76/You're Here to Study

You're Here to Study
Date of Scene:	13 July 2023
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	The study group comes together! Then ditches Usagi and Darien.
Cast of Characters:	Mamoru Chiba, Takashi Agera, Usagi Tsukino, Chiyo Sakai, Naru Osaka, Koji Silvia

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Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"And she was talking interminably about the next division over until I'm practically hopping from one foot to the other with wanting to get out of there," Darien's ruefully telling Koji, taking a box of mechanical pencils out of the case of supplies he'd brought with him. There's already a small pile of spare workbooks and notebooks, just in case anybody "forgot" to bring theirs, and a couple of spare graphing calculators as well.

"I know you don't usually like hearing about work, but I swear, 'late' isn't always bad. Sometimes it's just stupid."

Koji Silvia has posed:
Only looking like he is paying just half- to a quarter-attention to Darien as he continues to shift how things are being laid out on the table, Koji's contribution to the effort a the moment is sitting in a spot with his legs going across two chairs a bit rudely. One of them has Darien's phone sitting glass-down in front of it and closer to him, and there is a scowl on his face, as he grumbles out, "Wow, this one might be better than you, D."

But he looks up from his latest move on Chess Warriors Mobile, and replies, "My mom has the exact same problem. Every time she needs to get someplace after work, some fifth floor salaryman just HAS to stop her to ask her something about a meeting, or a project, or something else. But you and my mom are both the best looking people in their department, so it's no surprise she's ALWAYS stopping you to talk. Flirt much?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Even just being around ambient studying is better than not studying at all. I promise it won't kill you." Naru is explaining to Usagipatiently, with the tone of someone who has made these arguments before. "I brought math and science to work on, I don't love doing writing with a ton of other people. I get distracted and my essays suffer for it." Because Naru actually attends study sessions more than once in a never.

"You can even get a snack while we're doing homework." Because if 'dont fail the next test' isn't motivation enough.. and it usually isn't.. hopefully the potential for snacks might do it. She holds the door for Usagi, letting the blonde preceed her into the space.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi Agera is sitting at his own position as well, balancing a mechanical pencil on his finger as he glares down at one of his two open notebooks. He's got two because one is for the schoolwork and another is for a 'personal project', and it's the latter that seems to have him more vexed.
    "If there's one advantage to working in as small and isolated a space as I do right now, it's that people really have to go out of their way to bother me." He notes. He's about to go back to his project when Naru and Usagi start to walk in.
    "Ah, good afternoon Osaka-san. And this is your friend? I don't think we've met. My name is Takashi Agera." He says, before taking a drink from some kind of energy drink.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"It's not going to kill me, but it will be so.... ugh," she doesn't even have words for it aside from a conviction that it's going to be awful. She doesn't try to fail at school, but it's hard and she doesn't get a lot of it, and it's boring and awful. Being around a bunch of people (even her friends!!) who are actually good at sccool and want to study and - "You have to promise you won't let anyone make fun of me, okay?"

She's not good at school. Everyone knows it. And usually her friends don't care, like Naru doesn't mind, but she also doesn't study with her friends, so they never see her struggle with it!

She heaves a sigh as they enter the restaurant. "At least there will be snacks."

She just has to say this *right* as she's being introduced to someone, and grimaces, before forcing the expression into a wobbly smile. Great! Meeting a new person at a study session, that's,,, terrible. Naru-chan why does this guy know about her? "Nice to meet you Takashi-san! I'm Usagi Tsukino, yep, Naru-chan's friend."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Darien chews on the inside of his cheek for a second, squinting through his own glasses at Koji for the 'better than you' comment. And then the response comes and he sighs, grimacing. "Yeah. Flirt much. It gets really uncomfortable. She's gotta be thirty."

He grins at Takashi then, and reaches up to rub at the back of his neck. "You wonder why I come bother you so often. You wonder why you suddenly end up with a lab full of extremely good-looking guys so often. Well--"

Then Naru and Usagi are coming in, and he gets a little crooked smile-- Takashi might notice, in fact, that the bulk of that tiny little thing is focused on the blonde. "Odango-chan," he teases lightly, grinning fully to take any sting out of it.

Koji Silvia has posed:
In a swift move, Koji messages his opponent that he has to pause their battle and flicks the app closed, before turning over and settling his phone down in the approved position. His feet are up off the far chair as he smiles and says in a much brighter and more polite tone, "Usagi-chan! Glad you made it... and this must be the famous Osaka-san."

A bow is offered to Naru, as if the new girl is some respected figure, and as he comes up... an elbow goes right into Darien's side.

