Another Teatime [Shirai/Misha]

❝

Every year, Misha had a different roommate. Not that she minded much and perhaps it was for the better. Her interactions with her past roommates would range between barely acknowledging each other to going about as if the other didn't exist. Misha knew that she wouldn't get along with everyone and that was not a bad thing, but she did wish that her roommates were a bit more amiable.

The 'welcoming tea' was a tradition of the Kitamura family, one designed to foster friendships. Or at least try. That the first two roommates didn't respond as positively as Misha hoped didn't discourage the fair-haired girl from trying one more time. And so, the chef found herself in the dorm room's kitchenette on a weekend, preparing her tea tray.

Misha believed that a simple but refreshing green should suffice, being more of a compliment to the main attraction: an assortment of danishes that the baker had made the day before using the classroom kitchens. She had thought to experiment a bit, using the dough recipe from class, but fell back on the reliable family recipe, resulting a dense but filling and flavorful pastry. As the chef arranged the danishes on her plate in a circle, she reflected a bit on who her new roommate.

Shiraishi Izumi.

Unlike the past two roommates Misha had, Shiraishi-san was much more quiet and reserved, and if Misha had to state a preference, such a mellow countenance was far more enjoyable to be around. A member of the theatre department, and though Misha took a page out of her cousin's book to investigate a bit, it seemed like Shiraishi-san kept to herself so much that her peers seemed to have no other comments on her. So that meant the best way to get to know her was to ask directly.

Despite the weight of the tray, the teapot, plate, and pastries, Misha was able to carry the tray in a single hand, resting it on her palm. In the other hand was her white-and-gold cane, supporting her as she carefully walked the short distance from the kitchenette to the closed door of her roommate.

"Shiraishi-san? It's Shirayama-san," Misha said after gingerly knocking on the door with her cane in hand.. Though it ought to be obvious who would be knocking, it was habit that compelled the baker to make sure that her presence was clear. "Please, could I join you for some tea?"

Misha chose those words carefully, or as carefully as she thought she was. She was loathe to pressure too hard, but she had the inclination that Shiraishi-san would try to slip away if not pressured hard enough.

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

Izumi wasn't listening to music for once, her headphones placed in her bag.
She'd had a normal day, and as such was in her usual mood of being alone in her world, not really taking much notice of those around her, although she did greet Misha with a quick wave like she would to anyone else. Otherwise, she was completely alone in a bubble of music, and literature, with the occasional bit of looking at ridiculously expensive ballgowns sprinkled into the mix.

Hearing Shirayama-san's voice at her door, she'd freeze momentarily, confused and feeling a little off. She wasn't in trouble, but she just found it perplexing that her room-mate would just now, at all of times, ask for something as simple as a tea-time with her? IF it wasn't for the fact that they were sharing a room, Izumi would have likely not responded, and just progressed with her weekend as usual, another 32 hours or more of listening to music, and reading, while questioning other not so important things, like what she wanted to do when she was older.

Now onto Shirayama-san. 
Izumi was not one to take much note of Shirayama-san's appearance, let alone anyone else's. Eye contact was something that just never felt right to her, and such she'd only take a few brief glances at her dorm-mate every now and then. Yes, she was tall, and quite pleasant to look at, but then again, most people were just.. people to her.
She seemed friendly enough, although Izumi didn't really think much of the idea of companionship in a place like school, seeing as how close to adulthood everyone else was, she thought they'd all go their separate ways, get a job, get married or whatever, and then start a family or whatever adults did. 

Getting up, and quickly shuffling over to the door, Izumi would open it slowly, and then open it up fully from there as she backed away to give Shirayama-san enough space to safely enter, and not accidentally cause a mess which Izumi was going to be partly responsible for.
"A-ah, Shirayama-san? Yes, I would appreciate this, please come in."
Her tone was slightly hushed, and she didn't sound too confident in what she said, her eyesight flickering in-between the tea in the tray, and Shirayama-san herself.

Izumi herself was wearing a black zipped hoodie, a yellow t-shirt that was slightly longer than said hoodie, and a pair of blue jeans.
She looked half-asleep judging by her facial expression, her bangs were covering one of her eyes.
She hoped, that this would go well and not end horribly like her few attempts at making friends back in elementary.

