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Who: Natsuru Senou and Naoto Shirogane
When: August 3rd
Where: A certain sweets shop on the Near Shore
What: A chance second meeting at their proper ages

[It's the middle of summer, and business seems to be going well at the shop thanks to all the new frozen treats they've been selling! Of course, this means Natsuru is kept a little busier than usual, and the heat can be a little difficult. The bulk of her job is still standing outside and greeting potential customers, offering small samples of the latest and most popular items. She's actually grateful for the skimpiness of her costume lately... at least she keeps somewhat cool. Really, after a few months of this, she hardly gets embarrassed over it anymore either.

Being a shinki, it's a bit challenging having a job like this on the Near Shore. People still sometimes walk right past her or glance over her as if she's part of the scenery. This just means she's had to get better at grabbing people's attention, which should serve her well with her idol training under Hibiki's agency! That, and the confidence building she's been working on in general. She's kind of proud of the fact that she's able to come out and do this job regularly without getting too nervous or awkward over it anymore.

At her best, she's a bundle of perky energy, at least outwardly, when she attempts to get a passerby's attention. Like now, when a certain other, much more petite, blue-haired girl walks by. Someone she doesn't recognize yet, but give her a moment... she's still in work mode.]

Hello! Would you like to try one of our new summer treats? We have shaved ice and mochi samples, in our most popular flavors!

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[By now, Naoto's gotten used enough to Near Shore residents being more or less non-perceptive to her presence as they walk by, and so, naturally, it's bit jarring to all of a sudden be addressed by someone when you're utterly not expecting to be. Naoto blinks up at the young lady in surprise, but she recovers quickly enough with a polite smile.]

Ah, my apologies. You caught me while my head was in the clouds.

[She looks over at the building they're standing outside of, only now fully realizing that it was, in fact, a sweets shop. She hadn't exactly planned on purchasing anything for herself today, just some groceries for the house. However, perhaps it'd be nice to surprise Nanako with a treat? Maybe something also for Kanji? But also, she should get something as a thank you to Souji and Homura. And then, it wouldn't really be fair for her to not get something for Kagari would it? She turns her attention back to the blue-haired promotional girl, who now was striking her as somehow vaguely familiar.]

You wouldn't happen to offer any sort of bundle items would you? Maybe a sweets basket of some kind?

[Maybe, if she notices, the way that others are completely looking over the both of them while Natsuru's attention is focused on Naoto might be a hint that this young lady isn't a Near Shore resident at all. But for now, she's getting hit full-force with Natsuru's best customer service smile and that almost too friendly tone of voice that comes with it. Underneath, there's a hint of something else... an uncertain familiarity while Natsuru silently swears that she's seen this girl before.]

Of course! Our assorted mochi boxes are especially popular right now. But if you'd like something more like cookies or cakes, or traditional Japanese sweets, there's... um... there's also...

[Her voice falters, and she blinks, the look of recognition growing stronger...]

[... Oh. Wait... that voice, and that blue hair... she knows who this is. And the recognition throws her so much for a loop, that it knocks her completely out of her sales pitch.]

N-... Naoto-neesan?!

[The honorific is pure habit asserting itself in her shock. She doesn't know what to call her now, if it's really her. She's so... small??? Natsuru had been the one that was so much smaller back when they met, technically, but she wouldn't have thought the cool-big-sis type lady she'd met was so petite. She definitely seems younger than when they met too, but how old is she really? She's so confused!]

Hmmm... A mochi box might be nice.

[However, before Naoto can consider her options further, the shift in the sales girl's expression catches her attention. The way she was looking at Naoto -- was something wrong? However, It quickly becomes Naoto's turn to blink in surprise when the woman she thought a stranger not only addresses her by name but adds such a polite and informal honorific to it.]

I- I'm sorry, have we met before?

[The older girl had struck her as somehow familiar, but Naoto couldn't quite put her finger on it. Yet, the way she just addressed her would imply some sort of prior acquaintance. Was this another Nanako or Teddie situation? Another person who somehow seems to know who she is before they've even met? No... this felt a little different.]

