Work Text:
Nozomi was injured in our last defensive battle.
It was late into the battle and Takumi and Nozomi were the only ones still in rotation at the southwest shield generator. While Takumi was busy with the larger hordes an invader had managed to evade his sight and was within arm’s length of Nozomi, when she screamed and scrambled for her gun Takumi had heard her and rushed to kill the invader for her, only for him to accidentally slash her in the stomach.
It was a stupid mistake, brought on by exhaustion and poor aim. But that didn’t stop Kurara from laying into him once she heard what had happened.
It’s been several days now, Nozomi is starting to recover but Takumi hasn’t been able to forgive himself for what he did. Outside of checking on her he’s mostly stayed in his room, only coming out to train to the point of exhaustion or carry food back into his dorm.
Something else needs to be done to get him back to his usual self, but what should I do? When Takumi is in a position like this his first instinct seems to be gift giving. Maybe it's as simple as that, but what to get him?
I’ve spent a good bit of time with our team leader, but he doesn't make his hobbies very obvious like certain other members. I suppose I’ll just have to ask around to see what the others know.
I decided to first ask Nozomi herself, as well as see if she could give me any advice on how to handle this.
“Hm, what does he like? Well... I'm not sure, actually. He does like to sleep in and nap a lot, but I don’t think you can box that up and give it to him.”
Well, I already knew that much, and she shouldn't underestimate my capabilities, but I still appreciated the lead. Maybe I could get him something sleep related?
I wished her a swift recovery and left the room, hoping to find the others and get their input.
The next person I ended up coming across was Yugamu, who I asked for advice on how best to make Takumi open up to me.
“Hm, getting him to open up... well, I’ve got a good few knives for skinning and such-” I cut him off preemptively and explained that I meant that figuratively, not literally.
“Ah, I’m not so skilled with that aspect of people unfortunately. I haven’t stalked him long enough to surmise his particular interests, so you might have to ask the others.” Ignoring the casual admittance to a crime, I let him be and got back to looking for my teammates.
The next person I ended up asking was Darumi, who had snuck up and hugged me from behind when I wasn't paying attention.
“Huh!? Why're you asking me what that hussie would like?” She fumed.
All it took was me patting her on the head and expressing how grateful I would be for her to change her tune however.
“Hmmm. Well he referenced this one really old horror movie one time, and when we watch slashers together he usually sticks around till the end. Maybe he’s some kinda closet freak who secretly likes all the same stuff as me! Kyohoho! How about getting him some nice gorefest movies? I know a really good one, Mistress Hiruko!”
Well, somehow I sincerely doubt her hypothesis about his secret interest, though calling him normal might not be right either.
Maybe some normal movies might be a good gift for him. I politely ask her to detach herself from me but she refuses.
Alas, I continue on with Darumi still clinging to my leg, eventually finding myself at Kurara’s metal shop.
I didn’t expect Kurara to fall over herself to try and help Takumi. But I assumed that with time her bitterness at him would have subsided, or she could at least see how our leader recovering would benefit the team.
“Huh? Why are you worrying about that pervert instead of Nozomi, you know the ACTUAL victim here!? Are you in love with that broke creep or something?”
Suffice it to say my earlier assumption was dead wrong.
I explained to her that I had already checked in with Nozomi and confirmed that she only needed rest, and then denied the completely ridiculous not at all true and utterly inane and illogical accusation she slung my way.
“Well I have no clue what he'd like even if I did want to help you. Maybe you could get him some X-Ray goggles to see through your clothes with? Or maybe you could shake your flat chest at him! That’d perk him up!” She said with a snooty laugh.
I gave a loud sigh as I began to leave when suddenly Darumi, still attached to me, piped up.
“Hey! At least try to be helpful to Mistress Hiruko when she asks you for something!”
Kurara looked down at her in disgust.
“Oh? And what are you gonna do pipsqueak?”
Oh she's done it now. No hope in stopping Darumi now.
“I’ve been told I should get more vegetables in my diet...” Darumi replied ominously.
“Tomatoes are a fruit act-” But before Kurara finished her correction she had to duck to avoid Darumi lunging for her head and knocking off her mask. Kurara wailed and screamed for me to help her as she was chased around the metal shop by a cackling Darumi.
It didn’t take long for me to abandon Kurara to her fate, leaving the room behind and heading down the hallway alone. I had begun to form an idea for a good gift now, despite none of the people I had asked being particularly helpful so far.
I suddenly realized that out of everyone in this academy, the one most likely to know the personal tastes of the members of the SDU had to be our dreadfully adorable commanding officer. So I headed off to find them.
“Ah I’m so glad you decided to ask me, I happen to be a bit of an expert in this field.” Sirei said with a laugh.
I asked if he meant gift-giving, since it seemed a bit out of place for someone like him in all honesty.
“Oh no, I mean understanding the hearts of others and divining their true contents...” I sat in silence at this declaration, trying to process what the hell he was talking about.
“Let’s see, you're getting a gift for Takumi ya said? Naturally, you two are one of my OTPs, Aries and Geminis and quite compatible!”
