bakerstreet | ( picture prompt meme )

[That glare doesn't even phase her, met only by a look that says, "bring it on." Dangerous or not, she's not scared! Plus, she's confident he'd at least wait until they were alone or at home before trying anything if he really wanted to turn it into another physical confrontation. But that expression gives way to something much more satisfied pretty quick. "Fine. Whatever," means victory in her book.

It's only another minute or so of walking before the first store she's heading to comes into view, and she quickly points at it with excitement, the large building towering over the crowd finally.]

There! Come on, we're almost there oniichan!

[Despite telling him to "come on" and reaching back to grab his hand again, she doesn't actually speed up much. She actually doesn't want to get into any fights with random strangers today, and though it's hard to ignore the temptation to just shove people out of their way, she does her best to behave. She can totally approach this trip very calmly. Definitely.]

Okay, okay, I hear you.

[He's silently thankful that Natsumi doesn't pick up the pace; his ankle still hurts a bit from when he tripped over his own feet earlier. He has to crane his neck up to stare at the tall building, which would make it intimidating if it weren't for the fact that nothing intimidates him. Clearly.]

How long is this going to take, again?

[As in, how long will they be spending at each of these places, because that's his other concern. She seems to have packed their schedule tight, and he's not sure how much time they'll have left for these surprised she has planned. Not that he's excited for them or anything. He just doesn't want to have her throwing a fit when it gets dark out.]

[Do you really think it getting dark out is going to stop her?]

Don't worry, not long! I have a list for each store, and I don't need to get anything else. I promise I won't make you suffer for too long.

[It's said with a grin as they finally enter the building, Natsumi getting herself a basket. She reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out a slip of paper, holding it up to him. There are five items on the list, and it sounds as though it may be for some kind of lunch.]

See? Super quick.

[He knows deep down that nothing will stop Natsumi, just as nothing will stop him from dragging her home kicking and screaming once the sun goes down.]

It had better be.

[He doesn't want to end up sitting outside a dressing room for an hour while she tries on what feels like seventy different outfits and asks him what he thinks of every single one. It has happened before and it will never happen ever again, so long as he has anything to say about it.]

So what's on the top of your list, then?

[He could just peek over her shoulder and look, but he has a feeling she's going to want to blab about it either way, so he might as well ask instead.]

[She just rolls her eyes, confident that he'll be fine with it this time around. (Also, excuse you, it wasn't seventy!! Just...you know...around fifty or so.]

Drinks.

[Said simply as she points to the cold beverage aisle. It's the first one they're approaching, so she may as well pick those up now, right?]

Just somethin' for you and somethin' for me.

[Easy, right?]

[He nods in thought as they head closer to the drinks. Sounds simple enough.

...Or it would, if he didn't feel the innate need to stress over what drink is most suited for a mature, soon-to-be Yakuza leader such as himself. His eyes dart around once they reach the aisle, until finally they stop, landing on what he knows he really wants.

He worries his bottom lip between his teeth. Maybe he could just...]

This is definitely for you.

[That's what he says as he reaches out and drops the strawberry soda into their basket, with a tone of voice that strongly suggests it is not, but she should pretend that it is for the sake of his dignity.]

[She knows this song and dance and gives him that sweet smile that only a little sister could possess. Message received, bro.]

I was just about to say I wanted somethin' sweet. You're always looking out for me, oniichan.

[And then a second strawberry soda is picked up and put in the basket.]

I'll probably want two though. I can't really have just one usually...does this mean I get to pick out a drink for you then? Or are you not thirsty? If you don't want anything' we can just go get what's next on the list.

[She'll easily go along with it, knowing his problem with sweets and his image.]

[He's immensely grateful, even if she'll never hear him say it out loud. See? This is why he doesn't need anyone else. No friend he could ever make would really understand him in the same way Natsumi does.]

I think I'll be fine.

[He does offer her a small smile, though, and he's sure that says everything that his words do not. It's hard enough to convince him to genuinely smile in the first place, so when he does it himself it's usually a welcome treat.]

Let's just move on, then.

[He waits for her to lead the way, because no matter how humiliating it is being pulled around by his baby sister, it's not like he's the one with the fucking list.]

[That smile definitely says everything, turning her own into a broad and happy grin as she eagerly grabs for his hand as she leads the way.]

What're you hungry for, huh? That's next on the list. I figured maybe we could just get some of that prepackaged shit, you know...some kinda noodle dish already made up? We won't be able to cook anything, so you better pick out something you can eat out of the package.

[Are you catching on to her plan yet, Fuyuhiko?]

[His face falls as everything starts to click into place.]

Don't tell me we're having a goddamn picnic.

[If they are, that's fine... so long as they're reasonably far away from the eyes of others. But he's seriously beginning to wonder why she didn't just tell him what she was scheming in the first place. Does watching him put all the pieces together fill her with some sort of sick amusement? He wouldn't put it past her.]

[Well if watching him work it out makes her happy, her pout sure doesn't express that.]

Dammit. You're too smart oniichan.