Walking over towards the two girls, he motions to the spot next to where Darien is going sit... across from Takashi and to the left, and the seat closer to Takashi, "I saved you the best spot, Usagi... and your friend can sit over there. Remember. Phones out and down. This is study, not social."

Stopping next to Naru, he murmurs, "Can I grab you for a moment?"

    -TEN MINUTES EARLIER-

Outside of the Korma Chameleon as Koji was just getting Darien to start and unpack everything, he was waiting... waiting for this Takashi Person. Waiting with a plan in mind... to leverage their signature on his tutoring form for the potential to get these two on a date. He looks out for anyone around his age and eventually someone who matches up to his specifications approaches...

"Excuse me? Agara-san? My name is Koji Silvia... I'm Darien's roommate... and I need to talk about what's happening today, if you don't mind..."

    -BACK TO THE PRESENT-

Koji says quietly to Naru, "I promise, nothing bad... I just need to discuss something about study group with you. I promise it will be worth your while."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I promise not to tease you.. have I ever teased you about studying?" Naru asks Usagi her smile gentle. "You can ask me as many questions as you need, and I'll try and keep the boys from teasing you either." She can't wholly promise that, not in good conscience at least.

Naru waves to Takashi as he greets them. "Good afternon Agera-san. Yes, this is Usagi." She turns that wave into a gentle arm squeeze for Usagi. Support in the face of the awful of facing your own weaknesses.

She laughs, a little self consciously at being the 'famous' Osaka-san. "I'm hardly famous, or all that exciting." She lets Usagi move away from her, staying back and taking a couple steps away to listen to Koji's quieter words. "Certainly. What can I help you with?"

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi laughs. "The problem, Shields-san, is that when I'm there alone it's already full of good looking guys. Because it's full at one person. I'm not entirely sure how you all squeeze in there sometimes... But certainly there's no work being done at more than one station when you guys are there. On the other hand it's good to have company on occasion."
    And when Usagi gives her name, Takashi can't hide the confusion on his face. Wait, 'this' girl is the one he's trying to do this for? This cannot be the girl. Then his Device informs him mentally that the names do match... Takashi looks down at his homework and rubs a hand over his face. Now is he required to stay here to save Darien from this plot?
    Or, does he leave because the awkwardness of the situation would be funny to tease him about later? Decisions, decisions... For the moment he's silent, looking at his notebook as though he is deep in thought... But mostly he's just waiting, deciding.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Naru-chan is NOT being nearly reassuring enough. But she's doing her best and maybe it's not fair to ask that, and also, maybe it's not fair to her friends and - Koji-senpai, at least, is familair and the same and she smiles a little for him, more genuinely than she had managed for Takashi, who is an unknown. "Koji-senpai! Yes, this is Naru-chan, she's my best friend!"

And then Koji-senpai leads her into a *trap* because - the seat he gestures to is right next to Darien. Right next to Darien. Who she knows and he knows has a maybe possible crush on Usagi. And she stares, stock-still, accepting even the Odango-chan, because - "Oh I have made a mistake."

But there's nothing for it! She can't run away, because Naru-chan is blocking the door! She is trapped! Here! Next to him! She thought the study group was going to help save face for Darien, not romcom trap them!

Numbly, accepting it, resigned, Usagi takes her seat next to Darien and across from Takashi and lowers her head until it touches the table, barely stifling a groan of despair as she surrenders her phone and her will to the inevitable.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
There's a half-second of startlement at the deer-in-headlights look Usagi gives him, and then Darien straightens a little stiffly at her words. "I promise I came here to study, and help if you needed it. I had your classes last year. So, sorry, I thought-- sorry."

He gives Takashi a sidelong look of -- misery? Dread? Resignation? -- and Koji's back some daggers, which Naru will see very clearly, which he realizes after a half second and gives her a strained smile.

He finally pulls out his own chair a little mechanically, then pauses and glances at Usagi again, safe behind the shield of his glasses. "You don't have to sit next to me. There are other chairs nobody's sitting in yet."

It's his face says 'I thought we were good, did I mess it up that badly again'?

Koji Silvia has posed:
    -TEN MINUTES AGO-

Koji says to Takashi as they stand outside briefly, "Darien's head is someplace else with Usagi. She's a nice girl, and I get that he doesn't let girls get too close to often. But these two either need to figure out they're compatible, or they need to get it out of their system. That won't happen unless we just sit them down next to each other and let nature take it's course. Here's what I'm asking... I don't need tutoring. But I will sign the form for you, and get the others to, if you hang until it's time to order a meal, and then we all politely figure out ways to leave."

    -BACK IN THE PRESENT-

Naru gets a variation of the same thing that he talked to Takashi-san about. That he's aware they're both good students (per Usagi), and that we're doing this for her. So she can either figure out she LIKES Darien, or will finally be done over the whole thing and move on. He asks the same thing... for her to sign for Takashi and then we all ditch to let them have truly 'together time'.