[Oh... crap. She hadn't realized how confusing this could end up, especially with both of them being shinki! She'd better just clear this up directly, huh?]

Ah, sorry! I thought you looked familiar, but I didn't recognize you at first. We both looked really different last time...

[This... is not 'directly clearing it up', Natsuru. Finally, she seems to calm down and clears her throat before getting to the real explanation.]

It's um, it's me. Natsuru Senou.

[Yeah. That small girl Naoto had met, who was so starry-eyed about ~idols~, is now by all appearances very grown up and wearing cute costumes to advertise a local sweets shop. Despite her figure though, she's really not quite an adult (as far as she knows). Naoto looks younger, perhaps, but they might be closer in age, or at least general maturity, than either of them would assume.]

Na- Natsuru-chan?!

[Naoto can't help but blurt out the informal moniker she'd referred to the little girl by, as she'd navigated her home but not before stopping by the music store and its idol display. Her mouth hangs agape for a moment at the now fully-grown Natsuru. This sudden switch in height and age throwing off the otherwise calm and cool Naoto. However, she soon realizes how awkward her staring must be, and so Naoto clears her throat and tries to diffuse the uncomfortable silence.]

You- you're certainly a lot taller than when we last met...

[Swing and a miss.]

[Ah... yes, this certainly is strange. Natsuru gives an awkward, nervous little chuckle at Naoto's attempt to fill the silence.]

Aha... I was just thinking you seem shorter...

[Of course, now that she's said that, she realizes how dumb it is. She's so much bigger now than she was then, she couldn't compare the older Naoto to this Naoto if she'd tried.]

I, um... I guess I should thank you again, for helping me. I still thought I was old enough to go out on my own, and I just got myself lost...

[This is not a normal topic to be discussing at all. She's blushing more and more, remembering how much she'd admired the cool adult Naoto when she was small like that. Now that she's back to normal and over a head taller than the other girl, everything seems so different.]

Th-This is how I normally am, of course! It was just... whatever happened that changed us all, it made me think I was really a little kid too.

[Naoto tugs the brim of her hat down in a poor attempt to mask the incredible amount of blushing she was currently doing. She fidgets slightly about her change in height being addressed, and almost notably seems to try and stand up straighter. Naoto clears her throat and tries hard to come off cool and collected.]

It's perfectly alright. There were plenty of others who were affected similarly, so I had figured when we met that it might have been the case for you, too.

[Still, she had not expected to be remembered, much less recognized, by anyone after the aging event, as it seemed by and large most everyone had simply wanted to forget about it due to retrospective embarrassment. Something Naoto could certainly sympathize with.]

Really, it's fine. I was just happy to help you find your way back home.

[Okay, blushing subsiding a little bit. Naoto's calm tone starts to sound less forced.]

Though, I'm surprised you were able to tell it was me, Natsuru-cha-- san!

[Naoto manages to catch herself this time and immediately correct.]

As you pointed out, I also look different from before.

[Oh, that honorific slip sure was a thing. Natsuru smiles shyly, feeling her cheeks flush even more now. Things have changed, certainly, but it's a little disappointing after how quickly they bonded last time that Naoto is jumping back to '-san'.]

You don't look that different! But... I almost thought you were a boy at first, without your hair and... wearing those clothes...

[Another nervous chuckle. She hopes that Naoto understands she doesn't mean anything weird by that.]

I guess I can't ask how old you really are, huh? You kinda look close to my age.

[Whatever that is. Natsuru's been going on the assumption that she's somewhere close to sixteen, give or take a year or two. Really, she wouldn't have even brought it up, except it's kind of a factor in what she's about to say next.]

I don't mind if you keep calling me '-chan'. U-Unless you'd rather use '-san'! I still want to be friends...

Oh, um... yes... I know I sometimes give off that impression...

[She scratches awkwardly behind her ear. She was working on the whole becoming more comfortable in feminine clothing, but progress has been... well, slow thus far. She clears her throat, happy to move on from that particular topic.]

