[ Jun's been made aware it's Leo's birthday soon! Yep, the day before, so he's sort of scrambling. ]
hey, ohii-san, it's tsukinaga-senpai's birthday tomorrow, and he wants a birthday cake. i said i'd do it no problem, but i was wondering if you had ideas for gifts? thinking about something he could use for composing, or, dunno, what else could he want?! we could all pitch in, if you want? but i'm gonna go ask rinne-senpai for ideas, just so he knows. i dunno if his ideas'll be helpful, though...?
[ So watch this space??? Leo's a 10, so he likely has everything he needs, but that doesn't mean he deserves to go without a present or have his fellow idols not know it's his birthday! ]
Is it? That's awfully sudden. He ought to give more notice next time!
[He didn't see this one coming. He's never given much thought to the issue of celebrating birthdays in this place. Surely he and Jun won't still be here when July and August come around... will they? It's a depressing thought.
But he pushes that aside for now. He'd much rather focus on gift-giving, celebrations, and other fun things like that! Those are his specialties.]
I'm not sure what he loves, other than composing and his little sister. I know he has a recording studio in his room, though, so perhaps we could find him some new equipment? There's always stationery and fountain pens and the like, as well, but my feeling is that he's happy to compose wherever and doesn't need to do it in a leather-bound journal.
When I'm stumped for what to get someone, I usually have our personal chef whip them something up. But he's not here right now, and instead we have you! I'm also not sure what food Leo-kun likes, since he doesn't seem to eat much. Maybe something coffee-related? A gift basket with different beans, perhaps? I'll figure something out!
Are we also throwing him a party? Or are we simply delivering the gifts up to his room?
yeah, wish he'd told me or one of you guys sooner, cuz then we'd have more time to plan.
[ And Jun agrees, it would've been more convenient if Leo had told them in advance! Unless Leo forgot his own birthday..? Hopefully, by the time their birthday's roll around, they'll be back home and can celebrate outside of this place.
Right, he recalls Leo talking about his sister! And what Hiyori's talking about makes sense. Leo does compose whenever he wants, not particularly caring for where his music ends up. Which is why Jun's stumped about gifts! At least he knows Ohii-san's good with figuring out that kind of thing. ]
that's why i'm having trouble coming up with something.. i figure no matter how much paper we get him, he'll run out of it sooner than later. maybe they've got some sorta pen here that never runs outta ink?
i'm already running around, figuring out the cake situation. but it'd be handy if your personal chefs were here. yeah, all he's been doing lately has been living on coffee and i keep telling him off for it, but tsukinaga-senpai's stubborn. do we really wanna feed into his coffee habit? but when all else fails, that's something he likes. i appreciate your help, ohii-san! i don't want tsukinaga-senpai to think we'd forget about a gift or anything ♪
we could throw him a party! it's just hard to get everything on short notice. so maybe just giving the gift and cake is better? that'd sorta be like a party.
I suppose he's not really a "plan things in advance" sort. He's more like a scatterbrain, so it wouldn't surprise me if he forgot his own birthday was coming up. Especially since the timeline is all mixed-up between this place and our world.
[New goal: find a way out of here before their birthdays. He doesn't want to celebrate a single one of his birthdays here! But they aren't getting out in time for Leo's; there's no getting around that, so they might as well make the most of it.]
You've gotten pretty good at thinking outside the box! This place seems to run on magic, so I guess it's possible they'd sell something like that. If not, though, there are still hundreds of shops to browse. So many that it seems like overkill, and this is coming from me, who loves to shop! But I'm sure we can find something he'll like.
My feeling with the coffee is that, if he's going to live off it, he might as well live off the good stuff! But maybe we can get him to eat if we got something coffee-flavored? Like a coffee rub for meat, or a sauce or marinade. Or perhaps a breakfast product, since those don't require cooking.
There must be places where you can reserve a room around here, but I assume that costs chips. And since this is all rather last-minute, it might be best if we brought the party up to him! I'll pick up some party poppers and hats for us to wear. That should set the mood just right 🥳🎉
guess not? he forgets stuff all the time, not that it bothers me much. but that's not still a theory? or you've got more proof now?
[ That's not exactly the most important part of their conversation, but as he's reading the rest, Rinne does manage to message him back. As thought, nothing he added seemed very helpful. ]
well, yeah! you've got all those theories and talking about magic with people, so i thought i'd give it a shot! something like that'd be a pretty good gift, and tsukinaga-senpai'd never worry 'bout running outta ink! yeah, figured and rinne-senpai finally texted back:
"cake gel pen
blank white cake
i'll get us alcohol~"
i dunno why he'd type cake twice? or what he's tryna say. anyway, do coffee rubs for meat exist? guess if something like that does, it'd exist here. but half the time, i dunno if tsukinaga-senpai's awake for breakfast? though, it'd help cuz he forgets to eat.... and those're pretty good gift ideas! i knew you'd have really good ideas, ohii-san 😊
[ He DID text Jun at 3am, and said he had a cup of coffee. Multiple! But he sang Leo to sleep, so maybe there's nothing to worry about?! He never really got a clear answer about when Leo sleeps, anyway... ]
maybe if we're still here for someone's birthday, we can rent a room. i don't mind using my chips, but you're right, saying it's last minute and bringing the party to tsukinaga-senpai instead. hats and stuff'd work! it'll be like a real party ♪
[ There might be potentially several rooms, but it's still last minute! As long as they show up for Leo's birthday, it will be an enjoyable, and unforgettable party. ]
Yep, just like he forgot Robin-kun's name! Actually, he'd forgotten Rinne-senpai's, too. When I first ran into him here, I asked who else from ES was around, and he said "Someone whose name is kinda like 'Ritsu', but not 'Ritsu!'"
By "timeline," I just meant that it was a different date when we arrived compared to what it should have been at home. It was two days before New Year's Eve when we got snatched, but when I arrived here, there was all this Valentine's decor they were taking down, and then that big welcome market happened at the beginning of March. All of January and most of February disappeared, in other words. Which sort of reminds me of Rinne-senpai's predicament.
[Yet another thing to ponder slash investigate. Though time is a wibbly-wobbly thing, and if he thinks about it too hard, he might just give himself a headache.]
I've talked to people who can do magic, but I'm not sure if any of them can enchant regular pens. Some people can't do magic here because of that "limiter" thing I mentioned, or because they're missing some tool they need, like a mage stone. Others say they can do it, but that it takes time to see results. And this is all rather last-minute, so there goes that option!
But oh well, that's fine. It doesn't need to be something magical. There surely must be other suitable gifts, even in this place.
[He's not buying Leo a sex toy! He's not!!]
Sounds borderline-incomprehensible as usual! And also like he forgot that none of us can legally drink except him. Though I guess Leo-kun can as of tomorrow? Although if he's missing some months, maybe he can't... Or can he?
[Yep. Very headache-inducing.]
Yep, there are coffee ones, along with all sorts of other rubs! Sweet ones, savory ones, spicy ones, herb rubs, you name it. The market did have a wide variety of spices and things, so I wonder if they might sell something like that here. I'm not sure how much it'd excite him, though. Or rather, I can see him mistaking it for instant coffee and dumping it into some hot water, so on second thought, never mind! Let's scratch that one out! If all else fails, we'll just get him some more permanent markers he can use to write all over the walls!
[Should he really be saying that over text? The resort might know it's him leaving musical graffiti everywhere!]
Real parties are less about the environment and more about the spirit, in my opinion. So if we act like it's a party, that'll make it so! 🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉 I'm sure the presents and your cake will help, too.
yeah, now you've said it, he did forget he'd even met that guy. and rinne and ritsu sound nothing alike, so i dunno where he'd get that comparison from!
oh, right. so if you're saying that, then it took, what? almost 2 months? maybe time moves in mysterious ways here, cuz something like that shouldn't make sense if we were taken at the end of december. i'd completely forgotten it was 'round valentine's day when we arrived.
[ Now that seems so long ago now, not that he's completely forgotten. Thinking about how much time has passed and maybe how they've missed a couple of months does make his head hurt. ]
yeah, so it probably can't be done? i figure now you're talking about the limiters again, that'll mean none of the shops here'll have anything close.. well, it *was* a good idea!
nah, it can be anything! uh, not anything, anything. just something tsukinaga-senpai'd enjoy.
[ He also doesn't want to buy anything close to that for Leo. Too bad they'll have to figure out the magic pen situation for next year. (If they're still here next year...) ]
part of me even wonders why i bothered asking, but hey! i think he did, and it's not like they'd check for id's here—not that i'm saying we're gonna drink! just feels as if the bars wouldn't care. i dunno the answer to that one, ohii-san. we'll find out when we get home, probably?
[ Will they ever know the answer? Tune in next time to ES idols stuck inside a sex casino. ]
wow, sounds pretty cool! i never woulda expected anything close to that. i know all about rubs, but coffee ones sound like the last sorta ones you'd wanna put on meat. you know what? you're actually right. yeah, if the rub ends up looking something like instant coffee, he probably would. but maybe if i hide it somewhere...? do we wanna take that chance? and i don't think we should be encouraging vandalism. won't tsukinaga-senpai end up arrested if someone catches him??
[ Probably not, but at least music notes over the casino brightens up the ugly decor! ]
yeah, even if we can't go all out, if we're all celebrating, it'll feel like a real party. and even if we can't find a proper gift right now, the cake could be a temp one!
I'm not sure what went on. But it sounds awfully similar to Rinne-senpai's predicament, doesn't it? He said he went to bed one night and woke up someplace else in the morning, but a month had passed for the rest of us. We know "the House" is capable of stealing our precious time away.
I just wonder what might be going on at home. To Nagisa-kun and the others, does it feel like we've been gone for two months? Does it feel more like six months to a year? Or does it feel like no time has passed at all? That's what I'd most like to know. But since there's no way of contacting the outside world, I'm not sure how we'll figure that out. We'll just have to keep our eyes peeled for clues.
[He hopes it's the last one: that it feels like no time has passed. But how does any of this even work? There are all sorts of other issues too, like Rinne and Leo not remembering as much as them. And then he remembers talking to Senku, who claims to have spent thousands of years in cryptosleep.
What month will it be when they get out? What year will it be? What sort of world will they be walking into? He just doesn't know the answer to basic questions anymore, and that unsettles him.]
I wouldn't assume they don't sell anything with magic properties. Lots of people here can use magic, after all. But when you don't understand much about how that stuff works, it's probably fairly easy to get scammed. So if anyone tries to sell you something like "magic crystals," remember to take it with a grain of salt, alright? No need to waste chips!
[He says, like he isn't the one more likely to spend money on stuff he doesn't need.]
I'm sure you're right and they don't check. Everyone seems to be treated as an "adult" for all intents and purposes, even though I've met people as young as 16 here. But I'd rather not do anything that reflects poorly on myself, even if my fans aren't around to see it. Not to mention that the alcohol in this place might just be spiked with something.
If we have to hide it from him, it won't exactly work as a gift, will it? And if he got arrested, he could just spend a day or two in that "jail." I doubt he'd care much as long as he can compose. But a prison sentence wouldn't be the best birthday gift, so hopefully he'll hold off a day or two!
Anyway, I'm not set on the permanent markers. That's more of a back-up plan. First, we'll go shopping!
Or I will, anyway. I know you're busy with the cake. So you need me to, I could choose something for both of us and we'll call it a joint gift.
it does, and that's why i'm not gonna let "the House" or anyone else take away more of our time. good thing rinne-senpai's in one piece, and he wasn't stuck in some void.
wish i knew the answer, ohii-san. we'll just keep looking 'till we do.
[ Part of him doesn't want to think about how much time might've passed on the outside, not without knowing a clear answer. He's only made sure to read the words carefully, wanting and wishing he could give Hiyori an answer, but there isn't a clear one he could give.
What if, when they finally leave this place, ES no longer exists? And all the idols are either retired or moved on? Leaving Rinne, Leo, Hiyori and himself without careers or anything substantial to fall back on. ]
seriously, d'you think i'm an idiot? i'm not gonna go buy some magic crystal if someone's offering me one. i know we've gotta save our chips, even if you're not. i'm saving mine for our food, so don't worry, ohii-san.
[ Even if Hiyori has been spending regularly, being frivolous with his chips, there is nothing around him that he has been interested in buying. (Unless it's new workout clothes, he deserved the upgrade!) Jun knows they have to eat, and he doesn't mind paying the chips so they both can have decent meals whenever they'd like. ]
well, deuce-kun is 16, isn't he? so he'd probably not be asked. no one asked for his ID when we got some tea together one time. [ The tea, which was meant to help them sleep, instead made them feel as if they were floating away. ] just be careful, alright? long as we stick together, nothing bad's gonna happen.
[ Such as spiked drinks or otherwise, he hopes. ]
guess so. well, there goes that idea. he'll probably find it months later, when it's useless. it's not gonna be a punishment, just like it wasn't for us. so sure, we'll figure out something else.
or you'll figure out something, like you said, i'm a lil' busy. a joint gift sounds good! just tell me how many chips i'm gonna owe you when you're done. i appreciate you doing all that, ohii-san.
[It all feels very hopeless. He just has no clue how the whole time thing works or what might be going on outside. They've got no control over anything, as usual.
Maybe it was selfish of him to say all that stuff out loud. (Or put in text, rather.) He doesn't mean to worry Jun with thoughts about losing a year's worth of time back home. He knows Jun is just as frustrated and worried as he is. Still, he did promise to share his findings and his thoughts with him, without holding anything back or trying to shield him. They are partners, after all.
Either way, it looks like that discussion has resolved itself. He won't talk about that anymore for now. This was supposed to be about Leo's birthday, a much more pleasant topic!
And also about his spending habits, which he proceeds to defend.]
Not to worry! I don't spend like I do at home! I did have some extra expenditures last month, but those were more like business expenses. If you're trying to pry a high-class mage, a god, or a wealthy celebrity for info, you take them out to lunch first! And you make sure the cafe or wherever is upscale enough to please them! That's lesson 1 in the Hiyori Tomoe Book of Etiquette! ⭐
[Actually, that lesson really only applies to this place. If this was at home, he wouldn't be questioning mages!
... mostly because he doesn't know any. If he did meet a real one, he probably would talk their ear off with various questions.]
Yep. As long as we're together, we're unstoppable 💚💙
It's not just alcohol or food, by the way. Apparently some of the flowers also contain pollen that have the same effects as other stuff. I haven't encountered anything like that myself, though, and we were fine during the flower exhibition. Still, I know Leo-kun and Rinne-senpai have run into it, so we can't be too careful.
[He probably should've said this before the exhibit, but oh well. All's well that end's well! And now finally back to the topic at hand:]
I do like shopping and gift-giving, so that suits me fine. Alright, very well. I'll take care of the present, you take care of the cake! And I suppose you don't need to worry about paying me back, since I haven't exactly paid you back for every ingredient you've ever bought for my food. Unless it's something really pricy, we can consider it even.
[ There has to be a way to control what's going on outside this place, even if they're stuck in time here. For the sake of Ibara and Nagi-senpai, and their fans at the very least, there's only hope that everyone appears normal on the outside. But how can anyone know they have vanished if that is how it seems on the outside?
These are tumultuous thoughts that one's not sure they should be having. But he wouldn't say Hiyori's completely at fault for them, not while one of them is rather focused on anything but the time and space outside. Even though he fails to follow some of the theories, he'd not mind discussing them in person because they are supposed to be supporting one another here. It is just that thinking about the topic makes his head spin, wishing he could answer his partner's questions.
For now, those theories will take a pause as they return to the discussion of Hiyori's spending habits. ]
do i even wanna know why you've been doing all that? i'm pretty sure that's not how you get information outta someone. and you can't write off business expenses here, ohii-san!! but it's not really my business what you do with your chips.
[ Sadly, this isn't home, where his family boasts a slew of restaurant chains or where Ibara can write off business ventures where it's beneficial to them. ]
huh, what? we've gotta stay away from the flowers now? good thing nothing bad happened to us, it would've been seriously annoying if we had to deal with *that* ontop of everything.
[ He didn't know about the flowers, but nothing bad happened, so nothing to worry about! ]
got it! that i can do, ohii-san. i trust whatever you pick, and if you don't want that, then i'll just keep my chips. just let me know if it is, alright? i wanna help you out, no matter what you've said.
[ Also, he'd never charge for food when they both have to eat, though he's not sure if it might consider them even. ]
First off, the more we know, the more prepared we'll be! And second, it helps to have strong allies. I may not have any magical abilities, but I'm excellent at chatting people up and forming connections. We all have skills, and those are my skills. Therefore, I'll use them!
[With or without his wealth, although it sure would be preferable if he did have access to his bank account and could really treat people. And himself. And Jun. Think of the lavish dates they could go on between investigations!]
I wouldn't plan to stay away entirely. I just wouldn't get within smelling distance unless you know it's safe. Though some flowers produce more pollen than others, and I assume those are most dangerous. Carnations, like the one I pinned to your shirt, tend to be allergy-safe by comparison. Though I guess there's no telling what's safe and what's not if they've been genetically modifying things.
But anyway, I wouldn't worry about it for now. I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case some shady salesperson goes up to you and says, "Here, sniff these flowers! They carry a lovely scent!" Now you know to say, "No thanks!"
[Perhaps we can add "bouquet" to the list of things they shouldn't buy Leo for his birthday. But that wasn't on the table anyway, really.]
Yep, no problem! I'm not sure what just yet, but I promise I'll find something we can proudly present him together. Something that says, "This is a lovely gift from Eve!"
[ He wants to respond with a snarky comment like, "I dunno, you tell me." But more incoming messages demand his attention, leaving him with no time to craft a clever response. ]
prepared for what? the only thing i wanna prepare for is leaving here. yeah, i already know that's your skill, ohii-san, but i'm pretty confused about how "chatting up people and forming connections" will help. i'm not doubting you can't form allies or whatever you're doing, i guess i'm not really following *why* you're doing it????
[ While some people might be swayed by material possessions, being treated to lavish gifts, he couldn't think of anything worse. Rather content with the idea of enjoying Hiyori's company on simple, ordinary dates, he places greater importance on the genuine connection they share. ]
i'm still only learning about flowers, so i dunno which ones to stay away from. how're you gonna know which ones are safe from a distance, anyway? sounds like it's gonna be pretty hard to tell. well, the carnation didn't make me feel funny or anything, so you're probably right.
and i'm not dumb enough to fall for some random guy asking me to sniff flowers. you do realise how shady that sounds, right? i'll say no thanks to any random person coming up to me.
[ Yet another gift to strike down! If things continue this way, half of the present ideas will not be very Leo friendly. ]
whatever you pick for his gift is gonna be great, just throwing it out there. and i'm pretty sure tsukinaga-senpai will know it's from the two of us, so it'll be something he remembers us by.
[Yep... that's the problem with Hiyori's texting style. It's like his speaking style! He never stops!!
But he does stop and pause for a moment here.
His smile fades as he reads that first message. Boy, Jun-kun is clueless. He really has no idea about the dangers around here. In all fairness, Hiyori only learned about some of them recently, and hasn't informed him about all of them just yet. But there are reasons it might help to have strong allies, besides just being able to escape.]
Prepared for anything, I guess. I know it might seem like the only real threat is drugs that make your body feel hot, but I've heard some disturbing things recently. Things about monster sightings and ghoul sightings, for example. Not to mention that with so many powerful people running around, I'm not sure it's safe to assume there aren't any bad eggs. Some people's powers are dangerous by their own admission. They might not be strong enough to overthrow the House, but they could still do some real damage to so-called "ordinary" people like ourselves. Plus that frenzy we saw out in the hall was sort of disturbing...
[There's more that he could say here. He really needs to tell Jun that someone accidentally (?) killed a staff member and faced no consequences for it. Murder is okay here, apparently. And if that gets out to everyone, who knows what sort of chaos might ensue?
Of course there isn't danger lurking around every corner. The only time he really felt unsafe was probably at the Roost, and you have to go out of your way to find that place. Still...]
Those are just some reasons I'd like to have strong allies. I figure it also helps to know how magic works, since the whole place seems to run on it. Though that's its own can of worms, since magic seems to operate according to different rules in every world.
But anyway, if it's my connections you're concerned about, then worry not! I may forge other connections, but I still intend to rely plenty on you! And even if I start working together with others, Jun-kun will still be my precious partner! 🥰 I don't want you feeling lonely or left out, so I just thought I'd say that.
[He knows damn well that wasn't Jun's concern.]
Honestly, I'm not sure either. The House can always cheat by using magic, so even the low-pollen flowers might not be safe. I don't think it's the majority though, since we went to that exhibition and we came back alright. Plus I sniffed some flowers in the marketplace at that welcome thing, and those didn't leave me feeling anything except refreshed!
[Actually, both the flowers he sniffed did have side effects, but he doesn't know that. One of them just made whoever smelled it more confident in their appearance, but he was already plenty narcissistic confident, so he noticed no change!]
Sounds good! If you want to give it a little personalized touch, we could always include a tag or a card with both our signatures. But anyway, I'll leave you to work on that cake soon, and I'll start looking for gifts posthaste!
[ It never ends! Though sometimes it is too much to take in, Jun has become familiar to it by this point, so he makes an effort to keep up when he can.
Frowning only a touch, he squints down at his watch, scrolling upward to read the text in its entirety. One thing he does know is about the ghosts and dopplegangers, which he found out from Weiss; he's just forgotten to tell Hiyori about them. ]
well, i know about the ghosts and something about dopplegangers! but what about monsters? the powers thing has me thinking about the limiters.
[ The religious frenzy in the lobby still seems to him to be reminiscent of a cult, but he has not given it much thought since. Hopefully, neither Leo nor Rinne suffer any sort of harm. He genuinely hopes that nobody gets hurt here. ]
goddamn, ohii-san!! you forming connections with other people really means nothing to me??? i dunno where you'd come up with *that* idea from. i guess that's what delusion sounds like! 🙄
[ Now, in the span of a few seconds, he feels as though he has aged a hundred. ]
maybe they took pity of everyone in the maze or something? we turned out fine, but i never really spoke to anyone else who went in, unless you did?? uh, refreshed? sounds sus, ohii-san..
[ Yep, sounds sus as hell about the flowers, but as someone who had no contact with them, he has no idea what the effects were. ]
oh, yeah? giving the present a personalised touch might be nice. we'll both sign the card, so i'll leave the gift in your hands when i really start working on the cake.
[ There's hope the cake comes out fine, considering Leo wants every flavour he can get.. so fingers crossed. ]
Apparently there are monsters with tentacles roaming around. Somewhere "deeper underground" is what the person said, but then she also said she knows people who've encountered them, so I guess they don't *stay* underground. In any case, if there's already one type of monster slithering the halls, *and* there are ghosts around, it seems safe to assume there could be other dangers.
But what's this about dopplegangers now? You didn't meet *your* doppleganger, did you?
[He flashes back to the cracktastic Network conversation he had with Leo. The one where they wondered whether or not they'd encounter their doppleganger if they went back to the original timeline they came from! Leo thought they might have to kill them, but Hiyori would rather make love with himself, not war...
Er. Not that he'd sleep with his doppleganger, or anything! It was Leo who planted the idea in his head! And he made sure to dismiss the whole thing!!]
Now that's just uncalled for! There *are* delusional people around, but I'm not one of them! I was just trying to reassure you that you're still first in my heart, that's all ❤️ Especially Nagisa-kun, Mary, and the rest of my family aren't here!
[He just had to go and ruin in...]
I'm not sure I know anyone else who's done the flower maze, either. Rinne-senpai was gone at the time, and it doesn't seem like Leo-kun's sort of thing. There weren't enough surfaces for him to write on, plus I assume he'd just get lost!
[He says, like he wouldn't have gotten hopelessly lost himself without Jun there to guide him.]
I don't know what "sus" is. But I just mean I felt refreshed! Like I'd smelled something good, and I was in good spirits, and such. Nothing odd about that. It definitely did *not* leave me feeling hot all over, I can tell you that much.
[No, both the peonies and the tulips did give him status effects, but he just failed to notice it both times...]
Sounds good! I'll bring the card for you to sign, and then we'll head up to his room together.
[ Tentacle monsters.. What in the name of all that is holy is going on? ]
well, we're gonna stay far away from them, alright? i don't want any tentacle monsters coming near us, ohii-san! so if we see them, we'll just run away or the other way.
and nah, not mine! a friend told me about them. said she saw her doppelganger in a painting and then she wasn't in a painting? i dunno, but it turned out it was a ghost or something. just you saying all that about ghosts had me remembering what she said.
[ Weiss told him that, actually! But with everything going on, he'd completely forgotten about it until the mention of ghosts and the like. Maybe he should be the one writing things down so he can remember to tell Hiyori later. ]
right. did you really need to mention all that stuff? even if i think you're delusional, you really felt the need to remind me i still rank below mary back home. well, it's not like i care about your stupid ranking, anyway!
[ And maybe learning he ranks first in Hiyori's heart here makes him a little happy, not that he'll ever admit to it. ]
now i'm thinking about it, probably for the better, tsukinaga-senpai didn't go in.
really, ohii-san? man, i knew you were old-fashioned but sus means suspicious. it's just slang! but i dunno.. you're usually always in good spirits. and still sounds pretty unreal knowing what's around here, and you already went on about what rinne-senpai said.
[ About staying away from them! But he has so many questions about 'refreshing' flowers. What does that mean, first of all? ]
yeah! i'm gonna be down in the communal kitchens for who knows how long, so meet me whenever you get done.
[ Especially after he receives the call from Rinne-senpai about what the "blank, white cake" actually means. ]
Well of course we'd run far away. I don't want to be hugged and squeezed by any tentacles, and I'm sure you don't either! My point was just that it might be handy to know people who can fight monsters, or do things like cure sickness. Sort of like knowing a handyman! And in exchange for their services, I can sing them a special song 😊🎵🎶
Or give them vouchers. One of the two.
A ghost??
[He was following that explanation until the last bit. ... also, his source on the tentacle monsters was Weiss, too. Big shoutout to her for educating Eve on all the weird stuff going on around here!]
I know there are ghosts here, but why would her doppleganger be a ghost? And how could a ghost get inside a painting? Now I'm very confused.
Perhaps you should care! There's always room for you to improve your rank! In my personal ranking, I mean. Not the so-called "rank system" here. My ranking is much more important. If you got even cuter, then you and Mary could be on the same level 😊
So it was slang, hmm? Very well! I'll start adding that to my vocabulary! I'm not totally old-fashioned, just so you know. I know some slang. For example, "spill the tea" and "that's the tea on that." Aira-kun taught those to me at a Pretty 5 meeting! Arashi-chan knew it, too, actually. Now we say it all the time!
Anyway, I think those flowers I sniffed were fine. However, I *do* see your point. I should be careful, and you should be careful! From now on, we'll sniff flowers sparingly! Though just so you know, I'd already smelled those flowers before Rinne-senpai told me about the pollen issue, so that wasn't an example of me being careless.
i'd prefer *that* not happening, ohii-san. you're not wrong. uh, how're we gonna rely on other people for checkups? i dunno if i'd trust anyone enough.
[ But then again, can they trust anyone as a doctor here? And he'd rather Hiyori not offer vouchers for services, but it's not as if they're hurting for them now... But, wow! Weiss sure is educating Eve on the monsters here. She must have gone through it. ]
i dunno? weiss-san told me the story so she'd know more about what went on. and it was pretty confusing, but you'd be better off getting the full story off of her. i think weiss-san said she knew you already.
i knew what you meant, ohii-san. no part of me wants to improve my rank here. but why'd i want to improve your "personal ranking"? in case you haven't noticed, i'm not the type of guy who's "cute." or wants to be on the same level as other people??? mary, included.
[ Besides, he loves Mary! She deserves her spot on Hiyori's list. What kind of co-parent would Jun be if he overtook her?
What exactly is Shiratori-kun teaching Pretty 5? He's aware that Aira spends a considerable amount of time online, but the notion both Arashi and Hiyori are saying "spill the tea" and "that's the tea on that" out loud??? ]
ohii-san, you guys aren't talking like that, right? what the hell has shiratori-kun been teaching you guys in pretty 5...... 🤨
[ Actually, he can imagine Aira teaching them internet slang, but more words like "tbh," "omg," or "lol". Anyway, he has to concentrate on the cake, meaning they cannot have a lengthy discussion about internet slang. However, he would probably pass away if Hiyori spoke like that in front of him. At the very least, he's not talking about "dabbing on the haters" or anything similar. ]
i'll be careful, you'll be careful and we don't have to worry. ok, guess that one doesn't count?
i guess we can continue the convo later. "ttyl" 😄
[ And here is more slang for Hiyori to figure out. ]
I wasn't talking about check-ups. I was talking more about what to do if something bad ever happens. There's that clinic, but we already know the staff tends to be useless.
Hopefully it won't ever come to that, of course. We managed to avoid that flower-coughing disease last month, which means we must have sturdy immune systems! It just doesn't hurt to have connections, that's all.
[They won't need to worry about that turning-to-stone disease kicking in. And if it's a condition like whatever they were afflicted with during the Springtime game—the kind that makes your body turn hot—well, they'll just take care of each other. But that goes without saying.]
It was that @ angel girl who told you? That's funny. She's the one who told me about those tentacle monsters! We actually have plans to go shopping soon, so I guess I'll ask her about that next time.
Perhaps you're not a "cute type" the way I'm a "cute type," or the way Ra*bits is full of cute types, but you *are* cute sometimes! Like whenever a fan profusely praises you at a handshake event, calling you "cool" and such, and you get shy over it. Or when you pull off a difficult dance move and look pleased with yourself afterwards. Or when you're thinking really hard about something, but it's obvious you're stumped! At times like those, I think to myself, "Jun-kun sure is cute!"
Of course, I'm also "the handsome type" and "the beautiful type" as well as the cute type.
[Regarding Aira, it's entirely likely that he simply messaged them something containing the phrase, and that Hiyori messaged back asking what it was. And then he explained it to them, so Hiyori started using the term over chat... and then started using it in-person, too, much to Aira's shock. But there's no law saying certain phrases have to stay on social media, right?? And Aira was probably at least a little happy to have one of his favorite idols adopt a phrase they learned from him...]
I'd say what he teaches us is basically "the fans' perspective." I didn't grow up watching idols on TV the way he did. Or the way you did, for that matter. So it's always nice to learn more about what fans think and feel. For example, I never realized some fans buy dozens of copies of our CDs until I spoke with him! I do love shopping, but I'd never considered buying endless versions of the same thing before. But that's how fans show their love 😊💕 Or some of them, anyway.
I don't know what that last thing you said means, but alright, talk to you then! 👋🤗💖✨️
[Was Hiyori expecting a response to his text? A good one that tells him Rinne is all right, alive, and just messing with him? Too bad, he just gets this.]
[ First things first, he's leaving Weiss on read. (Sorry, Weiss!) But the moment he's finished reading these words, "Bring a friend if you'd like," he's already known exactly who he'd like to bring along with him. (He's fine not knowing all the details yet. She did say, "more details in the coming days," which will lead towards Weiss' post on the Bulletin Board.
Secondly, he's running straight from the gym in search for Hiyori. Perhaps it would be better to text him, just so he's not looking all across the resort, but he'll end up at Hiyori's door anyway. A little out of breath from frantically running, he lightly raps his knuckles against the door. It's also to the tune of their hit single "Sunlit Smile," so hopefully Hiyori knows it's him.
And if Hiyori's not there, he'll be patient and even text him. But he wants to ask in person; therefore, this could not wait! Jun is a man on a mission! ]
[Hiyori spends a fair amount of time outside his room, eating and exploring and browsing shops and meeting up with people who seem useful. Fortunately Jun chooses to show up at a time when he is there, sitting on the couch and tapping away at his smartwatch. No doubt he's composing an annoyingly long message to someone on the Network, punctuated with heart and sparkle emojis!
He is expecting someone to knock, actually. A staff member was supposed to come up to his room and install something at some point. But he can tell this particular knock doesn't belong to any one of the brainwashed staff, but to someone he knows intimately. He smiles, jumps up from the couch, and opens the door.]
[ Good, Hiyori is in his room. A smile creeps across his face as the door swings open. Although he tries to act casual, it is clear that he's out of breath, with half flushed cheeks from running all the way from the gym. (Just another one of his unsuccessful attempts at being cool.) ]
Hey, Ohii-san! You're not busy, right? I've gotta ask you something real quick ♪
[Yep, he notices that! Which makes him wonder if something urgent is going on. But Jun is smiling, so... if he ran here and he's happy, he must have some exciting news to share, right?]
Nope! Not right at this moment, anyway. Come on in ♪ Unless it's so quick you'd rather stay out in the hall. But if you ran all the way here, it must be important, right?
[ And it's incredibly important that he couldn't wait! He's glad he didn't need to run all over the resort, and he's been smiling while running here. ]
Alright, good! Well, it's something I didn't wanna tell you over text or phone, so that'd be considered important? But we can head in, and I'll tell you why I ran all the way here.
[ Not sure if his neighbours would overhear or if someone might walk past as he's telling Hiyori, he'd much rather it be for his partner's ears only! ]
[His heart skips. Something important Jun couldn't wait to tell him? He can't guess what that is, but he's intrigued, and perhaps even a little hopeful.]
In that case, come on in.
[He holds open the door and steps aside.
His room still doesn't look (or feel) like "home," but with his chips account no longer verging on empty, it's starting to fill out a bit. He has more things than just a 4-foot tall Mareep plushie or two from the arcade; there's a proper tea set sitting out on the coffee table, for starters, and a long unopened box propped up against the other arm of the couch.
He closes the door behind Jun and waits until Jun's gotten off his shoes before he asks.]
[ He can't tell if the strange feeling in his chest is a) running all the way here or b) he's actually nervous. His breathing slows, nodding as he steps inside Hiyori's suite with a smile.
First things first, he removes his shoes, which he leaves by the door as he takes in the rest of the room. It might not be home, but it is seemingly the closest to feeling "homely." He's glad Hiyori got the better end of the deal.
He smiles again, looking up at Hiyori as he feels the familiar flutter as he responds. ]
So Weiss-san's performing on the 14th, I think she said at one of the theatre's? I didn't even know there were theatres here, but that's not the important part! I mean, it is, 'cause it ties into why I ran here. I dunno if you're free on the 14th, so it's pretty bold of me assumin' you already are..
[ He's rambling, but a point will be made! ]
I get if you are busy, but what I'm tryna ask is, Weiss-san said there's a soir-ee after? [ Soirée, he means soirée. ] You know those fancy parties you nobles go to? And she said I could bring a friend, but, uh, what I want to ask is, did you wanna come with me?
[ Enough of dragging this out, he's about to go right for it. ]
[Hiyori doesn't bother to sit down, simply facing Jun and waiting to hear the good (?) news. "Weiss-san" sounds familiar; he hasn't heard the name spoken out loud before, but he's talked to someone on the network whose name sounds similar to that. He assumes it's the same girl. However—]
So there are theaters here?
[He can't help but interject. He's asked around about places to perform before but no one's been much help! Someone on the network suggested asking the staff to set up a stage for them somewhere, but that seemed like a lot of work, and he wasn't quite sure where. (The lobby, maybe, since that's the most central area?) Then he knows Rinne performs at House Finch, but it sounds like that's a sweaty nightclub, and one where audience members have "their hands down their pants" by Rinne's own admission. The news that there's a theater here is important to him.
But not as important as what Jun says next.
Hiyori almost misses what he's saying (sore-y? Sorry? ... oh, he meant soirée). Once it becomes clear Jun's inviting him to a party, and a fancy one at that, he feels somewhat surprised. Jun-kun, going to fancy parties! Why, that doesn't sound like him at all. But it also doesn't seem like a big deal. It's just "bringing a friend" to a get-together. It's great that Jun wants to invite him, but he's not quite sure why Jun felt the need to run all the way here when he could've just—
Ah.
Suddenly, it all sinks in. He blinks, his easy smile receding a bit while a pink color washes over his cheeks. That's why Jun ran here? To ask him out on a date? That's what he looked so adorably excited for?
He's a bit thrown. But not in a bad way. He's stunned into giddiness, rather, and after a beat his smile returns in full megawatt force.]
... so that's what you came here for!
[He hums happily. Confident again, but still a tad flushed. Just a little bit.]
That sounds just lovely! I never thought the day would come when you'd invite me to a fancy gathering. Guess this shows you've moved up in the world ♪ And who better to invite than your partner, which is to say, me! It wouldn't make sense to take anyone else as your date.
[Puffing out his chest, looking perfectly pleased with things, he nods to himself and then accepts.]
Very well. I, Hiyori Tomoe, accept your invitation!
[ Despite being interrupted, there's no part of him which feels annoyed. With the adrenaline rush still running high, his lips thin out to a smile as he confirms the question with a nod. ]
Guess so!
[ Not as if he'd known that either; he expected their shuffle unit to perform in some smaller stage, even in the middle of the casino. (Really, wherever garnered the most attention.) Now they know there's real theatre here, booking a performance there will be much better.
Somewhere, Shu Itsuki is horrified by Jun butchering the French language, which, really would be mortifying to hear but can't be helped. He doesn't speak French and has no intention of ever speaking French! And the reason why he'd run here wasn't due to him wanting to invite Hiyori "as a friend," but as a date.
Perhaps it isn't the biggest deal in the world, or running here seemed over the top, but when asking someone on a date for the first time (and if he knew any better, he'd realise all those other times had been dates), you should ask them in person. As he's finished, another twinge of pink colours his cheeks, which he confirms with another nod.
Trying to play it cool, acting as if Hiyori hadn't just accepted his invitation, his smile brightens further, almost to the point where it begins to hurt his cheeks. He had heard that right, hadn't he? This wasn't some elaborate dream or prank? Doesn't seem to be. ]
Nah, don't think I'm moving up, 'cause in the real world, they'd invite you instead. I just got lucky this time, Ohii-san, but being really honest, there's no one else I'd wanna invite, not just as a friend but a date.
[ And yes, this has to be the first time he's thought of anything they've done together as a date. ]
So you'd wanna go together...? Okay, alright. I dunno if there's gonna be a theme or what, but I'm sure we'll figure it out ♪
[It's okay. Shu Itsuki is just some idiot who moved abroad because "Paris is synonymous with art!" No need to worry about what he thinks.
As for what Hiyori thinks, well—there are only so many ways you can interpret "sorta like a date." He gets the message loud and clear, this time. But just in case he missed it, Jun makes himself even more wonderfully clear: saying there's no one else he'd rather take, not as a friend, but as a date. All while smiling giddily, mirroring how Hiyori feels.
His pulse thrums fast and loud in his ears. This is basically a confession. Right? Which, well—of course he's had bigger things to worry about. They're still in the midst of a hostage situation, after all! And Rinne-senpai finally reappeared, which took up some attention. But, well, he has been wondering if something like this was coming, since Jun had that one Network thread about maybe "taking a shot" at something! (Or someone, rather.) The one where he could tell Jun was talking about him!
And that's what this is. This is it, right? This is Jun-kun's "shot."
Hiyori tries not to look as giddy as he feels. On the inside, he's rejoicing, but on the outside, he, too, can "play it cool!" With a teasing look:]
And you were so excited you ran all the way here, hm~? ♪
[His smile transforms into more of a knowing grin. Okay, so maybe some giddiness is starting to show through.]
Well, as it so happens, you're in luck. Since there's no one else I'd rather have as my date, either.
[His heart beats fast. That bit of honesty took some effort. He can't hide behind teasing, behind "taking care of each other as partners" or anything else. But it's fine; he doesn't want to hide. He locks eyes with Jun and smiles.]
No matter the theme, I'm sure we'll both have a lovely time.
[ Imagine being that loser, couldn't be him! And there's no need for Jun to ever practice French again.
And here it is: Jun's big shot! The one he seemed to be wanting to take but wasn't sure how. Who knew striking up a conversation with a stranger on the Network could motivate you enough to finally take the plunge? Little does he know that Hiyori stumbled upon his post, reading the words he had carefully crafted to prevent revealing too much information, but enough the person he was referring to may have noticed.
After a span of a few weeks, several events have unfolded, namely Rinne-senpai's return, presenting an ideal moment to seize. Now, it becomes imperative for him to reassert his intentions, mostly for this to be a date remains crystal clear. He may not be pouring out how he feels right away, but progress is being made. Slowly, one step at a time, maybe marking the initial stride towards the path of romance.
Even if Hiyori is giving him the teasing look, he can't help but smile, The happiness and seeing how happy his partner is have him realising—maybe he should've done this sooner. ]
Yeah, that's why I'm here, askin' ♪ Soon as Weiss-san told me 'bout it, actually... Which is pretty embarrassing to admit.
[ But perhaps it's not as bad as he initially thought! He senses this could be his opportunity to "take a shot," willingly admitting to embarrassing details. By doing so, he's subtly signalling to Hiyori that he's interested in him, which might mitigate any embarrassment he feels. ]
Really~? Well, I'm really glad you'd wanna with someone like me. It means a lot hearin' something like that from you, Ohii-san.
[ It seems they are on the same page, which is wonderfully brilliant. Asking took courage, and he's teasing a little, but he does mean that. Jun's heart continues its rapid beats, witnessing the giddiness from his partner fills him with an indescribable warmth. ]
Either way, we're gonna have fun! I'm really looking forward to going with you.
[At least he read that instead of the other thread. In fact, he was probably so distracted by that thread that he had to go lie down for a while... A little embarrassing, but this "being in love" thing is kind of overwhelming at times!
Right now, however, he's fine. He's had time to process that Network thread, alongside all their other interactions and everything else that's transpired. He knows how Jun feels (he thinks, mostly!) and he knows how to respond.
Though honestly, he does still feel a little overwhelmed, in that giddy sort of way. Jun said he wanted to ask him as soon as he heard about it! When Jun hears the word "date," his mind jumps straight to him, apparently! As it should, of course, but it's still a nice thing to hear.]
Me too ♪
[He agrees readily, no take-backs and no teasing. He'll even add,]
A recital, a fancy get-together, and a date with Jun-kun sounds like the perfect evening to me.
[Confirming their feelings are the same. Though, before Jun can respond to that, he continues excitedly:]
Don't hesitate to ask me if you have questions about how to conduct yourself, alright? I'll teach you everything there is to know about etiquette! Though I am curious what the theme will be, since that'll influence what I choose to wear! Or what we choose to wear, rather, since we both ought to look our utmost best ♪
[ Thank you, Hiyori, for not reading the other thread. Sure, all of that sounds dramatic, but maybe "being in love" is about being dramatic! Really, he was being dramatic about it himself, having run all the way here.
Maybe all he needed was a gentle push; he had been noticing the little things his partner did, which were beginning to make a real difference in Jun's day-to-day life. Even though it wasn't easy for him to understand, Hiyori seemed to be acting just like his usual self, but Jun no longer feels "scared" about admitting he wants a proper date. (But when he finds out that all those other times were dates as well, he is going to be very embarrassed.)
At home or out in this world, there's just no one else who he'd want to invite. Like a secret that both know but haven't dared to say out loud—those fluttery feelings, that spark of possibility. And now, with Hiyori's confirmation, it's like a fizzy burst of excitement bubbling up inside Jun. It's funny how sometimes life throws you something good, making you feel like a giddy school kid with a secret crush, even when you thought you'd never have those feelings. ]
And sure, Ohii-san. I don't really know the proper word you used, so if wanna teach me how to "conduct" myself, I'd be really grateful. The only fancy parties I've bothered with are the ones for CosPro, but those're just "business," or whatever Ibara said. Well, I guess something fancy for the recital, 'cause it's gonna be a performance? That's just my guess ♪ Weiss-san said the party will be at someone's place, but I was going to say they've probably got a real big space.
[ He's excitedly prattling off all the information he knows, as being the first to know something is exciting. Who would know the theme for the party would be "beach," but buying two outfits should be fine for the future, as they aren't hurting for chips these days. ]
Though he does realize Jun probably didn't see it as one, at least not at the time of invitation. Even he hadn't been sure how "date-like" it would turn out. But things played out rather romantically, with kisses and hand-holding, and they had a lovely time besides. Which means it was definitely a date! That's his conclusion, anyway.
Still, this is special. This one Jun does see as a date, and he's the one who asked! Not to mention it's rather more formal. Less chance of finding lube in treasure chests, more chance of eating finger food and wowing their fellow guests in elegant formalwear. Fortunately he's comfortable in such environments, and all too happy to guide Jun through them.]
Do you have anything that qualifies? I wasn't sure if you kept whatever you woke up in, but I assume that was "fancy."
[He, admittedly, kept most of the ex-fine-esque outfit, but it isn't in good shape. It's all folded up and wrinkled in a drawer somewhere. He doesn't want to wear that thing! It's just there in case of some all-his-other-clothes-are-in-the-wash emergency. Pieces of it could be worn separately without reminding him of ex-fine too much, at least. But he wouldn't want to wear the whole ensemble, and he didn't keep parts like the wedding veil or the gloves. Those got left behind on the floor of the wedding suite and presumably swept up by staff.
Fortunately, he has other clothes including formal attire. He just isn't sure if Jun does since Jun mostly wears comfortable clothes. But if not:]
If not, we'll just have to shop! But as far as the recital goes, I'm sure you know how to sit quietly and applaud. Then at the party, well... I guess that depends on the setup? If there's no dinner table, then there's not much to talk about in terms of table manners. And this place is a mix of different cultures, so you might be expected to shake hands when meeting new people rather than bowing. This will probably just be a case of "see what other people are doing and try to copy that."
But in general, my advice would be to keep your chin up, smile, and keep the conversation topics pleasant. I'm sure you'll do fine. You learn well, you've opened up a lot this past year, and you'll have me with you!
[ Although uncertain at the time, he now acknowledges the possibility that it was indeed a date! Holding hands and sharing kisses certainly meet the criteria, even though he didn't recognise it until later. The atmosphere felt "romantic," despite his limited knowledge of romance.
Really, he struggles to find the right words to describe it. Perhaps it's because every outing since the maze has felt different, or maybe it's just being around Hiyori that changes everything. Ever since the Springtime event, everything has felt off-kilter, though he has been hesitant to pinpoint exactly what's changed. It's all been a bit of a puzzle, but he's slowly starting to unravel those emotions—perhaps not the love aspect just yet, but certainly other facets.
But here's the kicker—finding out you've caught feelings for someone in a setting like this? It's like a plot twist in a heart-wrenching drama. Mustering the courage to ask someone out because you've suddenly clocked that you're head over heels for them, after two whole years? Feels like life's playing a cruel joke on you. And realising that back home, you wouldn't have even entertained the idea? Now that's a tough pill to swallow.
But maybe it's just cruel fate that he's yearning for this with Hiyori. So, if he has to, he'll let his partner take the lead in situations where he's not too comfortable (such as parties!) and whatever else comes their way.
And now Hiyori has reminded him about the "welcome suit." ]
Yeah, the suit I woke up in's still in my room somewhere! No idea if the suit's in any shape to wear, though.
[ That suit has been tucked away in his packing cubes ever since he got here. He's not exactly sure when he'll bust it out again, but tossing those clothes just wasn't an option. The only hiccup? It's a wedding suit (or rather, it looks like the one from the 3rd anniversary), and after three months in a packing cube, the fabric's probably seen better days. But he's held onto everything else, so it'll all work out somehow. ]
And I don't really need suits like you do, so that's the only one I've got outta all my clothes here.
[ Comfortable clothes are easier to wear, that's all! A pair of jeans or pants that aren't stiff, a jacket, and a normal shirt. Those are all he ever needs! But as for button-up shirts? Nah, he'll take a hard pass on those. (He does enjoy Hiyori wearing them for multiple reasons..) ]
Sure, how 'bout I show you the state the suits in? We've gotta do our own washing down on the basement floors, and I dunno how to wash a suit. Maybe buying a new one'll be less hassle. And I know how to sit and applaud, so that'll be a piece of cake. Well, the party sounded pretty casual. But Weiss-san used the fancy word earlier, so I dunno what sorta environment it'll be. Handshakes'll be easy, 'cause we already do tons of those events!
[ No bowing, got it! Not as he usually does when meeting and introducing himself to someone for the first time! ]
And if I run into trouble, I'll just look to you for guidance, Ohii-san. And with you by my side, I'll know I'm giving my best effort ♪
[Is it crueler to catch feelings for someone else here, or crueler to have already had those feelings?
Hiyori can only speak for the second one, but suffice to say, it's been hard. Loving someone isn't easy; "too much energy" is what he'd said to Tsumugi that one time, and he wasn't wrong. Loving someone isn't all fluffy feelings and happiness. Loving someone, at least in this environment, means worrying himself sick and constantly fretting over whether that person will be alright. Always being on guard around others, his stomach churning at the thought that someone might try to "steal" his partner from him. It's exhausting, in other words.
But it's times like these that make it all seem worth it: seeing Jun smile and hearing him talk excitedly about their plans, after rushing right up to his room to ask him on a date. All his worries about the future and about their environment seem to dissipate into thin air. In moments like this, he can truly be happy. Something as simple as chatting about suits with Jun feels both refreshing and oddly exhilarating.]
Normally you'd just take it to a dry cleaner's. With 90-something floors, there's bound to be one of those around somewhere. Though I'm not sure wearing a full suit is necessary. Just a dress shirt and slacks should do, unless there's a formal dress code. Though I am curious to know what your so-called wedding outfit looked like.
[The last bit said with a teasing smile. A wedding outfit might be a bit much for a rehearsal—especially one where Jun's not even the performer. And it's certainly not like Hiyori wants to show off his "wedding outfit." But the thought of seeing Jun in wedding clothes is, well... it's exciting! Now more than ever! (Though he does still remember Jun's outfit from the Bridal Field Trip...)
And then his smile becomes more pronounced when Jun says that last line. He's smiling so hard his face hurts, really. This is what you call excellent weather.]
Doing your best for my sake, hmm? That's good, I like that! My offer from SS last year still stands, of course. Just take my hand, and I'll guide you step-by-step through the world of nobility ♪ I'm sure that one day, you'll look perfectly respectable standing at my side. Like a perfect gentleman... ♪
[ Perhaps it's because Jun holds onto the hope that this will work out, he's not overly concerned with the worrying aspect. True, the journey has been arduous and he hasn't particularly enjoyed being here, but being alongside Hiyori has changed his perspective. Convinced that no one could intrude upon their bond, nor would he permit it, especially after they've shared such countless moments of affection. Perhaps realising that the sentiment he's always felt was indeed love, he sincerely doubts anyone else could understand and cherish Hiyori like he does.
Even though it may sound self-centered, Jun's conviction lies in the belief that no one could ever take his place. But acknowledging the thought is something he'll keep guarded, unwilling to entertain the possibility of being replaced by someone else. But in these moments, he senses that Hiyori shares the same sentiment, even if neither has voiced it or broached the subject directly. Jun feels like he's gradually understanding, admitting it to himself, yet navigating these uncharted emotions cautiously, wanting to untangle them before fully confessing, with no room for takebacks. ]
Yeah, dry cleaners? With my rank, I seriously doubt I'll get the suit back anytime soon. Plus, all those floors're gonna make my head spin! The shirt and pants should be fine, like you said, 'cause going too overdressed might look like I'm trying too hard. But if you wanna see me in the entire thing, how 'bout I show you sometime?
[ He doesn't really mind donning the full suit again, even if Hiyori's teasing him for it. However, wearing the whole ensemble might seem a tad too formal for the occasion! Plus, he wouldn't want to steal the spotlight from Weiss's big performance, so a dress shirt and pants suit him just fine. Though he can't help but wonder what Hiyori's "wedding outfit" looked like or if he even still has it, either way, he's seen his partner pull off plenty of suits before.
Instead, he reaches out, gently intertwining his fingers with Hiyori's, giving their hands a tender squeeze. In that moment, he doesn't feel the need to ask for anything, sensing that perhaps they've moved beyond the stage of asking and into a deeper understanding.
And his own cheeks ache from the constant smile plastered on his face, but he knows it's a small price to pay for being in the presence of someone who brings you such joy. ]
You probably didn't mean literally, but I'd like to take your hand anyway. And that's a pretty good motivator, Ohii-san. How'd I ever refuse something like that? One day, I'm gonna get there, surprise myself and maaaybe even you ♪
[With his rank, huh? He keeps forgetting that's how it works. Little does Hiyori realize that the rank system influences how quickly they get to his requests, too—like the one he made under an hour ago! He asked for some help installing a little something in his room (just something quick!), and they said they'd do it, but no one's come by just yet. Probably because they have higher-ranked guests to tend to first. But if he'd been below a five, they might have simply told him to do it himself, and if he was a two they might have just ignored him...
Well, never mind the worthless rank system, or his request. He gets distracted by the thought of Jun modeling the so-called wedding outfit for him! Hiyori replies straightaway, seeming enthused.]
Sounds great! I may even take pictures. That'd be a charming photoshoot, and a lovely addition to my camera roll ♪
[More charming than those suit tattoo photos they took. That's for sure.
He gets to thinking about his own "wedding suit" next. Of course he disliked his own, but maybe he could try on something similar for Jun, for a proper exchange. Before he can make this all about himself and his love of dress-up, though, Jun grasps his hands, and that simple gesture grinds all his conscious thoughts to a halt.
Goodness knows they've touched hands before. Plenty of times onstage, for starters. But here, alone in his room, after the conversation where Jun asked him out on a "date," the gesture leaves quite the impact. Hiyori's eyes flare a bit, his reddened cheeks aching for a different reason than Jun's. It really isn't fair, how precious little effort it takes for Jun to make his heart race.
... though is this low-effort on Jun's part? It seems to him like Jun's been putting himself out there, making an effort to connect to him and communicate his feelings properly. It's more than Hiyori ever could've expected from the boy who spoke so little when they first met. The one who'd been beaten into silence by his time as a "Non-Special Student." That's the very same boy who's holding his hands right now, saying he wants to stand at his side like a perfect gentleman one day. Jun-kun really bloomed beautifully under his tutelage.
He'll be even more beautiful in the future, surely. Someone well and truly worthy of standing at his side, in other words.]
It'll take a lot of effort to surprise me. ... or so I'd like to say, but I know you can do it.
[He squeezes Jun's hands back. A lightly-flushed, but pleased expression on his face.]
You always find ways to surprise me. It's been like that ever since I first picked you up. So I look forward to seeing what surprises Jun-kun has in store for the future.
[ Really, the treatment of lower-ranking residents is his main gripe with this place. There is no question that Hiyori's rank would not receive the same attention as a lowly four, but he has no interest in advancing for that reason alone. Plus, he's completely fine with doing the laundry himself or any other boring chore that the people on the lower floors have no choice but to undertake. However, he would prefer it if he could get the suit back without much fuss...
But what could the thing Hiyori's trying to install be? It's a shame it wasn't here already... Either way, he's happy to model more clothing for Hiyori. It's not anything he's really ashamed of, just more so how it happened, but it's fine now! It wasn't a real marriage, even though it was cleared up long ago. ]
Mmm, yeah ♪ If you wanna take pics, I'm not gonna stop you. But they'll be for your eyes only, Ohii-san.
[ Not that he cares much if other people see them, he'll be wearing the suit for Hiyori. The last time they took photos was for the suit tattoos, which feels like months ago now. He can't complain much about how quickly time has passed; so many positive things have happened since they arrived here. And if Hiyori is interested in trying on an outfit as well, that is just another option for them to consider.
Opening up like this isn't a walk in the park for Jun. He's just started warming up to the idea of having feelings for someone, let alone summoning the courage to act on them. Despite the challenge, his smile reveals his determination to express himself clearly. Moments like these push him to ensure there's no room for misunderstandings. It's been confusing to convey those feelings here and easier to ignore them back home, but ultimately, those feelings for Hiyori have always been there.
It's hard to say what's going on in Hiyori's mind, but his actions show gratitude. They've been in sync since the Springtime Event, and now Jun's showing how much he values their relationship. Keeping up with Hiyori has been a challenge, but he can sense how much progress he's made since they first crossed paths. ]
'Course I know you don't surprise easily, but doesn't mean I'm not gonna bother. You'll just hafta keep watching to see ♪
[ His own cheeks are flushed, but it feels as if a mass has been lifted from his shoulders. ]
So I'm gonna give it all I've got! Doing stuff like working hard to surprise you will keep coming, Ohii-san. Everything else'll fall right into place.
[ Just as this has, he doesn't want anything to change. ]
[It's sadly not a kotatsu. Nor is it anything that requires that much effort to set up. Just drilling a hook in the ceiling! It's something he could do himself, he just doesn't feel like it!
... it's also right there in the box that's propped up behind the couch. But if Jun asked what was in that, well, that would mess up continuity, since he still doesn't know what it is by the time they have their network thread the next day. So for now, Jun will just have to remain unaware that Hiyori is hanging a canopy over his bed. Something like this, except with some lights added. All so he can sleep and fuck his boyfriend in peace, without worrying about the House spying on him with hidden cameras! When he said he wouldn't mind being filmed 24 hours a day, that was not an invitation to the House!!
Er, but anyway.
There's not a whole lot left to say. They're on the same page, and he's sure what's in their heart is one and the same. He hasn't always been sure of that, but he's certain of it right now. And he knows a romantic mood has formed, just like it did in the flower maze when Jun said the carnation looked beautiful on him. So, having twined their hands, he brings their foreheads together next.]
Mm ♪
[He hums happily, before leaning in to peck Jun on the lips: soft and chaste, but still heartfelt. In the aftermath, he smiles fondly.]
I've got lots of surprises up my sleeve, too, of course. So you'd better prepare yourself ♪
[ Hopefully, that could be something Jun invests in the future. Not as if they'd need it with the heating, but a little comfort from home might be nice.
.... though, picturing Hiyori drilling a hook in the ceiling might be the most amusing thought. Good thing he hasn't noticed the box, nor will he, not until it's finally set up! More than likely, if Jun knew, he'd probably offer to hang it himself. But the canopy will offer a lot more privacy, so they can do whatever they'd like without the House watching their every move.
It has been confusing getting to this point, but they're very clearly on the same page, and Jun couldn't be happier. Resting their foreheads together, each time Hiyori kisses him, it's as if his breath catches within his throat.
He returns the hum, adding a peck of his own, rubbing his thumb across Hiyori's palm. ]
You do, huh~? Looks like I'll hafta start seriously preparing myself for real ♪ Doubt you'll go dropping any hints, so I gotta be patient. Doing stuff like this has me real excited, didja know? More specially, 'bout goin' on this journey with you.
[He kind of wanted it to be a surprise. And perhaps he was just the tiniest bit shy about his rationale being obvious: that is, that he wants a privacy curtain so they can hug and kiss and do other things away from the House's prying eyes!
But if the staff member never shows up, he could always have Jun do it. Or Rinne now that Rinne's back. He owes Hiyori for making him worry!
For future reference, though, we'll assume they did show up, and that the canopy is prepared by the time Jun takes refuge in his room away from crawlers and chemical spills. All's well that ends well.
It's silly that even a peck from Jun is enough to make his heart soar. Or that Jun's thumb sliding across his palm stirs so much warmth in his chest. But that's the magic of love, he's finding out: even the littlest things feel special and wonderful!
And is there anything "little" about this? He can't picture the old Jun-kun pecking his lips sweetly and talking so poetically. His phrasing causes Hiyori's eyebrows to lift.]
A journey, hmm? ♪ That's a lovely way of putting it.
[His eyes fall shut. Sometimes it really does feel like he's dreaming. The whole place feels unreal, in good ways and (many, many) bad ways. But he feels positive his relationship with Jun isn't some fleeting dream, but his new reality. Their new reality. A journey they're embarking on together!]
I'm not sure I've ever been on the sort of journey you're talking about. But now, I simply can't wait ♪ I'm sure the "grand surprise" that lies in store for us will be absolutely astonishing. And perhaps we'll even find some hidden treasure chests along the way! ♪
[Then he blinks his eyes open.]
—Ah, not the ones the House left. I meant other treasures. The kind we plant and uncover ourselves! I don't want to give them too much credit.
[ It will be one big surprise, but ultimately, it makes the most sense from their perspective. He still doesn't understand how or when the House knows they've had sex, so a private little space for them makes perfect sense. (... until their watches go off again.)
Besides, he's trying to figure out those feelings. Sure, he's aware of just how difficult it is to express yourself, but being here with Hiyori now has taught him many wonderful things. Perhaps things he might not have learned for a long time, especially if they were back home, but without reason, he's learning just what it feels like to have intense, deep feelings. Instead of denying them!
Which includes all the new phrasing he's been working on. Not only to help express how he feels better but to show Hiyori how much effort he's going to. See, he has been paying attention! ]
Mmm, yeah! I've been learnin' new things ♪ And paying attention to stuff 'round here.
[ He smiles again, taking a deep breath before exhaling. Right now, it feels as if he's in the happiest place on Earth, which would be true if they weren't stuck here. But there are only positive feelings when he thinks about Hiyori, what their future means together and whatever comes from it once they return. ]
Well, bein' honest, I've never been on one myself! Looks like we're gonna work out the kinks together ♪ Yeah, I'm really looking forward to going through this with you, Ohii-san. It might be bumpy, but I know we got it!
[ He squeezes their hands again. ]
Yeah, didn't think you'd wanna give them any credit. We've done it so far without their help, so don't think we're gonna start anytime soon. So, it'll be sorta like a garden, won't it? We're gonna watch ourselves grow every day!
[Sadly there's no escaping those watches going off. Though things could be worse. The watches could play that one Lonely Island song every time someone has intercourse!
Hiyori's heart squeezes in time with Jun squeezing his hand. When he said he'd never been on this sort of journey before, he meant that he'd never dated someone. Not with any degree of seriousness, anyway. This whole "being in love" thing is new to him. But it's the same for Jun, and they'll just have to figure it out together! They've been doing well so far, anyway. Maybe this is a cage where they can't spread their wings fully, but when he's with Jun-kun, his heart soars and takes flight!
In other words, Jun isn't alone in the cheesy-metaphors-for-their-relationship department. It seems they both have plenty of those up their sleeve. And didn't Jun once compare him to a ray of sunshine who can make "even a dirty stray dog like him" sparkle and shine? Perhaps their relationship has always brought out Jun's poetic side!]
I'm sure we would've ended up the same even if it weren't for this resort. Things might've gone a bit differently, but I won't give this place all the credit. Or even much of any credit.
[He swings their hands lightly, his smile warm and thoughtful. He doesn't know how long it would have taken them to get together like this at home. They had their careers to focus on, and he hadn't been sure if Jun felt the same way as him. But it would've happened eventually. Right? They'll never know now, but it's what he'll choose to believe.]
I guess it sounds almost like fate when I put it that way. Which isn't a concept I've ever put much store in, but perhaps being with Jun-kun has broadened my outlook somewhat ♪
[This time, it's him who strokes his thumb over Jun's palm, nuzzling closer to his face.]
Either way, I'm excited to start our new "gardening" journey. I'm sure all our flowers will bloom beautifully ♪
[ Or they could send you the fabled "I just had sex" cake! But this place sure does know how to ruin a mood.
He's not entirely sure on Hiyori's meaning, so he can only assume they are on the same page about dating. Before arriving here, Jun hadn't ever been on a date, so likewise, he had no idea how different things should be. Yet, it feels easy, like pieces effortlessly fitting together, and perhaps it's not starkly different from their routines together back home. Instead, they can kiss, hold hands and do other things.
So, he doesn't consider such metaphors cheesy, but maybe they don't come as effortlessly to him as they do to Hiyori. Still, he's been putting in the effort, and occasionally, Jun does find himself expressing poetic words. Really, he's committed to improving himself each and every day. ]
Yeah, don't wanna think 'bout the coulda beens. But all the credit should go to us, 'cause we're the one's figurin' it out, not this place.
[ He allows Hiyori to swing their hands together, and his smile just as warm and bright. Back home, things probably might have gone differently, but eventually they would have gotten there. If only Jun hadn't persisted in denying those feelings stirring within his heart, which other idols seemed to pick up on. However, that's all in the past now; their feelings align, and it's all thanks to both of them. ]
I dunno much 'bout fate either, but turns out both our outlooks've turned out that way.
[ And maybe he should've accepted his fate sooner, but the thought of admitting his long-denied feelings feels embarrassing. How would that have impacted their working relationship? Jun wouldn't have wanted any awkwardness between them, especially when it might have been obvious to their fans.
He leans in a little closer, watching how Hiyori nuzzles into him. ]
And I'm not gonna lie, I've still gotta lot to learn 'bout this kinda relationship journey, Ohii-san. I'm real excited 'bout this, so can't wait to see how we'll grow from here ♪
[He'd take that over a giant penis cake from Great Tit, anyway.
There's not a lot left to say. They're going on a journey together, and they're both excited to do it! Though Jun calling it a "relationship journey" gives him another small flutter. They've been dancing around the truth for the past month or so; he didn't call the flower maze excursion a "date," didn't tell Jun he wanted to be a couple, didn't confess his love. But now that words like "date" and "relationship" are being used, there's absolutely no room for doubt, and that feels comforting. Comforting and yet simultaneously thrilling.
He and Jun really are lovers now. In addition to being partners, that's what they are now. As of today, it's official. What absolutely wonderful weather.]
Mm! ♪
[He hums happily, feeling a little burst of excitement.]
And the next stop on our journey is that soirée! Or the recital first, and then the soirée! So as soon we know the theme, we'll have to go on a shopping trip. If we swing by a café afterwards, you might even be able to call it a "date"! And you can never have too many dates, I say. Or at least I can't, when my partner is Jun-kun.
[ That's what this is, isn't it? He wants to leave no room for doubt, making certain his feelings come across loud and clear, just as they did the other time. Except this time, he's been mulling over those feelings more and more, deciding now is the perfect opportunity to express them in person nonetheless. They have been dancing around the topic for long enough, even if they haven't explicitly spoken about what happened in full. But is it wrong of him to want this before they've been on another date? And a date he knows 100% is one? All Jun can do is take the shot, and if this isn't something Hiyori wants, then he'll say so.
But he hasn't, which has his heart soaring. That's it, isn't it? Now, it's official. He and Hiyori are together! ]
'Course it's a few days away, but promise we'll go soon as we know ♪ But I mean, if you wanna go on other "dates" before then, how am I gonna complain? We'll go on plenty of dates, alright~? Goin' places with you sure sounds like a good time.
[Jun took his shot and it landed. A straight bulls-eye, piercing right through Hiyori's heart!
And all he can do is grin with every new word. "Goin' places with you sure sounds like a good time," Jun says, even though at home, he might have said it sounds like a pain! But then Hiyori is asking him to come along as more than just a bag-carrier this time. And wasn't at least part of that whole "you're my servant!" shtick just an excuse to spend time with Jun, anyway? That's not to say he won't ever ask Jun to carry something for him again, because he definitely will, but it seems those pretenses aren't needed anymore.]
Yep, I said it, so that's how things will be! ♪
[He chirps his agreement. And he could just leave it there. But...
There's one more thing he wants to say. And he draws back a little to say it, just enough to give Jun a full view of his face.]
We can go on as many dates as we want. And you're also free to come to my room and hold me as much as you want. Those are the new rules ♪
["Hold him." That's the wording he chooses. But he's not just talking about chaste hugging. Surely Jun knows it, even though he tries to sound casual.]
[ It took courage—the sort of courage he never thought he'd muster.
Normally, he would complain and say it was nothing but a big pain to be delegated as the bag carrier! But this time, something has shifted, knowing it may not be that much anymore. And, in the first place, didn't Jun always agree to carry bags despite complaining? Either way, the shift proves to be a good thing!
His heart still tugs at the words, the chirp of agreement and does a flip as Hiyori draws back, saying he wants to be held as a "new rule." Well, how can Jun refuse? And there's a realisation of what "hold him" means, with his bottom lip curling into a smile, nodding with a quick response. ]
Ohii-san wants to be held, huh~? Maybe I'll think 'bout it ♪
[ He jokes, taking a deep breath in. ]
Honestly, I was kinda hoping you'd say that, 'cause it seems like we want the same thing ♪ But if I'm gonna live by any of Ohii-san's seriously annoying rules, it'll be the one where I'll be holding you real close and tight.
[Thankfully he knows better than to take that seriously. And Jun cops to his true feelings a second later, anyway. Hiyori can't stay mad at him (can't even get mad at him in the first place), not when he's still overjoyed at how things have turned out between them.]
Well, good! ♪ You have strong arms from all that weight-lifting, so you might as well put them to good use! And "holding me tight" is right up there with "carrying my bags" on the usefulness scale.
[Or carrying him off to bed.
... they're still talking in euphemisms a little bit. Hiyori would never use it, but "hold" could've easily been substituted with another four-letter word. Which, well, are they on the same page regarding that? Does Jun want to take that role with him, and does he know he just got the okay for it?
Hiyori won't start fretting over that, though. Now isn't the time. And also, of course Jun would want to. Why wouldn't he? His partner is the beautiful Hiyori Tomoe! And on the off-off-chance Jun didn't want to, they'd work something else out.]
You can even practice right now! Why don't you come here? ♪
[He steps back, spreading his arms wide open. For all his thoughts about doing other stuff, he likes a good hug, too! ... If he sounded a little like he was beckoning a dog just now, oh well. That's just a habit from talking to Mary!]
[ Good thing Hiyori knows better, leaving a happy hum to follow after he's done expressing how he'd really want to hold Hiyori. Whatever has spun on their axis for this to happen, he's going to thank whoever made it possible. ]
Says you ♪ I'm already putting 'em to good use, I tried tellin' you before! But it looks to me like I can use 'em for your "usefulness scale."
[ Whatever the heck that means! But having these muscles is useful for carrying Hiyori off to bed; what other person would, to begin with?
Even with them dancing around, speaking in euphemisms rather from outrightly saying what they want to say, he thinks he's following. ... not as if he'd be willing to say outloud loud just what he wants. They must be on the same page, wanting the same thing, but it's a big step. (Unlikely, he's realised right this second, it could hit him later.)
He glances up, his gaze drawn to Hiyori's open arms, waiting for him. It's a strange shift, from staunchly refusing his hugs to now craving them, though Jun's yet to fully understand why. The beckoning hardly bothers him, only envoking memories of their week spent together. Without a word, he steps forward, being enveloped in Hiyori's embrace, resting his head against him, and allowing a smile to spread across his face. ]
.. you're warm, Ohii-san. It's really like bein' basked in sunlight.
[ He murmurs softly, his hands caressing Hiyori's back, pulling him into a tighter embrace. ]
[If they ever need help communicating, surely Rinne could assist them in using clearer language. "Just tell Sazanamin that ya want him to fuck ya stupid! Kyahaha!" <--- That's probably what he'd say.
But, you know, he does want more than that. If all he wanted from Jun was his body like a certain SOMEONE here then things wouldn't be so fraught. They'd collect each other's cards and move on with their lives. But the spoiled Hiyori Tomoe is much too greedy for that, and he decided long ago that he wants everything from Jun: Jun's loyalty and Jun's voice, Jun's body and future and heart. And of course, his love. Hiyori got all that and more, it seems, which might just make him the luckiest person in this casino.
He feels Jun walk into his waiting arms, tuck his head next to his. It's solid and warm, a sweet moment of intimacy and comfort in a place that's trying to deny them both those things. "When you feel anxious, there's nothing like letting someone hold you tight while you listen to the sound of their heartbeat," he'd said to Jun once. And it must have been true, since all his anxieties feel very far away at the moment. It's dangerous to let one's guard down in this place, but...
With Jun, it should be alright.
He wraps his arms loosely around Jun's shoulders and laughs at Jun's words, soft and pleased.]
Mm, yep. That's exactly what my love feels like ♪
[Butterflies form in his stomach. Unlike his usual "Work hard if you want to earn my love" comments, this is a more serious usage of the L-word. But it felt right to say it.]
[ Time for them to get their act together so Rinne-senpai's boisterous kyahaha's won't ruin the moment!
There are plenty of reasons why this could have ended with them collecting their cards and moving on. But, as expected, Jun would never want things to end there. Never wanting a single thing from Hiyori, only to stay by his side. If their passion for one another ended with the first time, the "Springtime" game, then it wasn't meant to be. Part of Jun did think he was delusional after the game ended, wondering if he imagined it all or if he was imagining just how much closer they'd gotten. The maze changed his mind about their feelings for one another, realising they weren't fleeting but real.
He keeps his head nestled against Hiyori's, ready for their heartbeats to become one. Here he can feel the rise and fall of Hiyori's chest, and the reminder of when Hiyori had said those words sinks in. How can they not be true? Any previous worry has long vanished, being replaced by an ever-comforting warmth. And with the sound of Hiyori's laugh, it's as if the sun itself is shining brighter, casting away any dark, lingering shadows.
Love, words spoken numerous of times before. In fact, there are plenty of times where he's teased Jun and plenty of times where he hasn't. But the seriousness sinks in, heart strumming loudly as if it might jump out, the pattering of Hiyori's loud against his ears. As it turns out, Hiyori's love has been the one thing holding him together from the moment they crossed paths up until now.
So this is Ohii-san's love. The warmth he's felt all this time. ]
Actually, the more I think 'bout your love, the more it makes sense. And it makes me wanna feel Ohii-san's love forever ♪
[ He wants it—to accept the love offered to him and return the same tenfold. ]
Who'd have thought your love was the one thing keeping me warm? Even now, I'm hoping you'll feel it, too. My "love"!
The warm feeling that's come over him now. The emotion that's gripped his heart these past two years. The thing that's overwhelmed him to the point of hugging his pillow alone in his room. That's the word for it.
He's been thinking about "love" more often recently. Love is what's missing from this place, he told Leo. "There's no one better at giving or receiving love," he told someone else here. He's been turning over the lyrics to his second solo in his free time, something he was working on at home that got put on the backburner so they could practice for SS. That song is about love, of course. The warm and all-accepting love he means to shower his fans with. But his love isn't just reserved for them, for Eden or his family.
It makes his stomach squirm a little, putting himself out there like that. But at this point he doesn't fear rejection. And sure enough, that's not at all what Jun gives him. He's silent for a moment, just taking in his partner's wonderful words, his breath stuck somewhere in his throat.]
Mm...
[But he finds his voice eventually. Still hugging Jun back, he confirms,]
I can feel it.
[Because he really can. It makes his voice unsteady and his knees weak, but he can; the boy he picked up like a stray dog two years ago really did come to love him. How miraculous is that?]
And since forever is what we promised, that's exactly what I'll give you.
[ Slowly, but surely, Jun's been showing more of his heart over the years. The feeling of loving someone—with the someone being Hiyori—hasn't been easy; it's been easier to ignore back home, where their jobs as idols take up all their free time. But love turned Jun around, making him into the idol he is today. Love helped mend his heart and his anger and gave him a purpose beyond being the Non-special, worthless, dirty, stray he used to be.
When Rinne-senpai returned, he began clearly expressing his feelings for Hiyori at the table. Over time, Jun's come to accept that his feelings for Hiyori were indeed love, which he now intends to embrace. And when he confided in Topaz about his feelings, she helped him realise this environment wasn't the source of them. And they'd always been there—something Jun knew from the beginning. He began talking about feelings with Topaz, who helped him understand that this place wasn't making him feel that way.
While vulnerability hardly comes easily, he can be vulnerable with Hiyori, knowing he will be accepted and loved for all his feelings and more. ]
You can? That's.. that's good, Ohii-san.
[ Despite his deep love for Hiyori, his fear of rejection held him back from confessing his feelings—until now. Love can be a daunting and all-consuming feeling, making him hyper-aware of Hiyori's actions. Yet, after nearly three years, he knows him well and remains unfazed by his partners behaviour, even when there are reasons he should be.
But Hiyori can feel his love, and that's all that matters. ]
And that's what I'm giving you too, Ohii-san. Not just the promise, but my heart and love forever.
["You can?" Jun asks, sounding surprised. Or maybe just overwhelmed, the same way Hiyori is. But he confidently answers,]
Yep! ♪
[And then he reaches for one of Jun's arms, wrapping a hand around his wrist and guiding Jun's hand over to the center of his chest. Aiming to place it right over his heart.]
Right here, I can feel it.
[It wasn't a guarantee. That Jun would come to love him, that is. Or that it'd be the same kind of love that Hiyori felt. That's why he's so overcome. Jun went above and beyond for him, of course. But was that out of love, or was it because that's what Hiyori demanded of him? Was it love or was it "gratitude" fueling Jun's tenderness towards him? Where does one even draw the line between those two emotions?
He used to think Nagisa didn't love him. That he was more like an overgrown duckling who'd imprinted on the first person to teach him things, who'd showed what it meant to live. In many ways, his relationship with Jun was similar. But he knows better now. The truth is that he's surrounded by love. And he's incredibly, unbelievably happy. He couldn't possibly be happier!
At least not until Jun promises him his heart and his love forever, and then he somehow finds a way.]
Oh, really?
[Surprise flickers across his face before he breaks into an even bigger, even more beautiful, impossibly-brighter smile. There's only one thing he can say.]
[ It is overwhelming, mostly as now he can confidently say the feeling deep inside his chest happens to be love! Or rather, connecting the dots over the past few months, he can now express his feelings with absolute certainty, there's no room left for doubt.
From feeling so unsure to accepting the love given, listening to Hiyori's confident tone helps, realising it would be illogical to reject his love. But love can be intimidating, as it can easily be mistaken and confused for other emotions such as gratitude. Another important reason for Jun to have utter confidence in his love, especially when Hiyori already had his heart long before today.
His heart beats even faster, if possible, but he feels it. ]
Mhm, I'm really happy you can feel it.
[ Tone soft, taking a deep breath, Jun half curls his fingers against the hand right on his heart. Having Hiyori here with him feels comforting, the same way he's always felt, the same way he'll always feel.
Feeling this way is easy, he realises when the surprise flickering across Ohii-san's face breaks into an even bigger, brighter smile. A smile so beautiful has Jun catching his breath, a short tinkle of laughter following. ]
I could say the same thing, y'know? 'Cause now I've got you, I'm not boutta give you up for anybody or anything ♪
[ Also a promise and a threat, knowing this isn't an ideal place for their love to blossom. But Jun couldn't care less, he's going to defy the House every step of the way, especially now his feelings are returned. ]
Call it intuition, if ya want, but I've got a real good feeling 'bout us.
[Jun's palm feels warm against his chest, and he in turn wonders if Jun can feel his heartbeat through the cloth. Right now it's racing just as fast as it would during a live show. It's like that because of Jun!
Either way, his big, beaming smile is going nowhere. Not when Jun says he won't give him up for anyone; he's overjoyed to hear it, rather. These days, he isn't riddled with anxiety that Jun will choose someone else. Maybe a month or two ago, but not now, after Jun held his hand in a flower maze and called him beautiful. Not after he said that thing on the Network about taking a "shot" with someone who was most definitely him. And certainly not after hearing him talk about his "love." He'll trust in Jun's words, in the warmth of Jun's hand, in the way Jun looks at him—all of it. All those wonderful things are just for him to enjoy.
But, you know, despite trusting his partner, it's still nice to hear Jun won't be "giving him up" for any boys who called him cute on his profile or girls who think they're game characters!]
Good.
[A simple response, but with plenty of conviction behind it.]
Because I want you to hold on tight without ever letting go.
[He squeezes Jun's hand. This isn't the ideal environment for love, it's true. But neither was Reimei Academy, or a unit built with nothing but profitability in mind. They can handle it here. He believes in their ability to make something wonderful bloom in even the dreariest of circumstances.]
... I'm sure this place would test a lot of people. But I have absolute faith that Jun-kun will stay the same person I find so lovable. The one I chose as my partner ♪
[It's not quite "the person I fell in love with," but it's a start.]
[ He can feel something through the layers of fabric, despite his hand shaking only slightly. There's warmth and kindness beneath his fingertips.
Confessing his feelings, despite the risks, has lifted a weight off his shoulders, as he no longer worries about rejection or hiding how he truly feels. Gradually opening his heart to Hiyori seemed easier than he expected, without Jun ever fully realising. There was something special about Hiyori that had the unique ability to turn him into a lovesick fool—but despite the challenges posed by their careers and current environment, reaching this pivotal moment seemed effortless. Their bond had never been stronger.
Honestly, he'd probably feel a little embarrassed if he ever found out Hiyori knew what he'd written on the post, but that self-disclosure was a key factor in the decision to confess his feelings. So why not allow them to find happiness together? He hopes Hiyori can trust him and his words because they will never be broken. ]
Don't worry, Ohii-san, I don't ever plan on letting go.
[ A simple response has him smiling, knowing their bond is unbreakable. Although neither place back home provided an ideal environment, there is a positive feeling between them. Wishing he had been more forthright about his feelings earlier, but dwelling on what could have been will not change anything. It feels good to have those words reiterated; knowing they can work through this, and things will unfold as they had hoped, perhaps even exceeding their expectations.
He breathes in, affectionately rubbing his nose against Hiyori's. ]
That's precisely why I've got a good feeling 'bout us. So I'm gonna make sure no one comes in and thinks they can ruin what we've got! It's like you said, I've got faith Ohii-san's gonna stay the same, too. And if you don't, I'll drag ya back down to reality. Got it?
[Yes. Well. It's probably for the best that Hiyori never goes back to look at Jun's threads on that Network post for other reasons, too...
If he gets the urge to reread a conversation, though, it's going to be this one from last month. The one where Jun first said all sorts of wonderful things to him, from "My mind races with all the things I wanna do by your side" to "My heart is just filled with you." The one where he said that his words during SS weren't just about singing. The one where he promised to stay by him forever, just as he's promising him again now.
All of that helped prepare him for him Jun's in-person confession, making sure it didn't reduce him to a blushing mess (that would've been embarrassing). But it still feels almost unreal to have Jun nuzzling him sort of like a cat and promising not to let go. It makes his heart vibrate with affection.
But it also soothes his anxieties. Especially what Jun says at the end. He spends much of his time worried about Jun, but he's also been worried about the impact this place might have on him. What if when he leaves, he can't go back to being "the idol called Hiyori Tomoe"? What if he's become too jaded, too cynical, too dirty? What if his shine is gone and he's no longer the dazzling existence his fans love? These worries would be haunting him a lot more if Jun wasn't there, but thanks to his partner's presence, they're barely present most of the time.
Jun keeps him grounded. He knows that. And he'll just have to keep doing the same for Jun.]
Mm.
[He hums softly, leaning his nose against Jun's.]
I'm glad you can say that, despite everything that's happened. ... I don't like that Jun-kun got taken and put in a place like this, but I'm glad to have you here with me.
[A pause, and then he continues:]
After we got here, me and Leo-kun had a conversation about staying "ourselves" in this place. He pointed out that some of the longer-term guests seem like they've been brainwashed. And he said that if he ever loses interest in composing, that'll be a sign he's no longer himself.
[He keeps Jun's hand in a squeeze. It's sort of a depressing topic, but he figures it's relevant.]
I guess in my case, it'd be something like "if I'm not looking out for Jun-kun, or I stop wanting Jun-kun as my partner, then that's a sign I'm no longer myself." That's how important an existence you've become to me. But I do have faith those things won't ever happen. The House can throw all manner of distractions at us, but they can't take away our feelings for each other.
[ Perhaps it is a good thing Jun hardly remembers the other thing he was posting about (or with) during that Network post.
The good news is that he has been re-reading those comments repeatedly, especially the last one Hiyori wrote before disappearing. (Only to see him later in the evening for dinner, where something was knowing, something real between them.) Jun meant every word in those messages; not only was he trying to gauge Hiyori's potential reaction, but he also thought it helped him realise their feelings might be mutual. Even if the scary thought about an in-person confession lingered, the depths of his feelings were getting too much, as if threatening to consume him entirely, leaving him desperate to convey them at last.
Despite the risks, his love for Hiyori is unwavering. Even if this situation were to ruin them both, even if their secrets were discovered upon their return, Jun would continue loving Hiyori no matter the consequences. Nothing could ever stop his feelings; an intense, overwhelming love between them.
But there is a sense of relief in hearing those words come from his partner. Brainwashing isn't quite the most happy of topics, though there is an understanding there. In complete agreement, Jun nods and responds by lightly kissing Hiyori's lips. He can't quite help himself, being this close, nuzzling again as the familiar warmth lingers.
Hiyori has also become a significant figure in his life. Someone important—the most important person—more than he's willing to admit. ]
Well, the same applies to me! If I quit wanting to do things for you or start saying anything 'bout not wanting to stick by your side, you'll know something's wrong. And I'd want ya to break me outta it, even if you've gotta be violent 'bout it! You've become the sorta person who I'll always wanna be 'round, 'cause I'm always thinking 'bout you.
[ The same as he told Hiyori through texts—an embarrassing amount. ]
And I'm with you, Ohii-san, no matter what goes on with this place. We just gotta remember we've got one another's backs! Plus, they'll never be able to take away our feelings for one another, 'cause we won't let 'em ♪
[ But it is rather a good thing none of those things are real. ]
It's scary, Ohii-san. And I gotta say I'm pretty scared 'bout relationships and all the stuff that'll come with being in one, 'cause I dunno what I'm doing or where we'll go. But it feels right, to be with you! And I know we'll figure it out together, won't we?
[Careful about telling a Spades suit they're welcome to get violent with you.
... not that Hiyori feels any such urges right now, least of all towards his loving partner. The talk of brainwashing really is a mood killer, but Jun responds with a kiss anyway, short yet sweet enough to make his head go fuzzy. If it weren't already fuzzy from all of Jun's sweet words, that is.
It's not so fuzzy he's incapable of teasing, though.]
... mm, got it!
[He hums cheerfully, forehead still leaning against Jun's, his smile turned sly.]
If I ask Jun-kun to do something, but he says it's a pain or he doesn't want to, then that's a sign his brain isn't working! So, I'll flick him upside the forehead! ♪ Or gently thwap the back of his head. Whichever~ ♪
[Hopefully that bit of silliness will dissolve some of the heaviness brought on by the topic change.
He thinks about moving Jun's hand away from his chest, guiding it back down to his side so they can hold hands without it being quite so serious. Then Jun says that thing about being scared, and instead he lets it stay resting over his heart. Jun probably can't feel the way it reacts to his use of the word "relationship," but Hiyori sure can, his chest constricting as though Jun reached directly inside him, closed a hand around his heart and squeezed.]
Yep~. It feels completely right. For me to be Jun-kun's first, that is.
[First kiss that he knows of, first time, first relationship. First "partner." He's greedy and selfish enough that he's thrilled to claim all of Jun-kun's firsts. Though he also adds,]
And for you to be my first.
[Because that's true, too. He already admitted it when he said he'd never been on a "journey" like this before. It figures that Jun, whom he'd already been treating as a "partner" for more than just singing, would be the one he commits to. Jun, whom he's so determined to tether to his side. Jun, whom he thought was "beautiful" and felt captivated by from the very start, before Jun had done anything for him and before they'd even said a word to each other.
Hiyori's not ready to admit that yet. He feels readier now than he would have at home, but he'd rather keep that under wraps for a little while. It's still somehow embarrassing, admitting how long Jun's had his heart. But it's that knowledge—the knowledge that Jun can steal his heart just with his dazzling existence—that Hiyori feels compelled to tell him not to worry, and he tries to tie that back to what he said before about the resort.]
So, because we make perfect sense together, I wouldn't fret too much. As you said, we'll figure it out. All Jun-kun really needs to do is stay true to himself. And then we'll go back together to the place where we belong ♪
... It's not just for Nagisa-kun, Ibara, and our fans' sakes that we get back. It's for our own sake, too. I'm happy here when I'm with Jun-kun, but I'm sure we can be even happier at home.
[He laces their fingers together tight and smiles, staring right into Jun's eyes as he says his last piece.]
