Wait. What? (Hoshi)

[Dr. Roman Tilford]

Roman was enjoying his day off. Sometimes his schedule went a little out of whack, especially when there were emergency cases that needed his assistance, or extremely trying cases that he spent a lot of overtime on. Both had occurred over the last week, and as a result, he’d been told to enjoy his weekend, and to come back on Tuesday.

Score. Three day weekend.

To celebrate, he’d headed to the mall and made a beeline for Game Stop. There hadn’t been a lot in the way of new releases lately, at least nothing that really struck his fancy, but he did find a Halo themed controller for his Xbox 360. Of course, he never made it out of the store spending less than $100, so after some browsing he found a used copy of Conker’s Bad Fur Day for the Nintendo 64. He had to chuckle as he requested it come out of the case where all the majorly outmoded games were kept. Isaac would love its crude humor.

After picking that up, as well as caving in to a Raving Rabbids game for the Wii and a nunchuk, he decided that if he spent anymore on gaming items, Kiko would probably kill him.

So, he did the next best thing. He headed to the food court to find Starbucks. He had a few more things he needed to accomplish, but caffeine would be needed first. Doing things like shopping for work shirts was always dull, which was why he usually ended up in t-shirts and collared shirts overtop. Professional? What was that?

After bouncing in line at Starbucks and ordering a caramel macchiato, because, really, if you were getting Starbucks, it was a necessity, he took his drink and sat at one of the smaller tables. His butt was barely in the seat before he’d fished out his Rabbids game to read the back again. This would be fun to play with Isaac, because competitive games were the best between family members. He and Kiko were best with co-operative games. Namely, Animal Crossing. But maybe she’d like the humour in Conker.

Thinking of her, he smiled and pulled out his phone to text her. ‘Hey beautiful. Love you. <3’

[Hoshimi Aoki]

Again Hoshi had been kicked out of the office, something about working too hard and not eating properly. Hoshi had promptly rolled her eyes and refused to go. That was until she was told her pay would be getting ducked if she didn't leave. She really didn't know what to do with free time. She was much happier at work, free time was a weakness.

It could be spent working after all.

She supposed instead of staying home she would go to the mall. It had been a while since she ahd gone clothes shopping, and to make sense of it all she would just go and get it done with. She needed more dress pants and more dress shirts. She had even promised her sister she would get a dress. Though, that was the more rare of the two.

Hoshi was hard pressed to find a dress that she liked. It took many many stores until she finally found one.

She had found a dress that she liked. it was an odd thing having something so frilly, but it was nice enough for her she seemed. It was more her style then her sisters anyway. Besides, Hoshi didn't see herself wearing it anytime in the future. That was someone else's job, or really, the outfit was bought almost entirely to please her sister. She certainly wasn't going to wear it, unless of course her sister was around.

At the moment Hoshi was walking past the small Starbucks cafe. She contemplated going in, she didn't drink coffee but their tea was pretty good, and thought about it. The placed seemed pretty full, and it was by the size of the crowds. Thinking of the time it would take to get in line and find a place to sit Hoshi decided to risk it. Besides, she thought she spotted Roman sitting there. She had been meaning to discuss some things with him, more importantly things about her sister.

Things such as why he hadn't proposed yet.

Really he should know better by now, He should know that he should propose. Roman was perfect for her sister, as silly and as right for her as she was for him. She was confused as to why he hadn't proposed yet. Getting through the line was a bit tough but as she was she was surprised that it was thinning out, more seats were open.

Time for an ambush.

Giving a small grin Hoshi sat down opposite her sisters boyfriend. " Hello Roman."

[Dr. Roman Tilford]

Being ambushed by one Hoshi Aoki was the last thing on Roman’s mind when he’d hit the mall that day. He’d been more focused on the important things in life. Namely, coffee and video games. Clothing... he’d get to it. When he was done soaking up caffeine, sugar, and gaming information.

But not to worry. He wasn’t a complete nerd. If he was, he would have been already searching cheat codes for Rabbids on his iPhone, not to mention how to earn all the achievements. Obsessed? Only a little bit.

Really, it was good for him to have a distraction. Even if that distraction was Kiko’s sister. The one who always called him by his full name, even if he reminded her that he really didn’t mind if she shortened it to Rome. As long as it wasn’t Romy. That was only for James.

Happily nursing his coffee and looking at the crazy rabbits on the game, he might not have noticed Hoshi slide into the seat in front of him. The motion got his attention, but it was the voice that really pried him away from his game.

Well. Hoshi. That was a little bit of a surprise.