It's an awesome idea... cribbed entirely out of romance manga.

But that's worked so far.

    -THE SCREEN SPLITS, AND ONLY KOJI'S MOUTH IS SEEN-

To Both: "So... Are you in?"

Takashi Agera has posed:
Earlier, Takashi paused, and decided he'd help. But now, looking at Usagi... She wasn't a bad looking girl by any stretch but he just couldn't see her with his brother. Also Takashi always knows what's better for Darien than Darien does in his mind. Darien jumps in front of fireballs and guns, after all. But he also just wanted the paper signed.
     And then... A smile slowly creeps across his face. He knows what he will do. He knows how he can do what Koji asked but also help out his adopted brother - if he wants the help. And if not, if Koji is right, then whatever. Jump in front of an odango fireball.
    "I see what you mean. That hair is kinda making me hungry which is weird." Takashi says, back in the world outside his brain. "Hey, before we eat though, can everyone sign this?" He asks. Taking out a piece of paper. "It just says we got together and you were tutored." Tutored by Takashi, but...

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru flashes Koji a conspiratorial smile as he explains The Plan(tm) and she nods just a little. Turning back to the rest of the room, she can't help but laugh as Takashi just gets the paperwork over with off the top. "I mean, we /are/ all studying, right? I can get you to work on math with me if you feel obliged to, Takashi."

She digs into her satchel for a pen, clearly willing to sign off that she was 'tutored', in spite of not really needing such a thing. She plunks herself in a chair right next to Takashi, ensuring that there are fewer free seats for Usagi to try and flee where she's sitting with Darien. She reaches over and pats the back of Usagi's head. "You're fine."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Oh no. Oh *no*.

Usagi clenches her eyes shut for a moment, accepting all the ways that she was definitely, totally, utterly betrayed and in over her head, and had also made it all worse because now Darien thought she was upset with 'him', and then opens her eyes and smiles. At Darien. Only Darien. Even though she knows this is a mistake.

"No, I'll sit next to you! I'd rather sit next to you than Koji-senpai."

She shoots him a little 'I know what you're doing and you better not be planning more' glare and takes her seat next to Darien, shooting Naru-chan a betrayed look as she does. Because she can't just 'tell' Darien, not when all of this is definitely happening because Chiyo-chan thinks he has a crush on her and telling him that would mean talking about it which would be embarrassing because then she'd have to turn him down (right?) and that's too much!

"You didn't do anything wrong, I'm the sorry one," she tells Darien (and again, only Darien). "I just - um, I really hate studying, and everyone's here to study, and I don't like it!"

She will fully abandon her real feelings to her other, also real, feelings, to disguise this awkward!

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Darien's soul basically leaves his body for a half-second, why is Takashi hungry over Usagi's hair and for that matter why is everyone being so weird, and -- there's a paper going around, and Naru is comforting Usagi over-- what? And the sophomore's completely lost at sea.

But then Usagi's giving him something direct to focus on again, and he looks back down at her and she's being-- she's smiling. At him. Just at him. Just a moment while his brain's buffering.

Then, "Okay," says Darien, and sits down next to Usagi, his expression softening around his eyes, around the corners of his mouth. "You don't have to be sorry. And don't worry, I made-- a bet. With myself. That I could make studying fun for you. Do you, uh. Do you want to work on Math? Or English? Or something else?"

Through that, he's been relaxing, and he's actually almost back to his friendly normal status quo now, with a little added extra ~soft~ for seasoning.

And then the paper's passed their way and he signs it while rolling his eyes at Takashi, before sliding it in front of Usagi.

Koji Silvia has posed:
As last to sit back down, Koji passes by a waitress and gets some waters to be sent to the table, along with some of the veggie samosas as a starter, enough so that everyone can have 2-3, or they can sacrifice their own to the gods for a hungrier/nervous studymate.

Once he's planted back into his spot to the right of Darien, he waits for his turn to sign the form, leaving the seat between him and Takashi vacant for when Chiyo is supposed to arrive. Flipping his phone for a moment, he checks for any messages, and then with an exhale, he sits back and starts to dig out his own subjects, "I've got Math and English here too. I wish I was back in your grade, Naru. Our current english teacher is OBSESSED with Kipling. If I have to recite Gunga Din one more time, I might have to move to the subcontinent."

Lame joke. It's a try, and he can sort of feel the tension next to him, causing him to scoot a couple centimeters close to Takashi.