Achieving your dream alongside the one you love sounds like something from a manga, doesn't it? I struggle to think of anything more romantic than that... ♪
[Hopefully their fans will see it his way. Not anytime soon, but some day in the distant future.]
[ The talk of how to realise if one of them has been brainwashed hasn’t made him realise how important it’ll become in case one of them does. Truthfully, should they not have more resilience? They’re idols, not some kind of “normal” person who would be easily swayed by temptation. They are the temptation!
He half-laughs, far too happy about being close to complain. But maybe… ]
Well, it’s more like if I don’t end up doing those things. ‘Cause I still complain but do ‘em!
[ Truthfully, he hardly minds running errands, stopping whatever he’s doing or anything else for Ohii-san’s whimsical sake. If Jun truly had issues, he’d have plenty of reasons to deny any request’s given.
But as is, he doesn’t.
And as this stands, Jun hastily confirms how afraid relationships are for him. As someone afraid of losing someone special, the special someone being Ohii-san, there is a fair chance this may not work out. Deep inside his psyche, the biggest fear would be losing Hiyori over something as silly as their current situation. There always will be a fear of losing someone you love, and that would be the worst, most soul crushing fear.
But having the reassurance, the words telling him otherwise will make the fear subside. It does as much when Hiyori begins speaking, telling him all the wonderful things about being one another’s firsts. (Or Jun, it’s really none of his business who Hiyori has been with before him.) ]
Mhm, I’m real glad all my “firsts” was with someone I love.
[ His cheeks burn admitting to it, and he hasn’t a chance to stop himself before the words come out. But meaning those words will never stop their meaning. Jun loves him, he knows this for certain. There is no point of him denying how he feels when being loved back feels like home.
It makes perfect sense for them to be together, with the happiness of them being together outweighing the rest. He wishes he could feel Hiyori’s rapid heart beats, the same as his own heart beats faster with each word. ]
We do make perfect sense together, so I’ll do my best and we’ll figure out how it’s gonna go. I promise I’m always gonna stay true to myself, I’ll never lose sight of us.
Yep, we’ll be even stronger back home, not worrying ‘bout what’s going on day to day. I’m also happy being here with Ohii-san, but we’ve got this shared goal of making it home.
[ He smiles, fondly, allowing his partner to lace their hands together. He stares back, rubbing circles across his palm and nodding. But he can’t help tease, ]
Have ya been reading some sorta shoujo manga, Ohii-san~? But it sorta does, except this is our life, so achieving the same dream sounds pretty good to me. ‘Specially when you’re the only person who can make me feel loved.
[ Yes, he couldn’t think of anything more romantic. ]
Edited (phone tags ruined my life) 2024-06-28 23:53 (UTC)
Is that so? Hmm, alright! Sounds easy enough to remember. "If Jun-kun complains, but still does it, then he's still the same old Jun-kun! But if he doesn't do it, he's not Jun-kun, whether he complained or not!" Makes perfect sense to me.
[Yep. He's still teasing. He doesn't actually mind if Jun complains sometimes. It's part of their back-and-forth!
But the teasing ends fast, because that "all my firsts were with someone I love" line completely decimates him.
He blushes harder, now. A fierce, luminescent blush. They've said the word "love" a few times now, but somehow that direct phrasing just does him in. Jun-kun said "someone I love." He has someone he loves and that "someone" is him.]
M... Mm.
[He struggles to even hum in response. His heartbeat is so frenzied that he's sure Jun must be able to feel it thundering.]
I still remember what Jun-kun said before. About wanting it to be with someone he cares about "deeply." So, I'm glad I could be Jun-kun's...
[He trails off. His voice is on the verge of cracking; this is so embarrassing. But maybe it's fine to get a little emotional. Isn't it? His secret love was returned. His secret fears never came to fruition. His worries that Jun would fall prey to the resort's corrupting influence, or he'd become jaded and cold, or he'd get hurt or used up by someone, or he'd fall in love with someone else here and choose that person over Eden and over him... None of that ever happened. None of that ever will happened. Jun is his.
And he's the one Jun loves.
Forget being on the verge of cracking. By the time Jun reaches the end, saying he's the only person who's made him feel loved, he's fully cracked. He might tear up if this goes on! Talk about embarrassing!]
... sorry, but I need to hug you tight for a bit.
[That's all the warning Jun gets before Hiyori flings both arms around his middle and squeezes hard, burying his face next to Jun's. He doesn't have a pillow to hug, but that's okay. Jun-kun's here, so he'll hug Jun-kun!
Being a replacement pillow is a job for his lover, after all.]
[ The logic seems sound enough, despite the teasing, knowing it to be part of their back-and-forth. But there are some truths behind the teasing, at least for Jun.
He smiles, fondly watching as the blush shows on his partner’s cheeks. Hiyori’s so cute that his heart rattles loudly beneath his chest, as if it’s thundering, almost done in by Hiyori’s expression.
Those words are for Hiyori Tomoe only, he’s the person he loves, the person he’s fallen in love with, and the person’s side he’s diligently stayed by from the beginning. ]
Well, being honest with you, you’re someone I’ve cared ‘bout deeply for a real long time. My feelings sorta took me longer to figure out, more than I woulda thought, so thanks for being patient with me.
[ It is fine for them to become emotional, and deal with the embarrassment later. But no part of Jun believes in it. Having your love returned, a secret love at that, feels close to something pulled out of a fairy tale, or shoujo manga. He’d rather die than fall prey to the casinos influence. Something would have to be wrong with Jun if he ever chose someone over Eden, Eve and, above all else, his beloved partner. Truthfully, he’s had the same fear, of being replaced by someone lesser, someone who would never be able to keep up with Hiyori, or take care of him the way he should be treated and loved. His biggest concern and fear would be losing Hiyori, and he never wants to have that come to pass.
This hasn’t been easy, admittedly for a person like Jun. Being able to recognise his love has been the best, most rewarding experience of his entire life. Especially after hearing the ways the person he loves, with all his heart, reacts. Hearing the cracking of words, watching the blush, he can safely say he’s committing the sight to memory, never wanting to forget.
But admitting those soft, sweet words are the truth. No one has ever made him feel loved the way Hiyori does, and further admitting the importance of his existence and love, has him feeling so loved.
Chuckling under his breath, he catches him in his arms, squeezing Hiyori tightly in his embrace. ]
Don’t worry, Ohii-san, ‘cause you can hold me tight whenever you wanna. Nothing would make me happier.
[ And Jun feels rather comfortable admitting outright how much he can and wants the warmth of his boyfriend's embrace. ]
[He's clung onto Jun at home before, treating him sort of like a squeeze toy. But Jun-kun usually doesn't cling back. So, this is a first.
He keeps his arms wrapped tight around him, remembering that time two months ago when they discovered the suit tattoos. After seeing Jun's tattoo for the first time, he was hit with a rush of anger and worry. He'd thrown his arms around Jun, promising not to let anything happen to him. Jun wasn't the resort's property; he still belonged to Eden, to Hiyori. That was the message he wanted to send.
But of course it went both ways. Jun belongs to him, but he also belongs to Jun. Hiyori changed the course of Jun's life when he picked him up, but Jun changed him in just as many ways. Leaving so many "marks," imprints that won't ever fade. Effortlessly endearing himself and making him fall in love.
He knew he'd changed Jun, but he hadn't known if he'd changed him like that. Now he hears that he has, as Jun confesses he's probably had feelings for him for a while. That stirs Hiyori's heart. Perhaps it makes him feel a bit relieved, deep down, too. So it wasn't just this place, these circumstances. Jun already loved him. Which means he would've ended up right here in Hiyori's arms no matter what. Isn't that right?]
Any time.
[He smiles a tiny smile. Jun can't see it, of course. But hopefully he can hear it in his words.]
I don't usually like being made to wait. But some things in life are worth waiting for, and Jun-kun's heart was one of them... ♪
[He closes his eyes, relishing the feeling of those arms holding him tight.]
So if Jun-kun ever falls behind me, I'll simply wait for you to catch up again. And then you can carry us both across the finish line ♪
[ Jun usually found physical contact difficult, unsure how to react when Hiyori hugged him. Normally, he would have pushed him away or responded with sarcasm. But this time, he felt no need to do either.
Instead, he clings back, revelling in the warmth of the hug, savouring the comfort their embrace has provided. It felt right to be open to his emotions, even to the point of wanting to cry. After all, the bond between them had blossomed into full-fledged love.
There's no doubt Jun has changed for the better. His mind, feelings, and very being have been challenged and transformed by this love, and knowing with certainty this is real, not a product of the casino's influence. Those feelings existed long before here, but not being able to pinpoint an exact moment when his feelings changed, knowing is enough.
Once Hiyori's done speaking, he manages a half-choked up laugh. ]
Even when I'm tryna say something nice, you're still making it 'bout you. Good thing I don't mind much ♪
[ As he closes his eyes tighter, the fondness grows even stronger, enveloping him in an even warmer embrace. ]
But my heart has always been yours, Ohii-san, from the moment we met.
[ Which means he would've ended up right in Hiyori's arms eventually, even if it took him forever and a day to confess. With a gentle touch, he tenderly traces soothing circles on the small of Hiyori's back, smiling softly, even though he can't see Jun's expression, either. ]
Good thing I don't plan on falling behind, but I wouldn't mind carrying us both across the "finish line" you're talking 'bout. We've made it towards our own finish line now, and I kinda prefer our ending.
[Ah. It's not just him. Jun sounds a little choked up, too. And here he'd been embarrassed by his own emotions.
It still feels surreal. For Jun to have felt the same way he did, just as strongly, all along. But he's past the point of questioning it. No more wondering if Jun's romantic words are a part of some fever dream, or a result of the House's manipulations: he knows better, and he couldn't be happier to bask in Jun's love.
But he will add one more thing.]
Mm. I like the sound of "our ending." But I also feel the need to outdo you. So...
[He pauses deliberately, smiling over Jun's shoulder, his arms still squeezing Jun tight.]
If I say my heart's belonged Jun-kun since before we ever met... then how does that sound? Fufufu! ♪
[He smiles and laughs, knowing those words probably sounded like a goofy sweet nothing, like joking around, like teasing. But he meant them in his own way, and one day he'll tell Jun just how sincere they were. One day.]
[ Nope, he feels just as choked up as Hiyori sounds. Here, they can be embarrassed together, even though feeling such deep emotions is normal.
He's relieved he and Hiyori have finally opened up to share their long-repressed feelings. For Jun, loving someone meant making them the top priority and being willing to do anything for them, even if it was sometimes irritating and prompted complaints. After much self-doubt, Jun no longer questioned whether his intense feelings were misguided or if the noticeable changes in their relationship were only a figment of his imagination. ]
Mhm, 'course you do ♪
[ Basking in Hiyori's warm embrace, Jun laughs happily. Yet, curiously, what could Hiyori's words mean? Were they playful banter, or did they hold a deeper meaning? Unwilling to bother, Jun takes his partner's remarks at face value, assuming Hiyori is only joking around. ]
I think it sounds pretty nice. So I got no choice but to accept, 'cause Ohii-san's saying something sweet.
[ He presses his nose into Hiyori's shoulder, words muffled as he smiles into his shirt. One day he hopes to know what it means, but for now, he'll accept. ]
[That's about the reaction he expected. That, or "What does that even mean?" But it looks like Jun's not in the mood to playfully bicker or make fun of him. Perhaps even Jun could sense that there was some real emotion behind those words.
Or perhaps not. Either way, Hiyori accepts it!]
Mmhm ♪ Jun-kun's got no choice but to accept my love. For now and forever ♪
[A reference to his solo song. Something that hadn't finished production before they got kidnapped. He's been refining the lyrics recently; maybe he'll sing them for Jun sometime. Maybe he'll do a lot of things. But for now, he'll just keep basking in the warmth of their shared love, until Jun goes back to doing whatever he was doing before or the staff member shows up to install the canopy above his bed.]
[ There's some interest in what Hiyori might mean, as it stands, he's not in the mood to playfully bicker or poke fun. Besides, to his knowledge, they hadn't seen one another until Hiyori came looking for him! But still, he knows how to read a mood.
And even when he finds out the truth, he'll accept it! ]
I'm gonna accept your love and return it! And, well, even if I had no other choice I would. Things just make sense when we're together and you're holding me, saying something nice like forever. And we're a forever sorta deal!
[ Because he may not be able to articulate it eloquently, but when they're together, everything seems to fall in line. He may not know about Hiyori's next solo song, though, he'll want to hear it. Whether the lyrics are finished or not! Accepting Hiyori's love was the first step, and he's ready to embrace and continue basking in their shared love.
Maybe they can't stay here hugging all day, but he's never going to let go of Hiyori now their love is mutual. Not while he feels safe and warm, hoping Hiyori can still feel the warmth of his love. ]
I don't wanna leave Ohii-san for a second, not while he's holding me tightly. But I promise once I'm done with my workout, I'm gonna come back and you'll have the privilege of holding me real tight all you want. For all night, if you wanna...!
[ Which includes kissing and anything else they want to do! He's offering himself up for the taking, knowing Hiyori will make him feel loved, no matter what. ]
[Yep. They definitely need to let go at some point. But he's not in the mood to yet, so he'll keep on hugging Jun! Hugging him, sharing warmth, and listening to his wonderful words. Words like "I'm gonna accept your love," and "We're a forever sort of deal." Hiyori won, basically. He won against the House, who wanted Jun to play the field, and he won against anyone else who might be interested in him. Now is the time to bask in his victory.
Though there may be one opponent remaining: the gym. Of course Jun has to go and mention his workout routine! But Hiyori's still so overjoyed he can't even tease or sulk about it. And Jun hasn't run to the gym yet, so for now, he'll continue to bask and to hear even more wonderful words. Like "You'll have the privilege of holding me real tight" and "For all night if you wanna"—
Er.
Wait.
That last combination of words makes his brain stutter to a halt. Did Jun-kun mean actual holding? Or was it an euphemism? If so, what kind of euphemism? Did he mean it the same way Hiyori sort-of meant it? Did he even understand how Hiyori sort-of meant it?! Should he ask?
Nope. Of course he won't.]
... great!
[He responds with enthusiasm! Though his voice might be a tad flustered.]
All night long, we'll hold each other! Sounds good!
[(In reality, there will be no penetration of any kind until the night after Weiss's party. But that's okay. There's no rush!)]
[ And he's not in the mood to leave yet, so he'll continue to permit the hug. Wanting to bask in their shared warmth and hoping this feeling never ends. "There isn't much thought being put into his words, only expressing what first comes to mind with how he truly feels. The feeling of love is genuine. Wanting to be with Hiyori forever is sincere, and there is no one else he wants to love in his lifetime. In other words, Hiyori won!
Jun doesn't fully grasp the meaning behind Hiyori's euphemism. But his was also sort of an euphemism! Maybe not in the same way Ohii-san sort of meant it. ... at least not tonight! Not that Jun quite understands he has permission now. Jun thinks Ohii-san means what they did together during that week, where they held one another, and uh, did those things together! But truthfully, he wouldn't mind them holding one another euphemisms aside.
... or confusion aside!
Wouldn't it be easier to come out and say what he means? Probably! Maybe he needs to be more clear. He half-thinks he understands what Hiyori is implying, but they're not yet ready to take the next step, even if that's ultimately where they both hope to end up. (The case being with the gifts received from the Flower Maze to "encourage" them.)
Besides, they will get there... one day! ]
Yeah! I, uh, also mean what we did during our week together. But 'course we don't hafta do it tonight.
[ He sounds nervous, admitting to having those thoughts about Hiyori. But he had them during the week, had them after and will always have them.
Maybe feeling awkward would better suit his tone; he's trying to avoid using words Ohii-san would consider "crude," but it's not coming out as he'd like. ]
Ohii-san, what I'm tryna say is... if there's an "urge" and you wanna feel good! Well, I'm saying we can.
[He actually said it, causing Hiyori to stiffen up with surprise. Which, well, thank goodness someone's trying to be an effective communicator. Hiyori's generally of the opinion that it's better to hint than be explicit; such are the laws of fanservice. But it's a relief to know exactly what Jun meant, and to realize they're both on the same page.
Even if it does worsen the blush on his cheeks.
He holds the position a moment, still with his face tucked next to Jun's, before drawing back enough to see each other. Jun's own embarrassed smile effortlessly endears.
Though "if there's an urge and you wanna feel good" isn't exactly sweet talk. It's clumsy and boorish-sounding! Yet it's also just the thing to lighten the mood.]
I heard you loud and clear the first time!
[Hiyori chides without sounding mad. On the contrary, he's smirking.]
But Jun-kun's not wrong.
[He leans their foreheads together again, lowering his voice.]
I always feel good when I'm with him. And I'm sure he'll make me feel ve~ry good tonight.
[ If he didn't say it, who else would? Jun wants to be 100% certain they're on the same page, even though he's usually avoidant about his feelings. They could tip-toe about what they meant forever, or Jun could get over it and say what he meant.
But even then, he can't stop talking. Because what if that's not what Hiyori wants? There's no indication he doesn't, which is only Jun's fear taking hold again. Sometimes he can't figure out what Hiyori wants, and in this case, he has been skirting around the topic.
Perhaps if Jun knew how to put it into better words, it wouldn't come out clumsy and "boorish-sounding." He's not the type to eloquently string together words, it's only that he's avoiding using simple ones. ]
Well, I never know with you. I just wanted to make sure we were thinking the same, Ohii-san, 'cause I didn't wanna make an idiot outta myself.
[ He laughs, despite being chided. Thankfully he can tell Hiyori isn't mad, and he feels better for getting to the point. At least one of them did! His cheeks burn, half looking up as he nods. ]
It makes me feel better hearing that, y'know? I'm still learning, but I want Ohii-san to feel good. I wanna remember the way you look forever ♪ And I'm gonna do my best tonight for ya, too.
[If Jun didn't say it, neither of them would. They'd be forced to go to Rinne or someone else for help with dirty talk. And that would be tortuously embarrassing, so Jun taking the initiative is truly for the best!
... Really, it is for the best. It means he gets to see Jun's cheeks burn, hear him laugh. And it means they're both on the same page about what they'll be doing tonight. Jun can stay over, just as he did during the Springtime game.
And just as he'll do for so many more nights afterwards, when his suite becomes their suite.
The look in his eyes becomes less sly, more gentle. They're still talking about sex, but Jun saying he'll do his best for his sake makes him feel all soft.]
I know you will. You're Jun-kun, after all.
[He closes his eyes, smiling gently, feeling truly happy despite of everything that's gone wrong these past few months.]
I'll do my best, too. To make sure Jun-kun can't take his eyes off me ♪
You know, this cost me a bit to do. In response to me digging around like that, I had to deal with a rather invasive feeling in my own mind, and got a terrible nosebleed.
So, before I share this, I'd like to make sure... You'll continue to share everything you learn with me, as well, right?
Why, of course! It's the least I can do. I'm not stingy with information like some people here are. As far as I'm concerned, the more people know things, the more likely it is that someone will find a way out. And then we can all reap the benefits, which would be just lovely.
Great. Then let me get to the points, as much as I can put them into words:
- The resort almost feels as though it's "alive." Not in the sense that you or I are, but in the sense that it's made of energy, both positive and negative. These seem to push and pull at each other. The negative energy seemed rather high when I checked, but I will have to look more into it to see if it's consistently that way.
- There are guests here that seem to be lost souls, or spirits. They're not like the rest of us; it's as if they're a blend of living and nonliving. That attachment yet separation, as if unware of it themselves, came across clearly to me.
- I can't quite tell what exactly the staff are. At least the ones I looked at. The ones dealing in the casino seem particularly suspicious. They seem to be sucking at the energy within all of us, including those guests that seem to be lost souls.
- Along those lines, the thing the replenishes our energy the most is most definitely sex. It's not solely beneficial to the resort, though it does seem to be pulling off of that, as well. Naturally.
- And similarly to that, the guests that have sex frequently are markedly different in their energy. Strongly positive, like the opposite of those casino dealers, even if some of them are lost souls.
[Goodness, that's a lot. And some of it's rather beyond him, as someone with no magical abilities or spiritual tendencies. Regardless...]
You uncovered a lot.
[He blew a fair amount of chips in April taking people out and plying them with food and drink for info. Each time he got less in return for it than Esikko just gave him for free.]
Someone else was speculating the staff aren't quite real. I always just thought they were regular people who had the misfortune of being brainwashed, but it seems he was right. I don't really understand what a "blend of living and nonliving" means, though. Or what it means to be a lost soul. Is that sort of like being a ghost?
As for the energy thing, that's what the first person who replied to my post said. That sex generates energy, which is why they want us to have so much of it. If that's the case, I'm not sure why we're supposed to have it with different people, though. Lying with the same person several times should theoretically yield just as much energy. And do you know for sure that nothing else could work as a substitute? I only ask because someone shared this:
[And here he uploads a diary page. One that Tomura shared with him on his network post.]
That line about "what it takes being dependent on the person" sort of stuck out at me. To me that would imply it runs on something else besides just sex. Though the part about some guests being "more valuable than others" lines up with what you said.
Naturally. It was a little difficult without spare organs, but I made it work.
A blend of living and non-living is exactly how it sounds. Someone who's died without fully passing on, for example. It's that same sort of feeling. Tied by something to this place, without a knowledge or care in the world that I can detect. Their presences felt just like this. So yes, a ghost, depending on your definition.
As for that line... It is a curious one, isn't it? I was thinking on that when I read the notes listed in your post, but when I was searching, it was quite clear to me that sex is the largest energy source.
I would wonder if they are after us for more than energy, with a line like that.
For example, those who had sex with many different people left a much stronger impression during my search than those who had it with fewer. This means that their souls were weaker, in a sense— that they were less positive, and more negative. Hmm, how else can I explain this...
Strength seems to lie in those who sleep around the most and with the most.
Are the "career residents" the ones who are like ghosts? By that I mean the ones who've been here a long time and act like they've been brainwashed.
[He only gets more discouraged as he reads the rest of the message. "Those who had sex with many different people left a much stronger impression?" First of all, how does he even know each person's bed count? And second of all, ergh! There goes his last resort! The one where he approaches the House and asks them to cut him a deal: no sleeping with 52 people, just sleeping with the same person 52 times, in 52 different positions or whatever! He hadn't really expected it to work, but if all they want is "energy" and the chance to voyeur, there's a chance they might have gone for it!]
Then it doesn't run on sex, it runs on promiscuity. Which is fine if that's what you're into, but I'm through with it.
[That's, er. That's not how he meant to phrase that.
But he's so distracted by other stuff that he fails to notice his slip-up.]
This still leaves countless questions. For starters, why do they let people rank up and down? If they want everyone to have sex with as many different people as possible, letting others change rank is counterproductive. You can sleep with the same person twice, once before they change rank and once afterwards, and it will count as collecting two "cards," or so they say. One girl even came up with a strategy where she and a group of friends rank up and down repeatedly to reduce the number of people they have to sleep with. Is that permitted, or is it not?
And this all makes it sound even less likely that they'll truly let us go home. I mean, just think about it: it doesn't make *any* sense that they would. There are only three explanations:
1. 52 is a magic number. It stops giving the House energy once you've slept with 52 people, so they let everyone go home once that magic number is reached.
2. 52 isn't a magic number, but they're perfectly happy to let go of valuable "energy sources" who've already given them tons of help just out of the goodness of their hearts.
3. The "we'll let you go home after you complete the game!" thing is a lie, and they don't intend to let anyone go. Everyone just ends up like J.
I'm most inclined to believe the last one. Unlike in a detective show, the simplest explanation usually proves true in real life.
As for what else they might want from us, I wonder if *that* has something to do with those suit effects. Half of those don't seem the slightest bit conducive to intimacy: things like having nightmares and acting violent towards others won't help you "collect cards." If anything, those will hinder card collection. I know that if anyone got violent with me, I wouldn't go to bed with them. I'd simply tell them, "See you in court next month!"
Which begs the question: do they even want us to complete the game?
I don't know if promiscuity is necessarily the key, either. This was one probing, so I'll be doing more. However, what was that about being over it? So you were once that way before?
As for your little list, I believe that none of these quite nail what it is that's happening here, though the third one is the closest. From what I can tell, anyway. This is purely opinion.
My opinion continued is that sex is vital, is key, but that this flow of energy may not be the only reason we are here. A method for battery, certainly, but a battery is not the main show of any technology, is it? The question "what does this flow of energy do for the House" is what interests me. I wasn't able to press past those energies before my mind began to ache.
The game, to me, must add something to the equation. Plans like this aren't run with any extra parts. Everything is placed out for purpose. Make sense to you?
I would've thought the answer is just that it allows this place to operate. Though I'm not sure *why* they put in the effort, since it doesn't seem like they're making any profit off the resort. It's starting to sound like this is just an amusement facility for half-dead souls or a holding ground for ghosts, and those don't sound the least bit worthwhile to me.
[There's a pause as he rereads the message again. He's still stuck on the part about people who haven't gotten around as much—how their souls are "weaker." And then he thinks about that part in the diary page again. "Some of us are more valuable than others."
.....]
About the guests who have "weaker souls" - do you think that has anything to do with why people keep vanishing?
I believe it's what you said, actually. There's no need to be so shy when I'm only being honest with you in return, you know.
As for your question, I think I'd have to know the moment when someone vanishes and look into it as immediately as possible. Not only that, but there are countless strings in a complex web tied throughout this resort, interacting with one another— the roots are too tangled to isolate quite in that manner.
So, I have no idea. There may be correlation, but it may be unrelated. All I know is that those ones receive less energy than is being stolen from them, and the imbalance results in a less robust or comfortable feeling.
He almost denies it. But A, what does it matter, and B, Esikko does have a point about honesty.]
It just doesn't really seem relevant to our questions about the resort.
[Says the guy who's prone to getting off-topic... but at least he dodged instead of just lying.]
If you do want to investigate that, I have a couple of names I could give you. Someone on that post informed me of two more people who've gone missing. Unlike Rinne-senpai, their names weren't listed in the registry when I checked. But it sounds like you've exerted yourself just getting the information you shared with me, so I won't expect you to do anything more at the moment.
[He's worried about that, too. Not that he was close to either of the missing people, but he liked one of them well enough. And if it can happen to them...]
I'm surprised you can sense who's slept with a lot of people and who hasn't, honestly. You don't have magic eyes that enable you to see through people's walls, do you?
But basically, everyone's having energy stolen from them - not just those who frequent the casino - and the only way to replace that stolen energy is by being promiscuous, as far as you can tell. Do I have that all right?
Everything is relevant. The types of people who come here, their history, their personality, their souls, their lives. They can all be keys to the puzzle. That's all. You can rest easy.
I would be interested in those names. I'd like to do what I can, even if I grow tired. I do have limited time, after all.
As for being able to see it, no, I don't. The spell temporarily revealed to be the web of roots, or strings, connecting this place, these people, this world. Reaching out and touching them would grant me information, tracing along them could reveal more— it's a bit complex to explain, but think of it like the strings of a musical instrument, since you're so musically inclined. Plucking those strings releases a note, and that note echoes and is answered back— you can tell what note it is, the richness, the tone, the length, right? And two strings, if harmonizing... Well, it's something like that, I think.
But you're mostly correct. Energy seems to be stolen most often on the casino floor, by those dealers. Energy is replaced by sex of any form, but those who have it more often and with more people seem more robust with it. That is the summary.
... Hiyori doesn't disagree with the first part. A good detective takes stock of everything (at least according to TV shows!). But he's just going to skip past that part of the text for now.]
The first one is Deuce Spade. Which sounds like a fake name the House would come up with, but it's actually the name his mother gave him! Or so he said, and he didn't seem like the type to lie. His username is @ spadesarewild. And then the second one is
Sorry, hold on a moment.
[After going back to some previous conversations:]
The second one is Azul, and I'm pretty sure he and @ mostromngr are the same person. If you do end up finding something out, let me know so I can pass it on to their upperclassmen. He seems to think they'll be alright, and it'd be nice if he was right about that, but
[He just has a bad feeling, since their accounts are no longer listed. He didn't have the heart to say that to Vil, though.]
So that's what you meant by "roots."
That makes it sound like anyone someone's been intimate with leaves a stain somewhere deep down. One that can't ever be washed out or erased. I presume it works like that even if it's just a meaningless act of "collecting cards," huh.
In any case, thanks for the summary. It sounds like everyone who isn't sleeping around should stay far away from the casino. Actually, I can't think of any good reason to go there either way, so we should probably all stay away. I doubt Rinne-senpai will listen, but it couldn't hurt to try!
[...]
I really do appreciate you sharing, by the way. I might have something for you in return tomorrow, since there's someone I'm planning to question. I don't know how reserved they'll be, but it's worth a shot!
I'll note these names. It sounds like someone else may be doing some digging as well, to bring them up, but if anything comes up I'll be sure to let you know.
( A genuine thanks does earn a pause from him, but he eventually manages to reply to it, too. Sort of. )
How interesting. I'll wait in eager suspense to see if you have more news, then.
He said he'd look for them, anyway. And that he already tried asking the staff, but they were just useless. Not surprising now that we know they're ghosts!
I don't have any new information yet, but that should change soon. First, however, I need a memory! Care to describe something that happened to you in the past? It sounds like it can be absolutely anything, so you don't have to choose something sad or difficult.
Though I wouldn't choose something mundane, either, just in case that bores her. Something that makes for a good story!
Someone on my post suggested that the owner of the Red Cardinal might be the woman from Victoria's diary entry. The one who'd been planning on opening a bar, and who said that "what the resort takes from each guest is dependent on the person."
I asked if she was the same woman, and that *did* turn out to be true, but she wasn't willing to share much because she doesn't know me. So now we're in the "getting to know each other" stage. And she wants me to do 2 things for her:
1. Eat her dishes for a month 2. Collect the memories of 3 guests and bring them back them back to her
She said all I need to do for the second one is have 3 people describe a memory. She didn't ask for a specific kind of memory, like "a childhood memory" or "a sad memory," so I guess anything goes. I'd try to choose something interesting just to be on the safe side, though.
I don't know for sure that she *can't* do magic, but she seems like a regular bar owner. That's why she stands out, really. She doesn't act like she's been brainwashed the way the rest of the staff do. But if you're still leery, you can always go with something that isn't too personal.
Or I can ask someone else, I guess. I'm good at talking to all sorts of people! I just thought I'd ask you since we're already sharing all this information. Plus I didn't get the chance to hear your "earliest memory" at the Hearts party.
( Hmm. Of course, nothing comes free. Hiyori's been sent on a task, it seems, and Esikko doesn't exactly want to stop him from it. Besides, he knows from reading through Hiyori's post that a certain bodyguard had leaked a little too much information already, so... )
Well, it won't be my earliest memory, but I will give a relevant one. There are some memories I could do without, anyway.
I remember snow falling on the side of my face being the first sensation after a long period of darkness and pain. It must have been the first snow of the season, but I was beginning to be covered by it. My body was bloodied, beaten and weak. I thought for certain I was going to die. I couldn't remember how I'd gotten there, in that forest, if I'd crawled myself or been dumped, but when I felt a foot nudge into my side, that spike of pain gave me an ounce of energy to look up.
That was how I met that bodyguard. He was peering down at me, looking surprised to see me move at all, and I used the last of my energy on a breath asking him for help before I passed out again. When I came to once again, he had taken me to a dingy little shack somewhere, but I was alive. Patched up and cleaned, even, as he was making food.
But at what cost? He's not sure what he expected to read, but it wasn't that.
A multitude of questions flit through his mind. But does he really want to ask them? And is now really the time? Probably not, so after a minute or so he just writes back:]
Thanks. That should work.
[And now he'll put the prince's unpleasant memories out of sight and out of mind!
... or so he'd like, but certain details are nagging at him. Remembering his Network conversation with Kirma brings up even more questions, most of which he does know better than to ask. But after another pause:]
[....... has anything ever gone right for this guy?]
If you say so.
It's fine if you want to reinvent yourself. I'd rather keep being me, though. And I'm sure you don't like being tossed around and forced to obey the House any more than I do, since it sounds like you already got enough of that treatment back home. So!
In order to make things better for you *and* for me, I'll just have to figure out what it is they're after. Why exactly they're doing this, and what exactly they value. Once I've solved that, I'll be sure to let you know!
I have a generous heart, you know. So I'm afraid there's just no helping how I feel sometimes. I'm not sure what lessons you were taught growing up, but my family always told me that it's our duty to help those who are less fortunate. That's what you call the principle of noblesse oblige.
Though I don't think they were talking about royals when they said that. Royals are supposed to be even more blessed. You're sort of an odd case!
(Continued from here so they're not just banging on Weiss's birthday post)
[He steps into the elevator alongside Jun and presses the button. At the same time, Jun strokes his hand with his thumb, replying to his banter with sweet words that make his heart squeeze. But he refuses to swoon or do anything embarrassing, no matter how surprisingly smooth Jun is these days. He just smiles and teases back!]
Fill it with even more thoughts, of course! ♪ If you're head's already full, we'll just have to make some more room in there!
[An answer befitting of the spoiled, selfish side he shows when he's with Jun. Though, in all honesty...
His own head is pretty full at the moment. Full of thoughts of Jun, that is.
The feeling of that thumb stroking his hand sends sparks of electricity shooting up his wrist. As the doors shut behind them, the atmosphere seems to shift: the air turned thin and shivery, goosebumps prickling all along his bare arms. Unlike at the beach, he feels underdressed now. Or maybe he's overdressed? He glances at Jun, sees that strong chest and muscular arms in his periphery, and something sinks in his stomach like a hot stone.
He remembers their kiss at the beach, the way Jun gradually drew him into his arms until they were finally pressed chest-to-chest, and he suddenly wants nothing more than to be that close again.
It feels like a hardship to even have to wait. And unfortunately, they have two elevator rides ahead of them, if the elevator that goes to Nami's suite can only be taken to and from a "special location." But they get where they need to go, thankfully without being interrupted by any talking portraits or deliberate "malfunctions." Soon they're standing in front of the door to his suite without having committed any public indecency. What excellent self-restraint they have!
But not for much longer. His impatience shows in how aggressively he opens the door, in how quick his footsteps are in his sandals against the floor. And as soon as they get inside the room, Hiyori more or less flings himself at Jun, throwing his arms around Jun's neck and connecting their lips in a kiss.]
( Fair!! I'm sure Weiss wouldn't want them as an early birthday gift. )
[ Honestly, It's best if he avoids answering, as they're already in the elevator, plus he was out to tease. Besides it seemed unfitting for a beach, having his shirt still on and thought nothing else regarding the request. And especially since Hiyori can take it off whenever he likes, he shrugs that off.
But it might be easier to focus if Hiyori wasn't constantly on his mind, making it hard to function normally. After their kiss on the beach, the warmth of Hiyori's body against his has left him struggling to think clearly.
It's a struggle to maintain self-control when they're alone, but they both seem to understand the need for restraint. At the end of the day, they are idols, despite the half-public kiss at Weiss' party. Both elevator rides feel endless, though he wouldn't dare complain out loud. Wanting to avoid seeming desperate, and needy while also wanting Hiyori alone is the key. But there's an itch, a need only Hiyori can satisfy.
Besides, it seems they are on the same page, he notices how aggressively Hiyori opens the door and he grins. As they've barely made their way inside, kicking the door shut, his arms move instinctively to Hiyori's waist, pulling him closer. He nibbles playfully across Hiyori's lips, hoping to convey his desire and hunger through the kiss, just as he had done on the beach. Already swiping his tongue across Hiyori's lower lip, wanting to mirror the same sensual gestures from earlier. ]
Mmm.
[ The only words worth mustering as the rest will come in a moment. ]
[Yep. They're idols. That's why he did his best to give a dazzling performance at the party, refrain from drinking any alcohol, and refrain from public indecency! ... mostly.
But, you know. Loving Jun-kun can coincide with their idol work. It hasn't dulled his love for their fans, and he's pretty sure the change in their relationship has boosted their stage chemistry, if anything. He just needs to remember when to conceal and when to let that love shine through like the ultimate weapon.
Right now while they're in private, there's no need to hold anything back, though. Not his love and not his desire, stirring hot inside him. Not how much he loves kissing his partner, parting his lips for Jun right away and making soft noises into his mouth, and not how much he loves feeling those strong hands grip his waist, that firm chest press up against him. It's not that he loves muscles! It's just, well... he loves Jun-kun.
And maybe he loves Jun's muscles when they're being used in service of him.
He pushes his tongue into Jun's mouth like he did at the beach. The heat from before is easily rekindled, the thrill of being out in public replaced by the thrill of being somewhere private enough to follow through afterwards. It's a fair trade. There's absolutely no need to stop this time; he's not letting Jun leave until he's satisfied!
Which means he's not letting Jun leave ever.
His breath comes heavy when the kiss breaks. Nudging their jaws together, he murmurs hot against Jun's ear.]
Jun-kun won't make me walk all the way to bed, will he? This one's the greatest challenge yet, but I'm sure you can do it ♪
[Carrying him from the door to the bed would beat any previous records. It's a greater distance than carrying him from the desk, or even from the couch! But Hiyori has absolute faith in him :)]
[ If he could say the same, life would be much easier. Though the thought remains, their relationship has seemed to boost their stage chemistry. If such a thing were possible! And tonight proved how important keeping a secret only they know can help boost their performance.
He brushes his tongue against Hiyori’s, granting him access the same as he did on the beach. It takes a matter of seconds for the passion to be rekindled, not as though it takes much for Jun. Honestly, Hiyori does have some sort of special ability to make Jun fall absolutely, head over heels, melting straight into him.
The thrill of being in private does add some heated thrill, knowing no one else can interrupt or watch on with ogling, judgemental gazes. Hoping the same might happen for them, or thinking they may be allowed to join in. Well, Jun’s allowed to be selfish, wanting Hiyori to himself and showing his partner how much he loves him. He’s allowed to let the love shine through, only for Hiyori’s eyes only, compared to the numerous others circling around them earlier. Now the love can be felt, focused on the person who has his entire heart.
His breathing is slow, heated as the kiss breaks. Running hands up and down Hiyori’s sides, his lips curves into a smirk, feeling the hot breath against his ear. ]
‘Course I don’t plan on you walking. That’d be bad manners, ‘cause I plan on doing what I was thinking ‘bout back on the beach. So I’ll be carrying you easy from here to our bed ♪
And just let me take care of the rest and remember to hold on real tight ♪
[ It’s rather important Hiyori has utter faith in him. Jun knows he can, also having faith in himself. And the enjoyment from carrying your partner to bed has a thrilling feeling of being utterly besotted with them. Which, quite frankly, is the perfect word for how Jun feels.
He leans down, only enough where lifting Hiyori becomes the only position he’s focused on. Making absolutely sure Hiyori’s arms are still around his neck, Jun pulls him up against his warm, strong chest, wrapping those strong arms around his waist. Beginning to walk forward, with one goal in mind, the need outweighs all else.
It’s true, Jun hasn’t carried him this far before. But there is a first time for everything, and he’s confident he’ll make it work. And what better use than carrying Ohii-san off to bed? It’s a workout and serotonin boost all in one.
Planting soft kisses across his forehead, Jun fully lifts him up, cradling him bridal style and firmly against his warm chest. It’s an embrace befitting of them, the one he’s held Hiyori in countless times since the first. Feeling almost close to a lifetime, their bedroom comes into view, with Jun pushing open the door slightly ajar, he kicks it shut once they’ve headed through. Placing Hiyori straight on the bed, he hovers over him, not wanting to let go. ]
You’re so beautiful, Ohii-san.
[ He murmurs, closing the gap between with a kiss. Slow but steady, nothing but passion being poured into the kiss and straight into the one he loves most. ]
["Course I don't plan on you walking," Jun says, like that's a given. As though it'd be such a hardship for him to have to walk across the small sitting area and into the bedroom himself. To most people, it wouldn't be. But Jun understands his duty as his partner and his lover, because Hiyori has him well-trained. Excellent! Good weather!
His stomach drops when Jun says that thing about "doing what he was thinking about." What might that be, Hiyori wonders? But he'll find out soon enough. Jun leans down, strong hands gripping his waist, and he hums cheerfully as Jun starts pulling him into his arms. Then he teases,]
Jun-kun already has a plan, hmm? ♪ I can't wait to see what he's been thinking of. Other than just "me," of course.
[He holds on tight as instructed, swinging his legs to make things easier. Jun's lips brush his forehead once he's fully swept off his feet, and he smiles, all too happy to be princess-carried.
Opening a closed door while carrying someone in your arms isn't the easiest thing, especially when that "someone" is actually a bit bigger than you, but Jun-kun manages admirably. He lays him out on the bed gently, a smooth transition for which Hiyori can't help but praise him.]
Good job. I award full points!
[He unwinds his arms but keeps one raised, his hand cupping Jun's cheek. His other arm and his legs fall down on the bed, lying underneath while Jun moves to straddle him. His heart quickens, a warm, excited thrum. Laid out on the bed like this, being looked at like that and called beautiful, Hiyori feels like some priceless treasure. Perhaps he really is a mermaid for the night, one Jun met at sea. Although they belonged to two different worlds (and really, Hiyori Tomoe and Jun Sazanami could be said to have come from two different worlds, too), they fell in love!
Though, he'll reject the part from the D*sney tale where he gave up his voice in order to gain legs. That's something Hiyori Tomoe would never do. He has his voice, and he intends to make good use of it! He'll swing as sweetly as Jun wants.
If Jun earns it, of course. But he will. He always does. And that's why Hiyori has absolute faith.]
~♪
[He kisses back happily, nudging their noses together and humming into it, both arms re-winding around Jun's neck again.]
[ Isn’t it a given? Having Hiyori held tight within his arms feels right, especially being well aware this is his duty as a lover! But you know, he’d do it even if they weren’t lovers, and has, so perhaps being princess-carried off to bed will be strictly a Hiyori-thing.
He gives nothing away, only the soft kisses against Hiyori’s forehead, smiling alongside the praise. Not yet turning down the bed, that can be done in a matter of seconds, as can fixing the curtain surrounding them.
Currently, Jun remains far too focused on giving his partner the attention he deserves, absentmindedly stroking fingers up and down that soft, comforting waist. With his other hand, he makes quick work of unzipping the vest, pressing their bodies together until the warmth of bare chests ignites a pleasant feeling pooling within the depth of Jun’s stomach.
Shifting his body weight, straddling Hiyori in a more comfortable position, he nibbles at his partner’s top lip, slightly sliding his tongue against the warmth of his mouth. One hand moves into the zipped-down shirt, travelling up the soft skin, stopping abruptly above Hiyori’s nipple. Taking his thumb and forefinger, he rubs against the nub, wanting to feel the hardening bud between fingers.
With Jun’s other hand, he keeps a strong, but gentle grip against the skin of Hiyori’s waist. If anyone were to take witness, perhaps they would seem right out of a D*sney tale. With Hiyori being a beautiful mermaid, Jun his human lover… Hoping no one might take away his voice, Jun wants nothing more to hear those sweet sounds which are music to his ears. (And besides, Hiyori remains a priceless treasure, one he’ll always treasure and lavish with attention.)
And being in love only amplifies the heated passion, knowing how intimate and loving Eve remain even within the throngs of passionate love-making. No one can take away their love, and it’s something Jun’s willing to fight for until the end.
He parts his lips, moving from nibbling, to gently sucking on Hiyori’s lips instead. ]
[The soft roar of the zipper coming down amplifies his excitement. Their bare chests press together, and he can feel Jun-kun's warmth. The heat of Jun's skin, the place where Jun's heart beats. Proof that Jun-kun is alive.
Jun's wearing less clothing, so there's nothing for Hiyori to take off just yet. He's still not sure what to make of Weiss asking Jun to take his shirt off. But no matter how many people saw him without a shirt at the beach (or the gym or wherever else), Hiyori's the only one who gets to touch! And right now he'll exercise that privilege by clinging onto Jun's shoulders, fingertips pressing into Jun's skin. No clawing or digging in with his nails (yet). He's not a wolf, he's a human being! Unless we're still going with the mermaid metaphor. Then he's a mermaid. And now that he's experienced the warm sunlight on land, it's unclear if he'll ever be able to go back to living under the sea full-time. He needs sunlight! He needs love!
He needs Jun to touch him more. Which Jun does, earning a soft noise of approval, muffled by their kiss.]
Nn...
[He arches his chest into Jun's hand, his nipple hardening quickly beneath Jun's teasing fingers. That and the hand petting his waist feel almost embarrassingly exciting. He likes being spoiled like this, likes Jun taking charge, putting his hands on him in ways he never would've dared back when Eve first formed and he shrunk away from every touch. Jun had no experience before coming here. But in almost no time at all, he's become a passionate sort of lover who can sweep Hiyori off his feet. What might have caused that transformation?
That's simple. It's love! Love, and Hiyori's teachings.
He really is eager to know what Jun has planned. Maybe a bit too eager. Unable to keep still, he lifts his hips to try to meet Jun, picking up his knees and bracketing Jun's waist. His head goes all hot as Jun sucks at his lips, and his hands move further down Jun's back, the dangly metal bracelets still on his arm pressing into Jun's skin.]
[ Jun is content to focus on showering Hiyori with the attention he had been denied within Nami's suite, rather than rush into physical intimacy. After all, while onlookers may gawk at his abs, there is only one person Jun desires to touch him, and that person is currently indulging in that privilege. From Jun's perspective, there is nothing to worry about! He murmurs a soft noise into Hiyori's mouth, feeling the dainty, soft fingertips pressing into his skin leaving him wanting more.
He'll accept any mark Hiyori leaves on his skin, even if it's not from his nails. Any bitemarks, bruises and what have you, he'll be glad to have maim him. It helps him remember they're lovers, and the times when they've been intimate are real.
The soft noise of approval causes him to grin. He brushes his tongue against Hiyori's, continuing to tease his nipple. His hand further snakes down Hiyori's waist, lavishing him as best he can. He loves spoiling Hiyori, wanting to take charge to show his deep love and care, and further wanting to hear his reactions. This is a far cry from his early days in their partnership, when he would never have touched without permission, nor been so open.
And it's true! Love and Hiyori's teachings have transformed him into a passionate, caring lover who constantly showers his partner with affection.
He pulls his body close, their hips almost meeting in a desperate embrace. Pulling away briefly, Jun opens his eyes to take in the sight - Hiyori's wavy hair splayed across the bed, the glittering eyeshadow catching the low light. The metal bracelets pressed into his skin, overwhelmed by a swell of heat as he felt like the luckiest person in the world, like a sailor who'd made the perfect catch of a siren's song.
The idea still planted in his head, with what he wanted to do with Hiyori, his hand moves to curve across his clothed backside. ]
Keep your knees right there, 'cause I wanna feel you rubbing up against me.
[ He murmurs, then dives back in for another heated kiss. Wasting no time, he pinches and rubs the second nipple, determined to keep them both taut as his arousal presses against Hiyori. ]
[He doesn't hold anything back. What would be the point? He knows his voice is pretty. And Jun-kun, the one who's making him sing so sweetly, deserves to hear it. It's just them in their "world of two" right now. ... And the House, watching and waiting at the ready to give them another payout, but we don't talk about that.
Anyway, he's patient. He likes Jun taking his time with him! But it's also clear how eager he is, given how he squirms beneath Jun's touch, making soft little sounds into Jun's mouth and wrapping his legs quickly around him. They're close as can be, but they can always be closer! That's his view, and he wants to feel as much of Jun against him as possible. Wants to keep kissing him forever, too.
Sadly the latter doesn't happen, but he's too caught up in Jun's eyes to protest when he breaks the kiss. That molten gold color spellbinds him, and his heart throbs at being looked at in such a way. Even without words, it's entirely clear what Jun's thinking: beautiful. Jun thinks he's beautiful. He can tell these things!
Though he'd never object to hearing it, either, of course.
Instead Jun says something else, but it's a little hard to focus as he feels that hand grasp his backside. That gets his heart beating even faster, as he wonders what Jun's "idea" might be. But it's not like that area's off-limits. So far he hasn't really found any boundaries, as far as doing this with Jun-kun is concerned. ... Unless "not on the beach at Weiss's party in front of everyone" counts. Apart from the crowd issue, that wouldn't have been as comfortable for his back! But, er, anyway, what was Jun saying...?
Ah, yes. That he wants to feel him.]
Mm, mm! ♪
[He hums back enthusiastically, keeping his knees there as promised. He kisses back enthusiastically too, though not before murmuring into it:]
"Desperately," right? ♪
[A reference to their first time together. Is Hiyori ever going to let Jun live down the words, "I wanna feel you so desperately"? Nope! Never forgetting those! But it's not like he can talk, when he's sliding one hand up the back of Jun's head and rocking his hips up against him while they kiss, moaning again softly as Jun toys with his chest some more. He can feel the outline of Jun's hardness against him and he likes it, likes rubbing himself there and feeling how much Jun desires him. Jun can have whatever he wants.]
[ He's glad to hear the beautiful songs from Hiyori, knowing he can't get enough of the sound.
They are patient with one another, and their rewards come naturally in due time. For Jun, it's difficult to rush into things, which is why he savours the experience and takes his time. The way Hiyori reacts beneath him only makes him want to move faster, to lose that carefully maintained control, just as he felt the first time. But that will come with more experience!
The way Hiyori's legs wrap around him feels like bliss, as they always do, he wants to feel more and more. His mind clouded with desire, yearing to feel even more of Hiyori's touch. Though countless words came to mind, none could accurately describe Hiyori's beauty. but there are plenty of words that he could use to describe how beautiful his partner looks right this second. Words escape him, pressing his body closer, grinding against Hiyori's in a desperate need for deeper intimacy. ]
Always ♪
[ Murmuring into the passionate kiss, he manages a muffled word. Knowing there will never be a time when he doesn't desperately want to feel Hiyori's touch. It may have been the influence of his suit talking at the time, but his suit was right; spilling out the words he usually wouldn't say had brought him here. Still, his head is clouded with intense desire, and the sensation of Hiyori's hips rocking against his only fuels the heat building within. Suddenly, they seem far too overdressed for this.
With one hand teasing Hiyori's nipples, the other slid up the back of his pants, wanting to remove his underwear. Pulling the fabric down just enough, another moan presses into the kiss as Hiyori rubbing himself against his hardness sends shockwaves of pleasure right where it hurts. The feeling overwhelming him, fueling a desperate need, he urgently tugs Hiyori's pants down, just enough where he can move his hand inside and around the curve of his now semi-bare behind. ]
[Ah, yes. This part. The one the commoners might call "dry-humping," but which the prissy Hiyori Tomoe prefers to think of as rolling their hips together like ocean waves. It's the part where he feels how much Jun-kun aches for him. The cute, needy Jun-kun, whose body is more honest than his words sometimes.
Though his words are pretty honest, too, these days.
Desperately, Jun agrees with him. Desperately, he pitches his hips forward, makes urgent sounds into their kiss, tugs at Hiyori's clothes. Desperately, Hiyori kisses him back, tongue twining together with his partners, hips moving like he's onstage giving some fanservice. Desperately.
He does at least keep them off the bed so Jun can tug down his pants and underwear, all too eager to feel Jun's heat and be touched by him directly. Which he is, but not quite in the way that he expected, Jun's fingers brushing in between his cheeks.
He pulls back from the kiss a moment, his breath already coming ragged and his voice a little loopy.]
Jun-kun's... touching me everywhere today...
[Not that he's protesting. It does give him ideas, though. His fingers wander down Jun's spine, one hand sliding over the small of Jun's back and then grasping his butt, which he uses to pull Jun in closer. Now they're even!]
[ Despite being a commoner himself, there is no way he'd ever refer to this part as "dry-humping," either! It's the part where he gets to show Ohii-san how much he wants him. Without using words, there's no need to when movements and body parts can easily showcase how needy the rest of him is.
As always, his kisses and movements are desperately needy, just as he agrees. Having Hiyori act as desperately, hips moving and meeting in a needy rhythm while more desperate, urgent sounds hum into their kiss.
Jun's touches remain desperate, as he hesitates, unsure if he should be touching that area or if Ohii-san would approve. Second guessing himself. Again his fingers brush the same spot, even more lightly the second time.
Can... I? I'm... allowed, right? I wanna make Ohii-san feel good...
[ Ohii-san's words no longer sound like a protest, making it increasingly difficult for Jun to articulate his own. His raspy voice gives way to a loud, guttural moan. Realising he likes Hiyori touching him there, eliciting a response as he's drawn closer, knowing they could always be closer.
Couldn't they? ]
But looks like... Ohii-san's getting handsy, huh~?
[Good to know that neither one of them will be using the phrase "dry-humping" anytime in the future!
Jun's touch ghosts across the area again and he feels himself ache there. An unfamiliar feeling, though he might've felt something similar when he was sitting in Jun's lap before, feeling Jun's hardness underneath him. Is that an aching to be filled?
He just doesn't know, because he has no experience in that department. He hasn't even touched himself there, though he's thought about it. Perhaps he should have by now. He's had the thought before that he definitely should, before they do go "all the way." It'd be tragic if the mood was spoiled by him having an un-cute reaction to something going in there for the first time, like "ow!" or "that feels weird."
But, he still hasn't, so here they are. It looks like Jun might be the one to touch inside him first. If that's allowed. But at the moment, he sees no reason to forbid it: not when Jun is asking nicely, pledging that he wants to make him feel good. All with a cute blush on his cheeks.
He continues to smile. His nerves are calmed by how cute Jun is being, how easy it is to tease him with touches and with words.]
Well, Jun-kun belongs to me. Which means I'm allowed to touch him wherever I want, pretty much!
[He punctuates this outrageous claim by squeezing Jun's butt. Which is sort of hard and muscular compared to his butt. ... not that he goes around squeezing or looking at his own. But if Jun describes his stomach as "squishy," he'd probably describe that as squishy, too! Despite official artwork making it look concave.]
But I'm also Jun-kun's partner, so I guess that means he's allowed to touch me, too.
[He pauses, then. His eyes holding Jun's gaze and his chest rising up and down, his pants and underwear pushed halfway down his thighs. He's exposed, no doubt about it, and he'll be in a somewhat vulnerable role if he goes along with what Jun's suggesting. But it's not like he hasn't thought about it. Or like he doesn't want it. The roles aren't set in stone here; they don't have to do it this way. He has more experience being on the other side of things. But when he's with Jun, well... he likes to lie back and be spoiled.]
I'm sure he'll take good care of me.
[He adds, his cheeks lightly dusted pink. And then, even more casually:]
Plus, I really want to accept all of Jun-kun at some point, so this seems like good practice.
[ He swallows down a small sound, the lump in his throat as the air rises with heat. Perhaps it’s because of where his touch ends up, knowing he, too, felt some way with Hiyori in his lap.
But, he hasn’t ever done this before, either. Not even touching himself there, Jun just doesn’t know what he’s doing. Something he does know is this: he wants to touch Hiyori there, all over and wherever he can.
Before arriving here Jun hardly thought about sex in any given detail, aside from the songs and innuendos Eden, and Eve sang about. He wasn’t to know how much or how badly he’d want this. That being intimate with Hiyori would make him feel good and loved, just as it should. And that he can’t get enough of his beautiful, cute and loving partner.
For now, he’ll remain patient, pleased to have Hiyori brushing against his hips. Knowing that they want one another desperately, posing a question which has been on his mind all evening. Jun wants to go “all-the-way,” which means he has the right idea to practice for when they do. That and, the want to know what they want is real, and so close.
Which not a second later, Hiyori punctuates with words and a touchy grab of his butt. His eyes grow wide, unable to stop the roll of hips while the hand ghosting across Hiyori’s own butt, digs into the flesh. It is squishy and soft to touch, the same as he recalls. Jun’s own hard and muscular, like the rest of his body. But the part of Hiyori that makes him ache most are the “squishy” parts. His most favourite parts! ]
Ye…ah. Ohii-san can touch me wherever he wants. And I’ll accept him touching wherever his hands end up.
[ Sinking in Hiyori’s gaze, watching how easily and effortlessly he can hold Jun’s gaze. How easily Hiyori gives him one look, and he wants nothing more than to take care of Ohii-san. The roles can always be reversed, whenever they arise and feel like they should. But right now, Jun wants to spoil his partner with plenty of love and affection. ]
Ohii-san, I promise I’m gonna take good care of you.
[ One thumb lightly presses against the warmth of Hiyori’s cheeks, watching as the colour shifts, dusting the surface. Of course it’s cute, watching and enjoying Ohii-san’s cute reactions sets him off. His smile widening, the blush spreading over and down his neck.
How can something be said so casually and turn Jun’s head into mush? He struggles to breathe, chest feeling restrained by a sudden wave of pressure by a few words. He remembers then, Hiyori’s pants are still halfway down his ankles. Hungry gaze moving from his partner, down his half-clothed body until it lands on his clothes.
Tracing back up towards his gaze, keeping them locked together. ]
I really want you to accept all of me, too. And I wanna accept all of you, so I’m gonna try… But you’ll tell me if it feels really weird or hurts… or you want me to try something different. Right, Ohii-san?
[ His touch moves from the clench, ghosting across Hiyori’s cheeks. Jun is nervous, his voice as shaky as his hand. There is an intense amount of pressure, wanting to be a good lover while learning. And he’s afraid of hurting someone he loves. ]
Edited (I pressed enter way too early ) 2024-07-16 23:24 (UTC)
[Jun pledges to take care of him, thumb pressed gently into his cheek. It's sweet, it's tender, and it makes him feel all fluttery again. It also calms whatever worries he might have had. He's never done this before, but he's in good hands when he's with Jun-kun, the boy he raised into an attentive partner.
Then he says the thing about accepting Jun, and he watches Jun's blush deepen, spreading all the way down to his neck. That, too, is sweetly satisfying, as is the way Jun's gaze flickers down his body. It's something he's found that he likes: offering himself up like a present and watching Jun's eyes turn molten with lust.
But that's just how things have gone so far: him doing the offering, Jun doing the taking. The roles can always be reversed. If Jun wants them to be. That's another thing they hadn't discussed. And when you don't discuss things, you just start assuming stuff! And Jun, well... he's on the manlier side. The one who sweeps Hiyori off his feet, both literally and figuratively. The sailor to his mermaid! Plus, Jun's sort of innocent, and doesn't have experience, and probably only knows the basics about these things. So, there might have been a part of Hiyori that assumed Jun would shy away from the other role. Or that he's always pictured himself in the "giving" role.
Maybe this will teach him not to just assume things. Not only does Jun tell him he can touch wherever he wants (including his butt, apparently!), but he also says something else. "I wanna accept all of you."That causes Hiyori's eyes to flare just a tad. So, what, Jun does want to do it the other way? Or, er, he wants to do it both ways, rather?
There's no conflict, though. Just a moment's surprise, before his smile beams even brighter. He chirps back:]
Mm! If Jun-kun does something wrong, he'll hear it like usual! ♪
[A teasing response. If there's anything Hiyori can be counted on to do, then surely it's complaining when he wants to complain, right??]
It sounds like Jun-kun's up for just about anything, so we could always switch to something else.
[An acknowledgement of what Jun said about accepting him, too.]
But I'm not worried. Jun-kun will make me feel good, I'm sure. I have absolute faith in him~ ♪ Especially when it comes to this, since this is one of those things that just makes sense for us. "Becoming one," that is.
[Two souls, one body. That's the motto in Eve. And Hiyori's eager to make it literal one day. He spreads his legs wider underneath Jun, sliding one hand down to cup the back of Jun's neck, lifting his own head off the pillow to kiss him. Then he drops both hands down to the bed, fingers grasping at the sheets as he waits expectantly.]
There should be some of that stuff from the flower maze inside the bottom drawer over there. I wasn't sure where to put it, so I just chose there!
[ It’s true, he hasn’t quite pictured himself in the “other,” role. He’s usually used to giving, not taking, which he doesn’t seem to mind. Taking care of Hiyori is his biggest priority, even from the beginning of their partnership. But the role doesn’t have to be set in stone, he only assumes this is the right way to do things! Besides, when Hiyori offers himself up, the way he’s doing so now, it’s rather difficult for him not to want to take Ohii-san as his own.
But he is innocent, especially when it comes down to them being intimate. It’s something to unlearn, especially when Jun curiously wants to learn how to appease his partner. There is nothing to worry about when it comes to Hiyori, but part of him still worries about the possibility of not being an attentive lover. Again, it’s something to un-learn!
Well, uh, he doesn’t know which way to do it rather. Only how they have been thus far! Giving the permission to touch as Hiyori pleases seems right, and Jun has no intention of taking the words back. His eyes already filled with lust, he isn’t afraid of anything anymore.
Eyes snapping up from his body, he gulps down a small lump in his throat as the implications become more apparent and clear. Knowing Hiyori is teasing is one thing, he’ll figure this out so there will be no need for complaints.
He slowly nods to the second point, as his blush darkens down the base of his throat. ]
You can see through me, huh~? I am up for pretty much anything with you ♪
[ Which is why he feels ready to take the plunge and start with something new. He hasn’t done anything wrong yet, but the first time trying something new is the hardest part.
And there the words are again. Where Hiyori says one more, ”One of those things that just make sense for us.” His own eyes flare, the nerves of before slowly seep out. Or could it be the slow kiss, mixed with words which slowly alienate his worries? Either way, the kiss lingers on his lips, as do the last few words. ]
I love you.
[ He murmurs softly against Hiyori’s lips, before there is a chance to pull away.
Right! The stuff they found in the flower maze… Now he finds himself feeling a little silly about his attempts to shield Hiyori from the bottle. Never mind that now! He moves over a little to reach for the bottom drawer, hoping not to move Hiyori or his legs too much. Reaching in, his fingers feel around, first coming into contact with what he thinks is the box of condoms. Feeling around again, Jun comes into contact with the bottle. Fishing out what he was looking for, he moves it to his other hand. With his free one moving to pull at the curtains, wanting their own privacy to do as they please.
Next Jun glances down, taking in Hiyori and the way he’s already gripping the sheets. The way Hiyori’s hair fans out causes his chest to ache with fondness. But for the time being, his eyes tear away, back to the bottle and glossing across the instructions. Jun’s never held a bottle of lube in his life, well, aside from picking it up from the box. Wanting to do this right, he opens the lid, squeezing the lubricant out onto his fingers.
Attempting to get as close as possible, he leans forward as his eyes glance downward to see all of Hiyori. Another blush spreads to his cheeks, moving fingers to slowly experiment against the hole. Massaging the spot should do the trick, or rather, something Jun might think instead of being bad mannered and inserting fingers right away. He sucks down a breath, a forefinger moving to tease around the spot, hoping to coat the outside with as much lubricants as possible. Against the other side of his thigh, Jun moves to massage the muscles, hoping to relax them.
With a glance upward, Jun presses one finger against the hole. Wanting to wait for Hiyori’s expression as he teases around, continuing to massage the area with slow movements. Still noting how soft his skin feels, almost as if he were floating. ]
[He keeps smiling all bright-eyed, pleased by the look on Jun's face and the blush on his cheeks, already feeling exhilarated even though they haven't done much yet. Simply getting on the same page about what they both want feels good. And he's also excited to be taking this next step, even if it's sort of a warm-up!
Jun confirming he's up for anything makes him feel pleased. But it's that "I love you," murmured against his lips, that really sets Hiyori's nerves on fire, really steals his breath away. He's still not used to hearing it, and Jun said it so passionately, so sincerely, that it makes him want to melt; his own blush blooming brighter, the look in his eyes gone all soft. He doesn't say it back, but he's hopelessly in love, too. And what a wonderful feeling that is.
Jun leaves him momentarily to fumble around through the drawer, Hiyori's heart racing with every sound. He looks up at Jun, wavy hair spilling across the pillow (and still wearing the hair ornament), his throat tightening as Jun draws the canopy around them, blanketing them in that sunset orange color. Never mind the House or whoever. It's just them in their own little world. And he can't see or think or feel anything apart from Jun. His gaze is hot and full of desire as Jun coats his fingers, the ache inside him intensifying, and even though he's never had this done to him, his body seems to know what it wants.
Which is Jun-kun, of course.
He picks up his knees, bare legs spread on either side of Jun. Fingers gathered in the sheets, he lies back and waits.
The first press of something slick there makes his eyelids flutter. His breath catches in his throat. It's all anticipation, no pleasure yet. But as Jun starts to rub around the area with two fingers, getting it all wet, well... that starts to feel like something. It's unexpected, is what it is. His cheeks burn hot from the attention, but it's not just his cheeks. Heat pools low inside him too, his cock throbbing where it lies against his stomach. And something inside him throbs, too. It's that area, the one Jun's fingers keep skirting around. He's...
Really sensitive down there now. Which is odd and just a tad embarrassing.
But is it a bad thing? He meets Jun's eyes, a soft sound coming from his throat. Jun's got one finger positioned there, ready to sink into him, but he doesn't do it. He's teasing! But the look on Jun's face doesn't suggest he's teasing. So, instead he's... feeling around down there? Getting him used to his touch? Being extra considerate and careful? Right, that's probably what he's doing. Jun-kun's never done anything like this before! He's trying to be a good partner, just for him! And he's looking at him expectantly, like he might want feedback! So:]
Feels like getting a massage ♪
[He just says the first thing that comes to mind, his voice warm and breathy and high. This is... probably not helpful feedback, but at least he sounds like he's in a good mood!]
Kind of like an oil massage. I saw an ad for those at that salon—a "couple's oil massage!" Maybe Jun-kun and I should do something like that sometime ♪
[Is it any surprise that, given the chance to talk, he'd start chatting about something that's only semi-related?]
[ Already knowing Hiyori loves him just as much, he doesn't need to hear it said back. Yet he yearns to express his own ardent love, to have Hiyori hear just how passionately and intensely he feels. Each time they're together like this, how intimate they are leaves him in a haze, his mind fully consumed by desire. Although being consumed by love can be overwhelming, it compels Jun to care for Hiyori in a uniquely devoted way. Despite Hiyori's annoying habits—talking excessively, being overly loud, and displaying fussy, needy behaviour—Jun loves him, anyway.
As his breathing slows and his chest rises and falls, with Hiyori's bare legs wrapped around him, the reality of their intimacy becomes palpable. Despite his already coated fingers and the first tentative presses against Hiyori, Jun's blush deepens with the gentle caresses and soft sounds.
He's not trying to tease, only to ensure he's doing things right. After all, he's uncertain whether Hiyori has experienced this before or done it to himself, so he looks expectant, seeking some feedback. Wanting Hiyori to feel good is his goal, and wanting to learn how to do this comes alongside it, while also wanting to be considerate and careful in a sensitive area. ]
A massage...? Ohii-san, I dunno—
[ Is it meant to feel like a massage? Gathering his response, Jun figures he must be doing something right. After all, he has been massaging a little down there. While the feedback may not be helpful, it is helpful to know that he is not causing any discomfort.
He keeps his finger in the same spot, gently feeling around to help Hiyori get more accustomed to his touch. His fingers remain calloused, but he's been using moisturiser more recently, so they're softer than usual. Living with Hiyori has its perks! Jun's getting more used to using proper skincare products again, rather than whatever random items found in his bathroom.
Despite the nerves he felt moments ago, he's growing accustomed to feeling around down there, just as he did the very first time they touched one another. Perhaps Hiyori yapping on about massages and wanting them to get some kind of oil massage helps; usually, he'd find Hiyori's incessant talking annoying. At the moment, it's calming his nerves and reassuring Jun he can handle this. ]
[ And while Hiyori continues rambling on about visiting the couple's massage parlour, Jun slides in his finger, immediately sensing a soothing warmth while half-wiggling around inside. Though only partially inserted, Jun gently probes around, stretching his finger as if exploring and preparing for what's to come. ]
Ohii-san... how're you still yapping on 'bout a massage?
[ He's not irked, but almost knuckle deep inside; how can Hiyori concentrate like this? Barely able to think clearly, let alone entertain the prospect of a couple's massage. Though he'd be more than willing to indulge Hiyori's wishes for one!
With his free hand, Jun leans forward and gently pushes Hiyori's bangs aside to make room for the seashell hair ornament. He briefly considers removing the ornament to prevent any potential damage but ultimately decides to leave it as is. In the end, he remembers Hiyori as the mermaid, captivating through his siren song, and Jun as the simple sailor, making the ornament a perfect fit.
As Jun stretches his finger inside, he curls it upward, feeling the warmth enveloping him. The smooth, slick coating lets his fingers glide in almost effortlessly, surrounding himself with Hiyori's tightness. Jun pauses, considering whether to insert more. Deciding to take it slow, he waits a moment, savouring the tightness as his eyes turn molten with lust. ]
We... we can do it, yeah~? We'll do the damned oil massage whenever ya want.
[ So much for trying to stay cool, calm and collected. His voice hits a high octave, sending shivers down his spine. Hiyori feels far too good as he wiggles the finger around, given they've done little else. ]
Edited (idk how to write today) 2024-07-31 10:25 (UTC)
[Maybe he should have done it to himself. He'd been planning to at some point. This is uncharted territory for him too, but part of him feels like it's his job to guide Jun-kun through this world, just as he guided him through dance and singing lessons. He's the older one, after all. He wants to be seen as a reliable cool senpai, and he wants to sweep Jun off his feet! Not literally, of course (that's Jun-kun's job), but figuratively. He wants to see Jun overwhelmed and awestruck, sort of like he was when Hiyori went down on him that one time, and to that end, he'd wanted to be prepared.
Still. It might just be a good thing that he never got around to it. If he had, the sensation of Jun sinking a finger into him probably wouldn't be quite so breathtaking, so sensuous. He gasps, mostly from surprise; after all the massaging around down there, it feels sudden. So distracting that he forgets to respond to Jun's jab about his yapping. But apart from "sudden" and "distracting," how else does it feel?
Strange. Though not in a bad way. It doesn't hurt or feel uncomfortable; he's tight inside, but his body doesn't resist. There's also a sense of relief. He was craving something there and now he has it, has part of Jun inside him.
Excitement and heat flare up as soon as he has that thought. As soon as he thinks it—thinks That's Jun-kun inside me—a strong, throbbing ache occurs throughout his body. His cock pulses, flushed red against his skin. And he's throbbing on the inside, too, squeezing around Jun's finger. It's almost overwhelming, how responsive his body is.
He exhales shakily, chest rising and falling. His grip tightens in the sheets when Jun curls his finger. That felt different, didn't it? Like it was edging close to something good.]
... great! I can't wait.
[His voice sounds even breathier now. It also sounds distracted. He's no longer thinking about the couple's oil massage as he focuses his eyes on Jun's face, a shiver traveling through him when he sees the look there: that undeniable desire aimed squarely at him. Just him, no one else. Jun looks hungry, and Hiyori knows exactly what he's hungry for.
A sly smile, and he brings his legs in tighter around Jun's waist, dropping his voice down low as he teases:]
[ Struggling to see Hiyori as the "reliable cool senpai" - most of the time, the senpai dynamic just didn't fit. In fact, Jun couldn't even remember the last time he had thought of Hiyori in that way. And right now, it hardly mattered; what mattered was how they both felt about each other, even if it was as clear as day.
Being with Ohii-san always felt like the first time, overwhelming Jun with desire and a deep, all-encompassing love. He wants nothing more than to shower Hiyori in the love and affection he deserved. Jun was still learning that part, but he was trying harder than ever before for the person who had taught him about the world and how to love.
Having Hiyori’s body react in a way that sent heat rushing to Jun's cheeks. The tightness squeezing his finger has him wanting more, and Jun's breathing grows more hot and ragged, as if he was having trouble catching his breath. Maybe the element of surprise had helped Jun become more aware of just how much Hiyori wanted him.
All he wants to do is continue exploring, attuning to every sound Hiyori makes, every tug of the sheets seared into his mind. Should he curl his finger again? The sheets were pulling tighter, so he decides to try it once more. The overwhelming feeling remains, the tight squeeze around his finger, and the way Hiyori reacts causes him to look back with a hunger in his eyes. ]
Ohii-san, does it… feel good? ‘Cause you feel good ‘round my finger.
[ He doesn’t need to ask, the reactions are enough for Jun to go by. But it’s the way Hiyori sounds; as if he’s distracted and breathier, and he’s quit yapping on about the couple’s oil massage—as if his breath has been stolen away.
Isn’t this what Jun wanted? To touch Hiyori wherever he pleases, and without judgment, or any doubt clouding his mind? What else does he want? It seems Hiyori knows before his body has caught up.
His gaze fixes on Hiyori, not wanting to leave for a second. The sly smile, how Hiyori draws in his legs tighter— Jun can’t help the throb of desire coursing in his stomach, nor the sudden throb of his cock pressing against bare skin. ]
Ye-ah, and what’s that~? Part of me thinks I dunno what I want.
[ He can clearly hear the tease behind the words, but right now he can’t find it in himself to care. Jun has Hiyori right where he wants him, so he’ll go along with it. ]
[He's cool, and he's a senpai, therefore he's a cool senpai! Obviously!
Though the "cool" part might be debatable.
Especially right now. He's trying to keep the upper hand, trying to tease Jun and stroke his desires further. But he's rapidly losing his cool as Jun continues to explore, crooking a finger inside him and stroking, looking at him with heat in his eyes and asking him if he feels good, all gentle and attentive and eager to please. When that finger curls, it brushes a sensitive area, and he sucks in a breath, eyes fluttering. It's not an intense, immediate pleasure, but it's something. Isn't it? All he knows is he wants to feel more of it.
And, eventually, even more than "more."]
Maybe! ♪
[He singsongs back, but it sounds high and flustered. There's more heat on his cheeks now, and the feeling of Jun's length pressing against him makes his own cock throb. His hips squirm a little, pushing Jun's finger into him, hands holding onto the sheets tight. But he still finds it in himself to tease.]
Jun-kun's thinking it'll feel good when I'm squeezing another part... right? When he's got something else in me... ♪
[(This would probably be more effective dirty talk if he could actually say the word "dick.")]
[ Press X to doubt! Hiyori can be the cool senpai in his mind.
Or just the cool part!
Perhaps it’s a good thing one of them is trying to keep “cool.” It’s safe to say Hiyori is stroking each of his desires and then some. Again, it’s helping Jun alienate the fear of not doing a good job. Seeing Hiyori, hearing his reactions and the way his body clenches around his own finger, wants him to continue curling, exploring and finding Ohii-san’s sweet spot.
Still, he’s never done anything close to this before. Not even on himself! Should he add a second finger? Push the current one in even further? It’s safe to say Jun is still getting a feel for it. What he does like is how Hiyori squeezes around his finger, and how needy he feels squirming against Jun. ]
Mhm, just maybe~?
[ He teases, sounding low and breathy. Loving it when Hiyori gets all so cute and flustered. The squirm of his hips cause Jun’s finger to slide in deeper, forcing him to suck down a breath. He knows it feels good, firstly feeling around Ohii-san and how he’s allowed it. And secondly, how can he talk so “dirty” with Jun’s finger inside?
With his gaze turning dark, the finger continues to explore, finding Hiyori’s walls from this new position. While it may not be effective dirty talk, it has the desired effect on Jun. His gaze turns darker with desire, length continuing to throb against Hiyori. ]
That’s…
[ Something Jun has been thinking about.
He’s secretly wondered what it might feel like, especially now after experiencing the way Hiyori and his body reacts. What might it feel like? Just as good as his finger, wouldn’t it? Or perhaps even better. The finger curls up a touch harsher, the desire clouding his thoughts. ]
… you’re just putting those thoughts into my head! What I think… I think it’d feel really good. Ohii-san’s cute and tight, so I’d wanna feel him squeezing all ‘round me. And I’d get to feel him squeezing me tight ♪
[ He throbs again, another curl of his finger while his chest flutters with excitement. Jun has no idea where Hiyori has got that from, though, it’s not off the mark.
… not far from where his desires were at. ]
Ohii-san wants it that badly, hmm~?
[ With a smile playing on his lips, he teases with little restraint. His finger continues to roam, eagerly exploring every inch of Ohii-san’s body. ]
[Jun sinks deeper, curls inside him, rubs right over where it feels good, and Hiyori lets out a noise that's somewhere between a whine and a moan. His fingers flex in the sheets, teeth sunken into his lower lip. It's good. It's different from being touched on the outside, but good. A different sort of pleasure, more indirect, but still stimulating, stroking the heat inside him higher and higher.
It helps that he has plenty of other stimulation, both visual and mental. Everything eggs him on and stirs him up more: Jun's teasing smile and teasing words, his dark-eyed gaze, the little stutter of breath when Hiyori succeeds in flustering him about what he wants.
No. About what they both want.
Jun goes with it, rubbing him insistently, confirming everything Hiyori assumed and then doubling down. He calls him cute and tight and Hiyori's cock twitches, another rush of heat coloring his cheeks. It reminds him of during the Springtime game, how Jun had called him "squishy and cute" while pinching his thigh, and something about it really excites him, that combination of the "cute" compliment and the lewd talk about his body. The truth is, he wants that: wants to seduce Jun with his looks and his charm and his body, wants Jun to capitulate to fantasies of having him in his arms, in bed like this, pliant underneath him. He wants Jun to desire him so much that he's a slave to those urges, wants to feed those desires until Jun can't take it anymore and takes him.
That's what he imagines, for a brief moment, even as he's barely adjusted to that finger: Jun, overwhelmed with want, grabbing him by the hips or by the waist and sinking into him. The look on Jun's face when he does it, when he experiences a pleasure unlike anything he's felt. Jun is right about him.]
Only as... ah...
[Jun hits that good spot again and he moans, for real this time, his eyes going unfocused.]
O-Only as much as Jun-kun does.
[Which means he does want it want badly. After all, Jun clearly does. He hugs his legs around Jun's waist, hanging onto the sheets, managing to tease some more even as Jun's actions threaten to unravel him.]
Once I have all of Jun-kun, I'll hug and squeeze him tight ♪
[ Revealing the way Hiyori sounds, he lets out a breathy laugh, all filled with desire. With each movement, Hiyori feels deliciously tight around his probing finger, sending his brain haywire. Each shallow exhale tingles against Jun's skin, a delicate contrast to the warm, tight embrace as he continues exploring. Having the squeeze of Hiyori's thighs guided his finger in with ease, despite his initial hesitation before plunging deeper.
He can't shake the overwhelming sensation that his finger is inside Hiyori, that he's touching his partner in a way he never has before. Almost struggling to keep it together, he can't help but continue his playful touch and playful words, which inadvertently help Jun maintain composure. It's obvious in the way he stutters Hiyori has succeeded in flustering him, as the rubbing inside becomes more earnest and almost desperate. It hardly helps that Hiyori keeps talking, and Jun has half a mind to take what they both want. It's the same thought he had when they first touched one another; he wants Hiyori for his own selfish reasons: "It's what you want, isn't it?" The voice said the same thing back then as it does now.
Despite the temptation, he resists the urge to give in to his fantasies, determined to keep a level head. It feels all too real to have Hiyori beneath him, all needy and ready to give in to him. His eyes drift half-shut as he watches Hiyori's features contort with pleasure when Jun hits that sensitive spot. Hasn't he already become a slave to those urges? Better yet, a slave to Hiyori, as he's been seduced, taken in, and left wanting more. Having those fantasies, Jun's cock twitches and presses upward as he subtly rolls his hips in rhythm with the finger's movements.
Gaze fixed intently on Hiyori, his mouth half-open as he bites down, shivers sending down his spine hearing the beautiful, breathy moan. The one that forces Jun to curl his finger harshly, wanting to feel every inch, crevasse, and point of where his finger can reach. ]
Q..quit it, Ohii-san. You're making me want you even more.
[ His tone is a little stern, only because he's meant to be the responsible one. He wasn't meant to give in to those urges, not like this. A breathy moan spills past his lips, having Hiyori hug tight again, the heat leads straight to his cock.
His breathing becomes short as he manages to press a soft kiss on Hiyori's temple, overcome with a desire he can't quite quench. His thumb outlines the rim of Hiyori's hole, tempting him to slide another finger inside to quench the desire to slide something else inside. ]
Goddamn... Fuck...
[ Even though Hiyori has admitted to wanting this just as badly, he can't bring himself to act on it. Jun's finger twitches with the urge to grab him, still fighting the impulse, trying to suppress the overwhelming want Ohii-san's stirring within him. Better yet, he needs to find a way to rid himself of this sense that Hiyori is pushing him dangerously close to losing control. ]
You're so goddamn insufferable, you know that? I want it so goddamn badly, Ohii-san, and I'm boutta lose control.
[ Evidently, his favourite word continues to slip past his lips. ]
[He laughs, smug and satisfied and excited. Being wanted by Jun even more sounds like the opposite of a problem to him. On the contrary, that sounds exactly like what he wants; even if Jun's desire drives him absolutely crazy, Hiyori will still feel no remorse.]
Good! ♪ Jun-kun's head should always be full of thoughts of m—
[He doesn't quite finish the smug, cheerful retort. His voice cuts off on a gasp as Jun curls his finger, followed by a whimper as Jun grinds harshly into him.]
Mm!
[His vision whites out behind his squeezed-shut eyelids. The rubbing wasn't targeted; Jun just got lucky. But it felt so good he can't help but crave more, so good that it makes him as desperate as Jun clearly is.
Jun bows over him, kissing his temple, and his insides ache and ache. He feels Jun's thumb circle his rim, and the teasing touch makes him throb against his own stomach. He wants...]
J...Jun-kun.
[What does he want? His head feels dizzy, his fingers clutching the sheets like he's trying to hold on for dear life. He wants Jun to put more in him, he thinks, maybe. He wants Jun to touch that good spot again. He wants Jun to make good on his threat and lose control of himself. Even if it hurts, at least they'll be together as one. ... or so he thinks to himself in the heat of the moment, but if he actually did get hurt, he wouldn't be so happy and forgiving. Jun really is the responsible one here.
He breathes out,]
More...
[It sounds like a plea. Even though of course he'd say the great Hiyori Tomoe never pleads. His hips grind into Jun's hand, trying to make him hit that spot again, while his head tilts back, baring his throat. He's flushed all the way from his ears to his neck, lips parting as he breathes audibly.]
[ He's teetering on the edge of losing control, desperately wanting to take what he desires and make Hiyori lose control as well. At the moment, this may seem like the opposite of a problem with Hiyori. But would he still feel this way if Jun were to completely lose restraint?
Just when Jun got lucky, right as he discovered a new angle that wiped the smug retort off Hiyori's face. Consumed by a haze of desire, he craves to hear Hiyori whimper beneath him. But Hiyori doesn't even need to finish his gloating retort since Jun's mind is constantly consumed by thoughts of him and his silly, little whims. ]
Ye..ah, whatever you want.
[ In a shaky voice, he murmurs into Hiyori's temple, sensing his desire for more. Determined to please, Jun takes a deep breath and uncurls his finger, no longer teasing with his touches. He wants to voice his needs, but hesitates, fearing he may not do enough or inadvertently hurt Hiyori, being so focused on his pleasure.
As Hiyori's hips ground against his hand, his finger curls instinctively. He peers down, watching the unblemished skin of his bare throat, and further watching Hiyori's lips part. Shifting slightly, he moves his thumb away, pressing the tip of his pointer finger against the delicate rim instead.
Hesitant, he decides against pushing forward, wanting to ensure this is truly Ohii-san's desire for more. Instead, he lowers his head, pressing a soft kiss to Hiyori's neck, breath hot and ragged, he still hesitates. ]
Listen, what d'you, uh, want... more of?
[ So much for giving Ohii-san "whatever he wants."
It does sound something close to a plea, but Jun, still so unsure, needs to know. Despite having his finger deeply inserted, the warmth enveloping him, Jun's maintaining a clear and focused state of mind. .. or as much as he can. He's overthinking again, lost in the depths of pleasure, and wanting to be a good, attentive lover. The uncertainty in his voice is clear, but Jun wants to get this right. ]
Can.. didja want me to use another finger or is it good with one?
[Jun's finger curls right into where he needs it most, and he lets out a soft near-whimper—almost granting Jun's wish. The way Jun swaps his thumb for his forefinger strokes Hiyori's excitement higher, and the sweet kiss calms his nerves. Jun's about to give him "more" and soon he'll feel even better.
Just as soon as Hiyori clarifies what "more" is.
Hiyori's eyes blink open (when had they fallen shut?) and he stares dazedly at Jun. From the drunken flush suffusing his cheeks to the intoxicated look in his eyes, his desire is clear as day. But it's still hard to ask for what he want specifically, since he's never been touched there before. Things would be so much easier if Jun could read his mind (or his body, rather) and figure it out for him.
But he won't make any quips about how Jun "should always know what he wants, because they're partners." As Jun's partner, it's his job to give direction.
He nods a little after making up his mind.]
I can take more.
[Finally releasing the sheets, he embraces Jun, looping his arms around his neck while he squirms against his hand again.]
Right where Jun-kun was touching me before. If you press two there, I have a feeling it might feel twice as good. So, try that! ♪
[ Hiyori's soft sounds cause his chest to convulse, wanting to press up even more against him. He feels like they're almost one, like this, feeling all of Hiyori and wanting to feel even more. It does make him nervous, not knowing what Hiyori wants, at least not right now.
Maybe the more they engage in this, the better they’ll understand each other’s desires. He releases a soft whimper as Hiyori’s eyes flutter open, the intense, dark gaze making his pulse race. Jun's beginning to understand, from feeling the way Hiyori clenches around his finger to the desire painted across his face. It’s slow, a result of their inexperience and fear of hurting Hiyori. But now he gets it, with his heart racing a mile per minute, exploring more and more. Future Jun will know; he'll read the atmosphere (and Hiyori's body) and figure it out.
That's the kind of attentive lover he wants to be. ]
Yeah, alright. I got it.
[ He’s nearly breathless, the words hanging in the air long after they’re spoken. As he shifts his body, the warm arms encircling his neck make him feel more connected than ever. The tip of his finger presses in, and it’s difficult to discern his emotions. With Hiyori here, telling him he can handle another, his nerves begin to ease up. ]
You're so warm, Ohii-san. I promise to make ya feel twice as good ♪
[ He mumurs, repeating some of the words back. It's true, Jun does want to make him feel "twice as good." And shouldn't that be a given? Having the validation helps; things will get better, and he'll learn how to do this properly. Hiyori looks so beautiful like this, expression hazy and unfocused. Completely mesmerised, he slides his finger in, inch by inch. Slow, but not too slow, wanting to find the same rhythm and spot from earlier. ]
[Jun presses in with the tip of another finger, and he clings tighter, holding onto him for comfort and warmth. Jun sounds more confident now, which makes his heart throb. But beyond that, he sounds sweet. A devoted lover, promising to make him feel even better.]
Jun-kun, too. Jun-kun's also...
[Warm. But his voice trails off on an intake of breath as Jun slides another finger into him.
The stretch is wider, something he can really feel this time. He's flushed all the way down to his chest, his arms shifting restlessly around Jun's neck while he focuses on the feeling. It's not a mathematical equation—it doesn't automatically feel "twice as good" to have two in him. That spot inside him is small enough that it only takes one finger to rub, anyway. But having more of Jun does bring pleasure, both physical and psychological. He feels like he's being prepared, opened up so they can become one soon, and when Jun shifts his hand and crooks his finger in search of that one spot that drives him wild, he moans again and rocks his hips.]
Mm...
[His vision's all blurry. Jun's doing what he asked of him and it feels good. There's no criticism to be had. But he can always ask for more. He's the ever-greedy Hiyori Tomoe, after all, who never hesitates to give demands.]
Jun-kun should keep touching there. But my lips might get lonely, so he should kiss me, too! ♪
[Does he have the coordination to do both? Hopefully if Hiyori asks for it, he will.]
