bakerstreet | cuddle meme .

[ He's being pretty literal this time. He saw it on NHK Blends before, it was a good listen. If it happens to work as a metaphor then he's fine with that.

He wonders how many people walk in a museum and walk out with the intent to purchase a traditional instrument. Probably not many, least of all with the means to do so. Akashi is a unique case, as he always is. ]

Let's find the curator, I'm sure he has enough connections to make a recommendation.

[ He doesn't know that the curator would be around right now, but it's something worth considering. Not that he doubts Akashi's ability to somehow find a master craftsman to hand-make him a traditional one living in some secluded forest cabin, but it might be a little faster. He misses playing with him like they did in middle school from time to time, and in the more metaphorical sense- it might be nice to try something new with him. ]

Alright. When we finish looking around.

[ just as Akashi's about to move onto a different part of an exhibit, he bumps into a small girl, probably around 6 to 7 years of age and she looks plenty distraught. She looks like she's been crying for some time given how red her eyes are.

"Have you seen my mother?" she asks. Akashi's more caring side immediately shows though because he gets down on one knee so he can be face to face with the kid. ]

Why don't we go look for your mother? We'll help, won't we, Midorima?

[ Midorima's initial instinct is to give the child a hard stare and not really say anything. If they were elsewhere, he might just leave the girl with Akashi and go to find the mother, but Akashi already volunteered him to help. And unlike with some individuals, he's not just going to walk off and ditch Akashi in favor of doing what's right. Besides, he doesn't know that there's a lost children's area here- where would parents report lost children to here?

His brow furrows slightly and he looks from the girl to Akashi. He's not particularly fond of kids who aren't.. well, his sister. But there are givens in this situation: Akashi has already stated that they'll both help, he doesn't have a practical answer besides simply looking, and though he doesn't feel comfortable around children, he's also not going to even think about suggesting they leave her to someone else.

Particularly since it's proving to be a little crowded here, and even if Akashi's got one side, the girl's likely to get bumped into form the other and potentially lost again. So he lets out a soft sigh, as if he's giving in to an absurd request, and he holds his hand out for the little girl to take. ]

You'll get bumped into by less cautious people than Akashi if you aren't careful. Come.

[ He's not getting down on one knee like Akashi is, so she seems to be mostly convinced he's some kind of tree giant. The girl repeats Midorima and Akashi's names slowly, then seems to settle on just calling them Midori-san and Aka-san since she's got colors down pat. ]

[ Akashi pushes himself up and smiles at Midorima. It's not because he approves of the gesture or anything, but it's more like he's happy that Midorima's going with the flow. He offers his hand to the child as he asks for her name, and she tells them both that her name is Himawari. ]

That's such a cute name.

[ Now that the girl is holding both Akashi and Midorima's hands, Akashi starts to walk around the museum once more. It's a pity he can't fully observe each and every exhibit at the moment, but he at least hopes that they'll find Himawari's mother in less than three hours. It would be so irresponsible of her mother as a parent to lose her child for that long. (And then Akashi will tell the mother off, probably... sweats)

It doesn't seem like Himawari remembers where her mother went, though, because she was checking out a group of people playing the shamisen and her mom just disappeared? She really can't remember! It doesn't give Aka-san and Midori-san any helpful information at all. ]

Let's at least look at where those performers were. Maybe Himawari-san's mother went back to look for her, as well.

[ This is not lasting three hours. If they can't find the child's parents within an hour, Midorima's fairly certain it's their responsibility to call the police. This place can't be that challenging when your daughter has two brightly colored teenagers helping her look, one who is pretty much the tallest human in the entire museum. They attract attention. If by that point they don't find anyone at least mentioning a woman looking for her daughter, they might have to accept that this job belongs to someone of higher authority.

But for now, Midorima would rather not sacrifice their limited time together to dealing with the police needing to take their statements, so he would rather help look first and avoid hassle for everyone involved. Midorima lets go of Himawari's hand momentarily to get his brochure back out again, looking up the information of where the shamisen players were meant to be, then pointing through the door they need to head to get to the performance area to show Akashi. ]

They should be that way. Himawari, tell us about your mother.