He looks across from his spot to Naru, and shrugs... as if assuming he would take a hit for this, and then reaches out for the form when she's done.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi is mostly concerned with the paper, but whenever he looks at Darien he's pretty sure he's at least uncomfortable, and Usagi looks like she's trying to squirm away. He decides that he'd only have Koji play matchmaker in the future for someone he doesn't like - but it's because he either misses the signs of attraction from watching the paper or, equally likely, doesn't recognize them on his own.
    "I can help anybody with whatever they need help with. But maybe not math. I've been told I'm not good at tutoring math." Because it turns out 'just do it in your head and write the answer down' is not advice that is actually helpful for most people.
    Takashi passes on the appetizers but he does ask for another soda, which is gone almost as fast as Usagi's appetizers are likely to be.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
*IRRASHAIMASE!* Chimes the door at the Korma Chameleon as another figure enters.

It's the one that was apparently running rather late to the little study session, Chiyo. The usually on time and orderly tenth year was late though she had done her best to hurry here. Really, she had. So much so that she's a bit out of breath from running while clutching her school bag to her chest rather than risk dropping it in her haste. Burdened with both it and a bag from Nounamu Sweets dangling off one elbow, she looks as if she'd run the whole way here.

Maybe even fallen along the way.

Her normally neat and orderly hair is mussed, and there's a scuff on her knee from a fall she'd yet to be able to see to properly.

"I'm so sorry I'm late! There was a--a--THING..." Face flushed and realizing she was likely not making much sense, her gaze sweeps over all around. Usagi, and Darien. A guy and girl she didn't know, and Koji. It's then that she catches sight of her reflection in the glass front of the store.

"Oh. I should... Excuse me I should clean up a bit. I'm so sorry."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'll trade you for grade 10 math." Naru offers Koji with a smile. "Grade nine math is boring. English though? No deal. I haven't done any Kipling at all, I'd be utterly lost. We're in a stright up grammar section, which isn't so bad. At least it's got rules, even if English breaks all of them." The tutoring form continues to make its lazy way around the room, picking up signatures as it goes.

Naru turns her attention to Takashi and quirks her head. "You do not seem like the social science type to me." She notes thoughtfully and then nods to his notebook. The interesting one, not the school one. "What are you working on?"

Naru is clearly letting Darien and Usagi sort themselves out, for better or worse. They'll figure it out. Hopefully. Eventually.

And then.. Distraction! Naru turns as the door chimes and provides the last of the study group. An unfamiliar girl, bringing the gender split back to even. Naru smiles and waves. "It's alright, we've barely sorted out who is sitting where and what everyone is working on. You're hardly late at all."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
He looks happier; Darien, that is, just a little bit. Usagi isn't entirely sure she'd be able to tell someone else how she knows, only that she's sure of it. It's not a bad thing - he doesn't deserve to feel bad. But it does make her squirm a little, knowing for sure that her traitor friends are going to see this as their plan working! "Um... let's try math," she suggests, remembering that Naru-chan had definitely made her bring her math book. "I'm not any good at it, but if you think you can make it fun, I'll try."

She's pretty positive in fact, that he can't make it fun! But she'll let him try, because he's the only one besides her who apparently doesn't have any ulterior motives, and also because he doesn't seem to recognize the trap their traitor friends have laid down for them. At least there are snacks - veggie samosas, which she takes three of right away, putting on a plate besides a cup of water, and snacking on one immediately.

At least the snacks are good and not traiterous.

And then, like the voice of another of those Christian angels, there's the chime of the door, as Chiyo-chan rushes in, looking - well, honestly looking a bit of a fright. "Chmiyo-chwan!"

Usagi swallows her mouthful and tries again, immediately, "Chiyo-chan! Are you okay?!" She is immediaterly trying to get up! She's never seen Chiyo look anything less than perfectly in order, and that scuff on her knee looks like it could hurt.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Reaching out to get himself one (1) veggie samosa and looking impressed at Usagi's three, Darien sets it down and gets a napkin unfolded, then opens and folds back a fresh notebook. He sets it down on the table between his spot and Usagi's, then nods. "Math is fine," he says, "and I'm sorry that it's algebra. I always thought they should switch geometry and algebra back, because of the order in which--" He shakes his head and laughs, then blinks at Chiyo coming in and Usagi darting up.

Darien doesn't stop Usagi, but he does use her getting up as an opportunity to flip her book open and check the index in the back for where the questions he saw on her failed test live. Once he's got the pages flipped back to the right section, he calls, "Usagi-chan? This is what you're up to, right? One-step equations?"

He's literally still thinking this is just an actual study session. It's so clear and obvious on his earnest face. He pushes his glasses up. "Let Chiyo do her thing, your samosas are going to get cold."

