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[Don't judge Keicho, he's a troubled boy. Okuyasu nods, wiggling the picture as if to emphasize how cute at least half of his family was like 14 years ago.]

Uh huh, that's Keicho. He never learned how to do his hair better, if you wanna know. [Which she surely must, because just look at that mess...] I don't really remember my mom, but at least I look more like her than my old man.

[haha, right?? right.]

[Questionable hairstyles are a thing where she's from, so she doesn't see anything wrong with Keicho's? But like that even matters after he drops that comment about his mother. OOPS. It's a silly thing to feel guilty about, of course, and he doesn't seem very torn up about it, but she feels that familiar twinge all the same. Making him think about his mom is... mean...]

O-Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. [She glances back down at the woman, briefly wondering what happened to her, before giving him a slightly awkward smile. Asking would just be rude.] You really do look like her. And... I'm glad you showed me this. It must mean a lot to you, so thank you, Okuyasu!

[This is, like, a billion friendship points? He might not even think that this is a special moment, but she certainly does.]

[No, no, he loves his mom!! Objectively speaking, considering how young he was when she passed. It's fine - at least, he doesn't look devastated about it right this second, blinking at Ochako's seemingly abrupt shift in attitude from a moment ago. Truly, there are worse things about the Nijimura family...

Ah, but he's being called out on his soft center, so he scoffs a little and looks away, like he does literally every time he gets called on his soft center. She's right, but does she have to say it out loud? Gosh.]

Yeah, yeah... You asked to see it, so, y'know. [Very smooth. That picture's going back in his pocket, where it will rest and not incriminate him for anything else.] So, we going fishing or what?

["Abrupt shift[s] in attitude" are everyday Ochako™ things, so get used to them, Okuyasu. You're stuck with her now.

...Especially after that reaction. Her tremulous smile turns genuine as he tries to play this whole thing off, but she keeps her lips firmly pressed together to ensure that she doesn't laugh. Tough guy tries too hard to act tough—how silly! It's not like she would ever think to judge him.]

You've earned it! First, though— [She stretches one hand out to him, blue marker balanced in the palm of her hand.] You probably want this. And I brought my picture, too? If you want to see it, I mean! You don't have to, but I didn't think it would be fair if I got to see your family and you didn't get to see mine.

[Let her gush about her family.]

[Thanks for not laughing at him.... he appreciates it. He also appreciates the marker, perking up again as he reaches to take it and immediately pop the cap open, like he hasn't seen a Colorful Thing since the legendary beforetimes...]

Oh—sure, okay. I just keep mine in my pocket. [All the time. But he's tough. She can show him her family, he's down for it, and in the meantime after he looks around for something to write on and comes up empty, he'll draw a dot on his own hand.

Nice.]

Shit, no way, it really works... your friend's ability kicks ass.

[It's the simple things in life, right? She watches him mess around with the marker, pleased to see that he's so pleased with her friend's little creation. And to think that it cost a single fish buck... what a deal.]

Momo's amazing, so of course it works. I'll tell her that you like it!

[Oh, right—with the reward turned over to him, it's now her turn for show-and-tell. Hmm. Her eyes flick down to the picture grasped tightly in one hand, expression softening, before she brings it up between them and flips it around for him to see.]

It's only from last year, and I don't have any brothers or sisters, but, um... this is my family! [The obvious love in her voice? That sappy look on her face as she studies the photo? It's clear that this adorable girl cares very, very deeply for her parents, and she's not the slightest bit ashamed of it.] We were celebrating my birthday, even though I told them that they shouldn't make a big deal about it...

[Before the day is out, he'll have drawn a cool S on his laptop, just wait. For now he just caps the marker and spins it idly between his fingers while he leans over to look at her picture... and dutifully does not say something like "your mom is hot," as he is inclined to do... that would be Crude.

She's so earnest about it, though, Okuyasu would give her a friendly noogie(tm) if she weren't a girl he's known for like, a few weeks. One day.]

Yeah? Your family's cute, [he says in his Tough Guy way, but it's true-!! Some might say Okuyasu has just cause to begrudge other people their cute families who aren't dead or otherwise awful, but he doesn't—he just rubs at his neck, awkward in that typical teenage boy way, trying to say something is sweet without sounding like a wimp.] You guys look happy? That's lucky.

