◣ chuuya ◥ :

♠ Eyes widening in turn to the other’s, he can’t help but study her. Does she have any new scars? Is she too thin all of a sudden? No. She does look well– far less sleep-deprived and empty than she did in the Mafia. This was to be expected, of course. Over time, as an adult, Chuuya had hardened from the stage as a child being thrust violently and often brutally into a world where they were treated as a weapon in his ability group, as he admittedly remembers the hopeless feeling that entered his head every now and then. Though, perhaps it was worse for Kyouka– it’s said that she had a family before she was traded down to the Mafia, after all. For Chuuya, the mafia had to be good enough. And he grew into it. Cruelly, but as he should.

He’s stalling now. He needs to make appearances. Not seem too suspicious. He’s probably been standing there for far too long– besides, she’s part of the other side now. Chuuya shifts, cocking his chin up, shifting his weight to his hip. And he takes the hat, dusting it off. “Thank you very much,” He tells her matter-of-factly.

He wonders if he should smile at her, but perhaps that would feel a little strange for the both of them. He just sighs.

◣ ✿ ◥ Kyouka knew what he was doing, and she knew how it differed from any other member in the Port Mafia. The reason she could stay relatively calm was who the man was: even if he was an executive, their relationship hadn’t been strained like it had with Akutagawa or Kouyou. Underneath all his power and short temper, he held a nurturing quality that most mafia members lacked; while others may scrutinise her in contempt, he was making sure she was doing well even though they were on opposing sides.

“You’re welcome.” She stood there, and he arm came down to rest at her side once more. Should she say anything? Something to assure him that he needn’t be concerned about her? Or would that be too presumptuous? Well, he didn’t leave immediately upon receiving his hat, so he must be waiting for something to happen or be said. And with that in mind, she opened her mouth to speak once more. “I’m okay. You don’t have to–”

Her stomach cut her off with a growl. Ah, it was lunch time, wasn’t it? Her mouth closed and she cast her gaze to stare at the wall beside her rather than Chuuya.