Maruki’s face lights up in visible relief at the sound of a voice. Oh my god—someone came to help! But as he cranes his neck to look down, the relief evaporates instantly.
His eyelids droop. An Akechi. Of course.
He stifles a groan, forcing a strained, cheerful smile as he adjusts his grip on the increasingly agitated cat. Helpless tourist, Maruki. Stick to the persona. Right, what accent was I using—
CRACK!!
The branch gives way entirely. With no time to think, Maruki lets himself fall, holding the cat tightly against his chest.
The branch snaps, and Maruki plummets to the ground, landing squarely on his backside. The cat squirms in his arms, but he keeps his hold firm. His glasses are crooked, his hoodie is askew, and he lets out a theatrical groan as he scrambles to sit upright.
Well, that could’ve gone better, he thinks to himself.
“Sorry!” he blurts in English, forcing a laugh with an exaggerated American twang once He was once again glad that he went to a small internship program abroad during his masters but he really didn't think he would be using that experience in this context. “Didn’t mean to, uh... climb on public property or whatever!” He awkwardly adjusts his glasses and clutches the now-silent cat closer to his chest.
no subject
His eyelids droop. An Akechi. Of course.
He stifles a groan, forcing a strained, cheerful smile as he adjusts his grip on the increasingly agitated cat. Helpless tourist, Maruki. Stick to the persona. Right, what accent was I using—
CRACK!!
The branch gives way entirely. With no time to think, Maruki lets himself fall, holding the cat tightly against his chest.
The branch snaps, and Maruki plummets to the ground, landing squarely on his backside. The cat squirms in his arms, but he keeps his hold firm. His glasses are crooked, his hoodie is askew, and he lets out a theatrical groan as he scrambles to sit upright.
Well, that could’ve gone better, he thinks to himself.
“Sorry!” he blurts in English, forcing a laugh with an exaggerated American twang once He was once again glad that he went to a small internship program abroad during his masters but he really didn't think he would be using that experience in this context. “Didn’t mean to, uh... climb on public property or whatever!” He awkwardly adjusts his glasses and clutches the now-silent cat closer to his chest.