❝

That the door opened slowly was no surprise to Misha, at least as far as she understood Izumi's apparent distant personality. But afterwards was a curious mix of signals. Why use the word appreciate? Why the hushed voice? Although Izumi accepted Misha's request, the baker felt a creep sense of worry that she was already putting far too much needly pressure on her roommate.

"Thank you, Shiraishi-san. Please, pardon the intrusion," Misha politely replied, hiding her worries behind a light bow and a smile. She continued to carry the tea tray one-handed, holding it from under the center of the tray as walked with her cane in hand. She spotted a little bit of empty space on a nearby table and set down the tea try atop it and her cane at the side of it. As Misha started to pour a cup of tea for Izumi, the air started to fill with the faint scent of the green tea.

Though her grey eyes were fully focused on the rapidly filling teacup, the chef's mind had wandered 300 kilometres back to Tokyo. Between the very casual outfit, the way the front bangs covered the eyes, and the distant and confusing countenance, Misha could not help but think of her younger sister Haruna. A brilliant mind and a caring heart that had withdrawn from the word, feeling overshadowed by those around her, and even now Misha always found it a struggle to encourage her little sister without being overbearing. And here in Fukui, Misha found herself caught in the same befuddling conundrum again.

Unruly tea threatened to overflow the anachronistic European-styled teacup, but at the last moment settled as Misha expertly finished filling Izumi's teacup. Through force of habit, Misha's right hand reached for her cane without her looking as her left hand picked up the saucer. With practice and careful steps, the baker was able to approach Izumi again without a ripple or disruption on the surface of the teacup ever showing.

"Again, thank you Shiraishi-san, for letting me do this. I know this is all so sudden, but I figured that if I did not do so now, I would not have the opportunity to do so later," Misha said as she held out the teacup and saucer to Izumi. "Even if we are only roommates for a year, I still would like to learn a bit more about you, if that is amenable."

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

Blinking slowly, Izumi nodded in understanding of what Misha's intentions were. Obviously, someone as elusive and secretive as her attracted an interest from others, especially her roommate, being the person to know the most about her, which barely happened to be anything due to Izumi's habits of hiding away most of the time. 
It just happened to be that today of all times, Shirayama-san was the one to strike up a conversation with her for once.

Watching her roommate set the tray containing their beverages down, Izumi focused in on the cups of green tea, the scent eventually reaching her nose.
Most of the time, Izumi really wasn't the type for tea, typically going for soda and other things, the sugary taste appealing to her, especially anything with herbs and spices, the fizz of the drink adding even more of an appeal to her. Tea was something more or less that her parents were accustomed to, especially seeing as that they both constantly drank it when they were at home. 

After briefly daydreaming about said sodas, she'd snap out of a daze, now seeing Shirayama-san presenting a saucer and teacup to her.
Gently taking the cup and saucer from Misha's hands, she'd not to thank her for the tea, and sit down at a nearby chair before speaking.
"Well.. about me? I don't really know where to start, sorry." 

Izumi's excuse was that she wasn't too descriptive about herself, and never really spoke to anyone of her interests. 
She didn't feel like anything bad was happening in her life at all, but just a lack of things to do besides being absorbed in her own interests.
"If you asked me some questions, I could provide the answers." A faint smile formed as she spoke, trying to get the conversation going for once.

If she tried to make a friend out of her roommate, hopefully she'd succeed and then be less socially awkward.
Please work, please work, I'm not lonely but like... just having one friend would be nice?
She thought to herself, briefly looking down into her tea, before back up at Misha, having spaced out for a bit again, while somehow not managing to spill the tea, her hands steadily holding the saucer.

❝

Seeing Izumi accept the teacup brought a smile of relief to Misha's face, taking a few steps backward to remain facing Izumi, albeit with her cane held at her side as her roommate responded. The chef found herself neither surprised nor disappointed with Izumi's answer. In fact, it only served to remind the baker more of her younger sister. Not much of a conversation starter, but Misha felt that if she struck the right chord she could get her roommate to open up a little more.

Misha pivoted smartly on her heels, taking slow but graceful strides back towards the tea tray, setting the cane down at the front of the table before time stepping around to the side. It was a calculated move so that as she started to pour her cup of tea she could still remain somewhat facing Izumi, lest she give off the impression of not being focused on conversing with her roommate. "What I know about Shiraishi-san is limited to her association with the Theatre Department. So, we can start there, correct? Could Shiraishi-san tell me how she found herself drawn into such an art?" Misha asked.

