INBOX

[gracile]

Inbox

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Haru Okumura ⬤ Persona 5
residential district ⬤ TBD
moonblessing ⬤ IRIS

info ⬤ permissions ⬤ kinklist

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[gracile]

[A brief shake of her head; her curly hair bounces softly.] I'm not sure there was ever one specific thing that did that. But... he became successful, and wanted to be more so. Whatever success he'd had was no longer enough; he wanted more.

[It's presented as simple fact, but the tone of her voice is regretful if not quite sad.] Everything in his life became an asset he could use. His employees, his company... and me, as well. He wanted to go into politics, which meant he needed to forge some connections with proment political families.

[She shrugs, slightly, her expression turning awkward, because there's really no good way to talk about this.] Having a daughter of marriageable age was one way he could accomplish that.

[piercedyourheart]

[ there's stunned silence after that last tidbit of information. just the words "arranged marriage" set her teeth on edge, but to find out a person's whole future was just a part of some political scheme?

voice shaky with anger and louder than intended, she asks, ]

What?! How is that fair to you at all? You're not some tool, you're his daughter! And--

[ she clenches her jaw in an effort to reign in her anger. this was clearly a sensitive topic for a lot of complicated reasons. yukari didn't need to dig into any of them, period. she exhales deeply through her nose and continues, ]

Sorry. I don't mean to criticize, just.... You're your own person. Nobody has the right to say who you should date, much less marry.

[gracile]

[Haru tries to not reflexively look around the cafe to see if Yukari's little raise of voice drew any attention to them, her cheeks turning a little warm.

The support is welcome, of course-- it's always nice to hear someone else say those things.] No, it's perfectly fair to criticize him for these things. In recent years, he had become twisted. [It's why she'd wanted the Thieves to stop him.] To him, I was as much an asset as anything in his bank account.

He found a young man... a few years older than us, I believe, who was the heir to a very prominent family in Tokyo politics. His name was Sugimura. [And the way she says his name betrays that she has no love for the man.

Though, after a moment, there's a soft chuckle.] I'd been about to say that I think, on some level, he convinced himself that it would be good for me, too, marrying into a wealthy, prestigious, powerful family.

...I still want to defend him or excuse him, even after all of this.

[piercedyourheart]

That's understandable. Honestly, It would be more strange if you didn't want to stick up for him at all. Mistakes or not, your dad is still your dad. You'll always want to think the best of him.

But Sugimura...ugh. Even his name feels gross to say. [ yukari takes a long sip of her coffee as if to wash away the feel of his name on her tongue. ] I'm guessing he's who you meant when you said you didn't have good experiences with boys.

[gracile]

Yukari-chan, that's not nice. I'm sure there are many nice people named Sugimura. [It's a bit of a lame, half-hearted joke given the subject matter.]

...he, however, was not one of them. [She nods in response to Yukari's supposition.] He made it very clear that as his wife, I would be little more than his property. And as his fiancee, I was still his to do with as he saw fit.

[In every way.

Haru quickly adds:] --he didn't, though. But he made it very clear that he wanted to.

[piercedyourheart]

[ there's no small amount of relief on her face when haru mentions sugimura is out of the picture. he sounded positively vile. just the idea of someone hassling a friend of hers like that makes her feel sick to her stomach. ]

I hope you let him have it when you told him to get lost. Not that you should have ever had to deal with that, ever, but still....

[ yukari looks unsure for a brief moment before steeling her resolve and lightly placing a hand on haru's. ]

I'm sorry. Nobody deserves to be treated like they're a thing. And--sure, you offered, but you didn't have to answer my question. That means a lot so.... Thanks, Haru-chan.

[gracile]

[Her cheeks turn a little warm when Yukari's hand rests on hers; she slowly turns it so that they're palm on palm.]

Thank you, Yukari-chan. It's... nice to talk about it, to be honest. [She glances away.] I'm not sure if I told you or not, but growing up, I didn't have many friends. I was used to thinking that anyone who might approach me for friendship could be using me to try to influence my father. So I didn't have anyone I could truly confide in about... well, about any of it.

[She smiles up at her.] However, now I have lots of friends! And I know what it means to be supported.

