It wouldn't be fair? [she echoes as she moves to the back of the room to deposit her own bolts and holds out her hands to take his to add to the small pile in the back of the room that'll become Sewing Club. There are a small handful of mannequins, sewing machines, and a lot of fabric and thread scattered around the room, which makes it a little creepy without the lights fully turned on, but don't worry about it.]
[Which was why Ken couldn't help but feel a tad bit nervous at seeing those mannequins. While they were harmless, it didn't stop him from feeling worried. As he followed her toward the back, he momentarily looked the other way.]
Mitsuru-senpai and everyone else helped me out so much. It seems fair that I return the favor somehow.
[He really was just a boy with a Persona. In many ways, if it weren't for Shinjiro, he wouldn't be here and met so many wonderful people. Despite all the hardships, he couldn't leave SEES or the Shadow Operatives even if he wanted to. He just couldn't.]
[She hums, not quite doubtfully, but not fully in agreement, either. She can't imagine that after everything, Mitsuru and Akihiko would require Ken to join their group in exchange for whatever help they'd given him.]
Do you think you'll wanna go to college first? I know both Mitsuru-senpai and Sanada-senpai took their entrance exams. Do you know if they ended up going?
I know that Sanada-san didn't finish college, he said that he wanted to be a police officer instead. As for Mitsuru-senpai, I know that she did. She is someone who wants to be on top of her grades...
[With that, he gave a sigh.]
But I know I will. I don't want to let them down but I don't really know what I want to do yet.
[Okay, now that's a surprise. Akihiko had always been really serious about school. Not nearly as much as Mitsuru, but... huh. Still, she feels a bit better knowing that someone like Akihiko will be out there protecting people like Officer Kurosawa.
But as she takes the last bolt from his arms, she gives him a flash of a smile.]
I dunno, I don't think you'll let them down no matter what you decide to do. You've got time to figure it out!
[Assuming they can even figure out how to get back...]
Hopefully but I know I can't think too much about it. If I do, I'll probably end up getting gray hair before I know it!
[He can definitely hear Junpei telling him that. Although, the more he thought about it, the more of a struggle it was. Indeed, how can he relax and be a normal kid with everything going on.
[In the back of his mind, he really wondered if he should have said that or not. Although, he couldn't complain when he was just trying to be normal here. With a sigh, he nodded to himself.]
Yeah, that's fine, I'll try my best!
[Although, by the time that she left, he found himself looking at the fabric and wondering exactly how she wanted to organize it.]
Uh....should I do it by color or shape...?
[What was he to do? Mumbling to himself, it seemed that he'll just have to wing it! However, by the time Kotone came back? He'll see that he was still organizing everything. And yes, he did it both by color and shape. Because what else was he supposed to do?]
[Shouted back on her way out the door. If she takes a little longer on her way there and back to give Ken extra time to figure out how he wants to organize it, well, don't worry about it! It's all in the spirit of giving him something new to try, after all.
When she comes back, she's grinning, arms piled high with more fabric.]
Looks good! [She'd say that even if it wasn't organized at all, but it's Ken -- there was no doubt in her mind that he'd succeed!] Once you're done with that, let's try some basic stitches!
[In the midst of it all, Ken kept on trying to figure out how to get this done right. Mumbling to himself, he just hoped that his leader wouldn't mind organizing it in a certain way...
As she came back, he gave a small sigh of relief. Not that she would ever (or at least he hoped!!) be disappointed but he would much rather try his best. Although, there was a sense of dread coming in...]
It shouldn't be too hard right? From what I remembered, it's just making sure two pieces of fabric are staying together.
[...Or at least, that's what his mother told him as he looks toward the side.]
[Without ceremony, she dumps the pile of new fabric next to the remaining ones from earlier and bounces across the room to start organizing some of the smaller units of thread and needles, humming to herself.]
We can use the machines, they're way easier to start with. But the fun part about doing it by hand is that you can do it pretty much anywhere!
Which would you recommend, hand sewing or the machines?
[Because the more he was thinking about it, the more he wondered if he could handle such a thing. Whenever he saw people using said machine, they make it look so easy and yet........]
Depends! You've never done it before, right? We can do both! They're good for different things. Like, hand-sewing lets you be a lot more precise, but the machine is more efficient and, until you get really good, probably makes for a stronger hold. I use the machine when I make bags, but I like doing my knit rabbits by hand.
[As she's dropping different spindles of thread onto their pegs, she continues,] So maybe we should start with hand-sewing so you can get used to the motion! That'll make it easier to see what's happening with the machine, I think?
No, I haven't. To be honest, the last time I saw anyone sown anything was my mom and even then I don't think I was paying much attention.
[After all, if he had only known that his mother wouldn't be with him, he would have learned a lot more from her. Either way, he shook his head before giving a small sigh.]
But anyway, we can start from there. Let's start making a small keychain that I can give you later!
