irisnetwork | thanks, mav

Hm? Well, it's sort of like... Once you understand how it works, you can do anything you want, you know? Over time, it gets to be something like this~

[ Is that a vague explanation? It probably is. But he can't really call it learning, as much as he just sort of figured it out himself, largely out of what he believed was necessity. It's not something you can follow step-by-step directions from a textbook, anyways, and Michael was barely around- and when he was, Kano had always lead him away from topics surrounding magic and daemons and all of that. ]

So it's really as much as you can imagine it? [That's not quite what Yuya asked, though. He tilts his head.] Dud you understand on your own? Or did someone show you first?

Mm, something like that~

[ To which question is that answering, though... There are limitations to his illusions, but they're things he's working on and so doesn't want to show his hand-- questions in general, especially so many in turn, puts him a little on guard, so he holds his hands up and waves them in front of Yuya's face to interrupt him. ]

So many questions...! Isn't it the same sort of stuff for most people? You just sort of pick it up, here and there~

[Yuya blinks, cross his eyes briefly as he watches Kano's hand wave about.]

Ah, sorry! [That many questions is probably annoying, isn't it? He asked Kano to show him, not give him a crash course.]

I guess? I mean, I learned about summoning from older Tamers before I tried anything myself... it's pretty demanding, so I haven't picked up much else.

[Or he hasn't really tried, and he feels like it's probably too late by now.]

Hu~h...

[ Kano doesn't really know much about Tamers; it's something he probably should know, especially after having been around for so long, but these sorts of things are really just... ]

Aah, well~ It's good to specialize in something, rather than be a jack of all trades! Are you looking to create illusions someday? It's easy to start, isn't it?

[There's a pause as that question sinks in with Yuya. He hadn't consciously thought about for a long time, and that reminder makes hin reconsider.]

I... [Yuya shrugs with uncertainty, glancing down as he tenuously holds his smile.] It's more like--illusions were the kind of magic my dad did, but I didn't get to learn it from him. I don't think I can really start now, but... I really liked seeing yours. You really amazed me.

[ Oh boy. Family isn't really a territory Kano wants to cross into- whether Yuya's father is dead or missing or not in good terms with Yuya or otherwise unavailable to teach him, none of that really matters as much as Yuya not learning from somebody he apparently wanted to learn from. ]

Hm~ It's a bit of a change in topic, but you don't know why I'm here at the academy, do you?

[At least he isn't on the verge of tears or anything. It's an ache that's become number by the distance of it, a little easier to face now than when he was eight

He lifts his head, looking at Kano curiously.] No... I guess I've never asked. Why'd you come?

[ ...

Nope, he was going to consider something, but now he's backing out of it. ]

Haha, so my reputation hasn't spread that far yet~ What a relief~! Which means, I'm not telling you, Yu~ya! Never mind it, never mind~

Eh? [Yuya straightens up, looking surprised.] What, do you think I'd feel differently about you if I knew?

Mm, you sorta seem like the kind of person who wouldn't care, actually!

[ More like the sort of person who hears "demon contract" and would shrug and say "okay" without considering the gravity of the situation. So he won't mention the contract, and he won't mention Michael- that's not really what Yuya wants, he thinks, even if he's not sure Michael will contract just anybody anyways, anymore. ]

I was just curious, is all~ We were talking about my illusions, right? If you ever have requests, I'll hear 'em~ Sorta like... making your dreams come true, in a sense~?

[Kano's right on two counts, there: that he wouldn't care and isn't looking to get illusions out of a daemon contract. But he's still curious what Kano holds back on saying... maybe not now, though.]

Okay. [He nods with a smile. Even though he'snot really sure what to request.] If you ever have anything you just want to show off, too... I'd like to see it!

Ha, sure, I'll do that~

[ it's an easy promise to make, only because he never has anything he wants to just show off, it isn't like real magic tricks where he practices and practices to get the sequence right.

But there are things he needs to work on-- even the illusion he showed Yuya with the town had so many gaps he isn't satisfied with, so at least there are things he has to focus on. ]

Great! [Yuya grins wider, moving to put his hand to the entrance door of the dorm. It's completely habitual to think he's just going to go into his room if he's here.

But he stops before he gets the door open, his eyes widening.]

I have another class after lycanthropy.

[Oops.]

Oh.

[ Haha, that's bad, isn't it? Whoops. Kano had always just gone straight home after an afternoon outing, because he wasn't bound by class schedules like he should be. ]

Who's teaching the class? Could be better to call out sick than saunter in late...!

You're probably right about that... [For all his other flaws as a student, being late usually isn't one of them. Walking in and everyone wondering why he took so long, instead of just not showing up...

Yuya smacks his fist against his palm.] It's decided! I'm skipping.

[That wasn't a difficult decision to make at all.]

A good idea! I'm skipping too!!

[ He's been skipping and hasn't gone to class all day, so that isn't even a decision he has to make, but whatever. ]

It's a beautiful afternoon, otherwise~ Pockets full, sun is shining...~ Anything you have in mind to spend the day?

[Yuya laughs.] Your pockets are full, mine are empty!

[He doesn't sound remotely bothered about that, though, absently stretching as he looks around.] Maybe watch a movie or play games at the theater? If most people are still in class, it should be pretty empty.

Hm~ Something loud like that, it's easier to get caught, isn't it?

[ What does Kano do when he skips class? Sleep. Quiet and easy. ]

But speaking of theater, how's it going? Practicing lines and all that, is that fun?

I guess... I've never had anyone try to force me back in class.

[He supposes that's probably because he's usually with Gongenzaka, who is either doing something quiet or has been dragged to Soleil by Yuya.

He perks up at Kano's question.] Mm, it is! I mean, being on stage is the real fun--but if you don't practice, you ruin your one shot.

[He points to himself.] Nana and I will do scenes together sometimes, if there's not a play coming up.

[ Lucky..... The number of teachers chasing Kano down and physically hauling his ass back to class... Even if he's doing nothing insidious, just sitting around trying to catch a nap or something, people tend to think he's up to no good. ]

It's tough work, and you two are commendable~ That sort of job's not for me, you know? But that's what I like to hear! Leading man and woman in the play, go out there and make me proud, alright~?

[Yuya stifles a laugh.] Okay, if we get the lead parts for sure!

[He knows Nana isn't planning to go for it, but maybe she'll change her mind when the script is finished? Yuya thinks she's well past being fit to take the lead in any play they put on.]

I told you, right? I'm writing the script, so I can edit it however I see fit~ I'll make it work for you!

[ In Nana's case, he isn't worried at all about her ability to perform- he's seen a performance, impromptu and impressive enough that it even silenced him for a good few moments after, so he's positive she could fit any role that's there.

Despite, yeah, the fact that she'd also mentioned to him that she likes being in the background supporting everybody else. It's a bit of a waste, if they went that route. ]

[Maybe they can conspire to get her in the lead this time...]

Make it work for the story, first. [Yuya winks.] If I can't make the part work as it is, it means the problem is my acting!

Anything can work for a story, you know~ Writing's a lot like how illusions happen: if you can think it up and make it connect, it can become reality! Something like that!

[ Sort of like how he can take the Bee Movie script, of which he's never actually watched the movie itself before, and turn it into a demon possession play. And he likes to believe it works. ]

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