thenearshore | When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are...

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When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are...

Who: Toushirou Hitsugaya and Reisi Munakata.
When: August 10.
Where: The Near Shore.
What: Prayer #47. I know I'm not pretty or popular, and that nobody would ask me to a dance. But if you could just help me show for one night in my life that I can shine too...

What do you think, Hitsugaya-san?

[Rather than regarding the tiny god as he asks, Munakata instead studies the young lady who had sent but a small and quiet prayer to the Heavens. She's lagging just a bit behind a group of friends and seems a little quieter in comparison as the others giggle over their crushes or boyfriends and about going to the dance. And while not everyone seems to have a date just yet, many of them seem fairly certain that someone will take them to the dance.

At a glance, there's nothing especially remarkable about her. She's about average height and has a face that more or less blends in with the crowd. She appears to have a group of friends but unfortunately seems more like a tag-along rather than part of it.]

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A part of me wonders why you've enlisted me to help with this sort of problem.

[Because this isn't something Toushirou innately knows he isn't good at.

However, as he watches the young lady, he sighs softly.]

But she does appear to need some assistance if she wants to stand out, especially to go to this...dance. [Humans are complicated.]

[Reisi decides to blatantly ignore the god's initial comment and focuses instead on the response to his own question.]

Teen years are an especially crucial time for humans. [He says as he elucidates, as if he isn't a human being himself. Having a King's powers doesn't make him any less human, after all.]

It's a span of at least seven years of human growth and development wherein one's search for identity usually clashes with societal opinions and expectations. There's immense pressure to feel inclusion and belonging at this time.

[Which is why they absolutely must help her.

As to why that should involve Hitsugaya, who knows? Perhaps Munakata sees something as of yet untapped in the tiny god's potential.]

Surely there's a way to help her shine before this dance.

[Though even if they accomplish that much, they may have to remain on standby at the dance itself.]

[...Munakata, some part of Toushirou wonders why you're explaining the fundamentals of human growth to him. He's quiet for the most part, a glance at him.

He says nothing for a moment before he sighs out.]

There is a way to help her.

[His tone indicates that he's almost resigned, but he has practically grown up with Matsumoto and being who she is, he's picked up a few things along the way.]

But we'll need to work on her confidence first. It's evident that the people she's with doesn't seem to even notice her much despite her being right there with them.

[This'll be fun.]

[In truth, the explanation might actually be more for Reisi himself than for Hitsugaya. He may not remember it, but he was somewhat distanced from the experience, so he views it from an objective perspective. Expressing it aloud likely serves to ground it.

That, and he likes talking.]

Oya? What do you have in mind?

You're more of a people person than I am.

[He really isn't one to talk to people, despite being a captain himself and used to being in charge.]

Trying to put her in a situation where she can speak up seems a bit futile unless we can find a way for to her grow enough of a spine to say anything.

[He hums in response before musing,]

I wonder how you arrived at that conclusion.

[Though he has no intention of either confirming or denying that matter.

Generally speaking, Reisi's quite good at dealing with people in a professional capacity. (That is, barring borderline inappropriate comments he makes from time to time.) Beyond that, Reisi doesn't exactly have a firm grasp of social acceptance. However, he's quite familiar with appreciating other people and building them up, which might be exactly what they need in this situation.]

In any case, you're right—she's ill-prepared to deal with a situation where the spotlight is on her. Perhaps a good starting point for building her confidence is creating a situation where she might recognize that someone thinks she's special.

It's either you're a people person or you seem to enjoy talking.

[Either or.

Either way, Toushirou nods.]

What would you recommend in creating a situation then? [He's not going to randomly create one without some sort of plan.]

[Completely ignoring that assessment of his character as well.]

Leaving her presents from a 'secret admirer'.

Presents.

[...Well, he supposes it couldn't hurt.]

Flowers and notes may suffice.

Not to mention that sort of thing usually attracts attention.

[Both positive and negative attention, but attention is attention.]

It's possible to start even as early as now, planting something in her bag as she lags behind.

Let's try not to scare the girl, though.

[But...flowers and a note.]