[ Seeing Hiyori's reactions gives him much-needed confidence, wanting to ensure he's getting this right. By the sounds of it, and feel, he seems to be hitting all the right spots. Longing to forever commit this moment to memory, Hiyori's laboured breathing, the struggle to finish his sentences... The feeling of him squeezing around Jun's fingers, leaves him wanting to do more. ]
You're so pretty like this... All cute and flushed, and not finishing what you wanna say.
[ Lost in the moment, Jun murmurs without thinking, allowing those words to be set free, taking over. As he draws Hiyori closer, using the second finger to gently stretch and open him up, a deep desire awakens within Jun. Wanting to push the boundaries and see how much more Ohii-san can take, there's an eagerness to commit the image to memory. But he does as Hiyori wants, continuing to rub at the same spot as earlier, curling his finger once he finds the exact spot again.
The intense heat against his fingers sends his brain into a frenzy, and Jun's entire body shivers in anticipation of the pleasure Hiyori must be feeling. Hiyori's hips rock against his own, his finger sliding in further, a near guttural moan escaping as his second finger moves in and out, still massaging the first. Jun's painfully hard and straining, desperate to keep feeding Hiyori more and more pleasure until it becomes overwhelming. ]
Promise I'll keep at it 'til ya want me to stop. 'Cause no part of me's planning on it, not while Ohii-san's bein' real greedy, cute and demanding. But if parts of Ohii-san feel lonely, I'll just pay 'em some attention, too!
[ He's unsure if he has the coordination for both. Paying attention to multiple parts of Hiyori might prove a bit challenging. But just because something's difficult doesn't mean he won't try it. Pressing his hips down, he hovers over Hiyori, taking in the familiar sight. His heart skips a beat as he leans in and firmly presses his lips against Hiyori's, the familiar taste causing Jun to whimper his name. ]
[Heat rolls through him in pleasurable waves, his heart throbbing steadily. His excitement intensifies when Jun calls him pretty and cute—two hits of pleasure that feel just as good as each prod of Jun's fingers. It's so good, being desired like this. So good being loved.
He moans louder, clings tighter, as Jun rubs inside him and nudges the same spot again. What can he do except hold on? The thought of demanding more proper relief—telling Jun to take his neglected cock into his hands—doesn't occur to him. There's a part of him that demands he try to come from just Jun's fingers. Or that he at least savors the feeling of Jun inside him for longer. Or maybe, just maybe...
His thoughts die out when Jun speaks to him again, calls him cute, promises to pay him attention all in that voice he loves so much. "Not good," Hiyori thinks—even hearing Jun speak feels pleasurable now. Which means he's absolutely done for. How can he go back to normal after this? How can he hope to conceal his feelings? Every time they're onstage together from now on and he looks at Jun-kun, or every time they're on a talk show and he hears Jun talk, his love will jump right out. It'll probably be written all over his face. A serious problem, but there's no helping it.
Still with that confident look, Jun swoops down to kiss him as instructed. His body presses down, too, cock nudging into Hiyori's hip, all hot and hard just for him, and he moans into Jun's mouth, torn between thrusting into his hand and wriggling up against him. His nails press into the skin of Jun's shoulder blades. What if he tells Jun to put it in him for his next demand? So they can feel good together? What's the worst that could happen?
Ah, but then he rolls his hips to meet Jun's body, to get more from his fingers and feel more of him pressing down, and his cock throbs dangerously. Just that little bit of friction puts him so much closer to the edge. It's unfair, how sensitive his body is. What should he do?
Try to drag Jun down with him, that's what. To make him just as desperate as he is.
Hiyori moans against his lips, the noises sounding a lot like "Jun-kun," while his hands slide down Jun's back, stopping at Jun's hips. He grabs them, pulls Jun down against him, while at the same time wriggling upwards, grinding their hips against each other and lining up their bodies. His insides clench tight around Jun's fingers, sucking them in, while his body throbs underneath him. And even if Jun's not inside him with his cock, they're still so closely entwined on the bed that it really feels like they are one—one tangled mass of limbs, drowning together in pleasure. Like the mermaid he fancies himself as, he'll lure his target underneath the waves with his siren song.]
[Well he sure wasn't kidding about it being unpleasant!
Hiyori already (sort of) knew about the murder-having-no-consequences thing, but that had been about a guest killing a staff member. The rest is new. It takes a second for him to process all... that.]
Just to be clear, this is about a guest killing another guest, correct? Someone like you or I, and not one of those "lost souls," right?
I know you said you won't give your source, but that sounds a bit fishy. [Or more than just a bit.] This isn't something you witnessed yourself, is it? You heard about it secondhand from someone?
And what does that part about "still being part of the game" mean? Just that the victim's name wasn't taken off the registry?
I wouldn't be repeating it if it was merely a rumor. I witnessed it, if you must know, but I won't discuss details further than that. I have to look out for myself, you understand.
As for that, well... their cards can still be earned. I suggest you trust me on that without elaboration, as well.
You're starting to sound like a magnet for misfortune!
Unless it was at the Roost. That's the only place I've been where I can see myself walking into a crime scene accidentally. You can at least say where it happened, right?
[And now for the second part. Hiyori blinks at the screen a moment, unsure what Esikko is even implying at first.]
[Not that he didn't already know that. But if anything drove that point home, it'd be this.]
Were you the only one who saw? I don't like the thought of this getting out. If everyone knows they can act as violently as they please, there's no telling what might happen.
You're not the first person who's told me there aren't consequences, though. So on second thought, it might be too late.
( Hm. Sorry again, Hiyori, he might have already let it slip to a few people. )
Aside from the killer, yes. That's why I can't exactly say anything. I should hope you'll be careful before spreading this around, either. Spread the facts as I listed them without talking about hearing about someone getting murdered, if you can. I don't want it traced back to my information.
But I have heard others mentioning that death isn't permanent here, so it may not be the first time, indeed.
I know you already have enough problems without worrying about the killer tracking you down, [and doing god-knows-what with the corpse— no, no, NOPE, not thinking about it!!!!!!] so I don't really blame you.
I just hate that we can't even trust each other. Uniting against a shared enemy isn't possible when there are people like that in our midst.
Sorry. I said "person," but I meant to say "subhuman scum." Or "monster."
It does feel wrong not to warn people that there's someone like that on the loose. But that would also spread distrust and cause panic, which could lead to other issues. I'm not sure what the answer is.
Anyway, the incident I heard about involved a guest killing a staff member. The person who told me said it was an accident. I'm not sure that was true, though. He wouldn't tell me the killer's identity either, so I assumed he was covering up for a friend. Unless he did it himself, and it was one of those "I'll say this happened to a friend of mine, even though it really happened to me!" sort of deals.
He didn't say anything about the staff member coming back to life afterwards, but he did say the culprit received no punishment. He also thought the staff might not be fully alive to start with. You sensed that they're something other than human yourself, correct?
( Ouch. He can't exactly defend himself when he brings it forward like this, no honesty at all in his sharing, but. He doesn't exactly want to, either. There's never been any reason to explain his own thinking, his own reasoning, his own circumstances, and so why should this be any different? )
Right. Somewhere between alive and dead. I wonder if that changes anything...
I questioned the doctors after the person came back to life, and was met with the explanation that they "never died in the first place," that this doctor performed life saving surgery. This is absolutely a lie, I can tell you this much. I saw it with my own eyes. I checked for a pulse. There was nothing.
So you saw the murder happen, [watched the killer do something unspeakable to their corp—no, no, no no no no no, not thinking about it!!!] waited until the killer fled the scene, checked the victim's pulse, and hauled them off to the clinic afterwards?
[Goodness.]
I'm surprised you managed all that. You must have been spent.
They love lying to us. That's nothing new. But it's odd to think they'd try to downplay their own abilities. If they truly can revive people, you'd think they'd want all the credit for it. That's what you call the ability to perform miracles, after all.
Which just leads me to wonder what's really going on. Could you tell what shape the victim's soul was in afterwards? They hadn't become a "lost soul" or anything like that, had they?
So much for the theory that you wake up in your home world after you die here. Guess we can safely throw that one out.
[He sighs with frustration over on his end.]
I don't know what to say to all that. I guess it's all the more reason to think they won't let us leave, even if we complete "Game 52." Even death doesn't free us. In that sense, this place is more of a jail than an actual prison would be.
[...]
I'm worried that at this rate, we'll be stuck here indefinitely. That we won't *ever* get home.
Oh, don't sound pathetic like this. I just know you're making a face that doesn't suit you.
We can get home. There's always "a way," it's just a matter of finding it, or creating it. I've been working where I can with my magic, testing its limits and the limits of the House itself. So relax a little.
[Called out...! He touches a hand to his face, which is, in fact, frowning. Something he always tells Jun not to because it'll give him wrinkles!]
So the House *does* have limits, then.
I guess we already saw those during that Clubs business the other month. "Clubs" doesn't seem much better than the House, though, since they also want us to play gross games where the loser suffers penalties. But if we found some way to pit them against each other again, maybe that could help? "While our enemies were busy destroying each other, all the hostages snuck out!"
^ That's the sort of ending I'd like.
Anyway, I haven't lost all hope. Things just seem to be growing worse is all. First there were more disappearances, and now there's some disgusting killer on the loose. Jun-kun and I also have birthdays coming up, which would normally be cause for celebration, but I'm worried we'll get cursed like Rinne-senpai. They have a way of sucking all the happiness out of things here.
Still, you're absolutely right: I do look much lovelier with a smile on my face. For my sake, as well as my fans' sake, I'll do my best to remember that.
In any case, the suits seem to be in constant conflict already, fluctuating by the day and hour. The last I checked, clubs had a lead of sorts, so those sort of incidents may just be culminations of collected energy from the struggles?
All these conflicts sound stupid to me. I really don't care *who* takes charge. Unless it's your suit and they all say, "We don't like this 'Game 52' business since it gets in the way of true love, which we support as Hearts, so we're getting rid of it!" That would make things more bearable, anyway.
But good luck with that. I've finished eating that woman's dishes for a month, and I have three memories to share, so I should be getting something from her soon.
Ahh, right. I'll look forward to hearing from you on that, then, Hiyori.
But I feel it worth mentioning in one more way: think of these conflicts as something like an hourglass. In order for one side to be full, the other has to be drained. You know? Most things in life are like this, and this place seems no different.
Well, I suppose it doesn't matter if you still find it stupid.
No, I mean between the suits. While Clubs seemed the highest when I checked, Diamonds seemed the lowest, and similarly, Hearts and Spades were lower, as well... But it seems to be constantly fluctuating.
The reason they may be in constant conflict with one another is like someone trying to constantly keep an hourglass even. You'd have to keep flipping it around.
It's a little complicated, and they're just my guesses based on what I saw.
This still sounds confusing! In the first place, "Clubs" and "Diamonds" and such aren't groups of people, right? Nor does it sound like they're roundtables of gods. They just sound like abstract forces, so I can't picture any of this at *all*.
Anyway, I still don't care who's winning and who's losing. Whoever wants to take the resort over can have it. All that matters is getting out! Unless you think whoever has the most energy can influence those "suit effects?" Which would mean Clubs effects are strongest right now and Diamonds effects are weakest. I haven't noticed Jun-kun acting funny at all lately though, so we can probably rule that one out.
Looking, I think. It felt like someone was inside of my head, and as memories randomly came to mind, I felt a distinct presence there. It was like a horrible pressure.
And then my nose began to bleed severely. I even passed out for a few seconds, so I'll have to try to be more careful.
That sounds highly unpleasant. Not to mention creepy! Though I guess it makes sense in a twisted sort of way. They seem to know all kinds of personal information, so it's either they've been rifling through our memories, or they've been stalking us all our lives without us knowing.
And getting a nosebleed doesn't sound fun, either! Plus you have those markings under your eyes to worry about. I don't want to see your whole face crack apart like an eggshell, so do be careful, alright?
[And now we skip ahead to the 6th, since if he'd had the talk with Jin Mingming before the 5th, some of his Mating Season threads might've gone a bit differently.]
Alright, so! ✨⭐✨⭐ I'm back with the news I promised!
Though it's sort of hard to untangle, so I'm hoping you can help with that. Also, I should warn you that I only got three questions.
Alright, here goes! I wasn't taking notes on what she said or anything, but I have an excellent memory, so there shouldn't be any holes.
[If he has an excellent memory, why does he go around calling Esikko "Prince Esikko Blum Whatever" instead of his actual name? Oh well, doesn't matter, not important right now!]
For my first question, I asked if she ever got a better sense of what the resort takes from us and why some guests are considered more valuable. I said there was a theory going around that our intimacy is what powers the resort, but she said it's not just that. She said, "What the resort takes from us is our fate. There are those who are meant to play a greater role in life, and they offer more for the resort to sustain itself on." Then she asked me to consider the difference between an emperor who commands a powerful nation, and a servant who's destined to die young.
I couldn't really tell if she was saying the "emperor" is more valuable because he's fated to accomplish more in life, or what. But when I asked her to elaborate, she said her theory is that "playing the game changes our fate" by making us "have such an intimate encounter with someone we never would've met before coming here." I'll hold back my thoughts on that and move onto the next question!
For my second question, I asked what happens to guests who don't provide enough energy, and if there's any truth to the rumor that the ones who don't sleep around much turn to stone. She said "some people do indeed turn to stone." But then she said "whether it happens to every guest, I don't know" and "it didn't happen to me even after I lost my usefulness because of a deal I made."
Then for my third question, I asked why she was still here if the resort supposedly lets everyone go home once they've filled their so-called deck. She said that she did win her game and that she could have used her wish to go home, but she used it to save her daughter's life instead. Her daughter was born with a heart defect. Apparently you only get one wish and if you use it to save someone else, you're just stuck here forever, so that's what her deal is.
Those were the only questions I got to ask. She gave me three questions for three memories: an equal exchange. I told her I'd come back with double the memories if she let me ask three more questions, but she didn't seem interested, so that's it for now.
Fate... That does make sense, doesn't it? Why even those lost souls stuck between life and death have something to offer, why interacting with multiple people creates such a large amount of this energy. We're all here from separate realms, so our paths wouldn't normally cross... That's true.
As for the Emperor versus the servant who dies young, I think that's clear, as well. The former would have more opportunity and ability to live a long life, make many choices, take many paths. The servant would not, whether from poverty, from lack of freedom, or from the short life.
This is extremely useful information, so I'm taking notes myself now.
She said "those who are meant to play a greater role offer more for the resort to sustain itself on." I took that to mean someone like the emperor provides better nourishment than someone like the servant. That would explain why there are so many bigwigs around. It doesn't explain why they nabbed your bodyguard, though. Unless you think he's destined to amount to something more than just a guard dog.
As for the first part, I'm always glad to meet new people! If I can change someone's fate just by shining my dazzling light on them and whispering words of encouragement, why, nothing would make me happier.
I just think they have a narrow view of "intimacy," which is why that explanation doesn't really work for me. She said having such an "intimate encounter" with someone changes your fate, but that's the sort of act that feels less and less intimate the more people you do it with.
First, that dog is talented enough in a number of ways to mean that his existence can certainly influence others... But wasn't it in one of those messages, that some players have more importance than others, or something? I'll have to check my notes.
Perhaps it's because I'm familiar with magic that works along these lines, but it makes sense to me. Fate is often described as something beyond our control, but it's more like a metal, malleable with the right force. Intimacy... I would think sex is an easy way to facilitate it. It causes lust, causes romantic feelings, can cause anger, jealousy, hatred, betrayal— all of those things are relevant in creating changes in fate, too. I think.
I think 52 is arbitrary.
But to use fate is a concept I have to consider. If only I had access to some of the books from back home...
You don't know that it's arbitrary. Perhaps I'm onto something! Once you hit 52, you've lost all capacity for things like intimacy, so you don't have value anymore! That's why they let you leave!
Supposedly, anyway. The proprietress said she could've gone home if she wished for it, but I never got around to asking if she knows anyone who really did leave.
And yep, she said that thing about value in one of Victoria's journal entries. That's what got me interested in the first place. I'm just not sure why they'd bother to kidnap unimportant people with low "value" in the first place.
I also wonder if the ones who disappeared are more like that servant. If they're getting rid of the people who aren't fated to do great things, and keeping the ones who are destined. But when I asked about the rumor that people who disappear get turned into statues, she said "What happens to a sponge when you've wrung out in the water and left it in the sun to dry? People are the same."
So, with that in mind, maybe it's the ones with low "energy" who vanish. That would line up with what you said before. Except there's one problem with that theory, which is that I'm still here! Any idea why that might be? Do you think they just like seeing my face?
It doesn't sound like it's about doing great things or not. It sounds to me like those who have a higher potential for... changes? Connections? Opportunity? Just from my understanding of magic involved in similar concepts, anyway.
Keeping that in mind, it makes more sense why someone like you would still be here. It doesn't matter how much you try to fight it, or what sort of things you do or don't do— it matters that others are going to meet you here, perhaps?
Sex does seem to be the main catalyst for transferring energy, though, so I'm still trying to think through it. Well, for now, I feel like we at least have a direction.
So, basically what you're saying is that I might be getting enough energy from meeting new people to compensate for the lack of game-playing. An interesting theory!
I can see that. I *am* pretty sociable. I guess it just felt like, by this place's standards, me and Jun-kun are freeloaders who refuse to pay rent. The landlord comes knocking each month, but we always say "Nope! Not paying!" and slam the door in his face.
Or at least I think that's how it works. I don't know much about rent payment since I'm a noble.
In any case, what's this direction you're talking about? Already planning to do some more digging?
Of course. To be perfectly honest, I don't exactly care to get back "home". But that doesn't mean I can't recognize that others certainly want to, and the path to the way "out" leads to many other interesting things along the way.
I get to practice my magic, I get to learn things.
Anyway, knowing how the House works also means I know how to start looking at it. Like how knowing if your patient was a human or a dog would help you in surgery.
[Alright. Well. There's something he hadn't really considered.
I don't care to go back home, says the prince. It's not really a surprise, given what his life was like. Kirma told Hiyori something similar, actually. Still, going to all this effort to figure a way out when he doesn't intend to use it himself strikes Hiyori as a bit odd.
But then this is the same "selfless flower-maker" who messaged him over the Network. The one he didn't connect to the prince he met at the Roost at first. So maybe he shouldn't be surprised about this, either. Getting to use magic is its own reward, apparently.]
Well, I'm glad you're getting something out of it, anyway.
I guess the only question is whether you can perform surgery on a god or not. I figure that's the closest thing to what we're dealing with: not a dog, a human, or anything that can be trained or reasoned with.
[ This morning Jun awoke much earlier than usual, but there’s a good reason why. Why you might ask? It’s Hiyori’s birthday, which means it’s an even more special day! Starting with his first gift of the day, which just so happens to be breakfast in bed.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so what better way to start the day by having breakfast while being comfortable in bed!
He hopes not to wake Hiyori just yet, not while he’s sleeping and very cutely, too. With their makeshift kitchen, he manages to keep the noise down (or so he believes) not wanting to wake or disturb the sleeping princess in the next room. For good measure, Jun carries in the tray first, placing it on their nightstand while turning down the quilt. And sitting on the trays filled with breakfast food are plates of pancakes shaped into a design of the sun, French toast, a mixture of fruit and croissants. Rounded off with a pot of tea, teacups and edible flowers placed around the tray.
In the middle there is a single red rose, which has “apparently,” been removed of all pollen. (As per the shopkeepers words.) It’s romantic, cheesy and sweet. And all of Jun’s best intentions on display, wanting to show off his love and affection to his special someone. * Not as if Jun needs to display said love only on Hiyori’s birthday, he can and will provide him with enough love to last a lifetime.
Now’s the time to rouse the sleeping princess, or if he’s awake due to the noise, which Jun is no longer being discreet about. He’ll lean in close, closing the distance between them and planting a soft, tender kiss against Hiyori’s soft lips. Brushing their lips together for a moment, while smiling from ear-to-ear. ]
Happy birthday, Ohii-san.
[ All while placing the breakfast tray on top of his legs; pouring a cup of tea. Well, not before placing a soft towel underneath to catch any crumbs. (Don’t ask what time Jun woke up for this. And the day is much more important, anyway!)
He’s fairly pleased with himself, also hoping Hiyori enjoys the meal while not having to worry about a thing all day as Jun has it covered. ]
[It's a momentous occasion, one that only comes once a year: the day the great Hiyori Tomoe was born! A holiday on par with Christmas, or perhaps even more important, depending on who you ask. Hiyori's fans would certainly believe so. And Hiyori's partner ought to think so, too!
If they were back home, why, he'd be doing all sorts of things to celebrate: giving a special concert, or enjoying a private party at CosPro. Perhaps getting a special photoshoot done in a special birthday suit. (No, not that kind of birthday suit.) As it stands, however...
There will be no party. He'll be lucky to get in any celebrating. Because for his birthday, he's about to be cursed! Or so he just assumes, but the evidence in favor of it is overwhelming, in his view. Rinne and Hua Cheng were both cursed for their birthdays, and the House has every reason to dislike him more than them. After all, he talks smack about them constantly, plots against them at every turn, and refuses to do any of the stuff they ask him to do! He's been here for about five months, and he's only collected one card! Sex between people from different worlds is apparently how the resort gets most of its energy, which means he and Jun are what you call "freeloaders!" This was a badge of honor for him, until it became a huge fear.
But his sleep is mercifully free of any more nightmares where Jun turns into a statue. He sleeps peacefully, waking up later than his partner, as per usual. Jun is no longer sleeping all snuggled up next to him by the time that he awakes, also per the usual. He's always off to the gym in the mornings. (And often in the afternoons, too!) He'd probably never skip a day.
Except he's not gone. Instead he's back on the bed, his lips pressed against Hiyori's in a soft, fleeting kiss. Hiyori's eyelashes flutter in surprise, his eyes blinking open groggily. When Jun draws back and he meets those eyes, they're a lovely gold color, like the morning sun.]
Mm...?
[He drops his eyes down to the tray that's been set in his lap, looking dazed. Laid out on that tray is a shockingly high-class breakfast, fit for a noble like him. A far cry from the prepackaged food and drinks he stocked up on in preparation for being stuck in his room for a while. Rinne and Hua Cheng's curses lasted for days, after all.
But he doesn't feel cursed. At least not yet. There's no foreignness or discomfort, apart from the usual sleep deprivation. Their newborn chick is quite the chatterbox, chirping around the clock. Yet even she's quiet for the moment, sleeping soundly in her makeshift nest, leaving him and Jun free to enjoy this moment of peace.]
You did all this?
[Hiyori seems a bit surprised. Maybe even a little awed. But the dazed look in his eyes soon turns as warm as the tea Jun poured, sitting out on the tray in a pretty cup next to the breakfast spread.]
It looks so elegant, I'm shocked. In a good way, mind you. If it wouldn't overturn the whole tray, I'd hug you right now! ♪
[ He can't give away all his secrets, but he did have this planned for a little while. With their newborn chick, things were thrown into perspective, afraid she'd blow his cover. But even though she's asleep, much can be said about how thankful Jun is for that. Despite her keeping them up all hours of the night! (It seems she's more than inherited Hiyori's love of talking.)
It wasn't easy to keep this a secret, considering Jun's usually an open book. But despite the odds, and Hiyori's warnings of curses, he wanted to make a nice breakfast spread for his birthday.
After posing the question, he nods, watching Hiyori as he takes in the tray, showing a bit of surprise. ]
Yeah, that was all me ♪ I'll tell you it wasn't easy keeping it from you or her. I was sorta afraid she'd make a racket before I got your breakfast sorted.
[ And honestly, it doesn't seem as if Ohii-san's cursed. But perhaps it's too early to tell! He never saw Rinne when he was cursed, so if Hiyori is, it might show up later. But the hope is Hiyori isn't cursed and they get to have a fun day as partners hanging around, doing something enjoyable. ]
I'd prefer you didn't, Ohii-san. Only 'cause you'd be wearing it, and I just poured your tea. But I appreciate you wanting to hug me, anyway! Just keep it in mind for later ♪
[ He smiles at the thought, wanting Hiyori to enjoy himself and not worry about a thing on his special day. Now it's strange to think how their days would go back home, spending their birthday in a Q&A session, a private concert or a company birthday. Not today! Perhaps next year Hiyori will be spending his birthday doing any one of those things, or the photoshoot. ]
... also, sorry 'bout waking you! I wasn't gonna shake you awake, so I had to improvise.
[ He also doesn't sound very sorry about it, because he's not! ]
[At the mention of their newborn daughter, Hiyori snaps to attention.]
Are you sure she's okay? She is just sleeping, isn't she?
[It's odd for the chick to be this quiet. That's why Hiyori has to ask. Even though he hadn't been as gung-ho about taking care of the egg as Jun had been, he's become quite the doting bird parent!
But of course he likes being taken care of, too. Especially on his birthday, and especially by his partner, who's prepared a lovely-looking breakfast. Simply seeing Jun's smile makes him feel refreshed, warming him up from the inside out; it's the closest he'll get to real sunlight here. The thing he cherishes most in this place.]
It's no problem at all. This is exactly how I'd like to wake up every day, so jot that down! ♪
[He flashes Jun a cheeky smile. His eyes are a little tired, yes; the chick has been keeping him awake, alongside his worries. But he's happy right now. Happy enough to lean forward and try to kiss Jun, despite the tray in his lap!]
She’s fine, Ohii-san. Think she finally tired herself out from chirping all night.
[ Last Jun checked she’d been sleeping, which even had surprised him. Though, for the current them, it helps she’s asleep and not making a racket for attention. It’s cute seeing how doting Hiyori’s become of their little bird daughter, bringing a fond smile to his face.
Or perhaps their little chicks thought they deserved some privacy? Jun had woken up fairly early, but even then she’d been sleeping soundly in her makeshift nest. Whatever the case may be, he’s glad for the chance at silence. Hiyori does look tired around the eyes, something he acquaints with their chatterbox, but Jun also thinks Hiyori looks as beautiful as ever. ]
Mhm, I’ll keep it in mind ♪ ‘Cause seeing Ohii-san’s pretty face each morning makes me wanna give him a kiss or two, or maybe even three ♪
[ He smiles, watching Hiyori’s cheeky smile mixed with words fill him with warmth. Though, it’s a little tricky to fulfill the promise with a tray between them. Currently, the tray seems to be their biggest obstacle! Kisses are very important, so he’ll just have to move it! Also, he wouldn’t want Hiyori to miss out on birthday kisses and wear his breakfast. ]
Hey, I’m gonna move the tray ‘cause if you wanna kiss, I don’t want you wearing it. ‘Sides, the teas pretty scorching and last thing I want is you burning yourself.
[ And he selfishly wants Ohii-san kisses, not that he’s alluding to it. The tea isn’t too hot, it’s only an excuse! And a fairly good one, if he does say so himself.
Though, he does effortlessly pick up the wooden tray, placing it back onto the side drawer beside their bed. This way they both receive what they want, so it’s a win all around.
He looks pleased with himself, taking the initiative to lean forward and softly press his lips to Hiyori’s. Yep, kissing is much easier without a tray in their way. ]
[He visibly relaxes when Jun confirms the chick is sleeping.]
As long as she's safe and sound. She really is growing fast, isn't she? ♪
[In the real world, magpies typically become independent 3 to 4 months after they hatch. Here, however, they're growing at a faster rate in order to become fully mature in time for Tanabirda. It's sort of alarming how much she keeps growing, really. And she's also nice and plump, thanks to her parents' love! ... and the worms they keep feeding her, though that's something Hiyori is still rather squeamish about.
Thankfully it's not worm-feeding time right now. It's breakfast-in-bed time, which he cheekily informs Jun he'd like to receive every morning. Of course he doesn't really expect that, and he also couldn't blame Jun if he said something snarky in response. Instead Jun calls him "pretty" and says he wants to kiss him, and that leaves him rather breathless. His cheeks flush with pleasure, heart skipping inside his chest.
In reality, he doesn't look his best. He hasn't brushed his hair yet and it looks a bit like the makeshift nest they fashioned for their bird. He's got the aforementioned bags under his eyes, and doesn't have on any make-up meant to cover them. He's been rather harrowed from the sensory link with Esikko, too, as Jun surely knows at this point (it involved several days of him shivering from cold and cringing in pain). He's seen better days, is the point here. Yet still Jun calls him "pretty." Just like he called him cute, just like called him beautiful. Jun-kun loves him. Jun always wants him, even when he doesn't look his best. Why? Because that's love!
It makes Hiyori want to kiss him even more. If Jun just scooches over a little more and meets his lips over the tray, they can make this work! But Jun instead opts to take it off his lap for a minute, which is probably the safer choice. Breakfast in bed was an excellent idea but it may not be ideal for how handsy they are. In any case, he kisses Jun back, happily humming into it.]
... you know, I don't feel cursed at all yet. My head feels hotter now that you've kissed me, but it's the pleasant sort of hot. I wonder if it hasn't been triggered yet? Or maybe it was about to trigger, but true love's kiss broke the curse! ♪
[ She is She is growing so fast that it can sometimes be challenging to keep up with her eating habits. After discovering more about their chick, it's surprising how quickly she's growing up. It is related to the House and its "magic," or due to her parents caring for her. Jun likes to think it's the latter, not wanting to thank the House for anything. Even now, she's quiet, likely snugged up warm inside her nest and having delightful chick dreams about worms.
Despite Hiyori's annoying or outlandish demands, Jun is determined not to complain today. This is a rare occurrence, considering he struggles to go a day without voicing his grievances. But today, he's trying!! And Jun finds Hiyori extra adorable this morning, even though he seems under the weather and a bit haggard. No matter how he looks, Jun will always find him to be beautiful, cute, pretty, and all those other lovely words. That's the very essence of true love!!
As the ever-devoted partner he portrays himself to be, Jun ensures he tells Hiyori exactly that. Even if Hiyori doesn't feel his best, Jun will always seem as beautiful! That's just how it works for them.
After parting from the kiss, he smiles happily. He brushes their noses together, almost pleased that Hiyori doesn't feel cursed yet. Instead, he feels pleasantly hot! But to be sure, he's going to ask. ]
Maybe you need to kiss me again, Ohii-san! Y'know, just to be sure. It's pretty important to make sure you're not cursed ~ ♪
[He does feel hot, but it's a pleasant sort of heat. A gentle warmth that envelopes his heart and dances on his lips. Not an oppressive sort of heat that threatens to suffocate. Rinne and Hua Cheng both described a curse that made them feel uncontrollably aroused at various times. But if he's been hit with the same thing, it hasn't been triggered yet; he doesn't feel out of control or like he needs to be touched or he'll die. This isn't the Springtime game!
Though, if Jun did want to touch him, he wouldn't object. Of course. But that can come later, after breakfast!
... or after more kissing. That works, too, and he smiles from ear-to-ear at Jun's oh-so-smooth pick-up line.]
Sounds like Jun-kun's just looking for an excuse to keep kissing me!
[He loops his arms over Jun's shoulders, nudging their noses more firmly together.]
But that's alright, since he doesn't need an excuse. I would've kissed him anyway ♪
[And with that, he brushes their lips together softly.
This time, there's no breaking apart fast. One kiss turns into two turns into three. There's nothing scheduled for today—he planned to hole up all day in his room, thanks to his so-far non-existent curse—and so he's free to keep kissing Jun for as long as he likes. All day if he wants to!
At least until there's a knock at the knock at the door. That gets him to freeze.]
[ He can't keep the all-knowing smile hidden, knowing Hiyori sees right through him and picks up on his not-so-subtle pick-up line. Honestly, even if Hiyori's curse hadn't been triggered yet, or if a kiss from "true love" could break the curse, he would still crave kisses. More and more of them!
... he wants to touch Hiyori; of course, he does. Whenever the kisses start, it's not so straightforward for them to stop. The familiar warmth But to avoid any interruptions now, they'll need to ensure their bird daughter remains undisturbed. He can't risk her incessant chirping, drawing attention from her "preoccupied" parents. That'd kill the mood! ]
Mmm, can ya blame me? Kissing you always feels real good.
[ It's true; he doesn't need an excuse. But pretending as if he needs one is fun if only for the way Hiyori's eyes light up.
As they kiss, his hand trails up to the hem of Hiyori's pyjama shirt, fingers tracing along the hem. His finger half-hooks into the buttons, ready to unbutton them. They're quite loving with each other, but that's not a problem! Recalling Hiyori's earlier mention of the curse and the food they've stockpiled, he figures they have nothing else planned for the day.
With a gentle touch, Jun's thumb caresses Hiyori's cheek, pressing lightly against the bags beneath his eyes. His hand then glides upward, fingers threading through Hiyori's tousled hair. Though the locks are tangled and look like a bird's nest, Jun tenderly brushes through the tangles, savouring the intimacy between them. And regardless of Hiyori's dishevelled appearance or apparent lack of sleep, he'll remain breathtakingly beautiful in Jun's eyes. So, they can easily spend all day kissing!
The illusion shatters when there's a sudden knock at the door.
Reluctant to break apart, the persistent knocking becomes a little frustrating. A louder knock would awaken their sleeping chick! They'd then have no alone time. Opening his eyes, he drinks in Hiyori again, leaving an open-mouth kiss as he nudges their noses together. ]
[He hums into the kiss as he feels Jun paw at his pajamas. Thanks to all that's going on, they haven't been intimate in a little bit. It's probably been at least a week! (Oh, the horror.) It turns out that making time for intimacy is hard when you've got a newborn bird that chirps incessantly, horrible news about statues to digest, and an "emotional link" that caused you excruciating pain for several days. Suffice to say Hiyori hasn't been in the mood.
But now is different. Jun's fingers easily cause warmth to bloom beneath his skin, his body responding eagerly. Even when Jun's hands move towards his face and hair, rather than any sensitive areas, he still relishes those touches, parting his lips on a sweet sigh. It feels so good, so right, being together like this. Being touched like he's something precious, even when he doesn't look his best. First thing in the morning in their shared bed. This is how he'd like to wake up every morning! (So Jun ought to jot that down, too.) And if the curse is still coming and it dooms him to be aroused all day, well—he can think of worse things. He has Jun with him, so he'll be fine.
The knock at the door is startling, jolting him out of his sweet dream. It's so early, he can't imagine who's coming to visit him. Then his stomach sinks. Is this...
Right after Jun asks what he should do, a voice speaks up from the other side of the door. "Delivery," it says. Which makes his worries shoot up, if anything. Is the House delivering his birthday curse right to his door?!
Though, a curse isn't usually something tangible, is it...?]
I suppose so. But if it's anything shady-looking, tell him we don't want it.
[In reality, it'll be a normal-looking giftbox with a card attached to it. His birthday reward! But he's staying in bed because he doesn't trust anything around here.]
[ The familiar warmth blooms in his cheeks as his body heats up again. A week may have felt long in retrospect, but amid their preoccupations, no one else should be bothering them today. Whether intimate or not, Jun considers himself the luckiest, waking up beside Hiyori and seeing his handsome face each morning. Given the circumstances, Jun has no grounds to complain about Hiyori rightfully not being in the mood.
Hearing the familiar, sweet sigh is like music to his ears. It's only a little (a lot) frustrating the knocking continues right as he wants to continue slipping fingers right underneath Hiyori's shirt. If this is how Hiyori wants to wake up every morning, he'll make a mental note to do it every morning. He'll be good like that, greeting Hiyori the way he should be every morning.
Brow furrowed in confusion, Jun listened to the voice on the other side of the door. "Delivery?" the voice called out, but Jun knew he and Hiyori hadn't ordered anything. Besides, Hiyori had warned him about potential curses, advising against letting anyone else inside. And so, the unexpected visitor clearly isn't a welcome one!
Lastly, a curse shouldn't be something tangible. But if the House is finding new ways to send off their curses... ]
That's pretty cryptic, Ohii-san. But I'll tell 'em!
[ After kissing Hiyori's forehead, Jun climbs out of bed, padding across the room to the door. Where a delivery person quickly hands him the box and leaves. He hadn't even glimpsed the package before they left! But upon closer inspection, the box doesn't appear too suspicious, so he figures it's safe to bring inside.
A soft chirp echoes through the suite, but it's not overly loud. Perhaps she's still sleeping! He carries the box back into their room and partially resumes his position in bed. ]
.. uh, d'you know anyone who'd send this? I dunno what you'd call shady, but the guy shoved it in my hands and walked off. Anyway, it's gotta be for you ♪
[ Since it's his birthday! Jun hands off the box, curiously wanting to know what's inside. ]
[A fond smile curls up his lips in spite of his anxiety about the curse. It's cute, he thinks, that Jun kisses him before leaving the room sometimes. Jun was raised without much affection, but he's become very skilled at giving it. He's grown so much, and become so loving! <--- Shmoopy thoughts like this fill Hiyori's head.
Jun returns at the same time as their bird chirps. He braces himself for an onslaught of chirping, but that doesn't happen. Is it because she's already a few days old? It seems to him she's growing oddly fast. But he hardly has time to think on that as Jun presents the package. He eyes it curiously, but with some hesitance—a gift from a friend, or some horror from the House? Then he notices the card.]
"JMM"?
[It takes him a moment.
Then his eyes suddenly widen with recognition. Could it really be her? He sets down the card, opening up the package and revealing what's inside. Which is clothes. Nice clothes.]
This is...
[He looks slightly stunned as he pulls out the first item: a pretty suitjacket with elaborate embroidery running up and down the lapels. More details forthcoming when I find a suitable reference picture. It's gorgeously detailed, looks hand-sewn, and seems like it'll fit him perfectly.]
...
[He smooths his hand over the fabric, speechless for a long moment. If Jun looks inside the box he'll see that there are not only matching pants inside, but that it looks like there are more clothes underneath.]
[ He's learned a lot from their brief time together, and his selection for the Bridal MV was no accident. Now, he's determined to show the person he loves just how deeply he cares.
When the expected deluge of chirping doesn't materialise, he breathes a sigh of relief. And then another, for good measure. Thankfully Hiyori accepts the package without fuss, though Jun can't deny his curiosity about who dropped it in the delivery person's hands.
"JMM?" Hiyori's words stump Jun, who hadn't looked at the card, considering the package wasn't for him. As Hiyori opens it, he leans in for a closer look, revealing exquisitely handcrafted clothing. The kind they might wear on stage back home!
Even Jun can tell the craftsmanship is beautiful, glancing back and forth between Hiyori and the box in awe. At least it's not some cursed item from the House! ]
It kinda reminds me of outfits we'd wear back home.
[ The suit jacket is already twice as beautiful, and he notices the intricate embroidery and details. The large box suggests there may be more inside, and sure enough, there's the matching suit pants. It would look awkward for Hiyori not to have the full suit ensemble. But there's something else inside that Hiyori likely hasn't noticed yet. ]
Ohii-san, looks like you've got another set of clothes underneath. It makes sense 'cause it's your birthday! But looks like whoever it's from went above and beyond ♪
[ He says all with a cheerful smile, wanting to know if it's the same suit or different embroidery down the lapels. It's all pretty exciting, he just hopes whoever sent it, didn't sew in a curse. ]
[This weekend. This weekend I'll find a suitable reference picture. Pinky promise.
For now, however, we'll just say the embroidery on the lapels reminds him a little of the Eden costumes: the thread taking on a pattern of thorny flower stems. Is it a coincidence? Perhaps, but it's evocative enough to quiet him.
It seems Jun has the same impression. It's true—this does look like the sort of fancy outfit they'd wear for an event, like an anniversary concert or an album release. Perhaps they'd all wear the same suit. Or perhaps each suit would reflect their image color. This suit, which has a lot of green woven into it, would suit Hiyori in either case.
But that's not the only thing in the box.
Jun draws his attention to that fact, pointing out that it looks like he got two sets of clothes. That pulls Hiyori's attention away from the first suitjacket, and he peers down into the box again. There are slacks and a button-down shirt, which are clearly meant to go with the suitjacket, but then there's also something else. Another suit?
Hiyori carefully draws out the shirt and slacks, revealing what's underneath: another suitjacket that matches the first one in terms of shape, pattern, and embroidery. Except the colors are different. The colors—]
It looks like it's for you.
[That's his first thought. There's no note saying the second one is for Jun. He can't tell at a glance if the second one will fit Jun, either. But as he lines the two suitjackets next to each other on the bed, that's his conclusion.]
See, they match! And one's more blue and the other's more green!
[He continues to stare down at the clothes as he makes his case. He still looks a bit stunned, however. His fingers come up to grasp his chin and he murmurs,]
Though I'm not sure how she'd know either of our measurements...
[ I believe in you!!! I'm sure whatever you pick will look great.
Even though he knows it seems like your average suit, it is the first thing that comes to mind. The stitching is incredible, though, and it is really lovely. Jun cannot help but think that Hiyori will look charming in it. He has a natural talent for wearing suits, which Jun thinks he lacks.
Or so he thinks!
The shirt and slacks match perfectly, even the shirt needlework looks exquisite. Whoever sent over the gift has beautiful handiwork, even Jun can admire it. He watches as Hiyori draws out the remaining clothes, turning and looking back down once he mentions the suit being for Jun. ]
For me...? But it's your birthday.
[ He sounds a little bit in disbelief, wondering why someone would give him a suit. It makes sense for Hiyori, it's his birthday, and the gift was delivered to his door! Jun can't get his head around it, glancing down again as Hiyori lines the two suit jackets next to one another. ]
I mean, yeah, they match but... I dunno if it's for me.
[ Besides, wouldn't Hiyori look good in blue? Jun tends to think he looks good in anything, but he might be a bit biased in that regard. He still can't believe it, there must be a mistake, even if the other suit jacket does look a tiny bit different. Maybe for the ~muscles~! ]
Wait.. who're you talking 'bout? Ohii-san, who's "she"?
[ Who knows their measurements?? He's curious about what Hiyori could mean. ]
[Yeah man idk. Didn't do much digging over the weekend, didn't find anything that ~spoke to me~ when I did. So!
We'll say the suitjacket looks something like this. Not exactly like that—as the menswear guy on Twitter would point out, that's a blazer, not a suitjacket! But anyway, it's close enough: nice fabric, eye-catching floral embroidery! And while the outfit on top is a dark green with just a hint of blue, the one underneath that is blue with just a hint of green. The flowers stitched into the fabric are similar between the two outfits, but not identical; perhaps Jun Mingming chose them based on what she thought would suit them each. Though none of the choices are too on-the-nose (she wasn't eavesdropping on their flower maze conversations).
Anyway. He understands Jun's confusion; he didn't expect her to get him anything, let alone him and his partner. Maybe the outfits are just for him. Yet when he sets that blue-ish suitjacket next to the green one...
All he can think about is Jun wearing it. Even though he'd look good in it himself, too. And not just wearing it, but wearing it to match him.]
I'm talking about Jin Mingming. She's the bar owner I did that memory-sharing quest for.
[The one who was once a player in the game, and who used her wish to save her daughter's life. But he won't bring up that bit of sadness right now.]
I assume it must be her, since she's the only "JMM" I know about. I'm surprised she went to the trouble, though. And I'm still not sure how she'd know our sizes. She's only ever seen you from a distance, after all.
[Maybe both outfits are his. There's nothing to say one is for Jun.
Still. He gets the rest of the clothes out of the box—a pair of formal pants to match the other suitjacket. Curiously, though, there's no second shirt to wear beneath the other one. Because the shirt can be worn with either of them? Because it was too much effort and money to include a second? Or...
A lightbulb above his head goes off, and he whips his head around, looking at Jun with wide eyes as he gesticulates to the clothes.]
Look at that! The blue one doesn't come with a shirt, but the green one does! It's meant to be worn without a shirt. Which means it's for someone who wants to show off their chest muscles! Or, in other words, it's for Jun-kun!
[ It kind of reminds me of the Eden trip suit, but nicer! The picture works well for an idea. Hopefully she hasn’t been eavesdropping on their conversations, that’d be embarrassing! If true, it’s no small wonder she knows about them!!
He still can’t wrap his head fully around what Ohii-san’s saying. Jun hardly knows Jin, only seeing her from the times Eve dined in her restaurant. Perhaps she saw them, knowing from the get-go they were shackled up. It makes zero sense for her to handcraft another suit for someone she knows from a distance. ]
She sent ‘em? Woow, I never woulda guessed… Not is she talented at running a restaurant, but she’s got a talent for suit-making.
[ Or needlework in general, she’s likely crafted a good number of garments over her time here.
But as for their sizes, it confuses him just as much. Jin could be that talented with a needle and thread, knowing from glancing at someone. It makes him think, knowing it’s true, she has only ever seen Jun from a distance. ]
Sounds like she’s just that talented, Ohii-san. But I’m still sorta confused if that’s one for me. Why’d she do that? It’s gotta be for you!
[ Jun didn’t run around the resort in hopes of finding memories, nor has he spoken to her at great length.
Once Hiyori removes the suit, it’s not lost on him how there’s no second shirt to go with it. It might be true, you could wear the shirt with both suits, it does seem as if they’d make a perfect match!
It seems Hiyori has another idea, only to find that it’s not something Jun would suggest. He turns at Hiyori as if he’s grown a second head, eyes narrowing as he takes it in. ]
You’re not serious, Ohii-san… Why’d she do something like that? And I dunno where you got that idea from. I don’t always wanna show off my muscles! You know it sounds sorta crazy, right?
[ And when he would like to show them off, he’d rather them be for Hiyori’s eyes only. ]
[Don't worry. There are no blue lotuses on the blue jacket or green carnations on the green one, which means she can't have been eavesdropping!
Though there is a sunflower stitched into both sides of Hiyori's jacket. The ideal flower for him is just that obvious, apparently.]
She does dress rather nicely. I guess this must mean she makes her own outfits.
[Still. Sewing something for yourself (or for a profit) is one thing. Sewing something from scratch as a gift is quite another. Especially when the recipient is someone you hardly know, plus the partner of someone you hardly know.
Seeing the two outfits side-by-side, however, makes Hiyori feel certain of his hunch. Jun expresses doubt, and then shows even more disbelief at his "showing off your muscles" suggestion. Why, he almost sounds defensive! As though he doesn't take pride in his muscles, and wasn't parading around shirtless at the beach! Perhaps Jin Mingming noticed his muscles even from a distance, while he was fully-clothed, and thought he should show them off sometimes! Just like Weiss-chan and (ugh) Monika-chan.
Setting aside how likely that is to actually be the case, though, Hiyori can see her reasoning for giving them both a gift. He lays it all out in a matter-of-fact sort of tone.]
Well, putting aside your muscles for now, we're meant to be "two souls in one," right? Or "two hearts beating as one." Which means you're my other half, more or less, and I'm you're other half. And I'm always saying Jun-kun is my possession, because it's true! So if you're going to get me a birthday gift, I guess it sort of makes sense to get something for you too, since you're like a part of me.
[This may or may not have sounded completely insane, but Hiyori seems to mean every word of it.
He does frown a little, though, eyes gazing back down at the fabric, focusing this time on the blue suitjacket. Jun's jacket, if his theory is correct. But why did she do something for Jun-kun? Is it really because they're "two souls in one"? Did he ever tell her he saw them that way? He thinks for a moment about what he did tell her, before slowly starting to continue.]
I didn't call you my other half in front of her, though. Or my possession, for that matter. But I did say we're "beloved partners." So perhaps that's what inspired her to get me something we could wear together.
[He looks between the two outfits, wondering now about how they'd look wearing them. How they'd look wearing something that matches, just like their matching stage costumes, just like the matching beachwear they wore to Weiss's soirée.
Then he looks up from the clothing and smiles.]
There's only one way to find out! We just have to try them on, right? You'll try on the blue one, I'll try on the green one, and we'll each see "if the shoe fits" ♪
[ Now that's a relief! Having anyone eavesdrop on them, especially during their maze adventures, is almost an invasion of privacy. ]
I guess it'd make sense, yeah? 'Cause you saw her close up! Makes me wonder if she does, though...
[ Although Jun only saw the woman from a distance, he couldn't help but notice her impeccable outfit. If she did indeed make the clothes herself, that would be an impressive talent. Hiyori seems to think that's the case, even when Jun has doubts about how the suit should be worn.
However, Jun had other questions on his mind. He was curious about the suit, why did it not come with a shirt? Did she know about his passion for fitness? Had she seen him at the gym, or even at the beach, where he'd been known to parade around shirtless? These were questions that Jun knew Hiyori would not be able to answer. ]
Well, if I'm gonna give in and say that's true... how'd she know that? It's not like we're being embarrassing 'bout our relationship. And I'm not gonna lie, you still sound a lil' insane. Just 'cause you're "always saying" I'm your possession, doesn't mean I am? Or anyone else is gonna know we're one another's other halves...
[ Hiyori's logic sometimes seems a bit crazy to Jun, but if his logic ever made sense, it might be even crazier. But they are "two souls in one" and "two hearts beating as one," or anything lovey-dovey term used to describe them. That's something Jun can hardly refute, it makes him all warm inside instead.
But Jun isn't really sure what Hiyori told her! Could it be she detected something was going on between them? Just as Ibara and Arashi assumed? Well, whatever the case, if Hiyori's theory about the blue jacket is true, then it's flattering to own such a well-made garment. ]
Well, I'd say she's pretty smart!
[ Especially if she gleaned something more from Hiyori's words, given that they are beloved partners. He wouldn't want anyone else by his side! But the question remains: how would they both look in the matching suits?
This isn’t the first time they’ve worn coordinated outfits, and it likely won’t be the last! ]
If you're sure 'bout it... That'll be the only way we're gonna know for sure. And I doubt it's gonna be some big reveal like Cinderella, Ohii-san.
[ His hand smooths over the jacket, it feels expensively made, or the fabric feels expensive in quality. ]
We can just try 'em on here! It's nothing I haven't seen before ~ ♪
[Joke's on Jun. Hiyori has been saying plenty of embarrassing things about their relationship even before they started dating.]
True! We're not absolutely shameless like some people here, and thank goodness for that.
[He says, sounding proud (?) about this. Then his voice softens and he adds:]
But maybe she noticed how close we were, or how well we seemed to fit together. It can be harder to tell that sort of thing from across a room, but there are still giveaways sometimes. Tone of voice, body language, smiles, facial expression—all sorts of things like that. Perhaps you simply had a look on your face that said, "I love my partner!"
[He smirks, happy to pin the whole thing on Jun (and not on his own sappy words about them being "beloved partners"). To be fair, it's not like people commenting on how close they are is anything new. Sometimes people make that sort of comment even when they're just arguing!
But anyway. Onto the fashion show.
A slight flush creeps into his cheeks when Jun says that "nothing I haven't seen" line (despite the fact it would've been true just by virtue of being roommates for a year). He retorts,]
Fine. But try to face the other way until I'm fully changed, alright? Otherwise, it'll spoil the grand reveal.
[Of himself, wearing his new suit, of course. With that, he gathers up the items on the bed.
Obviously if he was really dressing up to go out, he'd want to fix his bedhead and freshen up in other ways. But since this is just a size check, he goes ahead and puts on the white shirt, changes into the green pants, tucks the shirt in and smooths down the fabric, and then finally, reaches for the suitjacket. That gets buttoned and smoothed down, too. He glances at his own chest afterwards, noting how the embroidered flowers look on himself, before finally announcing:]
Alright, I'm ready! ♪
[And then he turns around at the same time to look at Jun.]
[ No wonder why people had the idea they were dating before they were. It’s all Hiyori’s doing! (And partly Jun’s!) ]
But from far away, Ohii-san? She’s gotta have pretty good eyesight to tell from across a room. Well, whatever! Guess she knows without being told.
[ No comment on the body language part. Sometimes Jun catches himself staring at Hiyori with a big, goofy grin which might be classed as him saying “I love my partner.” And other times he looks at Hiyori fondly. Maybe their body language gave them away, after all!
It wouldn’t be the first time, or even the last.
And it’s true, Jun could have seen anything due to them being roommates back in Reimei. But he lets it slide, nodding his head as if to say he won’t spoil the grand surprise.
With that out of the way, he shrugs off his shirt, letting it fall onto the bed. Reaching for the pants, he’s pleased to find they fit perfectly. Next he slips on the suit jacket, smoothing fingers down the lapel and across the embroidery.
Despite feeling slightly exposed with the jacket left unbuttoned, the fabric feels comfortable against his skin. His muscles don’t quite spill out, but there’s enough chest and abs on display which might stop someone in their tracks. ]
Hey, I never said I was ready!
[ Well, it hardly matters now because he was basically ready. Anyway, he turns around to face Hiyori, tugging on the sleeves of the jacket.
Hiyori, dressed in the sleek, green suit, looks as if he’s stepped straight out of a magazine. Even if his hair isn’t done, the bags under his eyes are as clear as ever..! But if Jun’s being honest, he thinks Hiyori looks as beautiful as ever! Continuing to drink in the sight, a fond smile curls at the corner of his mouth, taking a deep breath in. ]
You look beautiful, Ohii-san! The colour really brings out your eyes ♪
[ Not that Jun knows much about fashion to begin with… ]
[Maybe she was watching them like a hawk. That's possible! (And a tad creepy, but what isn't around here?)
Hiyori usually takes longer to get ready than Jun (which has led to its share of bickering in the past), so pardon him for assuming Jun would be ready before he is! It doesn't ultimately matter, though. Jun turns around soon after he does, giving an eyeful of himself in the matching suit, which does indeed seem to fit him well. Almost too well. It's not often that Hiyori sees him wear this sort of thing, and he makes for a captivating sight, open chest or no open chest.
Though it's true that the exposed skin doesn't look unappealing. You'd think this is the sort of outfit that requires a nice crisp business shirt underneath, but nope. Jun makes it look good wearing nothing under the jacket, and it oddly seems to suit him more that way.
Not that he's looking anywhere he shouldn't be. He doesn't need to be told "My eyes are up here!" Because when he looks at Jun's face, what he sees is equally captivating. Soft, affectionate gold eyes, and a soft smile. And then Jun calls him beautiful and his heart skips. What else could he do but smile back?]
Jun-kun's gotten better at giving compliments.
[He doesn't mean just the "beautiful" thing. "The color brings out your eyes" doesn't quite seem like the kind of thing Jun would've said before, either. Perhaps some of Hiyori's teachings about fashion have rubbed off on him, too. Or maybe that's just the power or love talking.]
You look pretty good, too. The flowers sort of speak to our feminine charm as Eve, but Jun-kun still looks manly. He gets to look classy and show off his muscles~♪ Plus it looks like the measurements are a perfect fit.
[Which would mean his assumption was right, and the second suit was made for Jun. Then again, it's not like Hiyori's tried it on for himself. Maybe it'd fit him, too. He has a feeling from looking at it that it really does fit Jun (and his muscular chest) better, though. Like it was made for him.
In any case, he doesn't suggest they swap. Instead he nods towards the bathroom.]
Let's go look at ourselves in the mirror! ♪ You should see for yourself how you look. And we should both see how good we look together. That should tell us whether the suits are meant to be worn as a couple's outfit.
[ Hopefully she wasn't watching them like a hawk! (She could be bored and people-watch in her establishment. Who knows at this point!)
Hiyori usually does, which Jun's made fun of numerous times before. But this time he took a little longer to put on the suit. He's still in disbelief this suit was made specifically for him, where it fits snugly and comfortably against his muscles without feeling too tight. He can even stretch his arm out without the fabric straining. But what's more, is how Hiyori thinks he'll look in the suit.
For now, he'll leave it unbuttoned, wanting to let his muscles shine. He hopes it looks nice, and Hiyori likes the way he looks. He half-grins, allowing Hiyori to look and take in the suit however he likes, taking in the returning smile. ]
I'm learning, Ohii-san! Can't keep giving the same compliments, 'cause I gotta keep ya on your toes ♪
[ And he needs to step it up, because when he looks at Hiyori, especially like this and truly thinks about it... Well, he does look beautiful and the colour does bring out his eyes! Maybe the suit's power doesn't affect Jun because he's already in love and completely captivated by the person wearing it. ]
Just "pretty good"? Yeah, I think you've got that right 'bout our charm! Our fans would probably wanna see us in 'em. Long as you think I still look "classy," I won't feel bad 'bout wearing the suit out ♪ And yep, it fits pretty snug! I dunno how she knew our measurements, but she seriously got it spot on ♪
[ Which means Hiyori's assumption is correct! Though Jun was sceptical, Hiyori's extensive knowledge from looks alone surprised him. The fact he could discern so much from looks alone leaves him feeling impressed. ]
Mhm, let's go! I wanna see how I look and I wanna see what we look like together ♪ Well, you're the one thinkin' it's a couples outfit, so... I dunno what a couples outfit looks like, Ohii-san.
[ But perhaps when they're side-to-side, looking at one another in the mirror, it'll all become clear. He flattens out the lapel, nodding towards the bathroom.
He tugs on Hiyori's hand, pulling them both into the bathroom and staring into the mirror. The flowers do seem to match, and the colours complement each other, but Jun, not being as fashion-savvy as Hiyori, is still a bit puzzled. ]
... so, what d'you think? I'd say we complement one another pretty well ♪
Excellent thinking! ♪ I'll look forward to hearing more creative compliments from Jun-kun in the future! And if you ever need suggestions, you can always ask me for ideas, since I'm always up to the task of praising myself! ♪
[Is that something to brag about...? And wouldn't that defeat the whole idea of creativity? Well, whatever.
In response to the next thing, he chirps,]
Yes, "pretty good!" Don't tell me Jun-kun was itching to be called "handsome" or something like that?
[He smirks. Then he adds,]
But if that's what you want, then I guess I can call you that. Since Jun-kun does look handsome.
[And beautiful, too, actually. Hiyori's always thought him to be beautiful. But that's somehow more embarrassing than calling him handsome, and he has a feeling Jun would look at him funny if he did. Then again, his reaction might be funny.
But back to the suits. Jun confirms with his next word that the suit is a perfect fit, which means Hiyori's hunch was correct. And that pleases him, somehow, in ways he doesn't quite know how to express in words at first.
That pleasure only intensifies when they head into the bathroom, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in fromt of the mirror. Like this, he can appreciate the full effect of their "couple's outfit." A quiet warmth spreads inside his chest, and all he says at first is,]
Of course we do. We're Eve!
[But that's not all. Is it?
As Eve and as Eden, they've worn complimentary outfits before. Identical ones, ones with slightly changed designs, and ones that reflect their respective image colors. Wearing matching clothes is nothing new, in other words. So why does seeing them like this in the mirror tug at his heartstrings now? It could just be that they're dating now and they weren't at home, but it also feels like it's more than that. In a way, the present from Jin Mingming feels like validation. This whole time he's been worried that their relationship is a liability here, that the House will punish them or tear them apart. It's keeping them from playing the game, after all, which is what they've been brought here for. Jin Mingming's own words had scared him to the point of nightmares.
And yet she did this for him. And it feels like their relationship—their love for each other—has been recognized: not as something that needs to be broken up, but as something worth paying tribute to. Something beautiful.
Perhaps he's reading too much into it, but that's what it feels like.
The look in his eyes softens, and he finds his fingers brushing Jun's.]
... it's nice, isn't it?
[He graps his hand lightly and squeezes.]
I see why you wanted to pick out matching jewelry.
[ It would defeat the whole idea of creativity, but he rolls his eyes with a smile. Besides, giving away what he's going to say in advance makes the other compliments moot. And with that in mind, he doesn't need any help! He'll figure it out, come up with new compliments and cherish Hiyori even more.
Even with Hiyori bragging, no one needs to hear him praising himself today. ]
Well, I thought you'd say something else. It's not like I'm fishing for compliments, I'm just saying... I’d rather not be called that if you don’t really mean it, Ohii-san. But, thanks ♪
[ But Hiyori's hunch is right, he expected something other than "pretty good." And maybe, deep down, he hoped he might be called handsome, or anything else. He still doesn't know that Hiyori thought he was beautiful, but would he get a big head about it? Well, probably! He'd probably think Hiyori bumped his head again or drank something strange. Either way, he'll take the handsome compliment and smile.
Is it just because they're Eve? Or is it something else? Sure, they've worn numerous matching outfits before. It's just how life is as an idol! But this feels different, having them stand shoulder-to-shoulder, bathroom mirror showing off both of their matching suits from top to tail. Something feels right, despite Jun's scepticism from earlier, he realises now Jin did mean to tailor him a suit. Watching through the mirror his heart feels full, knowing even when they haven't been shouting their relationship to the rooftops, it's still known to someone here and doesn't seem too much of a liability.
It is something beautiful, their relationship, and their love for each other. Jun never knew love could feel this intense, and it's something he never wants to squander. Despite where it's blossomed and bloomed, his eyes soften feeling Hiyori's fingers brush against his. ]
Yeah, it's nice, really nice.
[ He breathes out, giving the hand in his a squeeze back. ]
Huh, what didja mean by that?
[ Genuinely curious, Jun wonders why Hiyori would have that particular thought about them wearing matching suits now. He hadn't realised they'd moved past that point, even though they had discussed it extensively before.
... Or to the point where they'd come to a mutual understanding. ]
["Something else," huh? His eyes spark with curiousity as he wonders what that might be. Despite his obnoxious personality, he does want to tell Jun the things he wants to hear. Jun deserves to have a partner who makes him feel loved. It's just hard to find a middle ground sometimes between holding back enough not to embarrass himself and holding back too much.
But maybe, just maybe, he doesn't need to hold back at all. Not all the time, anyway. Maybe he can live with a little embarrassment.
And he's not embarrassed at all now as he opens his mouth and confirms:]
Well, I do mean it.
[There's no teasing tone, no argument; it's not a sassy retort. He just smiles gently, hoping his sincerity will shine through.
Jun does look handsome in the suit; they both do. That much is abundantly clear from looking at themselves in the mirror. They make an attractive couple, which he knows is what the suits are for: not a unit outfit (though they could be worn as such), but a couple's outfit. He and Jun were recognized as lovers. Not just cards.
He thinks about that and about the gold string that hasn't come off yet, even though he's done away with all his other strings at this point. He thinks about the suite they share together, the bird who's sleeping in her nest, the life they've built here. All of it as a pair, as "partners." Not alone.
He looks at them in the mirror, his fingers twined together with Jun's. His are still colder than their usual temperature. Timeline-wise, the connection with Esikko should still be ongoing, which I failed to realize when I started this thread. At least Weiss helped him find a way to cope with it. A reminder that things are less-than-ideal. Nothing is ideal; they're still being toyed with at every opportunity, still in danger of disappearing. Yet it wouldn't be the first time they've survived a corrupt environment. And not just survived, but thrived... isn't that right?
For the first time since Vil told him about the statues, he feels something like hope swell in his chest.
He turns to look at Jun properly.]
I don't quite know how to explain. But doesn't it sort of feel like our love is being recognized? Of course I don't need anyone's approval to love Jun-kun. And we don't need matching outfits, matching rings, or anything like that, either. But...
[He squeezes Jun's hand, his eyes narrowing in thought.]
It feels good to have something like that anyway, doesn't it? It's another way to show where our hearts are, no matter how much they say that sort of thing isn't done here. It feels almost like we're being told not to give up. And I wonder...
[He trails off.
Jin Mingming said the goal of this place, more or less, was to get everyone to be intimate with people they never would've met otherwise. People from different worlds. In doing so, this changes their fate. She said she didn't think being intimate with someone from their homeworld would promote longevity within the resort. But she also gave them this gift. Was it a consolation prize, because she knew her words upset him? Or was it an attempt to say something else?]
[ He wishes it were easier to come out and say what sort of compliments you’d like to receive, but Jun’s not that sort of person. With the confirmation he does look handsome, his chest bursts with warmth, having Hiyori say something and say he does mean it, makes Jun the most happiest person in the world. Wearing a suit isn’t usually his style! But as he looks back in the mirror, glancing between himself and Hiyori; something is abundantly clear! They do make an attractive couple, and Jun’s so happy, having what it seems like their love being recognised.
Hiyori articulates it in words better than Jun could, which is exactly what he’s been thinking. Here they are, in a shitty casino, being forced here against their will… but all throughout it all they’ve had one another. It’s the most comforting feeling waking up each morning seeing Hiyori’s beautiful sleeping face. It’s a comfort to Jun more than anything, more than Hiyori knows. ]
It’s like you’re reading my mind, Ohii-san.
[ Which means they’re on the same page! But being partners they usually are, aren’t they? Besides his heart doing a little flip, his thumb presses into Hiyori’s palm, rubbing circles. Really, Jun isn’t quite sure how to explain it either, but it’s exactly how he feels. Why else would someone in the resort go to the effort? ]
I’m not the sorta person who gets sappy ‘bout it, but it feels really good.
[ More than really good, but if he continues, he’d only be rehashing everything Hiyori’s already said. Though, it’s true! They don’t need anyone’s permission to love one another, or matching anything. It’s still nice to have, isn’t it? Maybe love made Jun soft, but it goes to show even he can experience a feeling that intensely and still be the same person.
What Hiyori’s proposing only makes sense. It’s Jun’s last string, too, but what else makes sense is how they’re still connected to one another. It may not be the red string, but who needs it? The House just gave them the wrong string, that’s all.
It’s not exactly what he had planned for Hiyori’s birthday, it’s definitely different. But the idea of having this, on Hiyori’s birthday, sounds nice. But one thing! ]
The thing ‘bout that… I don’t wanna get ‘em for the strings sake. Just for fun, but if you’re thinking it’ll count… Guess it depends? What’s “giving ourselves” really mean, anyway? We’ve done all that, and whoever’s deciding what counts is probably having a good time watching us fumble it.
At first he thought it was, because it wasn't a red string. The resort gave them red strings leading to other people, which of course was bogus. (Even if those strings did lead them to deepen their bonds with the people they did connect to.) And it gave Hiyori a second gold string, which was how he ended up shivering and whimpering in pain from phantom ailments that still haven't subsided. But the text on the screen regarding their gold string hadn't been all wrong, at least not from Hiyori's end. He may not believe in "destiny" or "soulmates" exactly, but Jun is his other half. And to find someone who will "take in every part of him" is a blessed thing. That might not be something he only shares with Jun. His relationship with Nagisa is like that, too: a bond based on mutual, unconditional acceptance. But when it comes to "having" and "being had," who else does he want to "have" more than Jun?
Jun, whom he wants to possess every part of. Jun, whom he's always confidently declared belongs to him. There's a reason Hiyori was so delighted to put a collar around his neck. But Jun wearing that collar wasn't enough to sever their string, and it's now that Hiyori realizes why that might have been: Jun might've given himself to him, but he hasn't given himself fully to Jun in return yet. Has he?
Maybe it's stupid of him to take any of this seriously. It is just another game. But...]
It's not just about the string.
[That, Hiyori can say with certainty. Looking Jun in the eye, he speaks with plenty of confidence.]
With or without this game going on, I'd still want us to match. But it isn't just about us matching. We didn't just talk about any rings, but about "promise rings." And there's a lot I want to promise Jun-kun.
[He squeezes Jun's hand, taking a breath before he launches into this next bit.]
For example, that I won't turn into one of those brainwashed career residents. That I'll never lose sight of what's important, and always stay true to my dazzling self. That I'll protect you from turning into a stone statue, and from all the horrors that go on in the basement. That we'll go home, reunite with Mary and Nagisa-kun and Ibara, and sit around a table eating delicious quiche together. That we'll perform the song we practiced for SS. And then, once all of that's done, that Jun-kun can have my future afterwards.
[He pauses, then, still squeezing Jun's hand, still looking Jun straight in the eye, hoping to convey that everything he said came straight from his heart. His expression is serious.
Then, finally, it relaxes, lips forming a smile again, soft and exhilarated.]
I don't know what nonsense Hearts has in mind. But I think that's what "giving oneself" means, at least for me. And I don't need to do it with a ring, but I like shopping and jewelry, so why not? Jun-kun said he also wanted something that matches, so that sounds like the best idea to me! ♪
Jun has realised now they don't need a silly, little red string to prove their love. He understands connections can form through the string, and it doesn't always have to be romantic. Besides, Jun doesn't have deep, romantic feelings for anyone else! After being afraid of intimacy for so long, finally he's grown comfortable enough for this. Sadly, Jun doesn't share this intense connection with anyone else, as his bond with Ibara isn't at the same level. Ultimately, there's no one else Jun would allow to have "all of him" the way Hiyori does.
It makes sense, doesn't it? If he has to wait his entire life to possess Hiyori, he just might. Honestly, it's not as if the string bothers him despite giving himself to his partner.
His head tilts, squeezing the hand in his tighter. ]
I just—had to be sure, y'know? 'Cause I know we kinda did, but I still don't wanna get ahead of myself, Ohii-san.
[ He knows there's nothing to be afraid of, and he shouldn't when Hiyori's been nothing but accepting. All in all, Jun should know better. ]
Good thing I’m not gonna let you become some brainwashed resident. And remember, we promised we’d stick together! We’re getting outta here and head back to Mary, Nagi-senpai, and Ibara. Maybe we can still perform in SS? Who knows, maybe time's stopped back home, and we’ll return to win! But I want that, 'cause you already have mine, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't.
[ His heart feels full hearing all of this, knowing Hiyori truly means it. They've already spoken about much of what they'd like to do back home, even before they were together! But he'd be lying to say he didn't want all of Hiyori's future, just as he's giving him.
When Hiyori turns serious, he knows it's real. Sure, Ohii-san is fussy, and needy and demands all of his attention, but as he's said before...! Jun could have tapped out at any time. His expression softens, a warm, fond smile spreading across his lips as he gazes at Hiyori filled with affection. ]
Don't really care what Hearts has in mind, Ohii-san. What we do shouldn't matter to 'em! But I get it, 'sides knowing shopping is your favourite hobby! And for your birthday, I wanted to pick out something nice, but guess it’s not really a surprise anymore, huh~?
[ It sounds like the "best idea" to him, too. Not because of the game, nothing ever has to do with the games this place throws at them. Jun wants to do it because he loves Hiyori, and wants to continue giving his best self every day. ]
I've got another lil' surprise for you, so you'd better be ready for it! ♪
[The fact Jun wants to give his future to him—that he wants them to spend their lives together—makes him feel horribly glad. It drives out all the dark thoughts swirling around in his head, dulls the pain in his chest and melts away the cold. Silly Jun-kun; he really should have known better.
It makes Hiyori feel so good, in fact, that he's willing to consider that idea that time is stopped back home, even though it sounds preposterous. Can the House's magic really influence their world? Does this whole place exist outside of time somehow, even though there are birthday celebrations and a calendar and seasonal activities like beach parties? He doesn't know, but that would be best. And it'd make things simplest for when they return.
Which they will, one day, hand in hand. He'll make sure it happens somehow.]
Mm~♪ Maybe so. One way or another, I have faith that we'll win someday.
[A part of him wonders if that could be part of their wish: not just to go back home, but to go back to the time they were pulled from. If the House really does grant wishes. And if they completed their 52 boards. He hasn't really spent much time thinking about what-ifs like that, because he doesn't want to delude himself, and he figured that was an option that was closed to them, anyway. But given that loophole they now know about...
Well. Now isn't the time to talk about that.
Jun says he picked something out for him—that he has another gift for him besides the breakfast in bed. Which isn't a huge surprise, but Hiyori had gotten so wrapped up in their conversation that he forgot about gift-giving. He beams at Jun.]
Jun-kun has another gift he's been waiting to unveil, huh? Excellent! Let's—
[see it.
But he stops before he can finish, his eyes widening as he clues into Jun's meaning. Is he saying he already bought them?
Hiyori's tempted to just ask, but after a moment's pause, he just nods, feeling uncharacteristically shy all of a sudden, his heart lodged somewhere in his throat.]
... on second thought, since Jun-kun wants to surprise me, I'll close my eyes.
[And that he does, standing there expectantly with his eyes shut.]
[ Hiyori never has to worry about their future; he truly means it. It's not just a comforting statement for Hiyori or himself. When he looks at Hiyori and reflects on all they've been through, there's no one else he wants to share his future with. Even back home, he had been ready to commit to Eve and Eden. What Jun was uncertain about years ago, now completely certain of.
"I have faith we'll win someday." Hearing these words make Jun feel a comforting warmth, as if everything will be alright once they return home. Regardless of the circumstances, their fans would still want them to win SS, even if they knew about their time in a sex casino. Jun wonders if time has stopped back home, or if he's only avoiding the thought of how Ibara and Nagi-senpai are managing without them. Eden would likely need to go on hiatus, something he's sure Hiyori wouldn't want to think too deeply about. Perhaps Ibara and Nagisa are performing as Adam, keeping the excitement alive for Eden and, by extension, Eve, ensuring that fans still talk about them. ]
Right, you'd better keep your eyes closed ♪
[ It's nothing extravagant, especially in a place where you can buy almost anything. But it's something Jun made himself—simple yet heartfelt. He steps away briefly, retrieving the gift from its hidden spot in one of their drawers. With a warm smile, he hands the package to Hiyori. Though Hiyori can't see the fondness in Jun's eyes right now, he’ll notice it once he opens the gift. ]
Made it myself, so dunno if it's good... But you can open 'em now!
[ He'll move to place the gift in Hiyori's hands, waiting for his eyes to open.
And as for what's inside the wrapped package? Well, it's a hand-knitted blanket. Not that it's necessary in a place where everything is easily bought, Jun intended to offer Hiyori a touch of extra comfort. The blanket is near the shade closest to Hiyori's image colour, with some uneven edges. It's not perfectly knit by any means, with a few gaps near the bottom, but it reflects Jun's most recent efforts in relearning sewing and knitting. (With thanks to the Ugly Duckling University!) ]
You know how we sometimes cuddle on the couch together? Well, I sorta figured it’d be nice to have this. And I didn't wanna buy anything, 'cause I think this'd show off my feelings better ♪
[ Of course, he’ll wait until Hiyori unwraps the gift, but he’s excitedly waiting to tell him all about it. ]
It's even got a lil' 'H' sewn into the bottom, 'cause it's all yours ~ ♪
[Back home, whenever the holidays rolled around, he always made a show of expecting gifts. "Jun-kun, it's almost Christmas! Don't forget my present, alright?" It was a way of building anticipation, but he also just liked the thought of Jun scrambling around, trying to find something that would please him. Gifts are a way of showing you care, after all, and it was always nice to have proof Jun was thinking of him. It was a way of pushing himself into Jun's thoughts—and his heart—even more. But also, it's just plain fun to celebrate with gifts!
Now it's still fun, but the sense of anticipation is different; he feels like a schoolkid waiting to receive Valentine's chocolate from the classmate they love. He's not expecting any one thing in particular, and yet he can't help the way his brain buzzes with possibilities. Did Jun get them matching jewelry or "promise rings"? If so, how did he know his measurement? Did Jun secretly measure his ring finger while he slept, the way the heroine's boyfriend did in a drama he watched back home?? Sneaky Jun-kun! He never knew he had it in him!
He closes his eyes, his cheeks lightly flushed. As he's waiting there with his hands outstretched, Jun announces his return, placing a package in them. Even before he opens his eyes, he realizes it's too big, too bulky to be a box with a ring in it. So what did Jun buy him?
As it turns out, nothing. Jun's gift to him is something he made himself, not something he bought. Hiyori looks surprised to hear it, but not in a bad way.]
Now I'm really curious.
[He tears off the wrapping and opens the package. What he finds inside is some soft knitting. Is it a sweater? No, he realizes, it's a blanket. He turns it over in his hands, looking mesmerized. It's not that he's shocked by the quality, but rather by the effort that surely went into it. Jun has knit small items for Mary before, but he's never taken on a big project like this, has he? And yet he completed it without Hiyori even noticing. He really is sneaky.
He looks up at his partner to find him smiling softly as he talks about cuddling; how he knitted the blanket so they could snuggle together underneath it. It's such a cute explanation, sugary sweet like birthday cake, that it sends his heart fluttering. Even without the chill brought on by his connection with Esikko, this blanket would seem like just the thing he needs. And as Jun talks about the stitching he did at the end, sounding proud of himself, Hiyori loses the ability to hold back.]
So this is Jun-kun's handiwork, hmm? ♪
[His eyes briefly drop down to the blanket, looking it over for another moment, before he smiles at Jun again.]
Very impressive! But it looks like you missed a letter.
[He speaks without a trace of admonishment. Smiling ear to ear, he shifts the blanket to his free hand and steps forward to throw his arms around Jun, draping the blanket over Jun's back. He presses their foreheads together and continues,]
It's missing a J, since this is a gift for both of us. When I'm wrapped up in Jun-kun and the blanket, I'm sure I'll feel twice as warm ♪ Just as Jun-kun will feel even more warm when he's cuddling me! That's what it means to share warmth! ♪
[With that, he closes his eyes, tucking his head against the side of Jun's face, his voice lowering to a heartfelt murmur.]
[ Back home, many things were different. Of course, he still managed to gift Hiyori something, but what could you get someone who has everything? Back then it made Jun nervous, and now it makes him even more nervous. He wants the gifts to be useful, something Hiyori likes, just to be certain he knows his partners' preferences. Even more now, where not only does Hiyori occupy his thoughts, but also his day-to-day life.
That's why there's a hint of nervousness as he hands over something he made himself. He's not a professional at all, the stitching isn't perfect, with the "H" being off by an inch or two. But it's brimming with love and care, reflecting Jun's personality just as much. (Besides, he had been thinking about buying them rings, and he can do that any day he likes!) But this was the first big project he had worked on. While knitting something Mary's size was easier, this took time and effort, and he wanted to put in the effort to see it through to the end. ]
Yep, all my handiwork! Pretty proud I got it done ♪
[ He seems prouder, chest puffing out a little as the motivation behind his actions becomes clear. Knitting from scratch hadn't been easy, there were times when he wanted to give up, thinking the project was bigger than planned. But wanting Hiyori to enjoy the gift, something filled with love, made the blood, sweat and tears worth it.
Jun looks a little confused by Hiyori's wording. Did he miss a letter? Nope, the H is right there! Unless he should have added a T for his last name!
Oh, that's what Hiyori meant.
He pulls Hiyori closer, rubbing their noses together as he feels the blanket around his shoulders. When Hiyori moves his head down, Jun moves his head down a little, pressing a short, soft kiss against his forehead. ]
Seems like I've got more sewing to do ♪ Though that'll hafta wait, 'cause we got a blanket to break in first! Well, I mean at least Ohii-san wants to share the warmth.
[ A blush blooms on his cheeks, feeling the shared warmth radiate between them. It's nice, having this, and wanting more. ]
[Jun's lips brush his forehead and he smiles. It seems that whenever he hugs Jun these days, Jun remembers to plant a kiss somewhere. He's doing great at this whole "boyfriend" thing. Their fans would surely be impressed.]
Mm~♪ Whenever I'm with Jun-kun, all the cold seems to melt away.
[He stands with his arms still looped around Jun's neck, his voice full of warmth. After how the past week has gone, Jun can surely understand those words' significance; Hiyori has been shivering from cold, wearing a winter jacket everywhere, and his skin's still unnaturally cool to the touch. He's been in pain, too. But Jun's been there with him through all of it, serving as his personal heater, and in more ways than just physical. Whenever he feels cold and alone, and when he broke down in tears after that nightmare two nights ago, Jun is there to remind him that things are alright. That he's not alone and he has love in his life.
He continues,]
I've been thinking "Jun-kun is just like a blanket" for a while now, actually. Almost like a security blanket. So your gift couldn't be more fitting.
[Like Jun's poster of Jin Sagami. Funny, how Hiyori has lightly teased him about that before. How Hiyori has teased Jun about needing him, about being a helpless (but adorable) kouhai who needs his guidance, when it's Hiyori who needs him. But all he can do is accept the simple truth. He needs Jun, which is why he'll hold onto him forever.
He untucks his head so he can look Jun in the eye again, still smiling, but speaking seriously.]
But I don't want to hog all the warmth. I'd rather bask in it together. And that's why I want to promise that one day, the two of us will feel real sunlight again. That we'll escape this place and live out our dreams.
[Not artificial sun. Not an "artificial view."]
Since that's my promise to Jun-kun, perhaps we should buy promise rings. You can even call it my wedding vow, as hopelessly cheesy as that sounds.
[ It's good affection comes naturally to him now, wanting to plant a kiss or two wherever he can. Better yet, Jun has realised this is precisely what it means to be in a relationship, and that accepting affection from others is welcomed even.
His thumb caresses Hiyori's soft cheek, wanting to bring further warmth to his body, which seems to be the only way Jun can. Realising the depth of those words, his smile grows wider, manoeuvring downward, placing another kiss flat against Hiyori's temple. It serves as a reminder that despite the suffering Hiyori's been through, the cold, pain and nightmares, he'll be here forever. ]
That's what you've been thinkin', huh~? Well, good thing I've just been thinking just the same thing ♪ But until a lil' while ago, I thought I was relyin' on the poster for comfort, so turns out I got the feeling all wrong.
[ Funny how things work out, through it all they've become one another's security blankets. At first, Jun believed it was the reason for his anxiousness, why he couldn't sleep without the comforting presence of Jin watching over them. But those sleeping patterns changed, whenever they shared a hotel room, and here a bed.
It's a rather good thing he won't hold it to Hiyori, with the shoe on the other foot, he's feeling fairly smug about the turn of events. Feeling wanted and wanting to be wanted are two different matters, and wanting to be guided through the dreary, dark alleyway has turned out for the better. ]
We promised already, didn't we? We'll spend all our time in the real sun, seeing all sorta new things together! Not to mention whenever I'm with you, it feels like my dreams bein' realised in all sorts of ways.
[ But truly, he's sick and tired of the artificial sun, the artificial view of the world. This wasn't part of their shared dream, not the sort of view Jun had mentioned to Hiyori during SS. He looks back into Hiyori's eyes, a line of pink dusting his cheeks when bringing up their aforementioned promise rings. Maybe it's something he should have gifted Hiyori with, after their conversation, but he still hadn't wanted to jump the gun so soon after. ]
And here I'd thought Ohii-san forgot all 'bout 'em ♪ Jokes aside, maybe we should. I mean, it woulda sounded cheesy months ago, not gonna lie. But now? A wedding vow sounds like a mighty fine idea.
[ A promise one day, whenever said day might arrive. It's something he would've vetted and complained about months ago, but having the person you're willing to spend the rest of your life with is a commitment worth committing to. ]
And on top of that, it's gonna be my promise, too. Sorta like a mini-proposal for life ♪
[He closes his eyes, enjoying the warm brush of Jun's lips, the thumb skimming his cheek.]
You were thinking the same thing, huh?
[Seeing him as a security blanket, just like the Jin poster. That's what Jun means, isn't it?
Normally he'd tease Jun over such an admission. "Ahaha, Jun-kun would be so hopeless without me!" Right now, however, he feels no such urge. Instead he just feels glad. What a relief this is. He's been afraid, lately, that he might have gotten too clingy. That he'll suffocate Jun and make him feel smothered. It's the last thing he wants, but he's just so afraid of losing him. So afraid that he'll wake up and find him gone, or that he'll message him and won't get a reply. That he'll find Jun's statue, like he did during his dream. Hiyori relies on Jun to keep him grounded, to make him happy, and to take care of him. He'd fall apart without him, especially after how the past week has went.
So it's a relief to hear again that Jun sees him as someone he can rely on. Even in this place, even after this week. Not a burden, but someone to keep him warm and help him feel secure. Like a blanket. Relying on Jun one-sidedly wouldn't be any good. But if they can rely on each other, and keep each other secure, then that's not being a burden. That's being "partners."
Which is what they are, now and forever.
Still. His brows do jump and his heart stutters when Jun says, "Maybe we should." Followed by "A wedding vow seems like a mighty fine idea." He hastily says,]
Well, even now it's still cheesy.
[But.
He knocks their foreheads together again and continues, speaking in a rush.]
But well, some people are actually doing that sort of thing. I heard the staff talking about it the last time I went out—how there's been an "uptick in weddings" since the Hearts game started.
[His cheeks turn a bit pinker.]
I'm not saying we should join in. Obviously it wouldn't be the same as a real wedding. But, well... I guess if we're already doing matching rings, and we've already promised each other the future, then we're more or less halfway there, anyway.
[He pauses, still blushing. And then, at last, he clears his throat and announces the following:]
So I guess what I'm saying is: I accept your mini-proposal! ♪
[Another pause.]
Or I would if you did have a ring. But since you don't, I'll accept this cozy blanket!
[ He hums happily against Hiyori, nodding after. Seeing him as a security blanket is what Jun means, a comfort when things are bleak. That's the sort of person Hiyori's become to him.
But life sometimes hits with so much uncertainty, he'd been met with so much before finally coming to terms with his feelings. From then on, Jun can't begin to explain how drawn he's become to affection, a feeling he once thought he could never embrace. Despite the reservations, Jun finds it almost too easy, realising he can no longer live without Hiyori. He'd be afraid of admitting the truth, but something tells him Hiyori feels the same.
Maybe it's how Hiyori knocks their foreheads together, mentioning it's still cheesy, and speaking in a rush. His heart stutters, for only a second, while still thumbing his finger across Hiyori's cheek, grinning. ]
We're not like "some people" just doin' it for some game, are we? And I'm not sayin' we should, just 'cause everyone else is. But, well, we sorta are already there, aren't we?
[ But something about Hiyori announcing it, has this feeling even more real. They'd been dancing around the subject a little, since the first time it came up, hadn't they? And there's Hiyori again, saying more eloquently than Jun ever could. ]
Nothing's stopping me from goin' out and getting one right now, Ohii-san. If ya wanna, dunno... make it official? But I'm pretty sure proposals are meant to be some huge secret, something you're not supposed to know yet! Or maybe it'll just be our secret right now! And, well, I'm not 'boutta show my hand so soon ♪
[ The words haven't sunk in properly yet, feeling closer to a high than anything else. Hiyori accepts his mini-proposal, and Jun hugs him tighter, pressing their noses together. ]
But one day we'll have a proper, real wedding—whenever ya want! So how's that sound?
[ Ideally, when they're back home in Japan with friends and family, Jun doesn't care whether their careers are declining. It's a promise for their future, so there's never any doubt he's not all in. ]
( happy 24th of july. as promised, a small birthday gift is dropped off by resort staff, sometime in the afternoon: a small tin of about a dozen small cookies. the tin itself is clearly a product of the resort, something grabbed from a souvenir shop— as if there would be any way for them to bring a souvenir back home— but the cookies are homemade, buttery and flavored with earl grey.
a piece of paper taped to the lid appears to have just been torn off the complimentary pads provided in the more generic suites. written on it in a hand that is certainly not that of an illiterate man is a list of ingredients, nice and normal and not spiked in the slightest. at the bottom, it merely reads happy birthday, followed first by a half-hearted, heavy handed scribble, then by kirma's name in a fancy script, decorated with a drawn pawprint and ears. it is impossible to say if he had any part in the creative direction of this.
all this to say: happy birthday to his favorite (and only) "coworker." hopefully you didn't get too cursed, buddy. )
[Hiyori was prepared. He stocked up on food and water, he warned the people closest to him, and he instructed Jun not to let in any visitors while he's suffering from his horrible curse. Today would be the day he'd receive his comeuppance from the House: he was sure of it!
But the comeuppance never comes. He doesn't feel cursed. And when he receives a delivery first thing in the morning, it's from Jin Mingming, not the House. A lovely-looking gift that fits him like a glove. She even threw in something for Jun-kun!
He's still wary he'll receive something else from the House later, which means he's highly suspicious of the second delivery. So what if it looks like a cookie tin? Perhaps the cookies were poisoned! Or, more likely, drugged with aphro. But he reads the attached note before he opens the lid, and that earns a big eyebrow raise.
With its adorable embellishments, that signature is fit to be an idol's. It tells him who the gift is allegedly from. Though who exactly wrote it when Kirma's supposed to be illiterate...?
