[There's no judgment in Oda's voice, but neither is there concern. The Dreamers here come from every set of circumstances, and Oda knows plenty of people back in Yokohama who didn't have something as nice as a kitchen. It's just the way things are sometimes.]
Once you learn how to cook, you'll get a lot of use out of that kitchen.
[Quiet falls over the table for a few long seconds. Oda feels something like guilt, but...no, that really isn't the right word. Maybe it's dread, or maybe it's anger - the keen knowledge that things will change, they will get harder, they may even become terrible, and Sakura...
[He should have someone he can go to.]
Sakura-kun. Let me tell you something.
No matter where you came from, this place is different. Things will get harder. You'll need help.
We all do. It's why we help each other.
So, just remember what I said. If you need something, you can call me. I'm around.
[ sakura has asked for help before. but never on his own behalf. help me, he told them. shishitoren. gravel. roppo ichiza. help me protect the town. where the shopkeepers gave him free food. where they smiled at him. a place where he's not treated with disgust. where he's not bullied or stabbed. where he doesn't need to duck his head down to walk ahead. alone.
this place — he doesn't know the shape of it yet. the people seem nice but different. and he's just ordinary. he's not worth anything to anyone.
he has to be realistic, right? and at least . . . take people by their word. they won't hurt him. surely . . . they won't.
his fingers clench over his pants, a tight grip. ]
[Poor kid. And he is just a kid. But he's not young enough to have his hair ruffled or boo-boos kissed away. All Oda can do is help however he can. If there's one thing he hates about this place, it's that children aren't exempt.]
I don't see it that way. I've been here longer and I know more. It's only right to help where I can.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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It's not a bad place you've got here. I always kind of wondered what one of these mushroom houses looked like inside.
[Okay. Now he can take a little bite. It's as good as curry rice ever is, but goddamn is it mild. Oh well.]
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[ this time he will hesitantly scoop up some curry and blow over it. ]
Never had that before.
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[There's no judgment in Oda's voice, but neither is there concern. The Dreamers here come from every set of circumstances, and Oda knows plenty of people back in Yokohama who didn't have something as nice as a kitchen. It's just the way things are sometimes.]
Once you learn how to cook, you'll get a lot of use out of that kitchen.
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[ and him, slightly more self-reliant. he has to stand on his own feet. who knows how long this unnatural kindness will last? ]
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[ so. he's not worried. he's been alone before. he can manage it again. ]
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But if you ever need help, just give me a call, alright?
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Maybe. I'm bad at the tech stuff too.
[ bad at everything. no one taught him, no one helped him. even in this place, he feels so useless. pathetic. ]
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Let me show you, then. After we eat.
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You don't have to overdo it.
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Well, if you'd rather me not, that's alright too.
[Sorry, Sakura. You've now been introduced to the most agreeable person in Somnius.]
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[ who is this guy?? ]
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[Now he's confused.]
What would you like my opinion on? I prefer this curry to be a little spicier, if that's what you mean.
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[What's the problem, here?]
If you want my opinion...
You're just a kid in a strange situation with a lot on your plate. [Figuratively and literally.
[Oda shrugs, sipping his water.]
Why should I tell you what to do?
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I don't — I'm fine! Like I said, I'm used to being alone. There just isn't a lot of kombinis or anything so it was just harder . . .
The magic's stuff new, but nothing's changed.
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[He should have someone he can go to.]
Sakura-kun. Let me tell you something.
No matter where you came from, this place is different. Things will get harder. You'll need help.
We all do. It's why we help each other.
So, just remember what I said. If you need something, you can call me. I'm around.
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this place — he doesn't know the shape of it yet. the people seem nice but different. and he's just ordinary. he's not worth anything to anyone.
he has to be realistic, right? and at least . . . take people by their word. they won't hurt him. surely . . . they won't.
his fingers clench over his pants, a tight grip. ]
Won't I just get in the way?
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I don't see it that way. I've been here longer and I know more. It's only right to help where I can.
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I don't have anything to offer.
[ never mind that sakura would always help and never ask for anything in return. he can't stand receiving the same treatment. ]
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[Oda shrugs.]
But I like having conversations with people. It's my favorite thing to do. [Even if he doesn't typically do most of the talking.]
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Some screwup kid who can't cook?
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I would never have thought of you as a screwup if you hadn't said it yourself first.
You're doing fine, kid.
1/2
2/2 END
we can wrap soon ohhhhh
wrapped!