and he wouldn't mind that so much if it wasn't for the endless chitchatting with the customers. If there was something he disliked more than that bell, it was seemingly random conversations.

 

Before he leisurely strolled towards the newcomer, he glanced around the room to make sure all of his other customers were satisfied. There weren't so many people around anymore and for just a second that caught him by surprise. It only meant that, once again, he spent most of his working hours lost somewhere deep in thought doing things automatically.

 

"Hello there." Ryzu tried to smile at the person sitting before him, never really making an eye contact. He noted the suitcase that sat next to the table and for a moment pondered why would anyone take a vacation in this time of the year, it was still a bit too cold for the usual amount of tourists that overtook the city every summer. "What can I get for you?" Quiet and yet relentless dripping could be heard and as Ryzu noticed a small puddle forming just under the man's chair, he barely stopped himself from sighing. Determined to give the stranger a piece of his mind, neko finally let his eyes rise to meet the other pair but then his mind went blank for a moment. "A towel perhaps?" Ryzu blabbed out before he had a chance to stop himself and he could feel a soft shade of red spreading on his cheeks.

[Gatichan]

The owner or waiter, or whatever at this café sure was taking his sweet time in coming to serve him. If there was one thing Teru didn’t appreciate at all, it was people wasting his time. Late though it was, he didn’t feel like returning to his hotel room, showering, changing and then going downstairs again to dine- if he could eat before, it would be easier and better for him. Drumming his fingers on the tabletop impatiently, he glanced around, but seeing no one, he reached over and unzipping his notebook case, pulled out his brand new silver notebook. As it whirred up, Teru glanced down and groaned when he saw that his black jacket had caused a puddle on the floor- just great: if he was really unlucky, he’d probably wake up the following day with a cold.

 

Right then, someone approached his table. About darn time, Teru thought impatiently and glanced up to find a young man, a student like him, no doubt, wearing an old-fashioned apron. Somehow, even though usually Teru would have snorted inwardly at how ridiculous such a working outfit was, he though the apron rather suited his counterpart and made him look cute. The student at first didn’t seem all too enthusiastic when his eyes zoomed in on the small lake Teru had created, but when he lifted his face to meet Teru’s eyes, the waiter turned a little pink- he’s probably embarrassed that he got caught staring.

 

Teur nodded his thanks. “Yes, a towel would really help, thank you. I’m sorry about the mess- the cloudburst really surprised me,” he heard himself apologizing and this surprised him- he wasn’t the guy who usually went around being so apologetic and stating the obvious. Accepting the menu that the waiter held out to him, Teru puffed his cheeks out. Well, maybe it was his having finally got out the cold o the fact that he’d actually come across someone who seemed somewhat friendly in this unknown city. Accepting the towel and beginning to rub his hair wildly with it to dry it, Teru peeked up at the student. “Is there anything you can recommend? I just want something that will still my hunger.” Teru’s eyes widened- that had sounded a little bit shifty…hadn’t it?

[Raiji]

"Chicken." Ryzu replied without putting too much thought into it. He knew he was supposed to recite the whole menu, recommend what the owner believer were the finest dishes and whatnot, but Ryzu believed that chicken was the right choice most of the time. He quickly glanced at the clock before turning his apologetic gaze back to the man. "It's really the only thing we have in this hour." Ryzu was still slightly amused with the fact that his towel offer was so easily accepted. Most of the other people would get offended, but once it happened he had no choice than to bring it back with the menu.

Still, something about the man he just left behind was bothering him. It wasn't the shiny laptop or the fact that the man didn't recognize what was supposed to be Ryzu's witty remark on this appearance, but something else. Something he couldn't really pinpoint.

 

While he waited for the dish to heat up in the possibly slowest microwave in the world, Ryzu proceeded to clean up the mess other customers left behind. There was still some time before he had to close the cafe, but the wet man and the couple in the corner where the only people left. What seemed like a long time, or Ryzu thought it would to a starving man, loud 'ding' echoed through the room marking that the tiny contraption was finally done with the meal.

 

This time neko hurried back to his newest guest, perhaps to repent for the way he approached him earlier. As he stood next to the table waiting for the man to move his laptop, Ryzu realized that he was a rather cute- even with the tiny drops of water still scattered on his hair. As his lips stretched to a smile, lighting up his face, Ryzu was ready to forgive the man for the puddles of water he and his things created. "Would you like some tea with that?" Yet again, his tongue worked faster than his brain, tea usually didn't go well with any dishes involving chicken but it seemed like a good idea at the time. "Also" At that moment Ryzu realized what was bothering him all this time. "You would probably want to carry an umbrella in this time of the year."

[Gatichan]

Teru nodded, closing the menu without really having looked inside. “Then it’ll be chicken,” he decided, folding the towel off neatly and laying it down on the table. The matter was over for him and with a polite nod, he turned his body away from the waiter and facing his notebook again, he began to type in the password. His face became overly serious as it always did whenever he was about to start upon his scientific research. An explosion could have occurred a block away and Teru probably wouldn’t even have noticed because he was soon lost in his emails, hastily typing back replies. He didn’t notice that the preparation of his meal took long- this, in fact, suited him just fine, because it gave his clothes a chance to dry and he managed to finish answering all his emails by the time the waiter with the sweet apron reappeared to serve him.

 

“Ah- thank you,” Teru once again politely smiled, but didn’t look at the waiter again. The smell wafting over to him from the plate was rather delicious and Teru’s stomach growled- he really was famished. Picking up his cutlery, he glanced up, slightly irritated at the question. Tea with chicken? Was that some kind of traditional drink for this city? Hmm…interesting. Was this perhaps something that attracted nekos to this place? He could understand a cat enjoying tidbits of chicken, but tea? Well, he was there to learn something, so he might as well begin. “Err…tea would be fine, thanks. Select the tea sort- I don’t really mind,” he waved his hand, pulling his notebook closer and accessing his journal, typed this information in.

 

Instead of leaving him then, the waiter remained shifting from one foot to the next. Teru raised an eyebrow slightly, but then, assuming the waiter wanted to hear how the food tasted, he cut a little bit and moving it up to his mouth, took a small bite. Chewing a bit, his face brightened up in surprise. “Mm…delicious,” he was forced to admit and a small smile lit his face up. It was right then that he was asked whether it wouldn’t have been better to have brought an umbrella along with him. Usually, such a personal question would have forced Teru to close up instantly, but since the waiter seemed harmless enough and had already helped him twice, Teru decided to reply. “I actually had one, but it was broken, so I had to throw it away. It seems, though, that the rain’s let up,” he commented, peering around the waiter to gaze outside into the dark. Teru took another bite, giving the waiter the one over. The guy probably met a lot of people working at the café and he could probably tell the scientist a thing or two about the city that might speed his research along. Coughing, Teru decided to leap over his shadow. “So…what’s your name?” he asked, accepting the teacup being held out to him. “Are you from here? I’ll be staying at the Intercontinental, but I’d prefer to stay at a small pension or apartment. Nothing big, just some space for me to conduct my research in peace. Would you know a good one?”

[Raiji]

It seemed that the man enjoyed his chicken and for some reason that prompted Ryzu to smile, yet again. Even his weird tea proposition got accepted and he nodded slightly, more to himself than anyone around. It was turning out that this could be one of the rare people whose company he would enjoy.

