I Bring An Offering

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki didn’t know where all the compliments were coming from but he liked that. He was usually the one who did that to others and he had to admit that it gave him a warm feeling inside to be on the receiving end for once. He never asked for those though, and it wasn’t the kind of compliments he would just wash off either. Eiji never told him once that he was a cute girl or anything of the like, so of course, it gave him bonus points even though Hiroki wasn’t aware of it himself. He might not be blind when it came to others’ feelings but he was completely clueless about his own at some points.

“Nah, they should be used to seeing me bringing friends over, I think they were more surprised when you asked for Amaya-chan’s company.” He admitted to Eiji. After all, the girl didn’t have a lot of friends and only Matsumi had started to visit more often because Osamu asked her to do so. He liked to believe that they were good friends now though and started to think that Amaya shouldn’t know the part where he asked her for help.

“Besides, you’ll have a taste of her cooking, once you do, you never get tired of it.” He added with a grin. After all, they’d eat only instant noodles and scrap food if she wasn’t the one doing that so he was thankful to have her around too. She might scare him to death at times but she was a good person deep down.

[IWASE EIJI]

It did not surprise Eiji all that much that Hiroki was the type to have several friends coming over. He was a very sociable person. The kind Eiji couldn't see alone for too long before he would seek someone's company. Eiji was more of a loner himself, but that didn't mean he disliked having people around. He just knew how to occupy himself on his own.

He nodded. "I noticed they were surprised about this. I suppose her reputation at school is known here as well." Eiji was not much aware of that sort of thing but even he knew what people thought of Amaya. She was spooky. He couldn't quite refute that. It just happened that what she loved, in this case bones, suited his need in his research. He was not aware that the fact he barely knew of Yoshihiro felt weird to them also.

He stared at Hiroki. He seemed to be looking forward to the meal, even after having many of them before, according to the way he said this. It seemed to be proving him right in terms of not getting tired of it. "You really like her cooking?" Eiji wanted Hiroki to keep talking of it, not because he was all that interested in the food, but because Hiroki's face lit up. And what better way to test if that could have any effect on him than to have Hiroki looking this way?

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki had to admit that he was a social butterfly, he liked talking to different people but sometimes there was a limit and he knew not to cross them. Take Amaya-san for an example, he quickly found out when it was too much for her and preferred to respect her privacy if he could. Unless it was involving her and Yoshihiro - he might have to intervene. Matsumi had slowly been convincing him that they shared some sort of bond or at least they were meant to be. He wasn’t thinking of it now though since Eiji was there and it was nice to have him over here. He had never shown him his room at the pension before now that he thought about it.

He nodded when they talked of Amaya. “Indeed, we found out rather quickly about her passion for horror.” He said to Eiji. Not that he minded. Everyone had something that they enjoyed, but it could be tuned down a bit in Amaya’s case. He preferred not to tell to Hiroki that her aunt would sometimes suggest them strongly to try to get her to be less spooky and more womanly.

He smiled as Eiji questioned him. “You’ll understand when you taste it, she is good at it and reminds me of my mom’s cooking. It might be because of nostalgia.” He said why he liked her cooking so much. Besides, he was assured of eating more of a complete meal too.

[IWASE EIJI]

Her passion for horror became well know at school. It was the reason why so many people avoided her. Eiji didn't think there was anything necessarily scary about loving horror movies, but she did act a lot like she was a character in one such film. The killer ghost, to be precise. At least it was the image she gave people. She may be a bit intimidating when talking about gore and ghosts and bones and everything, but Eiji could understand to a point. He knew that if he started talking about robotics, he would weird out most people too. His passion was just a little less scary looking than hers. "It is a little hard to miss," he admitted. At the same time, she could have leaned in on that aspect far more. Become some sort of Evil Queen of Horror, or something like that. She was more trying to be invisible, and cursed you when you didn't allow her too. "It would be a little harder to guess what you are passionate for, from one look." Did Eiji look like a robot nerd? Maybe not. It wasn't like he had the stereotypical big glasses, greasy hair and sweaty armpits anime loved to paint such characters as. He even loved playing baseball!