The patissiere's words were chosen as carefully as the way she poured her tea. Interrogations was the realm of her cousin and she wanted to give Izumi an easy way out to change the subject; there was no need to pressure now, Misha figured. A flicker of amusement flashed across the baker's face as she finished filling her teacup, but before she took her drink, she placed one of the danishes onto a plate, gesturing to Izumi in offering before taking a sip from her tea.

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

Taking the danish offered and nodding, Izumi spoke, her voice raised to make herself heard clearly, so she wouldn't have to repeat herself.

"The theater class, it mostly came to fruition in my 7th grade years, and what was left of my time in junior high school. I could say I am more acquainted with being in the background of sorts, my roles are usually those with a few lines, and often stood in the background as most roles do not have an appeal to me. I do enjoy being part of a wider effort, with all the various things in unison."

After saying that, she'd take a small sip of the tea, being a bit finicky about taking sips for too long, as she did remember tea was quite hot after the few times she'd tried it previously.



"Well, Shirayama-san, I'm not an expert on tea, however I do think this simply tastes delicious."

Her smile remained, indicative of how she found it tasty.

To Izumi, tea wasn't the most exciting beverage, but it did taste nice when it was suitably warm.

Of course, iced tea was good, but she wouldn't want to think about that right now, as nice as honey iced tea was.



"Anyway, about theater once more. I do suppose I could strive for something more center-stage, but I'm not sure really. Maybe if.. I had to take up a role someone else was unable to, I could likely do it? Just something not too complex, although I have fancied playing the part of a fairytale princess before, but it's more of a novelty than anything else seeing of how wide a term that is, especially once you consider how drastically different playing Snow White would be from.. Komatsuhime or another historical, or fictional warrior, yes? Getting to know a character is one thing, but being able to play it is another. Especially seeing as.. different personalities, different backstories and such."

When talking about something she had knowledge of, Izumi often did speak quite a bit, in contrast to her oftentimes silent and uninterested tendencies.


After saying all that, she then took a bite out of the danish. 

❝

It was a relief to see Izumi take the danish, and Misha finally allowed herself to drink from her cup of tea. Indeed, the tea wasn't the usual cheap stuff that the baker drank in larger quantities, but neither was it obscenely high quality. Still, it was good to see her roommate respond positively, and Misha continued to sip as she let Izumi tell her own story.

Reflexively, Misha nodded in understanding at the notion of playing the more supportive roles in junior high. To stay in the background and contribute to the project as a whole, that was a notion Misha felt very aware of. The mention of striving for a more central role seemed to struck a nerve, reminding Misha of her own decision to be the Student Council Vice President instead of the President. For a moment, Misha's mind wandered to her cousin Yuko, who had become President of her school. Though also a product of the prestigious school Yuko was in, Misha felt she had dodged a bullet.

"The limelight isn't as wonderful as one would think it is," the patissier said as she set down her tea cup atop the nearby table, exchanging it with her cane which she took with her as she walked to a nearby chair. "Besides, someone has to fill those supporting roles. While not as glamourous, I think it affords one a greater amount of...freedom. Or at least less scrutiny, less pressure."

Carefully, Misha sat down, facing Izumi and laying the cane across her lap. Once settled in, Misha leaned forward slightly, a smile spreading across her lips. "That said, it seems like your experience goes beyond the stage and in the realm of literature," the baker noted, chuckling slightly. "Are Fairie Tales and Folklore a hobby of yours?" Misha asked. Since Izumi did not seem curious about Misha yet, the chef decided to poke around a little more.

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

"Hm, fairytales?"
Izumi's eyes widened, before she took another sip of tea.
"Well, my mother used to read me those as bedtime stories, as well as me reading them during my earlier school years. We did have a day where we had to dress up as book characters back in Okinawa, I chose... Rapunzel, except my hair wasn't exactly long enough back then, or blonde."

She chuckled softly.

"And for being in the limelight? I'll have to see for myself. If I dislike it, then that's that. If I want to go back to not being the center of attention, I think I'll respectfully do so."

She felt she never really strived for anything at all in her life, just putting the bare minimum into everything into everything. She managed to get into the school thanks to her grades being the minimum needed to pass, having not exactly studied too hard in her subjects.
But when it came to something she actually cared about, Izumi was willing to go more than she did. Obviously, that was the theater club. Not destined for singing roles, Izumi just wanted something memorable as a role for once, antagonist or protagonist, she didn't mind.
The limelight just seemed to be a good start, really. Being thrown in the deep end, with only her lack of experience, and a desire to be better. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but that didn't bother her. She'd rather learn and suffer, than do nothing and never learn at all.

