View source for 449/Friends Old and New

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/10/14
|Location=Infinity University - Rooftop
|Synopsis=Madoka and Mamoru have lunch on the roof again, and it's DELICIOUS.
|Cast of Characters=8, 38
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a nice Autumn day, the sky mostly overcast but with a wide blue streak along the coast, giving the suggestion of sun later in the day. It is still somewhat chilly out but not unendurably so, especially when keeping on the jacket of the school uniform. Madoka is wearing hers, as usual, after having carefully navigated through the ever treacherous rooftop door. She sits on one of the nearby benches with her Bento box out after having hurried up in order to prepare. She takes it as a matter of course that Mamoru will show up after her firm invitation, though a small part of her is ready to get a text or call saying he can't make it after the urgent way he exited the Hospital the other day.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Bento itself is quite the spread- not quite twice in volume of her usual ones. As expected of Tomohisa Kaname when asked by his daughter to make a lunch for two he pulled out all the stops, creating a delicious, seasonably appropriate fare. It's currently sitting next to Madoka, just off to her left side, and she's happily preparing things for easier consumption.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The door makes its horrifying sound of opening once more -- Mamoru makes a mental note to try and remember to bring some WD-40 and maybe a lathe after school to deal with it, but he always forgets -- and the upperclassman comes out, smiling faintly. "Yo, Madoka-chan," he says, lifting a hand and coming over. He's moving a little stiffly, like maybe he was in a fight last night and hasn't completely recovered, but that's something she's probably used to from him by now.<br /><br />Before he actually sits down, he glances at Madoka's lunch and his eyes widen. "Oh gods, he really did go crazy with it, didn't he? Please tell him thank you for me," he says earnestly, carefully lowering himself to the rooftop to sit next to Madoka against the wall. A pause. His mouth is watering. He is clearly UTTERLY DISTRACTED by the spread, which may have been part of the plan.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The door opens and Madoka can't help but look over with a hopeful expression. When the upper classmen calls her name the hope turns to cheery brightness, "Mamoru-kun! You made it just in time." Her hand lifts and waves as well, first as a just a friendly hello and then motioning him to come over and sit by him. Though it would be incredibly easy for anyone spying on the two, perhaps from one of the other spires of Infinity, to mistake this for something romantic it isn't the case at all- at least not in Madoka's eyes.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She watches the way he moves and sits with a soft, concerned, "Hmm," no doubt wondering what caused that stiffness. The topic is quickly and easily changed, however, to the spread before them. Along with a small assortment of fresh fruits, grapes, and cubes of cut up pear among others, are two traditional triangular rice balls along with several specialties. First is a small lidded thermos containing mushroom soup that's to be poured into a pair of ceramic cups, filled with delicious home grown potatoes and carrots, but most importantly large slices of Matsutake mushrooms. This seems to be the start of the meal because Madoka already has the thermos uncapped and the soup pouring, handing the cup to Mamoru and setting the other beside her before setting the long Bento box on her lap.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inside it is steamed rice of the freshly harvested variety, moister and slightly sweeter than normal with an inviting aroma, adorned with subtly flavored ginko nuts for a bit of crunch that doesn't overwhelm the 'new rice's unique flavor, one full half of a salt grilled silver Sanma fish, deliciously fatty with a crisp skin from the grill with a few pieces of cut lime and a tiny cup of soy sauce to garnish, and a small pile deep fried sweet-potato croquettes for desert that Madoka can't seem to stop peeking at.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll be sure to tell him how much you enjoyed it, Mamoru-kun." She offers him a pair of chopsticks to pick out what he likes at his own leisure before getting some for herself, taking a bite of rice and eating it before making a high, happy noise. "Isn't this so much better than takeout?!" It was definitely part of the plan.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Taking the cup, Mamoru relaxes back against the wall with it, and just lets the quiet of the rooftop and the bright cheerful friendship of Madoka sink into him along with the warmth of the sun and the hot deliciousness of the soup. The change in his demeanor is striking: relaxed Mamo enjoying himself is very very different from tense Mamoru trying not to let his worry bleed out.<br /><br />"This is way better than takeout," he agrees almost lazily after a couple of sips. "It's just that the takeout's been nice since I really like this new kid, and he needs to make friends with people just as much as you did when you got here." A bright, sidelong glance at Madoka, then, full of a mischief she doesn't normally see from him, and he adds, "Plus he's trouble. I mean, just normal trouble, you know? I have good enough grades and participation to get away with a little misbehavior, but I don't want to drag you into that on accident, or I'd've already introduced you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The perceptible change in the young man's demeanor helps brighten Madoka even further, and she's smiling happily as he gets his first tastes of the wonderful Bento her father prepared for them. The fact that he's able to relax and enjoy himself means that whatever else might happen this lunch is an official success! Even if it's her father's cooking she'll let herself take part of the credit for setting this up.