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"Hey, Tasuku!" Kakeru chirps out his name. An unusual wall ornament captures his gaze. When he hears the other approach, he turns his head to greet him with a smile on his face. "What about this?" He asks while excitedly pointing towards it. "Do you think it'll be nice to have at home?"
"I...think so."
His response wasn't as enthusiastic as the Monster Doctor had hoped. Kakeru had learned that Tasuku was a fairly simple person when it came to home decor. When he was granted a visit into his home, there were hardly any decorations around! His home was so bare, so empty!
If his apartment hadn't been fully furnished, Kakeru worries that Tasuku would only have a bed. Despite his concerns, the Buddy Cop assured him that he was fine with his living conditions. And he shot down the offer of getting decorations for his home before the doctor could bring it up.
"Think I should get it?"
"Before you get something like that, I think you should worry about the essentials," Tasuku answers. Kakeru lets out an, 'oh'. "If you have any money leftover, you should get it."
Tasuku takes another glance at the ornament hung on the wall. It was a golden bow and arrow, crafted with a star at the arrow's hilt. It was almost as big as a real one, though he doubts it was as heavy. But something about it was familiar. The astrological themed furniture around them was enough to hint at what it was.
"It's a Sagittarius arrow, right?"
"You guessed right! I'm not surprised," Kakeru chuckles.
Yellow hues linger on the Boy Wonder before it shifts back to the arrow. He held a strong fondness for the stars and the sciences surrounding them. If his heart wasn't set on being a Monster Doctor, he knows that he would have set his sights on being an astronomer. There was something magical about the night sky and the stars that decorated it. When they were younger, his brother would tell him about the constellations. Sagittarius had been the first one he showed him. Kakeru imagines that this would be a nice surprise to show him, but...there was no telling when he would be released from prison.
"You do have a point though." Kakeru turns on his heels to face Tasuku. "If it weren't for you, I would have bought this and a few other things already. I'd probably buy everything before getting a new mattress!"
"I hope you didn't invite me just to stop you from making impulse purchases," Tasuku says with a grin.
"Nope! I brought you because I thought it would make for a fun date, you know?"
"Kakeru..." Tasuku sighs. "This isn't one."
The doctor pouts. "It could be though." He doesn't stay dejected for long. In an instant, Kakeru recovers when something gleams in the corner of his eye.
"Look! A Taurus bathtub! How about getting that?"
"No." It was the fastest response Tasuku had ever given him.
While the store was filled with furniture, there was nothing else that caught their attention. So, it was time to leave and head to another store to find more. Which was proving to be more difficult than Kakeru originally thought. Especially now that he had to live on his own. With his brother out of the picture, the doctor didn't have many people to turn to. Most would turn him away as they associated him with his brother.
But Tasuku didn't.
The cool and kind Buddy Cop had offered to help out. At first, he used the excuse to help him as an apology for suspecting him. Over time, that excuse disappeared. And soon enough Tasuku was more than happy to spend time with Kakeru.
"I think I should settle with that kotatsu we saw earlier. I really liked the blanket's design." Kakeru hums in thought. He could already imagine himself being nice and cozy underneath the starry kotatsu. "But I still want something to accent my place..."
"Like what?" Tasuku asks, tilting his head.
He shrugs. "I was thinking of trying to find things to make it look more homey. Especially for my office. If I ever have to bring a patient home, I want them to feel right at home too."
Kakeru was determined to practice while he could to be the best Monster Doctor. Despite it being more pricey, he had opted to get a two bedroom apartment solely so he could turn the spare room into a small doctor's office. It wasn't as fancy as a real one, but it held the equipment needed to care for minor injuries and for him to do basic check ups.
The decision had genuinely surprised Tasuku. It was stunning to see just how strong of conviction he had to follow in his career. Kakeru truly loved monsters and it showed whenever one was in his care.
"Hmm...maybe you could find pictures of each World? Or their Flags?" Tasuku suggests. "The sight might make them more comfortable."
"Uwah! That's a great idea! I should frame them all to show their importance. It would be nice to have a set for every monster, but I think one should work."