[piercedyourheart]

[ it's amazing how that simple gesture transforms yukari from 'calm, collected young woman' to 'blushing nerd' in the blink of an eye. incredible. ]

I-I didn't have a lot of friends until I joined up with SEES, either. Guess that's one of the trade-offs of getting our power, right? You go through so much with your team that you know there's always people who'll support you. Plus, there's so many of us here that we can't help but stick together.

[ a beat before she slightly ducks her head, an embarrassed smile on her face. ] But I've--definitely always got your back.

[gracile]

Yes, that's very true. How can you not trust those who've gone through such things with you? I'd trust the others with my life.

[A soft squeeze of Yukari's hand in hers.] But thank you for saying that. And I should very much like to return the sentiment.

[Then they had a cute coffee date, and went back to Haru's apartment?]

[piercedyourheart]

[ it was very cute and yukari even worked up the nerve to hold haru's hand for the last two blocks of the walk back to her place. all in all, she'd call this a rousing success. ]

Guess this is it. [ she turns to face the other girl, unable to wipe the silly grin off her face. ] So what's the verdict? How was your very first romantic date, Haru-chan? Be honest! I promise can take it.

[gracile]

[Holding hands, how scandalous!

Not really. But it does make Haru blush the entire last stretch of the walk home, and as she walks into her apartment, closing the door behind the two of them, her cheeks are a little pink.] Well... I can certainly say that it was better than being engaged!

[She holds a semi-straight face for a few heartbeats and then can't anymore, her expression shifting into a shy smile.] I had a wonderful time, Yukari-chan. Thank you so much. You're very easy to talk to.

Would you like some... oh, we just had coffee, I probably shouldn't offer you any more. [There goes her first plan.] ...would you like tea?

[piercedyourheart]

[ yukari isn't in much better shape, the entirety of her face flushed deep red. she's never been much of a dating person so hearing haru say she had a fun time makes her feel like she's won the prismatica equivalent of the lottery. ]

I should be thanking you since you're the one who agreed to this. Still, I'm glad you had fun.... And that it was just a little bit better than Sugimura. [ she grins. kidding! ] But, really, you can always talk to me about whatever you like.

[ she feels warm all over and is fairly certain that if she has another hot drink she'll overheat, but if haru is offering then how can she say no? ]

Tea sounds great! Do you need me to help out? I wouldn't mind.

[gracile]

[Haru turns around, places her hands gently on Yukari's shoulders.

And daintily pushes her back until the backs of her legs collide with the soft fabric of the living room couch.] You are my guest, Yukari-chan, and I don't mind making it myself!

[Haru says, her tone at first a little serious... until she giggles.] I'm sorry, is that too much? I just never really got to host anyone much back home, so it's nice to do this myself.

I won't be long, I promise!

[And it's not like Yukari can't see into the kitchen from where she is anyway, as Haru puts a tea kettle on.]

[piercedyourheart]

[ when haru takes her by the shoulders, all of the breath in her body leaves her in a sudden rush. it would be a lie to say that time in greatmoon groves hadn't been on her mind since then, but she hadn't thought they'd act on it again so soon. not that she's complaining. yukari tilts her head up on instinct as she's pushed back onto the couch, body already thrumming with anticipation and--

stares after haru while she happily walks away to begin preparing tea, frozen in place. seconds crawl by before yukari lets out the breath she's been holding. she had hoped--well, really, she had assumed that--

she figures this what she gets as she slumps further into the couch cushions. maybe she'd need that tea, after all. ]

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere....

[gracile]

[To be honest, as soon as her hands were on Yukari's shoulders, she couldn't help but think of it herself, either. It was a good thing that she was able to turn around and walk to the kitchen before the ruddiness in her cheeks became apparent.

Haru busies herself with setting the kettle on, pulling out some mugs and some bags of some flowery tea that's not too caffineated, since they've just had coffee, humming happily to herself; the date has put her in a rather chipper mood.

It's not long before the kettle whistles and she returns, carrying two mugs of steaming tea and sets them on coasters on the coffee table in front of Yukari, sitting next to her.

Pretty close to her.] I hope you like jasmine. I'm sorry, I realized I hadn't asked before I made it!

[piercedyourheart]

[ super close. right in the middle of the personal bubble, even.

yukari is doing her best not to stare directly at haru. she is failing, but by god, she's trying. she waves away the apology and says with a smile, ]

Jasmine's totally fine. You're already a better host than most people I know. [ she glances around the apartment in hopes that it'll distract her from the increasing awareness that their knees are practically touching. ] Your place is pretty cozy.... Is it just you here or do you have a roommate?