 

As he rushed back to the table with the tea, shoving the thought of the couple he was also supposed to take care somewhere in the back of his mind, Ryzu asked himself would the man enjoy the type of tea he picked for him. It was rather odd, he never pictured himself as a person who questions his choices so much- he just made them and learned to live with the consequences. Picking up the neatly folded towel and the now empty plate from the table to make some room for the tea cup, he was asked his name. That too was nothing strange, except the fact that moments ago man seemed way more interested in his shiny notebook than in him. "Rzyu." He replied simply, swallowing the urge to ask the man his. Sweet, fruity scent filled the air around the two and Ryzu couldn't help but glance at the man's face in an almost desperate search for an answer to the question he never really asked.

 

Not wanting to linger on the subject of research for too long, Ryzu quickly discarded it as something that would probably bore him. Many came around to work at the research facility that was just outside the town, spending their days buried in books or, what was rather hard to imagine, out in the ocean. If there was one thing Ryzu disliked more than that bell, it was the sea. Maybe, just maybe it had something to do with his cat nature he so wanted to forget.

 

"Intercontinental?" As any other city whose economy was rather dependent on the tourists, this one had its share of hostels, hotels and rooms for rent, the said hotel being one of the more popular ones. "It's a nice place." Once again, Ryzu noted the suitcase, notebook and the expensive looking coat and could imagine his guest staying in a place like that. In his opinion, the place had no soul. Their employees all looked the same, in their posh black uniforms and fake smiles plastered on their faces. For a few moments Ryzu pondered the man's profile, a puzzled look playing on his face. He had no idea would the guy sitting before him found the place he had in mind suiting but he just decided to go with it. "I actually know a place you might stay." He finally said tugging down on his apron, just to slightly nervous. "It's not Intercontinental but it's cozy enough. Also, it's not too far from here." Neko hurried to the bar and back before the man really had a chance to reply, noticing that the couple was no longer there. He tugged a piece of paper with the phone number next to the notebook. "The owner is pretty nice and I'm pretty sure it will cost you less than that hotel." Ryzu flashed another smile before strolling to clean the table his last customers obviously left while he was engaged in, unusually, not so bothersome conversation. Raising his voice just enough for the only other person in the room to hear, he continued with the usual route he had before closing down the shop. "You can tell him you got the number from me, if you wish. He's... An old friend." Skipping the part the guy whose number he just shared was also his previous landlord, Ryzu quietly chuckled to himself. He owed that man and if he got him a new tenant, he just might repay the favour.

[Gatichan]

Teru nodded as the waiter told him his name. Ryzu. It was a nice name- one he had never heard before, but somehow found that fit. Blinking as the young man blinked back at him, as if expecting Teru to ask something else. When the waiter turned around to tend to the other tables he was in charge of, the coin dropped and Teru cleared his throat, feeling a little stupid. Well obviously- why hadn’t he realized that the waiter had been waiting for him to properly introduce himself? Teru turned a little red in the face. He wasn’t usually so impolite…well, then again, he didn’t usually go around chatting to strangers. But this town was different and he was there to meet as many people as he could to learn more about the neko infestation that had taken a hold of the city.

 

“I’m Teru, by the way,” he finally brought out, picking up his teacup to take a sip. The waiter continued to clear the other tables away, leaving Teru with an uncomfortable silence he somehow desperately wanted to fill. And for the first time in his life, Teru actually felt the urge to tell another person more about himself. Maybe it was the tea, the good food, the fact that it had once again begun to drizzle, or the fact that he had actually met one nice person in this unfamiliar town, but right then, as he leaned back to take another sip of the delicious, yet peculiar tea, Teru felt his tongue loosening up. “I come from Tokyo. I grew up there and know my way around the capital very well. After I graduated from high school, I entered the Todai to study biochemistry. Pretty fast I decided to specialize on genetic mutations. I’ve been looking into different types of mutations for a while and I’m here to find more information about my master thesis,” he admitted, laughing slightly as the waiter began to put up some chairs onto tables. “I’m sorry, I must be boring you. It’s just that you’re the first friendly face I’ve met here and I’m reluctant to let you go. I have absolutely no idea how to get around this place and, after this rather depressing start here, I’m not sure I’ll even want to stay for long.”

 

Sitting up when he heard the waiter tell him that he might have a more suitable place, Teru turned to his notebook to switch it off. It was clear that the other man wanted to close up for the night. “Really? That sounds great,” he admitted with audible relief. “Yes, I know what you mean. But you see, this project that I was given was a once in a lifetime opportunity that sprang into my lap and it was either take it or regret it forever. I didn’t have much time to prepare myself and I was just glad to have found a last hotel room at all.” He turned the paper that he was being handed around to read the address. His face remained blank, having absolutely no idea whereabouts that was supposed to be. As he handed the waiter his plate and cutlery, Teru pulled out his phone to find the place on Google Maps. Seeing that it wasn’t that far away, he nodded, pleased. “Thank you very much. I’ll call there first thing in the morning,” he promised, writing down the waiter’s name before he could forget it. Standing up and putting on his still damp jacket, Teru pursed his lips. “Do you live far away from here? If you like, we could share a taxi. The Intercontinental is good way off- maybe we could drop you off first before you had to walk home in that rain,” he offered, surprising himself by saying this, but also because of the overly generous tip he saw himself giving the waiter.

[Raiji]

Biochemistry? Genetic mutations? Master thesis? If Ryzu put just a bit more thought into what Teru said, he would probably realize that if he wanted to keep his secret hidden, he should just keep away from the said man. But he didn't. In no time, all the chairs were on the tables, floor was swept and even the puddles around the Teru's table were cleaned up. "Tokyo? Wow. I never really left this town..." Ryzu asked himself should he share his life story now that his new companion did the same, but it seemed like he was doing pretty well on his own.

 

"You're not bothering me at all." He shyly smiled looking at Teru over his shoulder. "And you should definitely stay for a bit. It's not always this gloomy." Ryzu added quickly, hoping that the sound of his voice doesn't betray him- his posture didn't show it but he was rather eager to get to know Teru a bit more.

Neko chuckled softly seeing the blank expression on Teru's face. Even if he wasn't much of a tourist guide, mostly because of his inability to get along with people, it was cute and soon he caught himself listing all the places Teru should see if he decides to stay. Deciding that writing them down and giving away yet another piece of paper would be too much for their first encounter, Ryzu obediently accepted the things that were handed to him and strolled away behind the counter. After cleaning up the dishes and putting them in their rightful place, he removed the apron and unconsciously sleeked his shirt a bit. Not that it really bothered him how he looks, but the company he had looked quite dandy and his mind went to do things on its own again, his body apparently following.

 

"A couple of blocks, not too far away." The taxi offer surprised him more than the obviously too big tip. Not once did he find himself getting tips because people decided it was the right way for Ryzu to remember them, not realizing that if they stopped by more than a couple of times he would do it anyway- it was part of his job after all. The other occasion he was given money he didn't really deserve was usually during the lunch hour, when the cafe was overfilled with giggly schoolgirls that for a reason Ryzu wasn't completely able to understand, liked to come around and well, giggle whenever he got close to their table. The owner though, had a pretty good idea what was going on and did his best to make neko work in the afternoons. Reluctant should he accept the money Teru was giving him, he glanced up and smiled, realizing there might be another way to repay the favour- sightseeing. "But I can't say I wouldn't be grateful if I could skip getting wet. Just give me a moment." Ryzu pulled out his phone and dialed a number, one he had memorized mostly because his guests sometimes required a ride home, and proceeded to the back to get his stuff. As he was putting his jacket on, a well-known tingling sensation started spreading through his body and he couldn't help but utter a quiet curse. It wasn't unpleasant, in fact it was quite the opposite, but what usually came after it... Made Ryzu stop everything he was doing and take a deep breath, hoping his cat features could wait a bit longer before popping out. This usually happened whenever he got excited, overly confused or some other feeling got the best of him, but until now he didn't realize that the man in the room next door had such effect on him. Soon he heard the taxi pulling up in front of the shop and he quickly grabbed his stuff and walked back, gulping nervously. "They certainly don't waste their time." Ryzu smiled, or tried to, as he opened the door waiting for Teru to walk out.