What? Star signs? OTPs? What is this thing on about?
“Factoring in current events, blood types, moon phase, and many other complex factors, I've decided... Get him another sword!”
What? Of course not! Adding an extra blade, even a tanto, would ruin the whole balance!
The one sword style is already perfectly tailored to him! I may not have a grasp on his interests, but I understand his combat style perfectly.
Sirei wilts a bit.
“Ah well, I suppose that's true... However! I also have a Self-Help book for scenarios like this! Take a look at the book written by the will of humanity!” He said, opening a drawer and pulling out one of (far too) many copies of a plain paperback book, handing it to me with a look of pride.
The front cover was nothing special, I turned it over and looked for a synopsis or review. But could only find a glowing 12/5 star review written by Nigou that took up most of the back cover. I cautiously took a peek inside and read a random chapter.
It's... my god... this is... absolute drivel! It's completely hollow and useless! This might actually worsen your life if you took it seriously!
“Aw man... so cruel of you to insult someone's writing like that Miss Shizuhara... c’mon, maybe it was just a bad page... give it another shot? Well, maybe he’s not into books anyway, how about... We bedazzle his infus-”
His suggestions didn’t end there either. Each one was somehow worse than the last. It got to the point that I caught myself seriously considering a mutiny before finally making my way to the door. Clearly his looks were his only redeeming aspect
“Hey wait! At least take the book with you! Maybe it’ll grow on you! If you don’t I’ll uh, I’ll blow you up!”
I shot him a death glare but still ultimately chose to take it with me. Getting blown up over a book was just too humiliating to risk.
I threw it away as soon as possible though, since he said nothing about keeping it.
After that, I went to the rec room and took a seat while trying to come up with a good gift idea.
I finally decided on something and got to work. By the time I was done it was already twilight. I wrapped the gifts up into boxes and brought them over to Takumi’s room.
After ringing the bell a few times I was eventually let in.
“Hey Hiruko, what did you want to talk to me about? Is Nozomi doing okay?”
“She’s recovering, she’s a lot stronger than she looks.”
Takumi gave me a nod and then waited for me to explain why I was here. Instead of answering him however, I wordlessly moved the boxes into his room and began unpacking them for him.
“What’s all this?” Takumi asked.
“It’s a home theater setup, just some speakers, a projector, and some movies. I figured that for all the gifts you’ve given us you deserved something in return.”
“Ah well you really don't have to do all that for me...” He tried to protest
“Don’t I? Am I supposed to just leave you to your own devices while you waste away inside your room?”
“N-No it’s just… I’m fine, alright? I’m training, I’ll fight in the next defensive battle and I won’t screw up this time…” He said with a forced smile.
“We don’t just need another fighter, we need our leader, we need you.”
“Some leader I am... I have all this experience and practice but I still nearly killed Nozomi, Kurara was right when she called me a waste of space...” Takumi said, his voice cracking as he tried to fight back tears.
“If you were truly a terrible leader, trust me, I’d tell you.” I said while stepping closer towards him
“You’ve made countless decisions for us and your experience is what’s kept us alive so far. You’re an invaluable member of the team who’s saved our lives more times than I can count. Don’t let a single mistake cause you to lose sight of that.”
Takumi looked up at me with cloudy eyes, he seemed to be surprised by my words.
I was too.
“Th-Thank you Hiruko… Why are you being so nice to-” I interrupted him before he could finish by shoving a bag of microwaved popcorn in his face.
“So are you going to accept my gifts or not? I don’t have all night.” I said with as much brusqueness as I could manage.
“S-Sure, thank you Hiruko.” He said with a weak laugh as he accepted the bag.
“Sleep well. I expect to see you up and about by tomorrow.” I said while making my way to the door.
“What you’re just gonna leave? I thought you wanted to watch a movie together.”
“Well you were wrong, It’s too late for that anyways.”
“Oh come on… Please?” He said while looking at me with sad puppy dog eyes.
I grinded my teeth together, this manipulative bastard was really pulling out all the stops… I cursed him in my head over and over again while setting up the projector and speakers.
“So what do you want to watch?” Takumi said while sifting through the box of movies.
“Just anything that isn’t too mindless, I’d rather not rot my brain with you tonight.”
“Fair enough.” He said while sifting through the box some more.
“What about this? It’s a murder mystery, that seems like something you’d like right?”
“I guess.” I said while taking my seat on his couch.
The movie was far more captivating than I expected it to be, the acting was a little stilted but the mystery was well layered and compelling. We had a game going on to see who could figure out the killer first and I, regrettably, lost that game.
“I called it! I can’t believe I actually called it!” Takumi cheered.
“Congratulations, it seems like you do have a brain rattling around in there.”
“Hey!” He said with a laugh.
I smiled at him as he giggled. I might have lost our little game but seeing him laugh and smile again had always been my true objective. Takumi’s smile meant my mission had been accomplished.
I didn’t feel any disappointment or frustration as we parted ways and I headed back to my room.
All I could think about was his smiling face, and the hope that we could watch another movie together soon.