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[ She can get over with her two hands and even though she kind of pauses yet again when he continues, she's the one to reach out to take his hand with a bit of a heavy exhale.

Well, it can't really be helped if things come up that aren't the usual "getting to know you" questions. That's a big part of getting to know her. ]

Ice cream and then finding a quieter ride to eat on? You can ask me things whenever you want.

[ On the way to get food, on the ride, after. ]

We could swap questions, to make it fair.

[ Her hand is unexpected, but he lets his fingers squeeze comfortably against hers when she takes it, something appreciative in the gesture. She doesn't mind slowing down; and maybe it's his previous dating experience that didn't have him expect that, but he doesn't mind, stepping in line with Tsuruno. ]

Sure. [ ... ] But you did get a head start on learning the bigger stuff. I know about your family's business, you know how I ended up in juvie...

[ What a start, huh? And he just knows she has special friendship mugs. ]

Then you can ask the first question. Whatever you want.

[ That only seems fair. It's true he'd blurted out all of that information about almost beating someone to death and going to juvie, even though she'd done her best not to hear about it. She was still just barely getting to know Robby at the time.

And, go figure, here they are now. ]

[ Whatever he wants, huh. He's still holding onto her hand as they walk--and it is warm, isn't it? He had chalked it down to his imagination earlier--and he considers what to ask first. ]

Then... how would you describe yourself? What you do, who you want to be. [ After all: ] You take investigating danger pretty seriously.

[ If Robby had to guess anything about her. But if he doesn't just chalk down her reaction to the pool monster to her experience in the mall, then rushing off like she did is a sign of someone serious about investigating and dealing with problems.

And Robby does remember things she had said then, despite the severity of everything going on. She feels like she has to take everything on so other people don't have to. ...but most people aren't trying to take on possible monsters.

In Robby's experience, anyway. ]

[ And there it is. Tsuruno lets out a quiet breath, gazing down as they walk. ]

I want to be the Mightiest Magical Girl. So to put it as simply as I can, they're girls who made a contract to get powers and fight certain monsters in exchange for a wish. They can do whatever they want outside of that, but most of us... usually try to protect people from getting caught up in weird and dangerous things back home. It's a pretty closely guarded secret; even my family doesn't know.

[ And she says this almost apologetically, because she's aware it sounds insane. ]

Back when my friend died, I... wasn't there. The restaurant was really busy and the others told me it was fine, they'd deal with the problem without me.

But then Mel died. And someone told me it wasn't on me, it wouldn't have changed even if I'd been there. And I felt like she was saying "you're not strong enough", so I decided I'd change that. I'd become strong in every way I could. Someone supportive, someone who worked hard, who could win in any fight, who always smiled and who could handle things on her own.

[ She closes her eyes briefly, voice quieter. ]

Ultimately, I think I just want to be someone who makes people's lives better. I just sorta fell into old habits here because I hardly knew anyone and I didn't want to give them someone extra to worry about.

[ Robby listens without interruption, without much change to his expression. Nothing overly shocked, no more dramatics; he watches between Tsuruno and the way they're walking, but isn't interested in their directions or the visuals of their surroundings. The story she says is bizarre from the beginning, it's true, but Robby's reminded of Izuku and his superhero school. The concrete he punched a large dent into, the lives that people have, their powers.

And the bubbly, always offering to help girl--the same he met by throwing a milk bottle at her--is the same as that. An extraordinary life, and yet it seems normal in a way; normal in that there's people like this that just exist.

But there's more to Tsuruno than just her abilities. But her loss, too.

The way she responded to it isn't so strange, really. ]

I get it. [ His voice is softer, or what the noise of the carnival will allow it to be without becoming lost in the tunes. Watching her, eyes sympathetic. ] After I got out of juvie, I thought the way I'd become a better person was to be someone who didn't rely on others, who learned to stand up by himself. [ He huffs, a sound of faint amusement. ] I did it for opposite reasons from you: I just wanted to be stronger because then I wouldn't have to trust anyone again.

...but I could do something about the hurt I'd been carrying if I became a better person, and then-- it wouldn't be so bad. Everything that happened.

