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[ It's true that she's still on the verge of being an easily spooked wild animal in the headlights of an oncoming car--or just completely innocent person walking by. And she'll have to think this through properly, but it doesn't have to be right now.

Truthfully, after explaining almost everything to Robby, Tsuruno can't help but think it might be nice to shut that thinking off a little bit longer and just go with impulse right now. Impulse within reason. ]

Someplace private sounds like a great idea.

[ For a little while, at least. The idea of kissing Robby more than once (or twice) is already a little too appealing, but the last thing she wants is to get too carried away here. But he'd said it first--as far as she wanted to go. Until she wanted to stop. ]

We can take an empty apartment, near yours or mine. [ Easiest option with so many free rooms around. ]

I've got a roommate. [ Oh. ] --do you?

[ He only actually thinks to ask right then, but is going to her own place too intimate for her? You never know, and the idea of considering if Tsuruno has a roommate doesn't actually hit Robby until then.

Honestly, his other thought was a skate park, but given the spooky vibes this city loves to have hovering around the outdoors...

It's already enough that he'll need to wait to keep this up, wherever they go, but he'll be good; already moving back half a step, taking his hand from her shoulder and dropping it down her arm. He'll need to move away completely, but let him enjoy this while he can. ]

[ She shakes her head, after a short pause. She hadn't run into anyone who needed a roommate or was even looking and everyone had settled so quickly it had felt... sort of like being an annoyance if she asked. ]

No roommate, so we can go to my apartment for a little bit.

... [ With a theatrical sigh, smiling up at him, half to dispel her own nerves. ] I was going to walk you home, but if that's how it ends up, you'll have to text me when you make it back to your own apartment. Okay?

[ Well, her place it is, then. Robby will back away finally--while taking up a hand, thank you!--with his eyebrows raising at that last request. ]

Sure. If you mean you don't invite me to stay over?

[ That's what she was implying, right? Totally not something way more innocent or anything, about them ending up at her place anyway. ]

Well, because walking you home would be--

[ Again, she answers before realization hits, which is not a habit she should cultivate when talking about stuff like this, and Tsuruno kind of chokes and sputters a bit, even though her grip on his hand is firm. Time to busy herself with collecting her hat off the bench and waiting for him to grab his demon ferret so they can start walking to the subway while she's trying not to be flustered and failing spectacularly. ]

Not like that!! [ HELP. ]

I'm not gonna be able to think if you're right there the whole night, geez--!!

[ The demon ferret is right there, all it takes is a single hand to scoop up as his evil companion. Evil eye everyone along their way, friend! Even if Robby is perhaps the true enemy here, by that reaction from Tsuruno.

And all Robby does is laugh. ]

Think? [ Honestly, wow. Sorry, but this is news. ] I was just talking a normal sleepover. What're you thinking?

[ Tsuruno? Where is your brain going, huh?? ]

[ Nowhere, because Robby Keene has short-circuited it with his everything tonight!!

And she just shoots him a Look, because why does he always have to get a laugh at her own expense-- ]

I could just leave you in front of my apartment. I really could.

I'll behave! [ Look, his free hand palm showing in a sign of surrender! ] No funny business, promise. I'll stay as long as you want or don't want me to.

[ There, is he in her good books again? He doesn't even mean it teasingly when he says. ]

You just don't hear every night you could be keeping a girl up thinking about you.

[ It's cute, really... ]

[ She's suffering. She's truly suffering here. ]

I know this doesn't have to mean anything, but... [ Her brows furrow, slightly. ]

I'm someone who wants to give the important things enough attention. So I at least want to think about this properly when I can.

[ He gives their hands a friendly wave, just to go with a lightened mood. ]

That's alright. I understand. [ He can give her the space when it comes to this. ] But we'll still be friends, so if you ever want the company...

[ Well. He huffs, a sound amused sound. ] Unless you're going out making dinner plans with people, I should invite you over to mine. How about it? Mister LaRusso's always making dinner because he's used to having his whole family around. He likes a full table.

[ He leans in, just slightly, as they walk. ] I can get him to give up some nights so you can cook for everyone instead, if you want.

[ But maybe Robby is getting the vibes that she says that delight of cooking that Mister LaRusso does, too. ]

[ Oh. Well, nothing perks Tsuruno up faster than the offer to eat with (and maybe cook for) other people and her entire countenance brightens immediately and hopefully.