Koji Silvia has posed:
The form for Taka is taken and signed, and then moved to Chiyo's spot just as she comes in. He moves to stand... because that's what he's supposed to do, right?

But then Usagi takes the moment to bolt and go right to her to check her over.

Moving off and away, he goes to get some more napkins and another glass of water so they can help her with the scuff on her knee, holding them patiently as he stands there. A look is given to Darien, but he's busy in the math packet. Naru seems to be gearing up to actually ask some questions, which leaves him staring at Takashi for a long moment... somehow neutral and pokerfaced unlike before. Then he gives it up and shrugs as he turns to face the girls...

...where Takashi-san could see that unique smartwatch of his, and the prominent and perfectly round sapphire sitting below the time.

When he finally speaks up, it's a subdued, "Hi Chiyo... are you okay? I got something to help clean that if you want..."

Takashi Agera has posed:
The girl who comes in, he doesn't recognize - though he's able to pick up her name from Usagi's reaction. But Takashi doesn't have a frame of reference to know how out of sorts she looks. But other people are getting up so he starts to as well - until it's clear there's enough people doing that and he sits back down.
    Naru asks him about the other notebook and he blinks, then half smiles. "It's kind of a long, impossibly nerdy story. On a basic level it's math but with some extra rules. I made it up as a little project to challenge myself." What it actually is though, is Mid-Childan/Belkan magical-oriented math, and he brought it to have interesting work to do. "Kind of a logical puzzle." He offers.
    He notices Koji's watch for just a moment, but doesn't 'clock' it as the same kind of technology as his own Device.
    "So is six our intended size or are more missing?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai holds up her hands a bit to ward off any untoward worry about her condition. "Ah, I'm fine. Usagi-chan I just..." A breath is taken as she realizes this is probably going to require at least a bit of explanation. "I took a shortcut through a park, and there was this weird thing fighting some people. I hid in the bushes until it was gone."

If by 'hid in bushes' she means 'henshined and fought' at least. Best not to explain that much however. Instead she absently combs her fingers through her hair to smooth out any mussed bits plucking out a single leaf. That at least helped her story a bit before she risks approaching the table to take the seat left empty for her.

"Thank you. I'm Chiyo Sakai, grade ten," she offers politely to Takashi and Naru as her voice starts to return to normal, calm levels. "If anyone needs help with history, my grades are good in that." The bag of sweets is left to hang off the back of her chair as she moves her bag to her lap to pull out some books even as she notices the note there. "Oh, right, I said I'd sign that too."

The thought is lost when Koji offers the napkins and water with a thankful expression. "Thank you, Koji-kun. I'm fine, just a bit tired, mostly." She does reach out to accept the items though intending to clean up just a bit. As she does, her gaze flits between Darien and Usagi only to look questioningly at Koji after. How *was* it going?

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Hunh. You're right, that is delightfully nerdy." Naru agress with Takashi as he explains his extra notebook. The niggly details, well Naru wouldn't understand magical math, regardless. Logic puzzles, those she understands.

Naru wouldn't understand 'henshined and fought' at the best of times, but she blinks at little at the notion of a fight in the park. "It feels like things are getting weirder." She muses quietly, almost to herself. A little louder, she notes to Chiyo. "I'm glad you're alright, and that a little scrape is the worst of it. Have a samosa." She offers the plate in her direction.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
It's only because Chiyo-chan says that she's fine that Usagi reluctantly backs off, returning to her seat, and her veggie samosas - which were indeed getting cold! She takes a bite, concern furrowing her brow at the mention of a fight in the park, especially if it was weird - that might have been a monster, and while she's glad she missed the fight... "But you're okay, Chiyo-chan? Nothing bad happened?"

She still remembers the thunk Naru-chan's head made, striking the ground after a monster dropped like so much garbage.

It's hard to focus on math, after that - even more so than usual, but she distractedly says, "Yeah, we're doing dumb equations. Math is stupid anyway - why'd they have to add letters to it?"

It really *is* a study session, at least. She can't do anything for Chiyo-chan, but she should probably... study... she guesses. She finally signs Takashi's sheet, and looks down at her math homework. "I don't know how you'll win your bet, Darien-kun."

Mm, she does not like the sound of that. It's his name, sure, but it begs for a shortening. Dari-kun, maybe? But no! Koji-senpai and Naru-chan would take that as 'proof' for their scheming...

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
The story Chiyo tells of where she was and what she was doing makes Darien itch to take out his phone and check to see if there were any work notifications, and it makes his eyes narrow a little bit in thought -- what if once you remembered something happening, it happened near you more often? But he shakes his head; there's a reason there are no phones out, and he's not going to be the first to break the rule.