Oh well. It doesn't matter, he supposes. It's the thought that counts.]
He'd be such a good, cute boy if not for that other stuff.
[But again, oh well. Now's not the time to dwell on the prince's recent kidnapping! Or the other kidnapping, or the whole arm-breaking scandal. He calls out to Jun.]
Jun-kun, look! There are cookies! These seem like they'll go perfectly well with tea, so let's brew some~ ♪
[And then later he'll track down Kirma. Not in-person. Just before bed. It takes some effort (didn't his username used to be "User" with a bunch of numbers after it??) but eventually he manages.]
[He doesn't respond until the next day. Jun comforts him in the aftermath of his nightmare, and it leads to them finally having a conversation they should've had weeks ago. Checking his watch isn't a priority. Neither is Esikko, for that matter.
When he does read the message the next day, sometime after breakfast, he grimaces. Esikko hadn't said anything about his tears earlier in the week! Whatever happened to silent support? But it figures that he'd say something now, after having his sleep interrupted. Not that Hiyori feels too bad about that given what Esikko's been putting him through...]
Nope, no one. There's nobody trying to kidnap me or cut my chest open.
( It's strange, to feel a pang of sympathy. One that he hopes isn't as noticeable as he feels like it is, with how foreign it is for him. But even with that, he's... terrible at comforting others. Is the best way to deal with something like this... offering a solution? )
I have herbs that can prevent dreams, if you find yourself having too many nightmares.
[Well, he can tell Esikko felt a pang of something, anyway. And his response is something of a surprise; a far cry from the "It does no good to worry about things you can't control" back in their Mating Season room.]
Thanks.
[Another pause.]
I don't normally have nightmares. But I've been worried ever since you said that stuff about energy, to be honest. I guess all those worries finally caught up. So, what you said putting off miserable thoughts might not have been too wrong.
[What is this faint negativity...? Oh well. It's gone now!]
Apparently not! I'd heard about that person from someone else, actually, though I didn't know he was a statue. I just knew he disappeared for three months, his room got cleaned out, and he came back with no memory of where he was. I thought it was the same deal as Rinne-senpai, where he just disappeared into a void for a bit, but apparently he was a statue during that time.
Don't take this the wrong way, though. I haven't decided it's okay for that to happen to Jun-kun just because there's a chance he might come back later. That would be unforgivably careless. So, we'll figure something out.
It'd be more reassuring if we actually knew the way, but it's something!
And yep, pretty much! If you really want the full list of things that are bothering me, it looks something like this!
1. Stress over what you said 2. Stress over what Jin Mingming said 3. Stress over what Vil-kun said 4. Constant pain and exhaustion, thanks to our connection! 5. Lack of sleep, because me and Jun-kun have a bird who's always chirping!
That's it. But I'd say that's more than enough, wouldn't you?
[And here he'd thought his friend sympathized with his plight. Alas.]
Sorry, I forgot Esikko-kun doesn't have anything like a partner here, so he doesn't have to worry about anyone except himself!
Though I hope you'd spare at least a little concern for your friend who's letting you sleep in his room.
Anyway, I can't control what I dream about. And I didn't know you're a light sleeper because you never said so! If you're that sensitive to disruption, I'm not sure why you suggested this whole thing. I know it's supposedly because of the string, but I think we both know that's not the real reason.
Who says I don't have anything like a partner here? Just because I'm not obtusely refusing to play this forced game doesn't mean that. You don't know anything. My concern for him is none of your business, either.
I don't know what you're trying to say with that last comment, either. Of course it was for the string.
["Who says I don't have anything like a partner here?" --> "My concern for him is none of your business" --> "Him" means the friend he's staying with --> ...]
Oh, so it's that sort of relationship? Congratulations! 🥳🎉
[So that's why he was asking questions about love that one time. It all comes to together!
As do a lot of other things about Esikko, in his opinion.]
You really expect me to believe that was the whole reason? Not that you wanted someone else to have to walk in your shoes for a change? Walk in your shoes, see how much you've been suffering, offer to share that pain, and show sympathy for you. No interest in any of that, huh?
Huh? But you said you have a partner here! And you got all offended when I implied you might not be worried about your roommate! Which means *that* would be your partner, correct?
And all that other stuff was obvious from the start! The only thing I wasn't sure of was the sympathy part, since I sort of get the feeling it makes you uncomfortable whenever anyone feels bad for you. But that could just mean it's an "I want it, but at the same time, I don't want it!" sort of deal. We nobles have our own pride, so I understand why it's hard to accept things like sympathy.
Actually, I said "Who says I don't have anything like a partner here," which doesn't necessarily mean I have. A partner. You don't need to be speculating on who's close to one, either.
In any case, I don't see why you're going on about any of this when if I did the same to you, you'd deflect and change the subject even more aggressively. Should I admit to my feelings, just for you to say "okay!" and move on like they're nothing?
( Urgh... This talk is making him so nervous he feels nauseous. It's disgusting, it's not like him, it's true, in some ways, and he doesn't want to admit his feelings, doesn't want to be vulnerable in any way that can leave him to be hurt—
Even his anger is struggling to come through with the intense fear of abandonment he has twisting in his gut. )
When it's all you've known, you become used to things like that. It is more difficult sometimes than others.
( He doesn't even know what to say to address, or dodge, the other stuff. Feels sick just trying. So, he leaves it as that. )
Yep, old habits die hard, that's what everyone says! But hopefully your roommate doesn't make you feel like your feelings are nothing.
And hopefully he can help calm your anxieties a bit, too. Don't tell anyone this, but sometimes when I feel anxious, Jun-kun will sing me a lullaby until I feel better. That's the sort of thing partners are good for!
( Ugh. That sounds horrible. The image of Dabi singing him a lullaby earns a laugh out loud, though, despite the anxiety inducing feelings surrounding everything. He scrubs his face before he replies. )
No one has ever sung me a lullaby, and I'd hardly want it now.
I only have so much time left. In the end, my feelings are nothing. I don't care about that.
( Yes he does. )
I suppose I'm happy for you, though. It must be nice to have the support. Has he helped you through this? If I've made you grow a little closer, I deserve some credit, you know.
[Ugh, what a downer. Even though he could swear he felt something like amusement coming from Esikko just now.]
We were already close without your help, thanks! And I can tell you he doesn't see things that way.
[Jun was very mad when he first saw the state that Hiyori was in. Even though Hiyori did admit that he agreed to the whole feelings connection thing. Jun's never had a positive reaction to anything he told him about Esikko, come to think of it. In fact, when Hiyori told him that someone here witnessed a murder but couldn't say who did it, he was all, "You know that sounds hella suspicious, right?" As though Esikko-kun did it himself! Which, well—Hiyori can't blame him, since even he wouldn't believe someone could be such a misfortune magnet if he hadn't met Esikko for himself and heard (parts of) his tragic life story!
But anyway.]
But going back to what you said about "not having much time left" - are you sure about that? I mean, I know why you'd feel that way, since living with your illness is just awful. But this place can bring people back from the dead, according to you. And there are all sorts of people with healing magic here.
[What does that first thing mean? What does the second thing mean? What does any of this mean?]
I wasn't saying you should die and get revived.
[But, well. Maybe the clinic could heal him somehow? Even though Hiyori would not want to trust the medical staff here himself...]
What about your wish? I'm still not convinced that whole thing isn't a scam, but you are playing that 52 game, right? And you don't seem too keen on using your wish to go home. Maybe you can ask them to cure you!
[He means he was cursed by God metaphorically... right?]
Well, you *do* seem pretty cursed here, so I guess not.
But you also sound like you have a plan. So, that's good. Do whatever you need to do, I guess.
[Then, after a pause:]
By the way, I have a question about this connection thing! Did you ever figure out how compatible our souls are? You must have an answer by now, right?
It's not quantifiable, but... If we were incompatible, the link wouldn't have worked so well at all. For it to last this long, too, has implications of similarities at some level.
( Haha. So Hiyori doesn't want to admit he's like him, huh? Esikko can't even blame him for that. But he is annoyed, anyway. )
Are you so sure about that? Well, but the magic doesn't spell it out for me, so perhaps you should sit down and think about it for a while if you're so curious.
Pretty much! We're both nobles and we both like flowers, but otherwise we seem like polar opposites.
✨☀️✨😊✨💚✨🎶✨🌻✨
^ My personality is like that, but yours isn't the same at all! You're more of a 😔, 🌫️ and 🌦️ type!
And then instead of a sunflower, you'd probably be something like a rose with a thorn on a stem. I guess I might be rose-like in some ways too, though. I *am* beautiful like one.
All the sparkles are literal, by the way. Recently I found out what my soul looked like. It was sparkly like that!
You're certainly not wrong that we're opposites in certain ways. I believe that's called a foil.
If we're choosing flowers, I'd much prefer to be loosestrife. However, I do enjoy them all in their own ways, so I'll take that, thorn and all, as a compliment.
Is that what you'd call it? Better foils than enemies, I guess!
Loosestrife, huh? That sounds nice. As long as you don't mean the purple kind. Then it's an invasive species!
And it was Weiss-chan who taught me how to bear my soul like that. She said it's called an Aura, but it sounds like the same thing as a soul. The good news is that when it's active, it can warm you right up like a blanket! Which is a wonderful help while I'm dealing with this emotional link thing! I can't always get it to work properly, though. She said you need to have a "calm mind" for it to work.
I do feel calm right now, though, so perhaps it'd be best just to show you. If you share it with someone else, it can warm them up, too! And we still have that "Hearts task" left to do, don't we? The one you were so keen on doing with me last time!
That's the thing, she said it's not magic! But she also said it can heal minor scrapes and bruises, which sounds an awful lot like magic if you ask me.
And great! I'll just pass our bird to Jun-kun and head over! Though I'm not quite sure where I'm headed to. Maybe we can meet at a bench somewhere? Unless there's somewhere specific you wanted to do this cuddling thing.
People may have their special little names for things, but magic is magic. This sounds like a type of it. Too many worlds equate "magic" with something unreal or fantasy-like, despite their own methods being based on the same concepts.
Anyway, let's meet in the gardens. There's a number of benches there.
Sounds like I'll just have to show you, and you can decide for yourself if it's magic!
And sure! Just make sure the bench is stationed far away from any suspicious-looking flowers, alright?
[He means the sex pollen ones. And with that, he's off!
He's not as prompt as he would be if he weren't fighting pain and exhaustion every step of the way. But he gets to the Cloud-Dwelling garden before too long, wearing one of the winter coats he and Jun found inside the flower maze back in April. Assuming Esikko's already there, he'll be checking the benches for him.]
( Luckily for Hiyori, Esikko knows exactly where flowers like that are, after his own gardening experiences. So, he sits on a bench that faces a nice view of the flowers, but from a respectable distance, near a nice little gazebo and water feature that he's currently watching. Eyes follow the trickling flows of water as he plucks at his own fingers and the strings that remain, including the one attached to Hiyori.
It's when he's close enough that he recognizes the string reacts differently to his plucks, shortening in distance. So, he glances over to him, stuck on that dramatic coat for just a moment before he pats the spot next to him. )
[The winter coat is the most abormal-looking thing about him. He's been wearing it around the resort, pale and drawn and shivering, while his fellow shoppers eyed him nervously and tried to move away from him, afraid that whatever he had going on was contagious. But he doesn't seem too terribly uncomfortable right now, approaching the bench with a smile.]
Yep. This seems like a good view.
[He doesn't feel miserable, either, Esikko will notice. His worries haven't all washed away but they've receded, his emotions calm. He sits next to Esikko on the bench and then gets right to business.]
So!
[He faces Esikko.]
As far as that Aura thing goes, I need to be touching you to share it anyway, so I guess you can go ahead and lean on me. I'm wearing this cushy winter coat, so it just makes sense! Your head will be nice and comfortable~♪ And that'll satisfy the whole string challenge thing, which is what you'd call a double-win in my book.
( Already, Esikko lets out a rather heavy sigh. For the most part, his emotions feel deadened somehow, in their link. Tired, muted, barely there— it's a coping mechanism. Hiyori, though, earns a little spike of annoyance before Esi listens and leans his head down to the side.
Well, the coat is fluffy and comfortable, at least. )
The more you make this sound like a business transaction, the less I like it. Just so you know.
( He doesn't know what he'd prefer, but he knows this is just awkward. )
You're awfully hard to please. This is me when I'm in a cuddly mood!
[Poor Esikko-kun. Hiyori's been too irritated with him to muster much sympathy in the past week or so, but now he can manage. Everything's always miserable in his life, and his emotions are dreary to match. But he has something like a partner here, so it's not always terrible, is it?
Maybe he can be taught to appreciate the little things. Like a lovely garden view, or sharing warmth with someone else. Hiyori lies his head on top of his, then reaches for Esikko's hand. Weiss took his hand when she shared her own warmth and taught him how to do this, so that's what he should do too, right?
"Think of something that will make you calm and happy." That's what she told him, and so that's what he does, recalling the same lullaby from Jun he used last time.]
♪~♪~♪
[He hums along to the memory softly, and after a moment his Aura activates. It manifests as a glow that envelopes him—the appearance depends on the person, apparently, and his is almost blindingly bright and sparkly. The brightest she'd ever seen, she said! That glow brings warmth along with it, starting from their joined hands, spreading from palms to fingertips and then traveling up their arms. It settles over their heads like a blanket. Hiyori opens his eyes.]
See? Like that! ♪
[That bright and dazzling glow fades away after a moment, but the warmth doesn't leave with it.]
( When the aura begins to form, Esikko finally slips out of that tired looking frown and into a small little smile. Maybe whoever taught Hiyori this said it wasn't magic, maybe they don't consider it such, but— he reaches his free hand out to run through the sparkles, useless in everything except gesture. Like pressing a hand through a ray of sunlight itself, and just as warming. )
This is most certainly magic...
( His voice is soft, though, fond, and he lets his hand rest back down, the other one still nestled easily in Hiyori's hold. )
To me, anyway. Magic varies from person to person, so it makes sense that any sort of projection you create would be unique like this. Hmm, what does it use... Does it take some energy? A little bit of stamina, perhaps?
[He watches that hand reach out to grasp the sparkles, just in time for them to fade. Between that and the comment about magic, he gets the sense that he's impressed him, and that's nice.]
That's what I thought! But if it is, that would mean I can do magic now, correct?
[And that thought sure is a doozy. Not that he dislikes it.
In response to the question about stamina,]
I'm not really sure! She did say it can drain, though. And that it drains faster when I'm sharing it with people. So maybe it does take stamina.
[He pauses, still leaning against Esikko, still basking in the newfound work. It doesn't completely drive away the bone-deep chill, but it feels like sweet relief every time, akin to coming indoors after being outside in the cold. And it feels like that for Esikko, too, doesn't it? He continues,]
I feel like it's also a matter of will, though. For example, just now I wanted to share my warmth with you, so I willed it into existence. Which is exactly what I've always wanted to do. Or it's who I want to be, rather: someone like the sun, who can drive away all the cold and darkness in the world.
( It's unusually soft, coming from Esikko, but his suit has been flaring up off and on, and his emotions are in knots. Knots of feelings that have always had the capability to show themselves, but have normally done so in far more unhinged manners. This resort is simultaneously a whole new expanse of worlds opened up to him, and a gilded cage.
Right now, there's this strange juxtaposition of sadness and relief that he can't explain. He doesn't know why it's coming here, with Hiyori, in response to some foreign magic that's nearly wholly useless. It's showy, it's... warm, and it's nice, and it's almost comforting. Useless...?
His heart aches with loneliness even as a small, genuine smile persists, his eyes closing from his own exhaustion. Like this, maybe he can pretend that he's with anyone that he wants to be trying to share warmth with him, with any of the backs he's been chasing for one reason or another. But Hiyori is one of those too, in a way— the false idea of a "friend" that doesn't quite seem right. Familiar, in a way, to one or two relationships from home, to people close to him physically, but only out of obligation.
He thinks that, maybe, he needs to start showing his own worth a little more, to make sure these scraps of company don't vanish completely. )
But your music at the beach was like that, too, you know. ( Kind, from him? His voice is barely above a whisper. ) It felt a little like magic. Not anything like when you speak.
( A light jab, all things considered, to offset the oddity of his kind words. )
The prince's voice sounds softer than usual. Hiyori glances at him, but mainly just sees the top of his head at this angle (blond roots included). Despite the connection, he can't quite grasp what Esikko's feeling. There's some underlying sadness somewhere in there, but at least he doesn't seem worried at the moment, and that's good. While they're like this, it'd be best if he could let his worries melt away.
It comes as a surprise when Esikko brings up the beach concert, the complimenting triggering a little burst of happiness and pride.]
So you were dazzled! ♪
[He sounds audibly pleased to go along with it.]
That just makes it sound like there's something wrong with the way I talk! But I do think songs are the universal language. They have the power to reach people's hearts, lift up their spirits, and speak to something inside themselves that they might not have known how to express. All that could be considered a kind of magic, I suppose. I know that's someone's motto...
[He thinks of "that" unit while staring down at his hand, examining his two remaining gold strings.]
( At the dazzle comment, Esikko just breathes out a little laugh. It's not denial, even if it's also not agreement— but that should be enough, right? He's already said enough of a compliment. Eyes still closed, he at least hums in agreement at the next part; music certainly is a language of its own. )
I do enjoy it, when I can. Could, really... I wasn't allowed out of the palace very often, but music travels a fair amount of distance, so I could hear it from the window during celebrations or festivals.
( He also hums sometimes, when he's writing in his journal, when he's alone, when he wants to focus, or get his mind off of something. But never in company. )
["Wasn't allowed." Now that's sad. He keeps that useless thought to himself for once, alongside any quips about princesses locked in towers, but maybe Esikko can feel the slight pang of sympathy. It's not the same as Eichi-kun watching idols on TV from his hospital bed, but it is sad.
Still.]
Well, here you can listen from up close! It's just a shame there's no proper stage, let alone a concert arena. They seem to offer every kind of entertainment except that. I know there's that dance club, but the music there is a bit too loud if you ask me.
[He sighs in disapproval.
Before immediately imbuing his voice with some more pep.]
But that just means we idols have to make our own entertainment. And I'm able to turn absolutely anywhere into a stage ♪ I'll just have to keep you posted about our next activities!
I wouldn't be sure of that. I have a lot more information now than I did when we first spoke.
Though I'm not sure how much that stuff interests you, since you don't even seem to know basic things. Like that people turn into statues when they disappear, or that different suits come with different side effects. Which just makes it sound like you haven't done any digging, so on second thought, disregard!
Anyway, what makes you want to know? Do you want ammo for bullying? Are you concerned for him as a friend? Or might it be 💖❤️💖✨~love~✨💖❤️💖?
You think relying on someone is the same as love, huh? I thought that too when I was a child!
But as for the specifics, it feels wrong to share them when I don't know your motivation. If you are concerned for him as a friend, why not ask him yourself?
"I heard you were crying. Is everything alright? You're not hurt, are you?"
Let me put it this way: if I saw you cry about something, and some other person said they wanted to hear all about it, would you want me to tell them? That boy might be pitiful, but I'm sure he has his own pride just like you do.
The new arrival is my sister, and I want you to refrain from talking to her about magic as much as you can feasibly manage. If you promise to do this I'll show you my magecraft.
[Her sister. Goodness, that's rough. Even he can't think of something funny to say.]
First of all, I'm sorry to hear it.
[He tries to imagine his older brother being here, and nope. Done thinking about it!]
Just your magic, or all magic? I can promise either way, but it strikes me as a fool's errand to keep her away from all magic. Almost everyone can do it here. Even I've learned a little bit.
Mine, or suggesting that she should be involved in magic. Technically she was adopted out to another mage family because their bloodline was dwindling, so in essence we're not "sisters" but rival families.
It's incredibly complicated, but she wasn't properly raised in the craft, so don't rub salt in her wound. I do that enough by just existing in the same space as her.
[He'll pass on getting involved in any sibling rivalries.]
Very well. I won't mention it! I'll simply say, "Yep, I've heard of Rin Tohsaka! Very serious personality, but she looks out for her friends! Now, how about we go get some ice cream?"
I guess I don't have anywhere I need to be imminently. Just let me pick up some air freshener first. I know they spray in there, but I don't want to risk smelling any unpleasant smells!
Also, you *do* swear this isn't a trap, correct? You're just paying back your debt or what-have-you?
I'm not sure! You're just usually all, "You have nothing I want, so there's no reason to show you anything!"
And the only reason you agreed to meet with me last time was so I'd treat you to sweets, correct? And so you could prove me wrong about being an old warlock.
But if you just want to show off and prove that you can go toe-to-toe with gods and immortal ghosts, that's perfectly alright. I don't have much competitive spirit, but it's fun to see other people get fired up!
[Tohsaka will be waiting at one of the large, oval shaped tracks. It's a nice open space without a net to get in the way. As Hiyori arrives she'll be pulling her thick, dark hair up into a high ponytail. Her outfit matches that of the area: a light t-shirt, athletic shorts, and moisture wicking leggings underneath so she can still walk about the resort without feeling too much of the autumnal chill that settled in when the monsters were running about and having their fun.]
[It takes him a bit to get down to the gym, but he arrives as promised. Upon entering the court, he sniffs the air, before deeming it acceptable after a moment's pause. Looks like he doesn't need to spray anything!
He waves from a distance when he spots Rin, calling out across the court.]
Yoo-hoo! ♪ I'm here to see some magic! But first let me pull up a chair...♪
[And then he claims the nearest folding chair, turning it to face her. He's keeping his distance, though it's not out of suspicion—he just remembers when she implied that her magic was oh-so-dangerous and he might not want to get too close to it. Back when he thought she was an old warlock!]
[She raises her left arm, and he'll see blue marks start to glow. Hard-edged geometric patterns appear from her wrist to her elbow. Her family's crest encompasses the entire arm, but she only needs to fill certain pathways with magical energy for what she's doing.]
This is a Crest. It is both an archive and an organ that gets handed down from heir-to-heir in a mage family. The longer the bloodline lasts the more extensive the crest. These markings hold spells that need only magical energy. Because of this Crest there are spells that I can use without circle or incantation. The spell I will show you today is gandr. Originally a low-level curse meant to cause minor physical ailment in its target to weaken them. However, if you condense and layer the curse you create something much more... dangerous. Now I have great aim, but it's not a precision spell. You shouldn't put yourself in the potential splash-zone.
[By this point, he's been in the resort long enough to have Seen Some Shit. He's seen giant magical snakes and dragons explode into flower petals. He's seen Rinne's head turn into a clownfish head, and he's seen Loki generate a clone army! The reveal of her Crest doesn't elicit much of a response, other than a slight look of interest as he watches those marks glow.
But then his brow furrows as he tries to absorb that whole infodump.]
So you're from the same world as Hilda-chan, huh.
[That's what he assumes, after hearing about something called a Crest being passed down through a bloodline. He eyes her somewhat dubiously and says,]
You know, you don't need to show me. If your magic is that ruinous, then you might just land us both in trouble. I know you're all about "equivalent exchanges," but I haven't done anything for you yet. If you insist on making things "equal," though, you could always treat me to sweets sometime. I've treated you before, so that would be a truly equal exchange, would it not?
Isn't the point here for me to pay it forward — therefore solidifying your compliance with my request? Or do you feel we're uneven? Are you scared because something you may have said might bring about karmic retribution on you? I don't think there's anything I should currently be cross with you about. Unless you'd like to fess up to something?
[He still hasn't risen from his folding chair, so Rin takes the liberty of standing next to him. A hand settled on the metal backrest as she waits for his reply.
He's not aware of her martial arts prowess, either. So he can't possibly know that if she doesn't like his answer she can just yank the chair from under him, and dump Hiyori on the ground like a rag-doll who so rudely stole her spot in musical chairs.]
[Why is he still getting a menacing vibe from all this?]
No, nothing to fess up to.
[It sounds sincere enough. He did kind of make fun of her to Dabi, but that's how he talks about everyone, so it doesn't occur to him that she might've seen that and gotten mad.]
It's just that you're behaving somewhat suspiciously, that's all! And you said that thing about destroying the court, which seems excessive if you asked me. There was some pretty powerful magic on display at the Showcase, but none of those demonstrations did any damage. Do you not have much control over yours?
[Nothing to fess up to he says. That ends up being her tipping point. If he at least confessed something perhaps she would have been able to play along a little longer, but since Aak was distressed enough to tell her directly rather than Rin finding it herself she feels like something should be done.
So the hand on the back of the metal folding chair grips it with some force, and she yanks it up and tilts it to force him to fall out of the seat. Dumping him like a bag of unwanted spare parts.]
Nothing? Truly, nothing? Oh, why don't I jog your memory then?
[It seems like she's ignoring question in favor of her own round of grilling him.]
[Now this he didn't expect. Despite the air of menace, he had no idea about her strength; she's a petite young woman, after all. And so he does fall out of the chair, landing on his knees.]
What was that for? I haven't done anything to you!
[He whirls around to face her, already staggering to his feet.]
Oh? You haven't? Because I heard that you think sleeping with fully sentient beings that happen to have some anatomical differences is the same as laying with a beast. And by saying such things you both demean that person, and place implications on those who may have slept with them.
[She smiles in his direction, but it's the same smile she'd give to her fellow schoolmate Makidera when the girl would talk shit about her. The kind of smile that serves more as a glare. The kind of smile that's sharper than daggers piercing the skin. A threat.]
Oh, and I'm glad you're finally standing.
[In a flash she has her finger pointed at him. A dark, roiling mass forms at the tip — its wavering outline glowing red. When she lets the magic fly it hits near his feet and scorches the ground. A small bit of smoke rises from the spot showing that she could have blasted off his foot if she wanted to.]
[He blinks, looking totally bewildered. She's throwing a lot of words around, and he has no clue what she's saying. "Sentient beings?" "Beasts?" That whole Network thing with Aak was over a month ago, and he hasn't thought about it since.
But he'd better start thinking fast, because she's pointing a magical finger right at him. He holds up his hands.]
First of all—
[Then she blasts it at his feet, and he leaps backwards, face flashing with alarm.]
First of all, why do you care what I think? I thought my opinions meant nothing to you! And second of all, what are you talking about?
A little birdie [kitten, actually?] told me that you said sleeping with someone like Aak is akin to bestiality. That's pretty rude, isn't it? I think that's the kind of language PR teams have to clean up after they go public. And since you don't have a manager here to complain to, I think I'll do the clean up myself.
[She aims again. The curse developing at the tip of her index finger once more. This time she holds it. Waiting for his reaction. She wants to know if he'll hold his ground or retreat.]
[Recognition dawns when he hears the name "Aak." He huffs and crosses his arms.]
I just wanted him to stop harassing me! He came out of nowhere and said these crude things about me, even though I'd already made it clear I wasn't interested. And he made a gross threat about my partner, and one of the girls here warned me that he likes to drug people. He seems like an absolute creep. If he can't handle being rejected, then he shouldn't have said those gross things first!
[He's so busy complaining that he hardly notices she's still threatening him.]
[She aims closer this time. The shot blasts a small chunk from the floor, and singes the edges of his shoes.]
Oh, I don't care what he may have said. My problem is that your statement made a judgment call not about Aak himself, but the people who happened to have been with him before. You really don't consider what you say before it comes out of your mouth, do you? I'm not surprised he made comments about your boyfriend. Someone needs to teach you a lesson about what comes out of that mouth of yours.
[Now that gets his attention. He jumps backwards again, staring in disbelief at the damaged floor. He knows she's not a royalty card. She could get in trouble!
But there are rarely any consequences in this place. He's one of the people who told her that. So all he can do is shrink away, staring at her with a mixture of wariness and incredulous disbelief.]
Let me put it this way. If someone you'd already turned down started harassing you, and then threatened to go after your sister, would you insult him? Or would you hold back for fear of offending the people he's slept with? Keep in mind this is a one-on-one conversation, which should mean it's just between you two.
I'd come up with a better insult. But what does it matter? I've had enough of your mouth even without that comment.
[Tohsaka begins closing the distance between them — her ponytail swaying behind her with every step.]
Perhaps instead of chasing you with magic bullets I should be melting your mouth shut. That's not as serious as murder, right? I'd just get a slap on the wrist. Maybe a sternly worded... what is it called? E-mail? "DM"? Either way, you're going to have to entertain me until I'm not as pissed anymore. Got it? And I'm showing you my magic at the same time! We both win~
[What does it matter? He wonders whose behalf she's even angry on. It can't be her own, can it? Surely an attractive young woman like herself wouldn't be desperate enough to stick a cat's ***** up her ******* just to get a card.
Not that he's stupid enough to say that out loud. His lip curls when she threatens him rather graphically—he's still not sure if she means it, but at this point, it's starting to seem like she might! So what does he do?
Play dumb, that's what! If he acts like this is just a normal friendly interaction, then she might just start to see it that way too. Gradually, the tension will dissolve before she's even noticed. He'll take the wind out of her sails with his cheeriness! That's the plan!]
I'd be happy to brainstorm new insults sometime! But what exactly do you mean by entertainment? Do you want a song and dance? Or would you like to see my magic? I don't know if you know Weiss-chan, but she helped me unlock the power of my soul~♪
[He tries bringing out the sunshine, but instead of ruining her fun she just lets a sinister smile cut across her lips.]
By entertainment I mean this: you screaming for my mercy while I toy with you. Scurry about, little bug! I'm about to take out my frustrations on you ♥
[With a flourish and flick of her wrist she sets off another magic bullet. The condensed curse whizzes by Hiyori, singing the tips of his hair, before barreling into the far-off wall and creating a small hole. A bit of smoke rises from the scorched bit, and some people start leaving the courts close to the running track to avoid becoming injured bystanders.]
I'm giving you a chance to run, but if you don't I'll just have to catch you and find another way to play.
[A dilemma he can't yap his way out of? Say it ain't so...!
It worked when Fuuta cornered him in a treehouse a few weeks ago: all he had to do was yap. And it worked way back on the day of his arrival, when his new "wife" threatened him—all he had to do was turn the other cheek and show her some kindness, rather than keep insulting her. But alas, nothing will work on this girl, who shoots off another magic thingamajig, and—
Did that just make contact with his hair?!
Something sure smells like it's burning close to his face. The cheer vanishes from his face, and he brings up his arms. He moves back half a step, his heart lurching. What's she talking about? She wants him to scream and run? It's honestly tempting to do just that!
But instead, he forcibly digs his heel into the ground, steeling his expression and standing rooted to the spot.]
That sounds like a pain, so if you're going to shoot me, just do it.
[His hand curls near his pocket where he's carrying the small cannister of air freshener. Idly he wonders if he could spray it in her eye, or if it's a lost cause. But he'd rather not do anything violent to a girl, so what does that leave him with?]
Is that right? I don't want your limbs or your blood. I just want a little of your humiliation. Why refuse to make a girl happy?
[She considers her options. What else could she do to him that would be harmless, yet fun? Perhaps she could blast a hole in the floor and watch the shock on his face when he falls though to the room below? Or maybe she could alter his gravity just enough that he flies off into the ceiling like a lost balloon, and have him beg and scream to be let down again?
Tohsaka frowns as her blue eyes give him a disappointed once-over.]
[ first, an attachment: a photo of one of the "nonspecific holiday gift man" figurines that seem to be decorating every inch of the public spaces of the resort all of a sudden.
[It's not every day that an immortal ghost king texts him to ask who Santa Claus is, but he can roll with this!]
Looks like Santa!
Which some people might say is a bit premature, since it's not December yet. But I say there's nothing wrong with getting in the Christmas spirit early! I'm just glad he still has his suit on and they're not making him do something weird.
December's the last month of the year, and Christmas is a holiday! Christmas Day is December 25th, while Christmas Eve is on December 24th. You celebrate by giving each other gifts! Though lots of people treat Christmas Eve as their big date night, so it's also a romantic holiday.
Kids get the most excited for it, but adults can have fun too. There are all sorts of activities, like viewing illuminations, eating Christmas cake, and singing Christmas songs! 🎶
As for Santa, he's sort of a mythical character. The story goes that there's a white-bearded man who delivers presents to children from his magic sleigh. He wears a red suit, just like that figurine is wearing. If a child asks where their present came from, their mom and dad might say, "Santa delivered it!"
[No, he isn't bothering to mention the religious aspect. That has no significance to him! Tatsumi could explain it better than he could.]
[ a romantic holiday... it's all coming together. ]
so this fat man in a red suit travels the entire world to give children presents? and he does it all on one day? he must have a considerable level of spiritual energy to be able to use distance shortening arrays with such frequency. even for a ghost king such as myself, to travel such distances would be taxing on my reserves of qi.
According to the legend, yes! But that's just a story for kids to enjoy, sort of like a fairytale. There's no *real* Santa. Just friendly impersonators, and parents who love their children!
[Though given that he's met a god from Norse mythology here, among other unlikely characters, perhaps he shouldn't be saying that with such confidence. That might just inspire the resort to kidnap the real Santa next.]
That's how we do things, anyway. Christmas is celebrated differently in other places. I know one person here said he didn't have anything called Christmas back home, but he did have something called "Kleinmas!" Apparently that's a month-long holiday similar to Christmas.
You don't have any holidays that end in -mas, do you? What about New Year's? Do you celebrate that, or do all the years blend together when you're immortal?
[ well that's disappointing. hua cheng had thought he must be a powerful being indeed, and now he's hearing santa isn't even real! ]
no, yes, yes, no.
holidays and traditions vary somewhat between the realms, but in xianle and in the realm of the dead we have no holidays ending in "-mas." we do celebrate the coming of the new year, but i am beginning to understand that the yearly calendar as i know it is different from this place.
time passes the same way for an immortal as it does for a mortal, just for longer. i remember every one of my eight centuries of life.
We use a solar calendar back home. So do most other places. We only started using one midway through the 19th century, so some holidays are still tied to the lunar calendar. But New Year's Day is always January 1st, and Christmas Eve is always the 24th!
It was almost the New Year when I got kidnapped here, actually. But in the resort, it was late February, so they had all these Valentine's decorations still hanging.
I'm guessing you don't know what Valentine's Day is, either, though. Or do you?
i do not. or, perhaps i do, by experience here in the resort if not by name... it has now been a full year since my arrival, if my calculation is correct. what is valentine's day?
Sorry to hear it. It hasn't been quite that long for me, but it's getting close. And that's an upsetting thought.
But as for Valentine's, that's another romantic holiday! A day for celebrating love! ♥️💌🏹💘 People might give flowers or chocolates to their loved ones. Then there's another day called White Day where men give back chocolate to girls, or so I've heard. But as idols, Valentine's is mainly a day for sending love to our fans.
Valentine's decorations are usually pink and red, with lots of hearts, and it's celebrated on February 14th. So if you're still here then, you'll probably see what I mean.
so valentine's day is for girls to give men chocolate... and white day is for men to give girls chocolate. and what do you do if you're married to another man?
[ not that it matters, since xie lian is gone, but as a matter of curiosity... ]
i remember something like that, a long time ago. the time that many of the new arrivals found themselves married to each other, no? is that a normal celebration of valentine's day?
It does sound old-fashioned, doesn't it? But times are changing. They say even men can give chocolate on Valentine's Day if they want to now. And people can also give chocolate to friends. Or co-workers!
And that last thing is NOT a normal Valentine's celebration. There is such a thing as mock weddings, but those are strictly voluntary! And most people's idea of "wedding season" is June, not February. That's when wedding-themed jobs come in for us idols. Jun-kun went to something called a "bridegroom training camp" as part of a job once!
But of course he didn't really come back to married to anyone. *That* would've been a problem.
[This is probably just confusing Hua Cheng further. Idol life is weird.]
Which isn't very romantic. But it *does* give us job opportunities. There's probably some superstition that goes into it, too. And the temperatures are definitely more pleasant in June than in February!
And that training camp was really just an excuse to show idols like Jun-kun doing cute, fanservicey things. Like delivering their own love confessions! And since it was a "training camp," it meant they could travel and go sightseeing.
Things did get a bit strange, though. It got turned into a competition with teams, and one of the challenges had Jun-kun tied to a pillar. If his partner didn't slice a wedding cake in time, a bomb would go off and he'd explode!
Or at least that's what they said on TV. Fortunately nothing of the sort happened, and Jun-kun is safe and sound! 😊
...i think that your culture and mine have different ideas of what constitutes wedding rites
there was no cake at mine. although i think gege would have been happy if there was 哈
we wore traditional robes and performed the rites, bowing to each other and his parents and the heavens, and then we ate the ceremonial foods and drank the ceremonial wine and it was done.
Some people still get married in traditional clothes. It's just that those western-style weddings, where the groom wears a suit and the bride wears a white dress, caught on like wildfire. So when us idols get hired for wedding-themed jobs, that's usually the image they're going for.
Cakes is popular at all sorts of weddings, though. And sometimes the cake is cut using a sword!
That's something you'd both enjoy, too, isn't it? Cutting a big white cake together, using your trusty sword~
[Though not while it's still dripping with the blood of their enemies, hopefully.]
e-ming being my sword, of course. it cares for gege nearly as much as i do, irritating creature. i'm sure it would jump at the chance to cut cake with him.
i'll suggest it to the both of them, if i remember it when i return home.
"talk" is the wrong word to describe what it can do... it is a spiritual weapon, forged from my body. it can communicate with me, but it has no language or words with which to speak
I'm not sure how you forge a sword from your body. But I'm guessing the answer is "magic!"
And I understand a little bit, anyway. You don't always need words to communicate. Sometimes you just need to project the right aura, using your body language, your eyes, and your dazzling smile~ ✨
[A sword wouldn't have any of those things, tho...]
i cut my right eye out, and i used my magic to create a sword forged from my own flesh and blood, so that it will forever be bound to me and me alone
[ and for that reason, technically, e-ming does have an eye... ]
as such:
[ he sends a drawing of e-ming, a much rougher sketch than the link but it should at least give hiyori an idea what the scimitar and its eye look like! ]
[HORRIFIED... The sketch doesn't make it any better either, though he might be glad it's a sketch and not a real photo of a sword with an actual human eyeball stuck to it.]
[ sometimes... hua cheng says things forgetting how horrifying they sound to mortals. ]
yes, terribly, but i had no choice. i was acting in defense of a group of humans being threatened by monsters... it was either that or let them meet their dooms.
my husband loves humankind and would have wanted me to protect them, so i did. it's why i wear the eyepatch.
[He doesn't want to picture any eyeballs being stabbed out!! Urgh!!
But then, is it really a surprise that an immortal ghost king who fought so many battles would've lost an eye at some point? It isn't, truly.]
I just thought you lost it in battle. But I guess technically you still did.
I don't fully understand, but you sound valiant! So it's a very good thing humanity had you on their side. And this goes without saying, but I hope you're able to reunite with your husband and your trusty sword soon.
Though now I'm less sure about cutting a wedding cake with your sword. What if it got frosting in its eye?
Nope, not quite! That's even more impressive, though.
And yet! This sounds like something I wouldn't want to miss, so you can definitely count on seeing me there. Me *and* Jun-kun, because he will indeed be my plus-one.
[Not that Hiyori's asked him yet. But he has a tendency to make decisions on both of their behalf.]
So that's the lifespan of a god! I know someone who said he's 3719 years old. He was frozen in stone for most of those years, though.
And great! I'm sure Jun-kun's excited to meet you, too. I've told him lots about you, after all.
What sort of gift would you like, by the way? I don't mind picking out something on my own, but if you have any special requests, you ought to let me know!
Well it is at least the lifespan of the Aesir and the Jotun. There are some others who seem older, but I never bothered to check to see if there was a difference for them.
Hopefully only good things!
Oh, you do not need to get me anything. Your presence is plenty.
Of course! For starters, I told him all about your dazzling Showcase performance. And that you taught me how to ice skate, and that you're useful to have around in a pinch. And that you give good hugs!
[That's as much as he wants to mention about their Punishment Room experience. He is grateful to Loki for helping him out of there, and for hugging him and comforting him afterwards. He just doesn't like to talk about that whole thing.]
Right, my presence *is* a gift! 😊✨ But I do want to bring something. So if there's nothing you want in particular, I'll just have to see what catches my eye.
And I'll bring poppy partners, since no party is complete without those! 🎉
[*party poppers. Jfc I'm sorry for always phonetagging and apparently forgetting to proofread. Sob.
... actually, why not work that typo in there? #Yolo.]
That's probably because my watch made a mistake! It was supposed to say "party poppers," NOT poppy partners!
Though I guess a poppy partner could be someone you set off party poppers with. Someone who livens up the festivities and makes things fun! 🥳 And that someone is me, of course. I'll be your partner in mischief and in celebration~🎉🎁🍾💃🕺🪩
Anyway, don't worry about it. I like to buy presents for those close to me. My #1 hobby is shopping!
And I don't need help with anything in particular right now. But I guess there is something I've been meaning to ask. Or maybe two somethings.
I won't ask over text, though. We can talk in-person sometime.
It's kind of like a firecracker, but less dangerous! Basically you pull on both ends, and then it makes a festive sound and shoots glitter everywhere! 🎉
Thanks for the compliment! That makes it sound like I've got big shoes to fill, but I'll do my utmost best.
And I don't really need time to get ready. Is now good? If so, I could find you wherever you are.
I see. And glitter, that is that brightly coloured confetti that gets everywhere, yes? One of humankind’s greatest inventions. The pure chaos is quite lovely to see, even if it is nearly impossible to clean up.
[In fact, that might be precisely why Loki likes it so much.]
I am sure you always do your best.
I am not busy at present. I am currently in my suite.
Yes, yes, that's exactly what glitter is! I had no idea you considered it one of the world's greatest inventions, though. Now I *really* have to bring party poppers!
And great! I'll head right on up to your floor, then.
[And he'll go to do just that. He won't even need to consult his watch on the way, since he's used to navigating up to the Rank 10 suites to check on Leo! Now let's see, which one of these doors looks like it might belong to a legendary god...?]
Oh yes! They are delightfully useful when causing chaos. It is also quite good for annoying people. The fun one could have with such a product is boundless.
I will see you shortly.
[Knowing that Hiyori doesn’t always have the best sense of direction, and that this isn’t his normal suite, Loki gives him a few minutes before poking his head out of the door to see if he can see his friend.]
I guess you're not the god of mischief for nothing!
Let me know if you'd like to prank someone with glitter sometime. That sounds like an excellent way to blow off some steam without hurting anyone's feelings! If anything, we might just cheer them up. I know *I* love to sparkle and shine.
[Though he would not at all be happy if someone dumped a bucket of the stuff on his head... But anyway, he's off now.
He smiles brightly when he spots a familiar face peeking outside one of the doors, walking right up to Loki with a cheerful wave.]
[Hiyori leaves his shoes at the door and looks around. No doubt about it—it's a nice suite, similar in size to Leo's, even if it's not a resort-within-a-resort like the two Queen suites he's been inside. He replies:]
That's too bad. I wish Jun-kun could keep his new suite, too. But at least you're taking advantage of the mix-up to throw a party. Maybe we should do the same! ♪
[Even though it's not either of their birthdays. Or Christmas yet.
He's not here (just) to talk about partying, unfortunately. But he isn't sure how to segue into either of the serious subjects he wanted to bring up without abruptly killing the mood. For now, he just continues to look around the area, keeping an eye out for any Cool Godlike Possessions.]
[Loki has been taking full advantage of the suite, but mostly with the bathtub. He doesn’t mind showers, of course. And he’s always thankful to not have to use the bath house to clean himself regularly, but there is nothing better than a private bath.
Being able to hold a proper party has its only pluses as well. He probably would’ve let his birthday pass without notice if he were still in his 5th floor suite.]
It really is a shame that they would let us see how the other half lives and not let us keep it. Though it wouldn’t surprise me if it is an attempt on the part of the House to convince us to be more active in Game 52. It is one of the few ways we can work our way up to better rooms.
[Loki watches Hiyori as he looks around, waiting to see if he’ll bring up his true reason for being there or if he needs a push. After a moment, Loki can’t help himself.]
I do not believe that you came here to speak of our suites though.
It's possible! Though some people, like me, got booted down. I wonder if that was meant as a threat? Or maybe a "See? Look how good you have it! At least you're not worse off!" kind of deal.
[Orrrr Steve fucked up and they're reading too much into it.
Hiyori's examining some corner of the room or another when Loki calls him out, causing him to turn around. No beating around the bush, huh? He smiles a small, wry smile.]
I was curious to know what your suite looked like.
[But it's not the real reason he's here. So after a moment, he says:]
You remember the Punishment Room, don't you? Not just what we saw inside the room, but what we talked about afterwards. Fighting fate, and collaborating with people who can do magic... remember?
You go moved down? Yes I suppose they would’ve had to move people both ways. I am sorry to hear that. I hope have not ended up too low down.
[He thinks of the suites on the second floor that are much too close to the basement and hopes Hiyori isn’t down there.
Loki merely raises a disbelieving eyebrow at the comment about his suite. Though there is probably some truth there, Hiyori is fooling no one. His expression evens out as Hiyori finally gets down to the chase and it is immediately apparent why he did not start with what he really wants. Loki would understand perfectly if Hiyori never wanted to think about that day ever again.]
Yes, I recall.
[Loki manages to keep his tone neutral, but the truth of it is, he also doesn’t like thinking about what happened that day.]
Fortunately, it was just one rank! But apparently that one rank makes the difference between getting marshmallows and not getting marshmallows! When I was down in the lobby the other day, I asked for some hot cocoa with marshmallows. And you know what they said? They said, "Due to a shortage, marshmallows are reserved for Ranks 8 and above!" Can you even believe it? That was so rude!
[He shakes his head, frowning deeply over this perceived injustice.]
Still, things haven't been too bad. My room got smaller, but I'm not down in the basement. And Jun-kun got moved up, so we've just been using his room.
Of course he doesn't want to think about that day. Unfortunately, he thinks about it constantly. It haunts his every waking moment here. And it got him doing a lot of thinking—about how to fight fate, about what happens if Jun disappears, about what happens if he disappears. About what he'd do if worse came to worst.
It's not easy to talk about, though. For now, he broaches the easier of the two topics—the one about magic.]
First, I should tell you I know someone who almost found a way home. He said he used magic to dig into the House's "roots," but that they stopped him before he could open up any paths home. If he hadn't been forced to stop early, he could've succeeded, or so he implied.
[Hiyori relays this in a matter-of-fact tone, not showing any particular emotion, even as the memories of Esikko's punishment flash through his mind.]
Do you think your magic could work in connection with his magic, and do you know anyone else's who could?
[It's not a lot of detail to go on, admittedly. But he doesn't understand much about how magic works.]
[If Loki didn’t already know Hiyori, he might be a little surprised by the marshmallow comment. As someone who, except for more recently, has been on the fifth level for the entire year he’s been at the hotel (has it really been almost a year already?) he’s never had the marshmallows. Though from the way Hiyori acts, he’s going to start trying to get them now.]
I am sorry you are missing your marshmallows. If this happens again, I am sure I could obtain some for you.
[And yes, by obtain, Loki means steal.]
It must be quite handy, being able to share your suites like that.
[Loki has a few friends that have offered to let him use their suites on occasion, but on the same level Hiyori and Jun have. It sounds like a nice option, but one Loki doesn’t assume he’ll ever have.
Whatever he’s expecting Hiyori to say next, it certainly isn’t this and the surprise is evident on Loki’s face. It only takes him a moment to recover before he clearly starts considering the question. He thinks about Sylvie, and how they had combined their magic to tame Alioth together. It’s true that could’ve been different because they use the same magic, but still…]
Yes, I think it is possible. I would have to meet this person and we would have to experiment, but it is definitely something that can happen. As for involving others, I am sure there are many here who have abilities. Perhaps we could get together some of the people from the Showcase and see what might work together.
[Was that insensitive? Quite possibly! As a Rank 5, Loki's probably been deprived of more than just marshmallows throughout his time here. But Hiyori does at least say,]
Right back at you! If you're ever denied marshmallows after all this is done, just let me know. I might have some tricks up my sleeve! ♪
[He's thinking of his birthday gift, which enables him to wrap the staff around his finger, more or less (though only when he's wearing it). Then he pauses when he realizes something.]
Actually, couldn't you just shapeshift into a staff member again? Then you could claim all the complimentary marshmallows you want!
[Or would they see through it...?
In response to the comment about sharing suites, he smiles.]
Yep, it sure is. Jun-kun's awfully lucky to have me so he isn't stuck in the basement! But this time, I'm lucky to have him...♪ And at other times, too, I guess.
[But enough bragging about his lovey-dovey partnership. Time to get to business.
Loki seems receptive to the idea of meeting with other magic users, just as he was last time. Hiyori smiles a little at that and says:]
I'd be happy to arrange that meeting.
[Though one of them's disappeared, he's pretty sure. And he isn't sure how useful the stage magician and the summoner would be, either (the stage magician being Compress and the summoner being Yu). Baizhu and Hua Cheng, however, he knows are still around, and he's on friendly terms with both of them. And then there's another person he wanted to bring up.]
The one who tried to open those pathways wasn't at the Showcase, though. That person was Esikko-kun. Have you met him yet?
[Thankfully, Loki no longer cares very much for these things. If they happen, he enjoys them, but he’s learned to live with less over the last few years. At least here he has access to his magic.]
Oh, I have no issues getting what I need here.
[Loki sounds a little mysterious here, but he’s sure Hiyori can extrapolate. He could shapeshift, or go undetected, or simply use his telekinesis to take what he wishes. It is, in fact, what he’s been doing most of the time while here.
Loki chuckles good-naturedly.]
I am sure he is just as appreciative of you as you are of him.
That would be appreciated. I know you must have met many people here.
[Loki too has befriended many people here, but surprisingly few of them have been magic users. At least so far as he knows. Besides, Loki is well aware that Hiyori’s charm must help for things like this.]
I have actually, though I do not profess to know him well. Is he a magic user as well?
[He'll look forward to a very extravagant birthday party, then.
In response to the "You've met many people" thing:]
Mhm! ♪ I sure have.
[He's pissed some people off, but he's also made friends here. Some of those friends have powers because that's the luck of the draw, but also because he's been seeking out magic users from day one. He'll do his best to arrange a roundtable. With Loki, with Baizhu and Hua Cheng...
And with Esikko, whom he proceeds to talk a little more about.]
I guess you really don't know him well, if you have to ask that.
[It's said with a good-natured smile, not intended to mock. He knows Esikko puts a lot into his magical studies, and that they've been important to him since childhood. If Loki doesn't know he can do magic at all, they probably haven't spent tons of time together. Maybe that could change. Maybe it needs to change. After all, one person can't do everything themselves.
His smile fades a bit as he explains:]
He said he used his magic to grab the House's "roots," and that he tried to "tear apart reality" so he could open some pathways home. He caused other stuff to change, but he got stopped before he could finish with his magic. It does sound like he got close, and I don't think he's given up. But I'm sure the House will be warier going forward, and he also got punished quite badly.
[Something he still feels badly about, even if none of it was his fault. He looks Loki in the eye and finishes:]
So, you should take that as a warning. All this rebellion we're doing could have consequences. But I'm also worried he'll burn out if he keeps working alone. That's sort of why I thought maybe you two could discuss things.
I have really only come across him in passing. And it has been some time. I guess it would have been more accurate to say I have heard of him.
[He’s sure he knows that name and has spoken with him on the network at least, but he cannot recall speaking about magic with him. Though really with how this place tries to make them interact with everyone, it’s hardly a surprise that he can’t always remember details.
As Loki listens to Hiyori though, he wishes he had paid more attention to this Esikko before. Frowning in thought as he lets the details sink in.]
Yes, I think I would like to talk to him very much. I am ashamed to say I have not made it so far in any of my own research and I would like to hear more details on what happened with him. [Loki doesn’t even acknowledge the punishment part. He’s no stranger to that and he’s pretty sure he’s endured much worse than anything the Hotel can dish out.
Though assuming in this place has gotten him into quite a lot of trouble before.]
I will happily discuss this with him and everyone you think might be helpful. When do you think is the soonest we could organize getting everyone together?
Well, it's never too late to reconnect. Perhaps you could even start your own club or society! The "Magic Research Club"! Or the "Society for Magical Research"! ♪
[This is just the Magic Showcase all over again...
He smiles, trying to stay upbeat despite the dreary subject matter. The truth is that he can't blame Loki if Loki gets turned off from rebelling against the House. Who wants to be punished? It's easier not to rock the boat. To keep your head down and live with the status quo no, matter how unbearable things get. It's a human nature. A matter of self-preservation.
But if anyone's fearless or foolhardy enough to stand against the House no matter what the House might do to them, it's probably Loki. That's what he figured. He's still willing to go against the House, too, of course.
Though he doesn't exactly have a great answer for that last question.]
I guess it depends on how many people are included in "everyone"... I can tell Esikko-kun you want to talk to him, unless you'd rather reach out yourself. His username is easy to remember, since it's "wildflower!" But as for Baizhu and Hua Cheng...
[A pause, and then he says:]
Maybe we can all go to the Red Cardinal? For a Magic Showcase winners' meal! That was supposed to be one of the prizes. It's just that we never found a time that worked for all of us, and then everyone sort of forgot. But I'm sure Jin Mingming would be happy to accommodate all of us.
[Loki hums non-committally. It’s not that he doesn’t want to, or even that he’s worried about the House might do, but he’s starting to be concerned with how many people he’s dragging into this. It does sound as though this Esikko is already in for a pound himself, but every once in a while, Loki starts to revert back to his old ways of trying to do everything alone.
He’s even less sure about starting a team. Reasonably he knows that Hiyori is right, that it’s a good idea, but Loki in any kind of leadership position does not typically go well.]
You may tell him I would like to talk to him. I can speak with Baizhu myself. You are such a natural leader though. I could see it with how you got the Magic Showcase together, and you do seem to have all the contacts. Perhaps it would be easier for you to get everyone together?
[There, that sounds perfectly reasonable. Loki wouldn’t want Hiyori to think he’s afraid or lacking confidences, but as it turns out, this place will grind anyone down eventually. He does look a little relieved when Hiyori mentions the Red Cardinal though.]
Yes, that would be the perfect excuse. The House will not suspect if we simply all get together for that reason. And it would be easier to speak with everyone at the same time.
Then I guess I'll talk to him, you'll talk to Baizhu, and we'll all talk to each other! ♪
[He injects his voice with plenty of cheer.
Even though they're talking about business, not some social gathering. And there isn't a lot to be cheerful about, in all honestly. He's not really sure anything will come of their meeting; not sure they'll ever truly break free. Are they destined to live as caged birds forever? Is it that or turn to stone?
But Esikko did get close to opening up paths home, or so he said. If he combined his magic with a god's, who knows what might happen? And if nothing else, Hiyori figures that having other people to work with might keep him from running himself into the ground. If he can prevent that, none of this will be a waste.
He smiles and concludes:]
Then that's where we'll meet.
[The Red Cardinal.
That's the end of that topic. For now, anyway. But it's not all he came here to say. This next one is more difficult, and he pauses for a moment, smile dulling just a bit.]
There's something else I wanted to ask you for, too. Though it's nothing you'd need to do right now.
Yes, that will work. I will message Baizhu shortly and let you know what happens. [He’s only just begun to get to know Baizhu, but he thinks he will agree to at least speak of these things. Hopefully he’s correct about that.
Loki also thinks more and more that it really would be a better idea for Hiyori to be in charge of organizing all of this. Despite the cheer in his voice, Loki can hear how serious he is about all of this as well. His charm and way with people in general will do them all good. Loki’s attempted leadership enough in his life to know that he is not suited to it and to know when someone else is.
What Hiyori says next has him intrigued.]
Okay, what is it you need from me?
[Loki is pretty sure he’ll say yes to whatever it is. He knows all too well how much Hiyori has helped him out and doesn’t foresee saying no now, but the way he asks has Loki a little worried.]
[If only he could leave it there. With him thanking Loki for reaching out to Baizhu. Alas, he can't.
He thinks about how Baizhu reacted when he tried to talk about this with him. He did promise, in the end, but he wasn't happy. And Hiyori knows, after the experience they shared in the Punishment Room, that this won't make Loki happy, either. Still, he comes out and says it.]
I asked Baizhu-san about this too, actually. Basically, I wanted you both to know that I keep some notes in my room. About how the resort works, what happens to people here, what the House and the suits are like, and all that stuff. Then I wrote some personal messages too, for people here and people back home.
[A slight pause, before he clarifies:]
Kind of like the note that other "me" wrote for Jun-kun.
[He forces a smile. It's hard; he's not in quite as bad a state as he was when he spoke to Baizhu, because Rinne's disappearance isn't still a fresh wound. But it still hurts, still makes him feel scared. Every day, he wonders who will be next: will it be someone he's met here, or someone from his world? If it's the latter—if it's inevitable that someone else from his world will disappear—then he can only hope that it's him instead of Jun. Even though he knows that's the last thing his partner would ever want...
He shakes off those feelings of dread and guilt, looking Loki in the eye as he asks:]
So if I ever disappear and become a statue like Rinne-senpai, I was hoping you could recover those. You'd have an easier time with that than Baizhu-san, since you've already broken into that storage room before. We both know it takes a while to find things in there, though, so I wondered if it might be better to leave you with a copy.
[There's a longer pause now; he's watching, gauging Loki's response.]
[It becomes evident rather quickly that whatever it is that Hiyori is about to ask him is rather serious. He can see the other man is trying to keep up his usual peppy spirit, but there’s a sadness there, just lurking under the surface, that he can see and understand. A lot has happened since they had become friends and Loki doubts the other man has been unaffected by it all.
Though his first instinct is to jump in, start talking, Loki manages to reign himself in and just listen. It’s something he’s gotten better at in recent years, not just distracting with words, but actually listening to what others are saying to him. Even when it’s something hard to hear. And what Hiyori is saying is very hard to hear.
Loki understands though. He had also been friendly with Rinne and had been horrified when he’d seen his statue. Helping Reign move the statue to his suite had been one of the hardest things he’d had to do since arriving at the Hotel. And Rinne certainly isn’t the only person he’s lost. Scott might have come back in a younger form, but he is not the friend Loki once had. All that Loki has of him is his old visor. Something he has yet to tell his younger variant.]
So we are clear, you wish for me to take the information about the Hotel that you have gathered as well as letters to those you care about and make sure they get where they need to go, in the event that you suffer the same fate as some of our friends who have left abruptly?
[His lips tick up a bit more and he nods shortly, grateful for the understanding.]
Mm. That sounds exactly right.
[One day, they'll watch musicals and get up to the fun kind if mischief. One day, he'll share Jun's cooking with Loki and brag about how well he trained his partner. One day, they'll talk about more cheerful things.
But for now he just continues with his request.]
I haven't finished them all yet. But if you don't mind, I'll hand you some letters meant for those closest to me. You can keep them at the bottom of a drawer somewhere and forget them, unless I do disappear.
[It makes a lot of sense, actually. Loki wonders if he should do the same, write up some notes for those he’s become closest to here, but what would he even say? What would make any sort of difference to those left behind? Does anyone here even care that much for him? Loki definitely has friends, he knows that, but it isn’t like he has someone the way Hiyori has Jun.]
I do not mind at all. Though I hope I never have to hand them out. I would much prefer we figure out how to properly get home, but yes, I will do this for you.
[Loki comes up short then, frowning slightly in confusion.]
[He's grateful Loki isn't putting up a fuss. That he doesn't tell him it won't happen to him, or try to convince him not to expect the worst. That he isn't stricken the way Baizhu was. Instead he says he'll do but that he hopes he never has to, and Hiyori smiles, agreeing readily.]
Thanks a lot! ♪
[And then:]
It's the same for me too, of course. I haven't given up yet. And I'm sure others won't, either.
[Apart from Loki, there are others. There's Bakugo, who intends to use his Wish to defeat the House—a true hero. There's Esikko, who already tried to get them out of here once, and suffered the consequences for it. There's Topaz, who's always working hard with everyone's well-being in mind. He's met all sorts of amazing people here, with all sorts of powers.
But all the same, it's been a while, and no one's succeeded at overthrowing the House or finding a way home yet. When it does happen—and in his heart he does believe that it's a "when" and not an "if"—there's no telling when that will be. Or indeed, whether he'll still be around for it.
Despite harboring that grim outlook, though, his smile is genuine when he nods at the end, the look in his eyes warm.]
Of course! I was raised in a noble household, so I had all sorts of manners drilled into me. That's how I know it would be the height of rudeness to leave without saying goodbye, or giving you a proper thank you. You've done a lot for me, after all.
[He wouldn't entrust his final wishes to just anyone.]
[It is the least he can do, really. Loki doesn’t like the thought of things going wrong and needing to hand out those notes. He would completely understand Baizhu’s reaction as well, but it seems to him that despite how much he doesn’t want something like that to happen to Hiyori, it doesn’t mean it won’t. So he will do what he can for his friend.]
You are most welcome. I do hope none of us come to the point where we feel we need to give up. I would not want to see any of us become like the more long term residents here.
[Loki has met some of those people and he is glad they are all working so hard, but he can admit, if only to himself, that he has not been putting his all into figuring this place out with others. It has mostly only been Hiyori pushing him along. It seems Loki has fallen back into old habits by trying to figure this place out on his own, at least for the most part.]
Ah yes, manners are everything. I had the same lessons drilled into me as well.
[Even if he didn’t always keep in the habit, as it were. He’s only glad Frigga didn’t see most of those times.] Well then, thank you. I appreciate you thinking of me. But really, I would have to say that it is you who has done much for me.
We've been here for a while at this point, and we haven't become anything like them. I'm sure that speaks to our ironclad sense of self. Though it might also help that I've stayed out of the casino. I heard the dealers there like sucking up people's lifeforce, whatever that means.
[He keeps his tone light. There's more he could say; without Jun to ground him, he honestly doesn't know how he would've turned out in this environment. Would he have fallen back into old habits, treating people like tools, passing his time doing nothing useful? Would he have stopped caring about anything? He likes to think he would've tried to get home, that he wouldn't want to leave Nagisa or the rest of his makeshift family behind. But that desire could've led him to some dark places, too. When people are desperate enough...
Well, there's no use speculating about what-ifs. And maybe his soul would've been fine, since he still would've had companions like Loki by his side. People who value him as more than just a card to be obtained. His eyes shine as he says:]
Then let's make a toast. When we finally go out for drinks, we'll toast to our friendship! To all that we've done for each other, and all that we will do...♪
[Loki can’t help but smile fondly. He would like to believe that too. That they will come through this with their minds intact no matter how long it takes for them to get out of here, but seeing how the long term guests are and knowing his own past issues, he is not overly optimistic. It just makes him more convinced that they need to figure this out as quickly as possible.]
Yes, I tend to stay out of the casino as well, though that is only part of the reason. Mostly I just do not care so much about gambling. Even when not actively working to get out of here, there are much more pleasant places in the resort to visit.
[If anyone knows about how dark you can go in desperate times, it is definitely Loki. He is also the one who would know about how to come back from that. He also has no intention of ever letting Hiyori fall like that, nor any of his friends. No matter what happens here, he will do everything he can from preventing such things, Hiyori need not worry about that.]
That sounds like a wonderful plan. We should do that soon.
True! There's lots to do, even with the theme being what it is. I wouldn't mind taking Jun-kun and the rest of our unit to a real resort once this is over.
[If it's ever over. With every day that passes, he's less sure it will be.
But he won't succumb to those fears. Not now, and hopefully not ever. Even if things never improve at all, even if he's destined to disappear, even if he and Jun-kun and Leo-kun are absolutely doomed, he wants to be seen as someone who smiled until the end.]
That is a wonderful idea. I am sure they will all appreciate that. Really, I think all of us could likely use a real vacation after leaving this place.
[Even Loki, though he can’t imagine anything will have settled down enough for him once he’s home. Probably the exact opposite. It’s nice to dream though.
No matter what, Loki plans on fighting to the end. He didn’t give up at the TVA and he’s not about to give up here either. He plans on doing whatever it takes to get him and all his friends, Hiyori included, out of here and back home, no matter how long it takes.]
[A voluntary resort vacation from their involuntary resort vacation.
His time here hasn't been all bad, despite all his griping. And that's partly because of Loki. Because of the people he's met who are fun, fascinating, kind... He smiles at Loki, warm and full of gratitude, and he hopes this is how he's always remembered.]
( 12/25 ) — xmas ding dong ditch (to jun, technically, but also for hiyori)
[ on the morning of december 25, which hua cheng has come to understand is christmas day, a knock on the door will herald the arrival of a gift. it's nestled in a box and wrapped in paper of his signature crimson and tied with a gold ribbon, both very auspicious colors for such an auspicious(?) holiday! it's also addressed to both jun and hiyori, but it's getting delivered to jun because hua cheng can do a lot but he can't be in two places at once.
the box contains a short length of red thread that flashes just slightly gold in the right light. when touched, it seems to resonate with spiritual energy, and it lengthens or shortens according to the distance between them when each of the ends is held.
along with the red string is a brief note from hua cheng, in his neatest and most legible handwriting. ]
Jun & Hiyori —
Affix the string to a finger of your choosing and make a vow to one another. When imbued with evidence of your affection, the string will from that point forward always lead you to each other — no matter how far separated you may be by space or time. The string will not always be visible, but the connection will always be there.
It can be removed, but only at a cost. Be certain.
[The good news is that Hua Cheng doesn't need to be in two places at once, because Hiyori and Jun live together in Hiyori's suite!
The bad news is that this means asking for a gift to be delivered to "Jun Sazanami's suite" means Jun almost certainly won't be around to receive it. But Hiyori has gifts from a few other people coming his way, and at some point, he gets the idea that perhaps they should check Jun's abandoned room down in the basement, just to see if there are any gifts waiting for Jun, too. That's when the mysterious red thread is discovered.
A single piece of thread would be an odd gift to start with, but there's something particularly odd about this one. The vibe he gets as he stares down at the box is a strange one. Why, it almost reminds him of those strings during the Hearts game.
And that's before he reads the note.]
"The red thread of fate."
[He recalls what he heard from Hua Cheng over the Network, and he turns to Jun with wide, stunned eyes.]
(on the morning of christmas, hiyori will find two carefully wrapped up packages. no card, but there is a note: buon natale, hiyori & jun. ― texas. p.s. give him (jun) his for me.
[After their interaction in the treehouse, Hiyori makes sure to send a gift Texas's way, too. She should also be receiving it on the day of the 25th!
He's somewhat surprised to receive such a thoughtful gift from her, though. And not just any sort of gift, but a couple's gift. He never told her that sunshine is his motif both onstage and off the stage, but he didn't need to, did he? It's obvious just from looking at him!
Unless maybe Jun told her that he was warm and bright like the sun. Wouldn't that be nice?
He sends a picture over sometime in the late afternoon. It shows him and Jun wearing the necklaces, Hiyori giving the camera a smile and a wink.]
( A staff member will knock on Hiyori's door some time this holiday to deliver a few potted sunflowers along with a bag of tea and a note.
Normally, sunflowers can't live for long without the sun. There are methods to create an artificial sun, of course, and I'm capable of doing that with magic— however, I tried something different while growing these. Try singing them a song.
The tea is a blend of other plants I grow that will help soothe the nerves without any additional drowsiness. It tastes rather floral, but sweet. Enjoy.
- Esikko
The sunflowers, he'll find, will treat Hiyori like the sun itself whenever he sings. Singing will keep them alive, blooming long past their season, all year round— and they'll turn to him if he moves. Slowly. In a plant way. )
[Though he likes most flowers and other kinds suit him too, sunflowers are undoubtedly the kind that suits him best! Still, he didn't expect to receive any real ones today. They're not a winter plant.
The gift comes as a pleasant surprise. The real shock, however, is the line about singing to them. He absolutely performs a mini-concert for them as soon as he reads that, and he'll be happy to keep doing so! He needs to practice his singing every day, anyway! But the way the flowers seem to move on their own is a bit, er...]
Excuse me! I have a question about these sunflowers!
[He sends that message at some point on Christmas.]
My question is whether or not the sunflowers are alive! Not in the usual way, I mean - obviously I know plants are living things. I just wanted to know if they have souls and if they can watch people, since it really felt like they were watching me!
They're not as important as say, human souls, of course... But, you know, they are alive, and they do have less complex little souls with impressions of desire and such. Those sunflowers were raised to be encouraged by music in replacement of sunshine, so they've taken a "shine" to you, I imagine.
Well, those children could live with any music, not just yours. You're fine to have others babysit them, for example. But they likely prefer your voice, since I brought them to life with you in mind.
I just don't think most people are thinking about souls whenever they're pulling weeds or trimming bushes, that's all!
[But back to the sunflowers. He glances up from his watch and back at them. Let's see here—they need music to live. It doesn't have to be his voice, but they'd "prefer" his voice. Which means, in other words, that they depend on him and his sunshine. And they always will! How does he feel about that, exactly?
...]
Cute!
[Yep. That's the verdict! He's deranged enough to appreciate this!]
In that case, I definitely won't let them down! I just wish the whole world worked the same way. That all anyone would ever need is my voice, and that everything would keep blooming beautifully as long as I kept singing. But rewriting the laws of the universe would be too difficult, so I'll settle for these sunflowers! Thanks a bunch! 😊
[He's glad they don't have eyes that follow him, though. Then the creepiness would start to outweigh the cuteness.]
You two hit it off, huh? That's lovely news! I'm glad you both made a new friend in time for the new year! 🥳 That's one of those gifts that keeps on giving, after all.
( That can't be right, right... If he says "I love you" to lots of people, then it must just be a warning that came with the right circumstances! That and plenty of other excuses flood Esikko's mind to make up for the strange jumbled feeling that comes along with Hiyori's reaction, and in the end...
He has no idea what to feel. Special? Or in doubt? A little of both. )
His suit mark wasn't exactly pale, so perhaps that influenced his words. Well, it doesn't really matter. I was just curious, since he's rather unique.
[The line about Leo's suit mark (which Hiyori has never seen before) seems to confirm they've slept together. And, well, that's good to know, considering what Leo told him about his suit effects.
And speaking of those...]
I'm not sure that'd have much to do with it. Falling in love, or feeling like you might fall in love, doesn't sound like a Spades effect. That sounds more Hearts-like! So perhaps you simply charmed him 😘
[Was this an even more successful matchmaking than he anticipated?? That remains to be seen!]
[Yep, it remains to be seen! But the preferred outcome is obvious, isn't it? Esikko taking care of Leo's suit once was a help. But if he keeps taking care of it indefinitely, because they're having a lovey-dovey fling now?? Why, that's even more convenient. What could possibly go wrong.]
🥰💖🫶🤗❤️
[He'll just end the conversation with cutesy emojis!]
( Have you ever pulled up someone's contact information and sat there with an open message for hours because you can't decide what to say, or how to say it?? Esikko is getting used to this feeling about now, but this is the first time he's left evidence behind when he's closed out and "given up" on the idea of trying to speak in any serious way to Hiyori about his gloomy feelings right now.
So, strangely, the only message sent is this silly little bracket that he hit send on while trying to back out. )
[A new message from the user known as "wildflower." But when he clicks it, there's nothing! Just blank space.
If he was busy, he might just ignore it. It's not like he's never gotten an accidental call or message before. That sort of thing happened at home sometimes. What the commoners call "butt dialing!" But would someone really sit on their own smartwatch by mistake while it's still strapped to their wrist...?
You're sure you weren't just lonely and looking for someone to talk to?
[😇]
The holidays were nice! There was Christmas cake, Christmas cookies, presents, and a surprise apple tart delivery! And even my favorite food, which is salmon quiche! I know I had a good time, and so did Jun-kun and Leo-kun. And so did my birds. And my sunflowers! Before the holiday was up, I made sure to sing them some Christmas carols~🎶 Then we all had a happy new year, too.
( IS IT THAT OBVIOUS?? He's going to crawl into a hole. He takes a long time to get back to this, typing and erasing along the way. )
I don't think that I did.
And it's strange, because it's never stopped me before this place, and I never cared, and could never see it, but hearing you talk about your fun... I mean, I don't want to cover the sun with clouds. That sort of thing. You know?
( struggling with his words... )
If I vanished suddenly, or turned into a statue, would you care? I don't mean saying "that's so sad" and taking a moment before moving on and never thinking of me again, either, I mean, would it trouble you in any sort of lasting way?
[While Esikko is typing and retyping, Hiyori will continue to flip through job ads. He spent too much money on cute seasonal stuff last month and now he's low on chips! But unfortunately the Help Wanted ads, which range from "BDSM dungeon janitor" to "orgy fluffer" to "part-time erotic pastry chef" simply aren't sounding appealing. Then he sees the new message.
Gah. What happened to Esikko over the holidays? Did his not-a-roommate dump him? Did Kirma-kun come back from the dead and eat all his Christmas cake?? This doesn't sound good!]
I already said I'd care!
[... or did he? He gave him Friendship Tea, but that was sort of in lieu of telling him he cared. Hm.]
But I'll say it again.
If Esikko-kun disappeared, I'd be upset, since he's my friend who I drink tea with! I'd miss hearing you talk about flowers and magic, just as I'm sure you'd miss hearing my voice. And we haven't sang karaoke yet!
It wouldn't be for just a minute, either. I'd feel troubled every day, since seeing those sunflowers would make me remember you.
And I'm sure other people would also be sad. Like Leo-kun. Or Baku-kun! He'd probably rather die than admit it, but that's just because he's an awkward kid. I'm sure he cares in his own way.
( Both of those outcomes might have been preferable, is how he feels right now, but. This is nice to hear (read) all the same. Is it a false comfort, to be eased a little by something like this? He hasn't figured that out yet. )
I'm afraid I've troubled both of them with it already, but my health is worsening. I don't know how much longer I have.
You must've tried a lot of things at this point, but there *are* plenty of people with healing magic around. Are you sure one of them couldn't make a difference?
Also, given what you said before, are you sure they'd even let you stay dead?
[Though he's heard from Bakugo that people who undergo the revival surgery come back with new problems.]
( Another thing that's bothering him, without any of the acknowledgement of his other comments. He'll get there, eventually, he'll explain it's not that simple, maybe... But right now.
He doesn't know Kirma is, in fact, alive now! Because he normally always comes to see him, to tell him. And he hasn't this time. )
He was there for an unusually long time. I don't check often, or anything, just when I'm passing by and think of it, you know... Or if I'm getting supplies. This latest time, no one seemed to know where he was?
( he literally cannot fathom being forgotten or ignored by him )
[Did they lie to him? Did the procedure not work and they didn't want to admit it? Or did he somehow vanish from the climic while no one was looking?]
Have you checked that registry to see if his name is still listed? That was how I figured out Rinne-senpai had become a statue. Last time he disappeared, people said that if his name was still listed there, it meant he was still in the resort somewhere. So when it fell off, I knew he wouldn't turn up again in a month like last time.
[Hiyori didn't know there was a registry until someone told him when Rinne disappeared the first time. Ever since then, he's been checking it regularly: when he hasn't heard from Leo recently, or when Jun's lingered a little longer at the gym than usual. It beats sending "Are you still alive?" texts and suffocating them with his worries. Though now he has an even more reliable method of tracking Jun's whereabouts...
In any case, it doesn't take long for him to navigate there. He scrolls down, looking for Kirma's name and username. And then...!]
[He's not the least bit convinced by those "It doesn't matter"s. And after this whole conversation began with Esikko telling him he felt gloomy and asking if he'd be sad if he died, there's no way he can just say "No worries! Good luck with everything!" and close the convo. He's got to do something.]
Alright! I'm giving you 2 options!
1) I can try to contact Kirma-kun myself if you want. We haven't spoken in a while, but we used to be on friendly terms. He even bought me cookies once! So if I reached out to him again and said something like "How are you doing? It's been a while since I've seen you around, so I thought I'd check up on you!" he might not suspect any funny business.
2) We can both forget about Kirma-kun and go get some ice cream!
Or I can do 1 first, and then we can do 2. Whichever seems best!
There's a flavor I think would suit you. It's pink, with sugary flowers. I've had it a few times, but now I want to share it with you.
I do hope *that* answers your question.
So I'll meet you at the ice cream stand next to "Birdbucks!" Assuming you can make it there without too much trouble. You said your health has declined, but are you bedridden?
That does sound like a nice flavor... My birthday passed recently, you know, and the House made it so no one would leave me alone when I went out in public. So I didn't get to enjoy any little treats like that.
Anyway, I can move around just fine. I'll be there.
( Just because he can move around doesn't mean he should, but unlike at home, he doesn't have anyone here to follow him around and nag him into resting. )
Then I guess we're going out for birthday ice cream! 🥳 It's more common to eat cake on your birthday, but I don't see anything wrong with switching things up a little. They say variety is the spice of life! Anyway, see you soon! 👋😊
[What a pity. If he'd known, he could've brought noisemakers and party hats. But if Esikko is tired of people approaching him in public then maybe it's best not to cause a scene for once. In any case, he'll be waiting at the ice cream stand without a pointy hat on his head.]
I wasn't sure when it would be on this calendar, either, but apparently. The 11th. I'll see you.
( Esikko doesn't take too long to show up. He's got a more floral scent to him than usual, thanks to the bandaging covering a large open wound on his back, but it's all bandaged, and clean, and he's dressed over the top of it, so it's not any sort of visual issue. So, he's presentable! Thankfully.
His steps are a little slower, is the only thing, as he approaches, but he tries to detract from that with the way he reaches out to poke at the pointy hat with a dubious sort of stare. )
[Esikko said he'd be bandaged, but Hiyori does hope he isn't too mangled. He's determined not to recoil in horror at the sight of him regardless, as that would surely add to his loneliness and misery. He'd probably take it as proof that no one wants to be around him, that his very existence is a curse. Given how their whole text conversation started, he might just decide he's better off dead! And they can't have that, so when Esikko appears, he'll give him his best and brightest smile!
Which is exactly what he does, turning away from the ice cream stand and beaming from ear to ear. It turns out he wasn't in any danger of recoiling, since Esikko doesn't look the least bit mangled (or, indeed, the least bit bandaged. They must be under the clothes).]
Why, if it isn't the birthday boy...♪
[As for the hat...
....... well, that last tag said "without," but it's funnier if he is wearing one, so on second thought, sure. He's got a striped cone on top of his head! While waiting to get ice cream! After noticing where Esikko is staring, he says:]
You mean the thing on my head? This is what you call a party hat! People wear those at events such as birthdays. If you require proof, look no further than our watches!
[He brings up his wrist, toggles his watch... and then sends Esikko a single emoji.
🥳]
See? That's someone who's partying, so they're wearing a party hat and blowing a noisemaker! I do have some leftover noisemakers, but I figured you might not want a commotion. You're welcome to wear a hat if you'd like, though. Or we can skip right to ice cream!
( We are going to pretend I didn't mess up horribly, yes, and roll with it... Because Esikko is so charmed by this horrible little hat and the emoji that follows that he almost forgets how much pain he's in. He stares at his Watch as Hiyori explains it, and then with a little reluctance, speaks. )
If you brought an extra hat, and that's what's normal, I suppose I don't mind... ( tsuns gently... ) But you're right, I'd rather avoid the noise.
I've only had things like soup lately, though, so I've been wanting something sweet.
( He's grateful his overly floral smell isn't an unpleasant one, at least, so he doubts he's poor company from the hidden bandages alone. But he moves to walk near Hiyori as they head for ice cream, eyes tracing briefly back up to the hat on his head before moving forward. )
If I remember correctly, there are all sorts of flavors here.
[He smiles and raises an arm, jostling the small bag he's carrying.]
Yep, there's one for you too!
[But putting that on can wait until they're seated, maybe. First: ice cream!]
Then this is perfect timing! They do have lots to choose from. Including chocolatey flavors, and the one I mentioned.
[He steps up to the ice cream stand; there's no else in line at the moment, perhaps because ice cream isn't super popular in January. Esikko might notice an odd smell wafting from behind the counter. Hiyori doesn't care for that at all, especially since Topaz told him it was drugs, so it's best to make their selection quickly!!
The choices include some special seasonal flavors, some normal options, and some questionable ones (what does "Love Potion #69" taste like? He'll never know). There's at least one triple-chocolate monstrosity in there, but Hiyori points out another flavor.]
See? That's the one! The pink flowers are such a nice touch, aren't they? ♪
( You know, he was expecting to like the ice cream, yes. But he wasn't expecting to be blown away by it. But that? That little scoop of lovely colors and little flower shapes, so expertly formed even at such a size?
That has his eyes focusing with an intense sort of brightness, like a cat that's trying not to appear too impressed by a treat. )
Okay, you are right. I do want that flower one. It's cute...
( His eyes still scan over the variety of other flavors, making a mental note to come back here on the daily as soon as he's feeling better. If he ever does. )
Do you have these sorts of flavors and variety where you're from?
[His smile takes on a faint smugness as he glances from the ice cream back to Esikko. Here he'd been worried that cheering him up was an impossible task, but it turned out to be simple! Thank goodness for sweets lovers!]
Then we'll both be getting Berry Blossom! ♪
[He issues this order to the staff member behind the counter. Who might look a little red-eyed?? Don't worry about it. Then he turns back to Esikko.]
Yep, pretty much. I don't think I've seen that exact one before, but there are plenty of places to get ice cream back at home.
[Then something occurs to him, and his voice takes on a new excitement.]
Speaking of "back home," if you want to know what that's like I can show you, since I got my phone back! That means you can see pictures of my world. My world, and the people in it...♪
( The word is a little foreign. He's heard it used, here or there, and he thinks he remembers the gist of it, but he still turns like he's surprised. )
That's that thing a bit like the Watches, right? How did you get something like that?
( He does want to see, though, and the amount that he does surprises him a little. Because it's not as if it matters to him, it's not as if he'd meet any of these people, or care about them, right? )
[He hadn't been sure what they'd talk about. Asking questions about Esikko's life always carries the risk of stepping on a landmine, but if he talks about how his own life has been going, he might just trigger more sadness like he did earlier! Talking about his home and showing pictures, however, seems like a safe bet: he can dazzle Esikko with the sights of the modern world! And cute Mary pictures! It's a great plan, and he's already patting himself on the back for coming up with it!
Though the whole business with his phone being found is pretty weird.]
Right! And that's the thing. They said someone found it lying in the basement and turned it in at the front desk, but that doesn't make any sense, does it? I've been here for ages, so I don't know why it'd turn up now at all times. Unless they were keeping it safe somewhere, and they wanted to give me an early Christmas gift? I asked them if anyone had found Jun-kun or Leo-kun's phones, but they said no!
[While he's chatting away, the totally-stoned Basking Robbins employee finishes scooping presenting them with two identical cups of pretty pink ice cream with pretty pink flowers. After paying up he'll skip off to find a table.
And then it's time for the all-important question:]
Want to put your hat on now?
[There's a cone hat just waiting for him in the bag.]
[Once Senku knew which homemade pepper spray formula fit Hiyori's needs, the only thing he needed was a suitable container. After a bit of trial and error and consideration of what he might want to carry with him, it doesn't take him too long to decide on a perfume spray bottle. He soon leaves the spray at Hiyori's door, with a helpful note attached.]
[It's not every day that he finds a mysterious package left at his door. He opens it, and inside he finds...
... it's a good thing Senku left a note. The liquid is so well-disguised that he might've really thought it was perfume otherwise. (Not that he goes around spraying unlabeled substances on himself willy-nilly!) In any case, he's grateful Senku remembered his request, and he likes the presentation.
Even if he has one small criticism about another aspect.]
That's a somewhat scary-looking drawing of me! I'm not sure it captures my charms too well.
But it *does* get the point across.
Anyway, thanks for the gift! In return, please accept this rainbow of gratitude!
That's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me! Have another heart for the heart rainbow! 💗
I hope so too, of course, but you can never be sure in this place. Some people are so unpredictable that you don't know *what* will set them off. A simple statement of preference like "I don't sleep with animals" might be enough to do it! And then there were those crawler things, and other monsters. I wonder if the spray would also work on those?
You can have that one back. I was talking about art in general, not calling you fine art.
[On the surface, that's a strange thing to get mad about.]
You were talking about an animal person, weren't you?
Don't test it out by getting up close and personal with a monster. The concentration you asked for isn't at bear spray levels. But I don't have even a millimeter of knowledge of alien or magic creature biology. It works on the mucous membranes, so find a slimy enough creepy crawly and it might hit them harder.
You didn't need to clarify. It made sense either way, no?
[He sure considers himself fine art.]
It wasn't one of those people who looks like a human, but who happens to have ears and a tail, if that's what you're asking. It was someone with fur all over his body, just like a real cat!
And I do NOT want to find something slimy and creepy! This is just an emergency measure, that's all! But that's good to know, so thanks for that info. As you said, I hope I never have to use it, but I'm sure I'll feel better knowing I have stuff I *could* use.
All right. Sorry. You're a delight to at least three out of the five senses.
[He has no plans to lick Hiyori anytime soon, and any casual touches on the arm and such they've exchanged are not enough to pass judgment in that area.]
Sounds like Aak. He's a lot like me with fur. Maybe reason enough on its own not to sleep with him, but I don't think of him as an animal.
Let me know if you ever think of anything else you need. If I can make it, I welcome the challenge.
You got it in one! The person who started all this trouble was Aak-kun. He cast the first stone when he posted a rude "review" of me over that Mating Season thing. Before that, I asked him what species he was, and he said "Feline!" Which would suggest he's something other than human, doesn't it? If he wants to be seen as a human who just happens to be furry, he should've said, "I'm a human!"
But thanks a lot! I don't want to trouble you too much, but I will keep that in mind. I guess an obvious answer would be an antidote to those "suit effects," or to those drugs that make your body feel hot. I'm guessing the House made both those things pretty resistant to treatment, though.
He can't say he's a human because he's not a homo sapiens. It doesn't matter to me either way if you would hypothetically bone Aak, but that's just science.
[It raises the question whether all of the "humans" here are technically homo sapiens or if there are different evolutionary paths in their own worlds.]
Maomao was trying to create antidotes to the drugs that end up in the food and drinks. If she ever found anything effective, she's kept it to herself, but she'd be the best person to ask about that.
An antidote to the suit effects must be ten billion percent impossible.
Nomenclature aside, here's how most people see it!
Feline = 😼 Human = 🧒
Those look like completely different species, no? Yep, of course they do!
[Answering his own question...]
That's what I assumed. I don't think I've met anyone with that name before, but I'll keep it in mind. Just remember to keep me posted if she does have any breakthroughs, alright? In return, I'll let you know if any of the magic users I know manage to perform any miracles!
Or, perhaps in a best case scenario, both of them will work wonders. The scientists and the mages! ✨✨🧑🔬🤝🧙♀️✨✨🪄🧬🪄✨✨
I wouldn't have said anything to him if he hadn't cast the first stone by leaving me that rude message! **And** by threatening to go after Jun-kun, which is also bad!
But I don't plan to antagonize him on purpose. What's done is done, and I'll just have to be careful not to accept any food, drink, chemicals, medicines, or other stuff from him. Or from his accomplices, like that Tohsaka girl! Now, if they threaten me, they'll get sprayed!
So you aren't just talking about the lyrics? You mean hiding a message with morse code or something like that?
You didn't get the idea from Madara-kun, did you? I don't know if you'd know this, or if you even remember that far, but he did something like that during the qualifying round. I was trying to get Ibara's attention, but he would only focus on listening to MaM's song. Because he was trying to receive some message! Awfully rude to ignore his own unitmate for something like that, don't you think?
nah, but mama is a sneaky guy who does neat things like that! isn't he great?????
though i'm gonna have to punish him for not telling me about that! we could've been sending one another messages our entire friendship, how dare he not let me, huh?
he's a good guy regardless of how dangerous he is! i guess i might be biased since we're besties though. mama was the one who dragged me out of my room back then, you know? and he's gotten me out of hot water since.
but anyway, yes! there are actually already musical cyphers that exist, based on assigning meaning to specific notes so you can cobble something together, but wouldn't it be fun to make one that doesn't exist already? i bet there's a way to do it so that it doesn't sound all discordant if the rules are flexible enough with some filler things...