[Not surprising. He's pretty much the smartest person she knows?? Oniichan is definitely smarter than anyone else, ever! But she sighs, coming to a stop off to the side of the beverage aisle.]

What's so wrong with a picnic, huh?

[He pauses for a moment, thinking about it - because what's really so bad about it, anyways? - before shrugging.]

Nothing, I guess.

[Or if anything is wrong with it, mentioning it wouldn't change a damn thing. Natsumi always finds a way to get what she wants. It's a skill she's spent many years cultivating.]

I just don't get why you didn't come out and tell me that in the first pace.

[He would really value a straightforward approach for once.]

I don't have to tell you everythin' y'know. Surprises are more fun once in a while.

[She starts walking again, heading towards the packaged food.]

You need to loosen up. I'm sure if I told you "hey I wanna go have a picnic" you'd complain about having work to do, or no time to do stupid shit like that, or how it'd just be a waste of time. You never have any fun, y'know?

[Of course, whenever they go to the beach or a festival or an amusement park, none of that really matters. But in his every day life, it's good for him to get out!]

So if I don't tell you, it's easier to get you out. Now come on, quit bitchin' and pick somethin' out!

[He reluctantly follows her into the right aisle, and if he rolls his eyes when her back is turned then surely she'll never know.]

You're only saying that because you don't have any friends to go waste your time with instead.

[Not that he would care about having those. But Natsumi... Natsumi deserves better. She deserves people who care about her, not whatever she's getting out of the reserve course. And yeah, maybe he wouldn't know if she did have friends, but it's awfully suspicious that he hasn't heard about any yet. Normally she has so much trouble shutting up, so... what's the fucking deal?

He does what she wants, though, picking a package off the shelf and throwing it into the basket with a little more aggression than is really necessary.]

There. Happy?

Like you're any better.

[She frowns as he tosses it in the basket, reacting to his aggression with equal aggression of her own. Fine! Whatever! Be an asshole!]

What the fuck would I want friends for? Did you forget people are scared of us? Maybe it's different for you in the Main Course, but the rejects in the Reserve Course are just what you'd expect from the public.

[She tries to relax, calm down some, take a deep breath. No need to start a fight in the store or ruin the afternoon. It's fine, it's whatever!]

Besides, it's way more fun hanging out with you than anyone else. I tried that whole hang out with people bullshit with the photography club and hated it, remember? Why bother trying again when I know I'll have fun with you?

[Another gesture for him to follow, but she doesn't take his hand this time. Time to go pay.]

["Why bother?" she asks, like the answer isn't obvious. Because he isn't good enough, that's fucking why. He's never been good enough for anyone in their life: his parents, who looked at him with shame the first time he introduced himself as a boy; the other clan members, who wanted Natsumi as leader instead; hell, even Peko, who he's been pushing away for years, knowing that without him she has nothing. He's never been enough for any of them, so why is Natsumi standing here saying that she doesn't need anyone else but him?

She's lying. She has to be. He doesn't want to hold her back anymore; not when everybody prattles on about how much potential she has.]

Don't even... stop saying shit like that.

[He doesn't want to start a scene in the store, but he's also never had a very good handle on his emotions. He follows her out of the aisle, but he feels more like a puppy pathetically trailing after its owner.]

You're bullshitting me. I know you are.

I'm not going to stop saying it and I'm not bullshitting you, it's the truth!

[It's taking everything in her power to continue towards the check out, free hand tightening into a fist. She's noticed the way others have treated him and looked at him. It's hard not to when half of the family is promoting you as the heir to replace your brother, and you end up sitting around wondering why. But it's just never been that way with her. He's always been her older sibling, no matter how he chose to present himself, and she's always respected that. She's never wavered, never shown uncertainty or even a little bit of disdain, so why is he asking her questions like that?]

Look, you wanna argue about this, wait until we're outside at least! Jeez...

[Oh, so she won't even let him hate himself in peace, will she? Is that how it is?]

Fine! Then I fucking will!

[His outburst is explosive, but after that he's silent, folding his arms tightly across his chest and starting resolutely at the store's white-and-beige tile floor. Closing in on himself; it's a common tactic employed by Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu, one which he frequently abuses at school and most social gatherings. But not nearly as often around Natsumi. Rather, she's one of the few people he'll allow himself to be even the slightest bit open with, meaning that this sort of behavior is usually a red flag.

Still, he follows her to the checkout counter, grasping at his sleeves with white knuckles and dragging his feet the whole time.]

[It is a red flag, one that has her kicking herself and going over their conversation, trying to figure out what she said wrong. He was already upset before she asked him to save it, so surely that couldn't have lead to this, could it? Or maybe it did...dammit. She's ruining the whole afternoon before it even has a chance to start...

She's tense as she waits in line, roughly handing their basket to the cashier once it's their turn and giving him a glare that shuts him up mid sentence. She's not in the mood for small talk mister, just scan their shit so they can leave. And, once she has their bag and everything's paid for and they're finally outside,]

I'm sorry.