[yeah!!!! 10/10]

[It's lucky that her family is happy? Pulling the picture back to her, she tucks it safely into her belt as she turns that thought over in her mind. His family looked happy, too, but maybe things changed after his mother... left. How unhappy did it get? It's none of her business, and yet... she finds herself worrying about him all the same. Okuyasu can be rude, reckless, and very, very loud, but she genuinely likes him.]

Thanks. I'm grateful for everything that they do. [She beams back up at him, searching for a positive aspect to focus on. There's always something!!] But you're lucky, too, you know? It must be nice to have an older brother!

[Ochako........]

[Well, she tried, and that's what counts. Okuyasu makes a face, not quite a grimace but not quite the beaming smile thrilled about his big brother that she's probably hoping for. He rubs his neck again, pausing while he musters all of the tact he has to use--]

Yeah... sure, most of the time. You- well, you don't have a brother, but brothers can be a real pain, trust me.

[And then they die, and probably deserve it, but that's a story for another time and not Fun Fishing Day.] My bro looked out for me when we were little, y'know? So...

[shhhrug. fishing? fishing.]

[Oh, but that expression on his face. Her lips press together to form a thin line as she looks up at him, because whoops. Whoops. Way to keep making things awkward, Ochako! Family talk is clearly off the table for the time being, so she'll just jump right on that clear attempt to segue to a less awkward topic. Maybe if she just... forces a smile and pretends like everything is fine...]

S-So! Ready to go? The sooner we leave, the sooner you get to eat something that doesn't come out of a can.

[It's fine, it's definitely fine... But alright, Okuyasu can't say no to food that isn't from a can. He shrugs, one last final dismissal of the family time topic; it's definitely fine. Now, food.]

Yeah, let's kick it. You need me to carry something, or nah?

[Are they going to float all the fishing stuff down to the river for style points? He can go for it. Follow him, anyway, back to the door and outside.]

[Alas, there is no need to make anything float—for now. Ochako happily follows his lead, reaching down to fumble with the small pouch attached to her belt as they emerge into the dull grey world. It's easy to shift right back into her happy, talkative self when she has something new to focus on.]

Not yet! You only need my net, and it's not exactly heavy. [She falls in step right beside him, holding her prize out for him to see. It is, in fact, a net. Amazing.] It's quicker to use than a fishing pole, but I guess you could fish the old-fashioned way if you wanted to. You do have lots of time to kill.

[Style points are going down for this fishing trip... maybe he'll just ask her to float fish around for fun, that seems like a reasonable request to make. Later. For now it's time to walk, mercifully not very far to reach the water from his cruddy Bluo house. He doesn't trust any of the bridges or what might have once been little docks for the boat houses after his first excursion jumping all over the place, so they're going to fish from... just the ground!! That's fun.

It is worth noting that Okuyasu doesn't know what to do with this fishing thing besides throw a net, maybe? What is the process?]

I'm hungrier than bored, so let's get some mutant fish and get outta here.

[It's not like Ochako is just going to hand him the net and tell him to go wild. As soon as they're down by the water, she grabs the long string attached to the net, gives the whole thing a good shake, and holds it out for him to take.]

Loop this part around your wrist, okay? Then you need to grab the bottom of the net—that's the part with the weights—and swing the whole thing over into the deepest part of the water. As soon as it hits the bottom, you yank it right back up!

[She looks up at him expectantly, confident that he caught that whole spiel. This isn't rocket science.]

[He manages "loop this around your wrist," so he does that, and then... grab something? He'll grab the net in a spot that's close enough to the right place, and move to just march into the water—but wait, wait.]

Where'm I supposed to go? [He's this close to kicking his shoes off and rolling up his pants, please assist.]

[Patient as always, Ochako points for him to stand just beside the water. This isn't too bad of a start? He's going to be a fishing pro in no time.]

Stand there and throw it in. You can see the deepest part, can't you? The really dark grey part? [She mimes pulling the net back and casting it outward.] Make sure you toss it right on top of that!