[He... may or may not have known that. But probably not.]
Well, as long as he's getting you out of hot water and not into it, then it sounds like a very worthwhile friendship.
You sure are the ambitious type! I don't know how easy it is to make up a secret code that doesn't exist yet. But if anyone can do it, it's you, I suppose.
Just let me know before you write something like that into one of our songs, alright? I'd like to know what secret message I'm sending! Then I can change up my dance moves depending on what the message is.
it's my job to get into trouble! other people don't need to help me with that really?
[ Sound less proud about it maybe?????? This is why Knights is in shambles half of the time. ]
i think we should make a new set for spring! i wanna sing about flowers and warm weather! and layer the meaning in over and over again. hey, you probably know flower language better than i do, right? that would be a huge help! i know some but pretty much whatever i picked up as i needed it for lyrics.
The first thing you said, that is. Not the part about making a new song. Something to herald the arrival of spring! I like it already! Even if it does feel strange to talk about the "weather" here.
[He's... trying not to wonder how many seasons he'll be stuck here. He's trying to keep a positive attitude!]
If there's anything you need to know about flowers, I'd be happy to share. Or you could ask Esikko-kun. Or you could ask us both! But as for ideas about a spring song, I think I might have one idea.
I was thinking of flowers and things that are spring-like, and then I remembered the flower maze from last year. That was something they put up in the garden. It was a hedge maze with all these flowers, and at the center was a sea of blue flowers. It took some time to get there, but the payoff was worth it. Plus there were picnic baskets with fruit sandwiches inside, which Jun-kun really liked. And there were also treasure chests to unlock!
A song about exploring a maze like that would be good, I think. Walking through it hand-in-hand, admiring all the flowers, and finding the hidden treasure. Our fans would probably love to do that with us, don't you think?
i guess it works better if you find it fun to say things behind other things? remind me to pitch it to rittsu when we get home. i bet he'd love the annual love song i have to write for trickstars' magician!
But if you mean the sort of song where Jun-kun and I are singing to our fans, but we could also be singing to each other, there's lots of precedent for that. That's pretty much how Eve's usual fanservice goes. I'm sure some of the audience would like to think we're sending a "hidden message" to each other. So if that's what you're suggesting, that's perfectly fine by me!
That sounds fine by me. I don't know about you, but I've had a long time to think about what I'd like to say to them. So coming up with something like a message shouldn't be too hard.
[He won't tell Leo that he's already written farewell messages to Nagisa and Ibara and the rest. Or that he's written goodbye notes to some people here, and asked Loki to pass them out if he ever disappears. Or that he's holding onto Nami's goodbye note to Rinne, which she gave him in case she ever disappears and Rinne wakes up...]
[It's strange to be told these things to his face, like how one talks about a late loved one who had not been given a just life. Was it injustice to talk poorly of a version of himself that he's never known, but everyone else has? Is that even someone he could really be.
It's weird to hear it. To be told things that were true and things that could be true, but they were also things that can't be true, because he's never experienced it. It's a strange thing to see Hiyori working himself up in a stupor, voice slowly escalating in volume even in such a strange environment. It's easy to forget where they are at the moment, and what they were wearing-- or well, what they lacked wearing. Like a discussion they should be having in the privacy of a room and not here, in a paintball war in near nakedness.
It's so strange to hear all that, so much so that Rinne isn't sure how to react.
And he might not even realize he's smiling the more Hiyori talks about him, not truly understand the way his heart aches fondly, even if Hiyori was practically a stranger. Or perhaps it's also because he was a fellow idol, and hearing someone speak highly of him after everything he'd done... It was a strange moment.]
... The way you talk about me, you'd think I ain't livin' and breathin' right at this moment. You tryin' to write me off as a memory already?
[He starts, the joke falling flat, even as he sighs and leans back. Already, he doesn't care if they get caught and he's forced out naked. Whatever. This was bizarre enough as is.]
If I got you thinkin' that much about me, then I guess I made a mark somehow. Doesn't sound like you ended up hatin' me, so does that mean ya love me now?
[A memory. The words hit strangely as he comes down from his emotional high, rattling around in his brain.
That's all "that" Rinne is: a memory. He won't ever exist again. Not the Rinne who gave him advice about Jun and performed with him at the beach. Not the one who confided in him about Akan and held him when he cried. The only record of that person's existence is his own memories. And who knows how long he'll be allowed to keep those? Rinne lost his memories, after all. It's enough to make him feel acutely, momentarily hopeless.
But then Rinne sighs and says those last words, and all at once, his chest constricts. It sounded, to him, like acceptance-like Rinne's not throwing out his feelings or denying they could've ever had a bond. And it sounded so Rinne-like, too. After all, wasn't he always saying like things like that? "Gyahaha, you love me, don'tcha?" It's enough to make him realize this isn't a different person. With or without his memories, this is Rinne Amagi, sitting next to him for the first time in months.
His vision blurs with tears, and he gives Rinne a defiant look.]
So what if it does? Whose fault is that?
[And then he breaks eye contact, scrubbing at his face with his hands. He doesn't even have a sleeve he can dry his tears with! How horrible.]
You're still below a lot of people, though. Like Nagisa-kun, Jun-kun, Mary, my family, and my birds. So don't go getting too carried away.
[He speaks while wiping at his eyes. Then he hears footsteps approach—unsurprising, given that he's been making no effort to keep his voice down. But he still gives an exhausted grimace.]
What a pain.
[He glances at Rinne again. It's tempting to tell him to do all the work. But if they do want to beat their opponent...]
greetings to the most talented idol around 🙏 are you busy? I was wondering if we could spend some time coming up with the lyrics to the song we'll be performing. I've recruited a few people to play instruments and robin is also interested in singing too! 💖💖
Busy panicking. He just spent two hours outside Leo's door, knocking and messaging to no avail. It hasn't been long since Hiyori last heard from him. It seems impossible that he could be gone. That he could be a statue somewhere, when he's been at the resort even longer than Hiyori has. Smiling, laughing, playing impromptu concerts, holing up in his room and composing the night away...
He slumps over on a bench, staring at the registry. Hoping against hope that somehow, he missed Leo's name the last time he looked. But it isn't there. He doesn't see it anywhere, which means...
He gets a new message.
It takes him a moment to check it, and then several moments to reply.]
Reira-chan. How lovely to hear from you.
[He replies like normal (albeit with fewer emojis). There's no reason to dump his problems on her. Though, can he really hope to carry on like nothing's changed...?
Even thinking about making music makes him think of Leo, and his stomach sinks. Maybe he should be upfront with her.]
I'd be happy to come up with lyrics. Write them, rehearse them, meet your other collaborators, and whatever else you like.
But I'm not sure now's the best time. Someone I know went missing, so. That's been a bit stressful.
( in all of her effortless charm and care-free attitude, it really didn't dawn on her that some of the people here had lives— connections and things that tethered them to one another. since her arrival, she had taken a bit of a stance not to get too emotionally attached to the people she slept with but even she was failing at that miserably. she just hadn't thought how she would feel if they left.
so in her careless disregard, she hadn't quite asked or ventured into knowing more about hiyori— so his second response came as a shock, then came the guilt.
she was an idiot wasn't she? messaging him so carelessly when clearly he was struggling. she could just say they can meet a different time, perhaps set this plan aside for another time in the future and yet the people she's become close to here have brought out a more compassionate side of her. she couldn't just ignore this. )
I'm so sorry, I didn't realize. are you going to be okay? are you all alone right now?
( it took some time for her response to come in given she wasn't sure how to approach this but she was at least trying. )
[She had no way of knowing when he just discovered it himself. He hasn't broken the news to anyone yet, or put up a Network post like he did when Rinne vanished. He's still in shock.
Yet this sort of thing isn't shocking, and that's what's so horrible. So many guests have disappeared. Before Leo it was Rinne, and before Rinne it was others he knew. It's all so horribly common, and it terrifies him.]
I'll be alright.
[For now, anyway. Two people from his world have vanished; it's just him and Jun left. How long until it's their turn? It's a question he's had to grapple with many, many times.]
I'm alone right now since I went looking for him, but I do still have my partner here. We live together, so I won't be all by my lonesome.
[...]
I should let you know the person who went missing is Leo-kun, though. He's the composer from home I mentioned.
( in a way maybe she was lucky she was all alone here in this resort, with no one from home and no one to miss if they suddenly vanished. it was very saddening to read his words and she truly felt for him, how could she not? they seemed so similar in their disposition so she's sure he's hurting—
yet that last bit of information about having a partner left her stunned. was the resort truly that cruel to bring in established couples?? or did he meet someone here? a million questions but she had to focus. )
oh I'm so sorry, that's really tough.
I'm glad you're not alone but you know maybe I don't seem reliable or something like that but if you feel like venting or just need a distraction...
I'd be happy to help.
( the non-sexual kind of distraction of course, she was reaching her own emotional limit when it came to that after all. )
Thanks. I'm sorry I got your hopes up about a collaboration with him.
You seem plenty reliable to me. I do appreciate the offer. I just don't think I'd be very good company at the moment.
So for now, all I'll ask is that you take care of yourself and have fun planning the concert.
[Ah, but there is one more thing he could ask. Tears well up as he even thinks about it, yet his fingers move to type the words anyway—without his brain considering that she might not know the truth yet.]
If you see a statue of a short boy with a small and scruffy ponytail, though, do let me know.
you don't need to apologize, but alright I understand.
( it was still difficult for her to fully grasp and understand how things could be so heavy and emotional for people here, but she was trying. she could sense the pain through his words and figured it was best to just give him some space.
it's the best she could do in the end— but for his next request, she made sure to actually go out looking for the statue even if she didn't find it. that bit of information was given to her by shanks after all and it was still confusing to her. )
oh right, I'll make sure I do. do you...
I don't want to keep bothering you during this difficult time but do you know more about those statues? I was told it happened randomly but I don't know much more about it.
He blinks back tears, his vision clears, and then he's faced-to-face with a reminder that other people don't already know all about the statues. Of course. Though given that she doesn't question the request, she must already know that it can happen. Right?
Will it help to tell her more? Or will that just cause unnecessary panic? There's nothing any of them can do. The cheerful woman who'd been so enthusiastic about planning a concert... he'd hate to take her smile away. But it's a little late to worry about that, isn't it?]
I don't know the full truth either, but I can tell you what I've heard over the past year.
Do you want to meet in-person after all? I can go to where you are.
[He declined her offer to spend time together a moment ago, but this seems like a conversation that might be better off being had in-person. Not to mention...
He is the type who gets lonely easily. For all that he may not be good company, he does prefer not to be alone.]
( as a woman who often ran from her troubles and walled herself up away from the world, she understood what it was like to want to close everyone off and just sequester yourself in a cocoon of pain and emotions. she wasn't going to push for him to do anything he didn't want to—
yet much like himself, she often felt lonely and strove to be in the company of others as often as she could. she was getting better at not burdening others here too much with her issues but even she was starting to fall prey to using sex to fill up the hole within her heart.
so even if she said he didn't have to force himself, she immediately sent him her location— the smoked egg. )
i'll be here, waiting for you if you do decide to come.
[Does he want to talk about the statues right now? Not really. But the desire not to be alone is strong. He could find Jun and ask to be comforted, and he will later, but Jun is also going to be distraught about Leo's disappearance. In a way, it seems easiest to talk to someone who isn't so intimately involved.]
Great, then I'll see you soon!
[And then he wipes at his eyes a bit, before getting up and checking his face in the reflective surface of the hallway, just to make sure he doesn't look too terrible. He then pulls up the digital map on his watch. Let's see, where did she say she was again...?
... ah. That's where she is.
He stands outside the doorway after he arrives, peering inside the lounge. He's passed the place plenty of times in his year-plus of living here, but he's always walked on by it. The air, thick with smoke, reminds him of the Roost, and the prospect of breathing it into his lungs seems unpleasant. He'd never pick up a cigar himself, and the dim lighting makes him wonder what sort of things might be going on in the dark. Idols, and noble scions, are supposed to keep their noses clean. This isn't his scene.
But he's been held hostage for over a year now, with no reason to think he'll be back home anytime soon and every reason to think things will get worse. He just lost a second person from his world. Compared to all that, a little darkness and some smoke seem like nothing to be afraid of.
He pushes through the doors and looks around the lounge, taking in the different silhouettes seated on cushions, slumping over tables, sharing whispered conversations and taking drags from elegantly-curved pipes. A few guests look his way, raking over his form with their eyes, but most are wrapped up in their own world. Here, unlike at home, he's no one noteworthy. He's not a royalty card.
Unlike some people. He doesn't know where precisely Reira is, but it doesn't take long even in the dark. All he has to do is keep an ear out, and eventually he hears the expected whisperings about the Queen."Such a beautiful Queen. Do you think she's waiting for someone?"
Hiyori walks up to where she is. Despite everything, he smiles.]
( deep within the spaces of the smoked egg, reira sat at her own booth, sprawled across a layer of pillows with a pipe in her hand. it was very rare that she ever smoked, but long before her arrival here, her nights were often filled with the scent of nicotine from her former young lover, a westwood lighter orb dangling between the two as they promised to keep in touch despite the obstacles that came with both of them being in rival bands. her desire to linger in a place like this came from a need to reminisce over the past and mull over some of the mistakes she's made, but really she's just lonely and bored. there's only so much that could be done in her suite, only so many people she knew who she could call upon to spend time with her, and only oh so much sex to be had.
for her things were starting to slowly becoming repetitive— and so an opportunity to comfort someone, even in a place like this was something she looked forward to. even if she had insisted he needn't push himself so hard for her sake.
still when that familiar voice came rolling in through the cloud of smoke and soft jazzy tunes, she peaked her head up and offered a relaxed smile to hiyori. the smell of vanilla tobacco filled the air as she sat up and offered the seat next to her for him. )
No, all yours. Sorry I was probably hanging around the worst place imaginable when I texted you, so we don't have to stay long. Come sit—
( with a playful tone, she patted the pillow and encouraged him to come forth. )
[He can feel people watching from the neighboring tables: the lovely Queen, and the person lucky enough to be her date at the smoke lounge. Such attention may make others uncomfortable, but not him. They can look all they want, and they can think whatever they please.]
I wouldn't go that far. I don't like to smoke, but I can think of worse places than this around.
[Like the bondage club or the Roost. Or the maintenance area, with its eerie dark tunnels and whispering voices.
... or the Punishment Room. That's a place within the resort, too, he learned the hard way.
He drops to his knees gracefully and takes a seat upon a cushion. He doesn't want to breathe in any smoke, but once they're at eye-level (and nose-level) he gets a whiff of that vanilla scent anyway, causing him to a blink a few times in surprise.]
That's not what I expected that to smell like. I thought it'd smell all stale and gross.
[He's willing to sit with her in the lounge... but hopefully she doesn't mind some gentle ribbing about her smoking habit.]
( the restless chatter surrounding them doesn't quite escape her, but given that she had been used to such buzzing from her time being a celebrity back home, it was easy to drown out the sounds without much effort. in fact her own attitude made it seem she couldn't even hear it— opting to relax and focus on her guest. his comfort and happiness mattered to quite a bit in this moment, especially because she understood what it was like to be in pain over losing someone. )
I'm glad, and don't worry it's not a habit I partake in often.
( especially because she had to keep her voice in prime condition— or rather she did back home. wasn't she free from that here? those pressures? she wasn't sure anymore but for now she smiled once they got to eye level, putting the hookah pipe she had in her hands onto the table before them. )
Apparently this is more unique way of enjoying tobacco. I've actually never used one of these before but apparently they're all the rage. Smells nice doesn't it? Anyways do you want to order something for yourself? I'll cover it.
[He understands instantly. It's why he wouldn't consider smoking himself. That, and he doesn't like the smell. But cigarettes and cigars don't usually smell of vanilla. The scent is sweet without being overpowering, and pleasantly smoky, almost like a cologne. He finds he doesn't mind breathing it in.
Though he's also not quite sure he wants to order anything like that for himself.]
So they sell snacks too, hm?
[He thinks he did see a couple of people feeding each other. Probably dangling cherries over each other's mouths.]
I'm not sure what's on their menu. And it's impossible to tell what other people are eating or drinking, since it's so very dark in here. So!
Yeah back home I had to follow a lot of little 'rules', not just for my voice but also for my appearance. You know what that's like right?
( he certainly didn't have to answer that question because she assumed he did— she didn't comment on it, but his appearance clearly suggested he took good care of himself or rather had to. if she had to guess, they both probably avoided the sun for the most part, even if those trivial worries didn't matter much in the end here.
still with the looming threat of learning more about this place and the need to bring him something for his company, she focused on the task at hand, eyes wandering around for a staff member before she stood up. cherries being erotically fed to each wouldn't do, but she could get him something for himself in the meantime. )
Alright, I promise not to get you anything too weird and hopefully...um well you'll forgive me if it's laced with anything weird.
( she might have been a bit silly and careless for the most part, but she at the very least knew about how things here could be laced with aphrodisiacs to send them all towards that little goal the resort had.
with a smile, reira nearly bounced off her seat and walked off to speak to a staff member, placing an order for their most basic snacks [chips, pretzels] and a few sodas to keep things light for now. once it was settled, she came back and returned to her previous seat and smiled at her companion. )
So it sounds like you know quite a bit about this place. I feel like the more I learn....the less I understand anything at all. I thought if I just went with the flow of things, I'd be alright but it does seem weird things happen regardless, fully outside of our control. I mean that cupid from before was something.
I do indeed. There are lots of rules idols are supposed to follow, spoken and unspoken. But I already knew how that works, since I was raised in high society. And I always made sure not to let any higher-ups or producers boss me around too much.
[It's more complicated than that, truthfully. When he was in his old unit, he had little respect for the other members sans his childhood friend, and he also knew their unit wasn't built to last. As a result, he did as he pleased, skipping out on practice and using unit funds to take his fans out on expensive dates—something he never would have tried to get away with after joining his next unit. It wasn't a happy time for him, though. Once he had a career he could be proud of and a unit that was like "home" to him, he was much better-behaved. Following the rules didn't feel stifling when he was actually happy where he was.
This place, on the other hand, is like one big cage. One that keeps stealing his friends away from him. But he can recognize that there are freedoms afforded to him here that he wouldn't have at home. Like being alone with a girl inside a smoking lounge, for one thing. Although he could really live without the smell. But when the smoke smells like vanilla, he doesn't mind so much!
For now she volunteers to get him some snacks. He didn't mean to make her go fetch—she's the higher-rank here, and a woman—but he allows it this one time. He does, however, crease his forehead when she suggests the food might be laced with "something weird." Always a danger in the resort to be sure, but he sure hopes it's not a likely possibility.]
You're a Queen, so you could always try asking for something non-spiked.
[Though whether they'll actually respect her wishes is unknown. Either way, off she goes, leaving him briefly alone.
He rests his elbows on the table and slumps a bit. The smoky air and the atmosphere haven't gotten to him yet, but it was only a short while ago that he was crying over Leo's disappearance. What exactly is he doing...? Where does he go from here? Is there anything to do, other than wait for his turn to disappear at this point?
There are even more awful possibilities than just that. He knows it's possible that Jun, his partner from home, could turn to stone next, leaving him alone here. And that thought makes his stomach seize.
He straightens up when he sees her approach in his periphery, swallowing down his misery so he can talk to her normally. He did warn her he wouldn't be good company, but he still doesn't want to suck all the life out of the room.
First of all:]
You should try throwing around your status more. You could always call out and make them come to you, for example. I do that myself sometimes, and I'm a mere "numbered card."
[It's a leftover habit from back home, where he was a wealthy noble. But anyway, onto what she's saying.]
Those cupids were so ugly. But they're hardly the worst thing we've had to deal with.
[His shoulders slump again and his face hardens a bit. He really can't help but feel hopeless as he admits:]
I wish I could say it gets easier. But they're always twisting the rules and serving up new humiliations. And the longer you stay here, the more people you realize you haven't seen in a long time.
[...]
You said you wanted to hear about the statues, right?
( despite all of her beauty, charisma, and general assertiveness when it came to demanding her emotional needs be met by others, truthfully reira was a bit clueless when it came to things. hiyori's comment about just asking the staff to serve her non-tainted food left a puzzled expression on her face and the comments her bandmates back home have made about her began to ring in her mind. 'her only talent is singing, she's useless, she doesn't know the true harshness of reality'— all little words and actions that left her truly coddled her entire life. now that she was here on her own, she was still trying to get used to doing things for herself. there was no assistant to fetch her food, no ren to cry to when she felt particularly emotional, and no takumi to solve all of her little problems.
yet despite her own flaws, she took his advice and even began to make a note of it in her watch, typing away quickly before nodding. )
I guess you're right, I should have....thought of that. I'll do that next time.
( there's a slight blush that creeped onto her face, mostly drawn from embarrassment. wasn't she the older one here? yet she felt so useless. she was rich and famous back home and yet when she thought about it—
she was mostly treated like a singing machine. whatever she wanted she couldn't ever really have without pouting and throwing tantrums like a child. here it was different wasn't it? she could actually ask for what she wanted from the staff.
for now though she simply opted to lower her face a bit like a scolded child before he moved onto the next thing. )
Humiliations huh...I thought if we just did what they wanted they would leave us alone.
( yet another example of how naive and sheltered she was. )
Oh that, yeah I did want to know more about it. My friend Shanks told me a bit but I'm still pretty confused on how any of that works.
Hmm... So we only get the basics if we don't do anything too risque, but we can't have any luxuries? Then doesn't that mean you can live comfortably without finding a partner?
[Though actually...]
Do you have a choice whether or not you can do it? They're so vague with their instructions, I feel like they can trick you into doing things you're not ready for.
[No, not "sort of." Even if you have enough vouchers to support yourself, you'll still turn to stone if you don't have sex. How exactly should he break that to her, though?
It's always difficult. Meeting these wide-eyed new arrivals and having to be the bearer of bad news. But as someone who's been trapped here much longer than she has, he's basically her "senpai." And as her senior, and her partner for this activity, he wants to help. Both by telling her what she needs to do to survive, but also by telling her what she doesn't need to do, so she won't push herself too far.
He quits hemming and hawing and addresses her seriously.]
They will try to trick you, I'm sorry to say. And if you avoid going to bed with someone for over a month, you'll start to run into trouble. Which is absolutely horrid, since that's the sort of thing that shouldn't be forced on anyone. Still, there is some degree of choice, no matter how awful the system is.
[He clears his throat, pointing in a finger in the air.]
First of all, you don't need to go "all the way." I knew someone who was saving that for marriage, and he never got penalized for it, as far as I'm aware. Second of all—
[He holds another finger in the air.]
—there are a surprising number of loopholes that can work. For example, simply watching someone else can count; if two people invited you to watch them be intimate, you could get their cards without having letting anyone touch you. Which I know might sound strange, but it takes some of the pressure off, doesn't it? And simply exchanging pictures or messages can also work, as long as someone "enjoys themself" to the fullest. That's what the commoners call "sexting," apparently. I know doing that sort of thing can be somewhat nerve-wracking as an idol, though.
[He holds up a third figure.]
And third of all, you should always get to choose your partner. This place may try to shove you together with certain people, but you can always say, "Nope, no thanks!" Even if someone begs you for help with their suit, it's still within your right to say, "I don't feel like it today, so go find someone else!"
[His voice rises in volume. He's already invested in her well-being and he wants her to be alright, even if this place is absolutely, positively awful.]
You mustn't let anyone guilt you into things. There are always willing people here, and you seem like a lovely woman whom anyone would want, which means you can be picky as you please. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can cry themselves a river. Understood? That all makes sense, doesn't it?
It does, it does! That's a lot of good things to know.
[Oh wow, he sure is passionate about this. It's so nice to hear someone so concerned about her wellbeing enough to warn her of the ways that she could be tricked, and even the mention of consent! What a kind young man.
Would he be disappointed to find out that the warning was unfortunately a little too late.]
... It must have been a really hard battle for you and your friend. So he's still keeping that up?
Only for her next words to take all the wind out of his sails, causing him to deflate like a balloon. Great, another horrible thing he has to warn her about.]
No, not exactly.
[He hesitates for a second, trying to figure out how to phrase himself before settling on something vague.]
He's no longer an active guest at the moment. People come and go a lot in this place.
[His expression was an odd one considering he was delivering what one might consider as good news. After all, being forced to have sex when you're not feeling it sounded dreadful, but if people can leave (and often too!) then that means good things, right?
Right?]
I'm not sure I'm following... Isn't that a good thing?
[Another long moment of hesitation follows. He thinks about saying, "There's no proof he's gone home," or something along those lines. Then she'd understand why he's worried. But that's not quite true, is it? He knows where Rinne is: in Reign's room, as a statue. Should he really explain that right now, though?
His shoulders slump. In the end, even the charismatic and ever-talkative Hiyori Tomoe can't spin a good answer out of nothing.]
... sorry. I hate to bear even more bad news, but people don't always go home when they disappear.
[Another pause, his voice sounding heavy and exhausted.]
He's been taken off the guest list, but he is still here. It just doesn't seem like "him," since he's turned into a stone statue.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@lilith ~4/5
hey, ohii-san, it's tsukinaga-senpai's birthday tomorrow, and he wants a birthday cake. i said i'd do it no problem, but i was wondering if you had ideas for gifts? thinking about something he could use for composing, or, dunno, what else could he want?! we could all pitch in, if you want? but i'm gonna go ask rinne-senpai for ideas, just so he knows. i dunno if his ideas'll be helpful, though...?
[ So watch this space??? Leo's a 10, so he likely has everything he needs, but that doesn't mean he deserves to go without a present or have his fellow idols not know it's his birthday! ]
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[He didn't see this one coming. He's never given much thought to the issue of celebrating birthdays in this place. Surely he and Jun won't still be here when July and August come around... will they? It's a depressing thought.
But he pushes that aside for now. He'd much rather focus on gift-giving, celebrations, and other fun things like that! Those are his specialties.]
I'm not sure what he loves, other than composing and his little sister. I know he has a recording studio in his room, though, so perhaps we could find him some new equipment? There's always stationery and fountain pens and the like, as well, but my feeling is that he's happy to compose wherever and doesn't need to do it in a leather-bound journal.
When I'm stumped for what to get someone, I usually have our personal chef whip them something up. But he's not here right now, and instead we have you! I'm also not sure what food Leo-kun likes, since he doesn't seem to eat much. Maybe something coffee-related? A gift basket with different beans, perhaps? I'll figure something out!
Are we also throwing him a party? Or are we simply delivering the gifts up to his room?
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[ And Jun agrees, it would've been more convenient if Leo had told them in advance! Unless Leo forgot his own birthday..? Hopefully, by the time their birthday's roll around, they'll be back home and can celebrate outside of this place.
Right, he recalls Leo talking about his sister! And what Hiyori's talking about makes sense. Leo does compose whenever he wants, not particularly caring for where his music ends up. Which is why Jun's stumped about gifts! At least he knows Ohii-san's good with figuring out that kind of thing. ]
that's why i'm having trouble coming up with something.. i figure no matter how much paper we get him, he'll run out of it sooner than later. maybe they've got some sorta pen here that never runs outta ink?
i'm already running around, figuring out the cake situation. but it'd be handy if your personal chefs were here. yeah, all he's been doing lately has been living on coffee and i keep telling him off for it, but tsukinaga-senpai's stubborn. do we really wanna feed into his coffee habit? but when all else fails, that's something he likes. i appreciate your help, ohii-san! i don't want tsukinaga-senpai to think we'd forget about a gift or anything ♪
we could throw him a party! it's just hard to get everything on short notice. so maybe just giving the gift and cake is better? that'd sorta be like a party.
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[New goal: find a way out of here before their birthdays. He doesn't want to celebrate a single one of his birthdays here! But they aren't getting out in time for Leo's; there's no getting around that, so they might as well make the most of it.]
You've gotten pretty good at thinking outside the box! This place seems to run on magic, so I guess it's possible they'd sell something like that. If not, though, there are still hundreds of shops to browse. So many that it seems like overkill, and this is coming from me, who loves to shop! But I'm sure we can find something he'll like.
My feeling with the coffee is that, if he's going to live off it, he might as well live off the good stuff! But maybe we can get him to eat if we got something coffee-flavored? Like a coffee rub for meat, or a sauce or marinade. Or perhaps a breakfast product, since those don't require cooking.
There must be places where you can reserve a room around here, but I assume that costs chips. And since this is all rather last-minute, it might be best if we brought the party up to him! I'll pick up some party poppers and hats for us to wear. That should set the mood just right 🥳🎉
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[ That's not exactly the most important part of their conversation, but as he's reading the rest, Rinne does manage to message him back. As thought, nothing he added seemed very helpful. ]
well, yeah! you've got all those theories and talking about magic with people, so i thought i'd give it a shot! something like that'd be a pretty good gift, and tsukinaga-senpai'd never worry 'bout running outta ink! yeah, figured and rinne-senpai finally texted back:
"cake gel pen
blank white cake
i'll get us alcohol~"
i dunno why he'd type cake twice? or what he's tryna say. anyway, do coffee rubs for meat exist? guess if something like that does, it'd exist here. but half the time, i dunno if tsukinaga-senpai's awake for breakfast? though, it'd help cuz he forgets to eat.... and those're pretty good gift ideas! i knew you'd have really good ideas, ohii-san 😊
[ He DID text Jun at 3am, and said he had a cup of coffee. Multiple! But he sang Leo to sleep, so maybe there's nothing to worry about?! He never really got a clear answer about when Leo sleeps, anyway... ]
maybe if we're still here for someone's birthday, we can rent a room. i don't mind using my chips, but you're right, saying it's last minute and bringing the party to tsukinaga-senpai instead. hats and stuff'd work! it'll be like a real party ♪
[ There might be potentially several rooms, but it's still last minute! As long as they show up for Leo's birthday, it will be an enjoyable, and unforgettable party. ]
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By "timeline," I just meant that it was a different date when we arrived compared to what it should have been at home. It was two days before New Year's Eve when we got snatched, but when I arrived here, there was all this Valentine's decor they were taking down, and then that big welcome market happened at the beginning of March. All of January and most of February disappeared, in other words. Which sort of reminds me of Rinne-senpai's predicament.
[Yet another thing to ponder slash investigate. Though time is a wibbly-wobbly thing, and if he thinks about it too hard, he might just give himself a headache.]
I've talked to people who can do magic, but I'm not sure if any of them can enchant regular pens. Some people can't do magic here because of that "limiter" thing I mentioned, or because they're missing some tool they need, like a mage stone. Others say they can do it, but that it takes time to see results. And this is all rather last-minute, so there goes that option!
But oh well, that's fine. It doesn't need to be something magical. There surely must be other suitable gifts, even in this place.
[He's not buying Leo a sex toy! He's not!!]
Sounds borderline-incomprehensible as usual! And also like he forgot that none of us can legally drink except him. Though I guess Leo-kun can as of tomorrow? Although if he's missing some months, maybe he can't... Or can he?
[Yep. Very headache-inducing.]
Yep, there are coffee ones, along with all sorts of other rubs! Sweet ones, savory ones, spicy ones, herb rubs, you name it. The market did have a wide variety of spices and things, so I wonder if they might sell something like that here. I'm not sure how much it'd excite him, though. Or rather, I can see him mistaking it for instant coffee and dumping it into some hot water, so on second thought, never mind! Let's scratch that one out! If all else fails, we'll just get him some more permanent markers he can use to write all over the walls!
[Should he really be saying that over text? The resort might know it's him leaving musical graffiti everywhere!]
Real parties are less about the environment and more about the spirit, in my opinion. So if we act like it's a party, that'll make it so! 🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉 I'm sure the presents and your cake will help, too.
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oh, right. so if you're saying that, then it took, what? almost 2 months? maybe time moves in mysterious ways here, cuz something like that shouldn't make sense if we were taken at the end of december. i'd completely forgotten it was 'round valentine's day when we arrived.
[ Now that seems so long ago now, not that he's completely forgotten. Thinking about how much time has passed and maybe how they've missed a couple of months does make his head hurt. ]
yeah, so it probably can't be done? i figure now you're talking about the limiters again, that'll mean none of the shops here'll have anything close.. well, it *was* a good idea!
nah, it can be anything! uh, not anything, anything. just something tsukinaga-senpai'd enjoy.
[ He also doesn't want to buy anything close to that for Leo. Too bad they'll have to figure out the magic pen situation for next year. (If they're still here next year...) ]
part of me even wonders why i bothered asking, but hey! i think he did, and it's not like they'd check for id's here—not that i'm saying we're gonna drink! just feels as if the bars wouldn't care. i dunno the answer to that one, ohii-san. we'll find out when we get home, probably?
[ Will they ever know the answer? Tune in next time to ES idols stuck inside a sex casino. ]
wow, sounds pretty cool! i never woulda expected anything close to that. i know all about rubs, but coffee ones sound like the last sorta ones you'd wanna put on meat. you know what? you're actually right. yeah, if the rub ends up looking something like instant coffee, he probably would. but maybe if i hide it somewhere...? do we wanna take that chance? and i don't think we should be encouraging vandalism. won't tsukinaga-senpai end up arrested if someone catches him??
[ Probably not, but at least music notes over the casino brightens up the ugly decor! ]
yeah, even if we can't go all out, if we're all celebrating, it'll feel like a real party. and even if we can't find a proper gift right now, the cake could be a temp one!
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I just wonder what might be going on at home. To Nagisa-kun and the others, does it feel like we've been gone for two months? Does it feel more like six months to a year? Or does it feel like no time has passed at all? That's what I'd most like to know. But since there's no way of contacting the outside world, I'm not sure how we'll figure that out. We'll just have to keep our eyes peeled for clues.
[He hopes it's the last one: that it feels like no time has passed. But how does any of this even work? There are all sorts of other issues too, like Rinne and Leo not remembering as much as them. And then he remembers talking to Senku, who claims to have spent thousands of years in cryptosleep.
What month will it be when they get out? What year will it be? What sort of world will they be walking into? He just doesn't know the answer to basic questions anymore, and that unsettles him.]
I wouldn't assume they don't sell anything with magic properties. Lots of people here can use magic, after all. But when you don't understand much about how that stuff works, it's probably fairly easy to get scammed. So if anyone tries to sell you something like "magic crystals," remember to take it with a grain of salt, alright? No need to waste chips!
[He says, like he isn't the one more likely to spend money on stuff he doesn't need.]
I'm sure you're right and they don't check. Everyone seems to be treated as an "adult" for all intents and purposes, even though I've met people as young as 16 here. But I'd rather not do anything that reflects poorly on myself, even if my fans aren't around to see it. Not to mention that the alcohol in this place might just be spiked with something.
If we have to hide it from him, it won't exactly work as a gift, will it? And if he got arrested, he could just spend a day or two in that "jail." I doubt he'd care much as long as he can compose. But a prison sentence wouldn't be the best birthday gift, so hopefully he'll hold off a day or two!
Anyway, I'm not set on the permanent markers. That's more of a back-up plan. First, we'll go shopping!
Or I will, anyway. I know you're busy with the cake. So you need me to, I could choose something for both of us and we'll call it a joint gift.
[Giving gifts together, how couple-like.]
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wish i knew the answer, ohii-san. we'll just keep looking 'till we do.
[ Part of him doesn't want to think about how much time might've passed on the outside, not without knowing a clear answer. He's only made sure to read the words carefully, wanting and wishing he could give Hiyori an answer, but there isn't a clear one he could give.
What if, when they finally leave this place, ES no longer exists? And all the idols are either retired or moved on? Leaving Rinne, Leo, Hiyori and himself without careers or anything substantial to fall back on. ]
seriously, d'you think i'm an idiot? i'm not gonna go buy some magic crystal if someone's offering me one. i know we've gotta save our chips, even if you're not. i'm saving mine for our food, so don't worry, ohii-san.
[ Even if Hiyori has been spending regularly, being frivolous with his chips, there is nothing around him that he has been interested in buying. (Unless it's new workout clothes, he deserved the upgrade!) Jun knows they have to eat, and he doesn't mind paying the chips so they both can have decent meals whenever they'd like. ]
well, deuce-kun is 16, isn't he? so he'd probably not be asked. no one asked for his ID when we got some tea together one time. [ The tea, which was meant to help them sleep, instead made them feel as if they were floating away. ] just be careful, alright? long as we stick together, nothing bad's gonna happen.
[ Such as spiked drinks or otherwise, he hopes. ]
guess so. well, there goes that idea. he'll probably find it months later, when it's useless. it's not gonna be a punishment, just like it wasn't for us. so sure, we'll figure out something else.
or you'll figure out something, like you said, i'm a lil' busy. a joint gift sounds good! just tell me how many chips i'm gonna owe you when you're done. i appreciate you doing all that, ohii-san.
[ Wow, how domesticated! ]
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Maybe it was selfish of him to say all that stuff out loud. (Or put in text, rather.) He doesn't mean to worry Jun with thoughts about losing a year's worth of time back home. He knows Jun is just as frustrated and worried as he is. Still, he did promise to share his findings and his thoughts with him, without holding anything back or trying to shield him. They are partners, after all.
Either way, it looks like that discussion has resolved itself. He won't talk about that anymore for now. This was supposed to be about Leo's birthday, a much more pleasant topic!
And also about his spending habits, which he proceeds to defend.]
Not to worry! I don't spend like I do at home! I did have some extra expenditures last month, but those were more like business expenses. If you're trying to pry a high-class mage, a god, or a wealthy celebrity for info, you take them out to lunch first! And you make sure the cafe or wherever is upscale enough to please them! That's lesson 1 in the Hiyori Tomoe Book of Etiquette! ⭐
[Actually, that lesson really only applies to this place. If this was at home, he wouldn't be questioning mages!
... mostly because he doesn't know any. If he did meet a real one, he probably would talk their ear off with various questions.]
Yep. As long as we're together, we're unstoppable 💚💙
It's not just alcohol or food, by the way. Apparently some of the flowers also contain pollen that have the same effects as other stuff. I haven't encountered anything like that myself, though, and we were fine during the flower exhibition. Still, I know Leo-kun and Rinne-senpai have run into it, so we can't be too careful.
[He probably should've said this before the exhibit, but oh well. All's well that end's well! And now finally back to the topic at hand:]
I do like shopping and gift-giving, so that suits me fine. Alright, very well. I'll take care of the present, you take care of the cake! And I suppose you don't need to worry about paying me back, since I haven't exactly paid you back for every ingredient you've ever bought for my food. Unless it's something really pricy, we can consider it even.
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These are tumultuous thoughts that one's not sure they should be having. But he wouldn't say Hiyori's completely at fault for them, not while one of them is rather focused on anything but the time and space outside. Even though he fails to follow some of the theories, he'd not mind discussing them in person because they are supposed to be supporting one another here. It is just that thinking about the topic makes his head spin, wishing he could answer his partner's questions.
For now, those theories will take a pause as they return to the discussion of Hiyori's spending habits. ]
do i even wanna know why you've been doing all that? i'm pretty sure that's not how you get information outta someone. and you can't write off business expenses here, ohii-san!! but it's not really my business what you do with your chips.
[ Sadly, this isn't home, where his family boasts a slew of restaurant chains or where Ibara can write off business ventures where it's beneficial to them. ]
huh, what? we've gotta stay away from the flowers now? good thing nothing bad happened to us, it would've been seriously annoying if we had to deal with *that* ontop of everything.
[ He didn't know about the flowers, but nothing bad happened, so nothing to worry about! ]
got it! that i can do, ohii-san. i trust whatever you pick, and if you don't want that, then i'll just keep my chips. just let me know if it is, alright? i wanna help you out, no matter what you've said.
[ Also, he'd never charge for food when they both have to eat, though he's not sure if it might consider them even. ]
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[He doesn't wait for an answer.]
First off, the more we know, the more prepared we'll be! And second, it helps to have strong allies. I may not have any magical abilities, but I'm excellent at chatting people up and forming connections. We all have skills, and those are my skills. Therefore, I'll use them!
[With or without his wealth, although it sure would be preferable if he did have access to his bank account and could really treat people. And himself. And Jun. Think of the lavish dates they could go on between investigations!]
I wouldn't plan to stay away entirely. I just wouldn't get within smelling distance unless you know it's safe. Though some flowers produce more pollen than others, and I assume those are most dangerous. Carnations, like the one I pinned to your shirt, tend to be allergy-safe by comparison. Though I guess there's no telling what's safe and what's not if they've been genetically modifying things.
But anyway, I wouldn't worry about it for now. I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case some shady salesperson goes up to you and says, "Here, sniff these flowers! They carry a lovely scent!" Now you know to say, "No thanks!"
[Perhaps we can add "bouquet" to the list of things they shouldn't buy Leo for his birthday. But that wasn't on the table anyway, really.]
Yep, no problem! I'm not sure what just yet, but I promise I'll find something we can proudly present him together. Something that says, "This is a lovely gift from Eve!"
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prepared for what? the only thing i wanna prepare for is leaving here. yeah, i already know that's your skill, ohii-san, but i'm pretty confused about how "chatting up people and forming connections" will help. i'm not doubting you can't form allies or whatever you're doing, i guess i'm not really following *why* you're doing it????
[ While some people might be swayed by material possessions, being treated to lavish gifts, he couldn't think of anything worse. Rather content with the idea of enjoying Hiyori's company on simple, ordinary dates, he places greater importance on the genuine connection they share. ]
i'm still only learning about flowers, so i dunno which ones to stay away from. how're you gonna know which ones are safe from a distance, anyway? sounds like it's gonna be pretty hard to tell. well, the carnation didn't make me feel funny or anything, so you're probably right.
and i'm not dumb enough to fall for some random guy asking me to sniff flowers. you do realise how shady that sounds, right? i'll say no thanks to any random person coming up to me.
[ Yet another gift to strike down! If things continue this way, half of the present ideas will not be very Leo friendly. ]
whatever you pick for his gift is gonna be great, just throwing it out there. and i'm pretty sure tsukinaga-senpai will know it's from the two of us, so it'll be something he remembers us by.
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But he does stop and pause for a moment here.
His smile fades as he reads that first message. Boy, Jun-kun is clueless. He really has no idea about the dangers around here. In all fairness, Hiyori only learned about some of them recently, and hasn't informed him about all of them just yet. But there are reasons it might help to have strong allies, besides just being able to escape.]
Prepared for anything, I guess. I know it might seem like the only real threat is drugs that make your body feel hot, but I've heard some disturbing things recently. Things about monster sightings and ghoul sightings, for example. Not to mention that with so many powerful people running around, I'm not sure it's safe to assume there aren't any bad eggs. Some people's powers are dangerous by their own admission. They might not be strong enough to overthrow the House, but they could still do some real damage to so-called "ordinary" people like ourselves. Plus that frenzy we saw out in the hall was sort of disturbing...
[There's more that he could say here. He really needs to tell Jun that someone accidentally (?) killed a staff member and faced no consequences for it. Murder is okay here, apparently. And if that gets out to everyone, who knows what sort of chaos might ensue?
Of course there isn't danger lurking around every corner. The only time he really felt unsafe was probably at the Roost, and you have to go out of your way to find that place. Still...]
Those are just some reasons I'd like to have strong allies. I figure it also helps to know how magic works, since the whole place seems to run on it. Though that's its own can of worms, since magic seems to operate according to different rules in every world.
But anyway, if it's my connections you're concerned about, then worry not! I may forge other connections, but I still intend to rely plenty on you! And even if I start working together with others, Jun-kun will still be my precious partner! 🥰 I don't want you feeling lonely or left out, so I just thought I'd say that.
[He knows damn well that wasn't Jun's concern.]
Honestly, I'm not sure either. The House can always cheat by using magic, so even the low-pollen flowers might not be safe. I don't think it's the majority though, since we went to that exhibition and we came back alright. Plus I sniffed some flowers in the marketplace at that welcome thing, and those didn't leave me feeling anything except refreshed!
[Actually, both the flowers he sniffed did have side effects, but he doesn't know that. One of them just made whoever smelled it more confident in their appearance, but he was already plenty
narcissisticconfident, so he noticed no change!]Sounds good! If you want to give it a little personalized touch, we could always include a tag or a card with both our signatures. But anyway, I'll leave you to work on that cake soon, and I'll start looking for gifts posthaste!
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Frowning only a touch, he squints down at his watch, scrolling upward to read the text in its entirety. One thing he does know is about the ghosts and dopplegangers, which he found out from Weiss; he's just forgotten to tell Hiyori about them. ]
well, i know about the ghosts and something about dopplegangers! but what about monsters? the powers thing has me thinking about the limiters.
[ The religious frenzy in the lobby still seems to him to be reminiscent of a cult, but he has not given it much thought since. Hopefully, neither Leo nor Rinne suffer any sort of harm. He genuinely hopes that nobody gets hurt here. ]
goddamn, ohii-san!! you forming connections with other people really means nothing to me??? i dunno where you'd come up with *that* idea from. i guess that's what delusion sounds like! 🙄
[ Now, in the span of a few seconds, he feels as though he has aged a hundred. ]
maybe they took pity of everyone in the maze or something? we turned out fine, but i never really spoke to anyone else who went in, unless you did?? uh, refreshed? sounds sus, ohii-san..
[ Yep, sounds sus as hell about the flowers, but as someone who had no contact with them, he has no idea what the effects were. ]
oh, yeah? giving the present a personalised touch might be nice. we'll both sign the card, so i'll leave the gift in your hands when i really start working on the cake.
[ There's hope the cake comes out fine, considering Leo wants every flavour he can get.. so fingers crossed. ]
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But what's this about dopplegangers now? You didn't meet *your* doppleganger, did you?
[He flashes back to the cracktastic Network conversation he had with Leo. The one where they wondered whether or not they'd encounter their doppleganger if they went back to the original timeline they came from! Leo thought they might have to kill them, but Hiyori would rather make love with himself, not war...
Er. Not that he'd sleep with his doppleganger, or anything! It was Leo who planted the idea in his head! And he made sure to dismiss the whole thing!!]
Now that's just uncalled for! There *are* delusional people around, but I'm not one of them! I was just trying to reassure you that you're still first in my heart, that's all ❤️ Especially Nagisa-kun, Mary, and the rest of my family aren't here!
[He just had to go and ruin in...]
I'm not sure I know anyone else who's done the flower maze, either. Rinne-senpai was gone at the time, and it doesn't seem like Leo-kun's sort of thing. There weren't enough surfaces for him to write on, plus I assume he'd just get lost!
[He says, like he wouldn't have gotten hopelessly lost himself without Jun there to guide him.]
I don't know what "sus" is. But I just mean I felt refreshed! Like I'd smelled something good, and I was in good spirits, and such. Nothing odd about that. It definitely did *not* leave me feeling hot all over, I can tell you that much.
[No, both the peonies and the tulips did give him status effects, but he just failed to notice it both times...]
Sounds good! I'll bring the card for you to sign, and then we'll head up to his room together.
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well, we're gonna stay far away from them, alright? i don't want any tentacle monsters coming near us, ohii-san! so if we see them, we'll just run away or the other way.
and nah, not mine! a friend told me about them. said she saw her doppelganger in a painting and then she wasn't in a painting? i dunno, but it turned out it was a ghost or something. just you saying all that about ghosts had me remembering what she said.
[ Weiss told him that, actually! But with everything going on, he'd completely forgotten about it until the mention of ghosts and the like. Maybe he should be the one writing things down so he can remember to tell Hiyori later. ]
right. did you really need to mention all that stuff? even if i think you're delusional, you really felt the need to remind me i still rank below mary back home. well, it's not like i care about your stupid ranking, anyway!
[ And maybe learning he ranks first in Hiyori's heart here makes him a little happy, not that he'll ever admit to it. ]
now i'm thinking about it, probably for the better, tsukinaga-senpai didn't go in.
really, ohii-san? man, i knew you were old-fashioned but sus means suspicious. it's just slang! but i dunno.. you're usually always in good spirits. and still sounds pretty unreal knowing what's around here, and you already went on about what rinne-senpai said.
[ About staying away from them! But he has so many questions about 'refreshing' flowers. What does that mean, first of all? ]
yeah! i'm gonna be down in the communal kitchens for who knows how long, so meet me whenever you get done.
[ Especially after he receives the call from Rinne-senpai about what the "blank, white cake" actually means. ]
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Or give them vouchers. One of the two.
A ghost??
[He was following that explanation until the last bit. ... also, his source on the tentacle monsters was Weiss, too. Big shoutout to her for educating Eve on all the weird stuff going on around here!]
I know there are ghosts here, but why would her doppleganger be a ghost? And how could a ghost get inside a painting? Now I'm very confused.
Perhaps you should care! There's always room for you to improve your rank! In my personal ranking, I mean. Not the so-called "rank system" here. My ranking is much more important. If you got even cuter, then you and Mary could be on the same level 😊
So it was slang, hmm? Very well! I'll start adding that to my vocabulary! I'm not totally old-fashioned, just so you know. I know some slang. For example, "spill the tea" and "that's the tea on that." Aira-kun taught those to me at a Pretty 5 meeting! Arashi-chan knew it, too, actually. Now we say it all the time!
Anyway, I think those flowers I sniffed were fine. However, I *do* see your point. I should be careful, and you should be careful! From now on, we'll sniff flowers sparingly! Though just so you know, I'd already smelled those flowers before Rinne-senpai told me about the pollen issue, so that wasn't an example of me being careless.
OK, see you there! 👍🤗💖✨️
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[ But then again, can they trust anyone as a doctor here? And he'd rather Hiyori not offer vouchers for services, but it's not as if they're hurting for them now... But, wow! Weiss sure is educating Eve on the monsters here. She must have gone through it. ]
i dunno? weiss-san told me the story so she'd know more about what went on. and it was pretty confusing, but you'd be better off getting the full story off of her. i think weiss-san said she knew you already.
i knew what you meant, ohii-san. no part of me wants to improve my rank here. but why'd i want to improve your "personal ranking"? in case you haven't noticed, i'm not the type of guy who's "cute." or wants to be on the same level as other people??? mary, included.
[ Besides, he loves Mary! She deserves her spot on Hiyori's list. What kind of co-parent would Jun be if he overtook her?
What exactly is Shiratori-kun teaching Pretty 5? He's aware that Aira spends a considerable amount of time online, but the notion both Arashi and Hiyori are saying "spill the tea" and "that's the tea on that" out loud??? ]
ohii-san, you guys aren't talking like that, right? what the hell has shiratori-kun been teaching you guys in pretty 5...... 🤨
[ Actually, he can imagine Aira teaching them internet slang, but more words like "tbh," "omg," or "lol". Anyway, he has to concentrate on the cake, meaning they cannot have a lengthy discussion about internet slang. However, he would probably pass away if Hiyori spoke like that in front of him. At the very least, he's not talking about "dabbing on the haters" or anything similar. ]
i'll be careful, you'll be careful and we don't have to worry. ok, guess that one doesn't count?
i guess we can continue the convo later. "ttyl" 😄
[ And here is more slang for Hiyori to figure out. ]
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Hopefully it won't ever come to that, of course. We managed to avoid that flower-coughing disease last month, which means we must have sturdy immune systems! It just doesn't hurt to have connections, that's all.
[They won't need to worry about that turning-to-stone disease kicking in. And if it's a condition like whatever they were afflicted with during the Springtime game—the kind that makes your body turn hot—well, they'll just take care of each other. But that goes without saying.]
It was that @ angel girl who told you? That's funny. She's the one who told me about those tentacle monsters! We actually have plans to go shopping soon, so I guess I'll ask her about that next time.
Perhaps you're not a "cute type" the way I'm a "cute type," or the way Ra*bits is full of cute types, but you *are* cute sometimes! Like whenever a fan profusely praises you at a handshake event, calling you "cool" and such, and you get shy over it. Or when you pull off a difficult dance move and look pleased with yourself afterwards. Or when you're thinking really hard about something, but it's obvious you're stumped! At times like those, I think to myself, "Jun-kun sure is cute!"
Of course, I'm also "the handsome type" and "the beautiful type" as well as the cute type.
[Regarding Aira, it's entirely likely that he simply messaged them something containing the phrase, and that Hiyori messaged back asking what it was. And then he explained it to them, so Hiyori started using the term over chat... and then started using it in-person, too, much to Aira's shock. But there's no law saying certain phrases have to stay on social media, right?? And Aira was probably at least a little happy to have one of his favorite idols adopt a phrase they learned from him...]
I'd say what he teaches us is basically "the fans' perspective." I didn't grow up watching idols on TV the way he did. Or the way you did, for that matter. So it's always nice to learn more about what fans think and feel. For example, I never realized some fans buy dozens of copies of our CDs until I spoke with him! I do love shopping, but I'd never considered buying endless versions of the same thing before. But that's how fans show their love 😊💕 Or some of them, anyway.
I don't know what that last thing you said means, but alright, talk to you then! 👋🤗💖✨️
@hunnyB 5/2
Great Tit, 2pm. Be there.
[He's even using proper spelling. How serious. Well, Hiyori is free to ignore this command.]
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And then his expression turns incredulous when he sees what it is.]
That's all you have to say??
[And why Great Tit? That's his least favorite food place here! But he gets up and goes, of course, since he really has no choice. He needs answers!!]
action; backdated 6/5 (sorry) i promise this one can be quick 🫡
Secondly, he's running straight from the gym in search for Hiyori. Perhaps it would be better to text him, just so he's not looking all across the resort, but he'll end up at Hiyori's door anyway. A little out of breath from frantically running, he lightly raps his knuckles against the door. It's also to the tune of their hit single "Sunlit Smile," so hopefully Hiyori knows it's him.
And if Hiyori's not there, he'll be patient and even text him. But he wants to ask in person; therefore, this could not wait! Jun is a man on a mission! ]
never apologize
He is expecting someone to knock, actually. A staff member was supposed to come up to his room and install something at some point. But he can tell this particular knock doesn't belong to any one of the brainwashed staff, but to someone he knows intimately. He smiles, jumps up from the couch, and opens the door.]
Jun-kun! ♪
🥰
Hey, Ohii-san! You're not busy, right? I've gotta ask you something real quick ♪
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Nope! Not right at this moment, anyway. Come on in ♪ Unless it's so quick you'd rather stay out in the hall. But if you ran all the way here, it must be important, right?
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Alright, good! Well, it's something I didn't wanna tell you over text or phone, so that'd be considered important? But we can head in, and I'll tell you why I ran all the way here.
[ Not sure if his neighbours would overhear or if someone might walk past as he's telling Hiyori, he'd much rather it be for his partner's ears only! ]
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In that case, come on in.
[He holds open the door and steps aside.
His room still doesn't look (or feel) like "home," but with his chips account no longer verging on empty, it's starting to fill out a bit. He has more things than just a
4-foot tall Mareepplushie or two from the arcade; there's a proper tea set sitting out on the coffee table, for starters, and a long unopened box propped up against the other arm of the couch.He closes the door behind Jun and waits until Jun's gotten off his shoes before he asks.]
Well? What was it you couldn't wait to tell me?
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First things first, he removes his shoes, which he leaves by the door as he takes in the rest of the room. It might not be home, but it is seemingly the closest to feeling "homely." He's glad Hiyori got the better end of the deal.
He smiles again, looking up at Hiyori as he feels the familiar flutter as he responds. ]
So Weiss-san's performing on the 14th, I think she said at one of the theatre's? I didn't even know there were theatres here, but that's not the important part! I mean, it is, 'cause it ties into why I ran here. I dunno if you're free on the 14th, so it's pretty bold of me assumin' you already are..
[ He's rambling, but a point will be made! ]
I get if you are busy, but what I'm tryna ask is, Weiss-san said there's a soir-ee after? [ Soirée, he means soirée. ] You know those fancy parties you nobles go to? And she said I could bring a friend, but, uh, what I want to ask is, did you wanna come with me?
[ Enough of dragging this out, he's about to go right for it. ]
You know, sorta like a date?
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So there are theaters here?
[He can't help but interject. He's asked around about places to perform before but no one's been much help! Someone on the network suggested asking the staff to set up a stage for them somewhere, but that seemed like a lot of work, and he wasn't quite sure where. (The lobby, maybe, since that's the most central area?) Then he knows Rinne performs at House Finch, but it sounds like that's a sweaty nightclub, and one where audience members have "their hands down their pants" by Rinne's own admission. The news that there's a theater here is important to him.
But not as important as what Jun says next.
Hiyori almost misses what he's saying (sore-y? Sorry? ... oh, he meant soirée). Once it becomes clear Jun's inviting him to a party, and a fancy one at that, he feels somewhat surprised. Jun-kun, going to fancy parties! Why, that doesn't sound like him at all. But it also doesn't seem like a big deal. It's just "bringing a friend" to a get-together. It's great that Jun wants to invite him, but he's not quite sure why Jun felt the need to run all the way here when he could've just—
Ah.
Suddenly, it all sinks in. He blinks, his easy smile receding a bit while a pink color washes over his cheeks. That's why Jun ran here? To ask him out on a date? That's what he looked so adorably excited for?
He's a bit thrown. But not in a bad way. He's stunned into giddiness, rather, and after a beat his smile returns in full megawatt force.]
... so that's what you came here for!
[He hums happily. Confident again, but still a tad flushed. Just a little bit.]
That sounds just lovely! I never thought the day would come when you'd invite me to a fancy gathering. Guess this shows you've moved up in the world ♪ And who better to invite than your partner, which is to say, me! It wouldn't make sense to take anyone else as your date.
[Puffing out his chest, looking perfectly pleased with things, he nods to himself and then accepts.]
Very well. I, Hiyori Tomoe, accept your invitation!
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Guess so!
[ Not as if he'd known that either; he expected their shuffle unit to perform in some smaller stage, even in the middle of the casino. (Really, wherever garnered the most attention.) Now they know there's real theatre here, booking a performance there will be much better.
Somewhere, Shu Itsuki is horrified by Jun butchering the French language, which, really would be mortifying to hear but can't be helped. He doesn't speak French and has no intention of ever speaking French! And the reason why he'd run here wasn't due to him wanting to invite Hiyori "as a friend," but as a date.
Perhaps it isn't the biggest deal in the world, or running here seemed over the top, but when asking someone on a date for the first time (and if he knew any better, he'd realise all those other times had been dates), you should ask them in person. As he's finished, another twinge of pink colours his cheeks, which he confirms with another nod.
Trying to play it cool, acting as if Hiyori hadn't just accepted his invitation, his smile brightens further, almost to the point where it begins to hurt his cheeks. He had heard that right, hadn't he? This wasn't some elaborate dream or prank? Doesn't seem to be. ]
Nah, don't think I'm moving up, 'cause in the real world, they'd invite you instead. I just got lucky this time, Ohii-san, but being really honest, there's no one else I'd wanna invite, not just as a friend but a date.
[ And yes, this has to be the first time he's thought of anything they've done together as a date. ]
So you'd wanna go together...? Okay, alright. I dunno if there's gonna be a theme or what, but I'm sure we'll figure it out ♪
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As for what Hiyori thinks, well—there are only so many ways you can interpret "sorta like a date." He gets the message loud and clear, this time. But just in case he missed it, Jun makes himself even more wonderfully clear: saying there's no one else he'd rather take, not as a friend, but as a date. All while smiling giddily, mirroring how Hiyori feels.
His pulse thrums fast and loud in his ears. This is basically a confession. Right? Which, well—of course he's had bigger things to worry about. They're still in the midst of a hostage situation, after all! And Rinne-senpai finally reappeared, which took up some attention. But, well, he has been wondering if something like this was coming, since Jun had that one Network thread about maybe "taking a shot" at something! (Or someone, rather.) The one where he could tell Jun was talking about him!
And that's what this is. This is it, right? This is Jun-kun's "shot."
Hiyori tries not to look as giddy as he feels. On the inside, he's rejoicing, but on the outside, he, too, can "play it cool!" With a teasing look:]
And you were so excited you ran all the way here, hm~? ♪
[His smile transforms into more of a knowing grin. Okay, so maybe some giddiness is starting to show through.]
Well, as it so happens, you're in luck. Since there's no one else I'd rather have as my date, either.
[His heart beats fast. That bit of honesty took some effort. He can't hide behind teasing, behind "taking care of each other as partners" or anything else. But it's fine; he doesn't want to hide. He locks eyes with Jun and smiles.]
No matter the theme, I'm sure we'll both have a lovely time.
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And here it is: Jun's big shot! The one he seemed to be wanting to take but wasn't sure how. Who knew striking up a conversation with a stranger on the Network could motivate you enough to finally take the plunge? Little does he know that Hiyori stumbled upon his post, reading the words he had carefully crafted to prevent revealing too much information, but enough the person he was referring to may have noticed.
After a span of a few weeks, several events have unfolded, namely Rinne-senpai's return, presenting an ideal moment to seize. Now, it becomes imperative for him to reassert his intentions, mostly for this to be a date remains crystal clear. He may not be pouring out how he feels right away, but progress is being made. Slowly, one step at a time, maybe marking the initial stride towards the path of romance.
Even if Hiyori is giving him the teasing look, he can't help but smile, The happiness and seeing how happy his partner is have him realising—maybe he should've done this sooner. ]
Yeah, that's why I'm here, askin' ♪ Soon as Weiss-san told me 'bout it, actually... Which is pretty embarrassing to admit.
[ But perhaps it's not as bad as he initially thought! He senses this could be his opportunity to "take a shot," willingly admitting to embarrassing details. By doing so, he's subtly signalling to Hiyori that he's interested in him, which might mitigate any embarrassment he feels. ]
Really~? Well, I'm really glad you'd wanna with someone like me. It means a lot hearin' something like that from you, Ohii-san.
[ It seems they are on the same page, which is wonderfully brilliant. Asking took courage, and he's teasing a little, but he does mean that. Jun's heart continues its rapid beats, witnessing the giddiness from his partner fills him with an indescribable warmth. ]
Either way, we're gonna have fun! I'm really looking forward to going with you.
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Right now, however, he's fine. He's had time to process that Network thread, alongside all their other interactions and everything else that's transpired. He knows how Jun feels (he thinks, mostly!) and he knows how to respond.
Though honestly, he does still feel a little overwhelmed, in that giddy sort of way. Jun said he wanted to ask him as soon as he heard about it! When Jun hears the word "date," his mind jumps straight to him, apparently! As it should, of course, but it's still a nice thing to hear.]
Me too ♪
[He agrees readily, no take-backs and no teasing. He'll even add,]
A recital, a fancy get-together, and a date with Jun-kun sounds like the perfect evening to me.
[Confirming their feelings are the same. Though, before Jun can respond to that, he continues excitedly:]
Don't hesitate to ask me if you have questions about how to conduct yourself, alright? I'll teach you everything there is to know about etiquette! Though I am curious what the theme will be, since that'll influence what I choose to wear! Or what we choose to wear, rather, since we both ought to look our utmost best ♪
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Maybe all he needed was a gentle push; he had been noticing the little things his partner did, which were beginning to make a real difference in Jun's day-to-day life. Even though it wasn't easy for him to understand, Hiyori seemed to be acting just like his usual self, but Jun no longer feels "scared" about admitting he wants a proper date. (But when he finds out that all those other times were dates as well, he is going to be very embarrassed.)
At home or out in this world, there's just no one else who he'd want to invite. Like a secret that both know but haven't dared to say out loud—those fluttery feelings, that spark of possibility. And now, with Hiyori's confirmation, it's like a fizzy burst of excitement bubbling up inside Jun. It's funny how sometimes life throws you something good, making you feel like a giddy school kid with a secret crush, even when you thought you'd never have those feelings. ]
And sure, Ohii-san. I don't really know the proper word you used, so if wanna teach me how to "conduct" myself, I'd be really grateful. The only fancy parties I've bothered with are the ones for CosPro, but those're just "business," or whatever Ibara said. Well, I guess something fancy for the recital, 'cause it's gonna be a performance? That's just my guess ♪ Weiss-san said the party will be at someone's place, but I was going to say they've probably got a real big space.
[ He's excitedly prattling off all the information he knows, as being the first to know something is exciting. Who would know the theme for the party would be "beach," but buying two outfits should be fine for the future, as they aren't hurting for chips these days. ]
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Though he does realize Jun probably didn't see it as one, at least not at the time of invitation. Even he hadn't been sure how "date-like" it would turn out. But things played out rather romantically, with kisses and hand-holding, and they had a lovely time besides. Which means it was definitely a date! That's his conclusion, anyway.
Still, this is special. This one Jun does see as a date, and he's the one who asked! Not to mention it's rather more formal. Less chance of finding lube in treasure chests, more chance of eating finger food and wowing their fellow guests in elegant formalwear. Fortunately he's comfortable in such environments, and all too happy to guide Jun through them.]
Do you have anything that qualifies? I wasn't sure if you kept whatever you woke up in, but I assume that was "fancy."
[He, admittedly, kept most of the ex-fine-esque outfit, but it isn't in good shape. It's all folded up and wrinkled in a drawer somewhere. He doesn't want to wear that thing! It's just there in case of some all-his-other-clothes-are-in-the-wash emergency. Pieces of it could be worn separately without reminding him of ex-fine too much, at least. But he wouldn't want to wear the whole ensemble, and he didn't keep parts like the wedding veil or the gloves. Those got left behind on the floor of the wedding suite and presumably swept up by staff.
Fortunately, he has other clothes including formal attire. He just isn't sure if Jun does since Jun mostly wears comfortable clothes. But if not:]
If not, we'll just have to shop! But as far as the recital goes, I'm sure you know how to sit quietly and applaud. Then at the party, well... I guess that depends on the setup? If there's no dinner table, then there's not much to talk about in terms of table manners. And this place is a mix of different cultures, so you might be expected to shake hands when meeting new people rather than bowing. This will probably just be a case of "see what other people are doing and try to copy that."
But in general, my advice would be to keep your chin up, smile, and keep the conversation topics pleasant. I'm sure you'll do fine. You learn well, you've opened up a lot this past year, and you'll have me with you!
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Really, he struggles to find the right words to describe it. Perhaps it's because every outing since the maze has felt different, or maybe it's just being around Hiyori that changes everything. Ever since the Springtime event, everything has felt off-kilter, though he has been hesitant to pinpoint exactly what's changed. It's all been a bit of a puzzle, but he's slowly starting to unravel those emotions—perhaps not the love aspect just yet, but certainly other facets.
But here's the kicker—finding out you've caught feelings for someone in a setting like this? It's like a plot twist in a heart-wrenching drama. Mustering the courage to ask someone out because you've suddenly clocked that you're head over heels for them, after two whole years? Feels like life's playing a cruel joke on you. And realising that back home, you wouldn't have even entertained the idea? Now that's a tough pill to swallow.
But maybe it's just cruel fate that he's yearning for this with Hiyori. So, if he has to, he'll let his partner take the lead in situations where he's not too comfortable (such as parties!) and whatever else comes their way.
And now Hiyori has reminded him about the "welcome suit." ]
Yeah, the suit I woke up in's still in my room somewhere! No idea if the suit's in any shape to wear, though.
[ That suit has been tucked away in his packing cubes ever since he got here. He's not exactly sure when he'll bust it out again, but tossing those clothes just wasn't an option. The only hiccup? It's a wedding suit (or rather, it looks like the one from the 3rd anniversary), and after three months in a packing cube, the fabric's probably seen better days. But he's held onto everything else, so it'll all work out somehow. ]
And I don't really need suits like you do, so that's the only one I've got outta all my clothes here.
[ Comfortable clothes are easier to wear, that's all! A pair of jeans or pants that aren't stiff, a jacket, and a normal shirt. Those are all he ever needs! But as for button-up shirts? Nah, he'll take a hard pass on those. (He does enjoy Hiyori wearing them for multiple reasons..) ]
Sure, how 'bout I show you the state the suits in? We've gotta do our own washing down on the basement floors, and I dunno how to wash a suit. Maybe buying a new one'll be less hassle. And I know how to sit and applaud, so that'll be a piece of cake. Well, the party sounded pretty casual. But Weiss-san used the fancy word earlier, so I dunno what sorta environment it'll be. Handshakes'll be easy, 'cause we already do tons of those events!
[ No bowing, got it! Not as he usually does when meeting and introducing himself to someone for the first time! ]
And if I run into trouble, I'll just look to you for guidance, Ohii-san. And with you by my side, I'll know I'm giving my best effort ♪
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Hiyori can only speak for the second one, but suffice to say, it's been hard. Loving someone isn't easy; "too much energy" is what he'd said to Tsumugi that one time, and he wasn't wrong. Loving someone isn't all fluffy feelings and happiness. Loving someone, at least in this environment, means worrying himself sick and constantly fretting over whether that person will be alright. Always being on guard around others, his stomach churning at the thought that someone might try to "steal" his partner from him. It's exhausting, in other words.
But it's times like these that make it all seem worth it: seeing Jun smile and hearing him talk excitedly about their plans, after rushing right up to his room to ask him on a date. All his worries about the future and about their environment seem to dissipate into thin air. In moments like this, he can truly be happy. Something as simple as chatting about suits with Jun feels both refreshing and oddly exhilarating.]
Normally you'd just take it to a dry cleaner's. With 90-something floors, there's bound to be one of those around somewhere. Though I'm not sure wearing a full suit is necessary. Just a dress shirt and slacks should do, unless there's a formal dress code. Though I am curious to know what your so-called wedding outfit looked like.
[The last bit said with a teasing smile. A wedding outfit might be a bit much for a rehearsal—especially one where Jun's not even the performer. And it's certainly not like Hiyori wants to show off his "wedding outfit." But the thought of seeing Jun in wedding clothes is, well... it's exciting! Now more than ever! (Though he does still remember Jun's outfit from the Bridal Field Trip...)
And then his smile becomes more pronounced when Jun says that last line. He's smiling so hard his face hurts, really. This is what you call excellent weather.]
Doing your best for my sake, hmm? That's good, I like that! My offer from SS last year still stands, of course. Just take my hand, and I'll guide you step-by-step through the world of nobility ♪ I'm sure that one day, you'll look perfectly respectable standing at my side. Like a perfect gentleman... ♪
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Even though it may sound self-centered, Jun's conviction lies in the belief that no one could ever take his place. But acknowledging the thought is something he'll keep guarded, unwilling to entertain the possibility of being replaced by someone else. But in these moments, he senses that Hiyori shares the same sentiment, even if neither has voiced it or broached the subject directly. Jun feels like he's gradually understanding, admitting it to himself, yet navigating these uncharted emotions cautiously, wanting to untangle them before fully confessing, with no room for takebacks. ]
Yeah, dry cleaners? With my rank, I seriously doubt I'll get the suit back anytime soon. Plus, all those floors're gonna make my head spin! The shirt and pants should be fine, like you said, 'cause going too overdressed might look like I'm trying too hard. But if you wanna see me in the entire thing, how 'bout I show you sometime?
[ He doesn't really mind donning the full suit again, even if Hiyori's teasing him for it. However, wearing the whole ensemble might seem a tad too formal for the occasion! Plus, he wouldn't want to steal the spotlight from Weiss's big performance, so a dress shirt and pants suit him just fine. Though he can't help but wonder what Hiyori's "wedding outfit" looked like or if he even still has it, either way, he's seen his partner pull off plenty of suits before.
Instead, he reaches out, gently intertwining his fingers with Hiyori's, giving their hands a tender squeeze. In that moment, he doesn't feel the need to ask for anything, sensing that perhaps they've moved beyond the stage of asking and into a deeper understanding.
And his own cheeks ache from the constant smile plastered on his face, but he knows it's a small price to pay for being in the presence of someone who brings you such joy. ]
You probably didn't mean literally, but I'd like to take your hand anyway. And that's a pretty good motivator, Ohii-san. How'd I ever refuse something like that? One day, I'm gonna get there, surprise myself and maaaybe even you ♪
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Well, never mind the worthless rank system, or his request. He gets distracted by the thought of Jun modeling the so-called wedding outfit for him! Hiyori replies straightaway, seeming enthused.]
Sounds great! I may even take pictures. That'd be a charming photoshoot, and a lovely addition to my camera roll ♪
[More charming than those suit tattoo photos they took. That's for sure.
He gets to thinking about his own "wedding suit" next. Of course he disliked his own, but maybe he could try on something similar for Jun, for a proper exchange. Before he can make this all about himself and his love of dress-up, though, Jun grasps his hands, and that simple gesture grinds all his conscious thoughts to a halt.
Goodness knows they've touched hands before. Plenty of times onstage, for starters. But here, alone in his room, after the conversation where Jun asked him out on a "date," the gesture leaves quite the impact. Hiyori's eyes flare a bit, his reddened cheeks aching for a different reason than Jun's. It really isn't fair, how precious little effort it takes for Jun to make his heart race.
... though is this low-effort on Jun's part? It seems to him like Jun's been putting himself out there, making an effort to connect to him and communicate his feelings properly. It's more than Hiyori ever could've expected from the boy who spoke so little when they first met. The one who'd been beaten into silence by his time as a "Non-Special Student." That's the very same boy who's holding his hands right now, saying he wants to stand at his side like a perfect gentleman one day. Jun-kun really bloomed beautifully under his tutelage.
He'll be even more beautiful in the future, surely. Someone well and truly worthy of standing at his side, in other words.]
It'll take a lot of effort to surprise me. ... or so I'd like to say, but I know you can do it.
[He squeezes Jun's hands back. A lightly-flushed, but pleased expression on his face.]
You always find ways to surprise me. It's been like that ever since I first picked you up. So I look forward to seeing what surprises Jun-kun has in store for the future.
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But what could the thing Hiyori's trying to install be? It's a shame it wasn't here already... Either way, he's happy to model more clothing for Hiyori. It's not anything he's really ashamed of, just more so how it happened, but it's fine now! It wasn't a real marriage, even though it was cleared up long ago. ]
Mmm, yeah ♪ If you wanna take pics, I'm not gonna stop you. But they'll be for your eyes only, Ohii-san.
[ Not that he cares much if other people see them, he'll be wearing the suit for Hiyori. The last time they took photos was for the suit tattoos, which feels like months ago now. He can't complain much about how quickly time has passed; so many positive things have happened since they arrived here. And if Hiyori is interested in trying on an outfit as well, that is just another option for them to consider.
Opening up like this isn't a walk in the park for Jun. He's just started warming up to the idea of having feelings for someone, let alone summoning the courage to act on them. Despite the challenge, his smile reveals his determination to express himself clearly. Moments like these push him to ensure there's no room for misunderstandings. It's been confusing to convey those feelings here and easier to ignore them back home, but ultimately, those feelings for Hiyori have always been there.
It's hard to say what's going on in Hiyori's mind, but his actions show gratitude. They've been in sync since the Springtime Event, and now Jun's showing how much he values their relationship. Keeping up with Hiyori has been a challenge, but he can sense how much progress he's made since they first crossed paths. ]
'Course I know you don't surprise easily, but doesn't mean I'm not gonna bother. You'll just hafta keep watching to see ♪
[ His own cheeks are flushed, but it feels as if a mass has been lifted from his shoulders. ]
So I'm gonna give it all I've got! Doing stuff like working hard to surprise you will keep coming, Ohii-san. Everything else'll fall right into place.
[ Just as this has, he doesn't want anything to change. ]
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... it's also right there in the box that's propped up behind the couch. But if Jun asked what was in that, well, that would mess up continuity, since he still doesn't know what it is by the time they have their network thread the next day. So for now, Jun will just have to remain unaware that Hiyori is hanging a canopy over his bed. Something like this, except with some lights added. All so he can sleep and fuck his boyfriend in peace, without worrying about the House spying on him with hidden cameras! When he said he wouldn't mind being filmed 24 hours a day, that was not an invitation to the House!!
Er, but anyway.
There's not a whole lot left to say. They're on the same page, and he's sure what's in their heart is one and the same. He hasn't always been sure of that, but he's certain of it right now. And he knows a romantic mood has formed, just like it did in the flower maze when Jun said the carnation looked beautiful on him. So, having twined their hands, he brings their foreheads together next.]
Mm ♪
[He hums happily, before leaning in to peck Jun on the lips: soft and chaste, but still heartfelt. In the aftermath, he smiles fondly.]
I've got lots of surprises up my sleeve, too, of course. So you'd better prepare yourself ♪
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.... though, picturing Hiyori drilling a hook in the ceiling might be the most amusing thought. Good thing he hasn't noticed the box, nor will he, not until it's finally set up! More than likely, if Jun knew, he'd probably offer to hang it himself. But the canopy will offer a lot more privacy, so they can do whatever they'd like without the House watching their every move.
It has been confusing getting to this point, but they're very clearly on the same page, and Jun couldn't be happier. Resting their foreheads together, each time Hiyori kisses him, it's as if his breath catches within his throat.
He returns the hum, adding a peck of his own, rubbing his thumb across Hiyori's palm. ]
You do, huh~? Looks like I'll hafta start seriously preparing myself for real ♪ Doubt you'll go dropping any hints, so I gotta be patient. Doing stuff like this has me real excited, didja know? More specially, 'bout goin' on this journey with you.
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But if the staff member never shows up, he could always have Jun do it. Or Rinne now that Rinne's back. He owes Hiyori for making him worry!
For future reference, though, we'll assume they did show up, and that the canopy is prepared by the time Jun takes refuge in his room away from crawlers and chemical spills. All's well that ends well.
It's silly that even a peck from Jun is enough to make his heart soar. Or that Jun's thumb sliding across his palm stirs so much warmth in his chest. But that's the magic of love, he's finding out: even the littlest things feel special and wonderful!
And is there anything "little" about this? He can't picture the old Jun-kun pecking his lips sweetly and talking so poetically. His phrasing causes Hiyori's eyebrows to lift.]
A journey, hmm? ♪ That's a lovely way of putting it.
[His eyes fall shut. Sometimes it really does feel like he's dreaming. The whole place feels unreal, in good ways and (many, many) bad ways. But he feels positive his relationship with Jun isn't some fleeting dream, but his new reality. Their new reality. A journey they're embarking on together!]
I'm not sure I've ever been on the sort of journey you're talking about. But now, I simply can't wait ♪ I'm sure the "grand surprise" that lies in store for us will be absolutely astonishing. And perhaps we'll even find some hidden treasure chests along the way! ♪
[Then he blinks his eyes open.]
—Ah, not the ones the House left. I meant other treasures. The kind we plant and uncover ourselves! I don't want to give them too much credit.
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Besides, he's trying to figure out those feelings. Sure, he's aware of just how difficult it is to express yourself, but being here with Hiyori now has taught him many wonderful things. Perhaps things he might not have learned for a long time, especially if they were back home, but without reason, he's learning just what it feels like to have intense, deep feelings. Instead of denying them!
Which includes all the new phrasing he's been working on. Not only to help express how he feels better but to show Hiyori how much effort he's going to. See, he has been paying attention! ]
Mmm, yeah! I've been learnin' new things ♪ And paying attention to stuff 'round here.
[ He smiles again, taking a deep breath before exhaling. Right now, it feels as if he's in the happiest place on Earth, which would be true if they weren't stuck here. But there are only positive feelings when he thinks about Hiyori, what their future means together and whatever comes from it once they return. ]
Well, bein' honest, I've never been on one myself! Looks like we're gonna work out the kinks together ♪ Yeah, I'm really looking forward to going through this with you, Ohii-san. It might be bumpy, but I know we got it!
[ He squeezes their hands again. ]
Yeah, didn't think you'd wanna give them any credit. We've done it so far without their help, so don't think we're gonna start anytime soon. So, it'll be sorta like a garden, won't it? We're gonna watch ourselves grow every day!
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Hiyori's heart squeezes in time with Jun squeezing his hand. When he said he'd never been on this sort of journey before, he meant that he'd never dated someone. Not with any degree of seriousness, anyway. This whole "being in love" thing is new to him. But it's the same for Jun, and they'll just have to figure it out together! They've been doing well so far, anyway. Maybe this is a cage where they can't spread their wings fully, but when he's with Jun-kun, his heart soars and takes flight!
In other words, Jun isn't alone in the cheesy-metaphors-for-their-relationship department. It seems they both have plenty of those up their sleeve. And didn't Jun once compare him to a ray of sunshine who can make "even a dirty stray dog like him" sparkle and shine? Perhaps their relationship has always brought out Jun's poetic side!]
I'm sure we would've ended up the same even if it weren't for this resort. Things might've gone a bit differently, but I won't give this place all the credit. Or even much of any credit.
[He swings their hands lightly, his smile warm and thoughtful. He doesn't know how long it would have taken them to get together like this at home. They had their careers to focus on, and he hadn't been sure if Jun felt the same way as him. But it would've happened eventually. Right? They'll never know now, but it's what he'll choose to believe.]
I guess it sounds almost like fate when I put it that way. Which isn't a concept I've ever put much store in, but perhaps being with Jun-kun has broadened my outlook somewhat ♪
[This time, it's him who strokes his thumb over Jun's palm, nuzzling closer to his face.]
Either way, I'm excited to start our new "gardening" journey. I'm sure all our flowers will bloom beautifully ♪
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He's not entirely sure on Hiyori's meaning, so he can only assume they are on the same page about dating. Before arriving here, Jun hadn't ever been on a date, so likewise, he had no idea how different things should be. Yet, it feels easy, like pieces effortlessly fitting together, and perhaps it's not starkly different from their routines together back home. Instead, they can kiss, hold hands and do other things.
So, he doesn't consider such metaphors cheesy, but maybe they don't come as effortlessly to him as they do to Hiyori. Still, he's been putting in the effort, and occasionally, Jun does find himself expressing poetic words. Really, he's committed to improving himself each and every day. ]
Yeah, don't wanna think 'bout the coulda beens. But all the credit should go to us, 'cause we're the one's figurin' it out, not this place.
[ He allows Hiyori to swing their hands together, and his smile just as warm and bright. Back home, things probably might have gone differently, but eventually they would have gotten there. If only Jun hadn't persisted in denying those feelings stirring within his heart, which other idols seemed to pick up on. However, that's all in the past now; their feelings align, and it's all thanks to both of them. ]
I dunno much 'bout fate either, but turns out both our outlooks've turned out that way.
[ And maybe he should've accepted his fate sooner, but the thought of admitting his long-denied feelings feels embarrassing. How would that have impacted their working relationship? Jun wouldn't have wanted any awkwardness between them, especially when it might have been obvious to their fans.
He leans in a little closer, watching how Hiyori nuzzles into him. ]
And I'm not gonna lie, I've still gotta lot to learn 'bout this kinda relationship journey, Ohii-san. I'm real excited 'bout this, so can't wait to see how we'll grow from here ♪
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There's not a lot left to say. They're going on a journey together, and they're both excited to do it! Though Jun calling it a "relationship journey" gives him another small flutter. They've been dancing around the truth for the past month or so; he didn't call the flower maze excursion a "date," didn't tell Jun he wanted to be a couple, didn't confess his love. But now that words like "date" and "relationship" are being used, there's absolutely no room for doubt, and that feels comforting. Comforting and yet simultaneously thrilling.
He and Jun really are lovers now. In addition to being partners, that's what they are now. As of today, it's official. What absolutely wonderful weather.]
Mm! ♪
[He hums happily, feeling a little burst of excitement.]
And the next stop on our journey is that soirée! Or the recital first, and then the soirée! So as soon we know the theme, we'll have to go on a shopping trip. If we swing by a café afterwards, you might even be able to call it a "date"! And you can never have too many dates, I say. Or at least I can't, when my partner is Jun-kun.
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But he hasn't, which has his heart soaring. That's it, isn't it? Now, it's official. He and Hiyori are together! ]
'Course it's a few days away, but promise we'll go soon as we know ♪ But I mean, if you wanna go on other "dates" before then, how am I gonna complain? We'll go on plenty of dates, alright~? Goin' places with you sure sounds like a good time.
[ The best time, if he's being truly honest. ]
So that'll be how it is from now on ♪
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And all he can do is grin with every new word. "Goin' places with you sure sounds like a good time," Jun says, even though at home, he might have said it sounds like a pain! But then Hiyori is asking him to come along as more than just a bag-carrier this time. And wasn't at least part of that whole "you're my servant!" shtick just an excuse to spend time with Jun, anyway? That's not to say he won't ever ask Jun to carry something for him again, because he definitely will, but it seems those pretenses aren't needed anymore.]
Yep, I said it, so that's how things will be! ♪
[He chirps his agreement. And he could just leave it there. But...
There's one more thing he wants to say. And he draws back a little to say it, just enough to give Jun a full view of his face.]
We can go on as many dates as we want. And you're also free to come to my room and hold me as much as you want. Those are the new rules ♪
["Hold him." That's the wording he chooses. But he's not just talking about chaste hugging. Surely Jun knows it, even though he tries to sound casual.]
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Normally, he would complain and say it was nothing but a big pain to be delegated as the bag carrier! But this time, something has shifted, knowing it may not be that much anymore. And, in the first place, didn't Jun always agree to carry bags despite complaining? Either way, the shift proves to be a good thing!
His heart still tugs at the words, the chirp of agreement and does a flip as Hiyori draws back, saying he wants to be held as a "new rule." Well, how can Jun refuse? And there's a realisation of what "hold him" means, with his bottom lip curling into a smile, nodding with a quick response. ]
Ohii-san wants to be held, huh~? Maybe I'll think 'bout it ♪
[ He jokes, taking a deep breath in. ]
Honestly, I was kinda hoping you'd say that, 'cause it seems like we want the same thing ♪ But if I'm gonna live by any of Ohii-san's seriously annoying rules, it'll be the one where I'll be holding you real close and tight.
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[Thankfully he knows better than to take that seriously. And Jun cops to his true feelings a second later, anyway. Hiyori can't stay mad at him (can't even get mad at him in the first place), not when he's still overjoyed at how things have turned out between them.]
Well, good! ♪ You have strong arms from all that weight-lifting, so you might as well put them to good use! And "holding me tight" is right up there with "carrying my bags" on the usefulness scale.
[Or carrying him off to bed.
... they're still talking in euphemisms a little bit. Hiyori would never use it, but "hold" could've easily been substituted with another four-letter word. Which, well, are they on the same page regarding that? Does Jun want to take that role with him, and does he know he just got the okay for it?
Hiyori won't start fretting over that, though. Now isn't the time. And also, of course Jun would want to. Why wouldn't he? His partner is the beautiful Hiyori Tomoe! And on the off-off-chance Jun didn't want to, they'd work something else out.]
You can even practice right now! Why don't you come here? ♪
[He steps back, spreading his arms wide open. For all his thoughts about doing other stuff, he likes a good hug, too! ... If he sounded a little like he was beckoning a dog just now, oh well. That's just a habit from talking to Mary!]
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Says you ♪ I'm already putting 'em to good use, I tried tellin' you before! But it looks to me like I can use 'em for your "usefulness scale."
[ Whatever the heck that means! But having these muscles is useful for carrying Hiyori off to bed; what other person would, to begin with?
Even with them dancing around, speaking in euphemisms rather from outrightly saying what they want to say, he thinks he's following. ... not as if he'd be willing to say outloud loud just what he wants. They must be on the same page, wanting the same thing, but it's a big step. (Unlikely, he's realised right this second, it could hit him later.)
He glances up, his gaze drawn to Hiyori's open arms, waiting for him. It's a strange shift, from staunchly refusing his hugs to now craving them, though Jun's yet to fully understand why. The beckoning hardly bothers him, only envoking memories of their week spent together. Without a word, he steps forward, being enveloped in Hiyori's embrace, resting his head against him, and allowing a smile to spread across his face. ]
.. you're warm, Ohii-san. It's really like bein' basked in sunlight.