He tilted his head as he thought of Hiroki's description for Amaya's food. His mother's cooking, for him, wouldn't feel all that nostalgic, given he was eating it everyday. His mother might have started doing a lot more things outside of the home now that her children were older, but she always cooked for her family. Hiroki, however, was living away from his. Otherwise he wouldn't be here, obviously. "Do you miss them often? Do you visit your hometown during vacations?" He had no idea when said dinner would be ready but he was fine discussing with Hiroki in the meantime.

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki chuckled. It was true that he didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed mangas or dance, or singing, or acting even. He didn’t think he would look like it. Same for Eiji, he didn’t think that the boy looked like a nerd. He glanced at him briefly to see for himself. He might wear neat and clean clothes but he didn’t exactly wear the outfit that screaming nerd, or geek, or that he loved robots. He tried to imagine Eiji wearing something that would scream it and he doubted that he could even pull that off. He was better the way he looked now, that was certain! “You neither.” He said with a smile. It was nice to have his friend over and even better that it could give Amaya another friend. He liked it when his friends were getting along; he wasn’t one who would enjoy watching people fighting anyways. It was why he disliked it when Yoshihiro and Amaya were having arguments and they were a daily thing. Not to add that Amaya could scare him when Yoshihiro was pushing the right buttons. Part of him wondered if secretly Yoshihiro might enjoy that.

He nodded when he thought of his family. “I do miss them a lot but I get to see them on holidays and whenever I get some time off. It makes me feel better.” He admitted. He was going all in for his dream, but leaving his family behind was hard on him. He missed his siblings and knew that they probably missed him just as much!

[IWASE EIJI]

Was Eiji able to guess what Hiroki liked only by looking at him? He knew he could not answer, since he did know him, if not a little, and therefore had some ideas of the boy's passions. He could not pretend not to know him to try that. But he could still recognise that the two of them did not look like they particularly enjoyed one thing over another from their appreance only, unlike someone like Amaya. He shrugged when Hiroki pointed out it was his case as well. "For robots, maybe. I don't think a lot of people think of that to begin with. But there are other things they may guess." It wasn't like Eiji wore an "I love robots" badge on him or always carried around a tiny animatronics or something. Maybe had he been an anime or manga character, but it was highly impractical to have such 'pet' while at school. Not to add, impossible to make.

If he couldn't pretend not to know Hiroki and some of the things he liked, he could still try and figure out a few more things. He was, after all, in the best place to do so: the boy's room. So many objects could help him learn more about him. Did he have a musical instrument, or material to play a specific sport? Was there a color that appeared more than another? Or a stash of snacks he kept for his breaks during studies? While he let his gaze wander around from time to time, he still returned his focus on Hiroki whenever he spoke or Eiji was speaking to him.

"In a way, it gives you a taste of what it will be like as an adult, no? Some people do stay with their parents until they get married but others also move out, especially if they work far from their hometown." It was funny to imagine that Hiroki was the one living closer to what it was like to be an adult than him. He wondered how many would have guessed it seeing them.

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki was completely obvious to what Eiji was trying to do or that he might be looking around his bedroom to find things that interested him. Hiroki had interests in various fields, sure, he tended to like going to the arcade and play board games with friends but he also enjoyed the thrill of going to amusement parks and looked after people’s company. He just didn’t like being on his own and he truly enjoyed having his friend over. It was nice to be able to show him his space a little. He never got to do that with people outside of the pension yet! It was fun.

“Oh? Like what?” he was interested to hear Eiji on the subject. What he thought others saw in him. He was a geek on his own just like Amaya enjoyed horror stuff. Eiji’s focus was robots and he was really passionate with it. He thought that it was nice to have something you could focus on when you had your days off.

“It does but that doesn’t mean I want that already.” He said with a light sigh. He wanted to be with his family too! Having to chose between friends and family was a hard thing for him to do but they encouraged him to follow his dreams so he shouldn’t disappoint them because he missed being close to them at home.

