soundoftheseas | YOHAMARU CATCHALL

"O-oh, your phone... I guess you can make it sound like anything these days, huh? Maru's is just the default tone..."

So that's what technologically-advanced people are into these days...? Oh, wait, duh-- she sits up straighter as the thought hits: "You should give me your phone number, Yoshiko-chan! That way we could keep in touch better, and I won't have to startle you with any more surprise visits!"

"My number? Wait, wait, really? I mean, I actually, uh, I don't really know it off the top of my head--"

When was the last time she gave someone her phone number? The only contacts she has in her phone are her parents, and it isn't as though she ever answers when they call, anyway.

"I don't really call too many people. Or have people over, for that matter, but you probably figured that out already."

She just grumbles into her chamomile, her voice taking on a hint of resignation at the obvious confession.

"But I'm happy that way, really. It's kind of just the way it is. No one really bugs me when I'm busy, and I don't have to worry about inconveniencing anyone that way. You have plenty of friends now, I'm sure, so I'm sure I'd just get in the way of time you want to spend with them, you know?"

She gulps.

"Besides, I'm not exactly popular. I'm sure people would say things."

Hanamaru listens wordlessly as Yoshiko goes on, putting herself down in so many words -- and for what? Because she asked for her number? Does Yoshiko not want to be friends? Or rather, could it be that she's scared of it...?

Well, in the end, all Maru does is pull out her clamshell phone, flip it open, and hand it over.

"Anyway, please put it in here, okay?"

"...O-okay, Zur--Hanamaru-san. Give me a second, I'll go get it."

Even after all that, she can't say no to her. It's just like it was in kindergarten: every time Maru would scurry over to their little hideout with a book in hand, eager to act out a story she had read or talk about her latest library conquest, Yoshiko couldn't help but indulge her.

She takes the phone and walks from the kitchen area to her bedroom, grabbing her phone and searching for the place to find her own number. All the while, Grendel seems to find this hysterical, hyuking away, but at least he has the decency to keep it down a bit to a Muttley-like cackle as Yoshiko scours her phone. He'll have a lot to grill her about later, Yoshiko is certain about that, but...

Soon enough, she brings Maru's phone back, putting it face-up on the table, still open. Clear as day, on the contact screen...

Tsushima Yoshiko
666-1313-4444

"You can, uh, call me whenever."

YOHAMARU CATCHALL

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