[ He murmurs softly, his hands caressing Hiyori's back, pulling him into a tighter embrace. ]
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But, you know, he does want more than that. If all he wanted from Jun was his body like a certain SOMEONE here then things wouldn't be so fraught. They'd collect each other's cards and move on with their lives. But the spoiled Hiyori Tomoe is much too greedy for that, and he decided long ago that he wants everything from Jun: Jun's loyalty and Jun's voice, Jun's body and future and heart. And of course, his love. Hiyori got all that and more, it seems, which might just make him the luckiest person in this casino.
He feels Jun walk into his waiting arms, tuck his head next to his. It's solid and warm, a sweet moment of intimacy and comfort in a place that's trying to deny them both those things. "When you feel anxious, there's nothing like letting someone hold you tight while you listen to the sound of their heartbeat," he'd said to Jun once. And it must have been true, since all his anxieties feel very far away at the moment. It's dangerous to let one's guard down in this place, but...
With Jun, it should be alright.
He wraps his arms loosely around Jun's shoulders and laughs at Jun's words, soft and pleased.]
Mm, yep. That's exactly what my love feels like ♪
[Butterflies form in his stomach. Unlike his usual "Work hard if you want to earn my love" comments, this is a more serious usage of the L-word. But it felt right to say it.]
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There are plenty of reasons why this could have ended with them collecting their cards and moving on. But, as expected, Jun would never want things to end there. Never wanting a single thing from Hiyori, only to stay by his side. If their passion for one another ended with the first time, the "Springtime" game, then it wasn't meant to be. Part of Jun did think he was delusional after the game ended, wondering if he imagined it all or if he was imagining just how much closer they'd gotten. The maze changed his mind about their feelings for one another, realising they weren't fleeting but real.
He keeps his head nestled against Hiyori's, ready for their heartbeats to become one. Here he can feel the rise and fall of Hiyori's chest, and the reminder of when Hiyori had said those words sinks in. How can they not be true? Any previous worry has long vanished, being replaced by an ever-comforting warmth. And with the sound of Hiyori's laugh, it's as if the sun itself is shining brighter, casting away any dark, lingering shadows.
Love, words spoken numerous of times before. In fact, there are plenty of times where he's teased Jun and plenty of times where he hasn't. But the seriousness sinks in, heart strumming loudly as if it might jump out, the pattering of Hiyori's loud against his ears. As it turns out, Hiyori's love has been the one thing holding him together from the moment they crossed paths up until now.
So this is Ohii-san's love. The warmth he's felt all this time. ]
Actually, the more I think 'bout your love, the more it makes sense. And it makes me wanna feel Ohii-san's love forever ♪
[ He wants it—to accept the love offered to him and return the same tenfold. ]
Who'd have thought your love was the one thing keeping me warm? Even now, I'm hoping you'll feel it, too. My "love"!
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The warm feeling that's come over him now. The emotion that's gripped his heart these past two years. The thing that's overwhelmed him to the point of hugging his pillow alone in his room. That's the word for it.
He's been thinking about "love" more often recently. Love is what's missing from this place, he told Leo. "There's no one better at giving or receiving love," he told someone else here. He's been turning over the lyrics to his second solo in his free time, something he was working on at home that got put on the backburner so they could practice for SS. That song is about love, of course. The warm and all-accepting love he means to shower his fans with. But his love isn't just reserved for them, for Eden or his family.
It makes his stomach squirm a little, putting himself out there like that. But at this point he doesn't fear rejection. And sure enough, that's not at all what Jun gives him. He's silent for a moment, just taking in his partner's wonderful words, his breath stuck somewhere in his throat.]
Mm...
[But he finds his voice eventually. Still hugging Jun back, he confirms,]
I can feel it.
[Because he really can. It makes his voice unsteady and his knees weak, but he can; the boy he picked up like a stray dog two years ago really did come to love him. How miraculous is that?]
And since forever is what we promised, that's exactly what I'll give you.
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When Rinne-senpai returned, he began clearly expressing his feelings for Hiyori at the table. Over time, Jun's come to accept that his feelings for Hiyori were indeed love, which he now intends to embrace. And when he confided in Topaz about his feelings, she helped him realise this environment wasn't the source of them. And they'd always been there—something Jun knew from the beginning. He began talking about feelings with Topaz, who helped him understand that this place wasn't making him feel that way.
While vulnerability hardly comes easily, he can be vulnerable with Hiyori, knowing he will be accepted and loved for all his feelings and more. ]
You can? That's.. that's good, Ohii-san.
[ Despite his deep love for Hiyori, his fear of rejection held him back from confessing his feelings—until now. Love can be a daunting and all-consuming feeling, making him hyper-aware of Hiyori's actions. Yet, after nearly three years, he knows him well and remains unfazed by his partners behaviour, even when there are reasons he should be.
But Hiyori can feel his love, and that's all that matters. ]
And that's what I'm giving you too, Ohii-san. Not just the promise, but my heart and love forever.
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Yep! ♪
[And then he reaches for one of Jun's arms, wrapping a hand around his wrist and guiding Jun's hand over to the center of his chest. Aiming to place it right over his heart.]
Right here, I can feel it.
[It wasn't a guarantee. That Jun would come to love him, that is. Or that it'd be the same kind of love that Hiyori felt. That's why he's so overcome. Jun went above and beyond for him, of course. But was that out of love, or was it because that's what Hiyori demanded of him? Was it love or was it "gratitude" fueling Jun's tenderness towards him? Where does one even draw the line between those two emotions?
He used to think Nagisa didn't love him. That he was more like an overgrown duckling who'd imprinted on the first person to teach him things, who'd showed what it meant to live. In many ways, his relationship with Jun was similar. But he knows better now. The truth is that he's surrounded by love. And he's incredibly, unbelievably happy. He couldn't possibly be happier!
At least not until Jun promises him his heart and his love forever, and then he somehow finds a way.]
Oh, really?
[Surprise flickers across his face before he breaks into an even bigger, even more beautiful, impossibly-brighter smile. There's only one thing he can say.]
Then I won't ever let you go! ♪
[It's a promise!
And a threat.]and they don't even know it
From feeling so unsure to accepting the love given, listening to Hiyori's confident tone helps, realising it would be illogical to reject his love. But love can be intimidating, as it can easily be mistaken and confused for other emotions such as gratitude. Another important reason for Jun to have utter confidence in his love, especially when Hiyori already had his heart long before today.
His heart beats even faster, if possible, but he feels it. ]
Mhm, I'm really happy you can feel it.
[ Tone soft, taking a deep breath, Jun half curls his fingers against the hand right on his heart. Having Hiyori here with him feels comforting, the same way he's always felt, the same way he'll always feel.
Feeling this way is easy, he realises when the surprise flickering across Ohii-san's face breaks into an even bigger, brighter smile. A smile so beautiful has Jun catching his breath, a short tinkle of laughter following. ]
I could say the same thing, y'know? 'Cause now I've got you, I'm not boutta give you up for anybody or anything ♪
[ Also a promise
and a threat, knowing this isn't an ideal place for their love to blossom. But Jun couldn't care less, he's going to defy the House every step of the way, especially now his feelings are returned. ]Call it intuition, if ya want, but I've got a real good feeling 'bout us.
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Either way, his big, beaming smile is going nowhere. Not when Jun says he won't give him up for anyone; he's overjoyed to hear it, rather. These days, he isn't riddled with anxiety that Jun will choose someone else. Maybe a month or two ago, but not now, after Jun held his hand in a flower maze and called him beautiful. Not after he said that thing on the Network about taking a "shot" with someone who was most definitely him. And certainly not after hearing him talk about his "love." He'll trust in Jun's words, in the warmth of Jun's hand, in the way Jun looks at him—all of it. All those wonderful things are just for him to enjoy.
But, you know, despite trusting his partner, it's still nice to hear Jun won't be "giving him up" for any boys who called him cute on his profile or girls who think they're game characters!]
Good.
[A simple response, but with plenty of conviction behind it.]
Because I want you to hold on tight without ever letting go.
[He squeezes Jun's hand. This isn't the ideal environment for love, it's true. But neither was Reimei Academy, or a unit built with nothing but profitability in mind. They can handle it here. He believes in their ability to make something wonderful bloom in even the dreariest of circumstances.]
... I'm sure this place would test a lot of people. But I have absolute faith that Jun-kun will stay the same person I find so lovable. The one I chose as my partner ♪
[It's not quite "the person I fell in love with," but it's a start.]
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Confessing his feelings, despite the risks, has lifted a weight off his shoulders, as he no longer worries about rejection or hiding how he truly feels. Gradually opening his heart to Hiyori seemed easier than he expected, without Jun ever fully realising. There was something special about Hiyori that had the unique ability to turn him into a lovesick fool—but despite the challenges posed by their careers and current environment, reaching this pivotal moment seemed effortless. Their bond had never been stronger.
Honestly, he'd probably feel a little embarrassed if he ever found out Hiyori knew what he'd written on the post, but that self-disclosure was a key factor in the decision to confess his feelings. So why not allow them to find happiness together? He hopes Hiyori can trust him and his words because they will never be broken. ]
Don't worry, Ohii-san, I don't ever plan on letting go.
[ A simple response has him smiling, knowing their bond is unbreakable. Although neither place back home provided an ideal environment, there is a positive feeling between them. Wishing he had been more forthright about his feelings earlier, but dwelling on what could have been will not change anything. It feels good to have those words reiterated; knowing they can work through this, and things will unfold as they had hoped, perhaps even exceeding their expectations.
He breathes in, affectionately rubbing his nose against Hiyori's. ]
That's precisely why I've got a good feeling 'bout us. So I'm gonna make sure no one comes in and thinks they can ruin what we've got! It's like you said, I've got faith Ohii-san's gonna stay the same, too. And if you don't, I'll drag ya back down to reality. Got it?
[ It's affectionate, but a promise. ]
I'm happy you chose me, 'cause now we're here ♪
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If he gets the urge to reread a conversation, though, it's going to be this one from last month. The one where Jun first said all sorts of wonderful things to him, from "My mind races with all the things I wanna do by your side" to "My heart is just filled with you." The one where he said that his words during SS weren't just about singing. The one where he promised to stay by him forever, just as he's promising him again now.
All of that helped prepare him for him Jun's in-person confession, making sure it didn't reduce him to a blushing mess (that would've been embarrassing). But it still feels almost unreal to have Jun nuzzling him sort of like a cat and promising not to let go. It makes his heart vibrate with affection.
But it also soothes his anxieties. Especially what Jun says at the end. He spends much of his time worried about Jun, but he's also been worried about the impact this place might have on him. What if when he leaves, he can't go back to being "the idol called Hiyori Tomoe"? What if he's become too jaded, too cynical, too dirty? What if his shine is gone and he's no longer the dazzling existence his fans love? These worries would be haunting him a lot more if Jun wasn't there, but thanks to his partner's presence, they're barely present most of the time.
Jun keeps him grounded. He knows that. And he'll just have to keep doing the same for Jun.]
Mm.
[He hums softly, leaning his nose against Jun's.]
I'm glad you can say that, despite everything that's happened. ... I don't like that Jun-kun got taken and put in a place like this, but I'm glad to have you here with me.
[A pause, and then he continues:]
After we got here, me and Leo-kun had a conversation about staying "ourselves" in this place. He pointed out that some of the longer-term guests seem like they've been brainwashed. And he said that if he ever loses interest in composing, that'll be a sign he's no longer himself.
[He keeps Jun's hand in a squeeze. It's sort of a depressing topic, but he figures it's relevant.]
I guess in my case, it'd be something like "if I'm not looking out for Jun-kun, or I stop wanting Jun-kun as my partner, then that's a sign I'm no longer myself." That's how important an existence you've become to me. But I do have faith those things won't ever happen. The House can throw all manner of distractions at us, but they can't take away our feelings for each other.
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Perhaps it is a good thing Jun hardly remembers the other thing he was posting about (or with) during that Network post.The good news is that he has been re-reading those comments repeatedly, especially the last one Hiyori wrote before disappearing. (Only to see him later in the evening for dinner, where something was knowing, something real between them.) Jun meant every word in those messages; not only was he trying to gauge Hiyori's potential reaction, but he also thought it helped him realise their feelings might be mutual. Even if the scary thought about an in-person confession lingered, the depths of his feelings were getting too much, as if threatening to consume him entirely, leaving him desperate to convey them at last.
Despite the risks, his love for Hiyori is unwavering. Even if this situation were to ruin them both, even if their secrets were discovered upon their return, Jun would continue loving Hiyori no matter the consequences. Nothing could ever stop his feelings; an intense, overwhelming love between them.
But there is a sense of relief in hearing those words come from his partner. Brainwashing isn't quite the most happy of topics, though there is an understanding there. In complete agreement, Jun nods and responds by lightly kissing Hiyori's lips. He can't quite help himself, being this close, nuzzling again as the familiar warmth lingers.
Hiyori has also become a significant figure in his life. Someone important—the most important person—more than he's willing to admit. ]
Well, the same applies to me! If I quit wanting to do things for you or start saying anything 'bout not wanting to stick by your side, you'll know something's wrong. And I'd want ya to break me outta it, even if you've gotta be violent 'bout it! You've become the sorta person who I'll always wanna be 'round, 'cause I'm always thinking 'bout you.
[ The same as he told Hiyori through texts—an embarrassing amount. ]
And I'm with you, Ohii-san, no matter what goes on with this place. We just gotta remember we've got one another's backs! Plus, they'll never be able to take away our feelings for one another, 'cause we won't let 'em ♪
[ But it is rather a good thing none of those things are real. ]
It's scary, Ohii-san. And I gotta say I'm pretty scared 'bout relationships and all the stuff that'll come with being in one, 'cause I dunno what I'm doing or where we'll go. But it feels right, to be with you! And I know we'll figure it out together, won't we?
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... not that Hiyori feels any such urges right now, least of all towards his loving partner. The talk of brainwashing really is a mood killer, but Jun responds with a kiss anyway, short yet sweet enough to make his head go fuzzy. If it weren't already fuzzy from all of Jun's sweet words, that is.
It's not so fuzzy he's incapable of teasing, though.]
... mm, got it!
[He hums cheerfully, forehead still leaning against Jun's, his smile turned sly.]
If I ask Jun-kun to do something, but he says it's a pain or he doesn't want to, then that's a sign his brain isn't working! So, I'll flick him upside the forehead! ♪ Or gently thwap the back of his head. Whichever~ ♪
[Hopefully that bit of silliness will dissolve some of the heaviness brought on by the topic change.
He thinks about moving Jun's hand away from his chest, guiding it back down to his side so they can hold hands without it being quite so serious. Then Jun says that thing about being scared, and instead he lets it stay resting over his heart. Jun probably can't feel the way it reacts to his use of the word "relationship," but Hiyori sure can, his chest constricting as though Jun reached directly inside him, closed a hand around his heart and squeezed.]
Yep~. It feels completely right. For me to be Jun-kun's first, that is.
[First kiss that he knows of, first time, first relationship. First "partner." He's greedy and selfish enough that he's thrilled to claim all of Jun-kun's firsts. Though he also adds,]
And for you to be my first.
[Because that's true, too. He already admitted it when he said he'd never been on a "journey" like this before. It figures that Jun, whom he'd already been treating as a "partner" for more than just singing, would be the one he commits to. Jun, whom he's so determined to tether to his side. Jun, whom he thought was "beautiful" and felt captivated by from the very start, before Jun had done anything for him and before they'd even said a word to each other.
Hiyori's not ready to admit that yet. He feels readier now than he would have at home, but he'd rather keep that under wraps for a little while. It's still somehow embarrassing, admitting how long Jun's had his heart. But it's that knowledge—the knowledge that Jun can steal his heart just with his dazzling existence—that Hiyori feels compelled to tell him not to worry, and he tries to tie that back to what he said before about the resort.]
So, because we make perfect sense together, I wouldn't fret too much. As you said, we'll figure it out. All Jun-kun really needs to do is stay true to himself. And then we'll go back together to the place where we belong ♪
... It's not just for Nagisa-kun, Ibara, and our fans' sakes that we get back. It's for our own sake, too. I'm happy here when I'm with Jun-kun, but I'm sure we can be even happier at home.
[He laces their fingers together tight and smiles, staring right into Jun's eyes as he says his last piece.]
Achieving your dream alongside the one you love sounds like something from a manga, doesn't it? I struggle to think of anything more romantic than that... ♪
[Hopefully their fans will see it his way. Not anytime soon, but some day in the distant future.]
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He half-laughs, far too happy about being close to complain. But maybe… ]
Well, it’s more like if I don’t end up doing those things. ‘Cause I still complain but do ‘em!
[ Truthfully, he hardly minds running errands, stopping whatever he’s doing or anything else for Ohii-san’s whimsical sake. If Jun truly had issues, he’d have plenty of reasons to deny any request’s given.
But as is, he doesn’t.
And as this stands, Jun hastily confirms how afraid relationships are for him. As someone afraid of losing someone special, the special someone being Ohii-san, there is a fair chance this may not work out. Deep inside his psyche, the biggest fear would be losing Hiyori over something as silly as their current situation. There always will be a fear of losing someone you love, and that would be the worst, most soul crushing fear.
But having the reassurance, the words telling him otherwise will make the fear subside. It does as much when Hiyori begins speaking, telling him all the wonderful things about being one another’s firsts. (Or Jun, it’s really none of his business who Hiyori has been with before him.) ]
Mhm, I’m real glad all my “firsts” was with someone I love.
[ His cheeks burn admitting to it, and he hasn’t a chance to stop himself before the words come out. But meaning those words will never stop their meaning. Jun loves him, he knows this for certain. There is no point of him denying how he feels when being loved back feels like home.
It makes perfect sense for them to be together, with the happiness of them being together outweighing the rest. He wishes he could feel Hiyori’s rapid heart beats, the same as his own heart beats faster with each word. ]
We do make perfect sense together, so I’ll do my best and we’ll figure out how it’s gonna go. I promise I’m always gonna stay true to myself, I’ll never lose sight of us.
Yep, we’ll be even stronger back home, not worrying ‘bout what’s going on day to day. I’m also happy being here with Ohii-san, but we’ve got this shared goal of making it home.
[ He smiles, fondly, allowing his partner to lace their hands together. He stares back, rubbing circles across his palm and nodding. But he can’t help tease, ]
Have ya been reading some sorta shoujo manga, Ohii-san~? But it sorta does, except this is our life, so achieving the same dream sounds pretty good to me. ‘Specially when you’re the only person who can make me feel loved.
[ Yes, he couldn’t think of anything more romantic. ]
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[Yep. He's still teasing. He doesn't actually mind if Jun complains sometimes. It's part of their back-and-forth!
But the teasing ends fast, because that "all my firsts were with someone I love" line completely decimates him.
He blushes harder, now. A fierce, luminescent blush. They've said the word "love" a few times now, but somehow that direct phrasing just does him in. Jun-kun said "someone I love." He has someone he loves and that "someone" is him.]
M... Mm.
[He struggles to even hum in response. His heartbeat is so frenzied that he's sure Jun must be able to feel it thundering.]
I still remember what Jun-kun said before. About wanting it to be with someone he cares about "deeply." So, I'm glad I could be Jun-kun's...
[He trails off. His voice is on the verge of cracking; this is so embarrassing. But maybe it's fine to get a little emotional. Isn't it? His secret love was returned. His secret fears never came to fruition. His worries that Jun would fall prey to the resort's corrupting influence, or he'd become jaded and cold, or he'd get hurt or used up by someone, or he'd fall in love with someone else here and choose that person over Eden and over him... None of that ever happened. None of that ever will happened. Jun is his.
And he's the one Jun loves.
Forget being on the verge of cracking. By the time Jun reaches the end, saying he's the only person who's made him feel loved, he's fully cracked. He might tear up if this goes on! Talk about embarrassing!]
... sorry, but I need to hug you tight for a bit.
[That's all the warning Jun gets before Hiyori flings both arms around his middle and squeezes hard, burying his face next to Jun's. He doesn't have a pillow to hug, but that's okay. Jun-kun's here, so he'll hug Jun-kun!
Being a replacement pillow is a job for his lover, after all.]
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He smiles, fondly watching as the blush shows on his partner’s cheeks. Hiyori’s so cute that his heart rattles loudly beneath his chest, as if it’s thundering, almost done in by Hiyori’s expression.
Those words are for Hiyori Tomoe only, he’s the person he loves, the person he’s fallen in love with, and the person’s side he’s diligently stayed by from the beginning. ]
Well, being honest with you, you’re someone I’ve cared ‘bout deeply for a real long time. My feelings sorta took me longer to figure out, more than I woulda thought, so thanks for being patient with me.
[ It is fine for them to become emotional, and deal with the embarrassment later. But no part of Jun believes in it. Having your love returned, a secret love at that, feels close to something pulled out of a fairy tale, or shoujo manga. He’d rather die than fall prey to the casinos influence. Something would have to be wrong with Jun if he ever chose someone over Eden, Eve and, above all else, his beloved partner. Truthfully, he’s had the same fear, of being replaced by someone lesser, someone who would never be able to keep up with Hiyori, or take care of him the way he should be treated and loved. His biggest concern and fear would be losing Hiyori, and he never wants to have that come to pass.
This hasn’t been easy, admittedly for a person like Jun. Being able to recognise his love has been the best, most rewarding experience of his entire life. Especially after hearing the ways the person he loves, with all his heart, reacts. Hearing the cracking of words, watching the blush, he can safely say he’s committing the sight to memory, never wanting to forget.
But admitting those soft, sweet words are the truth. No one has ever made him feel loved the way Hiyori does, and further admitting the importance of his existence and love, has him feeling so loved.
Chuckling under his breath, he catches him in his arms, squeezing Hiyori tightly in his embrace. ]
Don’t worry, Ohii-san, ‘cause you can hold me tight whenever you wanna. Nothing would make me happier.
[ And Jun feels rather comfortable admitting outright how much he can and wants the warmth of his boyfriend's embrace. ]
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He keeps his arms wrapped tight around him, remembering that time two months ago when they discovered the suit tattoos. After seeing Jun's tattoo for the first time, he was hit with a rush of anger and worry. He'd thrown his arms around Jun, promising not to let anything happen to him. Jun wasn't the resort's property; he still belonged to Eden, to Hiyori. That was the message he wanted to send.
But of course it went both ways. Jun belongs to him, but he also belongs to Jun. Hiyori changed the course of Jun's life when he picked him up, but Jun changed him in just as many ways. Leaving so many "marks," imprints that won't ever fade. Effortlessly endearing himself and making him fall in love.
He knew he'd changed Jun, but he hadn't known if he'd changed him like that. Now he hears that he has, as Jun confesses he's probably had feelings for him for a while. That stirs Hiyori's heart. Perhaps it makes him feel a bit relieved, deep down, too. So it wasn't just this place, these circumstances. Jun already loved him. Which means he would've ended up right here in Hiyori's arms no matter what. Isn't that right?]
Any time.
[He smiles a tiny smile. Jun can't see it, of course. But hopefully he can hear it in his words.]
I don't usually like being made to wait. But some things in life are worth waiting for, and Jun-kun's heart was one of them... ♪
[He closes his eyes, relishing the feeling of those arms holding him tight.]
So if Jun-kun ever falls behind me, I'll simply wait for you to catch up again. And then you can carry us both across the finish line ♪
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Instead, he clings back, revelling in the warmth of the hug, savouring the comfort their embrace has provided. It felt right to be open to his emotions, even to the point of wanting to cry. After all, the bond between them had blossomed into full-fledged love.
There's no doubt Jun has changed for the better. His mind, feelings, and very being have been challenged and transformed by this love, and knowing with certainty this is real, not a product of the casino's influence. Those feelings existed long before here, but not being able to pinpoint an exact moment when his feelings changed, knowing is enough.
Once Hiyori's done speaking, he manages a half-choked up laugh. ]
Even when I'm tryna say something nice, you're still making it 'bout you. Good thing I don't mind much ♪
[ As he closes his eyes tighter, the fondness grows even stronger, enveloping him in an even warmer embrace. ]
But my heart has always been yours, Ohii-san, from the moment we met.
[ Which means he would've ended up right in Hiyori's arms eventually, even if it took him forever and a day to confess. With a gentle touch, he tenderly traces soothing circles on the small of Hiyori's back, smiling softly, even though he can't see Jun's expression, either. ]
Good thing I don't plan on falling behind, but I wouldn't mind carrying us both across the "finish line" you're talking 'bout. We've made it towards our own finish line now, and I kinda prefer our ending.
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It still feels surreal. For Jun to have felt the same way he did, just as strongly, all along. But he's past the point of questioning it. No more wondering if Jun's romantic words are a part of some fever dream, or a result of the House's manipulations: he knows better, and he couldn't be happier to bask in Jun's love.
But he will add one more thing.]
Mm. I like the sound of "our ending." But I also feel the need to outdo you. So...
[He pauses deliberately, smiling over Jun's shoulder, his arms still squeezing Jun tight.]
If I say my heart's belonged Jun-kun since before we ever met... then how does that sound? Fufufu! ♪
[He smiles and laughs, knowing those words probably sounded like a goofy sweet nothing, like joking around, like teasing. But he meant them in his own way, and one day he'll tell Jun just how sincere they were. One day.]
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He's relieved he and Hiyori have finally opened up to share their long-repressed feelings. For Jun, loving someone meant making them the top priority and being willing to do anything for them, even if it was sometimes irritating and prompted complaints. After much self-doubt, Jun no longer questioned whether his intense feelings were misguided or if the noticeable changes in their relationship were only a figment of his imagination. ]
Mhm, 'course you do ♪
[ Basking in Hiyori's warm embrace, Jun laughs happily. Yet, curiously, what could Hiyori's words mean? Were they playful banter, or did they hold a deeper meaning? Unwilling to bother, Jun takes his partner's remarks at face value, assuming Hiyori is only joking around. ]
I think it sounds pretty nice. So I got no choice but to accept, 'cause Ohii-san's saying something sweet.
[ He presses his nose into Hiyori's shoulder, words muffled as he smiles into his shirt. One day he hopes to know what it means, but for now, he'll accept. ]
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Or perhaps not. Either way, Hiyori accepts it!]
Mmhm ♪ Jun-kun's got no choice but to accept my love. For now and forever ♪
[A reference to his solo song. Something that hadn't finished production before they got kidnapped. He's been refining the lyrics recently; maybe he'll sing them for Jun sometime. Maybe he'll do a lot of things. But for now, he'll just keep basking in the warmth of their shared love, until Jun goes back to doing whatever he was doing before or the staff member shows up to install the canopy above his bed.]
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And even when he finds out the truth, he'll accept it! ]
I'm gonna accept your love and return it! And, well, even if I had no other choice I would. Things just make sense when we're together and you're holding me, saying something nice like forever. And we're a forever sorta deal!
[ Because he may not be able to articulate it eloquently, but when they're together, everything seems to fall in line. He may not know about Hiyori's next solo song, though, he'll want to hear it. Whether the lyrics are finished or not! Accepting Hiyori's love was the first step, and he's ready to embrace and continue basking in their shared love.
Maybe they can't stay here hugging all day, but he's never going to let go of Hiyori now their love is mutual. Not while he feels safe and warm, hoping Hiyori can still feel the warmth of his love. ]
I don't wanna leave Ohii-san for a second, not while he's holding me tightly. But I promise once I'm done with my workout, I'm gonna come back and you'll have the privilege of holding me real tight all you want. For all night, if you wanna...!
[ Which includes kissing and anything else they want to do! He's offering himself up for the taking, knowing Hiyori will make him feel loved, no matter what. ]
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Though there may be one opponent remaining: the gym. Of course Jun has to go and mention his workout routine! But Hiyori's still so overjoyed he can't even tease or sulk about it. And Jun hasn't run to the gym yet, so for now, he'll continue to bask and to hear even more wonderful words. Like "You'll have the privilege of holding me real tight" and "For all night if you wanna"—
Er.
Wait.
That last combination of words makes his brain stutter to a halt.
Did Jun-kun mean actual holding? Or was it an euphemism? If so, what kind of euphemism? Did he mean it the same way Hiyori sort-of meant it? Did he even understand how Hiyori sort-of meant it?! Should he ask?
Nope. Of course he won't.]
... great!
[He responds with enthusiasm! Though his voice might be a tad flustered.]
All night long, we'll hold each other! Sounds good!
[(In reality, there will be no penetration of any kind until the night after Weiss's party. But that's okay. There's no rush!)]
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Jun doesn't fully grasp the meaning behind Hiyori's euphemism. But his was also sort of an euphemism! Maybe not in the same way Ohii-san sort of meant it. ... at least not tonight! Not that Jun quite understands he has permission now. Jun thinks Ohii-san means what they did together during that week, where they held one another, and uh, did those things together! But truthfully, he wouldn't mind them holding one another euphemisms aside.
... or confusion aside!
Wouldn't it be easier to come out and say what he means? Probably! Maybe he needs to be more clear. He half-thinks he understands what Hiyori is implying, but they're not yet ready to take the next step, even if that's ultimately where they both hope to end up. (The case being with the gifts received from the Flower Maze to "encourage" them.)
Besides, they will get there... one day! ]
Yeah! I, uh, also mean what we did during our week together. But 'course we don't hafta do it tonight.
[ He sounds nervous, admitting to having those thoughts about Hiyori. But he had them during the week, had them after and will always have them.
Maybe feeling awkward would better suit his tone; he's trying to avoid using words Ohii-san would consider "crude," but it's not coming out as he'd like. ]
Ohii-san, what I'm tryna say is... if there's an "urge" and you wanna feel good! Well, I'm saying we can.
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Even if it does worsen the blush on his cheeks.
He holds the position a moment, still with his face tucked next to Jun's, before drawing back enough to see each other. Jun's own embarrassed smile effortlessly endears.
Though "if there's an urge and you wanna feel good" isn't exactly sweet talk. It's clumsy and boorish-sounding! Yet it's also just the thing to lighten the mood.]
I heard you loud and clear the first time!
[Hiyori chides without sounding mad. On the contrary, he's smirking.]
But Jun-kun's not wrong.
[He leans their foreheads together again, lowering his voice.]
I always feel good when I'm with him. And I'm sure he'll make me feel ve~ry good tonight.
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But even then, he can't stop talking. Because what if that's not what Hiyori wants? There's no indication he doesn't, which is only Jun's fear taking hold again. Sometimes he can't figure out what Hiyori wants, and in this case, he has been skirting around the topic.
Perhaps if Jun knew how to put it into better words, it wouldn't come out clumsy and "boorish-sounding." He's not the type to eloquently string together words, it's only that he's avoiding using simple ones. ]
Well, I never know with you. I just wanted to make sure we were thinking the same, Ohii-san, 'cause I didn't wanna make an idiot outta myself.
[ He laughs, despite being chided. Thankfully he can tell Hiyori isn't mad, and he feels better for getting to the point. At least one of them did! His cheeks burn, half looking up as he nods. ]
It makes me feel better hearing that, y'know? I'm still learning, but I want Ohii-san to feel good. I wanna remember the way you look forever ♪ And I'm gonna do my best tonight for ya, too.
time for a wrap I think!
... Really, it is for the best. It means he gets to see Jun's cheeks burn, hear him laugh. And it means they're both on the same page about what they'll be doing tonight. Jun can stay over, just as he did during the Springtime game.
And just as he'll do for so many more nights afterwards, when his suite becomes their suite.
The look in his eyes becomes less sly, more gentle. They're still talking about sex, but Jun saying he'll do his best for his sake makes him feel all soft.]
I know you will. You're Jun-kun, after all.
[He closes his eyes, smiling gently, feeling truly happy despite of everything that's gone wrong these past few months.]
I'll do my best, too. To make sure Jun-kun can't take his eyes off me ♪
@wildflower
( That's how you greet someone when you have info for them, right. )
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[... wait.]
But does this mean you're back from investigating the "roots of the House"?
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You're right, though. I found a number of things. The House is an entity in its own right, for one, though I already suspected as much. Shall I go on?
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[He's not going to demand something in return, is he?]
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So, before I share this, I'd like to make sure... You'll continue to share everything you learn with me, as well, right?
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- The resort almost feels as though it's "alive." Not in the sense that you or I are, but in the sense that it's made of energy, both positive and negative. These seem to push and pull at each other. The negative energy seemed rather high when I checked, but I will have to look more into it to see if it's consistently that way.
- There are guests here that seem to be lost souls, or spirits. They're not like the rest of us; it's as if they're a blend of living and nonliving. That attachment yet separation, as if unware of it themselves, came across clearly to me.
- I can't quite tell what exactly the staff are. At least the ones I looked at. The ones dealing in the casino seem particularly suspicious. They seem to be sucking at the energy within all of us, including those guests that seem to be lost souls.
- Along those lines, the thing the replenishes our energy the most is most definitely sex. It's not solely beneficial to the resort, though it does seem to be pulling off of that, as well. Naturally.
- And similarly to that, the guests that have sex frequently are markedly different in their energy. Strongly positive, like the opposite of those casino dealers, even if some of them are lost souls.
I think that covers the basics.
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You uncovered a lot.
[He blew a fair amount of chips in April taking people out and plying them with food and drink for info. Each time he got less in return for it than Esikko just gave him for free.]
Someone else was speculating the staff aren't quite real. I always just thought they were regular people who had the misfortune of being brainwashed, but it seems he was right. I don't really understand what a "blend of living and nonliving" means, though. Or what it means to be a lost soul. Is that sort of like being a ghost?
As for the energy thing, that's what the first person who replied to my post said. That sex generates energy, which is why they want us to have so much of it. If that's the case, I'm not sure why we're supposed to have it with different people, though. Lying with the same person several times should theoretically yield just as much energy. And do you know for sure that nothing else could work as a substitute? I only ask because someone shared this:
[And here he uploads a diary page. One that Tomura shared with him on his network post.]
That line about "what it takes being dependent on the person" sort of stuck out at me. To me that would imply it runs on something else besides just sex. Though the part about some guests being "more valuable than others" lines up with what you said.
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A blend of living and non-living is exactly how it sounds. Someone who's died without fully passing on, for example. It's that same sort of feeling. Tied by something to this place, without a knowledge or care in the world that I can detect. Their presences felt just like this. So yes, a ghost, depending on your definition.
As for that line... It is a curious one, isn't it? I was thinking on that when I read the notes listed in your post, but when I was searching, it was quite clear to me that sex is the largest energy source.
I would wonder if they are after us for more than energy, with a line like that.
For example, those who had sex with many different people left a much stronger impression during my search than those who had it with fewer. This means that their souls were weaker, in a sense— that they were less positive, and more negative. Hmm, how else can I explain this...
Strength seems to lie in those who sleep around the most and with the most.
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Are the "career residents" the ones who are like ghosts? By that I mean the ones who've been here a long time and act like they've been brainwashed.
[He only gets more discouraged as he reads the rest of the message. "Those who had sex with many different people left a much stronger impression?" First of all, how does he even know each person's bed count? And second of all, ergh! There goes his last resort! The one where he approaches the House and asks them to cut him a deal: no sleeping with 52 people, just sleeping with the same person 52 times, in 52 different positions or whatever! He hadn't really expected it to work, but if all they want is "energy" and the chance to voyeur, there's a chance they might have gone for it!]
Then it doesn't run on sex, it runs on promiscuity. Which is fine if that's what you're into, but I'm through with it.
[That's, er. That's not how he meant to phrase that.
But he's so distracted by other stuff that he fails to notice his slip-up.]
This still leaves countless questions. For starters, why do they let people rank up and down? If they want everyone to have sex with as many different people as possible, letting others change rank is counterproductive. You can sleep with the same person twice, once before they change rank and once afterwards, and it will count as collecting two "cards," or so they say. One girl even came up with a strategy where she and a group of friends rank up and down repeatedly to reduce the number of people they have to sleep with. Is that permitted, or is it not?
And this all makes it sound even less likely that they'll truly let us go home. I mean, just think about it: it doesn't make *any* sense that they would. There are only three explanations:
1. 52 is a magic number. It stops giving the House energy once you've slept with 52 people, so they let everyone go home once that magic number is reached.
2. 52 isn't a magic number, but they're perfectly happy to let go of valuable "energy sources" who've already given them tons of help just out of the goodness of their hearts.
3. The "we'll let you go home after you complete the game!" thing is a lie, and they don't intend to let anyone go. Everyone just ends up like J.
I'm most inclined to believe the last one. Unlike in a detective show, the simplest explanation usually proves true in real life.
As for what else they might want from us, I wonder if *that* has something to do with those suit effects. Half of those don't seem the slightest bit conducive to intimacy: things like having nightmares and acting violent towards others won't help you "collect cards." If anything, those will hinder card collection. I know that if anyone got violent with me, I wouldn't go to bed with them. I'd simply tell them, "See you in court next month!"
Which begs the question: do they even want us to complete the game?
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I don't know if promiscuity is necessarily the key, either. This was one probing, so I'll be doing more. However, what was that about being over it? So you were once that way before?
As for your little list, I believe that none of these quite nail what it is that's happening here, though the third one is the closest. From what I can tell, anyway. This is purely opinion.
My opinion continued is that sex is vital, is key, but that this flow of energy may not be the only reason we are here. A method for battery, certainly, but a battery is not the main show of any technology, is it? The question "what does this flow of energy do for the House" is what interests me. I wasn't able to press past those energies before my mind began to ache.
The game, to me, must add something to the equation. Plans like this aren't run with any extra parts. Everything is placed out for purpose. Make sense to you?
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Is that what it sounded like?
[Yep, that was a dodge!]
I would've thought the answer is just that it allows this place to operate. Though I'm not sure *why* they put in the effort, since it doesn't seem like they're making any profit off the resort. It's starting to sound like this is just an amusement facility for half-dead souls or a holding ground for ghosts, and those don't sound the least bit worthwhile to me.
[There's a pause as he rereads the message again. He's still stuck on the part about people who haven't gotten around as much—how their souls are "weaker." And then he thinks about that part in the diary page again. "Some of us are more valuable than others."
.....]
About the guests who have "weaker souls" - do you think that has anything to do with why people keep vanishing?
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As for your question, I think I'd have to know the moment when someone vanishes and look into it as immediately as possible. Not only that, but there are countless strings in a complex web tied throughout this resort, interacting with one another— the roots are too tangled to isolate quite in that manner.
So, I have no idea. There may be correlation, but it may be unrelated. All I know is that those ones receive less energy than is being stolen from them, and the imbalance results in a less robust or comfortable feeling.
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He almost denies it. But A, what does it matter, and B, Esikko does have a point about honesty.]
It just doesn't really seem relevant to our questions about the resort.
[Says the guy who's prone to getting off-topic... but at least he dodged instead of just lying.]
If you do want to investigate that, I have a couple of names I could give you. Someone on that post informed me of two more people who've gone missing. Unlike Rinne-senpai, their names weren't listed in the registry when I checked. But it sounds like you've exerted yourself just getting the information you shared with me, so I won't expect you to do anything more at the moment.
[He's worried about that, too. Not that he was close to either of the missing people, but he liked one of them well enough. And if it can happen to them...]
I'm surprised you can sense who's slept with a lot of people and who hasn't, honestly. You don't have magic eyes that enable you to see through people's walls, do you?
But basically, everyone's having energy stolen from them - not just those who frequent the casino - and the only way to replace that stolen energy is by being promiscuous, as far as you can tell. Do I have that all right?
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I would be interested in those names. I'd like to do what I can, even if I grow tired. I do have limited time, after all.
As for being able to see it, no, I don't. The spell temporarily revealed to be the web of roots, or strings, connecting this place, these people, this world. Reaching out and touching them would grant me information, tracing along them could reveal more— it's a bit complex to explain, but think of it like the strings of a musical instrument, since you're so musically inclined. Plucking those strings releases a note, and that note echoes and is answered back— you can tell what note it is, the richness, the tone, the length, right? And two strings, if harmonizing... Well, it's something like that, I think.
But you're mostly correct. Energy seems to be stolen most often on the casino floor, by those dealers. Energy is replaced by sex of any form, but those who have it more often and with more people seem more robust with it. That is the summary.
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... Hiyori doesn't disagree with the first part. A good detective takes stock of everything (at least according to TV shows!). But he's just going to skip past that part of the text for now.]
The first one is Deuce Spade. Which sounds like a fake name the House would come up with, but it's actually the name his mother gave him! Or so he said, and he didn't seem like the type to lie. His username is @ spadesarewild. And then the second one is
Sorry, hold on a moment.
[After going back to some previous conversations:]
The second one is Azul, and I'm pretty sure he and @ mostromngr are the same person. If you do end up finding something out, let me know so I can pass it on to their upperclassmen. He seems to think they'll be alright, and it'd be nice if he was right about that, but
[He just has a bad feeling, since their accounts are no longer listed. He didn't have the heart to say that to Vil, though.]
So that's what you meant by "roots."
That makes it sound like anyone someone's been intimate with leaves a stain somewhere deep down. One that can't ever be washed out or erased. I presume it works like that even if it's just a meaningless act of "collecting cards," huh.
In any case, thanks for the summary. It sounds like everyone who isn't sleeping around should stay far away from the casino. Actually, I can't think of any good reason to go there either way, so we should probably all stay away. I doubt Rinne-senpai will listen, but it couldn't hurt to try!
[...]
I really do appreciate you sharing, by the way. I might have something for you in return tomorrow, since there's someone I'm planning to question. I don't know how reserved they'll be, but it's worth a shot!
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( A genuine thanks does earn a pause from him, but he eventually manages to reply to it, too. Sort of. )
How interesting. I'll wait in eager suspense to see if you have more news, then.
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And great! Guess that's that. Talk to you later 👋
[Now we wait to see how this pans out.]
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Alright, so! ⭐️✨
I don't have any new information yet, but that should change soon. First, however, I need a memory! Care to describe something that happened to you in the past? It sounds like it can be absolutely anything, so you don't have to choose something sad or difficult.
Though I wouldn't choose something mundane, either, just in case that bores her. Something that makes for a good story!
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( Is someone gonna like, eat it? He's got plenty to spare, but... At the same time, he doesn't!! )
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Someone on my post suggested that the owner of the Red Cardinal might be the woman from Victoria's diary entry. The one who'd been planning on opening a bar, and who said that "what the resort takes from each guest is dependent on the person."
I asked if she was the same woman, and that *did* turn out to be true, but she wasn't willing to share much because she doesn't know me. So now we're in the "getting to know each other" stage. And she wants me to do 2 things for her:
1. Eat her dishes for a month
2. Collect the memories of 3 guests and bring them back them back to her
She said all I need to do for the second one is have 3 people describe a memory. She didn't ask for a specific kind of memory, like "a childhood memory" or "a sad memory," so I guess anything goes. I'd try to choose something interesting just to be on the safe side, though.
I don't know for sure that she *can't* do magic, but she seems like a regular bar owner. That's why she stands out, really. She doesn't act like she's been brainwashed the way the rest of the staff do. But if you're still leery, you can always go with something that isn't too personal.
Or I can ask someone else, I guess. I'm good at talking to all sorts of people! I just thought I'd ask you since we're already sharing all this information. Plus I didn't get the chance to hear your "earliest memory" at the Hearts party.
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Well, it won't be my earliest memory, but I will give a relevant one. There are some memories I could do without, anyway.
I remember snow falling on the side of my face being the first sensation after a long period of darkness and pain. It must have been the first snow of the season, but I was beginning to be covered by it. My body was bloodied, beaten and weak. I thought for certain I was going to die. I couldn't remember how I'd gotten there, in that forest, if I'd crawled myself or been dumped, but when I felt a foot nudge into my side, that spike of pain gave me an ounce of energy to look up.
That was how I met that bodyguard. He was peering down at me, looking surprised to see me move at all, and I used the last of my energy on a breath asking him for help before I passed out again. When I came to once again, he had taken me to a dingy little shack somewhere, but I was alive. Patched up and cleaned, even, as he was making food.
It was the moment he became my bodyguard.
That should be sufficient.
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But at what cost? He's not sure what he expected to read, but it wasn't that.
A multitude of questions flit through his mind. But does he really want to ask them? And is now really the time? Probably not, so after a minute or so he just writes back:]
Thanks. That should work.
[And now he'll put the prince's unpleasant memories out of sight and out of mind!
... or so he'd like, but certain details are nagging at him. Remembering his Network conversation with Kirma brings up even more questions, most of which he does know better than to ask. But after another pause:]
Mind if I ask one more thing?
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( It feels awkward, sharing unpleasant things like this, but... well. There's no point in refusing additional questions, he guesses. )
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The one you were both traveling towards, that is.
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Well, it's just as much an inconvenience as it is an opportunity, really.
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If you say so.
It's fine if you want to reinvent yourself. I'd rather keep being me, though. And I'm sure you don't like being tossed around and forced to obey the House any more than I do, since it sounds like you already got enough of that treatment back home. So!
In order to make things better for you *and* for me, I'll just have to figure out what it is they're after. Why exactly they're doing this, and what exactly they value. Once I've solved that, I'll be sure to let you know!
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How noble. I'm grateful that you're going to share things with me, and I with you, but try not to waste your sympathy or pity on me, either.
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I have a generous heart, you know. So I'm afraid there's just no helping how I feel sometimes. I'm not sure what lessons you were taught growing up, but my family always told me that it's our duty to help those who are less fortunate. That's what you call the principle of noblesse oblige.
Though I don't think they were talking about royals when they said that. Royals are supposed to be even more blessed. You're sort of an odd case!
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( haha!!!! )
Anyway, Hiyori. You can get back to me when you have more information, then.
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Yep, will do! I'm sure I'll have a breakthrough sooner rather than later. The truth is always one! 🕵️
[Here, Esikko, have one more reference you won't understand, just for the road.]
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[He steps into the elevator alongside Jun and presses the button. At the same time, Jun strokes his hand with his thumb, replying to his banter with sweet words that make his heart squeeze. But he refuses to swoon or do anything embarrassing, no matter how surprisingly smooth Jun is these days. He just smiles and teases back!]
Fill it with even more thoughts, of course! ♪ If you're head's already full, we'll just have to make some more room in there!
[An answer befitting of the spoiled, selfish side he shows when he's with Jun. Though, in all honesty...
His own head is pretty full at the moment. Full of thoughts of Jun, that is.
The feeling of that thumb stroking his hand sends sparks of electricity shooting up his wrist. As the doors shut behind them, the atmosphere seems to shift: the air turned thin and shivery, goosebumps prickling all along his bare arms. Unlike at the beach, he feels underdressed now. Or maybe he's overdressed? He glances at Jun, sees that strong chest and muscular arms in his periphery, and something sinks in his stomach like a hot stone.
He remembers their kiss at the beach, the way Jun gradually drew him into his arms until they were finally pressed chest-to-chest, and he suddenly wants nothing more than to be that close again.
It feels like a hardship to even have to wait. And unfortunately, they have two elevator rides ahead of them, if the elevator that goes to Nami's suite can only be taken to and from a "special location." But they get where they need to go, thankfully without being interrupted by any talking portraits or deliberate "malfunctions." Soon they're standing in front of the door to his suite without having committed any public indecency. What excellent self-restraint they have!
But not for much longer. His impatience shows in how aggressively he opens the door, in how quick his footsteps are in his sandals against the floor. And as soon as they get inside the room, Hiyori more or less flings himself at Jun, throwing his arms around Jun's neck and connecting their lips in a kiss.]
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[ Honestly, It's best if he avoids answering, as they're already in the elevator, plus he was out to tease. Besides it seemed unfitting for a beach, having his shirt still on and thought nothing else regarding the request. And especially since Hiyori can take it off whenever he likes, he shrugs that off.
But it might be easier to focus if Hiyori wasn't constantly on his mind, making it hard to function normally. After their kiss on the beach, the warmth of Hiyori's body against his has left him struggling to think clearly.
It's a struggle to maintain self-control when they're alone, but they both seem to understand the need for restraint. At the end of the day, they are idols, despite the half-public kiss at Weiss' party. Both elevator rides feel endless, though he wouldn't dare complain out loud. Wanting to avoid seeming desperate, and needy while also wanting Hiyori alone is the key. But there's an itch, a need only Hiyori can satisfy.
Besides, it seems they are on the same page, he notices how aggressively Hiyori opens the door and he grins. As they've barely made their way inside, kicking the door shut, his arms move instinctively to Hiyori's waist, pulling him closer. He nibbles playfully across Hiyori's lips, hoping to convey his desire and hunger through the kiss, just as he had done on the beach. Already swiping his tongue across Hiyori's lower lip, wanting to mirror the same sensual gestures from earlier. ]
Mmm.
[ The only words worth mustering as the rest will come in a moment. ]
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But, you know. Loving Jun-kun can coincide with their idol work. It hasn't dulled his love for their fans, and he's pretty sure the change in their relationship has boosted their stage chemistry, if anything. He just needs to remember when to conceal and when to let that love shine through like the ultimate weapon.
Right now while they're in private, there's no need to hold anything back, though. Not his love and not his desire, stirring hot inside him. Not how much he loves kissing his partner, parting his lips for Jun right away and making soft noises into his mouth, and not how much he loves feeling those strong hands grip his waist, that firm chest press up against him. It's not that he loves muscles! It's just, well... he loves Jun-kun.
And maybe he loves Jun's muscles when they're being used in service of him.
He pushes his tongue into Jun's mouth like he did at the beach. The heat from before is easily rekindled, the thrill of being out in public replaced by the thrill of being somewhere private enough to follow through afterwards. It's a fair trade. There's absolutely no need to stop this time; he's not letting Jun leave until he's satisfied!
Which means he's not letting Jun leave ever.
His breath comes heavy when the kiss breaks. Nudging their jaws together, he murmurs hot against Jun's ear.]
Jun-kun won't make me walk all the way to bed, will he? This one's the greatest challenge yet, but I'm sure you can do it ♪
[Carrying him from the door to the bed would beat any previous records. It's a greater distance than carrying him from the desk, or even from the couch! But Hiyori has absolute faith in him :)]
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He brushes his tongue against Hiyori’s, granting him access the same as he did on the beach. It takes a matter of seconds for the passion to be rekindled, not as though it takes much for Jun. Honestly, Hiyori does have some sort of special ability to make Jun fall absolutely, head over heels, melting straight into him.
The thrill of being in private does add some heated thrill, knowing no one else can interrupt or watch on with ogling, judgemental gazes. Hoping the same might happen for them, or thinking they may be allowed to join in. Well, Jun’s allowed to be selfish, wanting Hiyori to himself and showing his partner how much he loves him. He’s allowed to let the love shine through, only for Hiyori’s eyes only, compared to the numerous others circling around them earlier. Now the love can be felt, focused on the person who has his entire heart.
His breathing is slow, heated as the kiss breaks. Running hands up and down Hiyori’s sides, his lips curves into a smirk, feeling the hot breath against his ear. ]
‘Course I don’t plan on you walking. That’d be bad manners, ‘cause I plan on doing what I was thinking ‘bout back on the beach. So I’ll be carrying you easy from here to our bed ♪
And just let me take care of the rest and remember to hold on real tight ♪
[ It’s rather important Hiyori has utter faith in him. Jun knows he can, also having faith in himself. And the enjoyment from carrying your partner to bed has a thrilling feeling of being utterly besotted with them. Which, quite frankly, is the perfect word for how Jun feels.
He leans down, only enough where lifting Hiyori becomes the only position he’s focused on. Making absolutely sure Hiyori’s arms are still around his neck, Jun pulls him up against his warm, strong chest, wrapping those strong arms around his waist. Beginning to walk forward, with one goal in mind, the need outweighs all else.
It’s true, Jun hasn’t carried him this far before. But there is a first time for everything, and he’s confident he’ll make it work. And what better use than carrying Ohii-san off to bed? It’s a workout and serotonin boost all in one.
Planting soft kisses across his forehead, Jun fully lifts him up, cradling him bridal style and firmly against his warm chest. It’s an embrace befitting of them, the one he’s held Hiyori in countless times since the first. Feeling almost close to a lifetime, their bedroom comes into view, with Jun pushing open the door slightly ajar, he kicks it shut once they’ve headed through. Placing Hiyori straight on the bed, he hovers over him, not wanting to let go. ]
You’re so beautiful, Ohii-san.
[ He murmurs, closing the gap between with a kiss. Slow but steady, nothing but passion being poured into the kiss and straight into the one he loves most. ]
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His stomach drops when Jun says that thing about "doing what he was thinking about." What might that be, Hiyori wonders? But he'll find out soon enough. Jun leans down, strong hands gripping his waist, and he hums cheerfully as Jun starts pulling him into his arms. Then he teases,]
Jun-kun already has a plan, hmm? ♪ I can't wait to see what he's been thinking of. Other than just "me," of course.
[He holds on tight as instructed, swinging his legs to make things easier. Jun's lips brush his forehead once he's fully swept off his feet, and he smiles, all too happy to be princess-carried.
Opening a closed door while carrying someone in your arms isn't the easiest thing, especially when that "someone" is actually a bit bigger than you, but Jun-kun manages admirably. He lays him out on the bed gently, a smooth transition for which Hiyori can't help but praise him.]
Good job. I award full points!
[He unwinds his arms but keeps one raised, his hand cupping Jun's cheek. His other arm and his legs fall down on the bed, lying underneath while Jun moves to straddle him. His heart quickens, a warm, excited thrum. Laid out on the bed like this, being looked at like that and called beautiful, Hiyori feels like some priceless treasure. Perhaps he really is a mermaid for the night, one Jun met at sea. Although they belonged to two different worlds (and really, Hiyori Tomoe and Jun Sazanami could be said to have come from two different worlds, too), they fell in love!
Though, he'll reject the part from the D*sney tale where he gave up his voice in order to gain legs. That's something Hiyori Tomoe would never do. He has his voice, and he intends to make good use of it! He'll swing as sweetly as Jun wants.
If Jun earns it, of course. But he will. He always does. And that's why Hiyori has absolute faith.]
~♪
[He kisses back happily, nudging their noses together and humming into it, both arms re-winding around Jun's neck again.]
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He gives nothing away, only the soft kisses against Hiyori’s forehead, smiling alongside the praise. Not yet turning down the bed, that can be done in a matter of seconds, as can fixing the curtain surrounding them.
Currently, Jun remains far too focused on giving his partner the attention he deserves, absentmindedly stroking fingers up and down that soft, comforting waist. With his other hand, he makes quick work of unzipping the vest, pressing their bodies together until the warmth of bare chests ignites a pleasant feeling pooling within the depth of Jun’s stomach.
Shifting his body weight, straddling Hiyori in a more comfortable position, he nibbles at his partner’s top lip, slightly sliding his tongue against the warmth of his mouth. One hand moves into the zipped-down shirt, travelling up the soft skin, stopping abruptly above Hiyori’s nipple. Taking his thumb and forefinger, he rubs against the nub, wanting to feel the hardening bud between fingers.
With Jun’s other hand, he keeps a strong, but gentle grip against the skin of Hiyori’s waist. If anyone were to take witness, perhaps they would seem right out of a D*sney tale. With Hiyori being a beautiful mermaid, Jun his human lover… Hoping no one might take away his voice, Jun wants nothing more to hear those sweet sounds which are music to his ears. (And besides, Hiyori remains a priceless treasure, one he’ll always treasure and lavish with attention.)
And being in love only amplifies the heated passion, knowing how intimate and loving Eve remain even within the throngs of passionate love-making. No one can take away their love, and it’s something Jun’s willing to fight for until the end.
He parts his lips, moving from nibbling, to gently sucking on Hiyori’s lips instead. ]
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Jun's wearing less clothing, so there's nothing for Hiyori to take off just yet. He's still not sure what to make of Weiss asking Jun to take his shirt off. But no matter how many people saw him without a shirt at the beach (or the gym or wherever else), Hiyori's the only one who gets to touch! And right now he'll exercise that privilege by clinging onto Jun's shoulders, fingertips pressing into Jun's skin. No clawing or digging in with his nails (yet). He's not a wolf, he's a human being! Unless we're still going with the mermaid metaphor. Then he's a mermaid. And now that he's experienced the warm sunlight on land, it's unclear if he'll ever be able to go back to living under the sea full-time. He needs sunlight! He needs love!
He needs Jun to touch him more. Which Jun does, earning a soft noise of approval, muffled by their kiss.]
Nn...
[He arches his chest into Jun's hand, his nipple hardening quickly beneath Jun's teasing fingers. That and the hand petting his waist feel almost embarrassingly exciting. He likes being spoiled like this, likes Jun taking charge, putting his hands on him in ways he never would've dared back when Eve first formed and he shrunk away from every touch. Jun had no experience before coming here. But in almost no time at all, he's become a passionate sort of lover who can sweep Hiyori off his feet. What might have caused that transformation?
That's simple. It's love! Love, and Hiyori's teachings.
He really is eager to know what Jun has planned. Maybe a bit too eager. Unable to keep still, he lifts his hips to try to meet Jun, picking up his knees and bracketing Jun's waist. His head goes all hot as Jun sucks at his lips, and his hands move further down Jun's back, the dangly metal bracelets still on his arm pressing into Jun's skin.]
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He'll accept any mark Hiyori leaves on his skin, even if it's not from his nails. Any bitemarks, bruises and what have you, he'll be glad to have maim him. It helps him remember they're lovers, and the times when they've been intimate are real.
The soft noise of approval causes him to grin. He brushes his tongue against Hiyori's, continuing to tease his nipple. His hand further snakes down Hiyori's waist, lavishing him as best he can. He loves spoiling Hiyori, wanting to take charge to show his deep love and care, and further wanting to hear his reactions. This is a far cry from his early days in their partnership, when he would never have touched without permission, nor been so open.
And it's true! Love and Hiyori's teachings have transformed him into a passionate, caring lover who constantly showers his partner with affection.
He pulls his body close, their hips almost meeting in a desperate embrace. Pulling away briefly, Jun opens his eyes to take in the sight - Hiyori's wavy hair splayed across the bed, the glittering eyeshadow catching the low light. The metal bracelets pressed into his skin, overwhelmed by a swell of heat as he felt like the luckiest person in the world, like a sailor who'd made the perfect catch of a siren's song.
The idea still planted in his head, with what he wanted to do with Hiyori, his hand moves to curve across his clothed backside. ]
Keep your knees right there, 'cause I wanna feel you rubbing up against me.
[ He murmurs, then dives back in for another heated kiss. Wasting no time, he pinches and rubs the second nipple, determined to keep them both taut as his arousal presses against Hiyori. ]
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Anyway, he's patient. He likes Jun taking his time with him! But it's also clear how eager he is, given how he squirms beneath Jun's touch, making soft little sounds into Jun's mouth and wrapping his legs quickly around him. They're close as can be, but they can always be closer! That's his view, and he wants to feel as much of Jun against him as possible. Wants to keep kissing him forever, too.
Sadly the latter doesn't happen, but he's too caught up in Jun's eyes to protest when he breaks the kiss. That molten gold color spellbinds him, and his heart throbs at being looked at in such a way. Even without words, it's entirely clear what Jun's thinking: beautiful. Jun thinks he's beautiful. He can tell these things!
Though he'd never object to hearing it, either, of course.
Instead Jun says something else, but it's a little hard to focus as he feels that hand grasp his backside. That gets his heart beating even faster, as he wonders what Jun's "idea" might be. But it's not like that area's off-limits. So far he hasn't really found any boundaries, as far as doing this with Jun-kun is concerned. ... Unless "not on the beach at Weiss's party in front of everyone" counts. Apart from the crowd issue, that wouldn't have been as comfortable for his back! But, er, anyway, what was Jun saying...?
Ah, yes. That he wants to feel him.]
Mm, mm! ♪
[He hums back enthusiastically, keeping his knees there as promised. He kisses back enthusiastically too, though not before murmuring into it:]
"Desperately," right? ♪
[A reference to their first time together. Is Hiyori ever going to let Jun live down the words, "I wanna feel you so desperately"? Nope! Never forgetting those! But it's not like he can talk, when he's sliding one hand up the back of Jun's head and rocking his hips up against him while they kiss, moaning again softly as Jun toys with his chest some more. He can feel the outline of Jun's hardness against him and he likes it, likes rubbing himself there and feeling how much Jun desires him. Jun can have whatever he wants.]
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They are patient with one another, and their rewards come naturally in due time. For Jun, it's difficult to rush into things, which is why he savours the experience and takes his time. The way Hiyori reacts beneath him only makes him want to move faster, to lose that carefully maintained control, just as he felt the first time. But that will come with more experience!
The way Hiyori's legs wrap around him feels like bliss, as they always do, he wants to feel more and more. His mind clouded with desire, yearing to feel even more of Hiyori's touch. Though countless words came to mind, none could accurately describe Hiyori's beauty. but there are plenty of words that he could use to describe how beautiful his partner looks right this second. Words escape him, pressing his body closer, grinding against Hiyori's in a desperate need for deeper intimacy. ]
Always ♪
[ Murmuring into the passionate kiss, he manages a muffled word. Knowing there will never be a time when he doesn't desperately want to feel Hiyori's touch. It may have been the influence of his suit talking at the time, but his suit was right; spilling out the words he usually wouldn't say had brought him here. Still, his head is clouded with intense desire, and the sensation of Hiyori's hips rocking against his only fuels the heat building within. Suddenly, they seem far too overdressed for this.
With one hand teasing Hiyori's nipples, the other slid up the back of his pants, wanting to remove his underwear. Pulling the fabric down just enough, another moan presses into the kiss as Hiyori rubbing himself against his hardness sends shockwaves of pleasure right where it hurts. The feeling overwhelming him, fueling a desperate need, he urgently tugs Hiyori's pants down, just enough where he can move his hand inside and around the curve of his now semi-bare behind. ]
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Though his words are pretty honest, too, these days.
Desperately, Jun agrees with him. Desperately, he pitches his hips forward, makes urgent sounds into their kiss, tugs at Hiyori's clothes. Desperately, Hiyori kisses him back, tongue twining together with his partners, hips moving like he's onstage giving some fanservice. Desperately.
He does at least keep them off the bed so Jun can tug down his pants and underwear, all too eager to feel Jun's heat and be touched by him directly. Which he is, but not quite in the way that he expected, Jun's fingers brushing in between his cheeks.
He pulls back from the kiss a moment, his breath already coming ragged and his voice a little loopy.]
Jun-kun's... touching me everywhere today...
[Not that he's protesting. It does give him ideas, though. His fingers wander down Jun's spine, one hand sliding over the small of Jun's back and then grasping his butt, which he uses to pull Jun in closer. Now they're even!]
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As always, his kisses and movements are desperately needy, just as he agrees. Having Hiyori act as desperately, hips moving and meeting in a needy rhythm while more desperate, urgent sounds hum into their kiss.
Jun's touches remain desperate, as he hesitates, unsure if he should be touching that area or if Ohii-san would approve. Second guessing himself. Again his fingers brush the same spot, even more lightly the second time.
Heat rises in Jun's cheeks, hearing Hiyori's ragged, looping breaths. ]
Can... I? I'm... allowed, right? I wanna make Ohii-san feel good...
[ Ohii-san's words no longer sound like a protest, making it increasingly difficult for Jun to articulate his own. His raspy voice gives way to a loud, guttural moan. Realising he likes Hiyori touching him there, eliciting a response as he's drawn closer, knowing they could always be closer.
Couldn't they? ]
But looks like... Ohii-san's getting handsy, huh~?
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Jun's touch ghosts across the area again and he feels himself ache there. An unfamiliar feeling, though he might've felt something similar when he was sitting in Jun's lap before, feeling Jun's hardness underneath him. Is that an aching to be filled?
He just doesn't know, because he has no experience in that department. He hasn't even touched himself there, though he's thought about it. Perhaps he should have by now. He's had the thought before that he definitely should, before they do go "all the way." It'd be tragic if the mood was spoiled by him having an un-cute reaction to something going in there for the first time, like "ow!" or "that feels weird."
But, he still hasn't, so here they are. It looks like Jun might be the one to touch inside him first. If that's allowed. But at the moment, he sees no reason to forbid it: not when Jun is asking nicely, pledging that he wants to make him feel good. All with a cute blush on his cheeks.
He continues to smile. His nerves are calmed by how cute Jun is being, how easy it is to tease him with touches and with words.]
Well, Jun-kun belongs to me. Which means I'm allowed to touch him wherever I want, pretty much!
[He punctuates this outrageous claim by squeezing Jun's butt. Which is sort of hard and muscular compared to his butt. ... not that he goes around squeezing or looking at his own. But if Jun describes his stomach as "squishy," he'd probably describe that as squishy, too!
Despite official artwork making it look concave.]But I'm also Jun-kun's partner, so I guess that means he's allowed to touch me, too.
[He pauses, then. His eyes holding Jun's gaze and his chest rising up and down, his pants and underwear pushed halfway down his thighs. He's exposed, no doubt about it, and he'll be in a somewhat vulnerable role if he goes along with what Jun's suggesting. But it's not like he hasn't thought about it. Or like he doesn't want it. The roles aren't set in stone here; they don't have to do it this way. He has more experience being on the other side of things. But when he's with Jun, well... he likes to lie back and be spoiled.]
I'm sure he'll take good care of me.
[He adds, his cheeks lightly dusted pink. And then, even more casually:]
Plus, I really want to accept all of Jun-kun at some point, so this seems like good practice.
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But, he hasn’t ever done this before, either. Not even touching himself there, Jun just doesn’t know what he’s doing. Something he does know is this: he wants to touch Hiyori there, all over and wherever he can.
Before arriving here Jun hardly thought about sex in any given detail, aside from the songs and innuendos Eden, and Eve sang about. He wasn’t to know how much or how badly he’d want this. That being intimate with Hiyori would make him feel good and loved, just as it should. And that he can’t get enough of his beautiful, cute and loving partner.
For now, he’ll remain patient, pleased to have Hiyori brushing against his hips. Knowing that they want one another desperately, posing a question which has been on his mind all evening. Jun wants to go “all-the-way,” which means he has the right idea to practice for when they do. That and, the want to know what they want is real, and so close.
Which not a second later, Hiyori punctuates with words and a touchy grab of his butt. His eyes grow wide, unable to stop the roll of hips while the hand ghosting across Hiyori’s own butt, digs into the flesh. It is squishy and soft to touch, the same as he recalls. Jun’s own hard and muscular, like the rest of his body. But the part of Hiyori that makes him ache most are the “squishy” parts. His most favourite parts! ]
Ye…ah. Ohii-san can touch me wherever he wants. And I’ll accept him touching wherever his hands end up.
[ Sinking in Hiyori’s gaze, watching how easily and effortlessly he can hold Jun’s gaze. How easily Hiyori gives him one look, and he wants nothing more than to take care of Ohii-san. The roles can always be reversed, whenever they arise and feel like they should. But right now, Jun wants to spoil his partner with plenty of love and affection. ]
Ohii-san, I promise I’m gonna take good care of you.
[ One thumb lightly presses against the warmth of Hiyori’s cheeks, watching as the colour shifts, dusting the surface. Of course it’s cute, watching and enjoying Ohii-san’s cute reactions sets him off. His smile widening, the blush spreading over and down his neck.
How can something be said so casually and turn Jun’s head into mush? He struggles to breathe, chest feeling restrained by a sudden wave of pressure by a few words. He remembers then, Hiyori’s pants are still halfway down his ankles. Hungry gaze moving from his partner, down his half-clothed body until it lands on his clothes.
Tracing back up towards his gaze, keeping them locked together. ]
I really want you to accept all of me, too. And I wanna accept all of you, so I’m gonna try… But you’ll tell me if it feels really weird or hurts… or you want me to try something different. Right, Ohii-san?
[ His touch moves from the clench, ghosting across Hiyori’s cheeks. Jun is nervous, his voice as shaky as his hand. There is an intense amount of pressure, wanting to be a good lover while learning. And he’s afraid of hurting someone he loves. ]
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Then he says the thing about accepting Jun, and he watches Jun's blush deepen, spreading all the way down to his neck. That, too, is sweetly satisfying, as is the way Jun's gaze flickers down his body. It's something he's found that he likes: offering himself up like a present and watching Jun's eyes turn molten with lust.
But that's just how things have gone so far: him doing the offering, Jun doing the taking. The roles can always be reversed. If Jun wants them to be. That's another thing they hadn't discussed. And when you don't discuss things, you just start assuming stuff! And Jun, well... he's on the manlier side. The one who sweeps Hiyori off his feet, both literally and figuratively. The sailor to his mermaid! Plus, Jun's sort of innocent, and doesn't have experience, and probably only knows the basics about these things. So, there might have been a part of Hiyori that assumed Jun would shy away from the other role. Or that he's always pictured himself in the "giving" role.
Maybe this will teach him not to just assume things. Not only does Jun tell him he can touch wherever he wants (including his butt, apparently!), but he also says something else. "I wanna accept all of you." That causes Hiyori's eyes to flare just a tad. So, what, Jun does want to do it the other way? Or, er, he wants to do it both ways, rather?
There's no conflict, though. Just a moment's surprise, before his smile beams even brighter. He chirps back:]
Mm! If Jun-kun does something wrong, he'll hear it like usual! ♪
[A teasing response. If there's anything Hiyori can be counted on to do, then surely it's complaining when he wants to complain, right??]
It sounds like Jun-kun's up for just about anything, so we could always switch to something else.
[An acknowledgement of what Jun said about accepting him, too.]
But I'm not worried. Jun-kun will make me feel good, I'm sure. I have absolute faith in him~ ♪ Especially when it comes to this, since this is one of those things that just makes sense for us. "Becoming one," that is.
[Two souls, one body. That's the motto in Eve. And Hiyori's eager to make it literal one day. He spreads his legs wider underneath Jun, sliding one hand down to cup the back of Jun's neck, lifting his own head off the pillow to kiss him. Then he drops both hands down to the bed, fingers grasping at the sheets as he waits expectantly.]
There should be some of that stuff from the flower maze inside the bottom drawer over there. I wasn't sure where to put it, so I just chose there!
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But he is innocent, especially when it comes down to them being intimate. It’s something to unlearn, especially when Jun curiously wants to learn how to appease his partner. There is nothing to worry about when it comes to Hiyori, but part of him still worries about the possibility of not being an attentive lover. Again, it’s something to un-learn!
Well, uh, he doesn’t know which way to do it rather. Only how they have been thus far! Giving the permission to touch as Hiyori pleases seems right, and Jun has no intention of taking the words back. His eyes already filled with lust, he isn’t afraid of anything anymore.
Eyes snapping up from his body, he gulps down a small lump in his throat as the implications become more apparent and clear. Knowing Hiyori is teasing is one thing, he’ll figure this out so there will be no need for complaints.
He slowly nods to the second point, as his blush darkens down the base of his throat. ]
You can see through me, huh~? I am up for pretty much anything with you ♪
[ Which is why he feels ready to take the plunge and start with something new. He hasn’t done anything wrong yet, but the first time trying something new is the hardest part.
And there the words are again. Where Hiyori says one more, ”One of those things that just make sense for us.” His own eyes flare, the nerves of before slowly seep out. Or could it be the slow kiss, mixed with words which slowly alienate his worries? Either way, the kiss lingers on his lips, as do the last few words. ]
I love you.
[ He murmurs softly against Hiyori’s lips, before there is a chance to pull away.
Right! The stuff they found in the flower maze… Now he finds himself feeling a little silly about his attempts to shield Hiyori from the bottle. Never mind that now! He moves over a little to reach for the bottom drawer, hoping not to move Hiyori or his legs too much. Reaching in, his fingers feel around, first coming into contact with what he thinks is the box of condoms. Feeling around again, Jun comes into contact with the bottle. Fishing out what he was looking for, he moves it to his other hand. With his free one moving to pull at the curtains, wanting their own privacy to do as they please.
Next Jun glances down, taking in Hiyori and the way he’s already gripping the sheets. The way Hiyori’s hair fans out causes his chest to ache with fondness. But for the time being, his eyes tear away, back to the bottle and glossing across the instructions. Jun’s never held a bottle of lube in his life, well, aside from picking it up from the box. Wanting to do this right, he opens the lid, squeezing the lubricant out onto his fingers.
Attempting to get as close as possible, he leans forward as his eyes glance downward to see all of Hiyori. Another blush spreads to his cheeks, moving fingers to slowly experiment against the hole. Massaging the spot should do the trick, or rather, something Jun might think instead of being bad mannered and inserting fingers right away. He sucks down a breath, a forefinger moving to tease around the spot, hoping to coat the outside with as much lubricants as possible. Against the other side of his thigh, Jun moves to massage the muscles, hoping to relax them.
With a glance upward, Jun presses one finger against the hole. Wanting to wait for Hiyori’s expression as he teases around, continuing to massage the area with slow movements. Still noting how soft his skin feels, almost as if he were floating. ]
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Jun confirming he's up for anything makes him feel pleased. But it's that "I love you," murmured against his lips, that really sets Hiyori's nerves on fire, really steals his breath away. He's still not used to hearing it, and Jun said it so passionately, so sincerely, that it makes him want to melt; his own blush blooming brighter, the look in his eyes gone all soft. He doesn't say it back, but he's hopelessly in love, too. And what a wonderful feeling that is.
Jun leaves him momentarily to fumble around through the drawer, Hiyori's heart racing with every sound. He looks up at Jun, wavy hair spilling across the pillow (and still wearing the hair ornament), his throat tightening as Jun draws the canopy around them, blanketing them in that sunset orange color. Never mind the House or whoever. It's just them in their own little world. And he can't see or think or feel anything apart from Jun. His gaze is hot and full of desire as Jun coats his fingers, the ache inside him intensifying, and even though he's never had this done to him, his body seems to know what it wants.
Which is Jun-kun, of course.
He picks up his knees, bare legs spread on either side of Jun. Fingers gathered in the sheets, he lies back and waits.
The first press of something slick there makes his eyelids flutter. His breath catches in his throat. It's all anticipation, no pleasure yet. But as Jun starts to rub around the area with two fingers, getting it all wet, well... that starts to feel like something. It's unexpected, is what it is. His cheeks burn hot from the attention, but it's not just his cheeks. Heat pools low inside him too, his cock throbbing where it lies against his stomach. And something inside him throbs, too. It's that area, the one Jun's fingers keep skirting around. He's...
Really sensitive down there now. Which is odd and just a tad embarrassing.
But is it a bad thing? He meets Jun's eyes, a soft sound coming from his throat. Jun's got one finger positioned there, ready to sink into him, but he doesn't do it. He's teasing! But the look on Jun's face doesn't suggest he's teasing. So, instead he's... feeling around down there? Getting him used to his touch? Being extra considerate and careful? Right, that's probably what he's doing. Jun-kun's never done anything like this before! He's trying to be a good partner, just for him! And he's looking at him expectantly, like he might want feedback! So:]
Feels like getting a massage ♪
[He just says the first thing that comes to mind, his voice warm and breathy and high. This is... probably not helpful feedback, but at least he sounds like he's in a good mood!]
Kind of like an oil massage. I saw an ad for those at that salon—a "couple's oil massage!" Maybe Jun-kun and I should do something like that sometime ♪
[Is it any surprise that, given the chance to talk, he'd start chatting about something that's only semi-related?]
1/2
As his breathing slows and his chest rises and falls, with Hiyori's bare legs wrapped around him, the reality of their intimacy becomes palpable. Despite his already coated fingers and the first tentative presses against Hiyori, Jun's blush deepens with the gentle caresses and soft sounds.
He's not trying to tease, only to ensure he's doing things right. After all, he's uncertain whether Hiyori has experienced this before or done it to himself, so he looks expectant, seeking some feedback. Wanting Hiyori to feel good is his goal, and wanting to learn how to do this comes alongside it, while also wanting to be considerate and careful in a sensitive area. ]
A massage...? Ohii-san, I dunno—
[ Is it meant to feel like a massage? Gathering his response, Jun figures he must be doing something right. After all, he has been massaging a little down there. While the feedback may not be helpful, it is helpful to know that he is not causing any discomfort.
He keeps his finger in the same spot, gently feeling around to help Hiyori get more accustomed to his touch. His fingers remain calloused, but he's been using moisturiser more recently, so they're softer than usual. Living with Hiyori has its perks! Jun's getting more used to using proper skincare products again, rather than whatever random items found in his bathroom.
Despite the nerves he felt moments ago, he's growing accustomed to feeling around down there, just as he did the very first time they touched one another. Perhaps Hiyori yapping on about massages and wanting them to get some kind of oil massage helps; usually, he'd find Hiyori's incessant talking annoying. At the moment, it's calming his nerves and reassuring Jun he can handle this. ]
2/2
Ohii-san... how're you still yapping on 'bout a massage?
[ He's not irked, but almost knuckle deep inside; how can Hiyori concentrate like this? Barely able to think clearly, let alone entertain the prospect of a couple's massage. Though he'd be more than willing to indulge Hiyori's wishes for one!
With his free hand, Jun leans forward and gently pushes Hiyori's bangs aside to make room for the seashell hair ornament. He briefly considers removing the ornament to prevent any potential damage but ultimately decides to leave it as is. In the end, he remembers Hiyori as the mermaid, captivating through his siren song, and Jun as the simple sailor, making the ornament a perfect fit.
As Jun stretches his finger inside, he curls it upward, feeling the warmth enveloping him. The smooth, slick coating lets his fingers glide in almost effortlessly, surrounding himself with Hiyori's tightness. Jun pauses, considering whether to insert more. Deciding to take it slow, he waits a moment, savouring the tightness as his eyes turn molten with lust. ]
We... we can do it, yeah~? We'll do the damned oil massage whenever ya want.
[ So much for trying to stay cool, calm and collected. His voice hits a high octave, sending shivers down his spine. Hiyori feels far too good as he wiggles the finger around, given they've done little else. ]
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Still. It might just be a good thing that he never got around to it. If he had, the sensation of Jun sinking a finger into him probably wouldn't be quite so breathtaking, so sensuous. He gasps, mostly from surprise; after all the massaging around down there, it feels sudden. So distracting that he forgets to respond to Jun's jab about his yapping. But apart from "sudden" and "distracting," how else does it feel?
Strange. Though not in a bad way. It doesn't hurt or feel uncomfortable; he's tight inside, but his body doesn't resist. There's also a sense of relief. He was craving something there and now he has it, has part of Jun inside him.
Excitement and heat flare up as soon as he has that thought. As soon as he thinks it—thinks That's Jun-kun inside me—a strong, throbbing ache occurs throughout his body. His cock pulses, flushed red against his skin. And he's throbbing on the inside, too, squeezing around Jun's finger. It's almost overwhelming, how responsive his body is.
He exhales shakily, chest rising and falling. His grip tightens in the sheets when Jun curls his finger. That felt different, didn't it? Like it was edging close to something good.]
... great! I can't wait.
[His voice sounds even breathier now. It also sounds distracted. He's no longer thinking about the couple's oil massage as he focuses his eyes on Jun's face, a shiver traveling through him when he sees the look there: that undeniable desire aimed squarely at him. Just him, no one else. Jun looks hungry, and Hiyori knows exactly what he's hungry for.
A sly smile, and he brings his legs in tighter around Jun's waist, dropping his voice down low as he teases:]
I bet I know what Jun-kun wants.
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Being with Ohii-san always felt like the first time, overwhelming Jun with desire and a deep, all-encompassing love. He wants nothing more than to shower Hiyori in the love and affection he deserved. Jun was still learning that part, but he was trying harder than ever before for the person who had taught him about the world and how to love.
Having Hiyori’s body react in a way that sent heat rushing to Jun's cheeks. The tightness squeezing his finger has him wanting more, and Jun's breathing grows more hot and ragged, as if he was having trouble catching his breath. Maybe the element of surprise had helped Jun become more aware of just how much Hiyori wanted him.
All he wants to do is continue exploring, attuning to every sound Hiyori makes, every tug of the sheets seared into his mind. Should he curl his finger again? The sheets were pulling tighter, so he decides to try it once more. The overwhelming feeling remains, the tight squeeze around his finger, and the way Hiyori reacts causes him to look back with a hunger in his eyes. ]
Ohii-san, does it… feel good? ‘Cause you feel good ‘round my finger.
[ He doesn’t need to ask, the reactions are enough for Jun to go by. But it’s the way Hiyori sounds; as if he’s distracted and breathier, and he’s quit yapping on about the couple’s oil massage—as if his breath has been stolen away.
Isn’t this what Jun wanted? To touch Hiyori wherever he pleases, and without judgment, or any doubt clouding his mind? What else does he want? It seems Hiyori knows before his body has caught up.
His gaze fixes on Hiyori, not wanting to leave for a second. The sly smile, how Hiyori draws in his legs tighter— Jun can’t help the throb of desire coursing in his stomach, nor the sudden throb of his cock pressing against bare skin. ]
Ye-ah, and what’s that~? Part of me thinks I dunno what I want.
[ He can clearly hear the tease behind the words, but right now he can’t find it in himself to care. Jun has Hiyori right where he wants him, so he’ll go along with it. ]
… can ya read my mind now, Ohii-san?
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Though the "cool" part might be debatable.
Especially right now. He's trying to keep the upper hand, trying to tease Jun and stroke his desires further. But he's rapidly losing his cool as Jun continues to explore, crooking a finger inside him and stroking, looking at him with heat in his eyes and asking him if he feels good, all gentle and attentive and eager to please. When that finger curls, it brushes a sensitive area, and he sucks in a breath, eyes fluttering. It's not an intense, immediate pleasure, but it's something. Isn't it? All he knows is he wants to feel more of it.
And, eventually, even more than "more."]
Maybe! ♪
[He singsongs back, but it sounds high and flustered. There's more heat on his cheeks now, and the feeling of Jun's length pressing against him makes his own cock throb. His hips squirm a little, pushing Jun's finger into him, hands holding onto the sheets tight. But he still finds it in himself to tease.]
Jun-kun's thinking it'll feel good when I'm squeezing another part... right? When he's got something else in me... ♪
[(This would probably be more effective dirty talk if he could actually say the word "dick.")]
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in his mind.Or just the cool part!
Perhaps it’s a good thing one of them is trying to keep “cool.” It’s safe to say Hiyori is stroking each of his desires and then some. Again, it’s helping Jun alienate the fear of not doing a good job. Seeing Hiyori, hearing his reactions and the way his body clenches around his own finger, wants him to continue curling, exploring and finding Ohii-san’s sweet spot.
Still, he’s never done anything close to this before. Not even on himself! Should he add a second finger? Push the current one in even further? It’s safe to say Jun is still getting a feel for it. What he does like is how Hiyori squeezes around his finger, and how needy he feels squirming against Jun. ]
Mhm, just maybe~?
[ He teases, sounding low and breathy. Loving it when Hiyori gets all so cute and flustered. The squirm of his hips cause Jun’s finger to slide in deeper, forcing him to suck down a breath. He knows it feels good, firstly feeling around Ohii-san and how he’s allowed it. And secondly, how can he talk so “dirty” with Jun’s finger inside?
With his gaze turning dark, the finger continues to explore, finding Hiyori’s walls from this new position. While it may not be effective dirty talk, it has the desired effect on Jun. His gaze turns darker with desire, length continuing to throb against Hiyori. ]
That’s…
[ Something Jun has been thinking about.
He’s secretly wondered what it might feel like, especially now after experiencing the way Hiyori and his body reacts. What might it feel like? Just as good as his finger, wouldn’t it? Or perhaps even better. The finger curls up a touch harsher, the desire clouding his thoughts. ]
… you’re just putting those thoughts into my head! What I think… I think it’d feel really good. Ohii-san’s cute and tight, so I’d wanna feel him squeezing all ‘round me. And I’d get to feel him squeezing me tight ♪
[ He throbs again, another curl of his finger while his chest flutters with excitement. Jun has no idea where Hiyori has got that from, though, it’s not off the mark.
… not far from where his desires were at. ]
Ohii-san wants it that badly, hmm~?
[ With a smile playing on his lips, he teases with little restraint. His finger continues to roam, eagerly exploring every inch of Ohii-san’s body. ]
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[Jun sinks deeper, curls inside him, rubs right over where it feels good, and Hiyori lets out a noise that's somewhere between a whine and a moan. His fingers flex in the sheets, teeth sunken into his lower lip. It's good. It's different from being touched on the outside, but good. A different sort of pleasure, more indirect, but still stimulating, stroking the heat inside him higher and higher.
It helps that he has plenty of other stimulation, both visual and mental. Everything eggs him on and stirs him up more: Jun's teasing smile and teasing words, his dark-eyed gaze, the little stutter of breath when Hiyori succeeds in flustering him about what he wants.
No. About what they both want.
Jun goes with it, rubbing him insistently, confirming everything Hiyori assumed and then doubling down. He calls him cute and tight and Hiyori's cock twitches, another rush of heat coloring his cheeks. It reminds him of during the Springtime game, how Jun had called him "squishy and cute" while pinching his thigh, and something about it really excites him, that combination of the "cute" compliment and the lewd talk about his body. The truth is, he wants that: wants to seduce Jun with his looks and his charm and his body, wants Jun to capitulate to fantasies of having him in his arms, in bed like this, pliant underneath him. He wants Jun to desire him so much that he's a slave to those urges, wants to feed those desires until Jun can't take it anymore and takes him.
That's what he imagines, for a brief moment, even as he's barely adjusted to that finger: Jun, overwhelmed with want, grabbing him by the hips or by the waist and sinking into him. The look on Jun's face when he does it, when he experiences a pleasure unlike anything he's felt. Jun is right about him.]
Only as... ah...
[Jun hits that good spot again and he moans, for real this time, his eyes going unfocused.]
O-Only as much as Jun-kun does.
[Which means he does want it want badly. After all, Jun clearly does. He hugs his legs around Jun's waist, hanging onto the sheets, managing to tease some more even as Jun's actions threaten to unravel him.]
Once I have all of Jun-kun, I'll hug and squeeze him tight ♪
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He can't shake the overwhelming sensation that his finger is inside Hiyori, that he's touching his partner in a way he never has before. Almost struggling to keep it together, he can't help but continue his playful touch and playful words, which inadvertently help Jun maintain composure. It's obvious in the way he stutters Hiyori has succeeded in flustering him, as the rubbing inside becomes more earnest and almost desperate. It hardly helps that Hiyori keeps talking, and Jun has half a mind to take what they both want. It's the same thought he had when they first touched one another; he wants Hiyori for his own selfish reasons: "It's what you want, isn't it?" The voice said the same thing back then as it does now.
Despite the temptation, he resists the urge to give in to his fantasies, determined to keep a level head. It feels all too real to have Hiyori beneath him, all needy and ready to give in to him. His eyes drift half-shut as he watches Hiyori's features contort with pleasure when Jun hits that sensitive spot. Hasn't he already become a slave to those urges? Better yet, a slave to Hiyori, as he's been seduced, taken in, and left wanting more. Having those fantasies, Jun's cock twitches and presses upward as he subtly rolls his hips in rhythm with the finger's movements.
Gaze fixed intently on Hiyori, his mouth half-open as he bites down, shivers sending down his spine hearing the beautiful, breathy moan. The one that forces Jun to curl his finger harshly, wanting to feel every inch, crevasse, and point of where his finger can reach. ]
Q..quit it, Ohii-san. You're making me want you even more.
[ His tone is a little stern, only because he's meant to be the responsible one. He wasn't meant to give in to those urges, not like this. A breathy moan spills past his lips, having Hiyori hug tight again, the heat leads straight to his cock.