[IWASE EIJI]

Hiroki was apprently not revealing too much with his decoration. And if he had hobbies, they didn't require a lot of equipment that would be thrown here and there around the room. Unlike Eiji, who's room was filled with books and baskets full of parts and tools to work on robots, miniatures and other things of the like.

He was a bit confused by what Hiroki said, maybe more because his focus was on looking around and he didn't fully pay attention. Like what? He thought about it. "I suppose you're right, it's not easy to tell," he admitted. He probably just looked an ordinary schoolboy. Could people tell he was studious, ow would they think he was a slacker? He supposed a lot of his other hobbies weren't any easier to guess than his main passion. "But I'd say people are more likely to think a guy likes baseball than robots." Which they wouldn't be wrong in his case. He remembered how he used to hate playing it at first, as it meant being away from his sister and he was so scared of what could happen if they were apart. Hilarious, now that they were in completely different schools. "I also used to be in the drama club with Akemi before. But I was terrible, I mostly just helped with the sets." It was definitely something she was better and liked more than he did.

Hiroki seemed down now. Was it because he was away from his family or the thought of being an adult? "At least you can talk to them whenever you want and see them when you have the time. Plus, you have a good reason to be here." It was for school, for his dream. And if he got a place in a theatre troupe, or a talent agency to become a professional actor, then going back home may get harder still, depending where he would be. But Eiji figured it would depress the guy more if he pointed that out. "I wonder if I will have to do it for university. I guess it will depend where I can get to." He had his eyes on one university in particular of course. And he supposed some might come from even further away. But if he had to commute every day to go to school, he might want to get closer, and he didn't know if they offered rooms for the students or if he would have to go for something like in Hiroki's situation.

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki's room was decorated a little but not as much as Amaya's. He showed a bit of mangas, and figures of the ones he liked to read but he didn't have a whole collection on it. His hobbies didn't show either and when he liked certain genres of music, he didn't think of bringing a poster of his favourite band either but he did have CD's of his favorite bands as well. Most of the things that represented him were at home after all.

He nodded, it wasn't easy to tell that Eiji was a fan of robotics. "You don't wear shirts that say your love for robotic." he said, slightly amused. For sure, he did not think of that when he looked at Eiji at first sight.He didn't mind if it was what his friend like. He was interested when he told him that he went to the drama club once. "You have? I'm surprised, but that you worked on the set it makes sense. I would have asked you to try and help me memorize my text." He added with a grin.

"I know," he said, sighing a bit, but he did miss them. He was willing to work as hard as he could to achieve his goal and his dreams. He also wanted to help them with the money he'd make later on. They weren't poor, don't get him wrong but he wanted to give them the money so they could have a better life. It was his goal. "That's why I work as hard as I can to achieve my goal." he said to Hiroki. "Do you have an idea of where you want to go?" he asked when Eiji talked of university.

[IWASE EIJI]

"I think Akemi would make fun of me if I did," Eiji pointed out, regarding the 'I love robots' t-shirts. Rightfully so, he would say. But Eiji had a rather clean look. He did have a bunch of t-shirts and jeans for the weekends but they were rather plain and simple. He was fine just wearing his school uniform too. He'd probably be a typical salaryman, the type whose 'casual' attire was wearing a polo shirt instead. At least it was what Akemi claimed. As for him, he preferred to buy things he liked in bulk at a low price and spend his money on robots and pieces. "She'll probably be the one buying me one. And then still make fun of it." Again, he didn't mind. Because he knew his sister was not making fun of his hobby.

He nodded when Hiroki commented, surprised, on him being in the drama club. "In middle school, with Akemi." he explained, which already made much more sense. Hiroki seemed quite happy to have someone he could pratice line with. Eiji wasn't quite sure if it was worth that big of a grin though. "I did that for Akemi before. I'm no actor but I can read a script. Well, she didn't for the play you are doing together..." He knew they wanted to keep who the villain was a surprise to everyone. Besides, now that she was surrounded by a lot of people with a similar goal as hers, she tended to practice with them, not her brother. They were slowly going their separate ways towards their personal goals.

