Leisurely Expedition [Izumi/Misha]

❝

With the last bit of ingredients picked out, Misha lead the way to the cashiers. The crowd was getting even thicker and it was getting more and more necessary to dodge around the other shoppers, rather pre-occupied with snatching up the latest sales.

Misha chuckled as Izumi echoed the notion of princeliness. Though brief and few were the times Misha was able to talk to her friend Hara since they met in the theatre, she enjoyed every moment. Hara made good on her promise to watch over Mashiro, and in a rather pleasant surprise, seemed to have swept Yumeko off her feet as well. Hopefully, trying to introduce another friend wouldn't be overstepping.

That Izumi never met someone in the dance department was a surprise to the baker, considered how close the Theatre and Dance departments were, but then again, Misha figured that Izumi's nature was such that either she did know dance majors and never realized, or by circumstance kept to the more familiar Theatre students. But perhaps this was a good opportunity then.

With a smile, Misha glanced back to Izumi. "Well, to start, a name: Hara Kitakami," Misha said, turning a bit to walk past a shopping cart blocking much of the way. "An endless font of confidence and bravado, and with the skills to back it up too. Though she isn't once by major, she is a rather good actress. Just, well..." There was a sigh and a shake of the head. "Hara-chan can be quite 'charming', and she enjoys cheering people up by turning on that charm to full-blast, but..."

Just ahead of the lines for the cashiers, Misha stopped and turned around. "Don't...take it too seriously or personally. It's all in good fun, and she wants to make you smile. Once you get past that...she does have a very kindly heart and is...surprisingly perceptive. Anyways." Misha looked down into her basket to check one more time if she had everything. "Well, anything you want? Or shall we pay now and head on home?"

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

by MIZO.❉ of ww

"I am satisfied for now, Misha-chan. I think we should begin making our way back to the dormitories now."
Izumi went through Misha's words yet again, trying to come up with a mental image of what this Kitakami-san was like.
Surely, they would've had to have met before, or at least made passing glances to each other. Then again, Izumi was purposefully trying not to get herself too well known because of the reality was, she often overthought things, or was a bit slow to respond when it came to receiving information she wasn't expecting.

So!

From square one. Getting to know Kitakami-san.
No, putting it like that just seemed like she was trying something else?
Inconclusive with her thoughts, Izumi again confided with Misha-chan.
"With Kitakami-san, you truly think we'd possibly be good friends?"
Tilting her head, Izumi's eyes had a lot of hope in them, wide-eyed.

"I do wonder how you've managed to make so many friends, although I would associate that with the fact you've been here for a much longer time than me. Besides someone who you know I'd get along with in our year group, are there any.. is there anyone.."

It took Izumi a few more moments to gather her words.
"No, no.. that's.. not right- I wanted to ask if there's anyone else you think I could learn from, or better yet, someone else. Not that if I and they would get along very well, but someone.."
A sigh of frustration followed, Izumi visibly tapping her palm against her forehead as she fumbled around for more words.

"A challenge for me to get along with? I want to try and get myself a bit more integrated, although I suppose maybe asking you for every small occasion is going to be a bit repetitive, and the fact neither of us is going to know everything, it'd be easier to just go out and see for myself?"
Izumi did not understand where she was going with this conversation.

❝

So, there was really nothing Izumi wanted? Well, from the start, this entire trip had no expectations of bringing anything - the bags of pastries and treats from the bakery were a nice bonus. With a nod, Misha headed towards one of the checkout lines. Despite being just early enough to beat the swelling crowd, the lines were still a little lengthy.

"Hmm..." The baker sighed as she simultaneously set the food on the conveyour belt and combed through her thoughts. Izumi did remind her of younger sister Haruna with how shy and difficulty it was for her to approach people. So, what was the right approach?

"I will make no gaurantees that you and Kitakami-san will be good friends," Misha said as she walked down the aisle. There was one other person ahead of them, and there was quite a lot groceries to go though, so Misha felt it was safe to turn around for a bit, speaking in a very low and serious tone. "She is indeed rather amiable, and the worst case scenario is that, should you ever see her again in the hallways or elsewhere, the both of you can smile and wave and be on your way. And while adversity and conflict may make you stronger in the end, you need to learn how to walk before you can run."