[gracile]

[Their knees brush against each other's, but just for a moment before Haru realizes and angles away.

She sips her tea, trying not to act like her heart is suddenly all fluttery.

But it totally is.] Haha, it's just me. I'd never really lived on my own before, even if my father wasn't around much, since we always had live-in help... I thought I might want to try it.

[The implication that they're alone, of course, hangs in the air.]

[piercedyourheart]

[ so they're completely... ah. the implication hangs so heavy that yukari can't help but shift in her seat a little. ]

Nice! Fair warning, it's kinda hard to go back to living someone once you've gotten a taste of living on your own. I've been doing it since I was 13 and don't think I could give up all the freedom. You can invite anybody over, stay up as late as you want, make as much noise as you like--

[ wait, that sounds a lot like a suggestion. which it is not supposed to be, at all.

oh, god, how is yukari blowing this so badly. ]

It's...it's nice, [ she mutters before taking a very large sip of tea. maybe this can be salvaged if she just stops talking. ]

[gracile]

Oh, I can certainly imagine. It's very peaceful like this. [She blows some steam from her tea and then takes a sip.] I think I'd like living with people again, though. It's more lively... I'm not used to complete quiet.

[What Yukari's said, though, lingers in her mind. Ther knees bump.

She coughs. And sets her tea down. Her ears are burning.

There's awkward silence in the room, because they've both stopped talking, until Haru ventures:] Is there any chance, perhaps, that.

...you might like to, um, kiss again?

[piercedyourheart]

[ it speaks to her self-control that she doesn't choke on her tea. she does sputter a bit, though, and hurriedly place her tea on the table. ]

I--! Well.... [ might as well be honest, right? they're already this far into it. yukari leans in halfway and tilts her head just so. ] Yes. I'd like that a lot, actually. Do you want to?

[gracile]

[The smile she gives Yukari is equal parts shy and excited.] It's not... truly a romantic date without a kiss, is it?

Um, to be honest, I haven't been able to stop thinking about what we did. So I would like that very much.

[piercedyourheart]

[ then if that's the case....

she nods once in understanding before fully leaning in and placing a deep, lingering kiss on her lips. while it's miles and away more chaste than what they got up to in the gardens, the hand she lightly rests on haru's thigh is anything but. and as much as yukari wants more, she won't push for it until she's sure they're on the exact same page.

please, god, let them be on the same page. ]

[gracile]

[The hand on her thigh is... suggestive, in a way that makes Haru's heart beat more quickly, but not unhappily. She's anxious in the true sense of the word, nervousness and eagerness warring for dominance over her mind.

This kiss that she leans into isn't as hungry or as deep as they'd shared in the gardens, when they'd both been firmly in the grasp of Iris.

But on the other hand, they were in public there. There was a limit to what they could have done. (Haru thinks, anyway.) Here, as has been pointed out, they're dreadfully alone. So a hand on her thigh feels just a little weightier.

Haru cups Yukari's cheek in her hands as she returns the kiss.]

[piercedyourheart]

[ iris.... a thousand questions questions that had filled her head since that moon cycle.

'what if it was just the moon? what if i accidentally led her on? what if she isn't into girls like that? and what if i am?'

when yukari had aired some of these concerns to yosuke, he had advised to trust her feelings and avoid overthinking. easier said than done. plus, trusting your feelings proved difficult when there was a moon that threw everything out of whack for days on end.

but now there is no moon and haru's hand on her cheek causes the thump of her heart to roar in her ears. humming, pleased and low, in the back of her throat, she deepens the kiss and slowly skims her fingers up haru's thigh. ]

[gracile]

[Haru is wearing tights, because she almost always does, and so Yukari's hand doesn't slide up bare skin. But as her fingertips creep ever higher, and slide underneath her skirt, there's a hitch in her breath as they kiss. For a moment she tenses.

They could really do this.

She's never done this before. Maybe they'll stop, of course, but... why? She knows it's just a matter of time, here, before a moonblessing or one of those other crazy events makes her give in. So why shouldn't it be while she's completely lucid, completely in control, and with someone she likes?

She breaks the kiss for a breath, leaning her forehead against Yukari's.] Is this position okay? Should I move a little?

[With her knees underneath her, it's not a problem right now, but maybe moving forward?]