[ Nearly killing Miguel. Thinking that everyone saw him as the lowlife that couldn't be saved, changed, by becoming someone who didn't have to care. Who stopped trying to be the right kind of person, and just someone who could survive, regardless.

His motives were never for other people like Tsuruno. But many people deal with hurt in similar ways, anyway.

He looks ahead briefly, but rubs his thumb against the skin of her hand idly. ]

I don't blame you for not telling me anything. [ He looks at her again, head tipping slightly. ] ...but I'd like it, if you would.

[ She's not sure what she expects to see, when she lifts her eyes again to glance at him. Bewilderment, maybe. Derision? It sounds naive of her, she knows; Henry had pointed that much out. Robby had been so angry when he'd caught up with her, upset at her recklessness. But she knows he'd been worried and the look he gives her now is a lot more understanding than she would have anticipated.

But then he continued and she sucks in a quiet breath, a little surprised. He gets it. Oh.

It sounds... lonely. And she'd been exhausted, trying to be that powerful, cheerful presence that never bent to adversity, but to make yourself strong so you didn't have to rely on anyone?

His thumb rubs lightly over her skin and she glances at their hands, then back at his face. She squeezes his hand, gently. ]

I will. It might be a lot to hear, but if you really want to know, I'll tell you.

... You have people you can trust now, right?

[ He tugs on a smile at agreement, though as for trust -- he gives a smaller laugh, short. ]

I guess I have you and Mister LaRusso. [ He voices it like a joke, and yet: ] I haven't come out here for anyone else. I was avoiding it after the mall because--it made me see myself die.

[ He does pause before admitting that, but--he'll go through with it, awkward as it is. If he's asking her to share with him, shouldn't he be honest, too? ]

What about you? Are you opening up to working together with people here too? There's a lot of magical people around.

[ To a guy like Robby. ]

[ Tsuruno doesn't quite hesitate so much as pauses briefly before lightly nudging their shoulders together, head tilted so she doesn't bonk him with the hat. ]

Okay, but how many people asked you to go out with them to the fair? [ it's light, a little teasing, after that bit of solidarity. If he doesn't want to talk about it more than that, she's not going to make him. ]

But yeah. After some weird guy yelled at me and reminded me I shouldn't do everything on my own, I wound up talking to a couple of other people about my... deal. Because at the very least, I want to be able to trust some people a little more.

I won't accidentally get you involved in anything dangerous now, too.

The heads up about your magical monster fighting experience helps click a few things. [ To be fair. ] Even if me and that really handsome-sounding guy had the right idea 'bout shouting at you.

[ A friendly arm nudge right back! ]

[ A little snort. ]

That guy? He was only kinda cute when he smiled.

[ SLANDER. But she's pointing to the stall they're now approaching--namely the soft serve ice cream machine. ]

So, chocolate, vanilla, or swirl?

... That doesn't count as my question, by the way.

I didn't know we were keeping track.

[ of the questions. But he sounds amused, and totally considers making a fuss, except-- ]

Swirl. Hit me with a question and an ice cream?

[ Tsuruno releases his hand to properly work the machine and honestly, it's been nice to have ice cream that isn't about to make you start rapping or start crying or any other thing that the usual parlor does.

But she opts for swirl as well, returning to Robby with two cones and offering him one of them. ]

Okay, then! What is it you want to do? Got any goals or dreams? It could be something not that far off or something in the future.

[ Since he definitely doesn't seem like the type of person he'd told her about, the one who just wanted to get strong so he didn't have to place his trust in anyone else.

And this way, he can tell her only what he's comfortable with talking about. Maybe he wants to learn something new or maybe he's got something he's working towards. ]

[ This is what he means by trusting Tsuruno...! Because Robby sure as hell hasn't been eating ice cream otherwise (that, and he hasn't thought about getting any from the stores). He takes the cone, eyeing it for a second, but there's the question that's got his interest before a lick.

Well... ]

Trying to get back into my old school for my last year--the one before the accident. My mom was trying to make a case for me, but if I can't, I'll get my GED. See about going into college next.

