like a time bomb [kosuke]

Again, he was amused by the man's responses, chuckling to himself when he released that sigh of relief. If they hung out often after this, he was definitely going to have to teach him to loosen up a bit, if simply for the sake of the blue-haired fellow's health. Being so frightened all the time by people could not be healthy in the slightest. Or, at least, he couldn't ever see himself being so timid around others. It seemed more of a hassle guarding yourself like that when there were so much fun experience to be had outside of your safety zone. Of course, then again, that could have just been him. He was a very outgoing and adventurous individual, after all. Regardless, if he had the chance he would definitely try to help the other relax. But, today, he'd behave as much as he possibly could. That would be awful to make a friend and lose one within less of an hour.

With that settled, Kichiro found himself unsure what to do, for once in his life. Usually, he'd drag whoever he could along on his adventures but trying to be careful with Mr. Shy Guy as he now settled on calling him, he'd have to take it one step at a time. And that took more thought than he was used to. Such mind power that caused him to go blank for a moment, the young man reaching up to his hair to scratch behind one of the hidden ears within. Hmm... This would definitely be a challenge. What could he propose if he didn't want to freak him out too much? At the same time, what if he had somewhere to be now? How would he approach that question without making the guy go all awkward? He realized he didn't like thinking before acting much. It simply wasn't his style. He'd make sure to remind this guy later how appreciative he should be for his courtesy. But these thoughts were broken off as he'd spoken again, this time something that silenced the cat rather quick.

- "Um...Do you want to exchange numbers or e-mails, um...so we can meet up again? If--if that's okay with you, I mean?"

"Huh?" he questioned with a tilt of the head, his tail flickering beneath his shirt at the confusing question. At least until he realized the small mistake he might have made. These were things humans communicated through. Going from a homeless kitten to a pet urakata, it was really no surprise he'd had no real experience with them. Course, if he was gonna play as a human, he supposed he was gonna have to play along with everything, right? He just wasn't entirely sure what a satisfying response would be.

"Er... Uh... I mean... I would! If I actually had those things!" he smiled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "That's not weird, is it? Not having a number or e-whatever?" he questioned with slight uneasiness in those blue eyes of his. He might have just fucked himself over. It was kind of weird for a human teen to not have those things. But he wasn't human. He was an urakata who'd never really needed to use those things. Of course, he was kind of saddened he didn't. That might have been his only way of meeting him again. He could have lied, made up something. But that would just end up an even bigger mess.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just sorta old fashioned with some things?" he continued to try and excuse, possibly only digging a bigger grave. His instincts were telling him now was probably the time to make an escape, before anyone could even have a chance to catch him. But at the same time, his curiosity beckoned him to stick around, no matter the risk. Curiosity killed the cat? He was never really a fan of the saying but it really could apply in this situation. Not literally. He hoped.

Maybe he could have given the auction house phone number? He doubted they'd allow him phone time though. As much as the place was like a jail, prisons were much more tame compared to his 'home'. At least, that's what people said anyway. He couldn't be too sure himself, as he'd never actually been in jail before. Nor did he plan to anytime soon. Besides, even if they did, he was sure his friend here would be rather shocked by the discovery, perhaps not too pleased with the fact he'd lied to him. Though, technically, he wouldn't call this lying. He just wasn't telling the truth. Big difference! What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

- "Um...It is but um...It's not like I'm not weird either, r-right?"

He gave a mock pout, seeming a bit relieved by those words though. At least he wasn't questioning it. "I am offended!" he teased, unable to help but crack a goofy smile, hoping to assure him he was just joking. "I wouldn't say you were weird, though." he began with a wave of the hand. "Just a little backwards is all. Nothing wrong with that." he finished with a confirming nod. "Course it wouldn't hurt for you to relax either." he trailed off, seeming to speak what was on his mind rather keeping said thoughts to himself. He didn't mean it to be rude. Kichiro just figured he'd be much less tense if he learned how to let go a bit. But who was he to judge someone he'd only just met. That would be too rude.

- "Do you have anything to write with? Ah, I could...give you my number...and you could, um, use a payphone...maybe?"

"Hmm..." he mused out loud, patting himself down as well. There was his tail, conveniently wrapped around his waist. A couple of loose change, apparently not quarters. Some pocket lint and other useless junk he'd probably found on his way here. But no pens. "One sec!" he stated, holding up his index finger as if to tell him to stay before running off to the front of the arcade, expecting him to wait as he'd asked. Not long after, he returned after hassling a pen out of one of the employees of the place whom had agreed to give him a pen if he left him be. He could do that, he supposed. For now, anyway. Frankly, he'd made no promises but, eager to get back, he didn't object.

