Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Incoming Maintenance ... Hopefully

A story, a long one. Long enough that Izumi had invited Ann to one of the nearby cafés, having a lot to talk about. The duo sat there for a good hour or two, with him just listing the entire story. Ann kept shut, just as he had asked, not wanting to interrupt. Yet the entire thing was a little... Odd. It was not as they had heard from Nyeli, not how this story went. According to the kitty it was the owner who abandoned him, but here this guy was, saying Nyeli ran off. However, it sounded truthful all the same. The words had no foul play in them, not as far as Ann was concerned, kind of. Regardless, they did raise an eyebrow as they had sipped on the glass of water (which was luckily free of charge), then placed it down and thought for a moment. They didn't want to doubt the model honestly, it was a miracle that he had even opened up to Ann about this. But at the same time... Uh... They were not sure what to think at this point. This was confusing.

Regardless, it was Izumi who broke the silence from one moment to the next. "I owned him before. Are you happy now?" He asked, his voice in a bit of pain while also keeping up his annoyed front. It was hard to talk about this visibly, they could tell. The two knew one another which would explain some attachment Nyeli felt, why he may have felt the need to draw the Black Knight the way he did.

"Guess but..." They mumbled, still somewhat loud enough for him to hear though.

"But what!?"

"Uh... You sure.... You didn't leave–"

"For the last time, no! He ran off!" He insisted, grinding his very own teeth for a moment. He hated to think about it, clearly, and Ann was not going to change that. In fact, they may as well make the thought worse. "That's what Mama said anyway..."

"Mama?"

"Don't tell me you don't know what 'Mama' means now..."

"No! Not what I... Said!" They responded fairly quickly, shaking their head. They didn't mean to drag his mother down like that. Ann didn't even know the woman! "Just... You... Say to your mother—"

"What of it!?" He snapped for a second, face flushed for a tiny moment. He was not amused by this and looked like he would love to bash the conversation partner's head in. But he didn't, obviously, not in a public space. "Can't I call my mother how I want now!?"

"Ah! J... Just surprised!" They responded, surprised by this revelation. It was surprisingly adorable and something they had not expected from this jerk. 'Mama', instead of something like 'Mom'... It was rather affectionate, something they just had not expected at all. It almost made them chuckle, almost forgetting it came from Izumi's mouth. But alas, they decided to not think about it too much. That was not the point of the conversation after all.

"Anyhow..." Ann began, thinking for a moment while staring down at the water glass, just seeing themselves how deep in thought they were over this. Knowing this now they had another desire... Something which might be best for Nyeli's sake. If the two were that close then there had to be something done about the current state, right?

They lifted their head back up, facing the male at the other side of the table, then asking: "Spend time together!" Now, not the exact phrase they were looking for but it got the point across, hopefully. Enough at least to make the male stare in disbelief for a moment, as if shocked about such a suggestion to begin with.

"C... Come again?"

"Spend time together! Catch up! No jerk!" They explained, or rather 'explained'. They sounded like some kid right now, they were self aware. But the embarrassment might hunt them down after this conversation, not right now. They were rather set to let Izumi know what they thought should be done. After all, hearing this story was kind of sad, enough for them to feel slight pity. And he remembered details, so he must have held onto this memory for some time now. Some urge overcame them like days ago, just wanting to help out. Now more than ever!

"You're asking for the impossible." Was his only response though, sounding rather cold as he narrowed his gaze right at them. It made the brunette freeze in shock all of a sudden, not believing their ears. But he was being serious, judging from his tone. "Listen, it's been too long. He doesn't re–"

"He does! Nyeli remembers scents! Lots of them!" They countered, trying to convince him now. But they were certain, he had to remember Izumi! "Actually, the drawing! Proof!"

"Ugh... Ok, I will give you that." He agreed, though rather annoyed. He didn't like it, not at all. "But listen, it's been too long. I'm over it, he's over it too. We got nothing to say to each other! He's happy with you and Kuma–Kun! Maybe even happier than he was with me! Leave it at that, will you!?"

The second half sounded so agitated, so frustrated, as if he was forcing himself to say it. It was a pain to hear, yet not in the way he would usually say things.
"Nonsense! I bet he—"

"It's best if he starts hating me!" Before Ann could finish Izumi interrupted them, sounding like anything but pleased at their attempts. "You and Kuma–Kun are his family now! Heck, the rest of Knights too! I, however, don't belong there! You're all happy together with him!"

Ugh, so annoying to hear. To the point it kind of made their heart ache. Izumi was serious but all the same it didn't feel right. It didn't sit right with Ann whatsoever. This felt so wrong, on so many levels. Why was he so stern on thinking this was best for Nyeli? It wasn't! This just felt... Off.

"But—" They were trying to argue with whatever argument they could but he cut them off, suddenly standing up in one swoop while slamming his hands against the top of the table, making it shake in the process.

"No buts you inconsiderate brat!" He screamed, suddenly having a furious expression with narrowed eyebrows, directing it right at them. "We will stay away from each other and that's final! Now, stop pestering me with this and leave me alone!"

It was a short sentence, making them just sit there in shock as he had turned away, taking his leave as quickly as possible.

All they got out was a very quiet 'Izumi...' They wanted to shout and go after him but their legs seemed to know that this was not the favored course of action. It was best to leave him, let him calm down. Maybe they took it a bit too far this time. Suure, Ann often spotted Izumi in an angry mood towards them but this type of anger... It was a little different compared to the other times. This wasn't their usual argument, they knew that much. But even then... They just couldn't leave it at this, could they?