maskormenacelogs | March Madness

[Today Komasan's snack provider is coming home late today, but there's one problem: the boy forgot to take his sports towel along because it was in the laundry last night, and they have to deliver it. (Technically, he can totally survive without it, but Koromaru will take any excuse to go visit the school.) Koromaru barks excitedly as he prances down the street toward where the soccer field is, stopping every few steps to wag his tail at Komasan and urge him along. Komasan being the person he asked to come along with him because he needed someone who could use their hands to hold said towel.

Come on!!]

[Although Komasan was willing to go with Koromaru — it's not like he had anything else to do — he still found the things he said very confusing. They needed to deliver a towel? But...wasn't Ken at school? Why does he need a towel, it's not like he's at the beach.

Unless...the school has their own beach?!]

Where do they keep all that sand, zura?

[Well, regardless of following any laws of physics, Komasan had no problem with helping out. Maybe Ken will give him a special treat next time for being such a good boy.]

[Koromaru has no idea what Komasan is thinking so deeply about, but Komasan's questions will soon be answered. As they come across a certain part of the fence around the school lawn, they're greeted by the voices of excited middle schoolers. Look, look, it's Ken's dog! Koromarooo! He's got someone with him -- is that a dog on fire???

The source of those voices are a group of boys in matching soccer uniforms taking a break under the shade of a tree, and should Komasan look up he'll be right on time to see Ken jumping on the fence to lean over it, wearing the same uniform as those other boys]

Koromaru, Komasan! What're you doing here?

Edited 2016-03-21 02:40 (UTC)

[That field...those uniforms...that ball...]

MOOOOOONNNGEEEEEEEE!!

[Memories flood through Komasan's poor little brain as he drowns in a sea of soccer that once was. It was the same sport Keita used to play, they even have the matching outfits and everything. Komasan loved just spending his free time watching him practice, licking ice cream, following him when he kicked the ball into some lady's yard.

And it's then he never realized how much he missed that.

But Ken's voice snaps him back into reality, and he immediately tries to backpedal so he doesn't look like a screaming idiot.]

I-I mean... I brought you a toooooweeelllll, z-zuraaaa..!...!...a...

[He tried.]

A towel...? Oh!

[Oh! And Ken actually climbs over the fence to hop down on the sidewalk by them, expression lit up as he crouches and gives Koromaru a reward of headscratches]

Yeah, I realized I forgot it at home. You brought it for me?

Um, yeah, zura! ...Ah, well, it was mostly Koromaru's idea, zura...

[Komasan tries to keep his eyes on Ken, but his gaze constantly turns back to the field. If only there wasn't this impenetrable fence blocking his way...]

I was...I was just helping...zura...

[Ken watches as Komasan does his best to keep up the conversation, but his mind is obviously on something else. So while Komasan's eyes are glued to the field, Ken looks over at his teammates, and one of the boys -- a certain boy who always rustles Dipper's jimmies -- sends a thumbs up as the others nod as well. Then Ken holds out his hands for the towel.]

Thank you for helping. Since you came all the way out here, do you want to join us?

[It was then that the world slowed down, and Komasan felt like his life was now shot in slow motion. In what can only be described as pure awe, he finally turns to Ken with his full attention, eyes large and sparkly.

So sparkly.

How is he even doing that?]

I-I can...I can join, zura? Me? You want...me, zura?

[He only ever got to watch Keita play, he never actually got to join in before...]

[So anime. Ken just grins.]

Sure! We finished most of our practice for today so we were going to kick around the ball or have a practice game before getting some drinks. You should come with us.

[This is by far the nicest thing anyone's ever done for him, and Ken gives him candy on a regular basis. Tears of joy well up in his eyes, and he can only hand the towel to him with a shaky paw.]

I wanna kick the ball, zura!

[His voice is high and pitchy. Dreams really do come true.]

A-And drinks...and...[SNIFF] M-Monge...

[HE'S SO EMOTIONAL SUDDENLY, and Ken wonders for a moment if he might've been having a hard week and needed this break?? He's not so sure. But he seems happy, so he nods and takes the towel, picking him up as well. Koromaru is already doing some mad dog-dash jump over the fence to the delight of middle schoolers screaming in the background.]

Then you can be on my team. We were short one person anyway.

[Oh, yup, they certainly went over that fence, didn't they? It happens so fast, Komasan can't help but suddenly get dizzy.

He's a sports star in the making.]

W-Well, you're in luck, I'm one short person ready to play, z-zura...

[You know, if he can stand.]

Ah... Do I need to wear an outfit too, zura?

[Oh... poor guy. Ken makes sure he gets some water once he's on his feet.]

You don't have to. I don't know if we have any spares, at least not clean ones. Are you okay?