Robby may know her a little too well. ]

Really?? I'd love that!

[ He does laugh at the way she perks up, but it's a good laugh! The one that crinkles around the eyes. ]

Cool. I used to live alone a lot of the time, but [ a beat ] if I'm honest, it's more fun with company.

And I don't even have to try and cook.

[ ...which isn't his goal here (he wasn't cooking anyway), but between Mister LaRusso and Tsuruno? His stomach is set for life! ]

It's... yeah. [ Whew. ]

This is my first time living alone, so it's been... [ really lonely ]

... A little weird. So you're right, it's way more fun with company!

[ And his laugh is definitely better now, prompting another smile out of her.

To the subway!! She is very much relieved she's someone who keeps her apartment more or less clean and tidy. ]

[ They can talk about food along the way!! Wasn't the restaurant a family business? What prompted the Chinese food angle to it? Which is what Robby remembers about it--and Tsuruno liking heat! in her food.

A totally different subject from kissing. And you know, since Tsuruno had been asking to learn more about Robby: ]

I actually lived with Mister LaRusso for a while-- uh, when my mom had issues with making the rent. They have one of those really nice houses up in the rich side of town. With a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Me and my mom can't cook, but sitting down around the table was a big thing in his house. Was it ever like that for you?

[ She said her mom and grandma have left, but who knows what the family life had been before that. ]

[ She's happy to explain that her great-grandfather had wanted to stand out among a bunch of other Japanese restaurants so had opted for a different kind of food entirely and that was how Banbanzai had come into existence, though she's just as attentive when listening to Robby talk about staying with someone else, gaze turning sympathetic when he talks about the rent.]

A swimming pool and a jacuzzi... they really must have had some great parties.

But yeah, kind of! It used to be my grandparents and my parents and then me and my sisters. Right now, it's just me and my dad since one of my sisters is studying abroad and the other one is out of the house... though I think my mom and grandma will come back when the money runs out. [ and try to sell sentimental items. ]

But a friend of mine has a villa where she took in a few other girls and I visit there a lot and we always eat together around the table. It usually gets pretty loud. [ fondly. ]

[ Pictured: Tsuruno and Robby making sympathetic faces when the other brings up a Shitty Home/Family Situation. Though Robby doesn't feel as bad about his situation--it's mostly calm going now, these days. He certainly doesn't have a mom and grandma out there living it up. ]

Yeah? Perks of having well-off friends. [ Lucky! ] My dad announced he and his girlfriend were having a baby before I showed up here, so I guess I'm gonna be a big brother one day. But I've always lived away from my grandparents; my mom and dad were separated before I was born, so my dad and his side were never around. And my mom... didn't really like going to see hers. They argued. [ Well. ] Kinda? She didn't like listening to them.

[ It's said with a wrinkle of his nose, his expression not severe, but definitely one that says 'It's complicated'. Factors he isn't sure if to bring up, but he doesn't want to make it sound that bad. ]

It sounds complicated.

[ thoughtfully, giving his hand a squeeze. ]

So you probably weren't used to things like that until Mister LaRusso, huh?

... I'm really glad you didn't end up alone here. And maybe there's enough younger kids to give you some big brother practice.

[ He's in a good mood despite however complicated it might seem, squeezing Tsuruno's hand right back. ]

Got any pointers? I mean, seeing as you lived with a sister. Anything I should watch out for?

[ Gonna give away what a menace younger siblings can be, Tsuruno? ]

Yeah, don't tell them anything you don't want them repeating at the absolute worst minute. And be prepared to have them think you know absolutely everything, probably more than the adults do.

I think I also remember trying to ask my big sister for help when I did something I knew I'd get into trouble for, because we'd both get in trouble if our parents found out. And my little sister picked that up, too.

[ Ah, sisters.

But also we're getting off in District 2! ]

[ District 2, here we are...! Hopping off the train with Robby's laugh. ]

Wow, okay. So from what I'm hearing, I should be glad I'm probably gonna be out of the house by the time the baby reaches the age they can get me in trouble.

[ Good to know, good to know. ]

What about your dad? What kind of man is he?

