fatealteration | (no subject)

Hitomi nodded in agreement. "You look very handsome."

Doppio rubbed his face, suddenly overwhelmed at being complimented by the pair of women. Pretty and adorable were one thing, but handsome was something else entirely.

“Oh…where’s Chid?”

Reigen nodded in Chid’s direction where he was getting a closer view of the coast by one of the shady trees.

“Careful, he may not recognize you at first.”

“Chid, be careful!” Doppio called as he jogged over. “Don’t get too close to the cliff. It’s dangerous!”

Chid spun around. "Don't worry, I'm fine." It was right when the last word left Chid's mouth that his eyes hit Doppio's form.

"Doppio?" he said questioningly.

"Yes?" Doppio paused and twiddled with his bangs. He had his long hair tied back into a braid instead of letting it flow loose. "I don't look that different, do I?"

"You look different, but I don't think it's a bad thing."

Smiling, Doppio took a seat beside the small boy. The more he focused on the coast, the more the memories came trickling back.

“This coast was developed by a prince. Since then, a lot of wealthy people have started settling here. When I was your age, I used to sneak out to look down at it a lot but I was never brave enough to walk all the way down by myself.”

A prince...

"I'm sure you wouldn't have any problems walking it now!"

“Hold on, hold on. Doppio-kun…are you saying you’re loaded?”

“No, no. No way. I’m not rich. I….”

…

“I…still don’t really remember…”

"Well, you remembered that you were from here, right? Maybe once we have the opportunity to explore, more will come to you."

Reigen took another deep breath of the salty sea air and let the moment linger for a little while longer.

"Well...shall we make nice with the locals?" He headed back to the van and nudged Max, lowering his voice. "Hey. What do you think the chances are of one of those villas down by the water being open for a little squatting?

Max had no idea, but she could find out. "I can go scout the area if you can chaperone the kids."

"You're a gem." Reigen watched her hike down towards the water. When he looked to the kids, what he noticed first was how Doppio was lingering where he sat and Hitomi beside him.

"Chid-kun," Reigen cleared his throat, "can you come help me clean up the potato skins in the van?"

"Yes, of course." Chid was nothing if not obedient.

It took Doppio a moment to realize he and Hitomi were alone. He suddenly felt awkward and he wasn't sure why.

"...Can I...be honest about something?"

"Sure."

"I'm really nervous...I should be happy, shouldn't I?"

"Well, I think it's normal to be nervous about the unknown. There's so many things it can be."

Doppio's shoulders drew up. "I'm nervous about me."

Hitomi figured as much. "If you think it might make you feel better... I could do a reading for you."

"Well...that's the thing." Doppio tried to smile as if that could lighten the weight of what he was about to say. "This whole time I've been wondering if the person who I was before is anyone worth remembering."

Hitomi got the sense that there was more that Doppio wanted to say, so she just listened.

"I've been clinging to this person who I'm sure I knew. I told you about them, right? But I don't even remember their name or their voice. So...back when we all first met...when I got nervous, I would try and imagine what their face looked like. I'd imagine what kind of words of encouragement they'd have...it's silly, right?" Doppio laughed a little. "But lately, when I'm worried...I don't picture their face anymore. I see Reigen, and Max, and Chid...and I see your face, Hitomi."