#ASDFGHJHG HE'S SO EMBARRASSED AND MAKI IS JUST yeah that was strange but it's fine <- already plenty strange himself

[remotespontaneouscombustion]

"Once, yes. Just before you had to go and do something I think." He couldn't help but recall it just for how... strange of a meeting it was at the time. But he doesn't linger on the memory of it for too long, rather his chest is a bit heavy with a the thought that it feels like he's going to have to explain something; at least briefly.

"It's not that I don't want to," he clarifies. "I just... haven't been to something like this before. That I can remember, anyway."

"So it's... new, but I don't mind it anyway. Thank you for inviting me." His voice is naturally as neutral-toned as ever, but his eyes were slightly lit up with curiosity, even while his expression also seemed so unsure.

"...I'm Maki, by the way. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner, but it is nice to more properly meet you."

He does know Daisuke's name already, though he does wonder if he's aware of the fact someone had shared his phone number with him. ...Should I talk about that whole meeting...? ... Maybe later, if it seems important to bring up.

' huh ?! no , it's not that --- ! ' though , he couldn't exactly explain otherwise . saying that he already knew the other thanks to dark was completely out of the question , and though even with that in mind the other was still somewhat of a stranger , he would have liked for any distance to have shrunk between them , if only just by a little bit .

how else would he ever have been able to grant the other's wish ? that they were lonely and wanted someone or something to fill and take it away ... he couldn't let his usual anxieties and discomforts get in the way . even if he --- no , dark had never gotten so much as the other's name , he had still given away his number . likewise , even after all this time , the niwa had been left wondering whether or not the person in front of him would someday decide to make any sort of call --- although they still hadn't , and things turned out to be a surprise instead , a meeting like this was just as good .

' i mean , isn't this just the right thing to do , too ? ' he lets out a soft laugh and tries not to worry over whether or not it really was when he still had to lie , ' but , um , i mean --- if you really don't want to , you don't have to stay around or anything ... but i can at least give you some cake in return for giving me a gift , right ? i'm pretty sure i've seen you around a few times before --- ' a beat and a pause . ' er , actually , m-maybe ... only just once . '