◎ Bout 2: The age question [action/voice]

[thunderfists]

[action]

[Akihiko's been adjusting well enough to Luceti following the crash back to reality that Luceti was a different world that was not the TV world he was supposed to have appeared in. He's back to a "civilized" level of hygiene and no longer running around in survival pants and a cape -- no, now he's back to sweatpants and T-shirts for his jogs and training. He can be found jogging on the village roads and into the forest, which he's now fairly familiar with after spending so much time out there.

Later in the day, after he's finished with his training for the day, he opens up his journal. Ever since that "experiment," he's been wondering something. But before he asks, he should probably introduce himself...]

[voice]

Hey. I'm Akihiko Sanada. I arrived here in the recent ... cycle. I guess that's what you call it. I've heard that I might have met some people here before, so I thought I'd warn you that I don't remember ever being in Luceti.

Anyway, I've got a question. How do you decide when to celebrate or acknowledge your birthdays here? There can be a lot of different kinds of calendars, even in the same world, so... I'm curious how other people handle it.

Also, if anyone knows how I can get my hands on a speed bag, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Comments

[emp3thy]

I remembered I still have your cape.

[if you saw him wearing it at night during the memory loss experiment...

...please forget.]

[thunderfists]

[...Right. This was bound to come up at some point.]

So? What'd you think of it?

[Yes. He's asking that question.]

1/2

[emp3thy]

[ . . . ]

[emp3thy]

It's warm.

[thunderfists]

[The smile on his face makes his approval obvious.]

See? It's perfect for travel.

[emp3thy]

[Oh Akihiko...]

Is it waterproof?

[thunderfists]

It was, originally. [He'd thought this through. Really.] It's worn out a little over the years.

[But it was still in good condition. Just a few tears.]

[emp3thy]

The years?

[...just how long has he been hiding this thing...] Where did you get it?

[thunderfists]

[He slows down in his jogging in place, looking thoughtful.] ...I've forgotten the name. It was back in Japan. Small shop -- closed down maybe a year later.

[emp3thy]

[He.... can possibly see why, if this is all they sold. There's not a big market for capes.] I thought maybe you'd gotten it overseas.

[thunderfists]

Oh no. This is an antique. [He's not using this word the way it should be used.] Not everyone has a boxing cape.

[The way he speaks, it's like he's using an actual term.]

[emp3thy]

...A boxing cape?

[Yeah, he didn't know there was a term.

...Are you sure there's really a term?]

[thunderfists]

Yeah. You know, like how professional boxers wear boxing robes before and after matches. I got myself a boxing cape.

[It's a term. That he may have been was real.]

[emp3thy]

I.... see.

[He's not sure it's accurate. A cape is not a robe.

But, whatever makes his senpai happy...] Did you wear it for school matches?

[thunderfists]

Sure did. [He sounds pleased, thinking back on those days.] It was in better shape back then, but it's kept its color well.

[emp3thy]

[And... what did Shinjiro and Mitsuru say about this back then...]

A pink cape wouldn't suit you.

[thunderfists]

[It's possible it's a bad memory blocked.]

Yeah. It wouldn't suit you, either.

[Implying he would still have the pink cape long enough for Minato to use it.]

[emp3thy]

I don't think it suits me right now, either.

[thunderfists]

[...That brings up a good question.]

Why did you end up wearing it, again? I know it had something to do with all of us having amnesia, but I never did get the story on you wearing my cape.

[emp3thy]

[> ....You wish he hadn't asked so directly.

Make up a lie
> This is Akihiko, just tell the truth]

The card said I was a caped crusader.

[thunderfists]

[Lies are not usually well-taken by the man who has trouble holding back with his punches.]

...Like a superhero.

[Not really question there.]

[emp3thy]

[That and Akihiko really has no room to make fun of him here.]

Yeah.

[thunderfists]

[Akihiko? Make fun of people?]

Well, if that's the case, the color would have worked just fine.

[emp3thy]

...I guess so.

[......] I'll go and get it for you.

[almost as an afterthought] You can come in.

[thunderfists]

[Reluctant agreement is still agreement.]

Okay. Lead on, Leader.

[There might be the slightest bit of wryness in his voice as he stretches.]