[She says it as soon as they're outside the doors, stepping to the side so that they don't block the walkway but not going too far. He probably doesn't want to wait until they're clear of the building completely and she did say wait until they're outside.

She's not normally one for apologies, not unless it's after a truly explosive fight and they haven't talked to each other in a few days. Natsumi is too prideful to admit that she needs to apologize for things usually. But she doesn't want this to turn into a fight like that.]

[He's deathly silent the whole way out, following Natsumi in a way that almost seems automatic. He takes a deep breath as they step out into the fresh air, and he finds it helps him calm down a little. Marginally, but just enough. Still, he doesn't speak until the apology has left Natsumi's mouth.]

No, it's... I'm just being an ass, Natsumi.

[Is it his pride or highly conditional self-worth that's stopping him from accepting the apology? He's honestly not sure, but he's leaning more towards the latter. Because no matter how much he doesn't want to have this conversation in public, he feels like, even if they were to have it in the privacy of their own home, he would try to brush it off.

There's this tiny part of him—a part that he's all too familiar with, that refuses to shut up—that keeps on telling him he doesn't deserve an apology. Isn't that what started this whole argument in the first place?]

[Brows furrowing, she's frustrated with a reply like that, but does her best to keep herself in check.]

Okay, but you're always an ass, oniichan. [She's teasing, evident in the tone of her voice.] But...I obviously said something that really upset you to make you scrunch up like that...

[The problem is, she's not exactly sure what, so she can't give him a better apology even though she wants to. It's still just stuck on "I said something wrong and I'm sorry for whatever it was" and that's just too half-assed in her opinion. She continues with it anyway, even offering him a bow.]

So I'm sorry. Please accept my apology.

[She can't stand the idea of pushing him away, or him leaving her behind. If she pisses him off to the point where he closes himself off to her...it scares her. And it's something she can't forgive herself for until it's set right with him. She doesn't need to give him any reasons to abandon her and never look back...he has enough already to begin with with just how worthless and pathetic she is compared to him.]

[It's odd to say, but the teasing helps. It reassures him that his sister's apology is genuine (as if he ever should have doubted it was in the first place). And, well, if she's this determined to apologize to him, then she must think he deserves it somehow. It helps to quell that little voice inside of him, if only just for a moment. And hey, the sooner he accepts the apology the sooner this conversation is over, so...]

Alright, fine, I accept your apology.

[Maybe he should be pleased with this turn of events. He can't remember another time he got Natsumi to bow to him. But right now it's just serving to make him more uncomfortable.]

Just stand straight up so we can go already. You said we have other places to stop by and I don't want those drinks getting cold.

[He doesn't want lukewarm strawberry soda on the menu today.]

[Is accepting the apology worth it for the happy smile she's giving you? Surely that makes up for her rudely saying she's sorry. She stands up, happy and relieved and both of these emotions are showing in the sweet smile she gives him, before offering her hand.]

Thanks. And only one other place. Don't worry, I'm not gonna let our picnic get ruined by lettin' this shit sit out too long.

[And it's not far from where they are! She really planned this out, wanting to make sure it'd be as un-annoying as absolutely possible. Because they're both impatient people and the last thing this picnic needs is them being annoyed at how long it took to get to it.]

[He's feeling rather relieved too, especially when Natsumi stands upright and they can see eye-to-eye again (well, maybe he has to look up a little, but his point still stands). He doesn't take her offered hand, but it's less out of any lingering resentment and more because he's simply not a touchy-feely person. He thinks she's known him long enough to get that... even though she keeps trying despite it. Maybe someday.]

Heh, you better not.

[If she does, she better believe he's going to hold it over her head forever. But at least he's got some laughter in him. Things are looking up. He takes a couple steps forward, unsure of where they're heading but willing to let her lead the way.]

[She has, and brushes it off easily that he doesn't accept it. Surely one day he will, and how will she know when that one day is if she doesn't keep trying? Besides, it's easy enough to just take it from him when she really wants to anyway, though for now she doesn't. Just lets hers hang at her side as she moves to take the lead.]

I wouldn't be a very good hostess if I did!

[The next stop is just a little ways down the street, on the same road as the mall. It's tucked away in a small building between two larger business, the broad windows taking up most of the storefront revealing just what kind of store it is without needing to read the name. It's definitely a bakery or sweets shop of some kind, which probably makes it clear why she said no bitching earlier. She stops before leading the way in, turning to him.

From outside it's easy to admire the displays they have set up, some filled with elegant or cute bags of chocolates, others being chilled counters with shelves of cupcakes that are probably fancier than needed. Various Japanese sweets line others, and right in the middle - what serves as the main counter - are rows of decadent looking cakes, probably too sweet and rich for anyone but the Kuzuryu siblings.]

I want dessert, so I'm gonna pick somethin' up here. You wanna come help me, or are you just gonna hang out out here?

[Look, she even worded it in a way where accepting it is definitely just him helping his little sister out, and not being tempted by the sugary sweets inside! But if he'd still prefer to wait outside, she won't hold it against him.]

And before you say it hell no are those sodas enough for me.

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sorry for the delay!!

don't worry about it!!

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