[ Is Robby absolutely intrigued by this family dynamic? You bet. ]

[ Tsuruno takes the (slight) lead here, glancing over at him as she walks. ]

He's really caring but he gets overwhelmed pretty easily and he's sort of got his head in the clouds so I usually have to double-check things for him.

One time his prescribed laxatives accidentally got mixed up in a customer's food when it was left in the kitchen and I had to find the right plate before they ate it and got sick.

[ Spoken like a loving daughter though. One who has definitely made Sacrifices. ]

If you hardly see your dad, I'm guessing you're not too close? Or did that change?

[ Damn, okay, Robby is making a face at laxatives getting into a customer's food. How. How.

That's some next level head in the clouds that Robby isn't sure he wants to think too deeply about. ]

We're better these days. [ Said...slowly. Okay, okay, he's getting over the laxatives. ] I was staying with him over the summer, so we were getting to know each other. I'm still figuring him out--he's...trying. He can be blunt and he doesn't always say the best things, but he's working on it.

I watched him break a surf board over a guy's head who tried to steal and fight us.

[ How about that for making him sound cool? ]

[ Good thing she didn't go into detail about what she did to keep the customers from finding out about it, it was a Rough Time. ]

... Whoa. [ after a little intake of breath, considering. ]

I'm glad he's working on it... you deserve it. [ And he has Daniel, at least, but having your real dad work to improve himself is also super promising.

They make it to the building and thankfully, her room's on the ground level, so it's not long at all to get the door open and lead Robby in.

It's not terribly decorated but she's added a lot of warmer colors to the place, soft oranges and yellows with the rugs and couch pillows.

Taking him into her room sounds like a bad idea right now, so to the couch! ]

[ Robby should also do the bare minimal in terms of decorating his apartment, other than the bits and bobs he leaves all over the place. His roommate has possibly left some cat-shaped item around their shared space....

But nevermind that, and more minding this. He slips down comfortably on the couch, or about as much as one guy can. Of course there's some nerves, but he can play them off; they're more giddy than anything, wondering if Tsuruno might not be as interested after the interval, but--that's her choice, too, if the mood isn't there anymore.

(Kind of hoping it is, though.)

But being kinder on her is why Robby holds back on the joke about not being left outside her door that occurs to him--or, maybe that's more for himself, and focusing on the purpose of being here. Instead, Robby sits with his body turned to face her on the couch, hands tucked beside him, for now.

Before they start, there's something else he wants to mention. ]

I meant what I said about not taking this further unless you want to. If you're curious about something -- tonight, or some other day, I'll hear you out.

You can even boss me around a little, when you like.

[ It's a joke, but it's said softer, more playful than anything strong. He'd rather not lose the sincerity of what he's saying, keep them on the same page.

And if he's going to show a girl how to really kiss, she should feel like she has control of the reins, too.

(His reins, apparently. And that has him interested way more than he'd like to--

well, okay: maybe he wouldn't mind admitting it.) ]

[ Tsuruno hears him out in relative silence, her expression a little unreadable (when usually her face is its own canvas of various emotions), but she's thinking and processing his words at the same time.

Robby may tease her way more than she personally thinks he should, but he's been incredibly attentive to her reactions when he thinks there's more to them than just fluster. He's willing to take things at her pace, which she greatly appreciates when she doesn't even know what kind of pace she wants here and maybe if he had kissed her well before she'd sprung all of that backstory (and current situation) on him, she would have drawn back a little more.

There's still no real answer as to why things have shifted between them now, to this extent, but Robby clearly still wants this, even after knowing the complications she'd been trying to keep from him.

It's, again, a thought for later, and his care with her is appreciated, but Tsuruno's true nature is not a shy, fluttering and delicate individual. She can be honest with him and she can act on what thoughts aren't confused.

There's no real warning on her end, beyond shifting closer, until she's actually maneuvered herself onto his lap, turning to meet his eyes as she leans forward to press their foreheads together. Quietly, but firmly-- ]

A little further. I want you to kiss me like you'd want to if it hadn't been my first time back there.

Because it's not just about me--it's about us, right? So hit me with your best shot and let's see if I can handle you, too.

[ It's a little more challenging than she means it to sound (probably), but she's smiling at him, fondly. Even with all the nerves and confusion, the simple fact remains that this is still Robby, her friend and someone whose company she's been comfortable with for months. ]

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