[Not wanting to lose his chance at soccer so soon, Komasan casually waves off any concern like it's no big deal. Haha, he was just fooling... That's all...]

Oh yeah, I'm fine, z-zura. Your jumps are...um, just so monge~ that I enjoyed them too much, zura~

[That must be it.]

Heh... [Quickly, change the subject!] I don't need a uniform, they probably won't fit me anyway, zura.

["Just so monge"?] Oh, right. I should've been more careful with that.

[He doesn't tell Komasan to rest. Instead, he reaches down and ruffles the fur on his head.]

Watch out for your feet though. We'll be careful not to step on you. You ready to get started?

[It's hard to tell what Komasan loves more, being invited to play a game, or being pet on the head. The face he makes can only be described as pure joy.

But it isn't to last, his cute and cuddly smile turns into a look of pure determination as he pumps his fist. He was born ready.]

Yosh! Let's do this, zura!

[And the wee pup toddles to the other children, prepared to play his heart out. This is it, the start of his legend. If he does well, maybe they'll even let him become a permanent team member!

...One can dream.]

[Some of the kids are more afraid about stepping on Komasan than the others, but they're all good kids. Noodle, especially, is more than delighted to let Komasan -- and Koromaru, who places himself next to Komasan -- play, and drags everyone else along with his enthusiasm. In the future they'll invite him along some more should they get together on weekends to play.

And Ken will bring the ball over to set it in front of Komasan.]

Start it for us. You can kick to anyone you want -- we're going for that goal in front of you.

[Oh gosh, he gets to start the game? This...this is so much power, and the delighted children around him only fill his excitement. It's like he's a game guest star, he's not sure what to say.]

O-Okay, I'm gonna kick the ball now, zura!

[Well, besides that.

Taking a few steps back, Komasan prepares himself and charges for the ball, kicking it with the force of a thousand komas.

...But apparently the force of a thousand komas isn't very much, because the ball barely rolls a few feet away from him. One could almost hear the adorable squeaky sound effect as his little paw hit it, it is literally the most underwhelming thing in the world.

Komasan loses it.]

MONGE!! D-Did you see me, zura?! I did it! I actually kicked the ball, zura~!

That's...

That's great! You did it, Koma -- [And Ken starts trotting forward!] Do it again, keep kicking! We gotta get it to the other side!

[He wants him to keep kicking? Gosh, Komasan must of really done a great job if he wants him to do it again.]

Heh...okay, because we're friends, zura~

[And he trots up to the ball, nudging it with his tiny legs repeatedly so that it slowly — but surely — starts making its way across the field.

MVP right here.]

[At this point some of the little soccer kids have had to stop and stare, but they wouldn't be Ken's friends if they were assholes. Instead, they decide to make an exercise of it by jogging along, incredibly slowly, the kids who're on Komasan's team cheering him on like he's about to make the greatest goal in soccer history.

Ken and Koromaru stand back but they'll also cheer! Barks and yells to push on the newcomer..!]

Go for it, Komasan! Get us a point!

[Let it be known that American coffee shops are way different than the ones Komasan is used to. And by "ones," I mean only one. The cafes around here seemed to be filled with people on their fancy computer machines, or constantly on their smartphones, and you couldn't just ask for a coffee. Oh no, you had to remember all the weird names and flavors and Komasan could feel his head spin just thinking about them all.

It's because of this that he believed they were tailored more for people like his brother, and it's probably why he kept going.

But only to one, Komasan's poor head couldn't possibly try to remember all the nonsense names of more than one coffee shop, and that worked out just fine for him. Eventually he would become a regular and eventually the baristas would have straight up black coffee ready for him by time he walked in. It's kind of hard to forget the customer who is also a small dog.

On this particular day, however, Komasan's ears were already twitching before he opened the door. It was music, obviously, people performing at the shop was nothing new. This time, however, the music style sounded familiar...

So of course, when he opens the door and sees the sight of a familiar friend performing for all his coffee pals, Komasan's reaction is nothing but predictable:]

MOOONNNGEEE!!

[Manolo gives a small start when that voice fills the cafe, but his face cracks into a wide grin when he realizes it's Komasan. This is the first time he's run into any of his imPort friends during a performance in Nonah, and he's thrilled to see this little guy in particular.

Once he brings his song to its conclusion, Manolo sets his guitar down and approaches Komasan.]

It's so good to see you, amigo! I had no idea you come here too.

[Komasan is thrilled to see Manolo walk up to him and instantly throws his arms up into the air. Look at that, look at his son all grown up and making music for the people. He's such a proud dog parent right now, he could cry.

...But not right now.]

Yeah, this is my favorite coffee place, zura!! Do you really come here a lot? I can't believe I haven't seen you here before, zura!

