((for orchidsblood))

[lefthertainted]

Now that's she's returned to human form and has access to her belongings again, Mio would like to repay Ran for the lunch she bought Mio the other day. The main reason for this is because Mio dislikes feeling in anyone's debt, but subconsciously, Mio is looking to Ran for support with adjusting to the fact that she cannot go home.

Mio find a Convenient Nexus Pay Phone and dials the number Ran gave her.

Comments

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

Ran answers on the third ring, and there's the sound of a crowd of girls suddenly being cut off by a closing door as she says, "Hello?"

[lefthertainted]

"Hello, Fujimiya-san? This is Hongo Mio."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hello! It sounds like you're doing much better today!" Ran assumes the the use of the phone means that Mio has fingers again.

[lefthertainted]

Mio blinks. She's not used to people noticing the state of her health. "I wanted to pay you back for the money you spent on my lunch the other day. Are you free to meet sometime?"

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"You want to meet for ice cream now? Um... let's see. My shift ends in about half an hour. I'll meet you near the main sign then?"

[lefthertainted]

Ice cream this early in the day? Mio hasn't even had breakfast yet! Then she realizes that it might be a different time in Ran's world.

"That sounds good, I can be at the main sign by then." At least Mio won't get (too) lost trying to find The Sign, even if she's not terribly thrilled by having to go back towards the crush of people that usually congregate around it.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Great! I'll see you then. Oh, I hope that time moves the same between worlds. If I'm a little late, just call me again!" Ran's name can be heard being yelled in the background. "Ah, I'm sorry! I have to get back! See you soon!"

[lefthertainted]

"See you soon." Mio hangs up the pay phone and starts finding her way back towards The Sign.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

Ran ends up being a few minutes late, but that's because she had to tell her brother where she was going. Then she had to tell Omi. They really don't need to worry over her like that!

It takes Ran a few moments to figure out who Mio probably is. "Um, Hongo-san?"

[lefthertainted]

Mio is watching for Ran as she arrives, and starts heading over in her direction.

"Good morning Fujimiya-san," Mio says.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Yay! I'm glad it wore off!" Mio might have to move rather quickly to keep from getting glomped.

[lefthertainted]

Mio backs up when she notices Ran moving into her personal space, but not quite enough to avoid the glomp. Mio continues trying to back out of the glomp, looking panicked. No one's ever done this to her before!

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

Ran lets go pretty quickly when she realizes that Mio is not happy about the hugging. "Oh, um, sorry. I was just so happy for you." Ran looks a little sheepish.

[lefthertainted]

Once Ran lets go, Mio immediately backs away from Ran until she feels she is safely out of Ran's glomp zone.

...Ran, happy for Mio? Mio is confused. She tries not not to stare at Ran like she's growing a second head or something.

Changing the subject...(Mio likes to do that when she's feeling uncomfortable) "Fujimiya-san was kind enough to pay for my food while I was LOLed, so I wish to repay Fujimiya-san by treating her to a meal."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

Ran is aware that not all people are as huggy as she is. It's okay. "You don't need to be so formal since we're friends and all. Please, call me Ran. And I'd love to go get food. Did you have a place in mind?"

[lefthertainted]

"If you insist, Ran-san. I have not had breakfast yet today, so perhaps a bakery or a tea shop?"

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"That would be great. Do you know of one you'd like to try?"

[lefthertainted]

"I saw one while I was walking here, unless you know of a better one..?"

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"That sounds great. Let's go!"

[lefthertainted]

Mio starts leading the way in silence. Once out of the busy main area, she visibly relaxes and turns to Ran. "How have you been doing lately, Ran-san?"

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Good." Ran grins. "I've been studying a lot and busy with the shop. I like it, but it's good to take a break and relax, too."

[lefthertainted]

"I am glad to hear you are doing well." Well maybe not, Mio's not quite to the point where she actually cares how Ran is doing. On the other hand, it is polite to ask, and Mio wants to stay in Ran's good graces because she is one of the few people Mio can ask about Nexus-related things.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Are you planning to return to your home soon?" Ran isn't aware that Mio is stuck, after all.

[lefthertainted]

Mio mentally curses the Nexus, again, for trapping her here. "No." She pauses. "I cannot." Mio sulks.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that's awful! What are you planning to do?" Sad Ran is sad for Mio!