Chiro had returned, pen held triumphantly in hand before he held out the pen to his new companion. "Here ya go. Guy said you could keep it." he stated with a smile. Actually, he didn't say that. But he assumed a missing pen wouldn't cause too much of a fuss.

- "Good--good job."

The praise was met with a very happy grin, quite pleased with himself despite the very small achievement. He was just a people pleaser, he supposed. "Mhmm~" he hummed in a cheery tone, patiently waiting for him to jot down the number for him. He'd only hope he wouldn't actually lose it later, or worse, have it confiscated when he returned. That would be a shame. He'd try and make sure that didn't happen though. If only to make certain he'd be able to meet this guy again. Rematch or not, he quite enjoyed hanging out with his friends when given the chance.

He took the receipt, for a moment confused by the other words before noticing the actual number, reading it mentally a few times to memorize it before folding it and tucking it away in his pocket. He'll have to try and gather some change if he did want to use a payphone though. He made a mental note to search for some on his way home.

- "That's my cellphone number, um. I might not pick up, I can get...um...easily distracted by work. But just leave a voice mail, sound...sound good?"

Might not pick up? Well he supposed if he'd be busy it was understandable. He'd have to figure out how the hell he was supposed to leave a voice mail but he decided it was better to figure that out on his own. He'd already looked strange as it seemed, might as well not push it. "Sounds perfect." he nodded with a chuckle. He could handle it, right? Shouldn't be too hard. He decided to be optimistic about it as usual. "I'll try not to call you too much." he added with a wink. Teasing, but pretty much true. He doubted he'd be able to call a lot, if at all. But, again, he didn't have to know that.

It seemed his empty threat was more appreciated than he'd originally thought. He would have tsked, playfully of course, but seemed to be slowly learning. Sides, at least he was honest about it. It would be much worse if he were in self denial about the whole thing. Accepting was the first step in solving a problem, right? Though, it might have been rude to consider his introverted self a problem but he didn't really see it that way entirely. Humans were supposed to be social creatures, yes? So it was only natural for him to expect that. Same way he had to anticipate being called out as an animal despite his more human appearance. Just came with the name.

Things got silent after that and the feline couldn't help finding the situation a little awkward himself, enough so for his eyes to wander the rest of the arcade from the corner of his eyes to at least pretend the other male had his interest still while the blue eyes might have said otherwise. It wasn't anything personal. He just had a really short attention span. It was a curse, really. But luckily, things were saved when his friend spoke up again, his voice regathering his attention fully, moreso when the confused urakata was trying to gather what he was trying to stammer out, his own head tilting a bit while one of his ears flickered curiously.

- "Are you, um, on the way to anywhere? I could, um...walk you--or--or something? I should probably check back in with...um...my brother soon, but--"

He scratched his chin, brow cocked as he tried to translate what had been said. Replaying the words in his head, it seemed he wanted to walk him wherever he intended to go. Did he have anywhere to go? Auction House, for sure. He'd have to return eventually or further provoke their wrath when he finally showed up late or they had to drag him home by his tail. He flinched slightly at the thought, bottom lip poking out in a slight pout. He really didn't want to go home so soon but it would probably be the best idea. But that simply made it difficult if he were to accept his walk home. How was he gonna explain that? "Erm..." he continued to think, finding himself in a bit of a dilemma. He certainly would have liked to tag along more if possible.

- "I...don't do this a lot--obviously--...ha..."

Hmm... Well he supposed that settled it then! He gave a nod, chuckling at the poor man's frustration. "No! It's fine." he assured, waving off Kosuke's nervousness as unnecessary. "I don't have anywhere to be for another hour or so." he began with a small sigh. Might fuck him over later taking his time like this, but he really didn't want to end the fun so soon. He'd take whatever punishment came his way. He was sure it'd be worth it. And once Kichiro settled on something, there was no changing it. "But if you've got to go anywhere, I'd be happy to accompany you." he completed with a mock bow. "Body guard, Kichiro at your service." he winked playfully. It was probably a long shot, he realized. When he mentioned checking in with his brother, he might have just meant calling him or something. But since he had offered a walk, he decided he'd like to take it. Just might require a bit of a change in destination.

He waited quite patiently for his answer, bottom lip pursed out a bit as he attempted some kitten eyes to further convince him it was a good idea. And much to his pleasure, he had agreed to the idea. "Alright!" he shouted happily, his voice carrying once again and gathering a few glares from unamused others. Certainly didn't phase him a bit, though. And when Kosuke directed him out, he followed along obediently, grinning like an idiot. He, on the other hand, was oh so easily amused. This was basically a thrill for him, even if it seemed so simple.