He glances at Naru, at Naru's reaction to Chiyo, and chews on his lower lip, looking a little opaque for a second. Then he exhales and looks toward Usagi again, and the opacity's just gone and he's smiling crookedly again. "Well there's a trick to it, and the way I'm going to make it fun is this--"

He takes out a big bag of M&Ms. "Bribery and dopamine. You get five M&Ms for every correct answer, and I'll walk you through them. Then at the end of the page, one of Chiyo-san's good treats. That work?"

Koji Silvia has posed:
The moment Darien digs out those treats and presents his own diabolic plan to Usagi, there's a knowing GRIN shot at Naru.

After that, he turns around his english assignment and pushes it towards Takashi, "Just so we can officially say you tutored someone here... could you check my work? The exercise is to use synonyms in sentences to describe a topic ten ways without repeating. I think I got these right, but I want to be sure."

Without waiting on the response, he says to Chiyo, "If you want to talk about it, we can later. Right now... we can just... yeah... you know?" There's this semi-'help me' look in his eyes. He's trying to do this thing he's supposed to be doing, but the whole topic of relationships (even fake ones) are still in the realm of Other People Problems.

Takashi Agera has posed:
"See, I like math because there is always a concrete answer - it's never dependent on matching your instructors beliefs. Sometimes they might not like the way you get to the answer, but there always is a core correct answer. A lot of the other subjects rely on your view matching someone else's, which is problematic."
    "At least, if you know all of the elements and rules governing things..." He grumbles a bit as he looks down at his own annoyingly complex project. He must have been missing something. More calculations are scribbled.
    Koji pushes some work towards him, and Takashi reads it. There are mistakes but they're small. Weirdly enough, they're somewhat consistent. Like someone who perhaps wants to succeed, but not too well..."Yeah, that should count for the assignment. The words are a little clunky for someone who's not a native speaker but unless your teacher is looking for that you shouldn't have any issue. Just know your audience. And know what you're looking for as well." He says.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai tends to her knee as inconspiciously as possible by dabbing the damp paper napkin over it to gently clean it up. At least it would last until she could get proper treatment back at home. Right now she caught that pleading look from him with a small nod of apparent understanding. "It's okay. For now I just want to get my mind off of it," she assures with a smile as she takes out her own notebook. Recalling the paper she fishes out a pencil to also jot her name down for Takashi only to slide it back his way.

With the talk of math brought up again by Usagi she offers, "I find math is easier if I associate it with something. Like trying to figure out how many peices of candy I need for each friend of mine." A helpful hint, perhaps? Though when Darien comes out with the M&M's her eyes widen with a soft, "Oh, imported," remark. Good work, Darien! Get her with those American candies!

The samosa that Naru had offered her way is taken after a few more moments to nibble herself with a quiet, "Thank you. They really do make excellent food here." Something she tries to say loud enough so that staff can overhear. It never hurts to share appreciation for what someone else does!

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru leans over to shamelessly look over Takashi's shoulder as he comments and makes notes on Koji's english paper. It is, after all, not so dissimiliar from her own. Just a grade ahead. She is quite careful not to gawk at Taka's own notes. She accepts that nerdtastic logic puzzles are not exactly for public consumption.

"I agree with you about math." Naru nods to Takashi as she gets back out of his personal space a little to do so. "It's not subjective. Although ironically, I also enjoy art class and that is nothing but subjective. Usually it's mostly about how to make whatever you did fit the assignment and convincing the teacher of that."

Because nothing says 'artist' like trying to shoehorn a piece into the theme of an assignment or showing by brute force and bullhookey.

Finally Naru reaches for a samosa, after ensuring that there's still enough for everyone, even after Usagi's collected her trio. "Mmm." she nibbles on it. "I should get the samosa's more often."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Yeah, her eyes light up at the reveal of those candies - imported candies, at that! There's just something about those 'cheap' American chocolates that's 'nice', and the idea that she'll get them in addition to Chiyo's sweets... "I'll try, but you have to help, because I really don't get it."

It's a fair caution! She wants him to know the help will be real, because she genuinely doesn't understand how to do most of this math. Once she got out of the basics, math quickly went to universes she doesn't care for.

And because of that candy bribe, she finally takes out her own notebook, and gets ready to start struggling through math homework, missing the byplay of everyone else.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
--and now that Usagi's attention's on him, Ma--Darien's attention narrows down to her (and his samosa, which he remembers again and takes a bite of.)

He quickly notes down the first five practice problems on the page her textbook is open to as he munch munches through the samosa, and he nods firmly. Once the appetizer's gone, he says, "Part of the deal is I walk you through them. Part of walking you through them is going to be finding a way to help you understand them, since everyone learns differently. I bet we can unlock whatever it is for you, even if it takes a few sessions. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it today! We'll keep trying, and chocolate makes everything worthwhile."