 

Neko mumbled the address of the hotel to the driver pointing out where along the way he should stop so that Ryzu can get out, before turning his attention to the man sitting next to him. "If you decide to stay..." He could feel his cheeks burning again and against his better judgement, he continued. "I could show you around a bit. There are some nice places around here, even despite the rain." Hoping Teru will accept his offer, and in the same time hoping he will not, Ryzu unconsciously scratched the place where his ears usually appeared. "If you'd like, of course." He added quietly, leaning back in his seat in a desperate attempt to relax.

[Gatichan]

him. Somehow, it made the young biochemist really pleased that he’d be able to enjoy the other’s company for a while longer. Perhaps he really had underestimated how lonely he would become in a foreign city where he knew no one. Listening and nodding at the different places the waiter suggested he should definitely see, hope began to slowly grow within Teru that he could somehow convince the other man into guiding him around the city. Ryzu didn’t owe him anything, but now that he’d connected to someone so friendly, Teru was reluctant to let him go. Standing up and slowly putting his coat on as the waiter retreated into the back of the café to fetch his things, Teru began to practice inside his head how he was going to nonchalantly ask Ryzu to become his guide. Teru would of course offer some form of re-compensation – he wouldn’t go as far as hope that the waiter would help him for free – but maybe he and Teru could get together to drink a coffee together or something. If there was one thing that Teru certainly needed more in life, they were friends and he wanted to make sure that Ryzu didn’t disappear too soon. Nodding his thanks when the waiter held the door out to him once the taxi had arrived, Teru thanked the driver’s hand as he took Teru’s suitcase and loaded it inside the boot. Climbing in at the back, he turned to Ryzu, but the waiter surprisingly beat him by offering to show him around of his own accord.

 

A smile of relief passed over Teru as the taxi set into motion. “Oh, I’d be most grateful,” he admitted, leaning back to properly look at Ryzu. Up close and inside the dark taxi, Teru had to admit that the waiter had an alluring force of attraction. Teru felt his body flush warmer, surprised. He didn’t usually care much about other person’s attractiveness, so this new thought astounded him. Glancing out the droplet plastered window beside him, Teru tried to calm his racing pulse by not looking at the waiter. “This city has been recommended to me and there are lots of things I wish to see. Also, if it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle for you, I’d be endlessly thankful if you could accompany me to the apartment house you told me about. I could do it myself, of course, but I’d feel…safer if you would come with me. That I spoke to you is something rather new to me- I’m not one to talk a lot and I prefer to remain to myself,” Teru heard himself admitting. This equally surprised him- he was basically telling a stranger various details about his personality that really didn’t interest the waiter. A bit annoyed with himself for once again saying too much, Teru turned back to face the waiter, but couldn’t help another blush from creeping across his face. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he admitted, scratching the back of his head and laughing. “I’m not usually this talkative. I don’t know…it must be the weather,” he tried to laugh his nervousness away.

 

The taxi driver came to his aid right then. “Have you two heard the news of the day yet?” he asked, coughing as he reached into the passenger’s seat to pick out some throat lozenges into his mouth. “Two teenage nekos jumped an old lady travelling on the bus last night. She was all by herself and the two ragamuffins stole her handbag with her purse and some jewelry.” The driver shook his head, disgusted. “Honestly, where is this world going to if not even old, innocent ladies are safe?” Teru’s eyes widened and he leaned forward interestedly. “Two nekos? Were they apprehended by the police?” “Pah!” the taxi driver snorted as he pulled up at a red light. “The police!? Oh please, of course not. They arrived too late, the poor lady was too frightened to speak and no one saw anything. It’s just so typical.” Teru’s mind began to whirl: in less than a day, he had already stumbled across interesting information. “Are nekos known to be dangerous and criminal?” he wanted to know, his fingers itching to open his notebook bag to type this all down before he forgot about it. The cab driver, glad that he’d found someone who seemed to actually want to listen to his rantings, shook his head. “There’s no scientific proof yet, of course, but if you ask me: how good could someone be who has animal traits? Pretty shifty, if you ask me.” Teru nodded. “Where could I find out more about that robbery?” The driver once again reached into the passenger seat to pick up a newspaper. Handing it backwards, he passed it to Teru, who eagerly took it. “There you go, it’s all yours, page two.”

[Raiji]

Ryzu couldn't help but smile as soft shade of pink settled on Teru's cheeks. "There's nothing to apologize for, really." His seemingly endless rambling made this whole situation much easier on Ryzu, as he was never the one to talk much. Also, even though he kept saying how he usually doesn't talk as much, it looked like he's enjoying himself and the same thing could be said about Ryzu. "Safer? Hrm, it's a nice part of the town, don't worry." Ryzu chuckled quietly, he couldn't imagine he was the one that helped others feel safe, it was usually the other way around. "But I'd love to accompany you." He added rather shyly.

Darkness the back of the cab was shrouded in combined with Teru's hand that rested just a couple of inches away didn't at all help with Ryzu's state. For reasons he still couldn't pinpoint, the man's presence urged him to reveal his true features and for a moment he asked himself would that really be that bad. Until the driver swooped in and started his monolog about the robbery that happened earlier.

 

"They're not all that bad, you know." Ryzu rolled his eyes, hoping that the driver would spot that even though the taxi was rather dark. "Nekos I mean. Just think how much criminals there are, and most of them are just like you." This whole idea about his kind being bad just because they were different made him truly sick. "People are afraid of what they don't know, do you really need a scientific proof to tell you that? Did you ever get to meet a neko?" He glanced at the driver, slightly surprised at Teru's interest in what had happened. Surely, there had to be a lot of robberies in Tokyo? The only thing that made this one different was the fact that it was conducted by someone with feline ears. Taking a deep breath to try to calm down, Ryzu looked at the window. The urge to pop out his ears and tail grew stronger, it would be a perfect proof that not all nekos are dangerous. HE didn't rob anyone just yet, did he? But somewhere deep in his mind he knew that the driver would overreact and he didn't want to scare his new friend away. "I'm not saying all of them are good, but if they are despised or if they're lucky, ignored, by mostly everyone, how can you expect them to find a job?" Ryzu huffed under his breath. It was exactly this sort of opinion that made life for his kind of people hard. "Of course some of them will resort to some not so... legal activities." He averted his eyes from the back of the driver's head and let his eyes glance around the streets they were driving through, completely forgetting about Teru and his unusual notebook.

 

As the taxi slowed down and finally stopped, Ryzu pulled out a set of bills and handed them to the driver. "That should cover it, I think." Moments before he stormed out of the car, he realized him and Teru never exchanged phone numbers. "I'm not working tomorrow, so we could go check out the apartment and... I can show you around if the weather decides to behave." Softly, neko giggled to cover up how nervous he was as he typed his number in Teru's phone. "Let me know when you wanna meet up, eh?" He flashed Teru another smile before stepping out and hurrying home.