Kichiro walked along beside him once outside, curious eyes searching the area he'd seen countless of times before but somehow he'd always found new things to explore. He restrained himself though, reminding himself that he had company now and couldn't just run off towards anything that sparked his attention. Even when those birds flocked in an open area perfect for chasing. He'd just have to come by later and check if they were still around. Another mental note tucked away for later.

- "Um...Do you have any siblings, Chiro?"

That seemed to be enough to rope his attention, blue eyes turning to face him before nodding with a chuckle. "Well... Adopted sibling anyway." he explained, though for all he knew, he could have had other brothers or sisters out there. You could never be too sure when your past was so spotty. "Older brother, Daisuke. He was pretty cool, he was the one who introduced me to games." he chuckled. And he introduced him to plenty of other things as well, darker things that perhaps shouldn't be shared, but things that helped him survive nonetheless. But, again, better to keep that part to himself. "Haven't been able to see him for a while though." he admitted. Another odd thing to say, for a human at least. But it was quite normal for urakata to be separated from family and like all others, he'd adjusted. Of course, he couldn't deny missing him still. It would be nice to see him again. Though knowing the fellow feline, he probably wouldn't appreciate how easy he's come to accept slavery. They were rather rebellious back in the day, you know.

"How about your, bro? He cool too?" he asked with another one of his winning smiles. Small talk or legitimately wanting to know? A little bit of both, really. He was a curious cat, after all.

It seemed this was just about as much as a winning topic as video games were and Chiro couldn't help but smirk as his eyes lit up, listening with interest as he went off on his rampage about his brother. He certainly wasn't bothered by it, if anything amazed by how talkative he suddenly became, nervousness barely noticed in his words. There was certainly no doubt that he loved his older brother, much like Kichiro had back in the day. Frankly, he still found himself gloating about how awesome the other urakata was. So he could certainly understand Kosuke's rambling. "Sounds awesome!" he chuckled with a toothy grin, certainly amused as well as impressed. Though, then again, that itself didn't seem to take much.

- "Oh! But--um--...You haven't seen your brother in a while? That's really sad, I'm--I'm sorry. I don't know what I'd do if Takehiko wasn't around...Did Daisuke go...out of the country or something?"

He smiled, shaking his head and hoping he'd calm down. While his sentiments were appreciated, he didn't think it was anything to be sad about. At least, not currently. He didn't want to sour the mood. "Well he could be, for all I know." he began, stretching his arms behind his head. "We got separated when I was a kid." he admitted openly before adding a bit of an excuse afterwards. "I was kinda adopted into a different household." he finished. It wasn't a total lie. Replace adopted for sold and it was basically the same thing. "So I haven't really been able to talk to him since." For such a tale, he did seem to be coping relatively well. It was sad, sure. He would have liked to have his brother around more than anything. But compared to the tough past he'd had before, he considered this new life of his a bit easier. Didn't have to constantly worry about getting food or being captured. The threat of mother nature wasn't as deadly and when you got sick, you got somewhat proper treatment as opposed to sitting around, waiting for fate to decide what to do with you. His brother certainly wouldn't have appreciated it as much as he did. He was a wild spirit who'd much prefer death over ever being a slave. Though he couldn't understand why, he wouldn't argue his older brother's judgement. So long as he was okay.

- "How do you--how do you cope?"

He tilt his head at this, seeming genuinely confused. But then he looked even more puzzled, having to take a moment to think about the answer himself. Well... How did he? It certainly wasn't easy at the start. He didn't realize how much he'd depended on his brother till he'd been torn away from him. He wouldn't eat, couldn't sleep. He was so depressed by it at first that he'd cried a lot more than he'd like to admit. But he adjusted. You had to to survive. Besides, knowing his brother, he'd call him out for being a big baby crying over him like that. So he toughened up, accepted his situation, and discovered it wasn't as bad as he thought it was. It just would have been much better if he were around. "You just sorta have to." he finally offered after some debate. "It's not easy but.." he trailed off, still not too certain about it himself. He ended up giving up though with a chuckle. "Sides, he'd pick on me if he knew I was getting upset over it." he smirked.

"ACTUALLY!" he began with a sudden look of awe in his eyes, "Maybe if I got upset, he'd show up and try to kick my ass! Then I could capture him!" he joked, an attempt to ease the situation. He didn't like when things got overly serious, nor did he enjoy dwelling on negative emotions for too long. "Ahhh but what if he did kick my ass and ran away before I could catch him?!" he whined mockingly. "I'll have to think out this plan better." he finished with a playful smile.

"But don't worry. I doubt Takehiko would ever let that happen to you. He seems like a pretty neat guy." he nodded, hoping to alleviate any worries he might have had about the topic. Their situations themselves were so different so surely nothing like that would ever happen to him. Unless he were an urakata? Was he? Kichiro took another look just to be sure before nodding in confirmation. He was in fact human. So he was safe.