His breathing becomes short as he manages to press a soft kiss on Hiyori's temple, overcome with a desire he can't quite quench. His thumb outlines the rim of Hiyori's hole, tempting him to slide another finger inside to quench the desire to slide something else inside. ]
Goddamn... Fuck...
[ Even though Hiyori has admitted to wanting this just as badly, he can't bring himself to act on it. Jun's finger twitches with the urge to grab him, still fighting the impulse, trying to suppress the overwhelming want Ohii-san's stirring within him. Better yet, he needs to find a way to rid himself of this sense that Hiyori is pushing him dangerously close to losing control. ]
You're so goddamn insufferable, you know that? I want it so goddamn badly, Ohii-san, and I'm boutta lose control.
[ Evidently, his favourite word continues to slip past his lips. ]
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Good! ♪ Jun-kun's head should always be full of thoughts of m—
[He doesn't quite finish the smug, cheerful retort. His voice cuts off on a gasp as Jun curls his finger, followed by a whimper as Jun grinds harshly into him.]
Mm!
[His vision whites out behind his squeezed-shut eyelids. The rubbing wasn't targeted; Jun just got lucky. But it felt so good he can't help but crave more, so good that it makes him as desperate as Jun clearly is.
Jun bows over him, kissing his temple, and his insides ache and ache. He feels Jun's thumb circle his rim, and the teasing touch makes him throb against his own stomach. He wants...]
J...Jun-kun.
[What does he want? His head feels dizzy, his fingers clutching the sheets like he's trying to hold on for dear life. He wants Jun to put more in him, he thinks, maybe. He wants Jun to touch that good spot again. He wants Jun to make good on his threat and lose control of himself. Even if it hurts, at least they'll be together as one. ... or so he thinks to himself in the heat of the moment, but if he actually did get hurt, he wouldn't be so happy and forgiving. Jun really is the responsible one here.
He breathes out,]
More...
[It sounds like a plea. Even though of course he'd say the great Hiyori Tomoe never pleads. His hips grind into Jun's hand, trying to make him hit that spot again, while his head tilts back, baring his throat. He's flushed all the way from his ears to his neck, lips parting as he breathes audibly.]
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Just when Jun got lucky, right as he discovered a new angle that wiped the smug retort off Hiyori's face. Consumed by a haze of desire, he craves to hear Hiyori whimper beneath him. But Hiyori doesn't even need to finish his gloating retort since Jun's mind is constantly consumed by thoughts of him and his silly, little whims. ]
Ye..ah, whatever you want.
[ In a shaky voice, he murmurs into Hiyori's temple, sensing his desire for more. Determined to please, Jun takes a deep breath and uncurls his finger, no longer teasing with his touches. He wants to voice his needs, but hesitates, fearing he may not do enough or inadvertently hurt Hiyori, being so focused on his pleasure.
As Hiyori's hips ground against his hand, his finger curls instinctively. He peers down, watching the unblemished skin of his bare throat, and further watching Hiyori's lips part. Shifting slightly, he moves his thumb away, pressing the tip of his pointer finger against the delicate rim instead.
Hesitant, he decides against pushing forward, wanting to ensure this is truly Ohii-san's desire for more. Instead, he lowers his head, pressing a soft kiss to Hiyori's neck, breath hot and ragged, he still hesitates. ]
Listen, what d'you, uh, want... more of?
[ So much for giving Ohii-san "whatever he wants."
It does sound something close to a plea, but Jun, still so unsure, needs to know. Despite having his finger deeply inserted, the warmth enveloping him, Jun's maintaining a clear and focused state of mind. .. or as much as he can. He's overthinking again, lost in the depths of pleasure, and wanting to be a good, attentive lover. The uncertainty in his voice is clear, but Jun wants to get this right. ]
Can.. didja want me to use another finger or is it good with one?
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Just as soon as Hiyori clarifies what "more" is.
Hiyori's eyes blink open (when had they fallen shut?) and he stares dazedly at Jun. From the drunken flush suffusing his cheeks to the intoxicated look in his eyes, his desire is clear as day. But it's still hard to ask for what he want specifically, since he's never been touched there before. Things would be so much easier if Jun could read his mind (or his body, rather) and figure it out for him.
But he won't make any quips about how Jun "should always know what he wants, because they're partners." As Jun's partner, it's his job to give direction.
He nods a little after making up his mind.]
I can take more.
[Finally releasing the sheets, he embraces Jun, looping his arms around his neck while he squirms against his hand again.]
Right where Jun-kun was touching me before. If you press two there, I have a feeling it might feel twice as good. So, try that! ♪
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Maybe the more they engage in this, the better they’ll understand each other’s desires. He releases a soft whimper as Hiyori’s eyes flutter open, the intense, dark gaze making his pulse race. Jun's beginning to understand, from feeling the way Hiyori clenches around his finger to the desire painted across his face. It’s slow, a result of their inexperience and fear of hurting Hiyori. But now he gets it, with his heart racing a mile per minute, exploring more and more. Future Jun will know; he'll read the atmosphere (and Hiyori's body) and figure it out.
That's the kind of attentive lover he wants to be. ]
Yeah, alright. I got it.
[ He’s nearly breathless, the words hanging in the air long after they’re spoken. As he shifts his body, the warm arms encircling his neck make him feel more connected than ever. The tip of his finger presses in, and it’s difficult to discern his emotions. With Hiyori here, telling him he can handle another, his nerves begin to ease up. ]
You're so warm, Ohii-san. I promise to make ya feel twice as good ♪
[ He mumurs, repeating some of the words back. It's true, Jun does want to make him feel "twice as good." And shouldn't that be a given? Having the validation helps; things will get better, and he'll learn how to do this properly. Hiyori looks so beautiful like this, expression hazy and unfocused. Completely mesmerised, he slides his finger in, inch by inch. Slow, but not too slow, wanting to find the same rhythm and spot from earlier. ]
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Jun-kun, too. Jun-kun's also...
[Warm. But his voice trails off on an intake of breath as Jun slides another finger into him.
The stretch is wider, something he can really feel this time. He's flushed all the way down to his chest, his arms shifting restlessly around Jun's neck while he focuses on the feeling. It's not a mathematical equation—it doesn't automatically feel "twice as good" to have two in him. That spot inside him is small enough that it only takes one finger to rub, anyway. But having more of Jun does bring pleasure, both physical and psychological. He feels like he's being prepared, opened up so they can become one soon, and when Jun shifts his hand and crooks his finger in search of that one spot that drives him wild, he moans again and rocks his hips.]
Mm...
[His vision's all blurry. Jun's doing what he asked of him and it feels good. There's no criticism to be had. But he can always ask for more. He's the ever-greedy Hiyori Tomoe, after all, who never hesitates to give demands.]
Jun-kun should keep touching there. But my lips might get lonely, so he should kiss me, too! ♪
[Does he have the coordination to do both? Hopefully if Hiyori asks for it, he will.]
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You're so pretty like this... All cute and flushed, and not finishing what you wanna say.
[ Lost in the moment, Jun murmurs without thinking, allowing those words to be set free, taking over. As he draws Hiyori closer, using the second finger to gently stretch and open him up, a deep desire awakens within Jun. Wanting to push the boundaries and see how much more Ohii-san can take, there's an eagerness to commit the image to memory. But he does as Hiyori wants, continuing to rub at the same spot as earlier, curling his finger once he finds the exact spot again.
The intense heat against his fingers sends his brain into a frenzy, and Jun's entire body shivers in anticipation of the pleasure Hiyori must be feeling. Hiyori's hips rock against his own, his finger sliding in further, a near guttural moan escaping as his second finger moves in and out, still massaging the first. Jun's painfully hard and straining, desperate to keep feeding Hiyori more and more pleasure until it becomes overwhelming. ]
Promise I'll keep at it 'til ya want me to stop. 'Cause no part of me's planning on it, not while Ohii-san's bein' real greedy, cute and demanding. But if parts of Ohii-san feel lonely, I'll just pay 'em some attention, too!
[ He's unsure if he has the coordination for both. Paying attention to multiple parts of Hiyori might prove a bit challenging. But just because something's difficult doesn't mean he won't try it. Pressing his hips down, he hovers over Hiyori, taking in the familiar sight. His heart skips a beat as he leans in and firmly presses his lips against Hiyori's, the familiar taste causing Jun to whimper his name. ]
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He moans louder, clings tighter, as Jun rubs inside him and nudges the same spot again. What can he do except hold on? The thought of demanding more proper relief—telling Jun to take his neglected cock into his hands—doesn't occur to him. There's a part of him that demands he try to come from just Jun's fingers. Or that he at least savors the feeling of Jun inside him for longer. Or maybe, just maybe...
His thoughts die out when Jun speaks to him again, calls him cute, promises to pay him attention all in that voice he loves so much. "Not good," Hiyori thinks—even hearing Jun speak feels pleasurable now. Which means he's absolutely done for. How can he go back to normal after this? How can he hope to conceal his feelings? Every time they're onstage together from now on and he looks at Jun-kun, or every time they're on a talk show and he hears Jun talk, his love will jump right out. It'll probably be written all over his face. A serious problem, but there's no helping it.
Still with that confident look, Jun swoops down to kiss him as instructed. His body presses down, too, cock nudging into Hiyori's hip, all hot and hard just for him, and he moans into Jun's mouth, torn between thrusting into his hand and wriggling up against him. His nails press into the skin of Jun's shoulder blades. What if he tells Jun to put it in him for his next demand? So they can feel good together? What's the worst that could happen?
Ah, but then he rolls his hips to meet Jun's body, to get more from his fingers and feel more of him pressing down, and his cock throbs dangerously. Just that little bit of friction puts him so much closer to the edge. It's unfair, how sensitive his body is. What should he do?
Try to drag Jun down with him, that's what. To make him just as desperate as he is.
Hiyori moans against his lips, the noises sounding a lot like "Jun-kun," while his hands slide down Jun's back, stopping at Jun's hips. He grabs them, pulls Jun down against him, while at the same time wriggling upwards, grinding their hips against each other and lining up their bodies. His insides clench tight around Jun's fingers, sucking them in, while his body throbs underneath him. And even if Jun's not inside him with his cock, they're still so closely entwined on the bed that it really feels like they are one—one tangled mass of limbs, drowning together in pleasure. Like the mermaid he fancies himself as, he'll lure his target underneath the waves with his siren song.]
@wildflower
Hello, Hiyori. I hope you've been doing well. From your performance at the "beach," I assume so.
I have some relevant information to share, but it's not exactly the pleasant kind, so do tell me when you think you're prepared to stomach it.
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[But alas, it doesn't sound like he's here to
tell him how pretty he iscompliment his performance ability. Pity about that.]I'd be more surprised if you said it was pleasant. It's always some awful new thing with this place.
But it does no good to turn our eyes away. So, go ahead. What revolting thing did you find out this time?
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I'll start by saying I'm not able to reveal my sources for this.
Death isn't permanent here, nor does murdering seem to hold any punishment.
When brought back to life, the killed may experience an illness or some other sense of wrongness.
While dead, you are still part of the "game".
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Hiyori already (sort of) knew about the murder-having-no-consequences thing, but that had been about a guest killing a staff member. The rest is new. It takes a second for him to process all... that.]
Just to be clear, this is about a guest killing another guest, correct? Someone like you or I, and not one of those "lost souls," right?
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And what does that part about "still being part of the game" mean? Just that the victim's name wasn't taken off the registry?
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As for that, well... their cards can still be earned. I suggest you trust me on that without elaboration, as well.
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You're starting to sound like a magnet for misfortune!
Unless it was at the Roost. That's the only place I've been where I can see myself walking into a crime scene accidentally. You can at least say where it happened, right?
[And now for the second part. Hiyori blinks at the screen a moment, unsure what Esikko is even implying at first.]
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[And then it hits him.]
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N O P E! No elaboration needed! I've decided I don't want to know, so keep it to yourself, please!!!
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Well, if you ask some, it's all fine and deserved since I'm a spoiled little Prince.
But unfortunately, no, I can't share even that much. I'd hate for you to go poking around and get into trouble yourself.
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I've got to get out of here.
[Not that he didn't already know that. But if anything drove that point home, it'd be this.]
Were you the only one who saw? I don't like the thought of this getting out. If everyone knows they can act as violently as they please, there's no telling what might happen.
You're not the first person who's told me there aren't consequences, though. So on second thought, it might be too late.
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Aside from the killer, yes. That's why I can't exactly say anything. I should hope you'll be careful before spreading this around, either. Spread the facts as I listed them without talking about hearing about someone getting murdered, if you can. I don't want it traced back to my information.
But I have heard others mentioning that death isn't permanent here, so it may not be the first time, indeed.
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I just hate that we can't even trust each other. Uniting against a shared enemy isn't possible when there are people like that in our midst.
Sorry. I said "person," but I meant to say "subhuman scum." Or "monster."
It does feel wrong not to warn people that there's someone like that on the loose. But that would also spread distrust and cause panic, which could lead to other issues. I'm not sure what the answer is.
Anyway, the incident I heard about involved a guest killing a staff member. The person who told me said it was an accident. I'm not sure that was true, though. He wouldn't tell me the killer's identity either, so I assumed he was covering up for a friend. Unless he did it himself, and it was one of those "I'll say this happened to a friend of mine, even though it really happened to me!" sort of deals.
He didn't say anything about the staff member coming back to life afterwards, but he did say the culprit received no punishment. He also thought the staff might not be fully alive to start with. You sensed that they're something other than human yourself, correct?
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Right. Somewhere between alive and dead. I wonder if that changes anything...
I questioned the doctors after the person came back to life, and was met with the explanation that they "never died in the first place," that this doctor performed life saving surgery. This is absolutely a lie, I can tell you this much. I saw it with my own eyes. I checked for a pulse. There was nothing.
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[Goodness.]
I'm surprised you managed all that. You must have been spent.
They love lying to us. That's nothing new. But it's odd to think they'd try to downplay their own abilities. If they truly can revive people, you'd think they'd want all the credit for it. That's what you call the ability to perform miracles, after all.
Which just leads me to wonder what's really going on. Could you tell what shape the victim's soul was in afterwards? They hadn't become a "lost soul" or anything like that, had they?
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But I can sense some things, and I didn't notice any changes other than death, and now it's as if that didn't happen at all.
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[He sighs with frustration over on his end.]
I don't know what to say to all that. I guess it's all the more reason to think they won't let us leave, even if we complete "Game 52." Even death doesn't free us. In that sense, this place is more of a jail than an actual prison would be.
[...]
I'm worried that at this rate, we'll be stuck here indefinitely. That we won't *ever* get home.
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We can get home. There's always "a way," it's just a matter of finding it, or creating it. I've been working where I can with my magic, testing its limits and the limits of the House itself. So relax a little.
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So the House *does* have limits, then.
I guess we already saw those during that Clubs business the other month. "Clubs" doesn't seem much better than the House, though, since they also want us to play gross games where the loser suffers penalties. But if we found some way to pit them against each other again, maybe that could help? "While our enemies were busy destroying each other, all the hostages snuck out!"
^ That's the sort of ending I'd like.
Anyway, I haven't lost all hope. Things just seem to be growing worse is all. First there were more disappearances, and now there's some disgusting killer on the loose. Jun-kun and I also have birthdays coming up, which would normally be cause for celebration, but I'm worried we'll get cursed like Rinne-senpai. They have a way of sucking all the happiness out of things here.
Still, you're absolutely right: I do look much lovelier with a smile on my face. For my sake, as well as my fans' sake, I'll do my best to remember that.
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In any case, the suits seem to be in constant conflict already, fluctuating by the day and hour. The last I checked, clubs had a lead of sorts, so those sort of incidents may just be culminations of collected energy from the struggles?
I can't say for sure. But I am looking into it.
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But good luck with that. I've finished eating that woman's dishes for a month, and I have three memories to share, so I should be getting something from her soon.
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But I feel it worth mentioning in one more way: think of these conflicts as something like an hourglass. In order for one side to be full, the other has to be drained. You know? Most things in life are like this, and this place seems no different.
Well, I suppose it doesn't matter if you still find it stupid.
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The reason they may be in constant conflict with one another is like someone trying to constantly keep an hourglass even. You'd have to keep flipping it around.
It's a little complicated, and they're just my guesses based on what I saw.
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Anyway, I still don't care who's winning and who's losing. Whoever wants to take the resort over can have it. All that matters is getting out! Unless you think whoever has the most energy can influence those "suit effects?" Which would mean Clubs effects are strongest right now and Diamonds effects are weakest. I haven't noticed Jun-kun acting funny at all lately though, so we can probably rule that one out.
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It's just a bit of a pain, considering how my memories get shuffled through in return.
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What exactly does that mean, "shuffled through"? The House takes a look at your memories? Or they rearrange them somehow?
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And then my nose began to bleed severely. I even passed out for a few seconds, so I'll have to try to be more careful.
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And getting a nosebleed doesn't sound fun, either! Plus you have those markings under your eyes to worry about. I don't want to see your whole face crack apart like an eggshell, so do be careful, alright?
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In any case, I'll go back to waiting for your news.
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And yep, talk to you then!
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Alright, so! ✨⭐✨⭐ I'm back with the news I promised!
Though it's sort of hard to untangle, so I'm hoping you can help with that. Also, I should warn you that I only got three questions.
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[If he has an excellent memory, why does he go around calling Esikko "Prince Esikko Blum Whatever" instead of his actual name? Oh well, doesn't matter, not important right now!]
For my first question, I asked if she ever got a better sense of what the resort takes from us and why some guests are considered more valuable. I said there was a theory going around that our intimacy is what powers the resort, but she said it's not just that. She said, "What the resort takes from us is our fate. There are those who are meant to play a greater role in life, and they offer more for the resort to sustain itself on." Then she asked me to consider the difference between an emperor who commands a powerful nation, and a servant who's destined to die young.
I couldn't really tell if she was saying the "emperor" is more valuable because he's fated to accomplish more in life, or what. But when I asked her to elaborate, she said her theory is that "playing the game changes our fate" by making us "have such an intimate encounter with someone we never would've met before coming here." I'll hold back my thoughts on that and move onto the next question!
For my second question, I asked what happens to guests who don't provide enough energy, and if there's any truth to the rumor that the ones who don't sleep around much turn to stone. She said "some people do indeed turn to stone." But then she said "whether it happens to every guest, I don't know" and "it didn't happen to me even after I lost my usefulness because of a deal I made."
Then for my third question, I asked why she was still here if the resort supposedly lets everyone go home once they've filled their so-called deck. She said that she did win her game and that she could have used her wish to go home, but she used it to save her daughter's life instead. Her daughter was born with a heart defect. Apparently you only get one wish and if you use it to save someone else, you're just stuck here forever, so that's what her deal is.
Those were the only questions I got to ask. She gave me three questions for three memories: an equal exchange. I told her I'd come back with double the memories if she let me ask three more questions, but she didn't seem interested, so that's it for now.
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As for the Emperor versus the servant who dies young, I think that's clear, as well. The former would have more opportunity and ability to live a long life, make many choices, take many paths. The servant would not, whether from poverty, from lack of freedom, or from the short life.
This is extremely useful information, so I'm taking notes myself now.
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[He does not feel helped, in other words.]
She said "those who are meant to play a greater role offer more for the resort to sustain itself on." I took that to mean someone like the emperor provides better nourishment than someone like the servant. That would explain why there are so many bigwigs around. It doesn't explain why they nabbed your bodyguard, though. Unless you think he's destined to amount to something more than just a guard dog.
As for the first part, I'm always glad to meet new people! If I can change someone's fate just by shining my dazzling light on them and whispering words of encouragement, why, nothing would make me happier.
I just think they have a narrow view of "intimacy," which is why that explanation doesn't really work for me. She said having such an "intimate encounter" with someone changes your fate, but that's the sort of act that feels less and less intimate the more people you do it with.
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Is THAT why they cap it at 52?
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Perhaps it's because I'm familiar with magic that works along these lines, but it makes sense to me. Fate is often described as something beyond our control, but it's more like a metal, malleable with the right force. Intimacy... I would think sex is an easy way to facilitate it. It causes lust, causes romantic feelings, can cause anger, jealousy, hatred, betrayal— all of those things are relevant in creating changes in fate, too. I think.
I think 52 is arbitrary.
But to use fate is a concept I have to consider. If only I had access to some of the books from back home...
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Supposedly, anyway. The proprietress said she could've gone home if she wished for it, but I never got around to asking if she knows anyone who really did leave.
And yep, she said that thing about value in one of Victoria's journal entries. That's what got me interested in the first place. I'm just not sure why they'd bother to kidnap unimportant people with low "value" in the first place.
I also wonder if the ones who disappeared are more like that servant. If they're getting rid of the people who aren't fated to do great things, and keeping the ones who are destined. But when I asked about the rumor that people who disappear get turned into statues, she said "What happens to a sponge when you've wrung out in the water and left it in the sun to dry? People are the same."
So, with that in mind, maybe it's the ones with low "energy" who vanish. That would line up with what you said before. Except there's one problem with that theory, which is that I'm still here! Any idea why that might be? Do you think they just like seeing my face?
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Keeping that in mind, it makes more sense why someone like you would still be here. It doesn't matter how much you try to fight it, or what sort of things you do or don't do— it matters that others are going to meet you here, perhaps?
Sex does seem to be the main catalyst for transferring energy, though, so I'm still trying to think through it. Well, for now, I feel like we at least have a direction.
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[Give him a moment to think on that.]
So, basically what you're saying is that I might be getting enough energy from meeting new people to compensate for the lack of game-playing. An interesting theory!
I can see that. I *am* pretty sociable. I guess it just felt like, by this place's standards, me and Jun-kun are freeloaders who refuse to pay rent. The landlord comes knocking each month, but we always say "Nope! Not paying!" and slam the door in his face.
Or at least I think that's how it works. I don't know much about rent payment since I'm a noble.
In any case, what's this direction you're talking about? Already planning to do some more digging?
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I get to practice my magic, I get to learn things.
Anyway, knowing how the House works also means I know how to start looking at it. Like how knowing if your patient was a human or a dog would help you in surgery.
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I don't care to go back home, says the prince. It's not really a surprise, given what his life was like. Kirma told Hiyori something similar, actually. Still, going to all this effort to figure a way out when he doesn't intend to use it himself strikes Hiyori as a bit odd.
But then this is the same "selfless flower-maker" who messaged him over the Network. The one he didn't connect to the prince he met at the Roost at first. So maybe he shouldn't be surprised about this, either. Getting to use magic is its own reward, apparently.]
Well, I'm glad you're getting something out of it, anyway.
I guess the only question is whether you can perform surgery on a god or not. I figure that's the closest thing to what we're dealing with: not a dog, a human, or anything that can be trained or reasoned with.
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1/2
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Well, good luck with that! I can't do the things you do, but I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. ✺◟😊◞✺
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Thanks.
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so what better way to start the day by having breakfast while being comfortable in bed!
He hopes not to wake Hiyori just yet, not while he’s sleeping and very cutely, too. With their makeshift kitchen, he manages to keep the noise down (or so he believes) not wanting to wake or disturb the sleeping princess in the next room. For good measure, Jun carries in the tray first, placing it on their nightstand while turning down the quilt. And sitting on the trays filled with breakfast food are plates of pancakes shaped into a design of the sun, French toast, a mixture of fruit and croissants. Rounded off with a pot of tea, teacups and edible flowers placed around the tray.
In the middle there is a single red rose, which has “apparently,” been removed of all pollen. (As per the shopkeepers words.) It’s romantic, cheesy and sweet. And all of Jun’s best intentions on display, wanting to show off his love and affection to his special someone. * Not as if Jun needs to display said love only on Hiyori’s birthday, he can and will provide him with enough love to last a lifetime.
Now’s the time to rouse the sleeping princess, or if he’s awake due to the noise, which Jun is no longer being discreet about. He’ll lean in close, closing the distance between them and planting a soft, tender kiss against Hiyori’s soft lips. Brushing their lips together for a moment, while smiling from ear-to-ear. ]
Happy birthday, Ohii-san.
[ All while placing the breakfast tray on top of his legs; pouring a cup of tea. Well, not before placing a soft towel underneath to catch any crumbs. (Don’t ask what time Jun woke up for this. And the day is much more important, anyway!)
He’s fairly pleased with himself, also hoping Hiyori enjoys the meal while not having to worry about a thing all day as Jun has it covered. ]
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If they were back home, why, he'd be doing all sorts of things to celebrate: giving a special concert, or enjoying a private party at CosPro. Perhaps getting a special photoshoot done in a special birthday suit. (No, not that kind of birthday suit.) As it stands, however...
There will be no party. He'll be lucky to get in any celebrating. Because for his birthday, he's about to be cursed! Or so he just assumes, but the evidence in favor of it is overwhelming, in his view. Rinne and Hua Cheng were both cursed for their birthdays, and the House has every reason to dislike him more than them. After all, he talks smack about them constantly, plots against them at every turn, and refuses to do any of the stuff they ask him to do! He's been here for about five months, and he's only collected one card! Sex between people from different worlds is apparently how the resort gets most of its energy, which means he and Jun are what you call "freeloaders!" This was a badge of honor for him, until it became a huge fear.
But his sleep is mercifully free of any more nightmares where Jun turns into a statue. He sleeps peacefully, waking up later than his partner, as per usual. Jun is no longer sleeping all snuggled up next to him by the time that he awakes, also per the usual. He's always off to the gym in the mornings. (And often in the afternoons, too!) He'd probably never skip a day.
Except he's not gone. Instead he's back on the bed, his lips pressed against Hiyori's in a soft, fleeting kiss. Hiyori's eyelashes flutter in surprise, his eyes blinking open groggily. When Jun draws back and he meets those eyes, they're a lovely gold color, like the morning sun.]
Mm...?
[He drops his eyes down to the tray that's been set in his lap, looking dazed. Laid out on that tray is a shockingly high-class breakfast, fit for a noble like him. A far cry from the prepackaged food and drinks he stocked up on in preparation for being stuck in his room for a while. Rinne and Hua Cheng's curses lasted for days, after all.
But he doesn't feel cursed. At least not yet. There's no foreignness or discomfort, apart from the usual sleep deprivation. Their newborn chick is quite the chatterbox, chirping around the clock. Yet even she's quiet for the moment, sleeping soundly in her makeshift nest, leaving him and Jun free to enjoy this moment of peace.]
You did all this?
[Hiyori seems a bit surprised. Maybe even a little awed. But the dazed look in his eyes soon turns as warm as the tea Jun poured, sitting out on the tray in a pretty cup next to the breakfast spread.]
It looks so elegant, I'm shocked. In a good way, mind you. If it wouldn't overturn the whole tray, I'd hug you right now! ♪
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It wasn't easy to keep this a secret, considering Jun's usually an open book. But despite the odds, and Hiyori's warnings of curses, he wanted to make a nice breakfast spread for his birthday.
After posing the question, he nods, watching Hiyori as he takes in the tray, showing a bit of surprise. ]
Yeah, that was all me ♪ I'll tell you it wasn't easy keeping it from you or her. I was sorta afraid she'd make a racket before I got your breakfast sorted.
[ And honestly, it doesn't seem as if Ohii-san's cursed. But perhaps it's too early to tell! He never saw Rinne when he was cursed, so if Hiyori is, it might show up later. But the hope is Hiyori isn't cursed and they get to have a fun day as partners hanging around, doing something enjoyable. ]
I'd prefer you didn't, Ohii-san. Only 'cause you'd be wearing it, and I just poured your tea. But I appreciate you wanting to hug me, anyway! Just keep it in mind for later ♪
[ He smiles at the thought, wanting Hiyori to enjoy himself and not worry about a thing on his special day. Now it's strange to think how their days would go back home, spending their birthday in a Q&A session, a private concert or a company birthday. Not today! Perhaps next year Hiyori will be spending his birthday doing any one of those things, or the photoshoot. ]
... also, sorry 'bout waking you! I wasn't gonna shake you awake, so I had to improvise.
[ He also doesn't sound very sorry about it, because he's not! ]
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Are you sure she's okay? She is just sleeping, isn't she?
[It's odd for the chick to be this quiet. That's why Hiyori has to ask. Even though he hadn't been as gung-ho about taking care of the egg as Jun had been, he's become quite the doting bird parent!
But of course he likes being taken care of, too. Especially on his birthday, and especially by his partner, who's prepared a lovely-looking breakfast. Simply seeing Jun's smile makes him feel refreshed, warming him up from the inside out; it's the closest he'll get to real sunlight here. The thing he cherishes most in this place.]
It's no problem at all. This is exactly how I'd like to wake up every day, so jot that down! ♪
[He flashes Jun a cheeky smile. His eyes are a little tired, yes; the chick has been keeping him awake, alongside his worries. But he's happy right now. Happy enough to lean forward and try to kiss Jun, despite the tray in his lap!]
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[ Last Jun checked she’d been sleeping, which even had surprised him. Though, for the current them, it helps she’s asleep and not making a racket for attention. It’s cute seeing how doting Hiyori’s become of their little bird daughter, bringing a fond smile to his face.
Or perhaps their little chicks thought they deserved some privacy? Jun had woken up fairly early, but even then she’d been sleeping soundly in her makeshift nest. Whatever the case may be, he’s glad for the chance at silence. Hiyori does look tired around the eyes, something he acquaints with their chatterbox, but Jun also thinks Hiyori looks as beautiful as ever. ]
Mhm, I’ll keep it in mind ♪ ‘Cause seeing Ohii-san’s pretty face each morning makes me wanna give him a kiss or two, or maybe even three ♪
[ He smiles, watching Hiyori’s cheeky smile mixed with words fill him with warmth. Though, it’s a little tricky to fulfill the promise with a tray between them. Currently, the tray seems to be their biggest obstacle! Kisses are very important, so he’ll just have to move it! Also, he wouldn’t want Hiyori to miss out on birthday kisses and wear his breakfast. ]
Hey, I’m gonna move the tray ‘cause if you wanna kiss, I don’t want you wearing it. ‘Sides, the teas pretty scorching and last thing I want is you burning yourself.
[ And he selfishly wants Ohii-san kisses, not that he’s alluding to it. The tea isn’t too hot, it’s only an excuse! And a fairly good one, if he does say so himself.
Though, he does effortlessly pick up the wooden tray, placing it back onto the side drawer beside their bed. This way they both receive what they want, so it’s a win all around.
He looks pleased with himself, taking the initiative to lean forward and softly press his lips to Hiyori’s. Yep, kissing is much easier without a tray in their way. ]
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As long as she's safe and sound. She really is growing fast, isn't she? ♪
[In the real world, magpies typically become independent 3 to 4 months after they hatch. Here, however, they're growing at a faster rate in order to become fully mature in time for Tanabirda. It's sort of alarming how much she keeps growing, really. And she's also nice and plump, thanks to her parents' love! ... and the worms they keep feeding her, though that's something Hiyori is still rather squeamish about.
Thankfully it's not worm-feeding time right now. It's breakfast-in-bed time, which he cheekily informs Jun he'd like to receive every morning. Of course he doesn't really expect that, and he also couldn't blame Jun if he said something snarky in response. Instead Jun calls him "pretty" and says he wants to kiss him, and that leaves him rather breathless. His cheeks flush with pleasure, heart skipping inside his chest.
In reality, he doesn't look his best. He hasn't brushed his hair yet and it looks a bit like the makeshift nest they fashioned for their bird. He's got the aforementioned bags under his eyes, and doesn't have on any make-up meant to cover them. He's been rather harrowed from the sensory link with Esikko, too, as Jun surely knows at this point (it involved several days of him shivering from cold and cringing in pain). He's seen better days, is the point here. Yet still Jun calls him "pretty." Just like he called him cute, just like called him beautiful. Jun-kun loves him. Jun always wants him, even when he doesn't look his best. Why? Because that's love!
It makes Hiyori want to kiss him even more. If Jun just scooches over a little more and meets his lips over the tray, they can make this work! But Jun instead opts to take it off his lap for a minute, which is probably the safer choice. Breakfast in bed was an excellent idea but it may not be ideal for how handsy they are. In any case, he kisses Jun back, happily humming into it.]
♪~
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... you know, I don't feel cursed at all yet. My head feels hotter now that you've kissed me, but it's the pleasant sort of hot. I wonder if it hasn't been triggered yet? Or maybe it was about to trigger, but true love's kiss broke the curse! ♪
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Despite Hiyori's annoying or outlandish demands, Jun is determined not to complain today. This is a rare occurrence, considering he struggles to go a day without voicing his grievances. But today, he's trying!! And Jun finds Hiyori extra adorable this morning, even though he seems under the weather and a bit haggard. No matter how he looks, Jun will always find him to be beautiful, cute, pretty, and all those other lovely words. That's the very essence of true love!!
As the ever-devoted partner he portrays himself to be, Jun ensures he tells Hiyori exactly that. Even if Hiyori doesn't feel his best, Jun will always seem as beautiful! That's just how it works for them.
After parting from the kiss, he smiles happily. He brushes their noses together, almost pleased that Hiyori doesn't feel cursed yet. Instead, he feels pleasantly hot! But to be sure, he's going to ask. ]
Maybe you need to kiss me again, Ohii-san! Y'know, just to be sure. It's pretty important to make sure you're not cursed ~ ♪
[ Yep, setting aside the tray was a smart move! ]
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Though, if Jun did want to touch him, he wouldn't object. Of course. But that can come later, after breakfast!
... or after more kissing. That works, too, and he smiles from ear-to-ear at Jun's oh-so-smooth pick-up line.]
Sounds like Jun-kun's just looking for an excuse to keep kissing me!
[He loops his arms over Jun's shoulders, nudging their noses more firmly together.]
But that's alright, since he doesn't need an excuse. I would've kissed him anyway ♪
[And with that, he brushes their lips together softly.
This time, there's no breaking apart fast. One kiss turns into two turns into three. There's nothing scheduled for today—he planned to hole up all day in his room, thanks to his so-far non-existent curse—and so he's free to keep kissing Jun for as long as he likes. All day if he wants to!
At least until there's a knock at the knock at the door. That gets him to freeze.]
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... he wants to touch Hiyori; of course, he does. Whenever the kisses start, it's not so straightforward for them to stop. The familiar warmth But to avoid any interruptions now, they'll need to ensure their bird daughter remains undisturbed. He can't risk her incessant chirping, drawing attention from her "preoccupied" parents. That'd kill the mood! ]
Mmm, can ya blame me? Kissing you always feels real good.
[ It's true; he doesn't need an excuse. But pretending as if he needs one is fun if only for the way Hiyori's eyes light up.
As they kiss, his hand trails up to the hem of Hiyori's pyjama shirt, fingers tracing along the hem. His finger half-hooks into the buttons, ready to unbutton them. They're quite loving with each other, but that's not a problem! Recalling Hiyori's earlier mention of the curse and the food they've stockpiled, he figures they have nothing else planned for the day.
With a gentle touch, Jun's thumb caresses Hiyori's cheek, pressing lightly against the bags beneath his eyes. His hand then glides upward, fingers threading through Hiyori's tousled hair. Though the locks are tangled and look like a bird's nest, Jun tenderly brushes through the tangles, savouring the intimacy between them. And regardless of Hiyori's dishevelled appearance or apparent lack of sleep, he'll remain breathtakingly beautiful in Jun's eyes. So, they can easily spend all day kissing!
The illusion shatters when there's a sudden knock at the door.
Reluctant to break apart, the persistent knocking becomes a little frustrating. A louder knock would awaken their sleeping chick! They'd then have no alone time. Opening his eyes, he drinks in Hiyori again, leaving an open-mouth kiss as he nudges their noses together. ]
Want me to get the door?
[ He asks, breath hot against Hiyori's lips. ]
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But now is different. Jun's fingers easily cause warmth to bloom beneath his skin, his body responding eagerly. Even when Jun's hands move towards his face and hair, rather than any sensitive areas, he still relishes those touches, parting his lips on a sweet sigh. It feels so good, so right, being together like this. Being touched like he's something precious, even when he doesn't look his best. First thing in the morning in their shared bed. This is how he'd like to wake up every morning! (So Jun ought to jot that down, too.) And if the curse is still coming and it dooms him to be aroused all day, well—he can think of worse things. He has Jun with him, so he'll be fine.
The knock at the door is startling, jolting him out of his sweet dream. It's so early, he can't imagine who's coming to visit him. Then his stomach sinks. Is this...
Right after Jun asks what he should do, a voice speaks up from the other side of the door. "Delivery," it says. Which makes his worries shoot up, if anything. Is the House delivering his birthday curse right to his door?!
Though, a curse isn't usually something tangible, is it...?]
I suppose so. But if it's anything shady-looking, tell him we don't want it.
[In reality, it'll be a normal-looking giftbox with a card attached to it. His birthday reward! But he's staying in bed because he doesn't trust anything around here.]
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Hearing the familiar, sweet sigh is like music to his ears. It's only a little (a lot) frustrating the knocking continues right as he wants to continue slipping fingers right underneath Hiyori's shirt. If this is how Hiyori wants to wake up every morning, he'll make a mental note to do it every morning. He'll be good like that, greeting Hiyori the way he should be every morning.
Brow furrowed in confusion, Jun listened to the voice on the other side of the door. "Delivery?" the voice called out, but Jun knew he and Hiyori hadn't ordered anything. Besides, Hiyori had warned him about potential curses, advising against letting anyone else inside. And so, the unexpected visitor clearly isn't a welcome one!
Lastly, a curse shouldn't be something tangible. But if the House is finding new ways to send off their curses... ]
That's pretty cryptic, Ohii-san. But I'll tell 'em!
[ After kissing Hiyori's forehead, Jun climbs out of bed, padding across the room to the door. Where a delivery person quickly hands him the box and leaves. He hadn't even glimpsed the package before they left! But upon closer inspection, the box doesn't appear too suspicious, so he figures it's safe to bring inside.
A soft chirp echoes through the suite, but it's not overly loud. Perhaps she's still sleeping! He carries the box back into their room and partially resumes his position in bed. ]
.. uh, d'you know anyone who'd send this? I dunno what you'd call shady, but the guy shoved it in my hands and walked off. Anyway, it's gotta be for you ♪
[ Since it's his birthday! Jun hands off the box, curiously wanting to know what's inside. ]
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Jun returns at the same time as their bird chirps. He braces himself for an onslaught of chirping, but that doesn't happen. Is it because she's already a few days old? It seems to him she's growing oddly fast. But he hardly has time to think on that as Jun presents the package. He eyes it curiously, but with some hesitance—a gift from a friend, or some horror from the House? Then he notices the card.]
"JMM"?
[It takes him a moment.
Then his eyes suddenly widen with recognition. Could it really be her? He sets down the card, opening up the package and revealing what's inside. Which is clothes. Nice clothes.]
This is...
[He looks slightly stunned as he pulls out the first item: a pretty suitjacket with elaborate embroidery running up and down the lapels. More details forthcoming when I find a suitable reference picture. It's gorgeously detailed, looks hand-sewn, and seems like it'll fit him perfectly.]
...
[He smooths his hand over the fabric, speechless for a long moment. If Jun looks inside the box he'll see that there are not only matching pants inside, but that it looks like there are more clothes underneath.]
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When the expected deluge of chirping doesn't materialise, he breathes a sigh of relief. And then another, for good measure. Thankfully Hiyori accepts the package without fuss, though Jun can't deny his curiosity about who dropped it in the delivery person's hands.
"JMM?" Hiyori's words stump Jun, who hadn't looked at the card, considering the package wasn't for him. As Hiyori opens it, he leans in for a closer look, revealing exquisitely handcrafted clothing. The kind they might wear on stage back home!
Even Jun can tell the craftsmanship is beautiful, glancing back and forth between Hiyori and the box in awe. At least it's not some cursed item from the House! ]
It kinda reminds me of outfits we'd wear back home.
[ The suit jacket is already twice as beautiful, and he notices the intricate embroidery and details. The large box suggests there may be more inside, and sure enough, there's the matching suit pants. It would look awkward for Hiyori not to have the full suit ensemble. But there's something else inside that Hiyori likely hasn't noticed yet. ]
Ohii-san, looks like you've got another set of clothes underneath. It makes sense 'cause it's your birthday! But looks like whoever it's from went above and beyond ♪
[ He says all with a cheerful smile, wanting to know if it's the same suit or different embroidery down the lapels. It's all pretty exciting, he just hopes whoever sent it, didn't sew in a curse. ]
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For now, however, we'll just say the embroidery on the lapels reminds him a little of the Eden costumes: the thread taking on a pattern of thorny flower stems. Is it a coincidence? Perhaps, but it's evocative enough to quiet him.
It seems Jun has the same impression. It's true—this does look like the sort of fancy outfit they'd wear for an event, like an anniversary concert or an album release. Perhaps they'd all wear the same suit. Or perhaps each suit would reflect their image color. This suit, which has a lot of green woven into it, would suit Hiyori in either case.
But that's not the only thing in the box.
Jun draws his attention to that fact, pointing out that it looks like he got two sets of clothes. That pulls Hiyori's attention away from the first suitjacket, and he peers down into the box again. There are slacks and a button-down shirt, which are clearly meant to go with the suitjacket, but then there's also something else. Another suit?
Hiyori carefully draws out the shirt and slacks, revealing what's underneath: another suitjacket that matches the first one in terms of shape, pattern, and embroidery. Except the colors are different. The colors—]
It looks like it's for you.
[That's his first thought. There's no note saying the second one is for Jun. He can't tell at a glance if the second one will fit Jun, either. But as he lines the two suitjackets next to each other on the bed, that's his conclusion.]
See, they match! And one's more blue and the other's more green!
[He continues to stare down at the clothes as he makes his case. He still looks a bit stunned, however. His fingers come up to grasp his chin and he murmurs,]
Though I'm not sure how she'd know either of our measurements...
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Even though he knows it seems like your average suit, it is the first thing that comes to mind. The stitching is incredible, though, and it is really lovely. Jun cannot help but think that Hiyori will look charming in it. He has a natural talent for wearing suits, which Jun thinks he lacks.
Or so he thinks!
The shirt and slacks match perfectly, even the shirt needlework looks exquisite. Whoever sent over the gift has beautiful handiwork, even Jun can admire it. He watches as Hiyori draws out the remaining clothes, turning and looking back down once he mentions the suit being for Jun. ]
For me...? But it's your birthday.
[ He sounds a little bit in disbelief, wondering why someone would give him a suit. It makes sense for Hiyori, it's his birthday, and the gift was delivered to his door! Jun can't get his head around it, glancing down again as Hiyori lines the two suit jackets next to one another. ]
I mean, yeah, they match but... I dunno if it's for me.
[ Besides, wouldn't Hiyori look good in blue? Jun tends to think he looks good in anything, but he might be a bit biased in that regard. He still can't believe it, there must be a mistake, even if the other suit jacket does look a tiny bit different.
Maybe for the ~muscles~!]Wait.. who're you talking 'bout? Ohii-san, who's "she"?
[ Who knows their measurements?? He's curious about what Hiyori could mean. ]
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We'll say the suitjacket looks something like this. Not exactly like that—as the menswear guy on Twitter would point out, that's a blazer, not a suitjacket! But anyway, it's close enough: nice fabric, eye-catching floral embroidery! And while the outfit on top is a dark green with just a hint of blue, the one underneath that is blue with just a hint of green. The flowers stitched into the fabric are similar between the two outfits, but not identical; perhaps Jun Mingming chose them based on what she thought would suit them each. Though none of the choices are too on-the-nose (she wasn't eavesdropping on their flower maze conversations).
Anyway. He understands Jun's confusion; he didn't expect her to get him anything, let alone him and his partner. Maybe the outfits are just for him. Yet when he sets that blue-ish suitjacket next to the green one...
All he can think about is Jun wearing it. Even though he'd look good in it himself, too. And not just wearing it, but wearing it to match him.]
I'm talking about Jin Mingming. She's the bar owner I did that memory-sharing quest for.
[The one who was once a player in the game, and who used her wish to save her daughter's life. But he won't bring up that bit of sadness right now.]
I assume it must be her, since she's the only "JMM" I know about. I'm surprised she went to the trouble, though. And I'm still not sure how she'd know our sizes. She's only ever seen you from a distance, after all.
[Maybe both outfits are his. There's nothing to say one is for Jun.
Still. He gets the rest of the clothes out of the box—a pair of formal pants to match the other suitjacket. Curiously, though, there's no second shirt to wear beneath the other one. Because the shirt can be worn with either of them? Because it was too much effort and money to include a second? Or...
A lightbulb above his head goes off, and he whips his head around, looking at Jun with wide eyes as he gesticulates to the clothes.]
Look at that! The blue one doesn't come with a shirt, but the green one does! It's meant to be worn without a shirt. Which means it's for someone who wants to show off their chest muscles! Or, in other words, it's for Jun-kun!
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He still can’t wrap his head fully around what Ohii-san’s saying. Jun hardly knows Jin, only seeing her from the times Eve dined in her restaurant. Perhaps she saw them, knowing from the get-go they were shackled up. It makes zero sense for her to handcraft another suit for someone she knows from a distance. ]
She sent ‘em? Woow, I never woulda guessed… Not is she talented at running a restaurant, but she’s got a talent for suit-making.
[ Or needlework in general, she’s likely crafted a good number of garments over her time here.
But as for their sizes, it confuses him just as much. Jin could be that talented with a needle and thread, knowing from glancing at someone. It makes him think, knowing it’s true, she has only ever seen Jun from a distance. ]
Sounds like she’s just that talented, Ohii-san. But I’m still sorta confused if that’s one for me. Why’d she do that? It’s gotta be for you!
[ Jun didn’t run around the resort in hopes of finding memories, nor has he spoken to her at great length.
Once Hiyori removes the suit, it’s not lost on him how there’s no second shirt to go with it. It might be true, you could wear the shirt with both suits, it does seem as if they’d make a perfect match!
It seems Hiyori has another idea, only to find that it’s not something Jun would suggest. He turns at Hiyori as if he’s grown a second head, eyes narrowing as he takes it in. ]
You’re not serious, Ohii-san… Why’d she do something like that? And I dunno where you got that idea from. I don’t always wanna show off my muscles! You know it sounds sorta crazy, right?
[ And when he would like to show them off, he’d rather them be for Hiyori’s eyes only. ]
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Though there is a sunflower stitched into both sides of Hiyori's jacket. The ideal flower for him is just that obvious, apparently.]
She does dress rather nicely. I guess this must mean she makes her own outfits.
[Still. Sewing something for yourself (or for a profit) is one thing. Sewing something from scratch as a gift is quite another. Especially when the recipient is someone you hardly know, plus the partner of someone you hardly know.
Seeing the two outfits side-by-side, however, makes Hiyori feel certain of his hunch. Jun expresses doubt, and then shows even more disbelief at his "showing off your muscles" suggestion. Why, he almost sounds defensive! As though he doesn't take pride in his muscles, and wasn't parading around shirtless at the beach! Perhaps Jin Mingming noticed his muscles even from a distance, while he was fully-clothed, and thought he should show them off sometimes! Just like Weiss-chan and (ugh) Monika-chan.
Setting aside how likely that is to actually be the case, though, Hiyori can see her reasoning for giving them both a gift. He lays it all out in a matter-of-fact sort of tone.]
Well, putting aside your muscles for now, we're meant to be "two souls in one," right? Or "two hearts beating as one." Which means you're my other half, more or less, and I'm you're other half. And I'm always saying Jun-kun is my possession, because it's true! So if you're going to get me a birthday gift, I guess it sort of makes sense to get something for you too, since you're like a part of me.
[This may or may not have sounded completely insane, but Hiyori seems to mean every word of it.
He does frown a little, though, eyes gazing back down at the fabric, focusing this time on the blue suitjacket. Jun's jacket, if his theory is correct. But why did she do something for Jun-kun? Is it really because they're "two souls in one"? Did he ever tell her he saw them that way? He thinks for a moment about what he did tell her, before slowly starting to continue.]
I didn't call you my other half in front of her, though. Or my possession, for that matter. But I did say we're "beloved partners." So perhaps that's what inspired her to get me something we could wear together.
[He looks between the two outfits, wondering now about how they'd look wearing them. How they'd look wearing something that matches, just like their matching stage costumes, just like the matching beachwear they wore to Weiss's soirée.
Then he looks up from the clothing and smiles.]
There's only one way to find out! We just have to try them on, right? You'll try on the blue one, I'll try on the green one, and we'll each see "if the shoe fits" ♪
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I guess it'd make sense, yeah? 'Cause you saw her close up! Makes me wonder if she does, though...
[ Although Jun only saw the woman from a distance, he couldn't help but notice her impeccable outfit. If she did indeed make the clothes herself, that would be an impressive talent. Hiyori seems to think that's the case, even when Jun has doubts about how the suit should be worn.
However, Jun had other questions on his mind. He was curious about the suit, why did it not come with a shirt? Did she know about his passion for fitness? Had she seen him at the gym, or even at the beach, where he'd been known to parade around shirtless? These were questions that Jun knew Hiyori would not be able to answer. ]
Well, if I'm gonna give in and say that's true... how'd she know that? It's not like we're being embarrassing 'bout our relationship. And I'm not gonna lie, you still sound a lil' insane. Just 'cause you're "always saying" I'm your possession, doesn't mean I am? Or anyone else is gonna know we're one another's other halves...
[ Hiyori's logic sometimes seems a bit crazy to Jun, but if his logic ever made sense, it might be even crazier. But they are "two souls in one" and "two hearts beating as one," or anything lovey-dovey term used to describe them. That's something Jun can hardly refute, it makes him all warm inside instead.
But Jun isn't really sure what Hiyori told her! Could it be she detected something was going on between them? Just as Ibara and Arashi assumed? Well, whatever the case, if Hiyori's theory about the blue jacket is true, then it's flattering to own such a well-made garment. ]
Well, I'd say she's pretty smart!
[ Especially if she gleaned something more from Hiyori's words, given that they are beloved partners. He wouldn't want anyone else by his side! But the question remains: how would they both look in the matching suits?
This isn’t the first time they’ve worn coordinated outfits, and it likely won’t be the last! ]
If you're sure 'bout it... That'll be the only way we're gonna know for sure. And I doubt it's gonna be some big reveal like Cinderella, Ohii-san.
[ His hand smooths over the jacket, it feels expensively made, or the fabric feels expensive in quality. ]
We can just try 'em on here! It's nothing I haven't seen before ~ ♪
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True! We're not absolutely shameless like some people here, and thank goodness for that.
[He says, sounding proud (?) about this. Then his voice softens and he adds:]
But maybe she noticed how close we were, or how well we seemed to fit together. It can be harder to tell that sort of thing from across a room, but there are still giveaways sometimes. Tone of voice, body language, smiles, facial expression—all sorts of things like that. Perhaps you simply had a look on your face that said, "I love my partner!"
[He smirks, happy to pin the whole thing on Jun (and not on his own sappy words about them being "beloved partners"). To be fair, it's not like people commenting on how close they are is anything new. Sometimes people make that sort of comment even when they're just arguing!
But anyway. Onto the fashion show.
A slight flush creeps into his cheeks when Jun says that "nothing I haven't seen" line (despite the fact it would've been true just by virtue of being roommates for a year). He retorts,]
Fine. But try to face the other way until I'm fully changed, alright? Otherwise, it'll spoil the grand reveal.
[Of himself, wearing his new suit, of course. With that, he gathers up the items on the bed.
Obviously if he was really dressing up to go out, he'd want to fix his bedhead and freshen up in other ways. But since this is just a size check, he goes ahead and puts on the white shirt, changes into the green pants, tucks the shirt in and smooths down the fabric, and then finally, reaches for the suitjacket. That gets buttoned and smoothed down, too. He glances at his own chest afterwards, noting how the embroidered flowers look on himself, before finally announcing:]
Alright, I'm ready! ♪
[And then he turns around at the same time to look at Jun.]
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But from far away, Ohii-san? She’s gotta have pretty good eyesight to tell from across a room. Well, whatever! Guess she knows without being told.
[ No comment on the body language part. Sometimes Jun catches himself staring at Hiyori with a big, goofy grin which might be classed as him saying “I love my partner.” And other times he looks at Hiyori fondly. Maybe their body language gave them away, after all!
It wouldn’t be the first time, or even the last.
And it’s true, Jun could have seen anything due to them being roommates back in Reimei. But he lets it slide, nodding his head as if to say he won’t spoil the grand surprise.
With that out of the way, he shrugs off his shirt, letting it fall onto the bed. Reaching for the pants, he’s pleased to find they fit perfectly. Next he slips on the suit jacket, smoothing fingers down the lapel and across the embroidery.
Despite feeling slightly exposed with the jacket left unbuttoned, the fabric feels comfortable against his skin. His muscles don’t quite spill out, but there’s enough chest and abs on display which might stop someone in their tracks. ]
Hey, I never said I was ready!
[ Well, it hardly matters now because he was basically ready. Anyway, he turns around to face Hiyori, tugging on the sleeves of the jacket.
Hiyori, dressed in the sleek, green suit, looks as if he’s stepped straight out of a magazine. Even if his hair isn’t done, the bags under his eyes are as clear as ever..! But if Jun’s being honest, he thinks Hiyori looks as beautiful as ever! Continuing to drink in the sight, a fond smile curls at the corner of his mouth, taking a deep breath in. ]
You look beautiful, Ohii-san! The colour really brings out your eyes ♪
[ Not that Jun knows much about fashion to begin with… ]
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Hiyori usually takes longer to get ready than Jun (which has led to its share of bickering in the past), so pardon him for assuming Jun would be ready before he is! It doesn't ultimately matter, though. Jun turns around soon after he does, giving an eyeful of himself in the matching suit, which does indeed seem to fit him well. Almost too well. It's not often that Hiyori sees him wear this sort of thing, and he makes for a captivating sight, open chest or no open chest.
Though it's true that the exposed skin doesn't look unappealing. You'd think this is the sort of outfit that requires a nice crisp business shirt underneath, but nope. Jun makes it look good wearing nothing under the jacket, and it oddly seems to suit him more that way.
Not that he's looking anywhere he shouldn't be. He doesn't need to be told "My eyes are up here!" Because when he looks at Jun's face, what he sees is equally captivating. Soft, affectionate gold eyes, and a soft smile. And then Jun calls him beautiful and his heart skips. What else could he do but smile back?]
Jun-kun's gotten better at giving compliments.
[He doesn't mean just the "beautiful" thing. "The color brings out your eyes" doesn't quite seem like the kind of thing Jun would've said before, either. Perhaps some of Hiyori's teachings about fashion have rubbed off on him, too. Or maybe that's just the power or love talking.]
You look pretty good, too. The flowers sort of speak to our feminine charm as Eve, but Jun-kun still looks manly. He gets to look classy and show off his muscles~♪ Plus it looks like the measurements are a perfect fit.
[Which would mean his assumption was right, and the second suit was made for Jun. Then again, it's not like Hiyori's tried it on for himself. Maybe it'd fit him, too. He has a feeling from looking at it that it really does fit Jun (and his muscular chest) better, though. Like it was made for him.
In any case, he doesn't suggest they swap. Instead he nods towards the bathroom.]
Let's go look at ourselves in the mirror! ♪ You should see for yourself how you look. And we should both see how good we look together. That should tell us whether the suits are meant to be worn as a couple's outfit.
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Hiyori usually does, which Jun's made fun of numerous times before. But this time he took a little longer to put on the suit. He's still in disbelief this suit was made specifically for him, where it fits snugly and comfortably against his muscles without feeling too tight. He can even stretch his arm out without the fabric straining. But what's more, is how Hiyori thinks he'll look in the suit.
For now, he'll leave it unbuttoned, wanting to let his muscles shine. He hopes it looks nice, and Hiyori likes the way he looks. He half-grins, allowing Hiyori to look and take in the suit however he likes, taking in the returning smile. ]
I'm learning, Ohii-san! Can't keep giving the same compliments, 'cause I gotta keep ya on your toes ♪
[ And he needs to step it up, because when he looks at Hiyori, especially like this and truly thinks about it... Well, he does look beautiful and the colour does bring out his eyes! Maybe the suit's power doesn't affect Jun because he's already in love and completely captivated by the person wearing it. ]
Just "pretty good"? Yeah, I think you've got that right 'bout our charm! Our fans would probably wanna see us in 'em. Long as you think I still look "classy," I won't feel bad 'bout wearing the suit out ♪ And yep, it fits pretty snug! I dunno how she knew our measurements, but she seriously got it spot on ♪
[ Which means Hiyori's assumption is correct! Though Jun was sceptical, Hiyori's extensive knowledge from looks alone surprised him. The fact he could discern so much from looks alone leaves him feeling impressed. ]
Mhm, let's go! I wanna see how I look and I wanna see what we look like together ♪ Well, you're the one thinkin' it's a couples outfit, so... I dunno what a couples outfit looks like, Ohii-san.
[ But perhaps when they're side-to-side, looking at one another in the mirror, it'll all become clear. He flattens out the lapel, nodding towards the bathroom.
He tugs on Hiyori's hand, pulling them both into the bathroom and staring into the mirror. The flowers do seem to match, and the colours complement each other, but Jun, not being as fashion-savvy as Hiyori, is still a bit puzzled. ]
... so, what d'you think? I'd say we complement one another pretty well ♪
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[Is that something to brag about...? And wouldn't that defeat the whole idea of creativity? Well, whatever.
In response to the next thing, he chirps,]
Yes, "pretty good!" Don't tell me Jun-kun was itching to be called "handsome" or something like that?
[He smirks. Then he adds,]
But if that's what you want, then I guess I can call you that. Since Jun-kun does look handsome.
[And beautiful, too, actually. Hiyori's always thought him to be beautiful. But that's somehow more embarrassing than calling him handsome, and he has a feeling Jun would look at him funny if he did. Then again, his reaction might be funny.
But back to the suits. Jun confirms with his next word that the suit is a perfect fit, which means Hiyori's hunch was correct. And that pleases him, somehow, in ways he doesn't quite know how to express in words at first.
That pleasure only intensifies when they head into the bathroom, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in fromt of the mirror. Like this, he can appreciate the full effect of their "couple's outfit." A quiet warmth spreads inside his chest, and all he says at first is,]
Of course we do. We're Eve!
[But that's not all. Is it?
As Eve and as Eden, they've worn complimentary outfits before. Identical ones, ones with slightly changed designs, and ones that reflect their respective image colors. Wearing matching clothes is nothing new, in other words. So why does seeing them like this in the mirror tug at his heartstrings now? It could just be that they're dating now and they weren't at home, but it also feels like it's more than that. In a way, the present from Jin Mingming feels like validation. This whole time he's been worried that their relationship is a liability here, that the House will punish them or tear them apart. It's keeping them from playing the game, after all, which is what they've been brought here for. Jin Mingming's own words had scared him to the point of nightmares.
And yet she did this for him. And it feels like their relationship—their love for each other—has been recognized: not as something that needs to be broken up, but as something worth paying tribute to. Something beautiful.
Perhaps he's reading too much into it, but that's what it feels like.
The look in his eyes softens, and he finds his fingers brushing Jun's.]
... it's nice, isn't it?
[He graps his hand lightly and squeezes.]
I see why you wanted to pick out matching jewelry.
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Even with Hiyori bragging, no one needs to hear him praising himself today. ]
Well, I thought you'd say something else. It's not like I'm fishing for compliments, I'm just saying... I’d rather not be called that if you don’t really mean it, Ohii-san. But, thanks ♪
[ But Hiyori's hunch is right, he expected something other than "pretty good." And maybe, deep down, he hoped he might be called handsome, or anything else. He still doesn't know that Hiyori thought he was beautiful, but would he get a big head about it? Well, probably! He'd probably think Hiyori bumped his head again or drank something strange. Either way, he'll take the handsome compliment and smile.
Is it just because they're Eve? Or is it something else? Sure, they've worn numerous matching outfits before. It's just how life is as an idol! But this feels different, having them stand shoulder-to-shoulder, bathroom mirror showing off both of their matching suits from top to tail. Something feels right, despite Jun's scepticism from earlier, he realises now Jin did mean to tailor him a suit. Watching through the mirror his heart feels full, knowing even when they haven't been shouting their relationship to the rooftops, it's still known to someone here and doesn't seem too much of a liability.
It is something beautiful, their relationship, and their love for each other. Jun never knew love could feel this intense, and it's something he never wants to squander. Despite where it's blossomed and bloomed, his eyes soften feeling Hiyori's fingers brush against his. ]
Yeah, it's nice, really nice.
[ He breathes out, giving the hand in his a squeeze back. ]
Huh, what didja mean by that?
[ Genuinely curious, Jun wonders why Hiyori would have that particular thought about them wearing matching suits now. He hadn't realised they'd moved past that point, even though they had discussed it extensively before.
... Or to the point where they'd come to a mutual understanding. ]
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But maybe, just maybe, he doesn't need to hold back at all. Not all the time, anyway. Maybe he can live with a little embarrassment.
And he's not embarrassed at all now as he opens his mouth and confirms:]
Well, I do mean it.
[There's no teasing tone, no argument; it's not a sassy retort. He just smiles gently, hoping his sincerity will shine through.
Jun does look handsome in the suit; they both do. That much is abundantly clear from looking at themselves in the mirror. They make an attractive couple, which he knows is what the suits are for: not a unit outfit (though they could be worn as such), but a couple's outfit. He and Jun were recognized as lovers. Not just cards.
He thinks about that and about the gold string that hasn't come off yet, even though he's done away with all his other strings at this point. He thinks about the suite they share together, the bird who's sleeping in her nest, the life they've built here. All of it as a pair, as "partners." Not alone.
He looks at them in the mirror, his fingers twined together with Jun's. His are still colder than their usual temperature. Timeline-wise, the connection with Esikko should still be ongoing, which I failed to realize when I started this thread. At least Weiss helped him find a way to cope with it. A reminder that things are less-than-ideal. Nothing is ideal; they're still being toyed with at every opportunity, still in danger of disappearing. Yet it wouldn't be the first time they've survived a corrupt environment. And not just survived, but thrived... isn't that right?
For the first time since Vil told him about the statues, he feels something like hope swell in his chest.
He turns to look at Jun properly.]
I don't quite know how to explain. But doesn't it sort of feel like our love is being recognized? Of course I don't need anyone's approval to love Jun-kun. And we don't need matching outfits, matching rings, or anything like that, either. But...
[He squeezes Jun's hand, his eyes narrowing in thought.]
It feels good to have something like that anyway, doesn't it? It's another way to show where our hearts are, no matter how much they say that sort of thing isn't done here. It feels almost like we're being told not to give up. And I wonder...
[He trails off.
Jin Mingming said the goal of this place, more or less, was to get everyone to be intimate with people they never would've met otherwise. People from different worlds. In doing so, this changes their fate. She said she didn't think being intimate with someone from their homeworld would promote longevity within the resort. But she also gave them this gift. Was it a consolation prize, because she knew her words upset him? Or was it an attempt to say something else?]
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Jun-kun.
[His gaze, which had looked lost in thought for a minute there, suddenly focuses.]
If we did the matching rings now, do you think that'd count as "giving ourselves"?
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Hiyori articulates it in words better than Jun could, which is exactly what he’s been thinking. Here they are, in a shitty casino, being forced here against their will… but all throughout it all they’ve had one another. It’s the most comforting feeling waking up each morning seeing Hiyori’s beautiful sleeping face. It’s a comfort to Jun more than anything, more than Hiyori knows. ]
It’s like you’re reading my mind, Ohii-san.
[ Which means they’re on the same page! But being partners they usually are, aren’t they? Besides his heart doing a little flip, his thumb presses into Hiyori’s palm, rubbing circles. Really, Jun isn’t quite sure how to explain it either, but it’s exactly how he feels. Why else would someone in the resort go to the effort? ]
I’m not the sorta person who gets sappy ‘bout it, but it feels really good.
[ More than really good, but if he continues, he’d only be rehashing everything Hiyori’s already said. Though, it’s true! They don’t need anyone’s permission to love one another, or matching anything. It’s still nice to have, isn’t it? Maybe love made Jun soft, but it goes to show even he can experience a feeling that intensely and still be the same person.
What Hiyori’s proposing only makes sense. It’s Jun’s last string, too, but what else makes sense is how they’re still connected to one another. It may not be the red string, but who needs it? The House just gave them the wrong string, that’s all.
It’s not exactly what he had planned for Hiyori’s birthday, it’s definitely different. But the idea of having this, on Hiyori’s birthday, sounds nice. But one thing! ]
The thing ‘bout that… I don’t wanna get ‘em for the strings sake. Just for fun, but if you’re thinking it’ll count… Guess it depends? What’s “giving ourselves” really mean, anyway? We’ve done all that, and whoever’s deciding what counts is probably having a good time watching us fumble it.
[ Hearts or the House, who knows at this point! ]
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At first he thought it was, because it wasn't a red string. The resort gave them red strings leading to other people, which of course was bogus. (Even if those strings did lead them to deepen their bonds with the people they did connect to.) And it gave Hiyori a second gold string, which was how he ended up shivering and whimpering in pain from phantom ailments that still haven't subsided. But the text on the screen regarding their gold string hadn't been all wrong, at least not from Hiyori's end. He may not believe in "destiny" or "soulmates" exactly, but Jun is his other half. And to find someone who will "take in every part of him" is a blessed thing. That might not be something he only shares with Jun. His relationship with Nagisa is like that, too: a bond based on mutual, unconditional acceptance. But when it comes to "having" and "being had," who else does he want to "have" more than Jun?
Jun, whom he wants to possess every part of. Jun, whom he's always confidently declared belongs to him. There's a reason Hiyori was so delighted to put a collar around his neck. But Jun wearing that collar wasn't enough to sever their string, and it's now that Hiyori realizes why that might have been: Jun might've given himself to him, but he hasn't given himself fully to Jun in return yet. Has he?
Maybe it's stupid of him to take any of this seriously. It is just another game. But...]
It's not just about the string.
[That, Hiyori can say with certainty. Looking Jun in the eye, he speaks with plenty of confidence.]
With or without this game going on, I'd still want us to match. But it isn't just about us matching. We didn't just talk about any rings, but about "promise rings." And there's a lot I want to promise Jun-kun.
[He squeezes Jun's hand, taking a breath before he launches into this next bit.]
For example, that I won't turn into one of those brainwashed career residents. That I'll never lose sight of what's important, and always stay true to my dazzling self. That I'll protect you from turning into a stone statue, and from all the horrors that go on in the basement. That we'll go home, reunite with Mary and Nagisa-kun and Ibara, and sit around a table eating delicious quiche together. That we'll perform the song we practiced for SS. And then, once all of that's done, that Jun-kun can have my future afterwards.
[He pauses, then, still squeezing Jun's hand, still looking Jun straight in the eye, hoping to convey that everything he said came straight from his heart. His expression is serious.
Then, finally, it relaxes, lips forming a smile again, soft and exhilarated.]
I don't know what nonsense Hearts has in mind. But I think that's what "giving oneself" means, at least for me. And I don't need to do it with a ring, but I like shopping and jewelry, so why not? Jun-kun said he also wanted something that matches, so that sounds like the best idea to me! ♪
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Jun has realised now they don't need a silly, little red string to prove their love. He understands connections can form through the string, and it doesn't always have to be romantic. Besides, Jun doesn't have deep, romantic feelings for anyone else! After being afraid of intimacy for so long, finally he's grown comfortable enough for this. Sadly, Jun doesn't share this intense connection with anyone else, as his bond with Ibara isn't at the same level. Ultimately, there's no one else Jun would allow to have "all of him" the way Hiyori does.
It makes sense, doesn't it? If he has to wait his entire life to possess Hiyori, he just might. Honestly, it's not as if the string bothers him despite giving himself to his partner.
His head tilts, squeezing the hand in his tighter. ]
I just—had to be sure, y'know? 'Cause I know we kinda did, but I still don't wanna get ahead of myself, Ohii-san.
[ He knows there's nothing to be afraid of, and he shouldn't when Hiyori's been nothing but accepting. All in all, Jun should know better. ]
Good thing I’m not gonna let you become some brainwashed resident. And remember, we promised we’d stick together! We’re getting outta here and head back to Mary, Nagi-senpai, and Ibara. Maybe we can still perform in SS? Who knows, maybe time's stopped back home, and we’ll return to win! But I want that, 'cause you already have mine, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't.
[ His heart feels full hearing all of this, knowing Hiyori truly means it. They've already spoken about much of what they'd like to do back home, even before they were together! But he'd be lying to say he didn't want all of Hiyori's future, just as he's giving him.
When Hiyori turns serious, he knows it's real. Sure, Ohii-san is fussy, and needy and demands all of his attention, but as he's said before...! Jun could have tapped out at any time. His expression softens, a warm, fond smile spreading across his lips as he gazes at Hiyori filled with affection. ]
Don't really care what Hearts has in mind, Ohii-san. What we do shouldn't matter to 'em! But I get it, 'sides knowing shopping is your favourite hobby! And for your birthday, I wanted to pick out something nice, but guess it’s not really a surprise anymore, huh~?
[ It sounds like the "best idea" to him, too. Not because of the game, nothing ever has to do with the games this place throws at them. Jun wants to do it because he loves Hiyori, and wants to continue giving his best self every day. ]
I've got another lil' surprise for you, so you'd better be ready for it! ♪
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It makes Hiyori feel so good, in fact, that he's willing to consider that idea that time is stopped back home, even though it sounds preposterous. Can the House's magic really influence their world? Does this whole place exist outside of time somehow, even though there are birthday celebrations and a calendar and seasonal activities like beach parties? He doesn't know, but that would be best. And it'd make things simplest for when they return.
Which they will, one day, hand in hand. He'll make sure it happens somehow.]
Mm~♪ Maybe so. One way or another, I have faith that we'll win someday.
[A part of him wonders if that could be part of their wish: not just to go back home, but to go back to the time they were pulled from. If the House really does grant wishes. And if they completed their 52 boards. He hasn't really spent much time thinking about what-ifs like that, because he doesn't want to delude himself, and he figured that was an option that was closed to them, anyway. But given that loophole they now know about...
Well. Now isn't the time to talk about that.
Jun says he picked something out for him—that he has another gift for him besides the breakfast in bed. Which isn't a huge surprise, but Hiyori had gotten so wrapped up in their conversation that he forgot about gift-giving. He beams at Jun.]
Jun-kun has another gift he's been waiting to unveil, huh? Excellent! Let's—
[see it.
But he stops before he can finish, his eyes widening as he clues into Jun's meaning. Is he saying he already bought them?
Hiyori's tempted to just ask, but after a moment's pause, he just nods, feeling uncharacteristically shy all of a sudden, his heart lodged somewhere in his throat.]
... on second thought, since Jun-kun wants to surprise me, I'll close my eyes.
[And that he does, standing there expectantly with his eyes shut.]
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"I have faith we'll win someday." Hearing these words make Jun feel a comforting warmth, as if everything will be alright once they return home. Regardless of the circumstances, their fans would still want them to win SS, even if they knew about their time in a sex casino. Jun wonders if time has stopped back home, or if he's only avoiding the thought of how Ibara and Nagi-senpai are managing without them. Eden would likely need to go on hiatus, something he's sure Hiyori wouldn't want to think too deeply about. Perhaps Ibara and Nagisa are performing as Adam, keeping the excitement alive for Eden and, by extension, Eve, ensuring that fans still talk about them. ]
Right, you'd better keep your eyes closed ♪
[ It's nothing extravagant, especially in a place where you can buy almost anything. But it's something Jun made himself—simple yet heartfelt. He steps away briefly, retrieving the gift from its hidden spot in one of their drawers. With a warm smile, he hands the package to Hiyori. Though Hiyori can't see the fondness in Jun's eyes right now, he’ll notice it once he opens the gift. ]
Made it myself, so dunno if it's good... But you can open 'em now!
[ He'll move to place the gift in Hiyori's hands, waiting for his eyes to open.
And as for what's inside the wrapped package? Well, it's a hand-knitted blanket. Not that it's necessary in a place where everything is easily bought, Jun intended to offer Hiyori a touch of extra comfort. The blanket is near the shade closest to Hiyori's image colour, with some uneven edges. It's not perfectly knit by any means, with a few gaps near the bottom, but it reflects Jun's most recent efforts in relearning sewing and knitting. (With thanks to the Ugly Duckling University!) ]
You know how we sometimes cuddle on the couch together? Well, I sorta figured it’d be nice to have this. And I didn't wanna buy anything, 'cause I think this'd show off my feelings better ♪
[ Of course, he’ll wait until Hiyori unwraps the gift, but he’s excitedly waiting to tell him all about it. ]
It's even got a lil' 'H' sewn into the bottom, 'cause it's all yours ~ ♪
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Now it's still fun, but the sense of anticipation is different; he feels like a schoolkid waiting to receive Valentine's chocolate from the classmate they love. He's not expecting any one thing in particular, and yet he can't help the way his brain buzzes with possibilities. Did Jun get them matching jewelry or "promise rings"? If so, how did he know his measurement? Did Jun secretly measure his ring finger while he slept, the way the heroine's boyfriend did in a drama he watched back home?? Sneaky Jun-kun! He never knew he had it in him!
He closes his eyes, his cheeks lightly flushed. As he's waiting there with his hands outstretched, Jun announces his return, placing a package in them. Even before he opens his eyes, he realizes it's too big, too bulky to be a box with a ring in it. So what did Jun buy him?
As it turns out, nothing. Jun's gift to him is something he made himself, not something he bought. Hiyori looks surprised to hear it, but not in a bad way.]
Now I'm really curious.
[He tears off the wrapping and opens the package. What he finds inside is some soft knitting. Is it a sweater? No, he realizes, it's a blanket. He turns it over in his hands, looking mesmerized. It's not that he's shocked by the quality, but rather by the effort that surely went into it. Jun has knit small items for Mary before, but he's never taken on a big project like this, has he? And yet he completed it without Hiyori even noticing. He really is sneaky.
He looks up at his partner to find him smiling softly as he talks about cuddling; how he knitted the blanket so they could snuggle together underneath it. It's such a cute explanation, sugary sweet like birthday cake, that it sends his heart fluttering. Even without the chill brought on by his connection with Esikko, this blanket would seem like just the thing he needs. And as Jun talks about the stitching he did at the end, sounding proud of himself, Hiyori loses the ability to hold back.]
So this is Jun-kun's handiwork, hmm? ♪
[His eyes briefly drop down to the blanket, looking it over for another moment, before he smiles at Jun again.]
Very impressive! But it looks like you missed a letter.
[He speaks without a trace of admonishment. Smiling ear to ear, he shifts the blanket to his free hand and steps forward to throw his arms around Jun, draping the blanket over Jun's back. He presses their foreheads together and continues,]
It's missing a J, since this is a gift for both of us. When I'm wrapped up in Jun-kun and the blanket, I'm sure I'll feel twice as warm ♪ Just as Jun-kun will feel even more warm when he's cuddling me! That's what it means to share warmth! ♪
[With that, he closes his eyes, tucking his head against the side of Jun's face, his voice lowering to a heartfelt murmur.]
... thanks, Jun-kun.
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That's why there's a hint of nervousness as he hands over something he made himself. He's not a professional at all, the stitching isn't perfect, with the "H" being off by an inch or two. But it's brimming with love and care, reflecting Jun's personality just as much. (Besides, he had been thinking about buying them rings, and he can do that any day he likes!) But this was the first big project he had worked on. While knitting something Mary's size was easier, this took time and effort, and he wanted to put in the effort to see it through to the end. ]
Yep, all my handiwork! Pretty proud I got it done ♪
[ He seems prouder, chest puffing out a little as the motivation behind his actions becomes clear. Knitting from scratch hadn't been easy, there were times when he wanted to give up, thinking the project was bigger than planned. But wanting Hiyori to enjoy the gift, something filled with love, made the blood, sweat and tears worth it.
Jun looks a little confused by Hiyori's wording. Did he miss a letter? Nope, the H is right there! Unless he should have added a T for his last name!
Oh, that's what Hiyori meant.
He pulls Hiyori closer, rubbing their noses together as he feels the blanket around his shoulders. When Hiyori moves his head down, Jun moves his head down a little, pressing a short, soft kiss against his forehead. ]
Seems like I've got more sewing to do ♪ Though that'll hafta wait, 'cause we got a blanket to break in first! Well, I mean at least Ohii-san wants to share the warmth.
[ A blush blooms on his cheeks, feeling the shared warmth radiate between them. It's nice, having this, and wanting more. ]
You're welcome, Ohii-san. I'm glad ya like it ♪
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Mm~♪ Whenever I'm with Jun-kun, all the cold seems to melt away.
[He stands with his arms still looped around Jun's neck, his voice full of warmth. After how the past week has gone, Jun can surely understand those words' significance; Hiyori has been shivering from cold, wearing a winter jacket everywhere, and his skin's still unnaturally cool to the touch. He's been in pain, too. But Jun's been there with him through all of it, serving as his personal heater, and in more ways than just physical. Whenever he feels cold and alone, and when he broke down in tears after that nightmare two nights ago, Jun is there to remind him that things are alright. That he's not alone and he has love in his life.
He continues,]
I've been thinking "Jun-kun is just like a blanket" for a while now, actually. Almost like a security blanket. So your gift couldn't be more fitting.
[Like Jun's poster of Jin Sagami. Funny, how Hiyori has lightly teased him about that before. How Hiyori has teased Jun about needing him, about being a helpless (but adorable) kouhai who needs his guidance, when it's Hiyori who needs him. But all he can do is accept the simple truth. He needs Jun, which is why he'll hold onto him forever.
He untucks his head so he can look Jun in the eye again, still smiling, but speaking seriously.]
But I don't want to hog all the warmth. I'd rather bask in it together. And that's why I want to promise that one day, the two of us will feel real sunlight again. That we'll escape this place and live out our dreams.
[Not artificial sun. Not an "artificial view."]
Since that's my promise to Jun-kun, perhaps we should buy promise rings. You can even call it my wedding vow, as hopelessly cheesy as that sounds.
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His thumb caresses Hiyori's soft cheek, wanting to bring further warmth to his body, which seems to be the only way Jun can. Realising the depth of those words, his smile grows wider, manoeuvring downward, placing another kiss flat against Hiyori's temple. It serves as a reminder that despite the suffering Hiyori's been through, the cold, pain and nightmares, he'll be here forever. ]
That's what you've been thinkin', huh~? Well, good thing I've just been thinking just the same thing ♪ But until a lil' while ago, I thought I was relyin' on the poster for comfort, so turns out I got the feeling all wrong.
[ Funny how things work out, through it all they've become one another's security blankets. At first, Jun believed it was the reason for his anxiousness, why he couldn't sleep without the comforting presence of Jin watching over them. But those sleeping patterns changed, whenever they shared a hotel room, and here a bed.
It's a rather good thing he won't hold it to Hiyori, with the shoe on the other foot, he's feeling fairly smug about the turn of events. Feeling wanted and wanting to be wanted are two different matters, and wanting to be guided through the dreary, dark alleyway has turned out for the better. ]
We promised already, didn't we? We'll spend all our time in the real sun, seeing all sorta new things together! Not to mention whenever I'm with you, it feels like my dreams bein' realised in all sorts of ways.
[ But truly, he's sick and tired of the artificial sun, the artificial view of the world. This wasn't part of their shared dream, not the sort of view Jun had mentioned to Hiyori during SS. He looks back into Hiyori's eyes, a line of pink dusting his cheeks when bringing up their aforementioned promise rings. Maybe it's something he should have gifted Hiyori with, after their conversation, but he still hadn't wanted to jump the gun so soon after. ]
And here I'd thought Ohii-san forgot all 'bout 'em ♪ Jokes aside, maybe we should. I mean, it woulda sounded cheesy months ago, not gonna lie. But now? A wedding vow sounds like a mighty fine idea.
[ A promise one day, whenever said day might arrive. It's something he would've vetted and complained about months ago, but having the person you're willing to spend the rest of your life with is a commitment worth committing to. ]
And on top of that, it's gonna be my promise, too. Sorta like a mini-proposal for life ♪
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You were thinking the same thing, huh?
[Seeing him as a security blanket, just like the Jin poster. That's what Jun means, isn't it?
Normally he'd tease Jun over such an admission. "Ahaha, Jun-kun would be so hopeless without me!" Right now, however, he feels no such urge. Instead he just feels glad. What a relief this is. He's been afraid, lately, that he might have gotten too clingy. That he'll suffocate Jun and make him feel smothered. It's the last thing he wants, but he's just so afraid of losing him. So afraid that he'll wake up and find him gone, or that he'll message him and won't get a reply. That he'll find Jun's statue, like he did during his dream. Hiyori relies on Jun to keep him grounded, to make him happy, and to take care of him. He'd fall apart without him, especially after how the past week has went.
So it's a relief to hear again that Jun sees him as someone he can rely on. Even in this place, even after this week. Not a burden, but someone to keep him warm and help him feel secure. Like a blanket. Relying on Jun one-sidedly wouldn't be any good. But if they can rely on each other, and keep each other secure, then that's not being a burden. That's being "partners."
Which is what they are, now and forever.
Still. His brows do jump and his heart stutters when Jun says, "Maybe we should." Followed by "A wedding vow seems like a mighty fine idea." He hastily says,]
Well, even now it's still cheesy.
[But.
He knocks their foreheads together again and continues, speaking in a rush.]
But well, some people are actually doing that sort of thing. I heard the staff talking about it the last time I went out—how there's been an "uptick in weddings" since the Hearts game started.
[His cheeks turn a bit pinker.]
I'm not saying we should join in. Obviously it wouldn't be the same as a real wedding. But, well... I guess if we're already doing matching rings, and we've already promised each other the future, then we're more or less halfway there, anyway.
[He pauses, still blushing. And then, at last, he clears his throat and announces the following:]
So I guess what I'm saying is: I accept your mini-proposal! ♪
[Another pause.]
Or I would if you did have a ring. But since you don't, I'll accept this cozy blanket!
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[ He hums happily against Hiyori, nodding after. Seeing him as a security blanket is what Jun means, a comfort when things are bleak. That's the sort of person Hiyori's become to him.
But life sometimes hits with so much uncertainty, he'd been met with so much before finally coming to terms with his feelings. From then on, Jun can't begin to explain how drawn he's become to affection, a feeling he once thought he could never embrace. Despite the reservations, Jun finds it almost too easy, realising he can no longer live without Hiyori. He'd be afraid of admitting the truth, but something tells him Hiyori feels the same.
Maybe it's how Hiyori knocks their foreheads together, mentioning it's still cheesy, and speaking in a rush. His heart stutters, for only a second, while still thumbing his finger across Hiyori's cheek, grinning. ]
We're not like "some people" just doin' it for some game, are we? And I'm not sayin' we should, just 'cause everyone else is. But, well, we sorta are already there, aren't we?
[ But something about Hiyori announcing it, has this feeling even more real. They'd been dancing around the subject a little, since the first time it came up, hadn't they? And there's Hiyori again, saying more eloquently than Jun ever could. ]
Nothing's stopping me from goin' out and getting one right now, Ohii-san. If ya wanna, dunno... make it official? But I'm pretty sure proposals are meant to be some huge secret, something you're not supposed to know yet! Or maybe it'll just be our secret right now! And, well, I'm not 'boutta show my hand so soon ♪
[ The words haven't sunk in properly yet, feeling closer to a high than anything else. Hiyori accepts his mini-proposal, and Jun hugs him tighter, pressing their noses together. ]
But one day we'll have a proper, real wedding—whenever ya want! So how's that sound?
[ Ideally, when they're back home in Japan with friends and family, Jun doesn't care whether their careers are declining. It's a promise for their future, so there's never any doubt he's not all in. ]
delivery.
a piece of paper taped to the lid appears to have just been torn off the complimentary pads provided in the more generic suites. written on it in a hand that is certainly not that of an illiterate man is a list of ingredients, nice and normal and not spiked in the slightest. at the bottom, it merely reads happy birthday, followed first by a half-hearted, heavy handed scribble, then by kirma's name in a fancy script, decorated with a drawn pawprint and ears. it is impossible to say if he had any part in the creative direction of this.
all this to say: happy birthday to his favorite (and only) "coworker." hopefully you didn't get too cursed, buddy. )
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But the comeuppance never comes. He doesn't feel cursed. And when he receives a delivery first thing in the morning, it's from Jin Mingming, not the House. A lovely-looking gift that fits him like a glove. She even threw in something for Jun-kun!
He's still wary he'll receive something else from the House later, which means he's highly suspicious of the second delivery. So what if it looks like a cookie tin? Perhaps the cookies were poisoned! Or, more likely, drugged with aphro. But he reads the attached note before he opens the lid, and that earns a big eyebrow raise.
With its adorable embellishments, that signature is fit to be an idol's. It tells him who the gift is allegedly from. Though who exactly wrote it when Kirma's supposed to be illiterate...?
Oh well. It doesn't matter, he supposes. It's the thought that counts.]
He'd be such a good, cute boy if not for that other stuff.
[But again, oh well. Now's not the time to dwell on the prince's recent kidnapping! Or the other kidnapping, or the whole arm-breaking scandal. He calls out to Jun.]
Jun-kun, look! There are cookies! These seem like they'll go perfectly well with tea, so let's brew some~ ♪
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Thanks for the delicious gift!
Also, cute username change! And signature! 🐾
@wildflower ; backdated to hiyori's nightmare
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When he does read the message the next day, sometime after breakfast, he grimaces. Esikko hadn't said anything about his tears earlier in the week! Whatever happened to silent support? But it figures that he'd say something now, after having his sleep interrupted. Not that Hiyori feels too bad about that given what Esikko's been putting him through...]
Nope, no one. There's nobody trying to kidnap me or cut my chest open.
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Well, what you were picturing was wrong! No one's troubling me.
[.....]
Remember what I said about "Who's next?"
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He feels like the "friend" answer would be yes, but he's trying so hard to think of what that's in context to and struggling to come up with it. )
Maybe you should remind me, anyway.
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That's it, more or less.
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I have herbs that can prevent dreams, if you find yourself having too many nightmares.
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Thanks.
[Another pause.]
I don't normally have nightmares. But I've been worried ever since you said that stuff about energy, to be honest. I guess all those worries finally caught up. So, what you said putting off miserable thoughts might not have been too wrong.
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So, there are people who will listen to your worries, too. I guess. To prevent them from overwhelming you.
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["Of course." Nothing and no one could've calmed him down until he had proof that Jun was alive.]
He told me he knows about someone who came back from being a statue. So, that's some information for you.
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That is good to know, actually. So it's not a permanent death sentence, or anything.
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Apparently not! I'd heard about that person from someone else, actually, though I didn't know he was a statue. I just knew he disappeared for three months, his room got cleaned out, and he came back with no memory of where he was. I thought it was the same deal as Rinne-senpai, where he just disappeared into a void for a bit, but apparently he was a statue during that time.
Don't take this the wrong way, though. I haven't decided it's okay for that to happen to Jun-kun just because there's a chance he might come back later. That would be unforgivably careless. So, we'll figure something out.
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Of course. It's just reassuring to know that if it were to happen, there's a way to bring him back. Or anyone else, for that matter.
Is that all that's been bothering you? You were upset before. Some time ago. I thought it best to leave you be.
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And yep, pretty much! If you really want the full list of things that are bothering me, it looks something like this!
1. Stress over what you said
2. Stress over what Jin Mingming said
3. Stress over what Vil-kun said
4. Constant pain and exhaustion, thanks to our connection!
5. Lack of sleep, because me and Jun-kun have a bird who's always chirping!
That's it. But I'd say that's more than enough, wouldn't you?
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Did you know that I can't fall asleep once I've been woken for the night?
( like, say, for example... by crying fits?? )
Do you realize how selfish your complaints sound?
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Sorry, I forgot Esikko-kun doesn't have anything like a partner here, so he doesn't have to worry about anyone except himself!