[ They need a description after all. Midorima might be able to see her sooner than anyone else will with his height after all. Himawari starts telling them information that doesn't really help Midorima too much- she's Japanese, she has black hair, and it's straight and pretty! After a bit of fishing he gets that she's wearing a light blue shirt and is carrying her Fairilu backpack. So those are at least identifiers to look for, though as they approach the room he doesn't see anyone right away. ]

[ It's after entering the room and finding that there aren't that many people around that more people come in. It seems that the group on tour from earlier has been led to this area as the shamisen demonstration is about to start again. The pamphlet states that there are five minute shows every twenty minutes.

And even though Akashi is responsible, his attention is stolen by the crowd and by the performers in their traditional outfits and their instruments. Two people come up on the small stage and ready themselves. ]

Himawari-san's mother might be with the group. [ Unlikely, but a possibility nonetheless. ] Let's try to be more aware of our surroundings.

[ The crowd begins to cheer and clap, though. The show's about to start. Akashi legs go of Himawari's hand to clap, as well. At first, he can still see the girl from his peripheral view, but as he looks around the crowd, he child disappears from his line of sight. ]

[ ~~How are Akashi's plans to lecture Himawari's mother going?~~

Midorima's already released her to look at the pamphlet, which he is reading through the pamphlet to try to find information that perhaps the mother thought the little girl could've been attracted to in the museum. He's mostly listening to the demonstration because of it, and when he looks up he realizes that Akashi is clapping, and Himawari is gone.

He hadn't heard Akashi handing her over, which means... Midorima lets out a loud whisper to get the redhead's attention. ]

Akashi!

[ They have had this child for five minutes and they already lost her!! Once he speaks to get Akashi's, he's backing out of the crowd to try to see if he can spot her. Midorima gets out his phone and pulls up the picture from this morning just so it's at the forefront. ]

Himawari?

[ She's wandered off to the room Midorima's back is turned to, though, so if Akashi looks to Midorima, he'll see her attempting to scale the large taiko drum in the next room behind him. ]

[ He thought that Himawari would stay put!!! Akashi is not a bad parent, okay :'( ]

Midori-- [ Ah, that's when it hits him. He looks to his left then to his right. He isn't frantically searching for Himawari just yet. There's no reason to panic for losing a lost chi-- ]

Himawari! [ OKAY NOW HE'S PANICKING A LITTLE BECAUSE SHE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THAT!! He doesn't even say a word to Midorima but instead rushes to the other room so he can call Himawari's attention go make her get down from there! ]

[ Midorima's eyes follow Akashi's and immediately looks like he's just witnessed a crime before he's even finished turning, but immediately rights his face and takes firm steps after Akashi. Honestly, Akashi's probably going to get flashbacks to how he talks to Murasakibara. He's unnerved while he doesn't know where she is, but as soon as she's located, the trouble is more like... he's used to nagging about the rules. ]

Get down from there, Himawari! It's rude to climb on other peoples' things.

[ She's not going to understand the significance of a historical artifact yet if that's what she's doing, so he's going to relate it to the more general behavioral issue. He expects even if she doesn't like Midorima telling her off, she'll run to Akashi now for the gentler touch. ]

[ Oh my god that isn't even the issue here-- ]

Himawari-san, those are old instruments that could break at any time. [ While he doesn't sound angry, his words are firm. HE CAN'T GET MAD AT SUCH A CUTE KID!!! ] You could injure yourself.

[ She looks pretty scared now and immediately jumps from the drum down to the floor. She slips and falls on her knee and she begins to cry.

Uh oh...

Akashi immediately goes to her to help her up, back to one knee. ]

It's alright, please don't cry. The pain will go away soon.

[ It's not the issue here, but telling the kid she was going to hurt herself and then the kid hurting herself didn't seem like the best plan either.

