[Orthrus doesn't eat them right away, instead the demon looks to Kazuya, who gives the slightest of nods, before the demon starts chowing down on those treats.
Looks like they wont last particularly long...
Kazuya moves aside as Haru closes the distance, holding the door open for her to come inside.]
It's alright. I'm the one who asked such a strange favour in the first place. [He gives a small laugh.] Thank you though, I appreciate it. I've started to really look forward to having your hot chocolates, so if I had to go without, I don't know what I'd do...
[But much like before, Kazuya's home has several dozen or so species of plant inside. It's warm enough that the cold air of the outside doesn't bother them, and some are even in a state of bloom despite the season.
None of them are Kazuya's, of course. What is Kazuya's, however, is...
The creature that immediately comes over to investigate, paws plapping loudly against the wooden floor as Juniper makes her presence known by a very loud, very welcoming, very drawn out "Miaaaaaaaah" sound.
As always, the cat has problems stopping once she achieves such speeds. Which means she runs into Haru's leg full force, face first. Undeterred, the fluffy red somali cat simply shakes it off, and puts her paws, both of them, on Haru's leg. And meows insistently.]
Ah.. Sorry. She's just as eager as always. She doesn't climb guests anymore, at least.
I'm glad you like them! I added some extra chocolate in this one just for you since I know you like that flavour a lot.
[ The whipped cream is still sitting nicely at the top of the hot chocolate, although the cup itself is cold when she offers it over to Kazuya, along with the bag with a chocolate chip muffin.
She absolutely adores the plants surrounding the home, taking a moment to take it all in until Juniper announces her entrance.
Haru doesn't jump, but does reflexively step back when the cat hits her leg. She cups her own face in delight at the cat and reaches to scoop her into her arms. ]
[The cup is cold as he takes it from her, but like he said to her before, it doesn't take much to heat it up. Just a little bit of magic, and it's up to proper, steamy temperature again.
Juniper acquiesces quickly enough to the scoop, rolling onto her back in Haru's arms to be held her favourite way: like an infant. All while giving little chattering meows.]
Mhm. It's probably her winter coat, if I had to guess. She's shedding everywhere, even after I brush her.
[He softly laughs, and motions to lead Haru in farther for a proper conversation. He won't start until she's sitting properly, of course.]
I really am grateful that you decided to deliver. It's very kind of you to do so, especially for me.
You're doing really well with your business from what I've seen. I don't think I'd ever be able to take care of a business like you have. You've thought of a lot of things!
[Honestly, it's impressive, just how much she's considered and put effort into with regards to her business.
Juniper doesn't stay down for too long. Once Haru has been properly seated, the cat jumps right back up, settling into her lap and purring obnoxiously. Kazuya reaches over to pet her.]
And.. I guess I owe you an explanation as to why I didn't wanna come around today, huh?
No, nothing like that. I'm really healthy, promise.
[He gives her a small smile, though it drops not too long after.]
Um... The decorations that you chose for your cafe... They're really festive, but- well, I wouldn't say it's a weakness or anything, but me and mistletoe don't really get along. I'm not sure if you know, but it has another name, "Devil's Fuge". It wasn't an issue when I was human or anything, but once I absorbed the demon Beldr, it makes me really... Anxious to be around? I guess I'd liken it to a kind of repellent, just for me. I can be around it, but it's not comfortable.
[ She briefly recalls him mentioning his discomfort the last time, but not so much why it bothered him to that length.
Haru is very still when he provides his explanation, her face fighting back an embarrassed blush before she finally does jerk and rocks Juniper in her lap accidentally. ]
My, I had no idea! [ Her voice is laced with sympathy, but also a hint of shame. ] Is it that troubling for you? I can go take them down if you would prefer.
[ She had wanted the cafe to look festive for the holidays, but not at the expense of a friend's discomfort. ]
[Poor Juniper is rocked, makes an annoyed meow, bapping Haru's chest with a soft paw as if to reprimand her gently, before settling in again.]
No, it's okay! I can't ask that of you. Besides, it's a me problem, and it doesn't bother anyone else. It'd be pretty rude to ask you to take it down just for me. Besides, it looks nice too! And you went through all that effort to decorate it.
It's when it's near me. The farther away the easier it is for me to deal with.
[It's nice of her to offer to move it, but he shakes his head.]
It's really okay. I don't want you to change anything just for me. You worked hard, and I know people really like it. It was really nice to look at when I did stop by before.
It's not really me or my powers, but rather one of the demons who I absorbed back home. He was an Immortal demon, and the only thing that could kill him was mistletoe. It's that sort of latent... Fear, I guess? That makes it so uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt me, or anything like that.