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A look of mild surprise on her face when Mamoru tells him the reason he's been eating out so much, and she laughs. "I should have known you had a better reason than just to save a little bit of time," she says quietly with a tone of admiration. There's a faint blush on her cheeks as he teases her about her own rough start at Infinity; in truth she doesn't even feel she's over it yet. Not even after a full summer of extra classes aimed at catching her up academically. She might say as much, except she doesn't want to usurp the conversation away from this new friend Mamoru has made.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The obvious question is 'why not bring him up here to eat lunch with us?' but it's already answered before Madoka can get the words out. "I appreciate your concern, Mamoru-kun. Be careful not to get anything too risky... but I think you're doing the right thing by helping him out." She perks up and smiles, "I'm fine missing out on a few lunches like this if it means you're able to help someone else as much as you did for me."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She picks here and there in the Bento after finishing her soup, eating slowly and enjoying the meal whole heartedly. For as often as she gets to eat her father's cooking it's clear Madoka never gets tired of it. After eating a small piece of the grilled fish she sighs happily, "You can have as much of the Sanma as you like, Mamoru-kun, I already had some at breakfast when it was fresh."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a moment longer she claps her hands together and looks towards Mamoru. "I know! After we're finished you can take the leftovers to share with your friend later." There will be leftovers, of that there is no doubt. "Even if you don't think it's wise to meet him to me at least I can introduce myself to him that way, don't you think?" The idea of this seems to really please her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Sure! I can also introduce you, that's fine, and we can eat lunch up here with him too-- just use your best judgement with him, you know?" Mamoru says easily, smiling back at Madoka. He's done with his soup in no time at all, and he also starts picking different things to eat together, looking entirely like he wants to crow over different choices but being generally entirely too reserved to do that kind of thing without wearing a mask and cape.<br /><br />He blushes faintly himself at her praise of him and deflects a little bit, waving his hashi around with a piece of fish between them for a second. "I also kind of feel like I should know him -- like I SHOULD be friends with him, you know? Maybe in another life, I was. Have you ever known anyone like that?" Then he eats the piece of fish, and that shuts him up for a little while, because delicious, and he wants to eat more, and he's HUNGRY so he's not really doing the savoring thing so much as the delighting and devouring thing.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka nods a little, "As long as you're there with the both of us I'm sure everything would be just fine, Mamoru-kun. Especially when there is such delicious food to share!" Who could waste energy on causing trouble when there's such delicious food as her father makes? She smiles to herself as he tries the various foods; no one could ever say that Madoka didn't take pride in her family.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The question has her pausing her meal for a moment, curling her finger and setting it under her bottom lip as she looks up towards the sky. Her eyebrows come together for a moment as she thinks on what should normally be a quick, off the cusp response. "Sometimes I feel that I do, but it never lasts for long, and I always forget about it afterwards. Once I had this dream..."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She seems to focus hard for a second before shaking her head. "I can't remember it anymore!" she announces in a 'I must sound very silly right now' voice. After snapping up another small bite of fish she takes one of the sweet-potato croquettes and eats it in a single bite, closing her eyes and enjoying it fully; she couldn't wait any longer! It's clearly a favorite.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mamoru laughs, ducking his head. "You also know better. But don't worry about me getting into anything risky, I know my own boundaries. It's just--"<br /><br />There's an echo of something a little fond and a little wistful in his voice, and for a moment, his manner echoes the source of the peace he's given her in the past. He looks different, older and younger at once, somehow. "It's just that he reminds me I shouldn't be serious all the time. Something about him."<br /><br />Then he shakes his head and grins, waving a dismissive hand again, and shares a self-amused look with Madoka. He's pretty sure he sounds very silly, too. "Anyway, you're right, delicious food should stave off *any* kind of shenanigans!" There's a pause, and he tilts his head, looking fond and entertained all at once. "You should eat the last croquette, too." After all, he's gone through probably more than she might have expected him too; maybe he's full and doesn't think his new-new friend will miss what he doesn't know about.