week three | dates

[marriagebroker]

Here we go again.

You all better kiss.

Comments

[beatmatching]

[ he absolutely kills it because this man was born to do literally one thing, and that's to be an idol. he is also plenty loud enough to drown out the couple next door who probably appreciate it, because his take on dancing queen is plenty sensual.

he knows what sells and he hasn't sung enough on the show, okay?

when he's done (and he seems livelier for it, because yeah he's forced to sing but singing is also the only place where he can really be himself) ]

How was that?

[irreversal]

[ Woah... a sexy version of Dancing Queen. It's kind of impressive that he managed to do that!

But even for how half-heartedy Shoko follows along with the tambourine, barely keeping rhythm, her attention remains fully fixed on Luka. She's not someone who tunes into idol culture much, herself, but this up close, and in the flesh - it's impossible not to be captivated by Luka's performance and his raw talent.

One of the staff enters towards the end to deliver all their food, too, and maybe they're taking their sweet time a bit so they can enjoy this show for themselves before dipping out of the room. By the end of the song, Shoko's clapping with the tambourine. ]

Woooow. [ She sounds enthused. Just trust me bro, ] That was a pretty unique take on the song. You really are a professional. I'm pretty lucky right now, aren't I?

[ His fans would probably kill her for an opportunity like this.. ]

[beatmatching]

Of course, you're here with me. [ sorry not sorry. though he doesn't brag further and takes a melon soda which he believes he's earned. his intention is to sip at it and that's where he starts out, but uhhh. he's going to chug the entire thing in one go. it is so, so, sweet and he absolutely loves it.

his fans will find this footage adorable whenever it airs, look at the two little pet-humans doing silly little pet-human things, trying to emulate the greatness of the ALST! or something like that. ]

[irreversal]

[ Well, at least he isn't loud and boisterous about his bragging, either. Shoko does tilt her head a bit at the way he just absolutely devours that melon soda, though, and then... reaches for the tablet to order another one... ]

So, you like the melon soda, huh? I'll get you another one.

[ And with that, she'll start searching for another song. ]

You know, it's been a while since I went to karaoke like this. Reminds me of when I was a teenager, hah.

[beatmatching]

[ one is already too many but she's already ordering it and asking him a question so...

...he'll figure out what to do with the soda when it arrives. ]

So humans do sing just for fun? All our activities involve performing except for when we're really young—then we're allowed to play some games like tag.

[irreversal]

[ She's helping her self to one of the salty snacks she ordered. ]

Mm, you could say that it's a good activity for relieving stress. It's a popular group activity, too.

[ And couple's activity, as evidenced by the booth next door, ]

Does that mean you had fun just now, when you were singing Dancing Queen?

[beatmatching]

[ luka peers at the snacks but doesn't take any. ]

I wouldn't call it fun, but I didn't dislike it either. Singing is who I am.

[irreversal]

[ He inhaled the melon soda but won't touch anything else.. ]

Hmm. Is there anything you've experienced the last few weeks that you would call fun?

[beatmatching]

[ oh that's easy. ]

Being with Maya.

[ and after a pause, he adds: ]

And talking with Yingying.

[irreversal]

[ okay she probably should have seen that answer coming ]

Right. What about activities? Or even food that you like...? You finished that melon soda really fast.

[beatmatching]

[ there's a bit of a pause before he answers. ]

I like sweet foods. But they're not part of my diet.

[ very clinically and to the tone of "I absolutely should not have had that melon soda". his expression isn't guilty though, just blank. ]

[irreversal]

Ahh, that makes sense. You probably have a pretty strict diet, huh. You seem alright breaking it here, though.

Anyway, I'm asking all of these questions because I'm wondering what there is to you asides from being an idol. But maybe it's a hard question, just like it's hard to say what there is to a sorcerer asides from being a sorcerer...

[beatmatching]

[ now he's definitely not drinking that second melon soda, f. ]

...what's a sorcerer? [ he needs to start there first! ]

[irreversal]

[ right... ]

It's someone who can see curses and can use cursed energy to exorcise them.

[ waving her hand in a vague gesture, just like she had when she first tried to explain (?) her healing ability to him back in their first week here. ]

But in my case, I turn that energy into healing. Remember when I offered to take a look at you that first week?

[beatmatching]

[ curses... must be something science related that's been lost to time.

probably. ]

I do. So if you're a sorcerer-doctor, then you don't have room to be anything else?

[ that's the inference he's making. ]

[irreversal]

[ It's not an inaccurate inference to make. She nods. ]

Not much room for anything else, yeah. Even if there was, it could never be a priority. Curses can come up at any moment.

[beatmatching]

Like my career. [ hmmm. ]

Why did you come on this show? [ they might have talked about it earlier on, but luka's paying closer attention now. ]

[irreversal]

[ hmmm.

Earlier on, Shoko might have easily offered that she simply needed a break, a change in scenery, some time away - and all of those things still hold true. She's not here for a wish, or even to fall in love or find a life partner.

But she'll offer him the same thing she told Edamura. ]

I... wanted to feel seen, I guess. For more than just my role or my past. And I wanted to see myself differently, too.

[beatmatching]

[ couldn't be him because that wasn't his intention at all. he was comfortably resigned like this. ]

Hmm... if you made me choose, I'd prefer not to be seen nearly as much as I am. [ he's an introvert who unfortunately is the biggest star in his universe. ]

But I wonder if that still counts as similar enough for matches.

[irreversal]

Hah. I think we're probably talking about different kinds of "seen."

[ Interesting, though. The two of them as a match? The thought had never really crossed her mind. ]

You mean because we both have careers that kinda consume our entire lives?

[beatmatching]

Right. And the fact that you're the only one besides Maya who didn't immediately tell me what to do when they found out more about my life.

[ it's notable to Luka, because pretty much everyone else expressed pity, concern, or anger. ]

[irreversal]

You've probably spent your whole life being told what to do, huh?

[ And coupled with the fact that he was simply... created and made for what he is, she can see why it's not just a matter of doing something else. ]

I guess, somehow, being a sorcerer and being an idol from your world aren't all too different. We can't help what we are. So we rise to the occasion or the world swallows us up one way or another.

[beatmatching]

[ oh, that's... ]

We survive. However we have to. [ ... ]

Tell me more about being a sorcerer.

[irreversal]

Ehhhh... Sing another song for me, first!

[ the karaoke wheel has chosen 24k Magic this time.... take it away, Luka Mars... ]

[beatmatching]

[ wow!

...well of course he's singing it and killing it again. though he does look expectantly at shoko when he's done. ]