Then let's get started. Otherwise, it'll continue to be a slow-moving process.

[Indeed, while the dance isn't that very night, it'd be better to get on this sooner rather than later.

It doesn't take much time or effort for them to procure a pretty little bouquet of flowers and writing up a vague note personally addressed to her and signed her secret admirer.]

Now then, it's a matter of getting this to her.

[Planting it in her bag is an option that's still on the table...]

Since it's initially difficult for humans to see us, we can just plant it in her bag.

[At least they won't have to worry about that...]

[So with that, Reisi moves to carefully place the items in the young lady's bag. In doing so, he gives her bag a small jostle, just enough to get her attention.]

Hmm? What—? [She turns around and sees no one before checking her bag...] Oh!

[At least her falling even further behind hadn't gone completely unnoticed. A couple of the girls had slowed their pace so she could catch up, with one of them picking up on her surprise.

So far, things are looking good!]

[Toushirou watches as the girl takes out the bouquet and note, her mouth falling open in surprise.

He crosses his arms, watching as the other girls inquired her as to where the gifts came from, all of them looking around for who might have left it. The commotion has the others stop, too, curious.]

...What did you write in that note?

[The only way to describe the look on Reisi's face is some sort of duplicitous amusement, like he's just way too pleased with himself.]

Only that her secret admirer is always thinking of her and would be profoundly delighted to see her at the dance...

[Maybe not verbatim, though.]

... Ah! And also to prepare herself for the shower of gifts that is yet to come.

Guess we'll have to keep up with the parade of gifts until the dance then as long as it boosts up her confidence.

[Oh, this'll be fun.]

Indeed. There will come a point when the gestures seem less thoughtful and more superficial.

[Because really, just how long until she and her friends perceive these overtures as an elaborate prank?]

Something more should come out of it.

She'll still need a 'date' to accompany her.

[A side glance at the shinki.]

You should play out that role.

Oya?

[Is it strange that Reisi is genuinely surprised by the suggestion? Then again, he could be acting...]

... I suppose I can accommodate, though you seem quite suited to the task yourself.

[The short god can easily be mistaken for someone closer to their age, but Reisi has no complaints doing it himself. To prove just that,]

How should I go about it? Normally, those on the Near Shore cannot see those from the Far Shore.

No, but that doesn't mean they eventually can't. You'll just have to make yourself known to her.

[And honestly, it's better Reisi than him, anyway.]

Just being able to will yourself to be seen should be enough, but that would also mean getting you appropriate clothing for the dance, too.

[True, given their aim is to get her to shine. Netting a short, young-looking, white-haired date is hardly as impressive as having Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome asking her to the dance.

So Reisi nods and smiles at Hitsugaya's remark.]

Then revealing myself can wait. In the meantime, we can prepare gifts and get me ready for the dance.

[He gives a nod.]

How much more time do we have until the dance, anyway?

There's still a few more days. I believe it'll be just shortly after Obon.

Gives us plenty of time to work with then.

[Since the entirety of Japan doesn't all celebrate Obon all at once and on the exact same date, this gives them some time to space out the array of gifts that Hitsugaya and Reisi present her with. ~~Although really, it's mostly just Reisi giving the gifts, isn't it?~~

The following day, Reisi decides to leave her some sweets and an inexpensive, simple but elegant kanzashi, along with a note. However, he decides to ask Hitsugaya to confirm something with him before making this delivery.]

The option of placing this in her bag is still available, but it can also be left in her shoe box at school. That seems an optimal place to leave it today, though I thought it prudent to seek a second opinion.

[As in, your opinion, Hitsugaya.]

[...Munakata, why are you doing this?

He's not very good at gift giving, and it is certainly something that is completely out of his league. Wooing girls, even if it's not for his own wants, makes him uncomfortable for various reasons.

So, the shinki gets a bit of an eyebrow raise from the god.]

I'd suggest leaving it in her shoe box. That would have more of an impact this time since she might be expecting more random gifts to keep appearing in her bag.

[Because you still agreed to do this in spite of yourself, Hitsugaya.

