beneathmoonlight | Inbox: Atsushi Nakajima

I heard that they were excused absences, but I understand your concern.

Thank you. It’s good to be back for a while.

Where did they send you to?

sent me tooooo
an enchanted forest! don't mind it all too much, really.

[ john sends a picture over ]

how bout you? you're in group one, yeah?

Oh, it’s so pretty! Like something straight out of a fairytale!

Yes, I was sent to a fishing village. It’s not quite as pretty, but everyone is really nice.

We’re trying to save it from being demolished to make way for a resort.

it is! i do like it a lot
and i've been photographing what i can of people's favorite flowers. you want me to send you pictures of sunflowers, if i happen upon any? not too much trouble to add you to the texting list.

well! if that especially doesn't sound like a noble cause.
then again, i wouldn't doubt if the other groups had some noble cause all lined up for em either.

I’d like that a lot, John-san. Thank you.

I suppose it is. Howard-san doesn’t like this town at all, though.

no prob!
granted, i'm no photographer. there's no way in hell i can make a living off of this. and most of the pictures i take are a little blurry because my phone isn't new, but i reckon i can really capture the good side of flowers anyway

that right? i've heard a lot of things haven't been too great

I’ll appreciate them, I promise.

Ah...yeah. It’s a long story.

Do you have any plans for being back in the city?

getting cleaned up a bit
replenishing supplies
delivering some crap
meeting up with people

so if you wanna hang out or something later, lemme know

I’d like that a lot.

Is there a forest or park nearby we could go to?

I think it would be fun to enjoy a nature walk.

sure thing.
how's hollingberry field sound in a few hours?

That sounds great!

I’ll meet you there.

[Atsushi will arrive at Hollingberry Field in the afternoon, carrying a small bag of goodies as he finds a nearby park bench beneath a lovely, towering oak tree. He takes a seat and waits, a gentle breeze ruffling his oddly cut hair as he waits for John to arrive. The park is largely abandoned today due to the overcast weather, but there’s a few people riding bikes and reading beneath the shade of nearby trees.

It’s so relaxing...he wishes he could stay here longer...but he has to go back tomorrow, unfortunately. Time to make the best of this little outing.]

[ and john will amble on over a few minutes later, hands tucked into pockets and actually having cleaned himself up from those numerous weeks in the woods, thank the lord. spying atsushi beneath the tree, he approaches with a lazy wave of his hand. ]

Hey, Atsushi!

[ and granted, nothing will ever quite meet the standards of a nature walk in contrast to what he's seen, but the smile spread across john's face says wonders as to how he's enjoying the environment anyway.

because, right. if there's greenery, he tends to thrive. ]

Hope I didn't keep you waitin' long.

Hey!

[Atsushi returns the little wave with a big, beaming grin and scoots over to make plenty of room on the bench for John to sit down.]

It’s nice out today for wintertime.

[And everything is still so green!

He pulls out the goody bag and hands it to John with a sheepish look. Inside will be a loaf of sunflower seed bread and a few strawberry-filled chocolates.]

Happy late Valentine’s Day.

[ ... oh.

peeking in the goody bag and eyes widening in surprise, john hadn't really expect something so... thoughtful? he doesn't dare to expect things from people, either, but maybe should've figured since atsushi is so gosh darned nice. looking back up again, his smile turns a bit sheepish. ]

... You know, you really didn't have to. But thanks!

[ beat. ]

I didn't get you anythin'.

[Atsushi shakes his head, smiling.]

Oh, please don’t worry! I wasn’t expecting anything in return!

[Everybody gets a goody bag from Atsushi for every holiday. It’s the law.]

I couldn’t not want to try the recipe after we talked about sunflowers being edible.

[He glances down at the ground for a second, his smile fading a bit.]

A lot stuff happened in the fishing village. Has Howard-san talked to you about it at all?

... That was a joke.

[ god what an asshole. one day john will realize he's Not Funny but today isn't that day. at least atsushi took it well. ]

[ he pulls a little baggy from one of his pockets. nothing nice, but inside are tiny tiny tiny... what almost look like specks of dirt. there's a folded notecard in there, too, covered in his scratchy handwriting. john offers it. ]

Strawberry seeds, so you can grow your own. [ through the baggy, he taps the notecard. ] Even included instructions so, you know, they can actually get to growin'.

[ annnd as for the question-- ]

He mentioned a bit! Why, what's up?

[Atsushi is the easiest person in the world to fool. Poor guy.

He blinks in surprise before another big, beaming smile makes its way to his lips, and his eyes sparkle as he takes the baggie of seeds from John. This is one of the most thoughtful gifts he’s ever received, and he looks extremely pleased to have gotten anything at all.]

Thank you, John-san! I promise I’ll take good care of them!

[He’s good at following instructions; he kind of has to be as a baker, after all.]

Oh...um. Well. Basically he didn’t agree with us trying to save the town, but I kind of understand why. I just wish that didn’t put us on opposite sides.

Don't mention it; you caught me in a givin' mood.

