#RL Gen 2

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Chi and her kittens ❤

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Itsuki: I’m sorry. About all of this. I really wanted tonight to be celebratory…I don’t know why I thought it would be different.

Winnie: Don’t you apologize. I know how much thought, energy and planning you’ve put into this. How excited you are for this! It’s completely understandable that you’d want your loved ones’ support. I just want you to know that you have my support, 100% and I’m sure Aiko-san’s as well…and maybe one day, with perspective, your father will support this dream, too.

Itsuki: I don’t know what I would do without you, Winnie. Really. Thank you so much.

Winnie: Always.

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Bright and early the next morning, they came downstairs to find three new kittens waiting for them! Meet Taro, Yoshi and Yui! I’m so obsessed with them and it seems like Winnie and Itsuki are, too!

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As they cuddled up in bed that night, Itsuki still seemed to be lost in thought and Winnie’s patience finally grew thin.

Winnie: Alright, what’s going on in that head of yours?

Itsuki: To be honest, I still can’t get the corner store out of my head. I haven’t thought of the place in years and yet, ever since I saw that For Sale sign, now I can't stop. I’m thinking…maybe this is it. Maybe we stumbled on what I’m supposed to do to finally get away from Farseer Data corp and do something that actually makes me happy.

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Despite how hard these two have been working lately, they've been trying to make time for one another in between assignments. One evening, Itsuki surprised Winnie with a riverside picnic! They finally had a chance to get away from work, and his parents, and have some quality time with each other.

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After introducing Itsuki and Pierre - and the obligatory card-game-smack-talk between Pierre and Winnie was out of the way - Gale got Winnie and Itsuki positioned in front of the camera.

Gale: Alright, a little closer together and pose!

Winnie came up with the first one, something she had seen in fanart of their characters - and something that wouldn't make her heart race too quickly despite their closeness.

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Home, Sweet Home 🏠

But things are a little different now since they've last been here...

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Aiko: Oh, I'm so glad you're okay! That sounded horrible!

Winnie's face burned - from the cold and the fact she was meeting Itsuki's parents for the first time wearing only their son's sweatshirt.

Aiko: You, too, Finch-san! You're welcome to stay with us as long as you need!

Takibi: ...come in. It's cold.

Winnie: Thank you - both of you, so much!

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Everyone made it out okay but obviously shaken up.

Winnie: *sobs* I-Itsuki...our home-

Itsuki: Shhh, it's okay. We're okay, all of us. I'm just glad that you're both alright.

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Gale: Alright, next pose!

Itsuki: I've got an idea.

He turned to face her and silently took her hand, raising her knuckles toward his lips - careful not to graze them but enough to be a fitting pose for the picture. Winnie's heart stopped as she watched him, completely forgetting to pose herself - or even that there was a camera aimed at them in the first place.

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Winnie scooted closer to him to stand in front of the fire and that was when he put his arm around her and pulled her close. Her heart stopped. This was normal friendship behavior - right?

Itsuki: I'm sorry - is this okay? You just looked really cold.

Winnie: Yeah, totally! I'm freezing!

Her face burned as she enjoyed the warmth of the fire with him before the moment they headed off to the train station came all too soon.

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Self Care Day 🎶

Cause is it really a self care day if you don't dance to your favorite song in your pjs?

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Itsuki: *laughing* Did you get it all out of your system?

Winnie: *laughing* I think so...until I see the next one!

Itsuki: I don't know how you do it, you make a simple walk to work fun - oh! You got a leaf in your hair! Here.

Winnie froze as he reached forward and picked a leaf from her hair before absent-mindedly pushing it behind her ear.

Winnie: Oh. Um, thank you.

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Before they could leave, however, Chi had a little surprise to take with them. Kittens!

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He didn't mention he'd have to rush a bit after dropping her off but when she agreed with a smile, he knew it was the right choice. His father had been making work a little more rough on him lately but he knew that spending the morning before with Winnie could more than make up for it.