[Gatichan]

Have Teru’s mind had been taken up with reading the short, yet informative article about the neko assaulted robbery, but the other half caught on that Ryzu had surprisingly strong views on those feline freaks. Teru found this very interesting and made a mental note to ask his new friend more about his opinion. Although the scientist already had a rather fixed view of what nekos would probably turn out to be, he needed to try and broaden his horizons in all possible directions. Besides, if the waiter spoke so highly of those mutants, perhaps he even knew one or two personally that Teru could interview and ask for further information? All too soon the cab driver pulled up at the curb and when Teru lifted his eyes from the newspaper, he saw an apartment house and guessed that they had reached the waiter’s home. Hastily closing the newspaper as Ryzu paid the driver, Teru shifted over to sit where the waiter had sat before. Suddenly he regretted having got so carried away about the story instead of having used the time to get to further know the student. He smiled, holding out his cell phone. “Oh, really? Well, that’s what I call a bit of luck,” he laughed as he heard that the waiter would take the next day off. Punching in a few numbers, he passed the phone to Ryzu. “Just give me your phone number and as soon as I’ve sorted out some things, I’ll get back to you. Thanks again for the delicious meal and see you soon!” he waved, leaning back into the seat once the taxi had moved on.

 

As was to be expected, the Intercontinental was just like any random, heartless place. The receptionist who greeted him smiled a standard smile, handed the keys to a standard room over to him and wished him the standard good night, reminding him at what time the standard breakfast was to be served inside the standard restaurant. Taking an elevator up with a kissing couple that had lost all sense and tact, Teru stepped into his reserved room, the good mood that had begun to grow throughout the late afternoon diminishing. Why was it that he wished he could have found an excuse to have kept Ryzu longer around him? With a sigh, Teru removed his traveling clothes, hanging them up properly and then, after he’d brushed his teeth and slid his cell phone into its battery recharging gadget, sat down on his bed and pulled his notebook into his lap. Logging into his email account, Teru began to write a letter to the head of the police department, requesting an appointment. Including his biography and stressing the importance of his being contacted should the feline fiends be found, Teru eventually closed his notebook and with a yawn, lay down to sleep.

 

Waking up the next day when the reception called him as he’d requested, Teru immediately logged onto his email account. Smiling when he saw that he’d been given the personal number of the police president, he immediately yanked his cell phone out its recharger and dialing the number, curtly introduced himself again. “It’s a pleasure that the top student from Todai in the field of biochemistry would want to assist me and my men in their police work. What exactly are you currently researching?” the president asked. “I’m trying to figure out what causes the neko mutation,” Teru explained, never growing tired of explaining his important work. “My hypothesis is that normal humans become, due to mutation, nekos. And since your men are looking for those two neko criminals, I’d be most interesting in meeting them and asking them to become my research subjects.” “So you’re currently searching for a method to transform nekos back into normal human beings?” the president inquired, sounding truly amazed. “Well, that would be a blessing- this city is overrun by those damned creatures. I’ll tell you what: as soon as we find those culprits, we’ll let you know.” Thanking the president for his time and offer, Teru stood up and stretched. Well, that was enough serious research for the moment- it was time he moved out the Intercontinental with its dreadful bed. Dialing Ryzu’s number, Teru let himself into the bathroom, trying to decide what to eat for breakfast.

[Raiji]

Phone rang rather early in the morning. Early for Ryzu's standards at least, on his days off he usually procrastinated in bed until early afternoon but he couldn't ignore what seemed like rather loud heartbeats when he saw the name of the caller. As he lied in bed last night, he spend certain amount of time going through what happened just hours earlier and in one point he even came to the conclusion that the tiny bell may not be so bad. After all, it did announce the entering of someone new in his life. Ryzu snickered softly picking up the phone - he'll definitely have to work on Teru's view on nekos. His tail wagged slowly as he rolled on the bed to grab his phone, making it seem like he wasn't nervous at all. "Hi."

 

Unlike any other day, Ryzu tired his best to carefully pick the clothes he was about to wear but after half and hour of changing his mind, he gave up and decided to wear simple black shirt and jeans. The thought of spending at least part of the day with Teru made him happy as much as it terrified him. The amount and diversity of feelings and thoughts playing in his mind surprised him, before last night he had yet to find himself in a situation like that. Finishing the last of the breakfast he quickly scrambled, Ryzu peered out the window to check the weather one last time. It seemed like it was willing to participate with his little trip, there were just a few gray clouds smattering the sky so he gave it an acknowledging nod, secretly grateful he won't be forced to spend the day out in the rain.

 

Glancing at the mirror one last time before he hurried out, Ryzu realized he again had a set of ears that would probably make his new friend storm right out of his life. That also explained rather uncomfortable feeling in his jeans, tails never went well with crowded space- quite the opposite actually. The road his life took made him shroud himself in the aura of solitude and in a way he was grateful he didn't have friends that would just appear at his door, if nothing else he could be himself when he was home. It was lonely from time to time but he did his best not to think about that and playing with his tail usually did the trick. It was years since the transformation occurred but Ryzu was still amazed every time that thing appeared. For a moment, Ryzu peered at his reflection- no matter how amusing he found his tail, there was no way he could go out looking like this - a couple of deep breaths did the trick and his feline features disappeared once again.

 

Showing up earlier than the two agreed, Ryzu sat down on a bench near the hotel and proceeded to once again daydream about last evening, not even noticing people strolling around him, or Teru approaching for that matter. Once the man spoke, neko twitched - partly because he was startled, but mostly because he didn't expect to beam at Teru like that. Doing his best to cover what he thought was a way too big smile plastered on his face, he quickly stood up. "I umm... Got here a bit early." Ryzu chuckled nervously, asking himself why does the man before him make his mind play all these tricks on him. He might have been a bit introverted, but he never found himself saying obvious and ridiculous things like he did when Teru was around. "I hope you have an idea of places you'd like to see? I kind of forgot to check what tourists usually enjoy." Realizing he almost explained he was too busy thinking about Teru to remember to check, Ryzu felt blush creeping on his face so he quickly looked down, obviously finding something rather interesting about his sneakers. "Also, living here all your life makes everything around look rather boring. Oh, but we should probably stop by the place I was telling you about yesterday too.

[Gatichan]

Teru found himself whistling under the shower as he rubbed shampoo into his hair. He stopped, blinking his eyes to rid his long lashes of the foam in surprise. He…and whistling? That had really never happened before and for a while, Teru was stumped as to where this unexpected burst of song had come from. It took him a while to possibly match it with his rendezvous with Ryzu that day. He slowly lowered his hands. No, that couldn’t be, could it? He wasn’t seriously getting all cheerful and his heart wasn’t really racing just because he was about to meet another guy…was it? But even as he laughed it off and shook his head, beginning to recite the periodic table, deep down inside Teru knew that he was really looking forward to spending time with Ryzu. And a significant part of him wished and hoped that the two of them could become more than mere acquaintances.

 

Sniffing at his clothes as he rode down in the elevator of the Intercontinental, Teru began to sweat, believing he’d put on too much aftershave. But he hadn’t even been doing it consciously- he’d just begun to think of what it would be like to meet up with Ryzu again and before he’d known it, he’d splashed far too much of the expensive golden liquid onto his cheeks. Checking his watch, Teru swore when he saw that he was going to have to hurry if he wanted to meet up with Ryzu on time. Glancing up at the sky as he pulled the zipper of his brown leather jacket further up his chest, the scientist let out a sigh of relief: rain clouds weren’t going to be a problem that day. Checking his watch again, Teru began to walk faster. It was all Ryzu’s fault. Usually, whenever he had to meet up with possible sponsors or other people who might be of a benefit to him, the scientist would throw on the first matching piece of clothes his eyes fell on. For Ryzu, however, Teru had wanted to dress better. It was because of this that he’d settled for the expensive leather jacket, the black shoes and the expensive, tight-fitting jeans. Sidestepping an arguing elderly couple, Teru’s pulse quickened when he saw that Ryzu was already waiting for them at their meeting place. Checking his watch again, Teru saw that he’d arrive ahead of the time…but the waiter had obviously been there even longer. Did that mean something special? Was that an indication that Ryzu…was also a little bit more interested than he had been letting on?

