[Kuzuryuu drags the nail of his index finger across the side of his cup, staring into the liquid like it contains all the secrets of the universe or something. It doesn't actually make any noise, it just appears to be more a subconscious fidgeting on his part. Something similar to how he futzes with his tie when he's embarrassed or flustered. In this case though, he seems to be thinking. It's a relatively straightforward question, just a simple yes or no and yet...he doesn't seem to be able to answer it readily.]
[Because it would be a lie to say that he's never had feelings like that for Peko. But if those feelings DO still exist, they're on a level buried so deep that Kuzuryuu isn't even aware of them anymore. More than anything, he wants to be FRIENDS with Peko. And that alone is proving to be quite the feat. And that's not even getting into the issues of his family and her position and all that shit.]
Remember what I said back when we first met? Peko and I...we can't truly be called friends. We've known each other our whole lives and she's very important to me but...we were never allowed to be friends. Or equals, for that matter. So something like dating... [He trails off.] It wouldn't work out. She still can't even call me by name if other people are around, and she still sees me as something that she needs to protect.
[He swishes the tea around in his cup. This whole time he's been talking more to the teacup than to Mabel and it doesn't look like that's changing just yet.]
I'd rather have her as my equal and my friend than my girlfriend. So I guess...the answer is no. I don't.
action;
[Kuzuryuu drags the nail of his index finger across the side of his cup, staring into the liquid like it contains all the secrets of the universe or something. It doesn't actually make any noise, it just appears to be more a subconscious fidgeting on his part. Something similar to how he futzes with his tie when he's embarrassed or flustered. In this case though, he seems to be thinking. It's a relatively straightforward question, just a simple yes or no and yet...he doesn't seem to be able to answer it readily.]
[Because it would be a lie to say that he's never had feelings like that for Peko. But if those feelings DO still exist, they're on a level buried so deep that Kuzuryuu isn't even aware of them anymore. More than anything, he wants to be FRIENDS with Peko. And that alone is proving to be quite the feat. And that's not even getting into the issues of his family and her position and all that shit.]
Remember what I said back when we first met? Peko and I...we can't truly be called friends. We've known each other our whole lives and she's very important to me but...we were never allowed to be friends. Or equals, for that matter. So something like dating... [He trails off.] It wouldn't work out. She still can't even call me by name if other people are around, and she still sees me as something that she needs to protect.
[He swishes the tea around in his cup. This whole time he's been talking more to the teacup than to Mabel and it doesn't look like that's changing just yet.]
I'd rather have her as my equal and my friend than my girlfriend. So I guess...the answer is no. I don't.
[Like like her, that is.]