Her lips formed a smirk, as she continued to speak.

"I don't think I want to spend my time regretting any of the decisions I never made, really. I could compare it to a book, where the character has a choice to go on a journey. They can either stay where they are, learn nothing and be as uneducated as ever, or they can learn, try their best, and learn along the way on some qualities. It's best for me to do things that way, I believe. My dreams can't be realized, unless I make an effort to make them come to fruition."

After saying that, she'd take another sip of tea.

❝

Misha's tea sat in the baker's lap, forgotten over Izumi's history. A mother who read bedtime stories. Okinawa. Rapunzel. Misha held no expectations, yet she found herself surprised and intrigued by the details that were handed to her. In Misha's previous school, she had found that many of her classmates enamored with the theatre arts had tended to be more showy, ostentatious, and at unfortunate times, even pretentious. But in the chef's eyes, Izumi seemed to be a girl who had an uncanny balance of knowing what she likes while being flexible in her abilities, all the while being so reserved.

"Shiraishi-san is surprisingly mature, isn't she?" Misha mused aloud, smiling broadly. "A lot of your peers would opine for even a fraction of the peace of mind you have. Or perhaps that dogged perseverance. I do wonder though, why you keep such shining virtues so close to your vest. I am sure your classmates would have quite a good impression of you if they knew even a little bit more about this side of you." Misha tilted her head, and though she still smiled, her eyebrows raised into an expression of slight worry.

"Though...does Shiraishi-san not get along well with her classmates?" Misha asked earnestly. "Do you not like them? I understand that not everyone will get along but I would at least try to head off any impasses before they form."

As far as Misha had heard, there was very little, if anything negative that the Theatre Department had to say about Izumi, though it was mostly because there was little to say at all. Still, the Student Council Vice President felt it would be remiss of her to ignore a potential issue with the student body.

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

"Mature?"
Izumi blinked twice, sitting up straight, and almost let out a chuckle.
"I.. I'm not so sure as to why you'd see me as that. I see myself as a young woman who tends to be interested in fiction written centuries before her time, with said fiction mostly revolving around princesses, as well as a desire to hopefully portray them in a production of sorts."
Compliments weren't something Izumi was used to at all, to be short.

"As for my classmates? I do not.. exactly speak to them unless absolutely necessary. Past experiences tell me that they're not worth speaking to. I'd rather not risk being manipulated again."
Her smile faded, her tone a little bit somber.
"I'd like to keep myself to myself, and not have anyone encroach upon it."
Another sip, and she'd continue.

"I don't like making contact with too many people. I can trust a roommate such as yourself, however. I feel like we've been around each other long enough to be acquainted, yes?"
Shirayama-san was polite to give Izumi enough space, which she felt happy about. She didn't feel anything suspicious coming from her roommate, which put her at ease.
"I hope this connection can turn into a friendship in the future."
Her smile remained.

If others were like Shirayama-san, maybe Izumi would change her opinion on the others around her, and maybe open up a bit.
Maybe, she'd just have to keep going and see for herself at this point.

❝

The way that Izumi would call herself a 'young woman' instead of a 'girl' intrigued Misha even more. In fact, the way Izumi spoke seemed more appropriate of a well-to-do girl. As the baker took a sip from her otherwise-neglected tea, she pondered the relevance of having to deal with a potential ojou, but it was swiftly put aside as a memory of a friend drifted into mind.

Mirai Nakagawa. Ostensibly an heiress much like the chef, but what connection Misha made was with Izumi's mention of manipulation. Misha's tiny friend distrusted others stemming from revelations and dealings with her past classmates and her father's business. In her words they were all 'unreliable lying liars who lie'. Yet...Misha's cousin Yuki still managed to win over the distrusting girl, turning her into a stalwart ally.

But could Misha? Behind the baker's smile was a feeling of frustration. The blonde was keenly aware of her tricks, and while she always justified it as try to help, there was no getting around the fact that her 'verbal jujitsu' was a form of manipulation. So what was the right move?

"Indeed. I would like to be a friend of yours. Though, you need not be formal with me...says the girl saying it so formally," Misha said, chuckling softly. "Well, that is a bad habit of mine, I suppose." With a sigh, Misha reached for her plate with her danish, but set it in her lap as she shifted her seating, leaning forward in a more relaxed pose as she asked, "Well, is there anything you'd like to know about your friends?"