“Hoshi! Hey! What’s up?” He grinned at her. “Did you get kicked out of the office again?” It was the only reason he could think of for her to be at the mall instead of her office on a weekday. Kiko had told him it kept happening. “Being a workaholic isn’t healthy, you know.” Neither were mind numbingly sugary coffee, or endless video game hours, but he wasn’t going to mention that. “What brings you to the mall, anyway? Not that it isn’t nice to see you. It’s been a while.” Kiko kept saying her sisters should meet his. Hoshi being in front of him was only another reminder. Maybe he’d run it by Jilly next time he talked to her. No need to mention it to Cassy. He didn’t want to scare Hoshi, after all.

[Hoshimi Aoki]

To her it was odd that Roman hasn't proposed to her sister. They had been together long enough, not to mention they were basically perfect for one another. Roman was the one who completely understood her sister and brought a little fun into her life. To Hoshi he should propose already. It wasn't as if her sister was getting any younger.

Though that was mean of her to say, Hoshi was the youngest. her parents deserved some grandchildren, even though Hoshi would definitely not be giving them any, that didn't mean either of her sisters couldn't Both Roman and Kiko loved children, she couldn't see why they hadn't had a child already, apart from the not being married thing.

Really, the two would make good parents. and yes, she was thinking that far ahead in their future. Oh how that child would be spoiled. Grinning lightly she looked towards him, wondering how the child would turn out. Would it go on her yearly trip to japan? to visit the grandparents? smiling at the thought she hid her smile behind her tea. It was better to not show this much emotion.

Emotion was the thing that had ruined mankind. It was also the thing that allowed it to rebuild itself over and over. As a newspaper editor it was only truth that she could see in all the stories of the world. War, and hope, war and hope. Those were the things that the world was made of. Of course there was more war then hope, that though, was just human nature.

Humans were flawed after all.

Looking over towards Roman Hoshi gave a small smile and tilted her head sighing. how did he know? " Yes Roman, I have gotten kicked out, and your girlfriend made me promise to go clothes shopping." Frowning she shook her head in the slightest. "It is the only life I know." Really it was, even when she was little Hoshi had worked and worked and worked until she had gotten sick, or worse. " It has been a while, Christmas was it?" She did appreciate the gift, and hoped that he had liked his as well. "I am actually glad I ran into you, I have a question for you that I couldn't ask my sister."

Giving a small, michevous grin she looked towards him. "Only condition though is that you aren't allowed to tell me sister what I'm about to ask." Looking at him straight faced she held out her hand and waited for him to shake it. "Do we have a deal?"

[Dr. Roman Tilford]

Marriage didn’t often cross Roman’s mind. Sure, his sisters had mentioned it offhand a few times, and sure, sometimes it would be really nice for Kiko to share a home with him. But he just... hadn’t thought about it. While he was guilty of being a hopeless romantic, between work and everything else, he just hadn’t thought of it. Things were great the way they were, so why bother changing them?

It was true, though. They’d be good together. And they’d be great parents. Both of them worked with children day in, day out. Rome couldn’t wait to add to his parents’ grandchild list. Just... in time.

Okay, Hoshi was being weird. The grinning behind the tea thing? He eyed her with minor suspicion before swallowing a mouthful of coffee.

“Kiko says you keep doing that. Working too hard. I’m glad she made you go shopping.” Kiko was great at taking care of her sisters. And him, when she needed to. “But yeah, it’s been a while. How’ve you been, apart from working yourself to the point of forcible removal from the office?”

Wait. She had a question for him? Now it was his turn to tilt his head. What on earth could she ask him but not Kiko? “Uh... okay? What’s up?” She actually wanted him to shake on it? This was getting weirder and weirder. Still, he shook her hand out of sheer curiosity. “Yes, deal. What’s going on?”

[Hoshimi Aoki]

Maybe she was going a bit far. Maybe she was going to be a bit bad, but it would all work out in the end. Her sister couldn't hate her forever, and if all went well, Kiko wouldn't even know. That was her goal at least. After all this was between her and Roman. Kiko really had no part in this little encounter.

She was looking forward to them actually getting married, however far int he future that might be. Besides, she lived her life vicariously through her sister. Kiko was used to it by now, Roman? Not so much. Oh well, he would learn.

She could see he was curious. Curiosity did kill the cat after all. Most people didn't know that satisfaction brought it back. He would be satisfied soon enough.

Hoshi smiled slightly hiding behind her teacup. "I think I have fulfilled her needs of what to buy and what not to buy." At least she thought she did. "Good, got some more staff at the paper, been working on various assignments and such." All in all nothing quite too eventful was happening. "Not much all in all, what about you Roman?"

"Remember you agreed." Hoshi gave a small chuckle before tilting her head. "Roman why haven't you asked my sister to marry you yet?" It was long enough of a wait. They should just get together already and seal the deal. "Really, you should just propose already, you two are perfect together, so I want to know why you haven't proposed yet." Hoshi gave a small smirk sipping her tea looking at him across the table. "My sister loves you and you love her, what in the world are you waiting for?"