[It's practically a crime.]

Actually, I just started coming here not too long ago.

[Several imPorts and natives alike had suggested he look into Nonah and Maurtia Falls for cafes that were willing to host him while he shared his music. This was one of the first places here that jumped at the chance to have an imPort perform for them.]

[With a warm smile, he adds:] Hey, maybe we'll see more of each other now!

[It was an oddly comforting thought. Having grown up in a small town, he appreciates familiar faces wherever he finds them, especially in such a strange new world. His friends' encouragement gives him a lot of strength too.]

["Maybe we'll see more of each other now!" Komasan visibly lights up at that, it'd be a dream come true. What parent doesn't want to see their son more often? He can teach him all he knows about coffee, they can bond over it, just like real fathers and sons do. At least...he's pretty sure it's a family bonding activity.

If coffee commercials are anything to go by.]

Monge~ You already look like you fit in, zura~ Well, did you pick a favorite coffee yet, zura? I still need to buy mine, we can do it together, zura!

[Komasan doesn't even wait for an answer, he already starts to head for the register. Come along now, no need to dawdle.]

Really? [He's pleased to hear that, mostly because he never quite feels like he belongs anywhere, being from a different time and country.]

I haven't, actually! [The drinks at these places tend to be a little on the expensive side, and he has to be careful with how he spends his tip money...]

Maybe I should ask the expert. [He happily accompanies Komasan to the counter.] Do you have any recommendations?

Yeah, I can tell. This is your coffee shop, zura.

[If anyone's an expert on fitting in, it's the talking dog bumpkin.

But man oh man, does he get excited when Manolo calls him the expert. Finally, his opinion on a thing matters. Before anyone can ask him anything, he holds up two digits, and you'd almost think he just blew the barista's mind.]

Two coffees, zura!!

[Probably the most simple recommendation ever, it doesn't take long before both he and Manolo are handed two cups of plain black coffee. Komasan even pays for both of them, this one's on him.]

[He'll take Komasan's word for it! Manolo is still smiling when they place their orders, but he can't help but raise his eyebrows when it's time to pay.]

Oh, wow. Are you sure, Komasan? [He's not sure what he did to earn such generosity from his friends, but Manolo is grateful nonetheless.] Thank you...

[The cup feels pleasantly warm to his hands.] So you drink it like this? Without adding anything to it?

Yup, that's right, zura.

[And just to show him, as if Manolo for whatever reason needs to be taught how to drink, Komasan immediately takes a sip from his coffee. He of course winces, it's terribly bitter even by his standards, but he smiles nonetheless.]

You just have to get used to it... But it's good, try it, zura!

[Manolo takes a slow sip, and the sharp taste makes him unconsciously wrinkle his nose.] ...Wow, Komasan. Have you always liked this kind of coffee?

[...Yeah, he was kind of afraid of that.]

Mm...n-no, this is still kind of a new thing for me, zura. I-I know it tastes bad, and you can put sugar in yours if you want, but this taste is special to me, zura...

[He even takes another sip, as if he has to prove himself.]

There was a girl...who drank her coffee this way... The taste makes me really happy, zura...

[Oh no, why does he feel bad now?]

That's really sweet of you, though! That you drink this to remember your friend...[Manolo takes another small drink, but he's still unable to stop himself from making a face, whoops.]

[At the very least, Komasan can relate, he made some pretty nasty faces his first time, too. He knows exactly how Manolo feels.]

...Really? You don't think it's weird or anything, zura?

[For whatever reason, he always assumed it'd be something people would tease him over.]

No way. Why would I think that? In fact, let me tell you something...[He leans a little closer and says:] I don't eat pork because someone who's special to me really loves pigs.

Doing little things like that to keep our friends and family close to our hearts...they're really nice gestures, I think.

Monge... And bacon is so good, zura... You... You must be so strong, zura!

[He had no idea his son had so much self control. Amazing.]

T-Then we should keep doing these things, huh, zura? [No wait, even better question:] Who...who is your special person, zura?

[Manolo chuckles.]

It is a small sacrifice. [Especially compared to how badly he’d feel eating strips of bacon…]

Maria Posada. [Simply uttering her name brings a smile to his lips.] She is the woman I love most…

MONGE!! You love a woman and you didn't even tell me, zura?!

[Your own father?!]

...Is she pretty, zura~?

You’re right, I should have said something before now. I’m sorry about that. [Although she was constantly on his mind, he didn’t go out of his way to squeeze her into every conversation.]

She’s beautiful, brave and strong. [Then, with a wide smile, he adds:] She’s in this world now, actually! I hope to introduce her to everyone once she’s become more settled.

March Madness

SAKKA;

SAKKKAAAAA

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