 

“Hi,” Teru smiled, feeling butterflies multiply in the pit of his stomach and then take off, crashing into each other and not helping him at all. As Ryzu stood up and told him that he hadn’t planned anything concrete, the scientist held up his hands in a disarming way. “Oh, that’s quite alright. I mean, you aren’t a real guide and I’m misusing you for this. Thanks again- I really would have been lost without you,” he admitted as he and Ryzu faced each other. Teru couldn’t help but give the waiter the one over. Was his deluded mind playing tricks on him again, or did Ryzu seem even more attractive than the day before? Glancing away as he blushed at this errant thought, Teri coughed. “Uh…well, yeah. I guess we really could head over to the new apartment- the sooner I move out the hotel, the better for me.” As they fell into step beside each other, Teru chewed the inside of his mouth, mollified that he had absolutely nothing to say. He dreaded silence and searched his mind desperately for a topic, but none came. And then, eureka! He recalled that Ryzu had already asked him something and pounced on that lifeline. “I’d like to get a general feel for the city. And I’d like to know where the central police station is, as I might be called down there soon. You know, I’ve come here on a certain mission,” he found himself admitted, leaning in closer to Ryzu and hoping he wouldn’t intoxicate the cute waiter with his aftershave. “I’m actually here to try and find nekos. For that, I need to study where they live, what their behavioral patterns are and for that, I’d like you to take me anywhere and everywhere where I might be able to find a neko. Could you help me with that?” he asked, his expression hopeful.

[Raiji]

"My pleasure, really." Neko flashed another smile, secretly hoping that Teru won't decide he's some sort of weirdo for smiling at him so much - even though he was perfectly aware of how that could turn out, he didn't find a way to stop himself. Quiet, relaxing sigh escaped Ryzu's lips when Teru started talking about what he would like to see. In those few rare moments his mind let him think about anything else but the proximity of his new friend, Ryzu realized he didn't have a clue what would he talk about. Yet again, it seemed like Teru is doing a great job. Nodding just as the man beside him mentioned that he'd like to get the general feeling of the city, the idea of the paths they should take started to form in his mind. For a second he let his mind play with the idea of not showing Teru everything that could be of some interest so he would have an excuse to see him again. "We should head over there then." He pointed out the direction that would lead them closer to the center of the city and in no time the couple broke free of the small side streets and entered a wide, crowded boulevard that stretched through the city.

 

Not even having to look at Teru to realize that he was under-dressed, not that it stopped his eyes from constantly returning to the scientist, Ryzu shoved his hands further down the pockets. Maybe, if Teru will be willing to meet again he will get the chance to make that right; even though he was doubting his closet held anything that could even compare to the other man's clothes. Shoving that thought somewhere in the back of his mind, Ryzu pointed out a few statues and mumbled out the names of the people they were supposed to represent. "I can't say I know much about the history of this place." He chuckled apologetically. "But umm... If you're really interested, I can check it out and give you the details on our next sightseeing trip." Hoping he didn't go too far presuming there will be a next time and just so slightly grateful for the group of people walking towards them, Ryzu gently tugged Teru's coat to move him out of the way.

 

"Sure, I can show you where the police station is. Actually" Neko pondered for a moment, asking himself just what kind of mission involved cops. "If we take the other way back to your hotel, it shouldn't be too much of a detour." As Teru leaned in, neko could feel his heart starting to race and he uttered a silent prayer that it's not as loud as it seemed to him. Moments after, he sneezed. He did his best not to but once Teru got close enough and his nostrils filled with what would in smaller quantities he described as rather pleasant aftershave, Ryzu just couldn't help himself. "Sorry about that." At that moment he was asked about nekos and unlike seconds ago, his heart skipped a beat - rather unpleasant feeling. "I.. Uh. I don't think so-" Seeing the hopeful expression adorning Teru's face, he didn't have any other choice than to change his statement. "I don't know where they are exactly, it's not like they stay at one specific place. Besides, most of them are either hiding what they are, what is to say that anyone you see on the street could be a neko-" He stopped for a moment to glance around and give Teru time for the thought to sink in. "Or they are in their... other form and hiding. You heard what the driver said last night, who would want to be around people when almost everyone thinks like that?" Ryzu shrugged softly, trying to get rid of the awful feeling that started to overtake him. It was rather silly, he got so excited about meeting someone new, someone he actually liked, that he completely forgot what usually becomes of his relationships. "Why do you want to meet one anyway?" Hoping that despair on his face wasn't too obvious, he nudged his head over the set of buildings across the road. "We're here."

 

After he opened the door of the three storey building for Teru, a professional habit he couldn't get rid of so easily, Ryzu stepped in doing his best not to inhale too much of the sweet scent following the scientist. It wasn't about the quantity anymore, most of it disappeared while they walked around, but the fact that he had no idea how to explain why he's blushing again.

Soon after Ryzu knocked on one of the door on the second floor, an elderly man opened and pulled him into a friendly squeeze. After awkwardly returning the hug, Ryzu proceeded to introduce the two.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Said the man as he grabbed Teru's hand. "

[Gatichan]

The next time? So Ryzu really wouldn’t mind taking Teru out on another sightseeing tour? Teru’s smile was probably too happy to be appropriate, but he was sure that the waiter wouldn’t notice the obvious relief on his features. “Oh, I wouldn’t mind if we had to meet two, three, four more times. This city is filled with more interesting historic sites than I’d ever dreamed it would have. Thank you so much for this tour so far- I’ve been learning a great deal already,” the scientist reassured his guide as he removed his Smartphone to punch in the next name of the plaza they were strolling over. As was to have been expected from someone who had been living in the city for several years already, Ryzu wasn’t taking Teru to the most popular touristic sites, but to cosy spots that tourists would only discover if they got thoroughly lost and happened upon the places by chance. It was perfect and with Ryzu telling him interesting facts about what they were seeing and not some standard speech that he’d learned off by heart and said automatically without really paying attention anymore, the city that before had seemed so gray and dreary came to life with Ryzu. The only thing that dampened his mood was how the waiter had over-obviously sneezed as a direct reaction to his aftershave. Teru blushed, deeply embarrassed- yes, he had definitely put on too much.

 

Hearing Ryzu say that Nekos could be all around them and Teru probably wouldn’t even noticed it made the scientist’s eyes widen. He’d been so desperate to interview a real neko that he’d completely forgotten that nekos usually didn’t run around with their disgustingly pointy cat ears and curving the tips of their tails during the day, but were exactly what Ryzu said: inconspicuous and hiding their true form from society, who rightfully, so Teru believed, distrusted them. The taxi driver of the night before- he had obviously been a Neko-hater like Teru and Ryzu certainly wasn’t one because Teru felt attracted to him. And even though he didn’t seem to have such a radical view of Nekos as Teru would have liked, at least Ryzu was interested in what Teru was there to research.