As for how old I am, regrettably I don't exactly know myself. I'm a shinki, so I'm not actually able to remember details like that. [She then blushes again softly.] But I suppose we do look to be around the same age... give or take a year or two.

[Natsuru certainly did seem the older of the two of them at the moment. What with her height and her... development -- and upon that mental note, Naoto's face heats up further and she momentarily directs her gaze away from Natsuru.]

[She's quiet for a moment as she tries to think up other ways to defuse the awkward tension in the air. When the taller girl states she'd prefer Naoto keep referring to her as "chan," however, Naoto immediately looks back up at her. She blinks at Natsuru in slight surprise, but then she begins to relax. A genuine, warm grin finds its way to her lips, as her cheeks maintain their slightly pinkish glow. It was something in the other girl's response, the way she talked of wanting to still be friends that had helped to re-ground Naoto. Whether adult or child, it seemed Natsuru was still Natsuru. Why had she felt the need to act so formal towards her all of a sudden? There was no need for them to necessarily start over again as strangers. Not if Natsuru apparently didn't want to either.]

I do, too... my apologies, Natsuru-chan. I didn't mean to come off as wanting to keep you at arm's length. I was caught off guard, and it was a knee-jerk reaction to treat you more formally as I would anyone older than myself.

[Ah... she notices Naoto's gaze drawn to her figure for the briefest moment. She starts to blush at that, her smile turning a little nervous and awkward. She can... kind of understand why Naoto thinks she might be the older of the two of them.

She's happy when Naoto is able to look up at her again, and seem more relaxed. Though she looks different, it's more like how she remembers the older Naoto looking. Definitely someone she could continue on as friends with!]

It's okay! I... wasn't sure how to react when I first saw you, either... Naoto-chan...

[She sounds like she's experimentally trying out the honorific, her blush intensifying as she wonders how Naoto will react. It's a bit of a jump to make from what she's used to, but if Naoto calls her '-chan' too then she should probably do the same? She can't be 'Naoto-neesan' anymore, but they could be friends as peers now instead. Still, it's hard to forget Naoto's flustered look on lightly examining Natsuru's current appearance...]

A-And don't worry about what I said about thinking you might be a boy! You're still really pretty, even if you're a little smaller now! If that's really what you'll look like when you're older, you'll definitely grow more.

[Is she talking about what it sounds like she's talking about??? ~~Also do shinki even age?~~]

[Well, any bit of her calm, coolness that she'd been able to gather back up just flew out the window again. Natsuru can probably see the steam billowing out of her eyes as her face overheats. Her cheeks glowing bright red, as her brain works furiously to process how best to respond. She'd been called "chan," "really pretty," and it was rather clear to Naoto what had been meant by "grow more."]

I- I, uh...

[She flounders and is unable to come up with anything better than:]

Th- thank you.

[Natsuru is really awkward about this kind of thing, but she'd assumed from the way Naoto noticed her figure that the more petite girl was a little jealous. She just wanted to reassure her that she has nothing to worry about, not embarrass her!

With her own cheeks still a pretty shade of pink, she offers a slightly awkward smile to her new friend. It seems that she took it well, but maybe they should get off of that topic before either of them embarrasses herself too much more.]

Um, anyway, I should be getting off of work soon! Did you want to go somewhere for lunch, or something? We could come back and pick out a mochi box later, if you want.

[She just wants to spend time to get to know Naoto now that they're back to normal! Otherwise, she might keep slipping up and thinking of her as the more grown-up 'Naoto-neesan' she'd been so awed by as a child... and she likes the thought of having another girl her age to be friends with outside of the idol agencies again.]

[Yeah, in Naoto's case it had been less jealousy and more just being very impressed by how much little Natsuru had... um, well, grown up.]

[The change of topic is certainly appreciated by Naoto as her brain was still struggling to process what her proper response should have been to Natsuru's previous compliments. She smiles gently as the red finally starts to dissipate from her face.]

Oh, um, okay. Lunch sounds rather nice actually.

