[That an impulsive suggestion could turn into a positive opportunity like this--despite a total lack of event planning skills on his part--fills Ryuji with a sense of accomplishment. Who'da thunk they could pull this off?
Admittedly, his mood and his confidence could use a bit of bolstering after a month of being no closer to going home (or landing a date, for that matter, a different kind of dead end). It's something to focus on, keep his hands busy with. And it could be good for people--that makes it worth the effort.
Seeing as how this is his brainchild, Ryuji is around to help where needed, hauling supplies from the mansion, answering questions, helping with the drawing or candle-lighting. Doesn't stop him from stretching his back out with a pop after carrying what feels like the zillionth load of lantern paper across the field to their meeting point (it's maybe, like, the second).]
Man, this is more work than I thought it'd be.
[Who's idea was this agai--
... Oh right.]
II
[Distracted by half a dozen other things, including chatting with old friends and new acquaintances alike, Ryuji ends up one of the last to get his own lantern finished. Squatting in the grass to work under the glow of a garden light, he rests the wooden base the lantern will eventually be attached to on his knee. With the paper braced across its surface, he launches into a robust attack with waterproof markers, tongue poking from the side of his mouth. He's no artist, but that doesn't stop him.
Question is--what to dedicate this to?
It's hard to decide, so many things sit close to his heart these days, filling the gaps that selfish anger used to fill. He settles for a little bit of everything. On one side, a scribbled logo, painfully familiar to some, represents his friends in the Phantom Thieves. On another side, a drawing of his school's crest stands in for Shujin and his schoolmates, victims of so much bullshit this last year (and maybe even a teensy bit for Kobayakawa, like a smidge, a speck). On another, a flag of Japan. Easy to draw, for one thing, and homesickness is tenacious, for another.
On the last side, there are no drawings, just words. Prayers. It's more personal, and Ryuji hunches protectively over the page as he writes blocky (and occasionally misspelled) prayers for the well-being of his mom, his friends. That Japan's soccer team keeps up its winning streak in the FIFA qualifiers. And finally that everyone finds their way home back to their own worlds and families safely.
Finished, he slams the marker down. Done! That's all she wrote.]
III
[By nightfall, the lantern lights are bobbing gently on the lake's surface with the lily pads, some still trickling in from the stream. A curious frog makes a leap for one and misjudges the jump, splashing down with a watery ribbit. The effect is relaxing--better, knowing it's come out of their own hard work.
They did this! Go, team! Feeling like he's levelled up on maturity, Ryuji takes a cup of coffee over to the benches, thinking maybe tonight's the tonight his taste buds have matured, too, and he finally learns to appreciate why people like drinking this stuff at events.
...
...]
... So bitter.
[Blegh! He makes a sour lemon face. Nope, this is still too strong for him. Someone take this away!]
OTA
[That an impulsive suggestion could turn into a positive opportunity like this--despite a total lack of event planning skills on his part--fills Ryuji with a sense of accomplishment. Who'da thunk they could pull this off?
Admittedly, his mood and his confidence could use a bit of bolstering after a month of being no closer to going home (or landing a date, for that matter, a different kind of dead end). It's something to focus on, keep his hands busy with. And it could be good for people--that makes it worth the effort.
Seeing as how this is his brainchild, Ryuji is around to help where needed, hauling supplies from the mansion, answering questions, helping with the drawing or candle-lighting. Doesn't stop him from stretching his back out with a pop after carrying what feels like the zillionth load of lantern paper across the field to their meeting point (it's maybe, like, the second).]
Man, this is more work than I thought it'd be.
[Who's idea was this agai--
... Oh right.]
II
[Distracted by half a dozen other things, including chatting with old friends and new acquaintances alike, Ryuji ends up one of the last to get his own lantern finished. Squatting in the grass to work under the glow of a garden light, he rests the wooden base the lantern will eventually be attached to on his knee. With the paper braced across its surface, he launches into a robust attack with waterproof markers, tongue poking from the side of his mouth. He's no artist, but that doesn't stop him.
Question is--what to dedicate this to?
It's hard to decide, so many things sit close to his heart these days, filling the gaps that selfish anger used to fill. He settles for a little bit of everything. On one side, a scribbled logo, painfully familiar to some, represents his friends in the Phantom Thieves. On another side, a drawing of his school's crest stands in for Shujin and his schoolmates, victims of so much bullshit this last year (and maybe even a teensy bit for Kobayakawa, like a smidge, a speck). On another, a flag of Japan. Easy to draw, for one thing, and homesickness is tenacious, for another.
On the last side, there are no drawings, just words. Prayers. It's more personal, and Ryuji hunches protectively over the page as he writes blocky (and occasionally misspelled) prayers for the well-being of his mom, his friends. That Japan's soccer team keeps up its winning streak in the FIFA qualifiers. And finally that everyone finds their way home back to their own worlds and families safely.
Finished, he slams the marker down. Done! That's all
she wrote.]III
[By nightfall, the lantern lights are bobbing gently on the lake's surface with the lily pads, some still trickling in from the stream. A curious frog makes a leap for one and misjudges the jump, splashing down with a watery ribbit. The effect is relaxing--better, knowing it's come out of their own hard work.
They did this! Go, team! Feeling like he's levelled up on maturity, Ryuji takes a cup of coffee over to the benches, thinking maybe tonight's the tonight his taste buds have matured, too, and he finally learns to appreciate why people like drinking this stuff at events.
...
...]
... So bitter.
[Blegh! He makes a sour lemon face. Nope, this is still too strong for him. Someone take this away!]