Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out.
Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?!
Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix...
Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside.
Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.
[ Well, he’s certainly never seen this vulnerable side to his brother before. In a way, he’s sorry that he had to bring it about this way… ]
No.
[ Firmly. ]
You…needed that. I think I did, too.
[ There are times when he needs to be reminded that they’re all human on the inside as well as the outside now. And humans are such fragile things; even words can cut them deeper than swords. ]
I have been taking care of it... [Kind of, sort of, maybe?] Anyway, I already have enough people fussing over me...
And of course I love spending time and playing with all of you, but I suppose I’m also a little greedy and want more...
We’ve never been able to be all together like this before after all and I enjoy being the big brother to each and every one of you. I want to play with you, spend time with you, look after you, watch over you, soothe you when you’re worried or scared, nurse you back to health when you’re injured or sick and so on. I want to do all that. Is this my privilege as your oldest brother?
[ He’s not sure most of the other tachi are reliable enough to properly take care of his Ichi-nii…except Shokudaikiri, maybe. The others kind of need babysitters themselves.
Still, Yagen wonders how much more of these heartfelt confessions he must endure. On the one hand, it feels really nice to have this kind of talk with his big brother. On the other…it’s still really embarrassing… ]
It…It is! Of course it is… [ Right, he was going somewhere with this— ] But I—I want to look after you too, because you’re my precious older brother, and—and I want to us all to stay together like this…forever…
[ He’s growing redder and redder as this goes on someone please take him out of his misery— ]
[That is sadly true... at least there’s Shokudaikiri!]
Yagen... [Aww~ And that is so sweet! Ichigo reaches out to put a hand tenderly on Yagen’s cheek as he smiles down fondly at him.] Of course, you can look after me too, Yagen... but you can also rely on me and just be my little brother. Like right now when I just want to spend time with and play with you.
[ What else can he say to that? He’s too flustered to really mount a counterargument to that. And besides…
He clutches his sparkler to his chest, looking up at Ichi-nii with the most resolute stare he can summon up. From somewhere deep within him, he musters up the courage to finally ask: ]
[ That stuttering perhaps betrays too much of his excitement as he clasps Ichigo’s hand in his and motions with sparkler in hand at a secluded cove. Just flexing his scouting skills and all.
But already he’s tugging at Ichigo’s hand, his excitement now barely contained—not unlike a puppy straining at its leash. ]
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... good...
[After a while, Ichigo finally calms down and he pulls away to wipe his face with a handkerchief. He, of course, carries one with him at all times!]
... I’m sorry for losing control like that just now, Yagen...
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No.
[ Firmly. ]
You…needed that. I think I did, too.
[ There are times when he needs to be reminded that they’re all human on the inside as well as the outside now. And humans are such fragile things; even words can cut them deeper than swords. ]
no subject
I suppose so... Please don’t tell the others though. [They don’t need to know just how fragile the big brother they idolised really is.
Then he laughs lightly.]
I’ve made your clothes all wet...
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[ Quite frankly he feels as though he’s done worse damage to his brother than simply getting his own clothes all tear-stained. ]
About…anything, I mean. I’m used to looking after everyone by now.
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But I want to look after all of you... I need to... It... gives me something to live for. It gives me a purpose.
[Or else he might fall apart.]
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[ He’s finally recovered himself for long enough to use his deadpan, no-nonsense voice on his own big brother. Shocker! ]
You have a human body now, so you have to take very good care of it, too. And besides…
[ He looks away, losing his reliable doctor’s composure and turning back into Ichigo’s meek little brother once more— ]
Isn’t spending time with us enough? Even if it’s just…playing…
no subject
And of course I love spending time and playing with all of you, but I suppose I’m also a little greedy and want more...
We’ve never been able to be all together like this before after all and I enjoy being the big brother to each and every one of you. I want to play with you, spend time with you, look after you, watch over you, soothe you when you’re worried or scared, nurse you back to health when you’re injured or sick and so on. I want to do all that. Is this my privilege as your oldest brother?
no subject
Still, Yagen wonders how much more of these heartfelt confessions he must endure. On the one hand, it feels really nice to have this kind of talk with his big brother. On the other…it’s still really embarrassing… ]
It…It is! Of course it is… [ Right, he was going somewhere with this— ] But I—I want to look after you too, because you’re my precious older brother, and—and I want to us all to stay together like this…forever…
[ He’s growing redder and redder as this goes on someone please take him out of his misery— ]
no subject
Yagen... [Aww~ And that is so sweet! Ichigo reaches out to put a hand tenderly on Yagen’s cheek as he smiles down fondly at him.] Of course, you can look after me too, Yagen... but you can also rely on me and just be my little brother. Like right now when I just want to spend time with and play with you.
no subject
[ What else can he say to that? He’s too flustered to really mount a counterargument to that. And besides…
He clutches his sparkler to his chest, looking up at Ichi-nii with the most resolute stare he can summon up. From somewhere deep within him, he musters up the courage to finally ask: ]
Ichi-nii, please play with me.
no subject
Let’s go then! Now, where would be a good spot to play with these so that we don’t set anything on fire?
I think we can wrap this up?
[ That stuttering perhaps betrays too much of his excitement as he clasps Ichigo’s hand in his and motions with sparkler in hand at a secluded cove. Just flexing his scouting skills and all.
But already he’s tugging at Ichigo’s hand, his excitement now barely contained—not unlike a puppy straining at its leash. ]
Let’s go, Ichi-nii!
Sure!
Coming! Coming! Slow down a bit, Yagen! [He can’t see as well in the dark as you after all!
And off they go to play with sparklers. Just the two of them.]