[And if they were going to be coming back, then there was no need to worry about the mochi box now.]

Is there someplace nearby that you like?

Great!

[She's genuinely excited about this! ... An awkward, slightly shy form of excited, and still uncertain how to even do this new friends thing, but excited nonetheless.]

There's a curry house right around the corner, if you like that sort of thing. We're right in the middle of a big restaurant district, so there's lots of options.

[She starts walking towards the sweets shop as she talks. Slowly at first, but she picks up the pace if Naoto follows. She still has to go through the motions of finishing up her shift, after all. That and she'll need to grab the rest of her things if she's going out to lunch with Naoto.]

[As their conversation switches more to making plans, Naoto's able to relax further and return to something close to the calm, cool disposition she'd had when they bumped into each other again. She gives Natsuru another small, kind smile.]

It's been a while since I've had any curry, so that sounds delicious.

[At first, she's unsure if she should follow when Natsuru starts walking back to the store, thinking the other girl wants her space to change. But when Natsuru looks back at her, Naoto blushes a little and steps forward to join her.]

[She leads the other girl through the shop, and into the 'employees only' door in the back. Naoto's her friend, and she's with her, so she doesn't think it'll be a problem to have her along. No one on the Near Shore is likely to notice that well, anyway.]

I haven't had curry in a while, either! And since we're coming back, we could get a little something here for dessert, if you want.

[There's a row of small lockers for employees, one of which is labeled with a cute sticker and Natsuru's name. If she left hers unmarked like the rest, they might forget that locker already belongs to someone.

She doesn't seem to plan to change out of this outfit, though. She just gets her purse out of the locker, and turns to Naoto with a bright smile.]

Ready?

[Naoto follows her to the back of the shop, and when Natsuru opens her locker, Naoto turns around expecting the girl to be about to change her clothes. Thus, Naoto directs her attention elsewhere, making it look like she's simply surveying the room's interior, as she can feel the heat returning to her face. She finally turns back around when Natsuru asks if she's ready to go. Naoto blinks at the taller girl a moment, before nervously reaching up and scratching her cheek with a finger.]

Um, you don't want to change clothes?

Eh?

[Natsuru blinks too, seeming surprised that Naoto would even think about such a thing. The reasoning occurs to her after a moment, and a faint trace of that blush returns to her cheeks.]

Oh, um... I don't usually change until I get back home. It's not a big deal, since most people don't even notice us...

[She's miscalculated slightly there, it seems. Now that Naoto's with her, she'll be at least a little self-conscious. But if she can't handle being out in public in an outfit like this, how is she ever going to make it as an idol in CelePara?

... Oh yeah, that's another thing they talked about when she was little, isn't it? It's a little embarrassing, since she doesn't actually remember if she dreamed of being an idol when she was alive or not. With another shy smile, she adds:]

Anyway, it's nothing unusual for an idol! Right?

[It's like she's trying to convince herself as much as Naoto. There's some determination in there too, though. She really does want to be more confident about things like this.]

[That was a good point wasn't it? The Near Shore residents would notice the two of them only after they put forth a concerted effort to attract attention. Even then, it was unlikely that anyone from the Near Shore would even fully process what the two of them were wearing, idol outfit or otherwise. Realizing that, Naoto chuckles awkwardly and crosses her arms over her waist in a poor attempt to seem nonchalant.]

Ah, right...

[When Natsuru mentions being an idol, however, there's an initial look of surprise, and then a genuinely warm smile crosses Naoto's lips as she looks at the taller girl with almost a certain sense of pride.]

I remember you telling me that becoming an idol was your dream. I'm happy for you, Natsuru-chan.

[Oh, gosh. For a moment, that look reminds her of how it felt when she was small, and the more grown-up Naoto was encouraging her in her goal to become an idol. Maybe it wasn't actually her dream as a child, she can't say for sure. But that's the only childhood she remembers, and it gave her a different sort of enthusiasm for her goals that certainly makes becoming an idol feel a little bit like a childhood dream coming true. Who's to say if that feeling will last, but it's a nice feeling for the moment.]