He nodded again. "I am already working on it. That's why I go to a cram school. I really need the best grades possible." It might be a bit early but Eiji was not going to wait until his last year of high school to try and be a top student. He had no intention of losing the entrance exam and be forced to wait another year. It would be too embarrassing.

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki thought that Eiji was right, she might do that to Eiji just for fun. It was what siblings tended to do and he was sure he would tease him if they liked something passionately. Though, he had never been one who would tend to pick up fights and they were a few years apart, so it made it hard for him to do that. He tended to prefer to show them the example they should take. His parents raised him to be a good big brother after all and he felt that pressure a bit, but it was one that he was fine with. “That is most likely something she would do indeed.” He said, knowing how she could be. He was fine with that, he liked spending time with her at school and they worked well together when they had to do a play. She just needed to stop being like the other girls and ask him to wear dresses!

“Oh, it makes sense then, you two were very close back then.” He knew that much, and he too was seeing that they weren’t always together as they used to be, but it allowed him to meet Akemi’s twin brother, and he liked spending time with him! He was fun. “Wonderful, then we can practice together some time!” He said happily. “Just not for this play we need to keep the secret!” he added. It would have been nice to show to his friends that he could be a villain, but they would get to see him in action when the play would happen!

“That’s good then, hopefully you’ll get to reach it.” He said and at that moment, he heard Amaya calling them out for dinner. “Oh sweet! You’ll see how good she is of a cook” He added happily. It was nice to have someone at their pension who could make meals for everyone.

[IWASE EIJI]

Hiroki also knew Akemi. Eiji had no idea how his sister acted around the guy, maybe she wouldn't give off the vibe she could tease people, especially her twin brother, but Hiroki didn't seem surprised at what he said. It was then reasonable to believe she might have shown that side of hers on occasion. At least it never was malicious. He was certain that, if she did anything similar to Hiroki, it was not mean-spirited either. Then again, maybe she never dared to, because she liked him. Eiji wasn't sure exactly how his sister reacted then. He saw her having a crush but he thought it was a little more than that for Hiroki.

He nodded. They used to be very close then indeed. "We were in all of the same clubs, or we watched when the other was in one and the other wasn't," he explained. Eiji didn't thik he would have enjoyed playing baseball as much otherwise. At least they were started to have their own circle in middle school, even though they mostly spent their time together. They still needed the connection even if they started to get they were different and it was okay.

For a moment, Eiji wondered how his sister would like it if she found out he hlped Hiroki rehearse. She might not like it, considering it was her thing she shared with the guy. But, in truth, Eiji didn't know how much the two had in common. The closest Hiroki might like of robots was probably gundam models or shows. He had no idea if he liked baseball, or his favorite subject at school other than the art programs. He didn't know his favorite food or type of movies... Lots of things he didn't know in the end. "Do you like sports?" he asked seemingly out of nowhere despite it making sense in his head. He had to figure out what they could have in common, other than Akemi.

He did hope he could get to the school of his choice. He was working hard already to get it. His cram school was like the hard acting lessons and trainings Akemi and Hiroki took, it was a mean to achieve his goal. His was just more intellectually oriented.

Eiji also heard the call for meal. He nodded, ready to follow Hiroki. Not thinking about the fact it wouldn't be just the three of them but the whole house. Or that Yoshihiro, Hideo and the others had been talking about him. Well, Yoshihiro mostly hoped Amaya made enough food for another person and if not that the guy was not a heavy eater, but Hideo was still wondering his connection to both Amaya and Hiroki and which one he was trying to get the attention of the most in this. He mostly did that to upset Yoshihiro, who was vehemently denying being affected by the idea of someone insane enough to want and date Amaya, saying it out loud not thinking one second she might be able to hear him and retaliate.

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki didn't have a twin. They must have special bonds and he understood why Eiji would have spent most of his time together with him. He did watch his siblings if they were having certain competitions. "I know it's nice to have your siblings watch you when you're playing games or performing." His family would often come and watchi his performances whenever they could. He didn't remember when they didn't come to cheer on him.

