✨ you only get one chance...

[liltuna]

THE FIRST IMPRESSION MEME   You only get once chance to put your best foot forward. Screw that up, and you'll be forever seared in someone's mind as the person who had spinach in their teeth, or worse! ✨HOW TO PLAY 1. Drop a top-level! 2. If you have previous CR with someone, you'll have to let them know what your first-impression of them was. If this is your first time meeting, you'll be compelled to share what kind of vibe they give off. It's okay to be honest! Are they gross? Do they seem approachable? Do you find them incredibly hot?  3. Find out if your first impression was correct! Maybe that strange loner actually has a heart of gold? You'll never know unless you talk to them!

Comments

[loiters]

Enthusiastic. [ and he pulls a face, thinking. ] But it's clear just looking at you that your heart is in the right place.

[kenage]

[ And of course he's got a big smile plastered on his face like that's the best thing anyone could call him ever. Itto awaits whatever ever else he's gonna say with his eyebrows raised high. Then, the smile gets bigger. ] You really think so? Thanks a lot, little buddy! [ There are those warm fuzzies that make him feel like he's talking to Miss Hina again for some reason! ] I try real hard to keep it there! I'm happy you noticed!

Is it my turn? Do I get to tell you what I thought the first time we met now?

[loiters]

You wear it on your sleeve, so. [ it's not hard for gorou to decide it's a lot less embarrassing when he's writing letters. he still isn't used to people being so candid with him in person, but maybe it's refreshing. maybe he cracks a smile, though. ]

You can if you want, but I don't think there's anything saying you have to.

[kenage]

My sleeve? [ He peers down at his mostly bare arm. ] Oh, haha! This one! [ A finger hooks through the fabric near his bicep and he wiggles it around like he just remembered it was there. ]

But I wanna! What's the fun in a game like this if only one person's playing?

[ ...

Ah. ]

Actually, the way I felt... [ Now he's cringing a little? ] it's kinda embarrassing? So you have to promise you won't laugh!

[loiters]

[ that... well. despite himself, he lets out the smallest chuckle at itto checking for his actual sleeve. he should have known better.

but with itto making that face now, gorou can't help but mirror him a little, brow furrowed. ]

I won't laugh at you. That'd just be mean. And first impressions are just first impressions, right? There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

[kenage]

Uh-...

[ Jeez! Can't they just go back to laughing about his sleeves? That was easier than this! Why'd he go and open his big mouth?!

Well... at least he promised to be nice about it. ]

Well, to be honest... [ He hesitates just a second longer before deciding the only course of action is running his mouth at the speed of light while gesturing wildly. ] I kinda felt like maybe you already knew me somehow? Like, I dunno, we'd talked before somewhere and maybe we were friends even though that's not possible because I'd remember, and I never forget anybody, especially not my friends, but even if we weren't friends yet it still felt, like, really safe with you and you'd understand it even if I did something that other people might not get? [ Finally he's done, and he takes a deep breath followed by a very quietly mumbled addition as he awkwardly puts a hand behind his head: ] ... y'know?

[loiters]

[ oh boy. there's no stopping the way gorou winces at that, the guilt setting in nearly immediately. it's not like he can just come out and tell itto he's miss hina. not only is that really embarrassing, it's also kind of strange, right? who knows if itto would even believe him? ]

Yeah, I think I know what you mean. Kind of like old friends, huh? I don't think that's embarrassing. It's actually really flattering. It always feels good to know people are comfortable with me and it even goes both ways. Hopefully that first impression stuck and you know I've still got your back.

[kenage]

[ The stupidest thing about it is that Itto would probably accept it pretty easily. Sure he might not believe Gorou at first, and sure he would undergo something like the five stages of grief, but after that? He'd be fine! Probably. ]

Yeah? [ He looks over like he might've expected a different reaction, what with that wince and all. What reaction, exactly, he isn't sure of, but he's relieved it's a good one instead. ] You're comfortable with me too? [ Asked earnestly, a grin spreading across his face.

The other things Gorou says are appreciated, too, but Itto's a simple guy so he latches on to the part he likes the most. He latches onto it so hard, in fact, that he seems to already be over the weirdness of that whole situation just now. ] Of course it did, bro! I know you're one of my most reliable buddies. Sometimes when I'm in a bind I think to myself, I bet if Gorou was here he'd help me take care of this. And then I have the motivation to get through it! You're so reliable, you don't even gotta be there!

[loiters]

Yeah, I'm comfortable with you. You're Arataki "The One and Oni" Itto. Why wouldn't I be?

[ which... whew. it doesn't feel quite so heavy with itto moving on and brightening up about it. one day, maybe. miss hina isn't going anywhere anytime soon, not if that woman has anything to say about it. maybe gorou likes being able to help, too. the grin he gives itto in return is pretty instinctive, unable to resist it with him all pumped up.

geez. ]

So reliable I don't even have to be there, huh? That's kind of excessive, don't you think? I mean, I'll have to take your word for it and all, but you know. That feels good though, so thanks. It means a lot.

[kenage]

Exactly! Why wouldn't you? [ Gorou gets a clap on the back for that while Itto laughs loudly, like it's hysterically obvious that he's the most comfortable guy to be around ever, at all times, period.

Now, he could ask what that brief look of discomfort was about, or point out the fact that it sorta openly contradicted the whole point they're making here, but there are actually a few occasions where he knows better than to go prying. Everybody's got their own reasons for stuff! As long as his little bud says he's comfortable, he'll just go on ahead and believe it. ]

No way! Nothing's too excessive when it comes to believing in my bros. [ He's still got a hand on his back, so he gives it a few more pats. ] You go ahead and take all the words you want, I definitely mean it! You're totally welcome, my guy.