[He doesn't want her to think that he's in pain or anything. It's just uncomfortable, and it's not like that's terrible to deal with overall. And besides that, it makes more sense for him to avoid it instead, rather than have Haru change everything she worked so hard on.]
I appreciate your concern, though. It's really okay, I promise.
Yeah... Definitely no risk of anything like that happening again.
[He still feels a little awkward, considering what had happened between them. More so because of her reaction and how she had felt both at the time and afterwards about it.]
Though... I doubt you'd knowingly put something like that up! So I think it'd be safe anyway, right?
[ Her face is still warm when he says that, memories of how soft his lips were against hers lingering.
It's difficult not to accidentally take a gander at his lips either, but she quickly draws her attention back to those endlessly blue eyes instead. Strange, how he looks kind of like Minato... ]
Christmas is rather romantic, so I thought it would be nice to have it in the cafe. No magic, of course! So it's safe.
Not yet... But I'm not sure if he's going to be doing anything with his other partners or not either. And I need to figure out something to do with Minato too now.
[He rubs the back of his neck, sheepish.]
But um... Even if you're not dating anyone, you can still spend time with the people you care about too, right? It doesn't have to be something romantic...
Yeah... It's pretty recent that we got together, though.
[He hadn't known Minato had felt that way about him to begin with, and he hadn't really considered his own feelings in that matter until... Well, everything happened.]
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Looks like they wont last particularly long...
Kazuya moves aside as Haru closes the distance, holding the door open for her to come inside.]
It's alright. I'm the one who asked such a strange favour in the first place. [He gives a small laugh.] Thank you though, I appreciate it. I've started to really look forward to having your hot chocolates, so if I had to go without, I don't know what I'd do...
[But much like before, Kazuya's home has several dozen or so species of plant inside. It's warm enough that the cold air of the outside doesn't bother them, and some are even in a state of bloom despite the season.
None of them are Kazuya's, of course. What is Kazuya's, however, is...
The creature that immediately comes over to investigate, paws plapping loudly against the wooden floor as Juniper makes her presence known by a very loud, very welcoming, very drawn out "Miaaaaaaaah" sound.
As always, the cat has problems stopping once she achieves such speeds. Which means she runs into Haru's leg full force, face first. Undeterred, the fluffy red somali cat simply shakes it off, and puts her paws, both of them, on Haru's leg. And meows insistently.]
Ah.. Sorry. She's just as eager as always. She doesn't climb guests anymore, at least.
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[ The whipped cream is still sitting nicely at the top of the hot chocolate, although the cup itself is cold when she offers it over to Kazuya, along with the bag with a chocolate chip muffin.
She absolutely adores the plants surrounding the home, taking a moment to take it all in until Juniper announces her entrance.
Haru doesn't jump, but does reflexively step back when the cat hits her leg. She cups her own face in delight at the cat and reaches to scoop her into her arms. ]
Hi, kitty! She looks fluffier than last time?
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Juniper acquiesces quickly enough to the scoop, rolling onto her back in Haru's arms to be held her favourite way: like an infant. All while giving little chattering meows.]
Mhm. It's probably her winter coat, if I had to guess. She's shedding everywhere, even after I brush her.
[He softly laughs, and motions to lead Haru in farther for a proper conversation. He won't start until she's sitting properly, of course.]
I really am grateful that you decided to deliver. It's very kind of you to do so, especially for me.
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Please, it was my pleasure! I should have considered a delivery service when drawing up the business acumen and plans, but...
[ She pauses, canting her head to the side as she's somewhat embarrassed to admit this part aloud. ]
I simply didn't want to get ahead of myself.
[ She eventually takes a seat, needing to set Juniper down to remove her coat and scarf and hang it over the backside of the chair. ]
I'm so grateful for everyone's support. I... I guess I wasn't expecting that.
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[Honestly, it's impressive, just how much she's considered and put effort into with regards to her business.
Juniper doesn't stay down for too long. Once Haru has been properly seated, the cat jumps right back up, settling into her lap and purring obnoxiously. Kazuya reaches over to pet her.]
And.. I guess I owe you an explanation as to why I didn't wanna come around today, huh?
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It's too bad Mona doesn't like being touched there. He's a fussy cat sometimes. ]
Are you not feeling well? I could have brought soup, too.
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No, nothing like that. I'm really healthy, promise.
[He gives her a small smile, though it drops not too long after.]