[He can do it!!]

[He looks, and...] Yeah, okay.

[And now he's unwinding the net from around his wrist already, because he's most definitely summoning The Hand and holding the net up for the Stand to get it looped around the appropriate wrist and ready to toss instead. There is no way this is actually necessary, but The Hand throws harder than Okuyasu, so it's fine.

Using an extremely powerful Stand to go fishing is the most appropriate use of Stands. The Hand balls the net up and pulls back like it's a baseball, chucking it out to swing over the deep water and land with a splash. Tada!!] Check it out!

[It's a creative method, to be sure, but using that giant thing to toss a lightweight net a few feet is absolutely stupid... and completely hilarious. She snorts lightly once it splashes down, trying to suppress a laugh as she finally turns back to him.]

That's cheating, you know!

[But The Hand just looks so serious? And Okuyasu looks so pleased? It's all too much for Ochako, who, after one last desperate sputter, doubles right up with genuine laughter.]

No it's not! You wouldn't think so if you couldn't see The Hand, so there—not cheating.

[This logic is absolutely backwards, since it would be definite cheating if The Hand weren't so obviously right there, but whatever!! Okuyasu still looks pleased with himself while the Stand deals with the actual fishing; he's not even looking anymore, having turned away from the water to look back at Ochako.

He made her laugh - that's like 50 friendship points right there!]

Hey, hey, I don't think you're taking my dope fishing skills seriously!

[She's trying so hard to get her amusement back under control, but, despite her best efforts, all it takes is the mention of his "dope fishing skills" to set off a fresh fit of laughter. Who says that?! Honestly!

After another solid minute, though, her laughs begin to give way to giggles. Better late than never. She straightens back up, giving her eyes a quick swipe as she takes in a deep breath.]

I can't believe you did that! [One last snicker escapes her, because ah, how silly.] But you did get the net way out there, so I guess it was a pretty smart idea.

[Also, for the record? It was TOTALLY cheating.]

[They're dope, Ochako! They are fresh to death! Obviously. Okuyasu gives her her giggling minute, making sure that he's still looking totally cool about dope fishing skills over here (there may be a pose). The Hand is still overly-seriously handling the net, but technically this is multitasking on Okuyasu's part - dope fishing skills: Stand fishing without looking.

The Hand has fished up some gray lumps. Okuyasu's expression falls; ew.]

Yeah, all the way out into nasty-ass mushy seaweed water... [is there seaweed in lakes? he knows not and cares even less, ewww, The Hand tosses the net back out again.] How long's it supposed to take?

[No, don't pose! Her sides hurt enough already!! She's just going to study his catch very carefully, gently nudging one of those lumps with her foot. Not even a single tiny fish, huh? This boy has some baaaaad luck. But, as always, positivity is the name of the game...]

Sometimes it takes a while, but don't let it get to you. Just keep trying until you catch something!

[He will pose as much as he wants, thanks!! It's in his blood. He doesn't have a pose for looking dejectedly at the nasty seaweed clumps, though, so that's over even before it began.]

Can't believe this is the most exciting thing we have to do around here...

[Wow, okay. Go ahead and act like a giant baby, Okuyasu! Even if it is kind of boring around this town, there's no way that Ochako is going to join in that little pity party of his.]

There are lots of things to do if you look. You can talk to new people, go exploring, write poems... [Yeah, she remembers!!!] At least fishing is relaxing!

[And surely he's going to catch something this time? Surely his luck isn't that bad?]

[Write poems, she says, and suddenly looking at the water really is the most exciting thing to do, as Okuyasu winces for a moment about the dreaded poetry and then stares intently at the water where the net has been dunked in.]

Uh huh... Are you saying I am somehow not relaxed? Just look at my fishing.

[It's dope, as discussed. He's not so cursed that he'll come up empty twice in a row, at least, so he manages a whole two fish!! this time when The Hand pulls the net back up. He's done it!!]

ic inbox

he's so cute you had to edit

rude. i'm typing on my phone so excuuuusez-moi

oh i'm flattered...braving the phone for me

don't let it go to your head

it's too late for that now

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