Now he was trying to envision his office with those pictures. While he loved the thought of big, framed photographs, he opted to keep them poster sized. He needed to have his medical posters up which might make it cluttered. Perhaps getting small photographs that he could place on a table would be better? It was a difficult decision to make.
Lost in thought, Kakeru barely registers when his foot hits a rock and throws off his rhythm. His arms flail about as he tries to regain his balance but he can already feel gravity pulling him down.
Until something yanks him back. A hand had gripped his wrist to fight against gravity. He manages to stay on his feet at the cost of colliding into someone's chest. Kakeru blinks and has to process what has happened as he looks up to his savior. He smiles brightly when his eyes meet with Tasuku's worried ones.
"Thank you, Tasuku! I'm glad my hero is accompanying me for this date~!"
Tasuku holds back another sigh. "You're welcome. But, please, be more careful." The Buddy Cop helps him get steady on his feet, trying to brush off the latter part of what he said. Kakeru gives a slight pout when he's no longer in contact with him. "Anyway, do you want to keep checking out other stores?"
"Sure!"
The two realize that there aren't many shops that specialize in furniture around Cho-Tokyo's shopping center. They had already seen the big ones that held everything and were left to look through those that specialized in one thing. Kakeru was more than happy to find a shop that specialized in World Photography. While he was eager to make a purchase, Tasuku gave a reminder that he should make sure he has room at home first.
"How's Jack?" The question catches Tasuku off guard.
"He's doing okay," he answers. A hand brushes over his deck. The dragon was most likely sleeping. Tasuku had insisted that he deserved a day off and that they would be fine for the day. If anything did go wrong, Jack was right beside him, like always.
"Nothing out of the ordinary with him, right?" Kakeru turns to him. His usual smile is gone, replaced with concern. "He's a Neodragon now and they do need maintenance from time to time. I'd hate to see your Buddy unable to function properly."
"He's fine," Tasuku reassures him. "If anything was wrong, I would know."
"You two are really close, huh?" Kakeru says, his smile slowly returning. "I don't mind giving him free check ups."
"You don't have to, really. It is nice of you though."
"Oh, but I insist! You do so much and so does your Buddy! Besides, it would be an honor to assist such a noble dragon. And...it's my way of saying thanks for staying by my side. Even if I'm not an official Monster Doctor, I promise that I would do anything for your Jackknife Dragon."
"Kakeru..." Tasuku breathes out his name. The thought of someone else caring for his dragon was sweet. "Alright. But I'll have to get his permission first."
Kakeru beams, excited that he took his offer. "You won't regret it!"
Before he could continue his little celebration, his stomach growled. Kakeru places a hand over it and whines while Tasuku chuckles.
"We've looked around enough. Why don't we get something to eat?" Tasuku asks.
The Buddy Cop suggests a takoyaki shop to go to. It's nothing compared to the Mikado's family special, but it could easily be second best. Kakeru insists on paying for the food while joking to the cashier that he's paying for his date. Tasuku holds back on making a comment.
The takoyaki is steaming hot but delicious. Kakeru nearly burns his mouth, too eager to have a taste of the recommended food. Time flies as they eat, both getting caught up in little conversations. Kakeru falls quiet when he notices an orange hue washing over them. When his head tilts up, he finds the sky growing darker. Night would fall soon and they would have to part ways. The day had been so fun and he wished it could last just a little longer.
"Tasuku?" Kakeru breathes out his name, gaze falling onto his empty plate.
"Yes?"
He lifts his head, putting on a hopeful smile. "Do you think we can do this again?"
Tasuku hums. It wasn't easy getting days off with his profession, but the world has been more quiet lately. Besides, he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy his time spent with the Monster Doctor. He enjoyed being able to see Kakeru playful and upbeat despite being torn away from his brother. He couldn't imagine leaving him alone, or worse seeing him lose that smile of his.
"Yeah, we can. We'll make it a date."
"That's gre-"
He blinks.
"A date?"
"Please, don't make me repeat it aloud..." Tasuku says with a slight blush.
Kakeru jumps to his feet, his plate dropping to the ground, forgotten in his moment of bliss. His eyes sparkled and his heartbeat with joy upon hearing his answer.
Tasuku had a feeling he wasn't going to hear the end of this. Which, honestly, wasn't so bad.