[ There's a shrug as he explains, not much enthusiasm behind it, and he tips the cone as he holds it in his hand. The ice cream itself is okay, he's just playing with it...! ]

Other than that, I don't have a dream. I wasted a few months preparing for a karate tournament that didn't mean anything, and before that, I never had any big goal. Except keeping a roof over my head.

[ Through less than clean means, but hey, when you're desperate... (or just that sick with life.)

He finally lifts the cone, but does pause. ]

Speaking of, does being magical pay well? 'Cause if I can karate a pool monster and help the community for a pay cheque...

[ :) ! ]

[ Keeping a roof over his head? Did his family have financial problems, then? Tsuruno blinks at that, pondering what it means, as she licks at her own ice cream. Might as well work her way through it while he's talking. ]

... I hate to break it to you, but it's not as great as it sounds.

[ Does it sound great? She has no idea. ]

It is kinda a shame that you can't really make money here, though. It sounds like it's been a little rough for you and I wouldn't mind taking some back for my family, too.

[ He does start on his own ice cream, since he's not the one talking; giving a moment to make a disappointed sound to monster work not being all it's cracked up to be (honestly, Robby doubted it). ]

If some big, unknowable force back home let us live rent free and have whatever food we wanted, that'd solve a lot of problems for people.

[ He does say it like a joke, but you know? Where's the lie. ]

I don't know... didn't you say you get some kind of payment for doing the job? You said something about a wish.

[ Sounds like a possible payment to him?? ]

Yeah. Actually...

[ She pauses to lick her ice cream again. Sometimes one needs the comfort of vanilla and chocolate together before talking about less happy things. ]

When my grandpa died, my dad took over the restaurant, but it wasn't the same. It was struggling pretty hard, and my dad wasn't as good a cook. So when I got... scouted, more or less, I thought about what would help my family out most, so I wished to win the lottery.

And I did, but my grandma and my mom... accidentally took the money I won and went on a really long vacation with it.

[ "Accidentally." ]

So the reason I became a Magical Girl kind of disappeared, just like that. [ With a soft huff that might be a laugh, except it's more rueful than amused. ]

There are things you're not told about that contract, too. I don't know if it was worth it in the end, but I can't break it, so I might as well keep going, right?

[ """"""Accidentally""""""

Holy shit.

Which Robby is having to bite his inner cheek on, because he knows what that's like. Horrible family situations, even if none of his circumstances were ever like that. But living on little to no money because it mostly all gets spent on other habits--

Yeah. Robby knows a lot of accidents like that. ]

I dunno--finding a way out of it sounds like a goal. [ Though... ] But how long does the contract go for? That wasn't the end of it? The wish?

[ Defeat the monsters, get the wish, the end (sorry for your shitty family)? ]

[ Robby really just finding a way to make her talk about the things she really doesn't want to talk about. It's almost like an art form. ]

... The way it works is that by taking the contract, your life kind of becomes tied to the monsters'. You have to kill them to keep yourself going.

But what they don't tell you is that the monsters--Witches, we call them--were originally Magical Girls in the first place. Ones who overdid it or got overwhelmed by their own bad feelings.

So...

[ She really is doing her utmost to just speak calmly about this. ]

Right now, the only way to end the contract is to die, I guess. On my terms or theirs.

[ Sorry that one's natural curiosity for what they don't understand leads them obliviously down into worse and worse news.

Which, really, sorry. Because while Robby's been able to semi-accept this situation of people (girls in particular?) gaining powers through some...magical means, the actual full extent of the situation makes him pause as soon as Tsuruno means her dying, his eyes trained on her and nowhere else. ]

What? [ She'll die--or get overwhelmed or--feel too bad? Robby understands the words, but hardly the correlation; it's only death that he understands, and having no out.

Maybe he's taking it to its extreme? Maybe she just means she's stuck in a really shitty contract with no immediate end, but still-- ]

But... there has to be an end to it. How many of the monsters are there? Who would make a contract like that?

[ What purpose is there in that? His questions come one after another, but not in rapid fire; but in how the absurdity of the situation hits him, from one point to the next. ]

It's a cycle.

[ He looks at her and she stops walking, taking a deep breath. ]

This... honestly, it's like a talking stuffed animal, called Kyubey, looks for girls who really need something for one reason or another, and offers to grant their wish. All they have to do is fight Witches.