Th-... Thanks...

[She looks down a little, blushing harder but also smiling.]

I'm not really there yet! But I've been performing, and Hibiki-sama says I'm doing well.

[Naoto shakes her head, still smiling encouragingly.]

Well, what's important is that you're pursuing your goal. Though, if you're performing already, then that sounds like idol work to me. You should give yourself a little more credit. I'm sure you're doing great.

[On that note, Naoto waves her arm, gesturing towards the door and signalling that she's ready to head to lunch.]

Shall we? You must be hungry or at least eager to get off your feet for a little bit.

Edited 2017-09-01 21:45 (UTC)

[For a brief moment, it's like nothing has changed since they met. Natsuru fondly remembers the older Naoto encouraging her as a child to pursue her dreams, with neither of them aware at the time that Natsuru had already begun on that path. Things have changed, and it turns out they're much closer in age than they'd thought. But so far, Naoto doesn't seem that different as a supportive friend than she did as a cool older sister figure.]

Thank you, Naoto-chan...

[She nods in agreement, beginning to lead the way out the door and down the street. She's silent for a moment, but finally adds:]

I, um... I hope you'll come see me perform next time! I don't know when it'll be yet, but if you want... I'll let you know.

[Naoto nods and smiles warmly at the invitation.]

Of course. I'd be more than happy to come see you perform, Natsuru-chan.

[A thought then occurs to her as they walk along.]

I'm curious, as a resident of the Far Shore yourself, isn't it difficult to hold a concert here in the Near Shore? As you pointed out, we're not so easily noticed when visiting. Then again, I suppose a live performance would certainly command a certain level of attention.

Ah, well... honestly, I don't know! My... debut was in Hibiki-sama's temple, so we've only performed for other gods and shinki so far.

But... [And here she starts to blush again.] ... Hibiki-sama was cast in a movie too, so I don't think it's impossible. Maybe that's how it works, and we just have to get enough attention to be noticed.

Oh!

[Naoto hadn't realized Natsuru's concerts have been exclusively in the Far Shore for the time being. Now, she feels a little guilty for never having known anything like this was going on. A flicker of a memory suddenly comes back to her of her first evening after her arrival.]

Did you have a concert during the Tanabata Festival? I remember there being a stage at the event, and that there were performances and music playing throughout the day.

Oh, were you there? I did perform one song on stage at the festival.

[She glances off to the side, that shy smile crossing her lips again. She did perform, but that wasn't her real debut. That, and the thought that Naoto might have actually seen her first performance makes her a little embarrassed. She'd be happy if that were the case, though? What a strange feeling.]

The real show was earlier, though. That was the one at Hibiki-sama's temple.

I was. That was my first day here in the Far Shore. I admit that at the time I was a little more preoccupied with locating my god than I was with the musical acts on stage.

[She smiles kindly at her friend.]

Though, now of course, I wished I'd paid a little closer attention. I'm sure you put on a wonderful performance.

[Oh no, now she's making her blush.]

It's okay! I'm sure I'll perform that song again, next time we put on a show. I practice all the time.

[The blush only grows deeper at that admission. She really is working hard towards this goal of being an idol, and it both makes her happy and feels kind of embarrassing to admit for some reason.]

Besides, there's a lot to get used to when you're new here. Especially for us...

[Gods seem to have it easier, what with having all their memories intact and all.]

[Naoto smiles warmly at her blushing friend and encourages her further.]

I'll make sure not to miss the next one. I promise.

[That's just making her blush more! But she still seems happy to hear Naoto say that. Maybe there's a little residual feeling left of the little girl who wanted her cool big sis friend to see her perform one day, in the background of the growing happiness to have another friend her own age that she could share her performances with.]

Thanks. I, um...

[She mulls over various ways to say what's on her mind. There's a lot of flowery nonsense about ~sharing one's feelings with the audience~ in there, but in the end she settles on the simplest, most direct way to express herself.]

I'd really like that.

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