[Her smile softens a bit at the reminder of his mother, though in a way, it makes her feel a bit guilty as well. It's not like she remembers a lot about either of her parents anymore.
Instead, she beams at him.]
I'd love that! Lemme know when you're finished organizing, and we'll get started!
[Should he really be this serious about organizing fabric? Perhaps not but when it was his leader, he had to try his best! Especially when he knew that there would be other people using it too!
Placing his hand under his chin, it seemed as though he was pleased with what he did.]
I think I'm done. Tell me, Kotone-san, what should I do next?
[She drops a few more spools of thread into their places, then steps back and clasps her hands behind her back with a smile. She'll genuinely love anything Ken makes for her, but he might remember (or at least, have had his memory refreshed by her usual outfits) that she tends to prefer warmer-toned colors like pinks, oranges, and yellows for her clothing. It's a safe bet those are her favorites?]
I'll grab the scissors and the other stuff you'll need while you're deciding.
[Looking at the fabric, there were plenty he could choose from. Narrowing his eyes at the various colors before him, he knew he had to choose carefully. Placing his hand under his chin, he was serious about this! It took him a moment or two before he picked a couple out.]
How about these ones? I think it might be good.
[All the while pointing to the pinks, red, and oranges. Was he being ambitious by doing all three of them? Of course and he was going to make sure he tried his hardest!!]
[Is she just saying that because they're her favorite colors... anyway, she grabs the scissors as promised, and also a few sheets of paper.]
Before you get into the fabric, I think it's helpful to draw yourself a pattern. What do you want it to look like? Then you can cut your fabric to match.
[She's touched, and the delight is clear in her eyes, even if it's hidden behind a little bit of her usual playfulness.]
Then I'll make one for you, too. What do boys like...?
[Said thoughtfully to herself as she grabs a pencil and taps it against the paper a few times to give Ken the privacy to work on his own pattern without the pressure of her watching.]
[Oh, there were a lot of things he could say. He wanted to say a lot of boys around his age love to watch anime, read manga, and play video games. And he knew it was normal and yet, his pride was getting the better of him!!]
...Sports. For me, it would be soccer so you could make that? But I'm happy with anything.
[She narrows her eyes a little bit in consideration as she studies her paper and draws a loose outline of a soccer ball. They'd talked about different manga before, but maybe he doesn't like them anymore? Or he's too embarrassed to admit it.]
Hey-hey, you should start a soccer club. Or like, a sports club. I bet you're not the only one who likes playing sports. Scott and Akira would probably join in if I asked!
[Scott doesn't strike her as an athlete, more like the kid who pretended he was too cool for school, but if she asks, well... it would probably be good for him to have a hobby! And Akira seems like the type to try anything once.]
[Shifting his weight a little, he was glad that she didn't bring anything he considered embarrassing up. With a sigh of relief, he was just happy to move forward.]
You really think so? I never really made a club myself and I'm not even sure if we have enough to make two teams...
[Then there was a long pause or two.]
...And I'm not sure if I have what it takes to be a leader too.
Even if it's just one team, you can still practice and have fun.
[She hums quietly and keeps her attention on her drawing, adding a few more simple lines to represent the individual patches of the soccer ball. He's grown up a lot, but he still needs to work on that confidence, huh...?]
What do you think it takes to be a leader? [she asks, glancing up at him with a smile and a quirked eyebrow.]
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What'd you mean by that?
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Mitsuru-senpai and everyone else helped me out so much. It seems fair that I return the favor somehow.
[He really was just a boy with a Persona. In many ways, if it weren't for Shinjiro, he wouldn't be here and met so many wonderful people. Despite all the hardships, he couldn't leave SEES or the Shadow Operatives even if he wanted to. He just couldn't.]
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[She hums, not quite doubtfully, but not fully in agreement, either. She can't imagine that after everything, Mitsuru and Akihiko would require Ken to join their group in exchange for whatever help they'd given him.]
Do you think you'll wanna go to college first? I know both Mitsuru-senpai and Sanada-senpai took their entrance exams. Do you know if they ended up going?
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[With that, he gave a sigh.]
But I know I will. I don't want to let them down but I don't really know what I want to do yet.
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[Okay, now that's a surprise. Akihiko had always been really serious about school. Not nearly as much as Mitsuru, but... huh. Still, she feels a bit better knowing that someone like Akihiko will be out there protecting people like Officer Kurosawa.
But as she takes the last bolt from his arms, she gives him a flash of a smile.]
I dunno, I don't think you'll let them down no matter what you decide to do. You've got time to figure it out!
[Assuming they can even figure out how to get back...]
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[He can definitely hear Junpei telling him that. Although, the more he thought about it, the more of a struggle it was. Indeed, how can he relax and be a normal kid with everything going on.
Shaking his head, he gestures toward the door.]
I think I really would be old, wouldn't I?
