tetcho is not one to ask unnecessary questions. not verbally, at least. he questions outwardly in stares held for too long, questions in his own mind things he doesn't understand, but it takes a long time for him to bring the words from his mind into his mouth.

so this one is a long time coming, as he sits with chuuya after a long bout of training. sword in hand, he stares at his reflection in it.

" ...if you had the chance, would you leave fukuchi's command? if you... found something better? "

Content with the outcome of yet another successful training with his childhood friend, Chuuya rests on his outstretched palms, leaning back with a satisfied, drawn out sigh. It's more or less a routine for them by now - having started their ... friendly rivalry since youth and continuously engaging in it even after their involvement with the Hunting Dogs. If anyone had asked him, he probably would deny how natural it feels to him to be around Tetcho and how at ease he feels.

For all the years they have known each other, Chuuya is somewhat familiar with how he works and thus, the sudden question catches him completely off-guard. It is rare for Tetcho to ask something like that, more so as it questions his - their - chosen path. Their home.

"...what...what got ya t'say that?" A slight frown as he shifts to rest his arms on his own thighs instead, palm opening and blue hues fixating on the fine folds of it. Whether or not he is truly human, the identity crisis he experienced during his childhood days ( still haunting him every so often, never truly leaving his mind ) is nothing in comparison of what he - what they - have become: they are no longer human. Not entirely, anyways. Not with how they are incapable of living without the monthly surgery nor with their enhanced senes; far surpassing that of the average human being.

"'S no use wonderin' about somethin' impossible, right?" Even so, it is in the comfort of his company that Chuuya allows himself to indulge and perhaps wonder. Especially since it's Tetcho asking. "Never considered if there's anythin' else out there for the likes of me, y'know? Not to mention somethin' better." A short pause followed by a shrug. "I'm ... content here, with the old man 'n with you by my side." Which isn't to say that he wouldn't leave if given the right motivation. "But really, why're yer even askin'? What's on yer mind, Tetcho?"

@corruptiongifted:

Itou had never been to Yokohama before, but he was happy to have finished his mission early and enjoyed the sights from the piers and the famous ferris wheel to china town and the parks. It was an enjoyable day. And the best was saved for last.

A traditional tea shop.

A cheerful smile adorns his lips as the young man seats himself at the front counter to better watch as the drinks were made. Considering the warmer weather, a hojicha iced tea would be the best for today.

A turn to the other person in the shop near him, smiling cheerfully. "What kind of tea are you getting?"

Chuuya may not be a tea connoisseur as much as he was one when it came to wine, but his tastes are heavily influenced by the people he grew up with – like a certain executive only four years his senior. It’s her birthday soon and thus, the younger had decided to check out a variety of tea shops and blends for a potential gift. It's not mandatory, of course, even if Kouyou may act as differently, but Chuuya has always loved to spoil others.

The shop he enters is one he has read relatively good reviews, high praises sung about their tea blends and the overall quality of the place and the atmosphere has him feel at ease and he finds himself drawn towards the counter, seating himself as if that had been his plan all along.

A flip through the menu, the executive is pleasantly surprised by their variety of offer and just as he is considering to simply ask the waitress for a recommendation, a cheerful voice catches his attention. "Hmm...?" A glance at the man, he offers a nod in greeting. It's not a face he recognises, so it must be a random guest of the shop. "Actually, I'm unsure of what's good here. Ya got any recommendations?"

Silly

˗ˏˋ *ㅤ★ㅤ‿︵ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤThat's okay ! We can go to those places TOGETHER !ㅤ❜

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 to be looking after a child all day ? Especially one that was determined to use a SUPER - EXPENSIVE coat as a fun hiding place ? PROBABLY ! But the child wasn't exactly thinking about such a thing.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤIt's the SMARTEST idea ever !ㅤ❜

Chuuya sighs at the delighted tone used which marks the moment of his utter loss. He knows that he's unable to refuse the child, not with the way they're snuggling close, hiding beneath his coat and looking at him with those eyes.

"Aight, but you gotta promise to listen to my every word, got it?" He glances at Yumeno then around them for good measure. "Let's go then, shall we?" First on his agenda was to check on his subordinates. They should be back by now with a full report.

˗ˏˋ *ㅤ★ㅤ‿︵ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ𝑨 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒕 from beneath the man's ebony jacket as starry orbs make contact with the man. They didn't seem to be in particular distress in the very least. Though, the PAT TO THE HEAD did bring a smile to their face.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤThis is the BEST hiding place in the mafia !ㅤ❜

“Hmm…?” He doubts that what the child claims to be true, but perhaps it depends on from what or who they’re hiding from? Not many people would dare cross the executive’s path and question him unnecessarily.

“And why exactly are you hiding? You know that I’ve got places to be at, right?” Though he doesn’t have any meetings planned for the day, Chuuya still has work to take care of sooner or later – he can hardly run around with the child in tow all day. “I don’t think it’s smart for you to stay with me, Yumeno.”