Midorima sighs, then reaches into his bag and pulls out some of his tape and a pen. The little girl isn't bleeding or anything, but the length he tears it into looks like a bandaid-size and he draws a little happy bunny face in the center of the strip, then kneels down next to Akashi. ]

This is a special bandaid my sister taught me how to make, Himawari. It has a lucky symbol on it, so it will keep your knee safe as long as you listen to Akashi.

[ And he tapes the little piece of tape to the knee she fell on. ]

[ It's funny how Midorima tells Himawari to listen to Akashi and not to him, but Akashi doesn't verbalise it. Instead, he pats the girl on the head as he smiles warmly at her. ]

You'll have to listen to Midori-san, too. [ The nickname has caught on. ] Hold his hand and only let go when he does, alright?

[ Himawari nods and wipes her tears away, then she reaches for Midorima's hand.

"Thank you, Midori-san, Aka-san!" Now she's smiling again! Then she asks... "Are the two of you on a date? My mama said papa took her to the museum on their first date."

Ah... ]

[ Midorima gives Akashi a slightly exasperated look when he starts using the nickname, but before he can comment on it, the little girl has something to say that he almost chokes on his own breath over. He at least manages to not knee-jerk react to it with a defensive comment, instead closing his eyes and taking Himawari's offered hand as he pushes his glasses up with the other. ]

It should be obvious that's impossible.

[ It's not, at all, but Midorima tends to be the maiden-doth-protest type of person. The fact that even just thinking about it that way makes him avert his eyes for a moment, his chest constricting in a way he knows it shouldn't- that's why he has to deny it. That and over half a dozen other reasons, from distance to basketball to the consistent reminders that Akashi is beyond his reach in everything even if he never gives up trying to prove otherwise. This is nothing Himawari could possibly know or that Midorima believes Akashi has even thought about. But Midorima has more than he thinks he should have. And so, it's a denial that comes a little too quickly and a little too sternly to be speaking to a child. ]

Let's keep looking.

[ Akashi laughs and takes Himawari's other hand as they continue searching. The sounds of the shamisen group from the other room can still be heard, but with them moving to another direction away from the room, the sound eventually disappears.

It's a pity! But maybe he can still watch another demonstration later. And he'll also have to speak with Midorima later to not sound so harsh while speaking to a child. At least, he doesn't want Himawari to grow up the same way Akashi did--always hearing people speak to her in such an authoritative tone. It never does anybody any good. ]

Do you think she's yet to notice that Himawari is missing? She's suddenly reminded me of someone.

[ It's Kuroko. She reminds Akashi of Kuroko. ]

[ He doesn't have to say it, Midorima's already figured out exactly what he's implying. ]

Himawari, how often do people look surprised when they see you?

[ They should consider a bell for people like this. Akashi even bumped into her despite that he's normally attentive, it's definitely not impossible...

The little girl laughs, "People make really funny faces when they're surprised!" So that's.. a yes, probably.

Midorima takes them through the rest of the drums room to a feature on Kagura Dances, the bells a focal point in the room with TVs that have recordings of some ceremonial kagura or folk kagura, both older and newer. Lots of information about the historical information behind the dances too. ]

[ YOU CAN'T PUT A BELL ON A CHILD oh my god...

This time, Akashi's attention is split between Himawari, Midorima, and the explanation. He's usually more focused than this, but this is one of those times when he truly feels free and wants to do something he likes. Maybe he's just spoiled.

Himawari tugs on both Midorima and Akashi's hands to grab their attention. Then she tells them that she wants to watch the dancers because she wants to be one when she grows up!! So young and such pure dreams...

This time, Akashi actually looks at Midorima for some assistance. ]

What do you think?

[ ~~Not with that attitude.~~ People like this, not the child specifically!! But like. Kuroko maybe. Just consider it. They can take it off on the court, he'll be like thirty times more effective if people are used to him having more presence off of it.

On the one hand, Midorima is fairly certain he already knows where this is leading. There are too many people, so even if they stay there and watch, she's not going to be able to see. The fact that Akashi is already looking at Midorima means he expects it to happen. The way that Midorima looks back at Akashi shows a clear reluctance.