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

Nodding, Izumi looked to the side briefly.
Briefly thinking, she'd piece her words together before she spoke, putting emphasis on trying not to fumble her speech.
"Well, without being too intrusive, I would be interested in knowing what their interests, hobbies and skills are. Someone with a similar mindset is easier to relate to, I believe. Of course, there are other variables to take into account, but from what mother has told me, I believe it's preferable to find companionship with someone who I respect."

Taking a quick breath, Izumi would continue.
For someone who wasn't very talkative, Izumi had a habit of trying to explain things with justification in a somewhat logical manner.
"Said matters could also be applied to romantic relationships. Mother did tell me about her and my father having been friends since college, and that they had been dating for quite some time before truly getting together. For me? I have not the slightest answer in how I'd apply myself to such matters. The sentiment of doting over another person.. just seems off to me!"

Izumi's tone started to grow a bit panicked, losing her formality and air of maturity to it.
"Te-tell me, what's romance? There's more to it than cliches, right?"
She rarely thought about matters like this.

Having been sheltered from interaction on her own accords, Izumi was perplexed by the romance in her fiction.
It wasn't the most in-depth, and she just kept reading as if it was natural to the characters.
The more she saw it, the more it confused her. Questions kept circling around her mind, and she wanted to find an answer, without bothering her mother over something as petty as asking about romance.

She hoped Shirayama-san could provide an answer to this.

❝

Interests, hobbies, skills. All good qualities to look for. But from where Misha sat, the concise and exceedingly polite way Izumi spoke felt more like a suitor vying for a bride than a friend. Finally, Misha took a bite from her danish as she pondered further, though her grey eyes flickered upwards as Izumi continued talking, this time about her parents. It was a strange tanget for the chef, who was unsure why her roommate would bring up her parents and the concept of romance, though what caught Misha's attention more was the increasing panick in Izumi's voice.

Urgently, Misha set aside the danish and looked to Izumi at full attention, only to tilt her head in a mix of surprise and amusement. The facade seemed to have fallen off, and for a reason that the pattissiere did not expect. Misha's posture relaxed as she leaned back against her chair, a slight smile returned to her face.

"Indeed, it is far more than the myriad of cliches that literature may throw at you," Misha replied with an earnest chuckle. "In fact, I have a cousin, a writer herself here at Fukui, who has often objected to the genre as a whole, calling it unrealistic. She can suspend her disbelief for fantasy and science fiction, extension of concepts grounded in logic but romance?" Misha shook her head as she laughed. "She will have none of it."

"The tricky part is that everyone is different. Their own personalities, histories, all put forth an endless mix of variables such that...to give a template for a love story is quite daft." Misha's eyes went wide as she gave Izumi and amused grin. "But, it is a story nonetheless, isn't it?"

With a strange and nostalgic sigh, Misha leaned forward again, resting her elbow on her thigh and her chin atop her palm.

"In one story, a girl found love when she recognized the graceful strength of another, balancing out the brute force of her own. Another girl found it when she learned it was fine to let another help her for the things she truely could not do alone..." Misha trailed off, and chuckled, closing her eyes as she continued to elaborate. "...And one more, found someone unsuited to lead, unsuited to follow, but best at her side, not as a peer, but a partner."

Misha's eyes opened again, her head tilting side to side slightly in amusement.

"It's quite funny, really. I've been asked for tips on how to court or get the attention of another, but not this very abstract exploration. Hopefully that helped."

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

"So.."
Exhaling softly, Izumi's mind raced to think of something.
Jumping to the point of love suddenly wasn't what she was expecting to be said today.

She saw herself as someone who could carry her own weight, and not need the support of others at all. Going solo just seemed to be how she did things, when conducting herself, and when acting in public.
Shirayama-san's words did resonate with her, however. The relationships she saw in her books tended to revolve around two people supporting each other.
Piqued in interest by what was said, she was unsuccessful in finding an answer to Shirayama-san's statement.
It was better to just speak what she was thinking, and get it done with, rather than just keep it in and constantly dote over it all of the time.

"So.. it just happens? I.. I'm not sure if I asked the right question. I need to be more... specific, yes?"
Shirayama-san seemed much more mature and composed than Izumi considered herself.