[Dr. Roman Tilford]

Rome was still confused as to why Hoshi would seek him out and accost him like this. Not that it wasn’t nice to see any of Kiko’s sisters. They were all nice, definitely nicer than Cassidy. But Hoshi... there was something about this little chance meeting that was picking at him.

Apparently they were going to have small talk first, though. Which was okay, considering he still wasn’t sure what she wanted from him. “Well that’s good. I’ll have to tell her you’re following the rules, then.” Kiko had told him a little bit about her usual shopping rules for Hoshi, so if she was playing by them, good. “Not much goes on in my world. I have some time off after working overtime all last week, so I’ve been wasting time at the mall. I’ll probably go see my best friend later, too, once he’s off work.” It was always a good time to bother James. “Work’s been busy, though, which is good.”

Small talk over, apparently. He continued to eye Hoshi, doing so much as to take a sip of coffee in an effort to break the tension.

Sadly, that was a bad idea. When he heard the question, his eyes went wide, and he nearly lost his mouthful of coffee. He barely managed to avoid the classic spit take, ending up half choking as he inhaled.

It took him a moment to recover. Marry Kiko? Really? Well... it wasn’t like he hadn’t thought about it at all. It had crossed his mind. Just like kids and all that family stuff had. His sisters were both married. It wasn’t an alien concept. He just... hadn’t given it a ton of thought. He and Kiko were happy the way things were. ... Weren’t they?

He swallowed before speaking. “I... ah.... has Kiko talked to you about this?” Where had this even come from? “I mean, it’s not like I don’t want to. I just...” He was blushing a bit now. “I don’t know? I hadn’t thought about it?” Nice, Rome. Very nice.

[Hoshimi Aoki]

Hoshi hoped the confusion on Roman's face would ease up soon enough. Sure it was funny to see that look on his face, but she hoped he wasn't that slow to not realize why she was here after her explanation.

She hoped that the formalities would be over soon. "She told you about the rules?" Well that was... unexpected, though if she really thought about it it wouldn't be. Kiko really did tell him everything. Just another reason he should pop the question already. She was glad to hear that his business was going well though. It was always a good thing when business went well. "Well I am happy for you then Roman."

Tension? There was no tension. Only one very confused man and a scheming sister. What could possibly go wrong?

Oh his reaction was... interesting to say the least. She frowned a bit though. Really it shouldn't be that shocking. She moved a bit out of the way to avoid the spit. Sometimes she worried for his health.

It couldn't be that foreign of an idea to him. Didn't he want to spend the rest of his life with her sister? She already knew the answer to that, but she wondered if he did. Honestly! They should be married by now! Did she have to do everything around here. Waiting for him to gather his composure Hoshi gave a small smile and started to clean up the liquid that had spurted from him with a napkin. Oh that was gross.

Looking straight as him as he spoke Hoshi frowned. "No my sister has not talked to me about this. Look, I don't mean to be rude, but really, you should just propose already before my sister proposes to you!" He wouldn't want that would he? "Or worse you get her pregnant!" Because they both knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. She would prefer if it was not done out of wedlock.

[Dr. Roman Tilford]

Really, Roman didn’t know why Hoshi was surprised. He and Kiko talked about everything, and with both of them having sisters, it was an easy topic. Granted, his contributions were usually bitching about Cassidy being evil again (after all, what are older sisters for?), and Jillian being awesome. He shrugged. “We talk about everything, I guess?”

The psychiatrist wasn’t very good with surprises. If he knew something was coming, he would pester whoever had let it slip until they either gave in, or told him to buzz off. But if he was taken completely off guard, especially with a topic like marriage... well.... this was what you got. A very flustered man.

Really, it had crossed his mind. It had. But not in a serious ‘Oh hey I should actually pursue this’ sort of way. They were both busy at the hospital, and when they were together off duty, it was just easy the way things were. Besides, weddings involved a lot of time and planning and his mother would probably try to get herself involved...

He blinked, bringing himself back down to Earth.

“Wait. Would she do that?” He’d never really thought about that. Kiko proposing to him. It was just... weird. Besides, it was his job. “She can’t do that!” No, he wasn’t whining. But the next thing Hoshi proposed just made him go scarlet. He spluttered inelegantly for a moment before regaining any kind of composure. “I wouldn’t do that!” He wanted nothing more right now to just bury his face in his arm on the table and never move again. Instead, he just avoided making eye contact with Hoshi. Yes, he and Kiko were... intimate. But no one was getting pregnant! Especially not before getting married! “... I should really go.” It was a poor way to excuse himself from the conversation, but he really didn’t want to talk about this anymore.