A tiny chuff of a laugh. "I mean, for me too."

Koji Silvia has posed:
Focusing on his own history assignment after actually letting Takashi do something 'tutory' so he doesn't have to LIE if pressed on the topic, Koji then very quietly begins to slide his workbooks back into his bag... snagging a couple extra blank ones from the pile, a couple fresh mechanical pencils, and other free office swag that's on offer. Once got his spoils, he shoots a little to Chiyo and flicks his eyes towards the door.

Instead of sliding the chair and breaking their focus, he turns himself to the side and slides out, and after slinging his school pack, he holds out a hand behind it for Chiyo to take. No obvious motions, nothing to startle the pair as they get into their groove, just working to quietly fade out...

Takashi Agera has posed:
Well, Takashi has his paper signed and that'll keep him from the terror of caffeine headaches until he can get back to actual work. And that was the deal, right? So, as Koji sneaks away, he shrugs a little bit and grabs his two notebooks, one book, and pencil silently - he didn't bring much knowing he was going to be leaving early.
    Which means it looks a little bit like he's shutting Naru out, but he just puts a finger to his lips and inclines his head to Usagi and Mamoru as he gets up.
    And Takashi slips out and away, moving a lot quieter than it might be expected. On the way out, he pulls out his phone and sets a timer, before looking around and finding a Door to head back to Obsidian ASAP.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai watches the pair from the corner of her eye as they seem to really get into it. When Koji shoots her that look she takes it for what he means with a simple nod of agreement. As quietly as she can her notebook slides back into her bag. Luckily for them the bag of sweets is something she's abandoning there for them--It would crinkle way too obviously if she were to try and make off with that, too. Maybe it was meant to be.

Before she gets too far she places a two-for-one meal deal coupon for Korma on the table within easy sight of the pair once they might actually look around.
    Satisfied with the set up she swings her legs to the side to rise lady-like from her seat to join Koji to take hold of his hand--wait was she supposed to do that? Oh well.

Naru Osaka has posed:
After the heads up off the top from Koji, Naru never did even get her books out. Sure she talked about school stuff, but her satchel still has her notebooks and workbooks all safe and sound within. She is the last to get up from her chair. Perhaps just a little bit of guilt in abandoning her Usagi. At least she's being abandoned with chocolate?

Hopefully it's enough distraction for Naru to finally stand and slip her satchel over her shoulder. She is quiet enough when she wants to be, slipping out the door, which is going to betray them all with it's happy jingle. Hopefully the tutoring pair just think it's other patrons arriving. Either way, its just the two of them now.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Everyone solves them a different way, huh?" She's pretty sure she heard Takashi say there was just one way - or maybe that there was just one answer? But she wasn't paying much attention to him, admittedly. There was chocolate after all, and Darien offering to help and seeming very sincere, and, most importantly - he wasn't teasing her. Not about 'this', anyway.

"I'll try not to get discouraged, if you promise not to lose patience."

It's a more savvy promise than most would expect from Usagi, but there IS a reason she only studies ('studies') with Naru-chan, now. She has to laugh a little too, and because of him - "Chocolate 'is' really hard to beat!"

She doesn't notice that anyone's left. "Okay, so show me how to start this one then, because the teacher got annoyed with me when I kept messing it up -"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"I won't lose patience." Another grin, that boyish one that's bright and unfettered and infectious, and Darien ducks his head to point at the letters. "All right. So, the teacher probably didn't explain how the order of operations works in algebra really well, I had to help a bunch of people in my class figure it out too. When the letter is next to a number, it always means you're multiplying first--"

And so it goes for all five of the first problems, and then the next five are easier, and then the next five Usagi can probably do on her own with cheerleading-- which she gets, definitely. He's always pleased and almost excited when she gets the right answer, and he'll explain things six different ways if he has to, and then they're through with twenty equations, a whole test's worth, and a quarter of an hour's gone by with only ambient restaurant sounds.

"Excellent! So it's the end of the page, and I did promise-- Chiy..." Mam--Darien starts, looking up, and Chiyo's not in her seat (but the treats bag is on her chair!) And Naru's not there. Or Takashi or Koji. Darien does a quick, alarmed look around the rest of the restaurant, as if making sure there are actually still other people there, and he blinks in confusion.

Then his face goes red.

"I think we've been ditched," he says in a low voice, feeling cold. "Why--?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's always been horrible with math, but, somehow, Darien has the patience to not get upset, or get irritated, or laugh at her. He works through five problems with her, then helps her find her way through five more - and then, she manages the next five, and then the last five, and he cheers her through the whole thing, not condescending or bored at all, but genuinely enthusiastic about her progress. She doesn't know how much time passes. She doesn't check. She just, eats the M&M's, shares some with Darien as they succeed, and by the time she's finished the page, she's actually 'thrilled', because - she did it!

