I'm positive it is.

[The demon starts talking with some kind of bizarre screeching. It's a distinct sound no animal would make.]

It's scared of humans. Thinks you'll eat them for lunch. C'mon, you wouldn't do that right?

Definitely not. I'd get demon salmonella or something.

[That's not - okay.]

Do you actually understand it?

Yup, I understood it just now.

[The demon slowly comes out of hiding when Shinji says that.]

I can talk to demons, but I don't get why or how. It's weird right?

It's pretty weird. I think it'd be more useful if Retrospec made you suddenly understand Spanish.

[You can put that on a resume. Demon language, not so much.]

...Did you pet it?

I would have liked that. Then I'd ace my exams with no problem.

Retrospec is dumb. [He sighs.]

No. It smells bad I don't want to get near it.

I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna pet the demon.

[Even if it still smells really bad, he wants to say he was brave enough to pet it.

He plugs his nose with his other hand and takes a step towards the bird.]

[Shinji will manage to successfully pet the demon!! It's not hostile at all.

Instead, it just looks up at Shinji curiously and tries to sniff its hand.]

You okay there, Shinji?

[Nanashi stares in concern.]

[His hand smells like a hand. Shinji smells like a very proud child.]

I did it! Once you get past the smell it's eaaasy.

Cool.

I gotta do something about the smell. Hold on a sec.

[Nanashi throws a bunch of news papers onto the ground where the poop is.]

Alright, that should help.

That's better. Now it's only kind of terrible.

[Which makes it easier to pet demons without holding his nose.]

Give it a few more days and it won't smell nearly as bad.

[He shakes his head.]

Are you fond of this demon already?

Maybe a little. Can I keep it?

[He'll say it followed him home or something.]

Nope. You wouldn't be able to understand 'em.

It'd be dangerous.

[Sometimes Nanashi pretends to be responsible.]

Ugh, fiiiiine.

[Nanashi is a big brother underneath it all.]

You should make a demon language dictionary so I can keep a demon.

Come on, I can't do that. We'll get in trouble for it....

You can just visit this guy whenever you want.

[He hopes this is a good compromise.]

Promise? You'd better promise.

[Or he'll... complain really loudly, probably.]

Okay, promise. I wouldn't be a good senpai if I told lies.

Wanna seal it with a pinky promise?

[They really are kids.]

Pinky promise.

[Shinji sticks out his pinky.]

If you break a pinky promise you have to swallow a thousand needles. That's the rule.

[Pinky promise done!!]

Right!! So just call me when you want to visit the demon?

You can see 'em after school.

I'll make sure and visit all the time!

[And totally get caught by his cousins sooner or later.]

[GOODBYE.]

You don't have anything to do after school, Shinji? I don't mind it but.... what about your schedule?

I have chess club. And sometimes I help out in a cafe... And I have homework, I guess, but besides that I'm free!

[Don't ignore your homework for the demon, Shinji.]

Edited (phrasing) 2018-03-09 02:04 pm (UTC)

[Shinji no.]

You're pretty busy. Don't force yourself to come here when you've got too much going on.

[Please watch yourself before you watch the demon.]

But this is cooler than homework...

[Grumble grumble grumble.]

There's a lot of things cooler than homework. I know.

Be a good kid and work hard in school. We can mess around afterwards.

[Nanashi pets Shinji on the head.]