He expected to keep up with that conversation until Eiji questioned him about sports. "I enjoy watching sports, can't say I'm that good at them though." it was true that he didn't talk of his hobbies or his likes to Eiji that much. It had to be why he asked him that question. He guessed that his friend enjoyed baseball. It could be fun to play a game once and perhaps Yoshihiro, Osamu and Hideo would want to play along with them. It could be fun!

Hiroki was glad that the meal was ready and to have Eiji eat along with them. He put the conversation he had with his friends in the back of his mind when he reached out to them. Amaya had of course, perpared enough food for them all. Eiji had brought her cake so it was natural to add enough food for him to eat too. She put the plates on the table and the meal she had cooked for the group in the middle of the table. There were some fish for he main dish, rice, and a plate of vegetables on the side.

[IWASE EIJI]

Some people did find weird that Akemi and Eiji were so often together, mainly because they were a boy and a girl and they were too old to still be doing this. But it was hard to not hang out with each other when you have done so all your life just because others claimed it was better for them to see more people. At the same time, he sort of got it. He wasn't sure if he would have like baseball or robotics the way he did now if he didn't learn he could have his own hobbies and friends. He still wanted to believe they were close and understood each other better than anyone else, even if Eiji sometimes doubted it. Girls could be complicated.

Eiji had spent a lot of time reading various girly manga, including some with two boys in love with each other. He couldn't say he related much to the characters. Maybe he was quiet like them, but they felt strangely feminine to him. He supposed it was due to the fact they were written by women mainly for a female audience. They rarely asked about hobbies but as Eiji tried a few things the characters did to learn about their feelings, he felt maybe learning more about Hiroki could work too. It seemed though that they would not bond over sport, just like they would not over their hobbies. "You ever went to a game, or just school's games?" He didn't mention baseball because Hiroki did not talk of it. Eiji didn't know a whole lot about soccer, or football or any other sports, but he supposed he could learn if need be. "I suppose that's not how you spend your free time," he added. Which was reasonable, but Eiji was digging for information, and he was hoping the guy may take the bait.

They only had limited time to talk about it though, as the meal was apparently ready. Neither of the guys helped set the table, Hideo out of habit since he never did, Yoshihiro because he did not think about it. He, at least, decided that Eiji was there mainly for Hiroki and that he could stop caring about him. Still, he wondered how Amaya's aunt would have reacted to know a boy, other than the ones living here, came to see her niece. And brought her cake. Would she push them together or ask Yoshihiro to stop that? He was not sure which option he preferred, but having nothing to say to Eiji, he opted to politely ignore him, kind of like he did with Matsumi whenever the girl showed up.

[ENOMOTO HIROKI]

Hiroki nodded at Eiji when they talked of the sport. “I have been to school games so far but not real games.” He admitted sheepishly. They were entertaining alright, and he could enjoy some sports but he wasn’t what you would call sporty. He might be more willing to hit the gym and do some cardio along with exercises to build his body up. Other than practicing a sport. However, he did like the batting center. “I do enjoy going to the batting center though.” He nodded, feeling a bit shy all of a sudden. He didn’t often talk of himself and he felt like he didn’t have a lot of interesting things to say. He couldn’t talk much about the play they were about to perform mostly because it was his one-shot deal. He was going to be the murderer and he couldn’t even spoil the main plot twist. He did like such things in plays though, they made it more entertaining to watch over some common and usual stories like common princes' and princesses tales.

Hiroki sat next to Eiji after he went to Amaya’s rescue being used to help the family. She tried to object saying she could do it on her own but he refused to let her have it her way. That girl was so stubborn at times! When the meals were down at the table he put his hands together. “Itadakimasu!” He chimed as well as the others did. Osamu couldn’t say that he was used to such family meals either but he came to enjoy it and he wondered if Hideo did too. He did agree with them that they missed Amaya’s food when she was out after all. He was more at ease with small talks and inviting others to join in and he looked at Eiji. “Were you two done with your projects?” He asked referring to Eiji and Amaya. He did recall seeing him going to Hiroki’s room but he might not have been done spending time with Amaya. Besides, he was silently entertained to watch Yoshihiro being triggered by Eiji’s presence and attention towards Amaya.