From the corner of her eye, Misha could see the person ahead of them finish paying and pulling away from the cashier. Pivoting smartly, she pulled out her phone again to prepare to pay via the touchpad, speaking with a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Frankly speaking, you will not get along with everyone. Some people you will absolutely despise. And that is not a bad thing. As with any other skill, socialization is something that you have to practice. And my role taking care of my sister, my cousins, my friends, and now as part of the Student Council, has given me a lot of practice."

The somber tone shattered instantly as Misha smiled to the cashier and paid for the groceries, a sense of energy flowing through her movements as she picked up the plastic bags and pulled away, heading towards the exit. But as they neared the door, the sanfroid expressions returned. "If nothing else, Izumi-chan...please don't change yourself for the sake of trying to make friends. I've seen what it's done to people. I haven't had the misfortune of attending their funeral, but I have read more than enough obituaries. Anyways." As Misha stepped out the door, she was greeted by a warm late-summer breeze. She gave one last glance to her side to make sure that Izumi wasn't lost in the crowd.

"Well. Enough doom and gloom. Let be home," Misha said, finally smiling and leading the way. "Had fun today?"

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

by MIZO.❉ of ww

"I've had more than my fill of experiences for today, Misha-chan. It'd be best for us to head back before we take too long, and this becomes a day trip in the literal sense. Thank you for treating me. I'm enjoying this concept of friendship."
Izumi softly giggled, keeping her voice down as they were still in public.

"And with getting along with everyone, it'd be unwise for me to.. go against what you've told me, but.. I do feel like I ought to at least be courteous and polite, no? Well.. act in a more professional manner, if that's what I'm trying to get across to you... I'm not too sure, I'd just like to have friends. I don't like being alone, but I do need my own personal space. I'd rather it not get so lonely and quiet for me when you aren't around.. if that makes any sense?"

Izumi kept walking, looking over her shoulder briefly, before back to the way ahead of them, following Misha's lead.
What was best to exactly try now.. she'd been here for a little while, yet not so much of an impression was made. Upon the notion of going to another school, Izumi's main fear was that she'd be singled out. It hadn't happened yet, but she wasn't fitting in too well. She'd had a few encounters, but those were one-offs so far. Surely, Misha-chan couldn't always be there, and it'd be a bit repetetive to keep clinging to the same person over, and over.

So, branching out, forming her own bonds with others was seemingly the way to go. The only thing holding her back, was the constant worries. If that obstacle was passed, surely Izumi would have mostly whatever she was looking for.
"So, if I were to put more effort into those that I don't know, I'd get a clearer picture. That's what I want to do. To know who I can get along with."

❝

'This concept of friendship'

...that was such a strange way of putting it. Such awkward wording was expected from someone who was trying to translate their thoughts from one language to another. Misha didn't want to consider that Izumi had grown up so removed from others - there had to be another reason. The baker hid her concern with a smile as they walked down the street as it slowly started to go uphill.

And the more Izumi spoke, the more she reminded Misha of her sister and her cousins who straddled the line between wanting solitude and enjoying company. So what was the best advice? For now, Misha could only nod to show Izumi that she was following along with the conversation, pausing a bit to straighten her hair that fluttered in the late summer breeze.

"Hm...makes sense..." Misha replied once the wind died down. Indeed, she couldn't be around all the time - not that she wanted to anyways; she felt it would hamper Izumi's growth. But at the same time, there was a desire, of sorts, to safeguard her friend and roommate. Too many horror stories lurked in the back of the baker's mind, of girls who, in the pursuit of friendship, destroyed themselves.

Misha started to slow down a bit, lost in thought as they passed through the front gates of the Academy, turning to head to the dorms. After a while, she sighed.

"To know who you can get along with...that's quite a question," Misha eventually said, looking only forward. "How do you know what you can and cannot tolerate without experience?" She looked to Izumi, a rare frown on her face. "If...if nothing else, Izumi-chan, if you were to take only one bit of advice from me - if you find yourself ever uncomfortable with the people around you...leave them. It is not worth it."

She paused, stopping in her tracks. "I probably am starting to sound like your mother. But...I do wish for your safety." Another awkward silence. "Anyways...I am glad you had fun today. Let's do this again sometime." Little by little, Misha's smile returned.

tag(s): No Tag - End  ━ words: 000 ━ notes:

by MIZO.❉ of ww