Better Eight Than Never

Chapter 28: Cup Runnith Away

The plaza was emptier than ever, which was greatly disconcerting to Simon as they sat on a bench not too far away from the train station. They were trying to keep themselves from looking toward Jill, who was sitting on the other end of the bench, they didn't want any chance for an argument to break out between the two of them like it had the day before. They both had decided to wear their least favorite clothes that day, who knew if the octolings would attack again, it would suck to ruin their Berry ski jacket... They hugged their slosher close, fingers tapping on the side anxiously.

They glanced toward the train station and watched as the people from the last train exited the station. Normally around this time of day there would be such a thick swath of people that it would be hard to see anyone in particular, but today it was easy to see Toda, Bato, and Hachi all walking toward them. "You're here." They said as they stood up and folded their arms. "I was starting to get a little worried."

"Hey guys..." Toda said, then gave a little yawn.

"Sorry about the delay." Bato said. "Hachi asked about how many stars there are and... had a bit of an existential crisis."

"Oh, man, are you okay Hachi?" Jill asked as she stood up and stretched.

Hachi just shrugged a little and coughed, and Simon shrank away instinctively.

"Sorry Simon..." Toda said quietly, not meeting their gaze. "She told me she felt better today!... I guess just not... all better?"

They took a deep breath, fists clenching. "Let's visit the sisters." They said, then stepped aside so Bato and Hachi could go first... They didn't want her coughing on them...after them went Jill, and they expected Toda to follow, but he was still right near them, eyes glued to the ground.

"... You know you can still look at me, right?" They asked, raising an eyebrow.

Toda looked up quickly, a blush flowing rapidly over his cheeks. "I, um, yeah, I ah..." He stammered before looking away again. "... Sorry."

They sighed and began to walk after the others. "I knew it would be impossible to act normal after yesterday... But you don't have to be sorry... I'm just... not ready yet."

"... Okay." He mumbled. Were the plaza more crowded, they'd have been unable to hear him at all.

He still wasn't really looking where he was going... and he didn't look comfortable at all... Was there some way they could get him to liven up? There was only one thing they could think of, and they were so mad at themselves for it. "Hey, do you know any sign language?"

He looked up, then nodded. "A little bit, why do you ask?"

"Repeat after me." They replied.

"Um, well, I can try." He said, getting his hands ready.

They took a deep breath, then began to sign.

'Me you no stranger(s) love. You know rules, same.'

"Hey!" Toda said, beginning to laugh.

They laughed along with him. "Gotcha."

He shook his head, still laughing a bit. "Y'know, oddly enough, I actually sort of like that song," He said as he adjusted his cap.

"I thought most people only hate it because they've been tricked." They replied. "I know that's why I really hate it sometimes. It happens quite a bit when you have a sister like mine."

"I can imagine." He laughed.

Simon nodded, and then glanced over at Jill. Would they ever be able to make amends? Probably not, if they were going to break their promise... They told her they'd never date someone on the squad again... But they were so tempted... And she sounded like she felt so– They paused, glancing between Jill's tentacles and Bato's.