Um... The decorations that you chose for your cafe... They're really festive, but- well, I wouldn't say it's a weakness or anything, but me and mistletoe don't really get along. I'm not sure if you know, but it has another name, "Devil's Fuge". It wasn't an issue when I was human or anything, but once I absorbed the demon Beldr, it makes me really... Anxious to be around? I guess I'd liken it to a kind of repellent, just for me. I can be around it, but it's not comfortable.
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Haru is very still when he provides his explanation, her face fighting back an embarrassed blush before she finally does jerk and rocks Juniper in her lap accidentally. ]
My, I had no idea! [ Her voice is laced with sympathy, but also a hint of shame. ] Is it that troubling for you? I can go take them down if you would prefer.
[ She had wanted the cafe to look festive for the holidays, but not at the expense of a friend's discomfort. ]
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No, it's okay! I can't ask that of you. Besides, it's a me problem, and it doesn't bother anyone else. It'd be pretty rude to ask you to take it down just for me. Besides, it looks nice too! And you went through all that effort to decorate it.
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[ She likes Kazuya, so for her to accidentally barricade him from entering her cafe makes her feel terrible about the entire ordeal. ]
Is it when it's near you or does it not matter where in the cafe it is? I can always move it if that's easier.
[ Right now there are only two, one where customers sit and one closer to the counter, but she could put them elsewhere. ]
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[It's nice of her to offer to move it, but he shakes his head.]
It's really okay. I don't want you to change anything just for me. You worked hard, and I know people really like it. It was really nice to look at when I did stop by before.
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[ She strokes Juniper gently and apologetically for rocking her earlier.
She meets Kazuya's gaze, lips curved slightly downward as she adds: ]
I feel terribly for hurting my friend in that case. I had no idea your powers were that sensitive.
[ Even if she doesn't quite understand what he is outside a demon king. ]
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[He doesn't want her to think that he's in pain or anything. It's just uncomfortable, and it's not like that's terrible to deal with overall. And besides that, it makes more sense for him to avoid it instead, rather than have Haru change everything she worked so hard on.]
I appreciate your concern, though. It's really okay, I promise.
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[ She won't push the topic anymore, but something else does come to mind that leaves her with a more sheepish expression: ]
Well, at least you won't have to worry about the mistletoe making you... you know.
[ Not that hers are magical in any way. ]
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[He still feels a little awkward, considering what had happened between them. More so because of her reaction and how she had felt both at the time and afterwards about it.]
Though... I doubt you'd knowingly put something like that up! So I think it'd be safe anyway, right?
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It's difficult not to accidentally take a gander at his lips either, but she quickly draws her attention back to those endlessly blue eyes instead. Strange, how he looks kind of like Minato... ]
Christmas is rather romantic, so I thought it would be nice to have it in the cafe. No magic, of course! So it's safe.
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[He gives a small laugh, hiding it behind his hand. Maybe... If he can just brush off what happened, it'll make her more comfortable about it too. ]
... Do you have any dates planned for the holidays?
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[ She blinks profusely, like he may as well have asked her in Greek or something. ]
Um, no! I am not dating anyone, so...
[ It would be nice to spend a romantic Christmas with someone, though. ]
What about you and Basil-kun? Do you have any plans?
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[He rubs the back of his neck, sheepish.]
But um... Even if you're not dating anyone, you can still spend time with the people you care about too, right? It doesn't have to be something romantic...
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Haru visibly perks up, head tilting with curiosity as Minato's name is mentioned.
She thinks about that explicit doujin she found, but she hasn't given it much thought since. ]
Hm? Are you planning on hanging out with Minato-kun?
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[But what to do with him...? How should he split his time between Basil and Minato?]
Last year I spent time with Basil, but dating two people makes things a little more difficult. Not impossible, though.
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[ She's definitely surprised to hear this, evident from the way her brows arch and her mouth hangs slightly agape.
She closes it quickly, shaking her head. ]
I didn't know Minato-kun had a boyfriend...
[ Is that why someone drew porn of them?? ]
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[He hadn't known Minato had felt that way about him to begin with, and he hadn't really considered his own feelings in that matter until... Well, everything happened.]
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Her heart skips a beat and she stops petting the cat, somewhat alarmed her chest felt so strangely in that moment. ]
I see.
[ It's a distracted response as she tries to focus on both Kazuya and the sensation that's burrowed itself under her ribs.
... strange. Maybe that curry she ate earlier was too spicy after all? ]
Oh! I suppose... congratulations! I hope you both are happy.
[ Minato deserves that kind of happiness, doesn't he? ]
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[It feels appropriate to say, though admittedly, it feels a little strange too.]
But going back to you, you should still spend time with someone you care about too, you know? It's important to not be alone on Christmas Eve.
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