A fervent nod of their head. Kyusaku could behave if it meant freedom. They could listen if it meant freedom. They would do anything to be free from that tiny little cell. Anything. 

Their eyes brighten as Chuuya stands up, reaching forward to take the older man’s hand with a bright smile. They like holding hands, even if it could be dangerous. “Can we have sweets? Oh! Can we eat at one of the really fancy places?? I wanna see them!”

Chuuya heaves a defeated sigh at those misleading eyes - as much as he hates to admit it, sometimes he simply couldn’t deny a child the little good things in life. Especially if it’s something as simple as going out and enjoying a good meal. Perhaps some people would even consider him softhearted despite how cruel and indifferent the mafioso could feel towards their enemies; his treatment towards his own has always been appreciated.

Eyes widen ever so slightly as his hand’s taken — a heartbeat passes before Chuuya gently squeezes the tiny hand and starts moving. Something as simple as holding hands usually doesn’t even cross his mind; even when he was training under Kouyou, it was rare. 

“Sure, sure, whatever you want as long as you’re behavin’! And what do you even want to eat?” A ‘really fancy place’ is too vague for Chuuya to settle on.

✧ @corruptiongifted sent↴

"Since you're already here -- you might as well stay for a drink." It's a bizarre situation, really - a mafia executive inviting a Hunting Dog into his private home, but there's no harm in it and Chuuya has surprisingly gotten used to the man's quirks.

Really, the Hunting Dog has only made a call to Chuuya's home to provide him with a few scraps of useful information. Nothing that would compromise Jono's cases but that the executive may find helpful in his own work. A sort of... peace offering, if you will. He's at least learned to appreciate that Chuuya is clever and capable, it pays to not be outright enemies when they can avoid it.

But he'll stop at the door, head cocked in sudden interest, when the invitation is given.

Oh? Is Chuuya so willing to let a business call turn into a social one? Well, Jono is hardly the sort to turn down such an opportunity. Especially after getting a sense for the kind of place Chuuya lives in--he really does seem to enjoy the finer things in life, not just clothing, so surely whatever drink he has to offer will be of exceptional quality as well.

"It'd be in rather poor taste if I didn't accept." Jono is quick to remove hat and cape, tucking them into the crook of one arm as he steps back over the threshold. "If I'd known you were such a gracious host, I would have come calling sooner."

Chuuya steps aside to let the man in, rolling his eyes at the words. “Don’t make me regret my invitation, Jono-san, or this’ll be the first and last time for you.” Though he mostly speaks in jest as he closes the door behind him and walks back inside, moving towards his kitchen. “Make yourself comfortable on the couch, I’ll be right there with you.” 

He needs a few before he’s back with the man again. Two burgundy wine glasses and a wooden board with a variety of cheese are placed onto the coffee table before he takes a seat next to the man.

“Admittedly, I didn’t expect you to come visit me personally. Figured you’d just give me a call or have someone bring me the information you gathered, y’know?” Reaching for the white wine waiting inside the ice bucket, Chuuya holds the bottle’s body and starts filling the glasses just below the widest area - about one third. 

“Not that I’m complaining though - must say that you’ve got impeccable timing.” Reaching for a glass, he hands it to Jono before taking his own. “I recently acquired a 2010 bottle of Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru and have been meaning to give it a taste.” A moment is used to simply savor the smell of the oaked wine before he raises his glass towards Jono expectantly. There’s no real occasion to toast on, especially not for these two – perhaps just for the small respite and the good drink?

The weather itself isn't topmost on his list of concerns, but Edgar has to admit it's a problem for him too. Of course, that's also barring their own unspoken reasons for being outside--neither one mentioned to the other. Chuuya doesn't have to say it out loud for him to suspect it, because no one who wanders around this late at night alone without a destination does so for a positive reason.

"It isn't," he freely admits as he keeps his gaze fixed on the concrete in front of them. "Not in this area, at least. I prefer to head down to the port, walk near the water... the gentle waves are calming."

Edgar's head turns up to look at the pitch-black sky. If he focuses, he thinks he can make out the dim glow of stars across it. "We could pay a visit."

Albeit feeling no imminent threat, the man has a habit of staying cautious just in case – especially on a night like this one where he’s not in the best mood, Chuuya doesn’t know what might happen. Perhaps watching those few drunkards and sleepless ones wandering around serves as a distraction for his own thoughts? 

The unexpected company isn’t unwelcome either, even if Chuuya can’t really get a read on the man just yet. Not that it matters for now – they’re neither friends nor enemies and that’s good enough for him.

“The port, huh?” It’s their territory, so naturally the mafioso feels like home in that area. However, Yokohama is big enough for them to enjoy a walk there without getting unnecessary attention. “Sure. Sounds nicer and calmer than this place.” Offering a nod, the man heads off towards the port, easily finding his way through the alleys.

“Mind if I smoke?”