angelphones | [Voice]

Yeah. There's too much time, though. I don't think I like it.

[He hears that, Atsuro.]

... What are you working on? And yeah... within the next couple days I'll start asking around.

Haha, can't really argue with that... Even I'm starting to get tired of it, and I'm a guy who really loves the feeling of free time. And as for what I'm doing with all this free time? Glad you asked, Katsu! It's nothing big though, just typing in today's AT-LOW's Fishbowl Observations right now. And backing up some stuff. The usual. And so you're going to start in a few days?

[ His chipper tone then becomes a little more subdued, but it's a minute change. The cheery sound of rapid-fire typing continues on. ]

Yeah, that sounds good. Be sure to get some rest first, okay? 'Cause...well, you look like you've been tired lately. Have you been getting enough sleep?

I might have to take a look at those, see what you've been spying on. And yeah, I think I need a few days for myself before I do anything.

[He wants to tell him, but he... it hurts. He can't. Not yet.]

Yeah. I think so. Maybe I'll take a nap or something.

It's not spying, it's observing! I'm not exactly putting bugs in people's rooms or anything like that, you know. That'd be borderline creepy! I just write down stuff that catches my eye about this place.

[ One particularly loud click later, the typing stops. But the sound of tapping can still be heard. ]

Okay. Want to go eat something before that? Or drink maybe, I think I still have some tea around. And coffee, but coffee isn't a good idea now, huh?

I'd still be interested in seeing it.

[He hums a little thoughtfully.]

Tea would be nice. Thanks, Atsuro.

Hahaha, okay! Fair warning though; it's pretty long. It might make you really sleepy.

[ Suddenly a chair can be heard moving. ]

It's no problem at all. Any tea in particular you want? Offhand, I remember there was green and chamomile. Maybe Earl Grey too.

I don't mind. And green tea. I'll be over in a minute.

Okay, I'll start boiling the water now. Hopefully I don't burn it. And the door should be open, by the way.

All right.

[Do de do, heading out of his apartment and over to Atsuro's! Good thing he's just across the hall. Creek~.]

Atsuro?

[ Atsuro pokes his head out of the kitchen and waves. ]

Hey, Katsu, go ahead and take a seat! It should be ready in a few minutes.

[He waves back and sits down in a chair, looking around. Hmm... what sort of wonders does Atsuro's apartment hold?]

[ Surprisingly little. Some gadgets are lying around here and there, but otherwise, the apartment's rather clean.

On the table sits an open laptop with the window open to a large document filled with text. Closer inspection will show this to be the Fishbowl Observations that Atsuro was talking about earlier.

There's sound of Atsuro humming something in the kitchen that's vaguely recognizable as that song Haru's always playing. ]

[Oooh. To peek or not to peek? ... Who is he kidding, he heads over towards the laptop and takes a look, trying not to snicker at Atsuro's humming.]

[ Hey, he's trying to sound decent! ..."Trying" being the keyword here.

By the way, the document's open on the latest page: another attempt to count the shops in Nostalgia Nook. Time-consuming and not very enlightening, sadly. Scrolling up will reveal a half-page full of blank white space and then some text about the barrier around Vatheon.

A minute or so later, Atsuro walks out of the kitchen carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups. ]

Sorry for the wait! I accidentally misplaced the tea somewhere.

[Derp! He looks away from the computer and smiles at Atsuro.]

It's fine. Thanks.

[He walks over and takes the tray, setting it down. He's trying to help. :( ]

No prob! It's a good excuse to use this tea from a while back anyway.

[ He could totally carry that just fine on his own though. :( ]

Ah, thanks, you didn't have to.

[ Aaand taking a seat nearby. ]

[Let him feel helpful. :( But he sits, too. ]

Yeah, I know.

... Why're you counting the shops in the Nostalgia Nook, anyway?

Oh, that? [ His smile turns sheepish. ] I wanted to keep track of the changes there. Stores tend to randomly appear and disappear at the Nook for some reason. But yeah, I haven't been able to make any real conclusions based on that.

Do you think it has anything to do with the coral?

Sort of. The Nostalgia Nook's shops all have something to do with everyone's worlds, so I thought it'd be a good idea to keep an eye on it.

[ Pouring some tea into both cups now. ]

Mm, that's a good point. If you ever want some help, just let me know. ... Thanks.

[He picks up the tea and blows on it to cool it, and then takes a sip.]

Of course! I'll probably just ask you for your input after especially weird stuff happens though. Always good to get another perspective of those!

Yeah, it is. And I think we're both pretty experienced with 'weird stuff' now.

Yeah, we are, aren't we? Thanks to Naoya and the Shomonkai. Between all that, there really isn't much left to be surprised about!

[ And this is a classic example of Tempting Fate. ]

Haha... I wouldn't say that, but I think we can deal with what comes.

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