 

“It’s actually quite simple,” Teru replied, hoping to make up after having made Ryzu feel uncomfortable for his stinky smell. The building where Teru was hoping to find an apartment was a promising one: the façade was brand new. As it came into view properly and the two of them stopped by a pedestrian crossing, waiting to cross the street, a young mother with a child came out the building together, laughing. Yes, Teur could very well imagine staying at that place. “Back at the Todai, some of the researchers in my team and I came up with the hypothesis that humans that become Nekos do so because a certain gene, for whatever reason around the age of adolescence and early adulthood, mutates. Since no one has ever caught a Neko before to question or test them inside a laboratory, I’m here to conduct a field study. I’m hoping to find out a bit more about the natural habitat of Nekos and, once I make contact with one, I’d like to see if, after I’ve taken a sample of their blood, I’ll be able to find a cure for their unnatural and disgusting state,” he said, looking rather proud as he nodded, walking through the door of the apartment complex when Ryzu held the door open for him.

 

He couldn’t continue telling the waiter anything else because just then the door that Ryzu had knocked at opened and a jolly looking elder man appeared, embracing Ryzu happily. “Teru Sumino,” the scientist introduced himself, handing over one of his business cards with a professional smile. “I’m interested in renting out an apartment where I can conduct my research in peace and quiet. Would you have anything along those lines to offer me?” he asked, sounding hopeful. When the owner of the complex nodded and mentioned an apartment on the third floor, mentioning that it used to be Ryzu’s former apartment, Teru laughed, smiling openly at his new friend. “Well! Talk about a coincidence,” he chuckled, falling into step beside Ryzu as the owner went ahead. As latter began to count out the benefits of the apartment complex – the transport connections into the city were excellent, the other tenants were in their mid- to early thirties and only two had children, but they were well brought up, there was even a small garden out back and, and, and – Teru leaned in closer to Ryzu with a concerned expression on his face. “Hey, you okay? You seem a little down, is everything okay?” he asked, his voice concerned. Ever since they’d reached the apartment complex, Ryzu had become rather silent.

[Raiji]

Ryzu only half-heartedly listened as the old man dragged them around explaining the details about the apartment, building and the people already living there. Seeing his old place brought back some nice memories and for a moment he regretted ever moving but after a couple of moments in his old landlord's company, he remembered why he did. The man was nice, and more than once did he let Ryzu off the hook in times when he lacked money for rent, but he was one of the people that had an impossible, or at least Ryzu thought so, urge to talk all the time someone was near them. Neko on the other side enjoyed the silence, even if it appeared whilst he was in someone's company - in his opinion, conversation wasn't necessary to create lovely memories. As they entered the small garden in the back of the building, his thoughts ran back to what Teru had said and once again he felt that ridiculous urge to show him that not every neko has to be bad and - what was the word that Teru used, disgusting, as he and most of the people cared to think. He knew better though, especially cause it seemed that his new friend and his marry band back in Todai wanted to 'cure' each and every one of them. Ryzu slowly nodded as Teru leaned in asking is he okay, this wasn't the time or the place to share his thoughts with him and in all honestly, Ryzu wasn't sure he wanted to. "I'm okay."

"It was lovely seeing you again." He said as hid friend pulled him into yet another hug. "And thank you for showing us around." He forced a small smile before pulling back to let Teru and, hopefully, his new landlord some space if they decide to go through the details about the rent and moving in.

 

As the couple broke off on the street again, Ryzu finally noticed it was getting late - they must've spent most of the day walking around and he had to admit that until the point neko-theme was brought up, he was enjoying himself. Just when his stomach growled a bit, reminding him that the last meal he had was hours ago, Ryzu spoke hoping that his voice and the sounds of the street manage to cover up just how famished he was. "I should take you to the police station, you must be tired already so we can continue the sightseeing some other time? It's really not so far away." As the couple started their stroll back to the part of the town with Teru's hotel, neko fell silent again. It's not that he didn't want to talk to the man beside him and explain his thoughts, but it seemed like he cannot find the right words. Sighing quietly just as they turned into a small square filled with people, Ryzu stopped dead in his tracks. "That building is the library-" he pointed at the old, rather ugly yellow building standing not too far from them. "I think the major said they'll paint it over soon." Ryzu added peering at the wrecked house. "And that's the police station." The other building looked like state of the art, compared to the one standing on the opposite side.

 

Neko bit his lip nervously as he let his eyes glance over Teru, his mind desperately searching for the right way to put what was bothering him. Even though he disliked what Teru said, he still wanted to meet with him again - completely aware that he's probably signing up for a lot of heartache later. "Why do you need to go in there anyway?" He finally mumbled pointing at the station, more interested in spending if just another minute with Teru than in the answer itself.

[Gatichan]

After Ryzu and the landlord had hugged each other goodbye, latter and Teru walked off a bit into the gardens to discuss the contract. As the landlord began to go through the responsibilities he would have as a new tenant, Teru glanced over his shoulder at his new friend. Despite what Ryzu had said, the scientist felt pretty sure that something was amiss. There it was- now that the waiter believed that no one was watching him, his face was definitely sad. A crease appeared on Teru’s face- was it something he had said? Had he perhaps insulted his friend? Had he said something stupid? … Was it his aftershave incident? Teru turned a little red and quickly turned back to see that the landlord had materialized a fresh contract and had already kindly put post its! near all the places where Teru was expected to sign. Nodding and hoping the overly talkative landlord would finally shut up, Teru jumped in when the other drew in a breath. “Say, how soon could I move in? I don’t have any furniture- would it be possible to use the furniture inside the apartment I’m about to rent?” he asked. The landlord nodded, visibly pleased. “You certainly could. In fact, you’d be doing me a favor- it would take me a long time to get rid of all the junk that’s in there-” “So I could?” The landlord nodded. “Wonderful. How about tomorrow? Could I come tomorrow around ten in the morning?” The other man was taken aback, but eventually assented with his head. “S-Sure. I’ll have to talk to the gas and electrical works, but shouldn’t be a problem. But you’d have to sign the contract first,” he insisted. Teru overflew the contents, scanning for the price. Seeing it, he nodded- it was definitely within his budget. Signing, he waited until the landlord had made him a copy and after he’d shaken the man’s hand, he joined Ryzu out on the street again.

 

As Teru had feared, Ryzu was unnaturally silent. But Teru was a private person and knew to respect the waiter’s space. He thought he heard Ryzu’s stomach rumble, but when Ryzu next spoke, his voice was normal and the scientist couldn’t be sure if his ears hadn’t played a trick on him. But all at once, as they began t head towards the police station, Teru glanced up at the horizon to see that the sun had begun to set. Amazing though it might seem, he and Ryzu had spent the entire day together and it had been wonderful. Suddenly Teru didn’t want to part with the waiter and as he stopped to let his friend point out the library, which really was painted in an exceptionally hideous yellow tone and the police station he immediately marked inside his Smartphone, an idea popped into Teru’s head: he finally thought he knew how to keep Ryzu around for longer. And, if he played it just right, maybe he could invite Ryzu up to his hotel room to chat a bit more…and maybe the two of them could… Teru looked away, blushing. He wasn’t one for one night stands, but he thought that he wouldn’t mind having a series of one night stands with the waiter if it meant that his friend could become more and possibly a fixed person in his life. Scratching his skin beneath his ear, Teru decided to keep that thought a secret still- he didn’t want to frighten Ryzu away with his undersexed desires. It really had been a while, but… He smiled at Ryzu. “Thanks. Hey listen, could I treat you to dinner? As a thank you for having lent me your time. And I could tell you more about my involvement with the police while we ate,” he offered, waiting patiently for Ryzu to decide. “You just select the place- it can be pricy, I don’t mind.” He opened his wallet and held up a golden credit card. “The Todai’s paying.”