"I can't consider romance to be unrealistic, if I've never felt any such feelings in that area. The only company I've known for most of my time is none other than myself, since... I suppose you could say I have issues fitting in with others. Not because of anything out of my control, just..."
She sighed.

"I just don't know what to do, a lot of the time. I get nervous when I'm thrown on the spot, I think too much about the smallest things, I get annoyed when the most minute of details goes wrong, and I just don't see myself as being able to fit in with the rest of this school. Everyone else seems so... professional, while I'm just a newcomer from Okinawa, which might as well equate to some fairy-tale land."

Izumi looked down, and closed her eyes.
"I feel so very confused, Shirayama-san."

❝

The smile on Misha's face remained. Izumi now lead the conversation, even if the topic was something that Izumi was struggling with. A brilliant mind that ran ceaselessly, yet hidden by Izumi's isolationary tendencies. It was rather comforting to see this more open side of her roommate, but at the same time the baker felt that she still needed to tread a bit carefully at the moment. To be nervous when thrown on the spot was understandable, and Misha could make a case that she did indeed throw Izumi on the spot, so the chef tried to nod reassuringly as Izumi sighed.

Once more, Okinawa came up again. Was Okinawa really that much different? As far as Misha knew, it was southerly, warm, and more rural, with the attitudes being far more relaxed, for lack for a better word. Misha found herself with the revelation that she indeed was a city girl, a home town of Tokyo, a family home of Niigata, and visits to other family in Sapporo. East, West, and North; every direction except where Izumi was from. Then there was Sankt-Petrograd...

Misha's pale blue eyes slowly looked downwards before closing. What could she say about her city of birth? What did she remember? The banks of the river the flowed through it, where her parents oft took her, and the serious and dour faces that could still smile with a little bit of kindness shown, but not too much else. Some part of Misha wanted to find a connection with Izumi through a childhood in a faraway land, yet...there really wasn't enough, at least for now.

"It is natural to be confused, Shiraishi-san. Such a topic is never straightforward," the pâtissière said as she opened her eyes again. "That said, so many look for romance not realizing it is not romance they are looking for."

Misha picked up the danish and finished what little bits were left of it before setting the plate aside again and looking at Izumi with a cheerful smile. "If it is of any comfort, every student and teacher here, even myself, when we go outside and at our classes, we all put up a front, a mask, so to speak. Some try to be more professional, or want to come off as 'cool' or 'trendy' or, bless them, simply 'superior'...tch"

A scoff then a chuckle irreverently slipped through Misha's lips as she shook her head. But a smile curled on the baker's lips again, and she raise a finger. "Ah...then how about this propsal? Here in this room, our dorm room...we dispose of titles, pretenses, and masks. Here, we are...ourselves."

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

Looking back up at Misha as she spoke, Izumi slowly nodded in agreement.
"Equal, yes. I think I can adjust to that. You're saying people try to be professional, which I can agree to. Some of my classmates are... it's like there's two sides to them. One side's a Yamato nadeshiko, and the other's.. immature? I can say I'm trying to act ladylike at times, I suppose."


She sipped the last of her tea.
"I just.. thought'd it'd be best to ask someone I know the most here about a subject like this. Especially seeing as well, I don't really know anyone else I could speak to. Sorry if I just.. seem a bit off at times, but that's just how I feel. I suppose I could call you a friend since I trust you?"
She grinned.

"I think I'll have to apply the same sort of optimism in regards to others, if I am to make more friends. Not overbearing, but enough to show my personality to the point I can show my true self. Shiraishi Izumi will aim to make a lasting impression on others, instead of being ignorant and acting like a fugitive."
The prospect of having friends seemed like a great idea, really.

Izumi hadn't really known what she was missing out on.
"I hope you understand. I don't want to keep myself as the sole person I know, besides mother. If I'm at a place as highly regarded as this, I may as well enjoy it, yes?"

Making friends was a priority, in Izumi's list of things to do.
After that? Focus much more on theater, showing just what she was capable of.
Romance seemed... like it could wait, especially as well...

"I suppose it's best not to think too much about romance, it'll only slow me down. As tempting as it is, I'll learn firstly, and see what makes two people fall for each other."
Izumi laughed, brushing her bangs aside.
"Thank you for this, Shirayama-san."

