Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Step By Step

The days were passing by and everyday the trio had a meeting: Nyeli, Ann and Izumi himself. However, each day was a never ending cycle of silence or awkward talks which were only a few sentences long. They got a tiny bit longer but overall... Izumi just had no idea what to say. it was as if he was afraid to mess up and well... Ok, he was. But at the same time he hated it, that he couldn't get a proper word out. It has been so long, the two of them had obviously changed. He had doubts, he won't deny that. For a moment he believed to be in the right earlier even. Things were too late, this was beyond saving. The damage was too grave.

However, he decided against throwing the towel in the end. Ann had been there after all. They were ready to keep up with this, surprisingly enough, even getting in between them whenever needed. He wasn't about to throw their efforts away. It wouldn't sit right with him. Yeah, it was them but he wasn't going to be that cruel. At the same time it came with one downside– He had only them to turn to. And it's not like they had not taken notice of his own frustration. He had hit a wall, that much was certain, so they were not really surprised to see him show up by himself and explaining this to them, when it was just the two of them.

"It's not gonna be done by day one." Ann only shrugged, having turned their attention away from the computer and facing Izumi heads on. Their tone, something nearly ticked him off, though not how it usually would. He didn't feel like yelling at the very least.

Instead he just said with a hint of mild annoyance "Don't you sass me now."

It only made them try so hard not to chuckle, they had to take this seriously. Though somehow, they might still think of this as amusing. It wasn't them in his shoes, they wouldn't do it if they were! "Right right. Sorry."

He only rolled his eyes yet decided not to push it. Otherwise this would go nowhere and he didn't have the energy for one of their regular fights. "Anyway, I hate this. No matter what, it's just... A pain."

"A pain?" They tilted their head slightly, not sure what he meant yet he was ready to explain.

"No, I don't mean the cat. I meant this not really going anywhere."

"Oh, right."

"Look, I know what I said and what we agreed on. But this is starting to feel impossible. What am I supposed to do? Pretend this never happened!? Am I supposed to act like everything's fine!? Besides, we've changed. It's been like what? Ten years or something? Ugh, it's just so annoying to think about."

They had not interrupted him, only listened and seemed to think, even putting one of their fingers beneath their chin while staring right down, their eyes narrowing at whatever they were staring at. They soon turned back however, their gaze meeting his own once more, then suggesting the following: "I guess but! But but buuut! Maybe try... Meeting a new person!"

He only stared at them, a bit dumbfounded. Wha– Meeting a new person!? What was that supposed to mean!? "Are you telling me to treat him like a stranger!? Do I need to remind you that—"

"Yeah yeah. You two... know of... the other." They responded, showing that they were still aware at the very least. "Hear though. You say it: Both changed."
He only nodded, though still not sure what they had been heading at.

"So... If scared... Just... Try new!"

"Try new? Don't you mean 'try anew'?" He had to ask, just to make sure.

And they nodded, a little cheerfully. "Yeah yeah! Sounds easier, right?"

He thought this through for a moment... Pretending to meet a new person. Nyeli was no longer the same, or that was what his worry was. And Izumi was not the same person either. After all, he was no longer a kid. A lot has happened ever since the two parted ways, whichever reason was correct. The reason no longer mattered, at least not to him. What mattered was to reconnect properly, no matter what. And they did have a point.

However, it made Izumi nearly scoff with a smirk on his face, ready to have a laugh at this suggestion. It was quite the irony after all. "Hah, right. Funny that this comes from a person who can barely get a sentence out in front of anyone they don't know." He couldn't help it, not in this case. Though it wasn't really to provoke them, far from it. He just couldn't help it.

And their face, it was a little amusing. He saw them pout, their cheeks puffing up just like that as their gaze narrowed. They didn't necessarily like it being pointed out, especially since it was obvious, but it was still a little funny. "Ugh... Why am I helping you?" They even responded but that's what made this so funny either way.
"I dunno, you tell me."

"Guh... J... Just... Try it ok? Before my mind... Is changing."