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Then you'd really take after Sanada-senpai!
[She dances back out of reach with another smile and a laugh, clasping her hands behind her back.]
I'll go get the rest of the fabric. Could you organize the stuff we got whatever way that makes sense?
[By color, by size, by texture... it's all up to him. Try it and see what happens!]
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Yeah, that's fine, I'll try my best!
[Although, by the time that she left, he found himself looking at the fabric and wondering exactly how she wanted to organize it.]
Uh....should I do it by color or shape...?
[What was he to do? Mumbling to himself, it seemed that he'll just have to wing it! However, by the time Kotone came back? He'll see that he was still organizing everything. And yes, he did it both by color and shape. Because what else was he supposed to do?]
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[Shouted back on her way out the door. If she takes a little longer on her way there and back to give Ken extra time to figure out how he wants to organize it, well, don't worry about it! It's all in the spirit of giving him something new to try, after all.
When she comes back, she's grinning, arms piled high with more fabric.]
Looks good! [She'd say that even if it wasn't organized at all, but it's Ken -- there was no doubt in her mind that he'd succeed!] Once you're done with that, let's try some basic stitches!
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As she came back, he gave a small sigh of relief. Not that she would ever (or at least he hoped!!) be disappointed but he would much rather try his best. Although, there was a sense of dread coming in...]
It shouldn't be too hard right? From what I remembered, it's just making sure two pieces of fabric are staying together.
[...Or at least, that's what his mother told him as he looks toward the side.]
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[Without ceremony, she dumps the pile of new fabric next to the remaining ones from earlier and bounces across the room to start organizing some of the smaller units of thread and needles, humming to herself.]
We can use the machines, they're way easier to start with. But the fun part about doing it by hand is that you can do it pretty much anywhere!
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[Because the more he was thinking about it, the more he wondered if he could handle such a thing. Whenever he saw people using said machine, they make it look so easy and yet........]
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[As she's dropping different spindles of thread onto their pegs, she continues,] So maybe we should start with hand-sewing so you can get used to the motion! That'll make it easier to see what's happening with the machine, I think?
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[After all, if he had only known that his mother wouldn't be with him, he would have learned a lot more from her. Either way, he shook his head before giving a small sigh.]
But anyway, we can start from there. Let's start making a small keychain that I can give you later!
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Instead, she beams at him.]
I'd love that! Lemme know when you're finished organizing, and we'll get started!
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Placing his hand under his chin, it seemed as though he was pleased with what he did.]
I think I'm done. Tell me, Kotone-san, what should I do next?
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[She drops a few more spools of thread into their places, then steps back and clasps her hands behind her back with a smile. She'll genuinely love anything Ken makes for her, but he might remember (or at least, have had his memory refreshed by her usual outfits) that she tends to prefer warmer-toned colors like pinks, oranges, and yellows for her clothing. It's a safe bet those are her favorites?]
I'll grab the scissors and the other stuff you'll need while you're deciding.
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How about these ones? I think it might be good.
[All the while pointing to the pinks, red, and oranges. Was he being ambitious by doing all three of them? Of course and he was going to make sure he tried his hardest!!]
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[Is she just saying that because they're her favorite colors... anyway, she grabs the scissors as promised, and also a few sheets of paper.]
Before you get into the fabric, I think it's helpful to draw yourself a pattern. What do you want it to look like? Then you can cut your fabric to match.
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[He blurted out immediately. For a moment or two, he gave a pause before feeling a bit embarrassed.]
...I figured that's what a lot of girls like so I could make one for you.
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Then I'll make one for you, too. What do boys like...?
[Said thoughtfully to herself as she grabs a pencil and taps it against the paper a few times to give Ken the privacy to work on his own pattern without the pressure of her watching.]
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...Sports. For me, it would be soccer so you could make that? But I'm happy with anything.
[He'll go with that.]
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[She narrows her eyes a little bit in consideration as she studies her paper and draws a loose outline of a soccer ball. They'd talked about different manga before, but maybe he doesn't like them anymore? Or he's too embarrassed to admit it.]
Hey-hey, you should start a soccer club. Or like, a sports club. I bet you're not the only one who likes playing sports. Scott and Akira would probably join in if I asked!
[Scott doesn't strike her as an athlete, more like the kid who pretended he was too cool for school, but if she asks, well... it would probably be good for him to have a hobby! And Akira seems like the type to try anything once.]
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You really think so? I never really made a club myself and I'm not even sure if we have enough to make two teams...
[Then there was a long pause or two.]
...And I'm not sure if I have what it takes to be a leader too.
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[She hums quietly and keeps her attention on her drawing, adding a few more simple lines to represent the individual patches of the soccer ball. He's grown up a lot, but he still needs to work on that confidence, huh...?]
What do you think it takes to be a leader? [she asks, glancing up at him with a smile and a quirked eyebrow.]
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