At least Reisi hasn't had any especially weird gift ideas yet, which is really something to be grateful for. But leaving presents in her box while not attending her school? That can be seen as a bit of a creeper move, though sometimes it's hard to tell whether Reisi doesn't know, or if he does and is blatantly ignoring that to do as he might normally do.

Still, he's glad Hitsugaya had the same opinion.]

And I suppose I should make a home delivery after that...

[A nod.]

When you do that, you can make yourself visible enough to ask to escort her to the dance.

I'd almost forgotten.

[Said in amused, feigned surprise.]

Though in that case, I suppose I should change into something more suitable.

[Because he can't very well ask her to the dance while wearing his uniform. Plus he still actually needs something for the dance itself.

Reisi's been quite shrewd with his assets since arriving at the Far Shore.]

Hardly.

[/casually calls you out.

He huffs a bit, quickly followed by a sigh.]

Do you have anything suitable for a teenager's dance?

[Does he look like to sort to have something like that lying around?]

While I do have other outfits that I haven't made much use of, I hardly have anything so extravagant.

[...Here he thought you were responsible.

Toushirou closes his eyes briefly, thinking. Then he opens them.]

...What's your size?

[He is responsible, which is why he doesn't just have a high-end, expensive formal outfit simply lying around. Responsible people don't simply buy those things banking on the off-chance that they'll need to use them!

He replies with his size, but also ]

We'll need to get something tailored anyway.

[Because no suit ever just comes in 'the right size' off the rack, and ill-fitted suits are an absolute NO.]

We'll do it later.

[A tailored suit--

This is really going to cost him some money, isn't it?]

[Yes, it looks like it will cost a pretty penny. Alas.]

Should I be getting that done here, or at the Near Shore?

[He's partly expecting to at the Near Shore, just to get used to people seeing him. It'd also be a good opportunity to make use of his civilian clothes for once.]

The Near Shore would be the better option.

[Really, he has no idea if anyone on the Far Shore would have enough time to tailor Reisi's suit.]

[Perhaps seeming a little too pleased,]

Very well. The Near Shore it is, then.

[Leave it to Reisi to plant the next set of presents in her shoe box to be found when school's out. As expected, the recipient and her friends are both surprised and intrigued. Who is this secret admirer of hers? Is it a classmate, or someone from another school, or ...? Inquiring minds want to know.

So the following day, Reisi doesn't wear his usual uniform but instead is wearing civilian clothing—a light blue short-sleeved button-up collared shirt, dark blue jeans, black socks, and brown shoes with squared off toes.]

Well then, I'm off to get fitted first. Care to join me?

[Listen, he really has no issue letting the shinki do all the work this time. While Toushirou doesn't mind taking charge, this is a bit out of his element and even he could respect that the shinki at least seems more familiar with it.

As the following day approaches, Toushirou himself is in civilian clothing, enough to make him seem a bit more like a teenager.]

....No, if it's fine with you, I'll pass. Just give me a call when you're finished. I'll be checking on the girl.

Understood. In that case, enjoy your day, Hitsugaya-san.

[With that all pleasantly said and done, Reisi heads out to get properly measured for a tailored outfit to wear to the dance. At least he won't be getting it done from scratch since that may take far too long, but he'll get a good-sized one properly altered and fitted to make the deadline.

It still may turn out a little on the expensive side, but it's for a good cause, isn't it?

Once he's finished, he gives the god a ring on his phone.]

[While Reisi kept himself busy with being fitted, Toushirou made good on his word and keeping an eye on the girl herself.

It was truthfully nice to see her gradually get excited about the dance, eager to meet her secret date. However, it all depends really on how tonight would go.

When he gets the call, Toushirou spares it a glance before he teleports to where the shinki is, soon appearing beside him.]

[Having finished up, Reisi decided it'd be best to kill time at the mall instead of hanging around his future date's neighborhood until she arrived home. So when the god arrives, Reisi can't help commenting,]

The gods' teleportation is a rather useful mechanism.

Is she out of school already? Done with club activities?

[Munakata, you do realize just how much of a creeper that makes you sound, right?

And it makes Toushirou sound like a stalker himself.]

She’s out. Currently on her way home.

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When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are...

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