But once they find out the truth or if they use too much magic, there's a really strong chance they'll turn into Witches themselves and go on rampages. So then more Magical Girls get recruited, then more Witches appear, and so on and so on. I don't really understand the whole deal beyond why, except apparently the whole process generates a ton of energy that Kyubey wants.

We were trying to find a way around it, but it's gotten complicated again.

[ She shakes her head, now flat-out staring at the ground. ]

I'm sorry. This is... just what I've been dealing with. I didn't want to get anyone involved. And I know it sounds insane and probably way more than you wanted to know, so if you want, we can call it here.

[ It's not something that he can just understand, is the thing. What Tsuruno's saying, even if the words might make sense (even if 'a talking stuffed animal called Kyubey' doesn't really make sense). But understanding it, that's put aside to the last of what Tsuruno says, and Robby doesn't care about getting it. ]

What? No. [ He's moving in to stand in front of her, putting a hand on her shoulder, the other taken up by the ice cream (and the stuffed toy just hanging out under his arm). His eyes on her, even if she might still be looking down, leaving just the silly purple hat for him to see more than her face. ]

I'm not running away from something like this. If you're going through this, then--I want to know.

[ Even if he can't do anything about it, and he knows he can't. Who can? But it's the thought of Tsuruno being here, carrying that problem with her all this time that Robby focuses on foremost. Has she been worried about it? Even in a place like this.

But who could let go of it, even here? ]

You don't have to carry this alone. Any of this. [ He sweeps a look around their surroundings, the city. ] I know I can't understand what you're going through with your contract... but if I can be here for you now, and give you someone to talk to?

[ He reaches up from her shoulder, touches the side of her head with her pulled back hair. ]

I know how much not feeling alone can mean. And I'm right here, whatever you need.

[ It's exactly what she'd told Kaveh--that not everyone was from a place where things like this happened. Honestly, the majority of Japan was about as normal as Robby's life likely was. Hardly anyone knew. Hardly anyone was supposed to know, and Tsuruno had kept all of this to herself with the reassurance that at least some of her friends knew exactly what it was like. There was really no way for Robby to understand it, and she'd thought that... Well, when something feels like too much, who's going to blame you when you want to avoid it? The least she can do is offer that much.

But he... ]

Robby...

[ It's startling, enough to get her to lift her head a little, to meet his eyes. She looks like she's on the verge of tears, but also entirely surprised. Touched. Because this... even knowing everything, he still wants to be there?

It's true, he can't understand. But the fact that he knows this, admits this, and still says he wants to do what he can, for her...

Maybe he doesn't have to get everything. He gets the most important thing, because he'd just said it. ]

Geez...

[ Her laugh trembles a bit, but she's trying. Thankfully, she's gotten through the majority of her ice cream, but parts of it are still dripping from the cone to the ground, forgotten. ]

If you make me cry after I fought the mascara trying to look cute for you, you're taking responsibility.

[ He laughs, hollow at first, but his smile is sincere as it spreads across his lips. ]

I can accept that. [ A mascara streaked Tsuruno. ] C'mere--

[ That is, have a hug on Robby, one-armed and going across Tsuruno's shoulders. It's not a long thing, and he doesn't press himself too closely to her; it's just a friendly gesture, something that he feel fits to give a friend (you're on a date with) when they're talking about getting teary-eyed.

A nice treat that doesn't disturb the remains of their ice cream cones, before or after he withdraws. ]

We can keep talking about everything--our lives, this place, or we can save it and beat each up in the bumper cars first, if you wanna get your mood back. What do you want?

[ He asks it too, like a demand, your choice. Even adding, with a smile: ]

Tell me.

[ So nagging! ]

[ It doesn't have to be a long thing. Just a hug at all is unexpected, but she appreciates it, one arm raising briefly to curl her fingers into the back of Robby's jacket before they part again.

And she shakes her head with a stronger laugh. ]

So bossy.

[ Wow. ]

I still don't know if you can handle me yet. And... [ She hesitates, then offers him a brighter smile. ]

I want to get to know you better, too. Robby Keene's honestly pretty special.

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