❝

Where folk from the countryside really that straightforward? It was a surprise to hear Izumi so befuddled by the notion of people having a public face despite knowing what a Yamato Nadeshiko was. The rest was rather hard for the baker to parse, though it was clear by the fragmented way Izumi spoke there was a significant level of nervousness involved. But with what Misha could understand, the barrier in place was the feeling of being a stranger in a foreign land.

So how did Misha overcome it? Did she at all? Since she arrived in Japan, beyond her adoptive parents needing to speak in English to her to bridge the language gap initially, the girl from Saint Petersburg grew up as a girl from Tokyo. Despite the pale hair and blue eyes, the demeanour the chef had put on made everyone around her accept her as nothing but Japanese. In the end, Misha resigned herself to being unable to give advice on how to fit in and resolved to simply be the first step, the first friend that Izumi would have at the school.

"Of course, Shiraishi-san, there is no need to rush regarding romance. And, you're welcome. I'm glad to have helped you," Misha replied. Slowly, she stood up, approaching the tea set. "That said, you need not wait for tea time to talk to me. Speaking of tea."

With an amused chuckle, Misha took the lid off the teapot and peered inside. Unsurprisingly, there was only a small amount of tea left inside, and what remained was dark-coloured; if served now it would taste harshly bitter. Sure, some enjoyed such a taste but Misha was unwilling to take the risk. "As I suspected," Misha mused as she replaced the teapot's lid. "Well. Time to clean up I suppose, but before that."

Standing perpendicular to Izumi, Misha put a hand in her dress's pocket for just a moment, fishing out her phone, it's pearl white metalic case with the silver-embossed clouds and moon above the thin letting of "обязывает" shimmering under the lighting of Izumi's room. She held up the phone between her thumb and index finger, like a calling card as she looked to Izumi.

"Would it be too much of an imposition to trade numbers?" Misha asked. "Not that we need to always talk, but...if you need to reach out to someone...I shall not be too far."

tag(s): Izumi Shiraishi ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww

Nodding, Izumi reached into the pocket of her jeans, and brought out a glossy, sparkly pink flip phone, contrasting to Izumi's rather plain color palette.
Pressing a few buttons, she got her number out, and presented the screen to Misha's face, her number visible for a few moments, before setting it down on the table.
"That's reassuring. I won't have to rely on myself all of the time."

Making friends seemed much, much easier than having to play up a facade of false maturity, bravado and trendiness set by others. It all made sense, thanks to what Shirayama-san said.
"And, hopefully we can learn from each other? I feel like there's a lot of wisdom to your words, Shirayama-san. I can compare you to an older sister type. Not that I have any siblings, but I'm adamant I do know the feeling."
Her eyes briefly moved to the Cyrillic text on Misha's case, and then to her face, raising her eyebrow in curiosity regarding that.

Being from Okinawa, Izumi picked up a bit of English from her mother, and could speak a little bit of it, although she never really put it to practice, as her introverted mannerisms always resorted to her hiding away from others.
Speaking in public was difficult enough, let alone speaking in English.

Shirayama-san's phone case was in...
Izumi stared for a few seconds, her mind racing to remember where she'd seen similar text.
Cyrillic, a text form originating from Bulgaria, but widely used throughout Europe, and Asia, most commonly associated with Russian.

Judging by the flow of the conversation, it'd likely be better to ask Shirayama-san another time, and not pry herself into the personal life of her roommate, and new friend. Given time, she'd ask.
Izumi's habit of getting curious into things tended to end up in her spending a significant amount of time solely interested in said thing, as was with her reading habits.

"After this, I must excuse myself, as I was going to go for a run sooner, I need to get dressed. I didn't want to impolitely decline making conversation, so we could be acquainted with each other. So, if my number isn't reading properly, please tell me later on, thank you. I won't be taking it with me while I run, so I'll just leave it on my bed when I'm outside. Apologies for leaving so soon, but I'll forget otherwise."

She stood up, grabbing a nearby sports bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and shakily left the room, nearly stumbling over as she exited through the door.

When the next class started, Izumi assured herself she'd try not to be as shy, and be more open with herself, instead of sitting in the corner, with another inner monologue about how things were extremely passe to her, as she wasn't participating.

Thank you, Shirayama-san. I'll do my best to hold true to your words.

Still, that slight panicky feeling was there. What was she nervous about, exactly? Wanting to impress her new friend? Or just nervous that said friend could leave at any moment? Being alone gave her time to think, but it also meant she had no one to rationalise things, save for herself.

Hopefully, that feeling would go away sooner.