"Naru-chan, look I -" and then she notices.

Notices that they're alone, of course. The whole big table, empty but for them, some drink cups, and a bag of sweets.

Her face goes red 'immediately'. Those scoundrels! Those traitors! How could they -

And Darien sounds 'hurt'. Those idiots.

"I - think, they -" she starts, slowly then stops. Won't he just be embarrassed? She's hideously embarrassed.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Back at Obsidian, Takashi has taken up residence at an empty desk in the all-but-empty corporate part. He's got his phone out and is playing some sort of mobile game, feet propped up on another chair relaxing.
    He's been waiting for the alarm he set earlier - when it goes off he picks up the phone on the desk. The display suddenly garbles, and instead of calling out of the corporate drone's desk phone number, Mamoru's phone suddenly goes off with whatever ring tone he set for the 'this is a serious emergency do not ignore this call' number of Beryl.
     When he picks it up though, it's very much not Beryl but the voice of his oldest friend (counting only this life at least).
    "Hey, how are you enjoying the impromptu date with spaghetti and meatballs hair girl your roommate put us up to setting you two up on? If you're having a great time you can just hang up and tell your new girl it was a butt dial, and I will give you hell tomorrow. But if you want an out, here it is. Critical Work Emergency, it's not her it's your job. Cause while it was funny, I'm not sure I trust you to escape on your own if you don't actually dig her, you're too nice for your own good."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Darian's cycled through hot and cold again, one hand clenching into a fist, and he's about to tell Usagi-- something, anything, when his phone buzzes on the table and he jumps. He stares at it uncomprehendingly for a second, but it keeps buzzing, and he reaches over carefully to pick it up.

Immediately his shoulders untense, because hearing Takashi on the phone when he's tense about anything either means the shit's about to hit the fan or he has an out of a situation or both, but then he tenses again because he's not at all sure how to answer. "Ah-- hm," Darien says into the phone. "Well, we just finished and-- hang on."

No he is NOT--

He puts his thumb over the mic and asks Usagi in a low whisper, "Are you okay with me staying and us having dinner or should I take a social out that would save us both face that I'm being offered?"

He smells like chocolate and-- roses? That close. Dried roses, light and sweet and brittle.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's kind of mad, actually. It was one thing to try and set them up and see about how this crush went and if it was returned - but Darien's feelings are obviously hurt. And he didn't pick up on any of it. And he 'asked' for this study group! He wanted to study! And they left! Because of - of stupid manga stuff, and she's kind of mad. Not at Naru-chan - she'd walked poor Naru-chan right into this on accident, and she can't be too mad that she ditched!

But she can be annoyed with Koji-senpai and Chiyo-chan.

But then Darien gets a phone call, and he looks a little annoyed, and then tense, and then he offers and -

"You know, let's have dinner. They gave us a coupon! And you didn't get to do any of your work. So... who cares if they ditched us," huff! "We can have a good time, right?"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
And... Darien blinks, startled. He immediately grins again, then is laughing when he brings his phone back up to his ear. "Thanks, Takashi-kun-- I think we'll be okay." We.

Looks like Mamoru's opting for 'getting made fun of later', which is quite brave of him really. "We figured it out, and we're going to get curry and make fun of Koji and Chiyo. Do you want me to bring anything back for you? I honestly thought everyone was going to stay, did you even eat anything?"

Self care is important! Hematite Says.

Takashi Agera has posed:
"Ah, so you have chosen odangos..." Takashi says, in the same over serious tone he'd use if the last word there was death instead. "Well, wouldn't have guessed but we'll talk later. Have fun or something." And then he hung up

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Maybe she's playing right into their hands. But she's - having a decent time. Darien is a good teacher, and he's a good friend too. Better than Koji-senpai right now (and maybe that's because he likes her. But she's not thinking about that. Not now!) and better than Chiyo-chan, even. "Was that Takashi-san?"

Yeah, they're on a first name basis too. She barely even talked to him, but they're on a first name basis.

"At least he checked up on you!"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Pff," says Darien at his phone with a fond (but faintly something else) smile, hung up on before he could hang up. He turns the screen off and puts it back facedown on the table. "Yeah," he says to Usagi, wry. "He's one of my best friends. Definitely my oldest friend, I don't even remember how long I've known him."

But they can order dinner, and do, and it's wonderful, and they wouldn't even be here having fun if he hadn't poisoned the novelty ice cream two weeks ago.

He should do that again, maybe with bagged popcorn this time.