Late December catch-all!

[hoboagogo]

WHO: Shinjiro Aragaki, and others!
WHERE: Quite a few places!
WHEN: Mid to late December
WHAT: Just a quick catch-all log for the end of December!
WARNINGS: None foreseeable. Will update should that get changed.

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[hoboagogo]

[He glances up as Minato approaches- visible if only due to the stark contrast between him and most everyone else in the mall, desperately checking phones and lists or hurrying between stores. His casual indifference really stands out in times like this.

So he'll lift a hand in greeting, and huff out an amused breath at the comment. But at least he won't deny it. Minato definitely is backup, and the cavalry is much needed and appreciated.]

Thanks, man.

[Though he'll turn his head to follow the leader's gaze... and furrow his brows a bit.] ...Yeah? Sure, I don't mind. Been smelling it for long enough, anyway.

[While standing, he'll catch his fingers on the collar of his coat, from where it had been hung over the back of the chair. Black, wool, and less covered in studs than his clothes back home... but still a longer peacoat. Clearly his tastes haven't changed that much.]

I ain't even started on this shit... and I forgot I won't have as much time, since me an' Aki're going outta town.

[dormition]

[Minato in the middle of a crowd of frantic Christmas shoppers really does stand out like a sore thumb, doesn't he?

He doesn't stop and get snacks at the mall all that often, despite working here for just about ten months now. Having company is a good excuse, though.] I'll get you one, [he announces, slouching over to join the line.

As they wait, he tilts his head at Shinji in consideration.] You haven't started? I guess we have a lot to do. Who are you worried about the most?

[He does want to ask about his plans with Akihiko, too, but Minato figures there'll be time for that.]

[hoboagogo]

[A nod of thanks. After all, he's not about to argue free food. But the question just makes him look down, expression just as troubled as it typically is.]

...Hell, I don't know. I'm terrible at getting people things. [Which is true. Sure, he had ideas of what people would like, but the idea of actually personalizing something for them and spending the time hunting for just the right thing tended to get overshadowed by how much effort that would take... and so he typically ended up with something that was almost thoughtful and appropriate, but not quite.]

I figure I should grab something for Everyone in SEES, Tadashi, Cass, Jaime... [A pause. Does he have other friends? No one exceptionally close.] Those're the main ones. Ken'll be the hardest, I think.

[dormition]

[Gosh. Senpai sure is taking this seriously. Minato puts a decent amount of thought into his gifts, sure, but he does it by rote, automatically, without torturing himself about it or thinking about any grander meaning to any of them.

In short, he's effortless. Just like usual.]

Really? Did you want to say something in particular with your gift? Ken-kun isn't hard to shop for.

[That one will be easy for Minato to help with, at least.]

[hoboagogo]

[It's unclear if him taking it seriously is a good or a bad thing- The positive aspect is that it's at least showing that he's making an attempt- trying to consider the others, and things they'd appreciate or need. But then there's the overthinking and mentally going in circles and getting frustrated because everyone in their group is used to making do with what they have, and not wanting very much on top of it.

Shoulders hunched, his fingertips slide into his pockets slightly as he thinks.]

...To say something?

[Ah, shit. He'd not even thought that deeply about it.] I figured it was just... you're supposed to get people things they'll want or whatever.

[A sigh out, and it carries a tinge of exasperation with it, his eyes closing as he thinks for a second. Eventually he suggests, a tad self-deprecatingly:] I dunno. 'Thanks for not hating me so much.'

[dormition]

[It's testament to the sort of easy relationship they have, based on silent, mutual understanding, that Minato snorts at this.]

I think getting him anything would say that, senpai. Don't worry. It doesn't have to say anything in particular for that to come across.

[There's an interruption as it's Minato's turn at the counter. He places his order for two cinnamon rolls, receives them, and walks off while handing the second to Shinjiro as they leave the little storefront.]

Here. If you need ideas, he probably needs new shoes for soccer. Or cleats. Since he's a kid, he goes through things fast.