[ plus spreading the joy!!! of growing things!!! the instructions are fairly detailed (thank goodness for atsushi's baking background, yes), and he did use some technical terms, so hopefully the other man feels as if he can ask for clarification on any of those by now, if needed. ]

[ but at that last statement, john's expression becomes more thoughtful. he rubs his chin. ]

Well, I mean, everyone's bound to have disagreements from time to time? [ hm. ] ... Wait, you guys actually in the midst of war or somethin'?

[Atsushi will show them off proudly should they grow into healthy fruit.]

Huh? Oh, no, nothing like that! It’s more like...moral sides? Sorry, I’m not good at explaining things, but basically Howard-san doesn’t agree with saving the town.

[And Atsushi is starting to agree with him...how terrible...

He looks down at the tiny seeds in the bag with a sad expression. A self-deprecating thought crosses his mind that maybe he doesn’t deserve to be the one to breathe life into these plants when people like John exist...]

I’m not saying any of this because I think Howard-san is a bad person or anything. He has a point about the town being unsettling at times, but...

[Atsushi sighs before tucking the seeds carefully away in his pocket.]

Anyway. We’re here to relax and forget about that stuff for a while, and here I am bringing it up again. Sorry, John-san.

[Atsushi smiles at John despite the darker turn in conversation.]

Did you want to do a nature walk?

Edited 2018-02-16 11:50 (UTC)

[ john nods agreement, yes, their nature walk would be nice-- but he doesn't yet move to get up, shelving the idea for now. ]

... Well, if you're bringin' it up again, it must really upset you.

[ which may or may not be a fair guess; there's a light shrug at the apology.

he won't press, certainly, as he himself isn't quite a fan of others prying into unwelcome topics (particularly recognizing as a rift between howard and atsushi isn't his business to stick his nose into), but he'll admit to some curiosity as to atsushi's thought process here. ]

You wish you could do more 'bout that, or what?

Edited (words) 2018-02-16 16:16 (UTC)

[Atsushi, you absolute fool. Everything would’ve been peachy keen if you hadn’t opened your big mouth...]

Ah...I just... [He shifts uncomfortably.] I don’t think it’s right to destroy the town and uproot people’s lives for a resort...

[He sighs, gaze falling to the ground.]

Howard-san thinks the town and the people are too bright and happy, and it makes him uncomfortable. And I get that, I really do, but...but why not just...I don’t know, not help or hurt? Instead of helping the man who’s trying to destroy it.

[He’s not sure if he should really say this next part.]

And...I tried to help by being negative around Howard-san so he wouldn’t be suffocated by too many positive people, and it blew up in my face.

Edited 2018-02-16 16:20 (UTC)

[ ... it's not something that precisely sits well with john, either, put like that. in fact, the idea of that being the situation makes him feel nauseous. images of banks forcing poor people from land they've always cherished as their homes. images of a man that steinbeck only remembers as being arrogance, aggression, and greed, leering over the city of yokohama. i will definitely take that town. john doesn't think he's felt so much hatred, even if only through the eyes of someone else, in his life. ]

[ mm. he doubts atsushi empathized in that manner— it's clear that he's just one of those good people, and it makes his mouth press into a thin line. ]

[ but john wasn't there, nor will he be. he can only take what howard's told him as genuine. ]

You guys have different priorities, that's all. [ a pause. his tone is reserved, gaze sweeping over atsushi as he further takes in the boy's demeanor. ] Dunno if it's somethin' you should beat yourself up on over 'bout?

[ he fingers lift to brush against his bangs before he leans forward to rest his elbows atop his knees. the last statement has him furrowing his brows in confusion for a few reasons. ]

How'd it "blow up"?

Because I lied to him, thinking that it would make him feel better. [A long, exhausted sigh.] He’s already forgiven me for it, but what kind of person lies to their friends? Even if I thought it would help...

[The breeze ruffles Atsushi’s hair, and suddenly he feels all too chilled.]

I’m sorry, John-san. I’ve already ruined what was supposed to be a good time.

[He’s just so, so tired of messing up...]

Maybe one day I’ll be able to fight like some of the others. Helping out is just easier that way.

Edited 2018-02-18 02:46 (UTC)

You haven't ruined anythin', Atsushi. [ firmly. ] Still a beautiful day outside.

[ what kind of person lies to their friends? ]

[ ... no, he wouldn't lie in that manner. but others, perhaps. ... and if they're really set to have a good time here, john's decided that it's best if he doesn't reflect on that issue too much, here. he can inquire, sure-- but genuinely sympathizing more than he already has could prove problematic to that, so... ]

[ he won't. ]

[ he hopes atsushi's found someone better suited to discussing these topics. hopping to his feet, gift in hand, he allows himself a stretch. ]

If he's already forgiven you, what more do you wanna do?

[Once again Atsushi finds himself being comforted and reassured by someone rather than dealing with things on his own like he should...

When will he stop being so pathetic?]

...thank you, John-san.

[Atsushi stands up as well, stretching like a cat in the midday sun. It’s best to just leave these things behind, anyway, so he’s more than ready to actually go for a walk.]

Do you wanna stay in the park? Or go to the forest? I’m fine either way.

[There’s plenty of flowers and trees to look at here, anyway.]

Whatever you’d like to do.

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