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka finishes eating the treat before looking back over to Mamoru, "It does sound like the two of you should be friends if he makes you feel that way. Being able to relax and enjoy yourself is something that everyone needs." She turns momentarily serious while picking up some rice with her chopsticks, adding, "Especially with the kind of things you're caught up in..."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serious time doesn't last very long however as she smiles, "If only my father could cook meals like this for the whole world, everyone would be too happy and full to make trouble!" At his last comment she looks down at the piece of delicious fried sweet-potato and seems to consider, looking awfully tempted. "Are you sure?" She considers for a moment before saying, "I guess if there was only one there wouldn't be enough to share!" Before quickly taking it up and eating it, again with the same look of satisfied joy on her face.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And also a rare glimpse of Madoka playfully looking as if she's gotten away with something.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>That glimpse gets Mamoru grinning like it'll break his face, which is equally rare. Impulsively, he leans to give Madoka a quick hug. There's nothing in it but friendship and affection, no powers, no romance, no anything but the knowledge that she likes hugs.<br /><br />Then he starts, still smiling, to pack up what's left of the untouched food. "And hey, after school, I'm going to be helping my--" Why is he blushing. He's not looking directly at Madoka and he's steadfastly trying to bull through the blush, but he is definitely pink in the cheeks. "--uh, my friend Usagi. With her homework. Probably at Crown Fruits Parlor, because sometimes she needs milkshake reinforcement? Especially with math-- and she's in eighth grade too, and you actually remind me a lot of her, I think you'd be great friends. Do you want to come along?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka laughs and leans into the hug when it's given, not returning it fully only because she still has her chopsticks in her right hand. There's no doubt that she does enjoy the hug though, the way it lights up her face even more than it already was. When he releases her she begins helping pack the food as well.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks up when he mentions his friend, there's no surprise at all that he has many friends she doesn't know, only to see him blushing. That's... not normal at all! "Hm?" There's just the faintest rise in her voice at the end of the syllable, that noticeable but light teasing as much trouble as she's going to give him. If there's a girl he's actually interested in she'll be very happy for him!<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which is good, because that specific girl would probably be streaming crocodile tears of misunderstanding if she saw this friendly meal the two just shared.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'd love to meet her, Mamoru-kun, and I can use all the help I can get with my studying." She smiles a little when told she reminds him of her. Then after a moment she looks thoughtful, "If nothing comes up I'd be happy to come with; I'll send you a text when classes get out, okay?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>He doesn't even deny the light teasing tone, he just glosses past it, the tint to his face deepening slightly. He gets very Boy about it, sounding kind of huffy and self-important and upperclassman (and tsundere). "Well so does she." But then he relents as he picks himself up, then offers a hand-up to Madoka, who's got the leftovers.<br /><br />"I really think I should start up the study groups again. Mako-chan is less cranky about me these days, so I'm sure she'll come back," he says, smiling again. "I'll be looking for your text! Don't be late to class -- I probably will be, I have to make a few calls before I come back down, so don't wait for me."<br /><br />He will, however, get the door for Madoka.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That gets a laugh, "Then you're right, we probably will be good friends!" Madoka takes the helping hand up while smiling. She follows over to the door, looking eternally grateful as it's opened for her. "Thank you! I think you should; you're very good at explaining things to people and helping them figure things out. You are with me, at least."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She steps through the doorway only to pause and turn around. She shifts the bento box into her other hand before lifting onto her tiptoes and giving him a quick hug with one arm, "It was nice getting to eat lunch with you like this again, Mamoru-kun. Thanks for meeting me here." She gives him a quick smile and then hurries off to class.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's always very nice for me too, Mado-chan, and if you ever need anything-- but you know that," laughs Mamoru as the short pink-haired ray of sunshine hurries down the stairs.<br /><br />It's not until she's gone and the door closes that he starts sending a lot more texts, then takes out his Virtue phone and makes a couple of calls.<br /><br />After that, he hesitates for a moment, then decides to skip class for the rest of the day to look for Kyouko some more. A glittering rush of deep colors, and Tuxedo Kamen jumps off the roof of Infinity University to do a lot of things very quickly.<br> <br>
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