 

Seated once they were inside a lovely cozy restaurant that Ryzu had selected, and only after they’d both ordered and were sipping from their aperitifs, Teru answered Ryzu’s question. “The taxi driver we had last night gave me the idea. Remember he told us about those criminal Neki teenagers? Well, I called the police- so far they haven’t caught those delinquents yet, but once they do, they’ll probably be badly punished. However, if the Nekos are prepared to work for me as samples for my research, maybe their sentences can be reduced. I’m interested in taking blood samples from them, interviewing them to find out how their transformation into Nekos occurred and then I’d like to run certain tests with them. I think it would be in their interest to work with me,” he smiled confidently as he took a sip from his red wine. Setting the glass down, he leaned back with a smile. “But enough about me. Tell me, what do you study? You’re a student, aren’t you?”

[Raiji]

Even though his mind and feeling, were all over the place, Ryzu couldn't help but smile when Teru proposed a dinner, secretly hoping that it wasn't just about thanking him for the sightseeing - and not the best one at that. "I'd actually love that." Pondering for a moment, neko remembered just the right place that wasn't too far from the station. Teru had to go back there eventually, there wasn't much point in dragging him all the way across town. "And don't worry, I really don't eat in too expensive places." He chuckled.

 

The restaurant Ryzu choose was just a couple of minutes away. He had met the owner a while back but the two never really grew close; on the other hand, neko knew quite a few people - if you live in a smaller town it gets basically impossible not to met or at least know people's faces. Greeting the waiter, one whose apron looked way newer than Ryzu's, he proceeded further into the restaurant choosing a table that looked like he could grant Teru and him a bit of privacy. As they sat down and ordered, Ryzu patiently waited until the host went back to deal with their order before he spoke. "You'd like to run tests on nekos? What kind of tests?" Ryzu's eyebrow flew up as he peered at his new friend. "I get why someone would help you with your studies if that gets their sentence reduced, but... tests? Is it even legal to perform tests on people?" Again, he was getting way too upset about the theme he knew barely anything, but it just didn't seem right. Mimicking Teru hoping it'll gain him a moment to calm down, Ryzu took a sip from his own glass and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "Yup, I go to the local university." He confirmed doing his best to set the whole neko thing aside - he really didn't want to spoil what could be a nice dinner. "Trying to get a degree in management. I'd like to open a restaurant of my own one day." Soft shade of pink settled on Ryzu's cheeks as he glanced over to Teru, this was the first time he said that out loud but something about Teru made it impossible not to share his thoughts. "I figured out that working as a waiter could help me learn a thing or two, start at the bottom of the food chain and all. Also, I can use the money, living alone is rather... expensive. If you want to stay close to the center of the city that is." He glanced around hoping it'll look like he's anxious for food, not unable to look at the man sitting across the table without certain thoughts that would force anyone to blush.

 

Soon enough, or well before Ryzu's stomach groaned again betraying how hungry he actually was, the waiter brought their plates and he flashed Teru another smile - food always made him feel way better. "Oh, did you like the apartment?" Ryzu poked his chicken around the plate before choosing one of the pieces and eating it. "And why all the interest in the cat people? From what I've understood, you never met one?"

[Gatichan]

Teru laughed away Ryzu’s insinuations. “Oh, don’t worry for a moment about the money. You’ve helped me incredibly today and I want to thank you properly. Not only for the sightseeing, but also because you’re my first friend here in this new city and were so kind to me yesterday when I was all over the place and dripping like a dog. It really means a lot to me that you even helped me find an apartment replacement here today. Everything went so smoothly and without complications, thank you very much.”

 

When they were alone again, Teru couldn’t help but notice that their table was nicely secluded from the rest of the other restaurant guests. Was it just him, or had Ryzu especially chosen this table so that they could be more to themselves? Teru’s pulse quickened at the thought and the possibilities that spun out of this train of thought: how he wished his hunch were right! “Well, technically speaking,” Teru was forced to admit and for the first time, something akin to very faint annoyance began to register in his thoughts, “whenever you want to conduct a scientific test with humans, one needs to convince the Ethic panel of a university board that what you are doing is alright. But since Nekos aren’t considered humans at Todai, but actually genetically altered animals, the guidelines aren’t that strict. And I’m also not planning on electrocuting them or making them run through laboratory mazes like mice: all I want to do is find out of Nekos actually even speak our language and if they have any special abilities, how fast they can run, how their bodies work- if they can solve simple logical puzzles. Nothing bad at all. And, as I already mentioned, I’d like to take their blood to see if I can find out more about their DNA mutations,” he finished, a crease appearing on his forehead. Why was Ryzu so protective of those blasted creatures? Glad that Ryzu had changed the topic, Teru looked back with genuine interest as the waiter brought their food over. “So it’s like you want to take a look at how a restaurant works from an employee’s point of view and figure out what could be improved? What an interesting idea! Sounds almost like a field study,” he smiled, reaching for his napkin.

 

The evening could have run so smoothly then, but Ryzu had to go and take up the subject of cat people again. Teru felt his appetite dwindling and pushed his plate slightly away. He had actually wanted to swoon over the apartment and maybe eventually hint that he and Ryzu could become roommates for a while, but he now felt a distance between the two of them that hadn’t been there before. “No, you’re right, I really never have met them. What I care about is getting my doctor title. And trying to figure out more about Nekos, a new possible species that’s begun to live among us, could be my breakthrough into the scientific world,” he admitted, looking dreamy.

[Raiji]

Ryzu frowned hearing Teru's explanation. "Aren't we all? Animals I mean." Shoving what was left of his food around the plate, he leaned back and sighed. It seemed that every time nekos get dragged in the conversation, everything starts falling apart. The last thing he wanted to do was to push Teru away but it looked like the two are slowly drifting away, and the look on Teru's face was confirming that.

 

After a couple of moments of silence, the type that Ryzu didn't really enjoy, he decided to do his best to mend things or at least try to. Ignoring the fact that he was a neko and that if Teru found that out he would probably end up locked up in a lab, he shifted his gaze back to the man before him. "Say... I might be able to help you find a neko." Ryzu reached out for his glass and took a sip before continuing, hoping that Teru's expression would light up a bit. "I can't promise anything though. And I'll do it only if you promise me-" Neko pondered would that promise even mean anything, it's not like he knew Teru for a long time or would the man keep his word. "that if we find one, you won't do anything without their consent."

 

Waiter, seeing that his guests were done with the meal, started approaching the table but Ryzu waved him away. This was rather important and he didn't want anyone interrupting, even though he knew how annoying that can be. "There's a place I've heard of, never went there though, that nekos like to visit so we could.. go check it out." Despite of his feline nature, Ryzu didn't know anyone that was like him - probably because he kept his secret well hidden. Living in a city with high neko population it was rather hard not to hear a thing or two from time to time. "It is supposed to be some sort of a bar or a club, I'm not even sure myself, where they hang out. Hrm, I'm not sure will they even let us in." Neko pondered for a moment, he would really like to get Teru what he needed but even if they don't get it, wouldn't him trying show the scientist that he doesn't want to let anything come between them? Even if it was something as important as Teru's view on nekos. "But we can try." He let a small, hopeful smile stretch his lips as he nonchalantly, or at least he hoped it looked like that to everyone around him, leaned back still looking at Teru.