But, he does have to be honest. It's the logical solution to him too, as much as he knows exactly where this is going. ]

It may be easier for her mother to spot her while we watch.

[ You're supposed to stay in one place when you're lost, after all. ]

[ Midorima is going to be the best dad ever. ]

Yes. It's killing two birds with one stone.

[ Maybe even more because it means Akashi gets to watch, too. ]

[ Midorima is fairly certain he's spoiled Akashi, and is still doing so as he lets go of Himawari's hand, but only so that he can get down on one knee in front of the two of them. ]

She's not stepping on my hands, Akashi.

[ Normal people would make a step but Akashi's going to have to do it because Midorima's fingers are too valuable for kiddos to step on. And he's not going to tell him to do it, so he's hoping he gets the hint. He's letting her onto his shoulders so she can get the best view in the museum though, so that should be enough. ]

[ Akashi lifts Himawari to put her on Midorima's shoulders, then. Once up, she lets out a giddy "weeee!" She holds onto Midorima's hair so she doesn't fall off and she watches the dancing with utmost wonder.

Not wanting to lose either Midorima or Himawari in the crowd, Akashi inches closer to the taller boy as he too watches the display.

Eventually, the dancing finishes and a woman approaches Midorima. She shouts Himawari's name and tells her to get down right away. And if Midorima sets Himawari back down, she's going to get hugged by the mother right away.

"Mama, they helped me look for you! This is Aka-san [point] and Midori-san [point]! They're on a date but Midori-san is a tsundere."

Akashi can't help but chuckle in amusement. This kid... ]

[ A worried mother's shouting is nothing to be ignored, so Midorima cooperates without resistance and the daughter is back where she belongs.

And then suddenly she reminds him a little more of Takao than Kuroko and he looks very irritated as he stands back up, straightening out his jacket. ]

Your daughter has an overactive imagination.

[ How does she even know what that word means? It's some kind of weird made-up concept! What is this mother letting her daughter watch anyway?! And Akashi is definitely getting a sharp look for that laugh. The mother thanks them, then, and starts checking to make sure there are no injuries, questioning the tape (It's not a bandaid after all, just tape with a rabbit..) Himawari explains that it's special protection from Midori-san, so as long as she listens to Aka-san, she'll be protected! Which, okay. The mom seems to think that's fine and turns to thank both of them, bowing deeply. Himawari bows next to her in imitation, off by a full second so it looks like they're taking turns. And with that, they're ready to say goodbye, and the bowing is done so Himawari is naturally going to run up to hug Akashi and Midorima at the same time, one arm on either boy's legs. ]

[ Akashi gives Himawari a pat on the head before waving goodbye. He doesn't mind her at all, but he feels pretty excited now that he can properly go through the exhibits without worrying about a lost child.

Once Himawari and her mom have left, Akashi looks at Midorima, still finding the whole thing to be amusing. ]

That was an experience... I've never had to take care of a child before.

You look like you enjoyed it.

[ Midorima was a ball of stress! As far as kids go she wasn't the worst option. There was very little crying, and only one near-injury. He at least also waved to her as she left. ]

I suppose I may have enjoyed it. She was rather cute.

[ He can't say he wants to take care of kids all the time but she was just cute!! Cute and innocent. ]

What was that, though? It's impossible for us to be on a date?

[ Akashi's true intentions for asking this question will remain a mystery. He doesn't even look at Midorima when he asks it, more keen on going to another room for another exhibit. ]

[ That's exactly why is what he wants to say. Even asking something like that, he's just looking at what's ahead of him instead of Midorima. Midorima knows this, because his eyes were on him the second the word "impossible" came out of Akashi's lips. When you ask someone who's been by your side for years why it's impossible for you to be together like that, it stings to see it's little more than idle conversation. ]

It was an answer to her question. Why?

[ He shouldn't get his hopes up in asking that- he knows the answer isn't going to be what he wants it to be- some indication that Akashi doesn't like it being called impossible. ]

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