[Gatichan]

Teru had decided to set the Neko matter aside. It was obvious that he and Ryzu had different opinions on that subject and because he felt so attracted to the waiter, Teru didn’t want to risk ending the afternoon on a sour note. He had just begun to wrack his mind on something else that he could bring up – perhaps ask Ryzu more about his family and where they came from – when Ryzu surprised him with the interesting proposition.

 

Teru was immediately all ears. “Really? You’d know of such a place?!” he asked, the excitement obvious in his voice. And there he’d been, afraid that he’d have to start combing the seaside city from one end to the other, hunting on hands and knees and praying for luck. But if Ryzu could help him speed things up, then perhaps he’d actually have sustained vital information before his first quarter year report at the Todai. Every three months he was expected to return to Tokyo to prove that he wasn’t wasting his research money, but that he’d already attained results. If Ryzu could help him to find his study sample, then he wouldn’t waste time and word might spread around the city that a specialist who was trying to heal the poor damned creatures was there. That might even help to gather more Nekos for his research purposes.

 

Hearing Ryzu’s reservations, however, Teru nodded reassuringly and held a hand up. “Ryzu, don’t get me wrong. Please, I don’t want you thinking that I’m Dr. Frankenstein creating a monster here. All I really want to do is find out what causes normal citizens to become Nekos, that’s all. I need Nekos to talk to me – if they can talk at all, because there’s serious doubt amongst my research team that Nekos are even capable of human speech when they’re in their Neko form – and help me find the cause of this aberration.” Reaching across the smooth table cloth as the waiter came forward a second time to clear their plates away, Teru took Ryzu’s hands in his and squeezed them. “I’d be forever in your dept if you’d take me to that bar.” He leaned back, smiling plainly at the waiter when he asked if either he or Ryzu wanted anything else. Gesturing to Ryzu, Teru let him decide. “And please bring me the bill,” he added, waiting until he and Ryzu were alone. If he wanted to make his move, he was going to have to start it then. Tracing the edge of the small table between them again, Teru’s heart began to flutter as he took in a deep breath. “We should head for that bar soon, but not tonight. Ryzu, I really like you and I don’t want to say or do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable,” he admitted, finally meeting the waiter’s eyes and holding them, his expression serious. “I’d really like to show you the breathtaking view from my hotel room tonight…but I’ll understand and respect if you say no,” he said as evenly as he could, but inside, Teru was in turmoil. He’d never before asked someone he hardly knew to go so fast…and that on their first date! Holding his breath, he waited to hear what Ryzu would say.

[Raiji]

The moment Teru's hands closed around his was the moment Ryzu was ready to believe almost anything the scientist said. "Uhh. Alrighty then." He mumbled under this breath hoping that nor the waiter or Teru would spot the blush creeping on his face. As Teru leaned back and turned his attention to the waiter, Ryzu couldn't help but peer at him - this was totally wrong moment to come barging in like this. Waving the offer, and with that hopefully the waiter, away Ryzu looked back to his new friend.

 

'The view..?' It took neko a couple of seconds until Teru's words finally reach a sober part of his mind and he could feel his heart racing. "I-I like you too." He replied with a shy smile, somehow still managing to hold under Teru's gaze. Still amazed he actually said it out loud Ryzu quickly shifted his hand next to Teru's and took it in his. "And I'd love to." He added casting his eyes to their hands as he traced Teru's fingers with his own. "But I can't, not tonight." Oh how he wanted to but there was no way that could end up good for either of them. Even now, in a crowded restaurant he had a hard time not letting his ears pop out, and he could imagine what would happen if he let Teru do anything more than just squeeze his hand for a moment. Quickly pulling back as he felt the waiter approaching with the bill, he shot one more apologetic glance at Teru's direction.

 

 

"Thank you for the dinner." Ryzu flashed Teru a joyful smile. "Next one is on me." After a short walk, the couple was standing before Intercontinental again and neko was doing his best to show Teru that he would really like to see him again - even if he did reject his offer. "Actually..." Ryzu pondered for a moment, looking up at the hotel. Not a second later thoughts of what could happen if he accepts Teru's offer now, appeared in his mind and he had to force himself to look away from the building filled with shiny lights. "I could make you something. I'm sure you'll get bored with hotel food pretty soon, and eating out is basically the same thing." Ryzu wasn't the best cook, but if Teru says yes it could create an opportunity for neko to figure out how far he can go before turning in the said man's presence. "Think of it as a housewarming gift." He added with a soft chuckle.

 

Once again, Ryzu's heart leaped as he leaned forward and placed a quick peck on Teru's cheek, pulling back before anyone could notice - it was way out of his comfort zone, he was never the one to make a first step like that but after Teru's offer he felt like he had to do something. "Hopefully, I'll see you soon" Ryzu blushed again, asking himself will he ever stop acting like a schoolgirl around Teru and turned to walk away.

[Gatichan]

That Ryzu said no was somewhat predictable and Teru respected him and actually began to like the waiter even more for declining his proposal, but at the same time, it hurt. Teru would so have liked to have spent a bit more time with Ryzu that night. And the view from his hotel room really was phenomenal. He would have waited out and would have let Ryzu take the first step once they’d been inside his hotel room, gauging the atmosphere to see if his new friend felt comfortable enough or not, but he pushed these thoughts aside when Ryzu quietly shook his head. And even when he took Teru’s hands and was gentle and sweet about saying no, it still hurt.

 

“No, it’s fine, I understand,” Teru smiled, but it lacked the hundred percent warmth it had held instances before. Well, a rejection was a rejection. Maybe he really had moved too quickly, had overestimated his appeal on Ryzu. Perhaps the other waiter had been too kind and had only really wanted to make him, someone from out of town, feel better. Glad for the second waiter for arriving just then, almost as if sensing that he’d made a fool of himself, Teru took longer than necessary to pull out his wallet and lay down the money, as well as a nice tip for the waiter. The tip was more for himself, something along the lines of “well, I just earned myself a loud buzzer sound for my actions, but at least I still have enough cash to keep myself busy tonight.” Standing up and fetching his jacket, he followed Ryzu towards the door of the restaurant and from there, towards the hotel he was staying at.

 

The walk really didn’t last long, but since he and Ryzu hardly spoke at all, Teru’s scientific mind began to rip apart the day bit by bit, searching for clues from Ryzu where he should have noticed that the other man wasn’t interested in him that much. And of course, since he was feeling down, he found several and blamed himself even more for never having noticed them until it was too late. So when, out of the blue, Ryzu actually turned to him in front of his hotel and told him that he wanted to prepare a meal for him, Teru didn’t react at all. And when Ryzu suddenly leaned up and kissed his cheek, all Teru was capable of doing was blinking stupidly like a goldfish staring at a hungry cat from the safety of his glass bowl. Reality hit him that the nonsense he had analyzed wasn’t correct after all when Ryzu shyly turned away and excused himself, saying he hoped the two of them would meet again. Teru’s first impulse was to reach out and pull the waiter closer for a proper goodnight kiss and his hands had already reached out, but at the last possible instance, Teru forced his hands to close. No, he’d already been rejected once- a second time in one night would be too much. “I’ll…call you!” he called after Ryzu, waving…and feeling so incredibly lame.

 

With a heavy sigh, Teru let himself up into the hotel and then into his bedroom. When his eyes fell on his expensive silver notebook, he winced, realizing that he’d hardly worked at all that day. Needing the distraction, he changed clothes and then, sitting down in front of his notebook, began to work. And as the hours went by, all thoughts of Ryzu began to vanish until, around three in the morning the following day, Teru received an email from the police president to tell him that the two Neko criminals had been caught.