Though I hope you'd spare at least a little concern for your friend who's letting you sleep in his room.
Anyway, I can't control what I dream about. And I didn't know you're a light sleeper because you never said so! If you're that sensitive to disruption, I'm not sure why you suggested this whole thing. I know it's supposedly because of the string, but I think we both know that's not the real reason.
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Who says I don't have anything like a partner here? Just because I'm not obtusely refusing to play this forced game doesn't mean that. You don't know anything. My concern for him is none of your business, either.
I don't know what you're trying to say with that last comment, either. Of course it was for the string.
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[So that's why he was asking questions about love that one time. It all comes to together!
As do a lot of other things about Esikko, in his opinion.]
You really expect me to believe that was the whole reason? Not that you wanted someone else to have to walk in your shoes for a change? Walk in your shoes, see how much you've been suffering, offer to share that pain, and show sympathy for you. No interest in any of that, huh?
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There is nothing to congratulate, stop that. Stop assuming things.
( Is he ignoring the direct call out, too? Yes. )
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And all that other stuff was obvious from the start! The only thing I wasn't sure of was the sympathy part, since I sort of get the feeling it makes you uncomfortable whenever anyone feels bad for you. But that could just mean it's an "I want it, but at the same time, I don't want it!" sort of deal. We nobles have our own pride, so I understand why it's hard to accept things like sympathy.
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In any case, I don't see why you're going on about any of this when if I did the same to you, you'd deflect and change the subject even more aggressively. Should I admit to my feelings, just for you to say "okay!" and move on like they're nothing?
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[Is he being obnoxious on purpose at this point? Yes he is! Next question!]
When did I say they're nothing? You just love to assume the worst! Not that I can blame you, what with everything you've got going on.
Anyway, I just told you some of my feelings, didn't I? I didn't change any subjects! We can talk about both our feelings! 💚🩷 Both our partners!
Or we can just stop here, I guess. It's hard to type on this thing when my fingers always feel numb. I'm not sure how you do it.
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Even his anger is struggling to come through with the intense fear of abandonment he has twisting in his gut. )
When it's all you've known, you become used to things like that. It is more difficult sometimes than others.
( He doesn't even know what to say to address, or dodge, the other stuff. Feels sick just trying. So, he leaves it as that. )
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And hopefully he can help calm your anxieties a bit, too. Don't tell anyone this, but sometimes when I feel anxious, Jun-kun will sing me a lullaby until I feel better. That's the sort of thing partners are good for!
[He's just bragging now...]
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No one has ever sung me a lullaby, and I'd hardly want it now.
I only have so much time left. In the end, my feelings are nothing. I don't care about that.
( Yes he does. )
I suppose I'm happy for you, though. It must be nice to have the support. Has he helped you through this? If I've made you grow a little closer, I deserve some credit, you know.
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We were already close without your help, thanks! And I can tell you he doesn't see things that way.
[Jun was very mad when he first saw the state that Hiyori was in. Even though Hiyori did admit that he agreed to the whole feelings connection thing. Jun's never had a positive reaction to anything he told him about Esikko, come to think of it. In fact, when Hiyori told him that someone here witnessed a murder but couldn't say who did it, he was all, "You know that sounds hella suspicious, right?" As though Esikko-kun did it himself! Which, well—Hiyori can't blame him, since even he wouldn't believe someone could be such a misfortune magnet if he hadn't met Esikko for himself and heard (parts of) his tragic life story!
But anyway.]
But going back to what you said about "not having much time left" - are you sure about that? I mean, I know why you'd feel that way, since living with your illness is just awful. But this place can bring people back from the dead, according to you. And there are all sorts of people with healing magic here.
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My body can only take so much, and I've become well aware of its limits.
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I wasn't saying you should die and get revived.
[But, well. Maybe the clinic could heal him somehow? Even though Hiyori would not want to trust the medical staff here himself...]
What about your wish? I'm still not convinced that whole thing isn't a scam, but you are playing that 52 game, right? And you don't seem too keen on using your wish to go home. Maybe you can ask them to cure you!
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Do you think the House can stand against the gods cursing me? I'm not so certain. I'll carve my own way out, to wherever I do want to go.
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Well, you *do* seem pretty cursed here, so I guess not.
But you also sound like you have a plan. So, that's good. Do whatever you need to do, I guess.
[Then, after a pause:]
By the way, I have a question about this connection thing! Did you ever figure out how compatible our souls are? You must have an answer by now, right?
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It's not quantifiable, but... If we were incompatible, the link wouldn't have worked so well at all. For it to last this long, too, has implications of similarities at some level.
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[Keep telling yourself that, buddy.]
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Are you so sure about that? Well, but the magic doesn't spell it out for me, so perhaps you should sit down and think about it for a while if you're so curious.
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✨☀️✨😊✨💚✨🎶✨🌻✨
^ My personality is like that, but yours isn't the same at all! You're more of a 😔, 🌫️ and 🌦️ type!
And then instead of a sunflower, you'd probably be something like a rose with a thorn on a stem. I guess I might be rose-like in some ways too, though. I *am* beautiful like one.
All the sparkles are literal, by the way. Recently I found out what my soul looked like. It was sparkly like that!
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If we're choosing flowers, I'd much prefer to be loosestrife. However, I do enjoy them all in their own ways, so I'll take that, thorn and all, as a compliment.
Who is it that can see your soul in that way?
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Loosestrife, huh? That sounds nice. As long as you don't mean the purple kind. Then it's an invasive species!
And it was Weiss-chan who taught me how to bear my soul like that. She said it's called an Aura, but it sounds like the same thing as a soul. The good news is that when it's active, it can warm you right up like a blanket! Which is a wonderful help while I'm dealing with this emotional link thing! I can't always get it to work properly, though. She said you need to have a "calm mind" for it to work.
I do feel calm right now, though, so perhaps it'd be best just to show you. If you share it with someone else, it can warm them up, too! And we still have that "Hearts task" left to do, don't we? The one you were so keen on doing with me last time!
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You were able to learn some type of magic like that after just one meeting?
Well, I am curious about that, now. So. We should finish it up.
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That's the thing, she said it's not magic! But she also said it can heal minor scrapes and bruises, which sounds an awful lot like magic if you ask me.
And great! I'll just pass our bird to Jun-kun and head over! Though I'm not quite sure where I'm headed to. Maybe we can meet at a bench somewhere? Unless there's somewhere specific you wanted to do this cuddling thing.
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Anyway, let's meet in the gardens. There's a number of benches there.
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And sure! Just make sure the bench is stationed far away from any suspicious-looking flowers, alright?
[He means the sex pollen ones. And with that, he's off!
He's not as prompt as he would be if he weren't fighting pain and exhaustion every step of the way. But he gets to the Cloud-Dwelling garden before too long, wearing one of the winter coats he and Jun found inside the flower maze back in April. Assuming Esikko's already there, he'll be checking the benches for him.]
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It's when he's close enough that he recognizes the string reacts differently to his plucks, shortening in distance. So, he glances over to him, stuck on that dramatic coat for just a moment before he pats the spot next to him. )
This spot works, doesn't it?
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Yep. This seems like a good view.
[He doesn't feel miserable, either, Esikko will notice. His worries haven't all washed away but they've receded, his emotions calm. He sits next to Esikko on the bench and then gets right to business.]
So!
[He faces Esikko.]
As far as that Aura thing goes, I need to be touching you to share it anyway, so I guess you can go ahead and lean on me. I'm wearing this cushy winter coat, so it just makes sense! Your head will be nice and comfortable~♪ And that'll satisfy the whole string challenge thing, which is what you'd call a double-win in my book.
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Well, the coat is fluffy and comfortable, at least. )
The more you make this sound like a business transaction, the less I like it. Just so you know.
( He doesn't know what he'd prefer, but he knows this is just awkward. )
Alright, let's see it.
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[Poor Esikko-kun. Hiyori's been too irritated with him to muster much sympathy in the past week or so, but now he can manage. Everything's always miserable in his life, and his emotions are dreary to match. But he has something like a partner here, so it's not always terrible, is it?
Maybe he can be taught to appreciate the little things. Like a lovely garden view, or sharing warmth with someone else. Hiyori lies his head on top of his, then reaches for Esikko's hand. Weiss took his hand when she shared her own warmth and taught him how to do this, so that's what he should do too, right?
"Think of something that will make you calm and happy." That's what she told him, and so that's what he does, recalling the same lullaby from Jun he used last time.]
♪~♪~♪
[He hums along to the memory softly, and after a moment his Aura activates. It manifests as a glow that envelopes him—the appearance depends on the person, apparently, and his is almost blindingly bright and sparkly. The brightest she'd ever seen, she said! That glow brings warmth along with it, starting from their joined hands, spreading from palms to fingertips and then traveling up their arms. It settles over their heads like a blanket. Hiyori opens his eyes.]
See? Like that! ♪
[That bright and dazzling glow fades away after a moment, but the warmth doesn't leave with it.]
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This is most certainly magic...
( His voice is soft, though, fond, and he lets his hand rest back down, the other one still nestled easily in Hiyori's hold. )
To me, anyway. Magic varies from person to person, so it makes sense that any sort of projection you create would be unique like this. Hmm, what does it use... Does it take some energy? A little bit of stamina, perhaps?
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That's what I thought! But if it is, that would mean I can do magic now, correct?
[And that thought sure is a doozy. Not that he dislikes it.
In response to the question about stamina,]
I'm not really sure! She did say it can drain, though. And that it drains faster when I'm sharing it with people. So maybe it does take stamina.
[He pauses, still leaning against Esikko, still basking in the newfound work. It doesn't completely drive away the bone-deep chill, but it feels like sweet relief every time, akin to coming indoors after being outside in the cold. And it feels like that for Esikko, too, doesn't it? He continues,]
I feel like it's also a matter of will, though. For example, just now I wanted to share my warmth with you, so I willed it into existence. Which is exactly what I've always wanted to do. Or it's who I want to be, rather: someone like the sun, who can drive away all the cold and darkness in the world.
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( It's unusually soft, coming from Esikko, but his suit has been flaring up off and on, and his emotions are in knots. Knots of feelings that have always had the capability to show themselves, but have normally done so in far more unhinged manners. This resort is simultaneously a whole new expanse of worlds opened up to him, and a gilded cage.
Right now, there's this strange juxtaposition of sadness and relief that he can't explain. He doesn't know why it's coming here, with Hiyori, in response to some foreign magic that's nearly wholly useless. It's showy, it's... warm, and it's nice, and it's almost comforting. Useless...?
His heart aches with loneliness even as a small, genuine smile persists, his eyes closing from his own exhaustion. Like this, maybe he can pretend that he's with anyone that he wants to be trying to share warmth with him, with any of the backs he's been chasing for one reason or another. But Hiyori is one of those too, in a way— the false idea of a "friend" that doesn't quite seem right. Familiar, in a way, to one or two relationships from home, to people close to him physically, but only out of obligation.
He thinks that, maybe, he needs to start showing his own worth a little more, to make sure these scraps of company don't vanish completely. )
But your music at the beach was like that, too, you know. ( Kind, from him? His voice is barely above a whisper. ) It felt a little like magic. Not anything like when you speak.
( A light jab, all things considered, to offset the oddity of his kind words. )
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The prince's voice sounds softer than usual. Hiyori glances at him, but mainly just sees the top of his head at this angle (blond roots included). Despite the connection, he can't quite grasp what Esikko's feeling. There's some underlying sadness somewhere in there, but at least he doesn't seem worried at the moment, and that's good. While they're like this, it'd be best if he could let his worries melt away.
It comes as a surprise when Esikko brings up the beach concert, the complimenting triggering a little burst of happiness and pride.]
So you were dazzled! ♪
[He sounds audibly pleased to go along with it.]
That just makes it sound like there's something wrong with the way I talk! But I do think songs are the universal language. They have the power to reach people's hearts, lift up their spirits, and speak to something inside themselves that they might not have known how to express. All that could be considered a kind of magic, I suppose. I know that's someone's motto...
[He thinks of "that" unit while staring down at his hand, examining his two remaining gold strings.]
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I do enjoy it, when I can. Could, really... I wasn't allowed out of the palace very often, but music travels a fair amount of distance, so I could hear it from the window during celebrations or festivals.
( He also hums sometimes, when he's writing in his journal, when he's alone, when he wants to focus, or get his mind off of something. But never in company. )
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Still.]
Well, here you can listen from up close! It's just a shame there's no proper stage, let alone a concert arena. They seem to offer every kind of entertainment except that. I know there's that dance club, but the music there is a bit too loud if you ask me.
[He sighs in disapproval.
Before immediately imbuing his voice with some more pep.]
But that just means we idols have to make our own entertainment. And I'm able to turn absolutely anywhere into a stage ♪ I'll just have to keep you posted about our next activities!
@edelstein | text
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Though I'm not sure how much that stuff interests you, since you don't even seem to know basic things. Like that people turn into statues when they disappear, or that different suits come with different side effects. Which just makes it sound like you haven't done any digging, so on second thought, disregard!
Anyway, what makes you want to know? Do you want ammo for bullying? Are you concerned for him as a friend? Or might it be 💖❤️💖✨~love~✨💖❤️💖?
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Either you give me the specifics and I give you a demonstration, or we're done talking.
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But as for the specifics, it feels wrong to share them when I don't know your motivation. If you are concerned for him as a friend, why not ask him yourself?
"I heard you were crying. Is everything alright? You're not hurt, are you?"
^ Like so!
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I'll just say that if you're worried someone's hurting or bullying him, it wasn't quite like that.
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But that's good to know, I suppose. Most people look lovelier with a smile on their face. I'm sure that includes you.
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Anyway, good luck finding something else to bribe me with.
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Yep, thanks! Good luck having that conversation with Fuuta-kun!
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Bye.
@edelstein | text
The new arrival is my sister, and I want you to refrain from talking to her about magic as much as you can feasibly manage. If you promise to do this I'll show you my magecraft.
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First of all, I'm sorry to hear it.
[He tries to imagine his older brother being here, and nope. Done thinking about it!]
Just your magic, or all magic? I can promise either way, but it strikes me as a fool's errand to keep her away from all magic. Almost everyone can do it here. Even I've learned a little bit.
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It's incredibly complicated, but she wasn't properly raised in the craft, so don't rub salt in her wound. I do that enough by just existing in the same space as her.
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[He'll pass on getting involved in any sibling rivalries.]
Very well. I won't mention it! I'll simply say, "Yep, I've heard of Rin Tohsaka! Very serious personality, but she looks out for her friends! Now, how about we go get some ice cream?"
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Let me know when you have time to meet me in the large open athletic courts. I'll show you one specific type of the craft, but it requires space.
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Also, you *do* swear this isn't a trap, correct? You're just paying back your debt or what-have-you?
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And the only reason you agreed to meet with me last time was so I'd treat you to sweets, correct? And so you could prove me wrong about being an old warlock.
But if you just want to show off and prove that you can go toe-to-toe with gods and immortal ghosts, that's perfectly alright. I don't have much competitive spirit, but it's fun to see other people get fired up!
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[It's not, really, but it's a good excuse.]
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See you there! Let me just grab my air freshener!
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He waves from a distance when he spots Rin, calling out across the court.]
Yoo-hoo! ♪ I'm here to see some magic! But first let me pull up a chair...♪
[And then he claims the nearest folding chair, turning it to face her. He's keeping his distance, though it's not out of suspicion—he just remembers when she implied that her magic was oh-so-dangerous and he might not want to get too close to it. Back when he thought she was an old warlock!]
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You're not going to want to sit for this. You may end up being unable to dodge if you're stationary. What if some stray debris came after you?
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Debris?
[He raises his brows. Is she all talk as usual?]
You're not planning to blow up the place, are you?
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[She raises her left arm, and he'll see blue marks start to glow. Hard-edged geometric patterns appear from her wrist to her elbow. Her family's crest encompasses the entire arm, but she only needs to fill certain pathways with magical energy for what she's doing.]
This is a Crest. It is both an archive and an organ that gets handed down from heir-to-heir in a mage family. The longer the bloodline lasts the more extensive the crest. These markings hold spells that need only magical energy. Because of this Crest there are spells that I can use without circle or incantation. The spell I will show you today is gandr. Originally a low-level curse meant to cause minor physical ailment in its target to weaken them. However, if you condense and layer the curse you create something much more... dangerous. Now I have great aim, but it's not a precision spell. You shouldn't put yourself in the potential splash-zone.
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But then his brow furrows as he tries to absorb that whole infodump.]
So you're from the same world as Hilda-chan, huh.
[That's what he assumes, after hearing about something called a Crest being passed down through a bloodline. He eyes her somewhat dubiously and says,]
You know, you don't need to show me. If your magic is that ruinous, then you might just land us both in trouble. I know you're all about "equivalent exchanges," but I haven't done anything for you yet. If you insist on making things "equal," though, you could always treat me to sweets sometime. I've treated you before, so that would be a truly equal exchange, would it not?
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[He still hasn't risen from his folding chair, so Rin takes the liberty of standing next to him. A hand settled on the metal backrest as she waits for his reply.
He's not aware of her martial arts prowess, either. So he can't possibly know that if she doesn't like his answer she can just yank the chair from under him, and dump Hiyori on the ground like a rag-doll who so rudely stole her spot in musical chairs.]
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No, nothing to fess up to.
[It sounds sincere enough. He did kind of make fun of her to Dabi, but that's how he talks about everyone, so it doesn't occur to him that she might've seen that and gotten mad.]
It's just that you're behaving somewhat suspiciously, that's all! And you said that thing about destroying the court, which seems excessive if you asked me. There was some pretty powerful magic on display at the Showcase, but none of those demonstrations did any damage. Do you not have much control over yours?
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So the hand on the back of the metal folding chair grips it with some force, and she yanks it up and tilts it to force him to fall out of the seat. Dumping him like a bag of unwanted spare parts.]
Nothing? Truly, nothing? Oh, why don't I jog your memory then?
[It seems like she's ignoring question in favor of her own round of grilling him.]
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[Now this he didn't expect. Despite the air of menace, he had no idea about her strength; she's a petite young woman, after all. And so he does fall out of the chair, landing on his knees.]
What was that for? I haven't done anything to you!
[He whirls around to face her, already staggering to his feet.]
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[She smiles in his direction, but it's the same smile she'd give to her fellow schoolmate Makidera when the girl would talk shit about her. The kind of smile that serves more as a glare. The kind of smile that's sharper than daggers piercing the skin. A threat.]
Oh, and I'm glad you're finally standing.
[In a flash she has her finger pointed at him. A dark, roiling mass forms at the tip — its wavering outline glowing red. When she lets the magic fly it hits near his feet and scorches the ground. A small bit of smoke rises from the spot showing that she could have blasted off his foot if she wanted to.]
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[He blinks, looking totally bewildered. She's throwing a lot of words around, and he has no clue what she's saying. "Sentient beings?" "Beasts?" That whole Network thing with Aak was over a month ago, and he hasn't thought about it since.
But he'd better start thinking fast, because she's pointing a magical finger right at him. He holds up his hands.]
First of all—
[Then she blasts it at his feet, and he leaps backwards, face flashing with alarm.]
First of all, why do you care what I think? I thought my opinions meant nothing to you! And second of all, what are you talking about?
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[She aims again. The curse developing at the tip of her index finger once more. This time she holds it. Waiting for his reaction. She wants to know if he'll hold his ground or retreat.]
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[Recognition dawns when he hears the name "Aak." He huffs and crosses his arms.]
I just wanted him to stop harassing me! He came out of nowhere and said these crude things about me, even though I'd already made it clear I wasn't interested. And he made a gross threat about my partner, and one of the girls here warned me that he likes to drug people. He seems like an absolute creep. If he can't handle being rejected, then he shouldn't have said those gross things first!
[He's so busy complaining that he hardly notices she's still threatening him.]
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Oh, I don't care what he may have said. My problem is that your statement made a judgment call not about Aak himself, but the people who happened to have been with him before. You really don't consider what you say before it comes out of your mouth, do you? I'm not surprised he made comments about your boyfriend. Someone needs to teach you a lesson about what comes out of that mouth of yours.
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But there are rarely any consequences in this place. He's one of the people who told her that. So all he can do is shrink away, staring at her with a mixture of wariness and incredulous disbelief.]
Let me put it this way. If someone you'd already turned down started harassing you, and then threatened to go after your sister, would you insult him? Or would you hold back for fear of offending the people he's slept with? Keep in mind this is a one-on-one conversation, which should mean it's just between you two.
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[Tohsaka begins closing the distance between them — her ponytail swaying behind her with every step.]
Perhaps instead of chasing you with magic bullets I should be melting your mouth shut. That's not as serious as murder, right? I'd just get a slap on the wrist. Maybe a sternly worded... what is it called? E-mail? "DM"? Either way, you're going to have to entertain me until I'm not as pissed anymore. Got it? And I'm showing you my magic at the same time! We both win~
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Not that he's stupid enough to say that out loud. His lip curls when she threatens him rather graphically—he's still not sure if she means it, but at this point, it's starting to seem like she might! So what does he do?
Play dumb, that's what! If he acts like this is just a normal friendly interaction, then she might just start to see it that way too. Gradually, the tension will dissolve before she's even noticed. He'll take the wind out of her sails with his cheeriness! That's the plan!]
I'd be happy to brainstorm new insults sometime! But what exactly do you mean by entertainment? Do you want a song and dance? Or would you like to see my magic? I don't know if you know Weiss-chan, but she helped me unlock the power of my soul~♪
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By entertainment I mean this: you screaming for my mercy while I toy with you. Scurry about, little bug! I'm about to take out my frustrations on you ♥
[With a flourish and flick of her wrist she sets off another magic bullet. The condensed curse whizzes by Hiyori, singing the tips of his hair, before barreling into the far-off wall and creating a small hole. A bit of smoke rises from the scorched bit, and some people start leaving the courts close to the running track to avoid becoming injured bystanders.]
I'm giving you a chance to run, but if you don't I'll just have to catch you and find another way to play.
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It worked when Fuuta cornered him in a treehouse a few weeks ago: all he had to do was yap. And it worked way back on the day of his arrival, when his new "wife" threatened him—all he had to do was turn the other cheek and show her some kindness, rather than keep insulting her. But alas, nothing will work on this girl, who shoots off another magic thingamajig, and—
Did that just make contact with his hair?!
Something sure smells like it's burning close to his face. The cheer vanishes from his face, and he brings up his arms. He moves back half a step, his heart lurching. What's she talking about? She wants him to scream and run? It's honestly tempting to do just that!
But instead, he forcibly digs his heel into the ground, steeling his expression and standing rooted to the spot.]
That sounds like a pain, so if you're going to shoot me, just do it.
[His hand curls near his pocket where he's carrying the small cannister of air freshener. Idly he wonders if he could spray it in her eye, or if it's a lost cause. But he'd rather not do anything violent to a girl, so what does that leave him with?]
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[She considers her options. What else could she do to him that would be harmless, yet fun? Perhaps she could blast a hole in the floor and watch the shock on his face when he falls though to the room below? Or maybe she could alter his gravity just enough that he flies off into the ceiling like a lost balloon, and have him beg and scream to be let down again?
Tohsaka frowns as her blue eyes give him a disappointed once-over.]
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[Especially ones who singe his hair, which is on par with committing a war crime.
But we can hold that thought for later. Soon the rest of her words catch up to him, and his eyes bulge.]
... wait. That's what you're into?
["Humiliation"? Don't tell him... she's one of those girls?!]
@sanlang / text, in the absence of any santa prompts
then, a text: ]
what is this??
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Looks like Santa!
Which some people might say is a bit premature, since it's not December yet. But I say there's nothing wrong with getting in the Christmas spirit early! I'm just glad he still has his suit on and they're not making him do something weird.
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i have additional questions. who is santa, and what is christmas? is december the ice month of the year?
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December's the last month of the year, and Christmas is a holiday! Christmas Day is December 25th, while Christmas Eve is on December 24th. You celebrate by giving each other gifts! Though lots of people treat Christmas Eve as their big date night, so it's also a romantic holiday.
Kids get the most excited for it, but adults can have fun too. There are all sorts of activities, like viewing illuminations, eating Christmas cake, and singing Christmas songs! 🎶
As for Santa, he's sort of a mythical character. The story goes that there's a white-bearded man who delivers presents to children from his magic sleigh. He wears a red suit, just like that figurine is wearing. If a child asks where their present came from, their mom and dad might say, "Santa delivered it!"
[No, he isn't bothering to mention the religious aspect. That has no significance to him! Tatsumi could explain it better than he could.]
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so this fat man in a red suit travels the entire world to give children presents? and he does it all on one day? he must have a considerable level of spiritual energy to be able to use distance shortening arrays with such frequency. even for a ghost king such as myself, to travel such distances would be taxing on my reserves of qi.
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[Though given that he's met a god from Norse mythology here, among other unlikely characters, perhaps he shouldn't be saying that with such confidence. That might just inspire the resort to kidnap the real Santa next.]
That's how we do things, anyway. Christmas is celebrated differently in other places. I know one person here said he didn't have anything called Christmas back home, but he did have something called "Kleinmas!" Apparently that's a month-long holiday similar to Christmas.
You don't have any holidays that end in -mas, do you? What about New Year's? Do you celebrate that, or do all the years blend together when you're immortal?
1/2
[ well that's disappointing. hua cheng had thought he must be a powerful being indeed, and now he's hearing santa isn't even real! ]
no, yes, yes, no.
holidays and traditions vary somewhat between the realms, but in xianle and in the realm of the dead we have no holidays ending in "-mas." we do celebrate the coming of the new year, but i am beginning to understand that the yearly calendar as i know it is different from this place.
time passes the same way for an immortal as it does for a mortal, just for longer. i remember every one of my eight centuries of life.
2/2
ah, well, not exactly life. you understand.
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When you say you use a different yearly calendar, do you mean a lunar calendar?
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We use a solar calendar back home. So do most other places. We only started using one midway through the 19th century, so some holidays are still tied to the lunar calendar. But New Year's Day is always January 1st, and Christmas Eve is always the 24th!
It was almost the New Year when I got kidnapped here, actually. But in the resort, it was late February, so they had all these Valentine's decorations still hanging.
I'm guessing you don't know what Valentine's Day is, either, though. Or do you?
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But as for Valentine's, that's another romantic holiday! A day for celebrating love! ♥️💌🏹💘 People might give flowers or chocolates to their loved ones. Then there's another day called White Day where men give back chocolate to girls, or so I've heard. But as idols, Valentine's is mainly a day for sending love to our fans.
Valentine's decorations are usually pink and red, with lots of hearts, and it's celebrated on February 14th. So if you're still here then, you'll probably see what I mean.
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[ not that it matters, since xie lian is gone, but as a matter of curiosity... ]
i remember something like that, a long time ago. the time that many of the new arrivals found themselves married to each other, no? is that a normal celebration of valentine's day?
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It does sound old-fashioned, doesn't it? But times are changing. They say even men can give chocolate on Valentine's Day if they want to now. And people can also give chocolate to friends. Or co-workers!
And that last thing is NOT a normal Valentine's celebration. There is such a thing as mock weddings, but those are strictly voluntary! And most people's idea of "wedding season" is June, not February. That's when wedding-themed jobs come in for us idols. Jun-kun went to something called a "bridegroom training camp" as part of a job once!
But of course he didn't really come back to married to anyone. *That* would've been a problem.
[This is probably just confusing Hua Cheng further. Idol life is weird.]
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why does a wedding need a season? and what manner of bridegroom training would an idol need if he did not intend to marry?
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Which isn't very romantic. But it *does* give us job opportunities. There's probably some superstition that goes into it, too. And the temperatures are definitely more pleasant in June than in February!
And that training camp was really just an excuse to show idols like Jun-kun doing cute, fanservicey things. Like delivering their own love confessions! And since it was a "training camp," it meant they could travel and go sightseeing.
Things did get a bit strange, though. It got turned into a competition with teams, and one of the challenges had Jun-kun tied to a pillar. If his partner didn't slice a wedding cake in time, a bomb would go off and he'd explode!
Or at least that's what they said on TV. Fortunately nothing of the sort happened, and Jun-kun is safe and sound! 😊
[... yep. Idol life is very weird.]
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there was no cake at mine. although i think gege would have been happy if there was 哈
we wore traditional robes and performed the rites, bowing to each other and his parents and the heavens, and then we ate the ceremonial foods and drank the ceremonial wine and it was done.
not much training required of us!
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Cakes is popular at all sorts of weddings, though. And sometimes the cake is cut using a sword!
That's something you'd both enjoy, too, isn't it? Cutting a big white cake together, using your trusty sword~
[Though not while it's still dripping with the blood of their enemies, hopefully.]
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e-ming being my sword, of course. it cares for gege nearly as much as i do, irritating creature. i'm sure it would jump at the chance to cut cake with him.
i'll suggest it to the both of them, if i remember it when i return home.
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[........ wait.]
Does this mean your sword can talk to you?
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And I understand a little bit, anyway. You don't always need words to communicate. Sometimes you just need to project the right aura, using your body language, your eyes, and your dazzling smile~ ✨
[A sword wouldn't have any of those things, tho...]
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[ and for that reason, technically, e-ming does have an eye... ]
as such:
[ he sends a drawing of e-ming, a much rougher sketch than the link but it should at least give hiyori an idea what the scimitar and its eye look like! ]
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[HORRIFIED... The sketch doesn't make it any better either, though he might be glad it's a sketch and not a real photo of a sword with an actual human eyeball stuck to it.]
That sounds horrible! Didn't it hurt?
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yes, terribly, but i had no choice. i was acting in defense of a group of humans being threatened by monsters... it was either that or let them meet their dooms.
my husband loves humankind and would have wanted me to protect them, so i did. it's why i wear the eyepatch.
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But then, is it really a surprise that an immortal ghost king who fought so many battles would've lost an eye at some point? It isn't, truly.]
I just thought you lost it in battle. But I guess technically you still did.
I don't fully understand, but you sound valiant! So it's a very good thing humanity had you on their side. And this goes without saying, but I hope you're able to reunite with your husband and your trusty sword soon.
Though now I'm less sure about cutting a wedding cake with your sword. What if it got frosting in its eye?
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i suppose i could be mindful and cut with only the frontmost part.
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Any other holiday questions you're itching to ask?
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:)
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Text | UN: iceicebaby
Location: My current 10th Floor Suite.
Please RSVP and feel free to bring a plus one.
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Is it really your thousandth birthday?
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I do hope your partner Jun will be your plus one? I have been hoping to meet him. Assuming this is you accepting the invitation.
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And yet! This sounds like something I wouldn't want to miss, so you can definitely count on seeing me there. Me *and* Jun-kun, because he will indeed be my plus-one.
[Not that Hiyori's asked him yet. But he has a tendency to make decisions on both of their behalf.]
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I am so glad you can make it. I am very much looking forward to meeting Jun.
[That would not surprise Loki at all!]
*and yes, not and yet
And great! I'm sure Jun-kun's excited to meet you, too. I've told him lots about you, after all.
What sort of gift would you like, by the way? I don't mind picking out something on my own, but if you have any special requests, you ought to let me know!
👍
Hopefully only good things!
Oh, you do not need to get me anything. Your presence is plenty.
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[That's as much as he wants to mention about their Punishment Room experience. He is grateful to Loki for helping him out of there, and for hugging him and comforting him afterwards. He just doesn't like to talk about that whole thing.]
Right, my presence *is* a gift! 😊✨ But I do want to bring something. So if there's nothing you want in particular, I'll just have to see what catches my eye.
And I'll bring poppy partners, since no party is complete without those! 🎉
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[Loki, of all people, would definitely understand that and will only mention it if Hiyori brings it up first.]
Well, if you insist, but I really wasn’t expecting more than a chance to spend some time with my new found friends here.
I am not familiar with those, but I will take your word for it.
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... actually, why not work that typo in there? #Yolo.]
That's probably because my watch made a mistake! It was supposed to say "party poppers," NOT poppy partners!
Though I guess a poppy partner could be someone you set off party poppers with. Someone who livens up the festivities and makes things fun! 🥳 And that someone is me, of course. I'll be your partner in mischief and in celebration~🎉🎁🍾💃🕺🪩
Anyway, don't worry about it. I like to buy presents for those close to me. My #1 hobby is shopping!
And I don't need help with anything in particular right now. But I guess there is something I've been meaning to ask. Or maybe two somethings.
I won't ask over text, though. We can talk in-person sometime.
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If your mistake bothers you too much, might I attempt to make you feel better by saying I do not know what a party popper is either?
If a party popper or partner is as you describe, then you are definitely the man for the job. I suspect you will be the life of the party.
Oh? Well I admit you have peaked my curiosity. Come find me when you are ready to ask.
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Thanks for the compliment! That makes it sound like I've got big shoes to fill, but I'll do my utmost best.
And I don't really need time to get ready. Is now good? If so, I could find you wherever you are.
[Assuming he doesn't get lost along the way...]
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[In fact, that might be precisely why Loki likes it so much.]
I am sure you always do your best.
I am not busy at present. I am currently in my suite.
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And great! I'll head right on up to your floor, then.
[And he'll go to do just that. He won't even need to consult his watch on the way, since he's used to navigating up to the Rank 10 suites to check on Leo! Now let's see, which one of these doors looks like it might belong to a legendary god...?]
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I will see you shortly.
[Knowing that Hiyori doesn’t always have the best sense of direction, and that this isn’t his normal suite, Loki gives him a few minutes before poking his head out of the door to see if he can see his friend.]
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Let me know if you'd like to prank someone with glitter sometime. That sounds like an excellent way to blow off some steam without hurting anyone's feelings! If anything, we might just cheer them up. I know *I* love to sparkle and shine.
[Though he would not at all be happy if someone dumped a bucket of the stuff on his head... But anyway, he's off now.
He smiles brightly when he spots a familiar face peeking outside one of the doors, walking right up to Loki with a cheerful wave.]
So this is where the magic happens~♪
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[Hiyori should be careful about what ideas he gives Loki then. 😉
Loki smiles as he spots Hiyori and stands back to allow him to pass into his suite.]
Yes, for now at least. I doubt very much I will be allowed to stay here.
[Though Loki hasn’t been obtaining from sex, he’s hardly done what he believes is necessary to gain the requirements this place requests.]
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That's too bad. I wish Jun-kun could keep his new suite, too. But at least you're taking advantage of the mix-up to throw a party. Maybe we should do the same! ♪
[Even though it's not either of their birthdays. Or Christmas yet.
He's not here (just) to talk about partying, unfortunately. But he isn't sure how to segue into either of the serious subjects he wanted to bring up without abruptly killing the mood. For now, he just continues to look around the area, keeping an eye out for any Cool Godlike Possessions.]
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Being able to hold a proper party has its only pluses as well. He probably would’ve let his birthday pass without notice if he were still in his 5th floor suite.]
It really is a shame that they would let us see how the other half lives and not let us keep it. Though it wouldn’t surprise me if it is an attempt on the part of the House to convince us to be more active in Game 52. It is one of the few ways we can work our way up to better rooms.
[Loki watches Hiyori as he looks around, waiting to see if he’ll bring up his true reason for being there or if he needs a push. After a moment, Loki can’t help himself.]
I do not believe that you came here to speak of our suites though.
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[Orrrr Steve fucked up and they're reading too much into it.
Hiyori's examining some corner of the room or another when Loki calls him out, causing him to turn around. No beating around the bush, huh? He smiles a small, wry smile.]
I was curious to know what your suite looked like.
[But it's not the real reason he's here. So after a moment, he says:]
You remember the Punishment Room, don't you? Not just what we saw inside the room, but what we talked about afterwards. Fighting fate, and collaborating with people who can do magic... remember?
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[He thinks of the suites on the second floor that are much too close to the basement and hopes Hiyori isn’t down there.
Loki merely raises a disbelieving eyebrow at the comment about his suite. Though there is probably some truth there, Hiyori is fooling no one. His expression evens out as Hiyori finally gets down to the chase and it is immediately apparent why he did not start with what he really wants. Loki would understand perfectly if Hiyori never wanted to think about that day ever again.]
Yes, I recall.
[Loki manages to keep his tone neutral, but the truth of it is, he also doesn’t like thinking about what happened that day.]
1/3
[He shakes his head, frowning deeply over this perceived injustice.]
2/3
Still, things haven't been too bad. My room got smaller, but I'm not down in the basement. And Jun-kun got moved up, so we've just been using his room.
3/3
Of course he doesn't want to think about that day. Unfortunately, he thinks about it constantly. It haunts his every waking moment here. And it got him doing a lot of thinking—about how to fight fate, about what happens if Jun disappears, about what happens if he disappears. About what he'd do if worse came to worst.
It's not easy to talk about, though. For now, he broaches the easier of the two topics—the one about magic.]
First, I should tell you I know someone who almost found a way home. He said he used magic to dig into the House's "roots," but that they stopped him before he could open up any paths home. If he hadn't been forced to stop early, he could've succeeded, or so he implied.
[Hiyori relays this in a matter-of-fact tone, not showing any particular emotion, even as the memories of Esikko's punishment flash through his mind.]
Do you think your magic could work in connection with his magic, and do you know anyone else's who could?
[It's not a lot of detail to go on, admittedly. But he doesn't understand much about how magic works.]
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I am sorry you are missing your marshmallows. If this happens again, I am sure I could obtain some for you.
[And yes, by obtain, Loki means steal.]
It must be quite handy, being able to share your suites like that.
[Loki has a few friends that have offered to let him use their suites on occasion, but on the same level Hiyori and Jun have. It sounds like a nice option, but one Loki doesn’t assume he’ll ever have.
Whatever he’s expecting Hiyori to say next, it certainly isn’t this and the surprise is evident on Loki’s face. It only takes him a moment to recover before he clearly starts considering the question. He thinks about Sylvie, and how they had combined their magic to tame Alioth together. It’s true that could’ve been different because they use the same magic, but still…]
Yes, I think it is possible. I would have to meet this person and we would have to experiment, but it is definitely something that can happen. As for involving others, I am sure there are many here who have abilities. Perhaps we could get together some of the people from the Showcase and see what might work together.
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Right back at you! If you're ever denied marshmallows after all this is done, just let me know. I might have some tricks up my sleeve! ♪
[He's thinking of his birthday gift, which enables him to wrap the staff around his finger, more or less (though only when he's wearing it). Then he pauses when he realizes something.]
Actually, couldn't you just shapeshift into a staff member again? Then you could claim all the complimentary marshmallows you want!
[Or would they see through it...?
In response to the comment about sharing suites, he smiles.]
Yep, it sure is. Jun-kun's awfully lucky to have me so he isn't stuck in the basement! But this time, I'm lucky to have him...♪ And at other times, too, I guess.
[But enough bragging about his lovey-dovey partnership. Time to get to business.
Loki seems receptive to the idea of meeting with other magic users, just as he was last time. Hiyori smiles a little at that and says:]
I'd be happy to arrange that meeting.
[Though one of them's disappeared, he's pretty sure. And he isn't sure how useful the stage magician and the summoner would be, either (the stage magician being Compress and the summoner being Yu). Baizhu and Hua Cheng, however, he knows are still around, and he's on friendly terms with both of them. And then there's another person he wanted to bring up.]
The one who tried to open those pathways wasn't at the Showcase, though. That person was Esikko-kun. Have you met him yet?
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Oh, I have no issues getting what I need here.
[Loki sounds a little mysterious here, but he’s sure Hiyori can extrapolate. He could shapeshift, or go undetected, or simply use his telekinesis to take what he wishes. It is, in fact, what he’s been doing most of the time while here.
Loki chuckles good-naturedly.]
I am sure he is just as appreciative of you as you are of him.
That would be appreciated. I know you must have met many people here.
[Loki too has befriended many people here, but surprisingly few of them have been magic users. At least so far as he knows. Besides, Loki is well aware that Hiyori’s charm must help for things like this.]
I have actually, though I do not profess to know him well. Is he a magic user as well?
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[He'll look forward to a very extravagant birthday party, then.
In response to the "You've met many people" thing:]
Mhm! ♪ I sure have.
[He's pissed some people off, but he's also made friends here. Some of those friends have powers because that's the luck of the draw, but also because he's been seeking out magic users from day one. He'll do his best to arrange a roundtable. With Loki, with Baizhu and Hua Cheng...
And with Esikko, whom he proceeds to talk a little more about.]
I guess you really don't know him well, if you have to ask that.
[It's said with a good-natured smile, not intended to mock. He knows Esikko puts a lot into his magical studies, and that they've been important to him since childhood. If Loki doesn't know he can do magic at all, they probably haven't spent tons of time together. Maybe that could change. Maybe it needs to change. After all, one person can't do everything themselves.
His smile fades a bit as he explains:]
He said he used his magic to grab the House's "roots," and that he tried to "tear apart reality" so he could open some pathways home. He caused other stuff to change, but he got stopped before he could finish with his magic. It does sound like he got close, and I don't think he's given up. But I'm sure the House will be warier going forward, and he also got punished quite badly.
[Something he still feels badly about, even if none of it was his fault. He looks Loki in the eye and finishes:]
So, you should take that as a warning. All this rebellion we're doing could have consequences. But I'm also worried he'll burn out if he keeps working alone. That's sort of why I thought maybe you two could discuss things.
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[He’s sure he knows that name and has spoken with him on the network at least, but he cannot recall speaking about magic with him. Though really with how this place tries to make them interact with everyone, it’s hardly a surprise that he can’t always remember details.
As Loki listens to Hiyori though, he wishes he had paid more attention to this Esikko before. Frowning in thought as he lets the details sink in.]
Yes, I think I would like to talk to him very much. I am ashamed to say I have not made it so far in any of my own research and I would like to hear more details on what happened with him. [Loki doesn’t even acknowledge the punishment part. He’s no stranger to that and he’s pretty sure he’s endured much worse than anything the Hotel can dish out.
Though assuming in this place has gotten him into quite a lot of trouble before.]
I will happily discuss this with him and everyone you think might be helpful. When do you think is the soonest we could organize getting everyone together?
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[This is just the Magic Showcase all over again...
He smiles, trying to stay upbeat despite the dreary subject matter. The truth is that he can't blame Loki if Loki gets turned off from rebelling against the House. Who wants to be punished? It's easier not to rock the boat. To keep your head down and live with the status quo no, matter how unbearable things get. It's a human nature. A matter of self-preservation.
But if anyone's fearless or foolhardy enough to stand against the House no matter what the House might do to them, it's probably Loki. That's what he figured. He's still willing to go against the House, too, of course.
Though he doesn't exactly have a great answer for that last question.]
I guess it depends on how many people are included in "everyone"... I can tell Esikko-kun you want to talk to him, unless you'd rather reach out yourself. His username is easy to remember, since it's "wildflower!" But as for Baizhu and Hua Cheng...
[A pause, and then he says:]
Maybe we can all go to the Red Cardinal? For a Magic Showcase winners' meal! That was supposed to be one of the prizes. It's just that we never found a time that worked for all of us, and then everyone sort of forgot. But I'm sure Jin Mingming would be happy to accommodate all of us.
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He’s even less sure about starting a team. Reasonably he knows that Hiyori is right, that it’s a good idea, but Loki in any kind of leadership position does not typically go well.]
You may tell him I would like to talk to him. I can speak with Baizhu myself. You are such a natural leader though. I could see it with how you got the Magic Showcase together, and you do seem to have all the contacts. Perhaps it would be easier for you to get everyone together?
[There, that sounds perfectly reasonable. Loki wouldn’t want Hiyori to think he’s afraid or lacking confidences, but as it turns out, this place will grind anyone down eventually. He does look a little relieved when Hiyori mentions the Red Cardinal though.]
Yes, that would be the perfect excuse. The House will not suspect if we simply all get together for that reason. And it would be easier to speak with everyone at the same time.
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[He injects his voice with plenty of cheer.
Even though they're talking about business, not some social gathering. And there isn't a lot to be cheerful about, in all honestly. He's not really sure anything will come of their meeting; not sure they'll ever truly break free. Are they destined to live as caged birds forever? Is it that or turn to stone?
But Esikko did get close to opening up paths home, or so he said. If he combined his magic with a god's, who knows what might happen? And if nothing else, Hiyori figures that having other people to work with might keep him from running himself into the ground. If he can prevent that, none of this will be a waste.
He smiles and concludes:]
Then that's where we'll meet.
[The Red Cardinal.
That's the end of that topic. For now, anyway. But it's not all he came here to say. This next one is more difficult, and he pauses for a moment, smile dulling just a bit.]
There's something else I wanted to ask you for, too. Though it's nothing you'd need to do right now.
[Or ever, hopefully.
But he knows hoping gets you nothing here.]
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Loki also thinks more and more that it really would be a better idea for Hiyori to be in charge of organizing all of this. Despite the cheer in his voice, Loki can hear how serious he is about all of this as well. His charm and way with people in general will do them all good. Loki’s attempted leadership enough in his life to know that he is not suited to it and to know when someone else is.
What Hiyori says next has him intrigued.]
Okay, what is it you need from me?
[Loki is pretty sure he’ll say yes to whatever it is. He knows all too well how much Hiyori has helped him out and doesn’t foresee saying no now, but the way he asks has Loki a little worried.]
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[If only he could leave it there. With him thanking Loki for reaching out to Baizhu. Alas, he can't.
He thinks about how Baizhu reacted when he tried to talk about this with him. He did promise, in the end, but he wasn't happy. And Hiyori knows, after the experience they shared in the Punishment Room, that this won't make Loki happy, either. Still, he comes out and says it.]
I asked Baizhu-san about this too, actually. Basically, I wanted you both to know that I keep some notes in my room. About how the resort works, what happens to people here, what the House and the suits are like, and all that stuff. Then I wrote some personal messages too, for people here and people back home.
[A slight pause, before he clarifies:]
Kind of like the note that other "me" wrote for Jun-kun.
[He forces a smile. It's hard; he's not in quite as bad a state as he was when he spoke to Baizhu, because Rinne's disappearance isn't still a fresh wound. But it still hurts, still makes him feel scared. Every day, he wonders who will be next: will it be someone he's met here, or someone from his world? If it's the latter—if it's inevitable that someone else from his world will disappear—then he can only hope that it's him instead of Jun. Even though he knows that's the last thing his partner would ever want...
He shakes off those feelings of dread and guilt, looking Loki in the eye as he asks:]
So if I ever disappear and become a statue like Rinne-senpai, I was hoping you could recover those. You'd have an easier time with that than Baizhu-san, since you've already broken into that storage room before. We both know it takes a while to find things in there, though, so I wondered if it might be better to leave you with a copy.
[There's a longer pause now; he's watching, gauging Loki's response.]
Would that be too much to ask?
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Though his first instinct is to jump in, start talking, Loki manages to reign himself in and just listen. It’s something he’s gotten better at in recent years, not just distracting with words, but actually listening to what others are saying to him. Even when it’s something hard to hear. And what Hiyori is saying is very hard to hear.
Loki understands though. He had also been friendly with Rinne and had been horrified when he’d seen his statue. Helping Reign move the statue to his suite had been one of the hardest things he’d had to do since arriving at the Hotel. And Rinne certainly isn’t the only person he’s lost. Scott might have come back in a younger form, but he is not the friend Loki once had. All that Loki has of him is his old visor. Something he has yet to tell his younger variant.]
So we are clear, you wish for me to take the information about the Hotel that you have gathered as well as letters to those you care about and make sure they get where they need to go, in the event that you suffer the same fate as some of our friends who have left abruptly?
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Mm. That sounds exactly right.
[One day, they'll watch musicals and get up to the fun kind if mischief. One day, he'll share Jun's cooking with Loki and brag about how well he trained his partner. One day, they'll talk about more cheerful things.
But for now he just continues with his request.]
I haven't finished them all yet. But if you don't mind, I'll hand you some letters meant for those closest to me. You can keep them at the bottom of a drawer somewhere and forget them, unless I do disappear.
And there will be one for you, too, of course.
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I do not mind at all. Though I hope I never have to hand them out. I would much prefer we figure out how to properly get home, but yes, I will do this for you.
[Loki comes up short then, frowning slightly in confusion.]
One for me?
[That is unexpected.]
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Thanks a lot! ♪
[And then:]
It's the same for me too, of course. I haven't given up yet. And I'm sure others won't, either.
[Apart from Loki, there are others. There's Bakugo, who intends to use his Wish to defeat the House—a true hero. There's Esikko, who already tried to get them out of here once, and suffered the consequences for it. There's Topaz, who's always working hard with everyone's well-being in mind. He's met all sorts of amazing people here, with all sorts of powers.
But all the same, it's been a while, and no one's succeeded at overthrowing the House or finding a way home yet. When it does happen—and in his heart he does believe that it's a "when" and not an "if"—there's no telling when that will be. Or indeed, whether he'll still be around for it.
Despite harboring that grim outlook, though, his smile is genuine when he nods at the end, the look in his eyes warm.]
Of course! I was raised in a noble household, so I had all sorts of manners drilled into me. That's how I know it would be the height of rudeness to leave without saying goodbye, or giving you a proper thank you. You've done a lot for me, after all.
[He wouldn't entrust his final wishes to just anyone.]
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You are most welcome. I do hope none of us come to the point where we feel we need to give up. I would not want to see any of us become like the more long term residents here.
[Loki has met some of those people and he is glad they are all working so hard, but he can admit, if only to himself, that he has not been putting his all into figuring this place out with others. It has mostly only been Hiyori pushing him along. It seems Loki has fallen back into old habits by trying to figure this place out on his own, at least for the most part.]
Ah yes, manners are everything. I had the same lessons drilled into me as well.
[Even if he didn’t always keep in the habit, as it were. He’s only glad Frigga didn’t see most of those times.] Well then, thank you. I appreciate you thinking of me. But really, I would have to say that it is you who has done much for me.
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[He keeps his tone light. There's more he could say; without Jun to ground him, he honestly doesn't know how he would've turned out in this environment. Would he have fallen back into old habits, treating people like tools, passing his time doing nothing useful? Would he have stopped caring about anything? He likes to think he would've tried to get home, that he wouldn't want to leave Nagisa or the rest of his makeshift family behind. But that desire could've led him to some dark places, too. When people are desperate enough...
Well, there's no use speculating about what-ifs. And maybe his soul would've been fine, since he still would've had companions like Loki by his side. People who value him as more than just a card to be obtained. His eyes shine as he says:]
Then let's make a toast. When we finally go out for drinks, we'll toast to our friendship! To all that we've done for each other, and all that we will do...♪
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Yes, I tend to stay out of the casino as well, though that is only part of the reason. Mostly I just do not care so much about gambling. Even when not actively working to get out of here, there are much more pleasant places in the resort to visit.
[If anyone knows about how dark you can go in desperate times, it is definitely Loki. He is also the one who would know about how to come back from that. He also has no intention of ever letting Hiyori fall like that, nor any of his friends. No matter what happens here, he will do everything he can from preventing such things, Hiyori need not worry about that.]
That sounds like a wonderful plan. We should do that soon.
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[If it's ever over. With every day that passes, he's less sure it will be.
But he won't succumb to those fears. Not now, and hopefully not ever. Even if things never improve at all, even if he's destined to disappear, even if he and Jun-kun and Leo-kun are absolutely doomed, he wants to be seen as someone who smiled until the end.]
Mhm! ♪ Then it's settled.
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[Even Loki, though he can’t imagine anything will have settled down enough for him once he’s home. Probably the exact opposite. It’s nice to dream though.
No matter what, Loki plans on fighting to the end. He didn’t give up at the TVA and he’s not about to give up here either. He plans on doing whatever it takes to get him and all his friends, Hiyori included, out of here and back home, no matter how long it takes.]
Excellent. I look forward to it.
🎀
[He chirps his agreement.]
A long break is exactly what we need.
[A voluntary resort vacation from their involuntary resort vacation.
His time here hasn't been all bad, despite all his griping. And that's partly because of Loki. Because of the people he's met who are fun, fascinating, kind... He smiles at Loki, warm and full of gratitude, and he hopes this is how he's always remembered.]
( 12/25 ) — xmas ding dong ditch (to jun, technically, but also for hiyori)
the box contains a short length of red thread that flashes just slightly gold in the right light. when touched, it seems to resonate with spiritual energy, and it lengthens or shortens according to the distance between them when each of the ends is held.
along with the red string is a brief note from hua cheng, in his neatest and most legible handwriting. ]
Jun & Hiyori —
Affix the string to a finger of your choosing and make a vow to one another. When imbued with evidence of your affection, the string will from that point forward always lead you to each other — no matter how far separated you may be by space or time. The string will not always be visible, but the connection will always be there.
It can be removed, but only at a cost. Be certain.
— Hua Cheng
<3
The bad news is that this means asking for a gift to be delivered to "Jun Sazanami's suite" means Jun almost certainly won't be around to receive it. But Hiyori has gifts from a few other people coming his way, and at some point, he gets the idea that perhaps they should check Jun's abandoned room down in the basement, just to see if there are any gifts waiting for Jun, too. That's when the mysterious red thread is discovered.
A single piece of thread would be an odd gift to start with, but there's something particularly odd about this one. The vibe he gets as he stares down at the box is a strange one. Why, it almost reminds him of those strings during the Hearts game.
And that's before he reads the note.]
"The red thread of fate."
[He recalls what he heard from Hua Cheng over the Network, and he turns to Jun with wide, stunned eyes.]
That's what this is! That's our Christmas gift!
― 12/25
p.s. give him (jun) his for me.
it's a pair of matching necklaces for them!)
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He's somewhat surprised to receive such a thoughtful gift from her, though. And not just any sort of gift, but a couple's gift. He never told her that sunshine is his motif both onstage and off the stage, but he didn't need to, did he? It's obvious just from looking at him!
Unless maybe Jun told her that he was warm and bright like the sun. Wouldn't that be nice?
He sends a picture over sometime in the late afternoon. It shows him and Jun wearing the necklaces, Hiyori giving the camera a smile and a wink.]
✨☀️💖🌙✨
[That's all he sends as a caption.]
12/25
Normally, sunflowers can't live for long without the sun. There are methods to create an artificial sun, of course, and I'm capable of doing that with magic— however, I tried something different while growing these. Try singing them a song.
The tea is a blend of other plants I grow that will help soothe the nerves without any additional drowsiness. It tastes rather floral, but sweet. Enjoy.
- Esikko
The sunflowers, he'll find, will treat Hiyori like the sun itself whenever he sings. Singing will keep them alive, blooming long past their season, all year round— and they'll turn to him if he moves. Slowly. In a plant way. )
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The gift comes as a pleasant surprise. The real shock, however, is the line about singing to them. He absolutely performs a mini-concert for them as soon as he reads that, and he'll be happy to keep doing so! He needs to practice his singing every day, anyway! But the way the flowers seem to move on their own is a bit, er...]
Excuse me! I have a question about these sunflowers!
[He sends that message at some point on Christmas.]
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Also, thank you for the chocolates.
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My question is whether or not the sunflowers are alive! Not in the usual way, I mean - obviously I know plants are living things. I just wanted to know if they have souls and if they can watch people, since it really felt like they were watching me!
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All plants have souls.
They're not as important as say, human souls, of course... But, you know, they are alive, and they do have less complex little souls with impressions of desire and such. Those sunflowers were raised to be encouraged by music in replacement of sunshine, so they've taken a "shine" to you, I imagine.
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[He can't decide if he finds this heartwarming or creepy tbh.]
That's a lot to accept! But basically, those sunflowers need my songs to live? Is that right?
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Well, those children could live with any music, not just yours. You're fine to have others babysit them, for example. But they likely prefer your voice, since I brought them to life with you in mind.
You're like their mother, now~
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[But back to the sunflowers. He glances up from his watch and back at them. Let's see here—they need music to live. It doesn't have to be his voice, but they'd "prefer" his voice. Which means, in other words, that they depend on him and his sunshine. And they always will! How does he feel about that, exactly?
...]
Cute!
[Yep. That's the verdict! He's deranged enough to appreciate this!]
In that case, I definitely won't let them down! I just wish the whole world worked the same way. That all anyone would ever need is my voice, and that everything would keep blooming beautifully as long as I kept singing. But rewriting the laws of the universe would be too difficult, so I'll settle for these sunflowers! Thanks a bunch! 😊
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It is cute, isn't it? Enjoy, then. You're welcome.
By the way, the little date went just fine, I think.
( banging counts as a success for what Hiyori wanted, he assumes, anyway )
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[He's glad they don't have eyes that follow him, though. Then the creepiness would start to outweigh the cuteness.]
You two hit it off, huh? That's lovely news! I'm glad you both made a new friend in time for the new year! 🥳 That's one of those gifts that keeps on giving, after all.
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Does he tell anyone who will listen that he might fall in love with them? Or should I be flattered?
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You two really did hit it off! He's never said that to me!
Though he does say "I love you" to lots of people. Which might sound cheap, but I'm sure he means it in his own way!
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He has no idea what to feel. Special? Or in doubt? A little of both. )
His suit mark wasn't exactly pale, so perhaps that influenced his words. Well, it doesn't really matter. I was just curious, since he's rather unique.
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And speaking of those...]
I'm not sure that'd have much to do with it. Falling in love, or feeling like you might fall in love, doesn't sound like a Spades effect. That sounds more Hearts-like! So perhaps you simply charmed him 😘
[Was this an even more successful matchmaking than he anticipated?? That remains to be seen!]
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Whatever you'd like to think.
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🥰💖🫶🤗❤️
[He'll just end the conversation with cutesy emojis!]
un: wildflower
So, strangely, the only message sent is this silly little bracket that he hit send on while trying to back out. )
]
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If he was busy, he might just ignore it. It's not like he's never gotten an accidental call or message before. That sort of thing happened at home sometimes. What the commoners call "butt dialing!" But would someone really sit on their own smartwatch by mistake while it's still strapped to their wrist...?
He replies just to make sure!]
What's up?
1/2
2/2
I was just, you know, clicking around in boredom...
Did you have a nice time over the holidays?
( since when does he ever ask things like this? he's trying, okay )
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[😇]
The holidays were nice! There was Christmas cake, Christmas cookies, presents, and a surprise apple tart delivery! And even my favorite food, which is salmon quiche! I know I had a good time, and so did Jun-kun and Leo-kun. And so did my birds. And my sunflowers! Before the holiday was up, I made sure to sing them some Christmas carols~🎶 Then we all had a happy new year, too.
What about you? Did you have a good holiday?
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I don't think that I did.
And it's strange, because it's never stopped me before this place, and I never cared, and could never see it, but hearing you talk about your fun... I mean, I don't want to cover the sun with clouds. That sort of thing. You know?
( struggling with his words... )
If I vanished suddenly, or turned into a statue, would you care? I don't mean saying "that's so sad" and taking a moment before moving on and never thinking of me again, either, I mean, would it trouble you in any sort of lasting way?
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Gah. What happened to Esikko over the holidays? Did his not-a-roommate dump him? Did Kirma-kun come back from the dead and eat all his Christmas cake?? This doesn't sound good!]
I already said I'd care!
[... or did he? He gave him Friendship Tea, but that was sort of in lieu of telling him he cared. Hm.]
But I'll say it again.
If Esikko-kun disappeared, I'd be upset, since he's my friend who I drink tea with! I'd miss hearing you talk about flowers and magic, just as I'm sure you'd miss hearing my voice. And we haven't sang karaoke yet!
It wouldn't be for just a minute, either. I'd feel troubled every day, since seeing those sunflowers would make me remember you.
And I'm sure other people would also be sad. Like Leo-kun. Or Baku-kun! He'd probably rather die than admit it, but that's just because he's an awkward kid. I'm sure he cares in his own way.
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I'm afraid I've troubled both of them with it already, but my health is worsening. I don't know how much longer I have.
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You must've tried a lot of things at this point, but there *are* plenty of people with healing magic around. Are you sure one of them couldn't make a difference?
Also, given what you said before, are you sure they'd even let you stay dead?
[Though he's heard from Bakugo that people who undergo the revival surgery come back with new problems.]
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( Another thing that's bothering him, without any of the acknowledgement of his other comments. He'll get there, eventually, he'll explain it's not that simple, maybe... But right now.
He doesn't know Kirma is, in fact, alive now! Because he normally always comes to see him, to tell him. And he hasn't this time. )
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[Welp.]
Is he in the clinic? Or did he just disappear?
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( he literally cannot fathom being forgotten or ignored by him )
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[Did they lie to him? Did the procedure not work and they didn't want to admit it? Or did he somehow vanish from the climic while no one was looking?]
Have you checked that registry to see if his name is still listed? That was how I figured out Rinne-senpai had become a statue. Last time he disappeared, people said that if his name was still listed there, it meant he was still in the resort somewhere. So when it fell off, I knew he wouldn't turn up again in a month like last time.
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1/2
[Since that is probably faster than explaining how to find it to Mr. Couldn't Locate the Emoji Button.]
2/2
In any case, it doesn't take long for him to navigate there. He scrolls down, looking for Kirma's name and username. And then...!]
Still listed!
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So that means... he must be somewhere? You're absolutely certain? He's somewhere and he's ignored me? He didn't come let me know?
He's never once listened when I told him to stay away, you know?
( his mood is not improving, as it turns out. he might be spiraling! live over text!! )
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[But hmmm, this reaction... Despite everything, Esikko still cares about Kirma, huh? The one who saved him on that fateful day in the snow...]
If anyone knows what happened to him, it'd probably be that boyfriend of his, right?
I know you said he's a knife-wielding lunatic, though. So if you'd rather not ask him, I don't blame you.
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It doesn't matter. ( he's said that twice now, but is it true? )
It's fine. I was a fool for thinking he'd be the same after finding that man, right?
I troubled you unnecessarily, so I'm sorry.
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Alright! I'm giving you 2 options!
1) I can try to contact Kirma-kun myself if you want. We haven't spoken in a while, but we used to be on friendly terms. He even bought me cookies once! So if I reached out to him again and said something like "How are you doing? It's been a while since I've seen you around, so I thought I'd check up on you!" he might not suspect any funny business.
2) We can both forget about Kirma-kun and go get some ice cream!
Or I can do 1 first, and then we can do 2. Whichever seems best!
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Don't bother contacting him if you wouldn't normally. I don't want to know anymore.
Ice cream is fine and all, but it's not out of pity, is it?
Also, I should warn you my declining health means I'm a little bandaged up right now.
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There's a flavor I think would suit you. It's pink, with sugary flowers. I've had it a few times, but now I want to share it with you.
I do hope *that* answers your question.
So I'll meet you at the ice cream stand next to "Birdbucks!" Assuming you can make it there without too much trouble. You said your health has declined, but are you bedridden?
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Anyway, I can move around just fine. I'll be there.
( Just because he can move around doesn't mean he should, but unlike at home, he doesn't have anyone here to follow him around and nag him into resting. )
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[Oops.]
Then I guess we're going out for birthday ice cream! 🥳 It's more common to eat cake on your birthday, but I don't see anything wrong with switching things up a little. They say variety is the spice of life! Anyway, see you soon! 👋😊
[What a pity. If he'd known, he could've brought noisemakers and party hats. But if Esikko is tired of people approaching him in public then maybe it's best not to cause a scene for once. In any case, he'll be waiting at the ice cream stand without a pointy hat on his head.]
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( Esikko doesn't take too long to show up. He's got a more floral scent to him than usual, thanks to the bandaging covering a large open wound on his back, but it's all bandaged, and clean, and he's dressed over the top of it, so it's not any sort of visual issue. So, he's presentable! Thankfully.
His steps are a little slower, is the only thing, as he approaches, but he tries to detract from that with the way he reaches out to poke at the pointy hat with a dubious sort of stare. )
What is this...?
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Which is exactly what he does, turning away from the ice cream stand and beaming from ear to ear. It turns out he wasn't in any danger of recoiling, since Esikko doesn't look the least bit mangled (or, indeed, the least bit bandaged. They must be under the clothes).]
Why, if it isn't the birthday boy...♪
[As for the hat...
....... well, that last tag said "without," but it's funnier if he is wearing one, so on second thought, sure. He's got a striped cone on top of his head! While waiting to get ice cream! After noticing where Esikko is staring, he says:]
You mean the thing on my head? This is what you call a party hat! People wear those at events such as birthdays. If you require proof, look no further than our watches!
[He brings up his wrist, toggles his watch... and then sends Esikko a single emoji.
🥳]
See? That's someone who's partying, so they're wearing a party hat and blowing a noisemaker! I do have some leftover noisemakers, but I figured you might not want a commotion. You're welcome to wear a hat if you'd like, though. Or we can skip right to ice cream!
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If you brought an extra hat, and that's what's normal, I suppose I don't mind... ( tsuns gently... ) But you're right, I'd rather avoid the noise.
I've only had things like soup lately, though, so I've been wanting something sweet.
( He's grateful his overly floral smell isn't an unpleasant one, at least, so he doubts he's poor company from the hidden bandages alone. But he moves to walk near Hiyori as they head for ice cream, eyes tracing briefly back up to the hat on his head before moving forward. )
If I remember correctly, there are all sorts of flavors here.
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Yep, there's one for you too!
[But putting that on can wait until they're seated, maybe. First: ice cream!]
Then this is perfect timing! They do have lots to choose from. Including chocolatey flavors, and the one I mentioned.
[He steps up to the ice cream stand; there's no else in line at the moment, perhaps because ice cream isn't super popular in January. Esikko might notice an odd smell wafting from behind the counter. Hiyori doesn't care for that at all, especially since Topaz told him it was drugs, so it's best to make their selection quickly!!
The choices include some special seasonal flavors, some normal options, and some questionable ones (what does "Love Potion #69" taste like? He'll never know). There's at least one triple-chocolate monstrosity in there, but Hiyori points out another flavor.]
See? That's the one! The pink flowers are such a nice touch, aren't they? ♪
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That has his eyes focusing with an intense sort of brightness, like a cat that's trying not to appear too impressed by a treat. )
Okay, you are right. I do want that flower one. It's cute...
( His eyes still scan over the variety of other flavors, making a mental note to come back here on the daily as soon as he's feeling better. If he ever does. )
Do you have these sorts of flavors and variety where you're from?
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Then we'll both be getting Berry Blossom! ♪
[He issues this order to the staff member behind the counter. Who might look a little red-eyed?? Don't worry about it. Then he turns back to Esikko.]
Yep, pretty much. I don't think I've seen that exact one before, but there are plenty of places to get ice cream back at home.
[Then something occurs to him, and his voice takes on a new excitement.]
Speaking of "back home," if you want to know what that's like I can show you, since I got my phone back! That means you can see pictures of my world. My world, and the people in it...♪
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( The word is a little foreign. He's heard it used, here or there, and he thinks he remembers the gist of it, but he still turns like he's surprised. )
That's that thing a bit like the Watches, right? How did you get something like that?
( He does want to see, though, and the amount that he does surprises him a little. Because it's not as if it matters to him, it's not as if he'd meet any of these people, or care about them, right? )
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Though the whole business with his phone being found is pretty weird.]
Right! And that's the thing. They said someone found it lying in the basement and turned it in at the front desk, but that doesn't make any sense, does it? I've been here for ages, so I don't know why it'd turn up now at all times. Unless they were keeping it safe somewhere, and they wanted to give me an early Christmas gift? I asked them if anyone had found Jun-kun or Leo-kun's phones, but they said no!
[While he's chatting away, the totally-stoned Basking Robbins employee finishes scooping presenting them with two identical cups of pretty pink ice cream with pretty pink flowers. After paying up he'll skip off to find a table.
And then it's time for the all-important question:]
Want to put your hat on now?
[There's a cone hat just waiting for him in the bag.]
To make it official - backdated to ???
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... it's a good thing Senku left a note. The liquid is so well-disguised that he might've really thought it was perfume otherwise. (Not that he goes around spraying unlabeled substances on himself willy-nilly!) In any case, he's grateful Senku remembered his request, and he likes the presentation.
Even if he has one small criticism about another aspect.]
That's a somewhat scary-looking drawing of me! I'm not sure it captures my charms too well.
But it *does* get the point across.
Anyway, thanks for the gift! In return, please accept this rainbow of gratitude!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💖✨
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I hope you never have to use it and all my hard work is for nothing.
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I hope so too, of course, but you can never be sure in this place. Some people are so unpredictable that you don't know *what* will set them off. A simple statement of preference like "I don't sleep with animals" might be enough to do it! And then there were those crawler things, and other monsters. I wonder if the spray would also work on those?
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[On the surface, that's a strange thing to get mad about.]
You were talking about an animal person, weren't you?
Don't test it out by getting up close and personal with a monster. The concentration you asked for isn't at bear spray levels. But I don't have even a millimeter of knowledge of alien or magic creature biology. It works on the mucous membranes, so find a slimy enough creepy crawly and it might hit them harder.
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[He sure considers himself fine art.]
It wasn't one of those people who looks like a human, but who happens to have ears and a tail, if that's what you're asking. It was someone with fur all over his body, just like a real cat!
And I do NOT want to find something slimy and creepy! This is just an emergency measure, that's all! But that's good to know, so thanks for that info. As you said, I hope I never have to use it, but I'm sure I'll feel better knowing I have stuff I *could* use.
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[He has no plans to lick Hiyori anytime soon, and any casual touches on the arm and such they've exchanged are not enough to pass judgment in that area.]
Sounds like Aak. He's a lot like me with fur. Maybe reason enough on its own not to sleep with him, but I don't think of him as an animal.
Let me know if you ever think of anything else you need. If I can make it, I welcome the challenge.
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You got it in one! The person who started all this trouble was Aak-kun. He cast the first stone when he posted a rude "review" of me over that Mating Season thing. Before that, I asked him what species he was, and he said "Feline!" Which would suggest he's something other than human, doesn't it? If he wants to be seen as a human who just happens to be furry, he should've said, "I'm a human!"
But thanks a lot! I don't want to trouble you too much, but I will keep that in mind. I guess an obvious answer would be an antidote to those "suit effects," or to those drugs that make your body feel hot. I'm guessing the House made both those things pretty resistant to treatment, though.
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[It raises the question whether all of the "humans" here are technically homo sapiens or if there are different evolutionary paths in their own worlds.]
Maomao was trying to create antidotes to the drugs that end up in the food and drinks. If she ever found anything effective, she's kept it to herself, but she'd be the best person to ask about that.
An antidote to the suit effects must be ten billion percent impossible.
Sounds exhilarating.
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Feline = 😼
Human = 🧒
Those look like completely different species, no? Yep, of course they do!
[Answering his own question...]
That's what I assumed. I don't think I've met anyone with that name before, but I'll keep it in mind. Just remember to keep me posted if she does have any breakthroughs, alright? In return, I'll let you know if any of the magic users I know manage to perform any miracles!
Or, perhaps in a best case scenario, both of them will work wonders. The scientists and the mages! ✨✨🧑🔬🤝🧙♀️✨✨🪄🧬🪄✨✨
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Feline = 😼🧪
Human = 🤢 or 💦 or 😶🌫️ or 🫠 or
I ran out of emoji that say "Aak makes weird compounds in the lab and he's probably not the best guy to get in a feud with."
Never thought I'd be counting on the magicians to come up with something useful.
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But I don't plan to antagonize him on purpose. What's done is done, and I'll just have to be careful not to accept any food, drink, chemicals, medicines, or other stuff from him. Or from his accomplices, like that Tohsaka girl! Now, if they threaten me, they'll get sprayed!
Or, to continue the emoji trend, 🌶️💨👀💦😭🚨!
Anyway, thanks again!!! 🥰
text @knights;
i have a super important question for you
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Go ahead and shoot! 🏹
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[Who isn't here, of course.]
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i was just thinking that a musical cypher would be fun!
because then you could hide things in a song in more ways than metaphor, you know?
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You didn't get the idea from Madara-kun, did you? I don't know if you'd know this, or if you even remember that far, but he did something like that during the qualifying round. I was trying to get Ibara's attention, but he would only focus on listening to MaM's song. Because he was trying to receive some message! Awfully rude to ignore his own unitmate for something like that, don't you think?
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though i'm gonna have to punish him for not telling me about that! we could've been sending one another messages our entire friendship, how dare he not let me, huh?
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[Secret Service was a wild, wild ride.]
Did you mean something other than morse code?
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but anyway, yes! there are actually already musical cyphers that exist, based on assigning meaning to specific notes so you can cobble something together, but wouldn't it be fun to make one that doesn't exist already? i bet there's a way to do it so that it doesn't sound all discordant if the rules are flexible enough with some filler things...
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Well, as long as he's getting you out of hot water and not into it, then it sounds like a very worthwhile friendship.
You sure are the ambitious type! I don't know how easy it is to make up a secret code that doesn't exist yet. But if anyone can do it, it's you, I suppose.
Just let me know before you write something like that into one of our songs, alright? I'd like to know what secret message I'm sending! Then I can change up my dance moves depending on what the message is.
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[ Sound less proud about it maybe?????? This is why Knights is in shambles half of the time. ]
i think we should make a new set for spring! i wanna sing about flowers and warm weather! and layer the meaning in over and over again. hey, you probably know flower language better than i do, right? that would be a huge help! i know some but pretty much whatever i picked up as i needed it for lyrics.
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The first thing you said, that is. Not the part about making a new song. Something to herald the arrival of spring! I like it already! Even if it does feel strange to talk about the "weather" here.
[He's... trying not to wonder how many seasons he'll be stuck here. He's trying to keep a positive attitude!]
If there's anything you need to know about flowers, I'd be happy to share. Or you could ask Esikko-kun. Or you could ask us both! But as for ideas about a spring song, I think I might have one idea.
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but what's your idea? this is a group project always, you know!
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A song about exploring a maze like that would be good, I think. Walking through it hand-in-hand, admiring all the flowers, and finding the hidden treasure. Our fans would probably love to do that with us, don't you think?
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But if you mean the sort of song where Jun-kun and I are singing to our fans, but we could also be singing to each other, there's lots of precedent for that. That's pretty much how Eve's usual fanservice goes. I'm sure some of the audience would like to think we're sending a "hidden message" to each other. So if that's what you're suggesting, that's perfectly fine by me!
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1/2
2/2
[He won't tell Leo that he's already written farewell messages to Nagisa and Ibara and the rest. Or that he's written goodbye notes to some people here, and asked Loki to pass them out if he ever disappears. Or that he's holding onto Nami's goodbye note to Rinne, which she gave him in case she ever disappears and Rinne wakes up...]
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I know you said lyrics weren't your strong suit, but you can handle it if that's the theme, can't you?
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moves this here coz i got tired of waiting for captcha
[It's strange to be told these things to his face, like how one talks about a late loved one who had not been given a just life. Was it injustice to talk poorly of a version of himself that he's never known, but everyone else has? Is that even someone he could really be.
It's weird to hear it. To be told things that were true and things that could be true, but they were also things that can't be true, because he's never experienced it. It's a strange thing to see Hiyori working himself up in a stupor, voice slowly escalating in volume even in such a strange environment. It's easy to forget where they are at the moment, and what they were wearing-- or well, what they lacked wearing. Like a discussion they should be having in the privacy of a room and not here, in a paintball war in near nakedness.
It's so strange to hear all that, so much so that Rinne isn't sure how to react.
And he might not even realize he's smiling the more Hiyori talks about him, not truly understand the way his heart aches fondly, even if Hiyori was practically a stranger. Or perhaps it's also because he was a fellow idol, and hearing someone speak highly of him after everything he'd done... It was a strange moment.]
... The way you talk about me, you'd think I ain't livin' and breathin' right at this moment. You tryin' to write me off as a memory already?
[He starts, the joke falling flat, even as he sighs and leans back. Already, he doesn't care if they get caught and he's forced out naked. Whatever. This was bizarre enough as is.]
If I got you thinkin' that much about me, then I guess I made a mark somehow. Doesn't sound like you ended up hatin' me, so does that mean ya love me now?
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That's all "that" Rinne is: a memory. He won't ever exist again. Not the Rinne who gave him advice about Jun and performed with him at the beach. Not the one who confided in him about Akan and held him when he cried. The only record of that person's existence is his own memories. And who knows how long he'll be allowed to keep those? Rinne lost his memories, after all. It's enough to make him feel acutely, momentarily hopeless.
But then Rinne sighs and says those last words, and all at once, his chest constricts. It sounded, to him, like acceptance-like Rinne's not throwing out his feelings or denying they could've ever had a bond. And it sounded so Rinne-like, too. After all, wasn't he always saying like things like that? "Gyahaha, you love me, don'tcha?" It's enough to make him realize this isn't a different person. With or without his memories, this is Rinne Amagi, sitting next to him for the first time in months.
His vision blurs with tears, and he gives Rinne a defiant look.]
So what if it does? Whose fault is that?
[And then he breaks eye contact, scrubbing at his face with his hands. He doesn't even have a sleeve he can dry his tears with! How horrible.]
You're still below a lot of people, though. Like Nagisa-kun, Jun-kun, Mary, my family, and my birds. So don't go getting too carried away.
[He speaks while wiping at his eyes. Then he hears footsteps approach—unsurprising, given that he's been making no effort to keep his voice down. But he still gives an exhausted grimace.]
What a pain.
[He glances at Rinne again. It's tempting to tell him to do all the work. But if they do want to beat their opponent...]
Shall we ambush them together?
text | @reira
greetings to the most talented idol around 🙏 are you busy? I was wondering if we could spend some time coming up with the lyrics to the song we'll be performing. I've recruited a few people to play instruments and robin is also interested in singing too! 💖💖
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Busy panicking. He just spent two hours outside Leo's door, knocking and messaging to no avail. It hasn't been long since Hiyori last heard from him. It seems impossible that he could be gone. That he could be a statue somewhere, when he's been at the resort even longer than Hiyori has. Smiling, laughing, playing impromptu concerts, holing up in his room and composing the night away...
He slumps over on a bench, staring at the registry. Hoping against hope that somehow, he missed Leo's name the last time he looked. But it isn't there. He doesn't see it anywhere, which means...
He gets a new message.
It takes him a moment to check it, and then several moments to reply.]
Reira-chan. How lovely to hear from you.
[He replies like normal (albeit with fewer emojis). There's no reason to dump his problems on her. Though, can he really hope to carry on like nothing's changed...?
Even thinking about making music makes him think of Leo, and his stomach sinks. Maybe he should be upfront with her.]
I'd be happy to come up with lyrics. Write them, rehearse them, meet your other collaborators, and whatever else you like.
But I'm not sure now's the best time. Someone I know went missing, so. That's been a bit stressful.
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so in her careless disregard, she hadn't quite asked or ventured into knowing more about hiyori— so his second response came as a shock, then came the guilt.
she was an idiot wasn't she? messaging him so carelessly when clearly he was struggling. she could just say they can meet a different time, perhaps set this plan aside for another time in the future and yet the people she's become close to here have brought out a more compassionate side of her. she couldn't just ignore this. )
I'm so sorry, I didn't realize. are you going to be okay? are you all alone right now?
( it took some time for her response to come in given she wasn't sure how to approach this but she was at least trying. )
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Yet this sort of thing isn't shocking, and that's what's so horrible. So many guests have disappeared. Before Leo it was Rinne, and before Rinne it was others he knew. It's all so horribly common, and it terrifies him.]
I'll be alright.
[For now, anyway. Two people from his world have vanished; it's just him and Jun left. How long until it's their turn? It's a question he's had to grapple with many, many times.]
I'm alone right now since I went looking for him, but I do still have my partner here. We live together, so I won't be all by my lonesome.
[...]
I should let you know the person who went missing is Leo-kun, though. He's the composer from home I mentioned.
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yet that last bit of information about having a partner left her stunned. was the resort truly that cruel to bring in established couples?? or did he meet someone here? a million questions but she had to focus. )
oh I'm so sorry, that's really tough.
I'm glad you're not alone but you know maybe I don't seem reliable or something like that but if you feel like venting or just need a distraction...
I'd be happy to help.
( the non-sexual kind of distraction of course, she was reaching her own emotional limit when it came to that after all. )
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You seem plenty reliable to me. I do appreciate the offer. I just don't think I'd be very good company at the moment.
So for now, all I'll ask is that you take care of yourself and have fun planning the concert.
[Ah, but there is one more thing he could ask. Tears well up as he even thinks about it, yet his fingers move to type the words anyway—without his brain considering that she might not know the truth yet.]
If you see a statue of a short boy with a small and scruffy ponytail, though, do let me know.
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( it was still difficult for her to fully grasp and understand how things could be so heavy and emotional for people here, but she was trying. she could sense the pain through his words and figured it was best to just give him some space.
it's the best she could do in the end— but for his next request, she made sure to actually go out looking for the statue even if she didn't find it. that bit of information was given to her by shanks after all and it was still confusing to her. )
oh right, I'll make sure I do. do you...
I don't want to keep bothering you during this difficult time but do you know more about those statues? I was told it happened randomly but I don't know much more about it.
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He blinks back tears, his vision clears, and then he's faced-to-face with a reminder that other people don't already know all about the statues. Of course. Though given that she doesn't question the request, she must already know that it can happen. Right?
Will it help to tell her more? Or will that just cause unnecessary panic? There's nothing any of them can do. The cheerful woman who'd been so enthusiastic about planning a concert... he'd hate to take her smile away. But it's a little late to worry about that, isn't it?]
I don't know the full truth either, but I can tell you what I've heard over the past year.
Do you want to meet in-person after all? I can go to where you are.
[He declined her offer to spend time together a moment ago, but this seems like a conversation that might be better off being had in-person. Not to mention...
He is the type who gets lonely easily. For all that he may not be good company, he does prefer not to be alone.]
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( as a woman who often ran from her troubles and walled herself up away from the world, she understood what it was like to want to close everyone off and just sequester yourself in a cocoon of pain and emotions. she wasn't going to push for him to do anything he didn't want to—
yet much like himself, she often felt lonely and strove to be in the company of others as often as she could. she was getting better at not burdening others here too much with her issues but even she was starting to fall prey to using sex to fill up the hole within her heart.
so even if she said he didn't have to force himself, she immediately sent him her location— the smoked egg. )
i'll be here, waiting for you if you do decide to come.
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Great, then I'll see you soon!
[And then he wipes at his eyes a bit, before getting up and checking his face in the reflective surface of the hallway, just to make sure he doesn't look too terrible. He then pulls up the digital map on his watch. Let's see, where did she say she was again...?
... ah. That's where she is.
He stands outside the doorway after he arrives, peering inside the lounge. He's passed the place plenty of times in his year-plus of living here, but he's always walked on by it. The air, thick with smoke, reminds him of the Roost, and the prospect of breathing it into his lungs seems unpleasant. He'd never pick up a cigar himself, and the dim lighting makes him wonder what sort of things might be going on in the dark. Idols, and noble scions, are supposed to keep their noses clean. This isn't his scene.
But he's been held hostage for over a year now, with no reason to think he'll be back home anytime soon and every reason to think things will get worse. He just lost a second person from his world. Compared to all that, a little darkness and some smoke seem like nothing to be afraid of.
He pushes through the doors and looks around the lounge, taking in the different silhouettes seated on cushions, slumping over tables, sharing whispered conversations and taking drags from elegantly-curved pipes. A few guests look his way, raking over his form with their eyes, but most are wrapped up in their own world. Here, unlike at home, he's no one noteworthy. He's not a royalty card.
Unlike some people. He doesn't know where precisely Reira is, but it doesn't take long even in the dark. All he has to do is keep an ear out, and eventually he hears the expected whisperings about the Queen. "Such a beautiful Queen. Do you think she's waiting for someone?"
Hiyori walks up to where she is. Despite everything, he smiles.]
This seat's not taken, is it?
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for her things were starting to slowly becoming repetitive— and so an opportunity to comfort someone, even in a place like this was something she looked forward to. even if she had insisted he needn't push himself so hard for her sake.
still when that familiar voice came rolling in through the cloud of smoke and soft jazzy tunes, she peaked her head up and offered a relaxed smile to hiyori. the smell of vanilla tobacco filled the air as she sat up and offered the seat next to her for him. )
No, all yours. Sorry I was probably hanging around the worst place imaginable when I texted you, so we don't have to stay long. Come sit—
( with a playful tone, she patted the pillow and encouraged him to come forth. )
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I wouldn't go that far. I don't like to smoke, but I can think of worse places than this around.
[Like the bondage club or the Roost. Or the maintenance area, with its eerie dark tunnels and whispering voices.
... or the Punishment Room. That's a place within the resort, too, he learned the hard way.
He drops to his knees gracefully and takes a seat upon a cushion. He doesn't want to breathe in any smoke, but once they're at eye-level (and nose-level) he gets a whiff of that vanilla scent anyway, causing him to a blink a few times in surprise.]
That's not what I expected that to smell like. I thought it'd smell all stale and gross.
[He's willing to sit with her in the lounge... but hopefully she doesn't mind some gentle ribbing about her smoking habit.]
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I'm glad, and don't worry it's not a habit I partake in often.
( especially because she had to keep her voice in prime condition— or rather she did back home. wasn't she free from that here? those pressures? she wasn't sure anymore but for now she smiled once they got to eye level, putting the hookah pipe she had in her hands onto the table before them. )
Apparently this is more unique way of enjoying tobacco. I've actually never used one of these before but apparently they're all the rage. Smells nice doesn't it? Anyways do you want to order something for yourself? I'll cover it.
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[He understands instantly. It's why he wouldn't consider smoking himself. That, and he doesn't like the smell. But cigarettes and cigars don't usually smell of vanilla. The scent is sweet without being overpowering, and pleasantly smoky, almost like a cologne. He finds he doesn't mind breathing it in.
Though he's also not quite sure he wants to order anything like that for himself.]
So they sell snacks too, hm?
[He thinks he did see a couple of people feeding each other. Probably dangling cherries over each other's mouths.]
I'm not sure what's on their menu. And it's impossible to tell what other people are eating or drinking, since it's so very dark in here. So!
[He flashes her a friendly smile.]
I'll let you choose!
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( he certainly didn't have to answer that question because she assumed he did— she didn't comment on it, but his appearance clearly suggested he took good care of himself or rather had to. if she had to guess, they both probably avoided the sun for the most part, even if those trivial worries didn't matter much in the end here.
still with the looming threat of learning more about this place and the need to bring him something for his company, she focused on the task at hand, eyes wandering around for a staff member before she stood up. cherries being erotically fed to each wouldn't do, but she could get him something for himself in the meantime. )
Alright, I promise not to get you anything too weird and hopefully...um well you'll forgive me if it's laced with anything weird.
( she might have been a bit silly and careless for the most part, but she at the very least knew about how things here could be laced with aphrodisiacs to send them all towards that little goal the resort had.
with a smile, reira nearly bounced off her seat and walked off to speak to a staff member, placing an order for their most basic snacks [chips, pretzels] and a few sodas to keep things light for now. once it was settled, she came back and returned to her previous seat and smiled at her companion. )
So it sounds like you know quite a bit about this place. I feel like the more I learn....the less I understand anything at all. I thought if I just went with the flow of things, I'd be alright but it does seem weird things happen regardless, fully outside of our control. I mean that cupid from before was something.
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I do indeed. There are lots of rules idols are supposed to follow, spoken and unspoken. But I already knew how that works, since I was raised in high society. And I always made sure not to let any higher-ups or producers boss me around too much.
[It's more complicated than that, truthfully. When he was in his old unit, he had little respect for the other members sans his childhood friend, and he also knew their unit wasn't built to last. As a result, he did as he pleased, skipping out on practice and using unit funds to take his fans out on expensive dates—something he never would have tried to get away with after joining his next unit. It wasn't a happy time for him, though. Once he had a career he could be proud of and a unit that was like "home" to him, he was much better-behaved. Following the rules didn't feel stifling when he was actually happy where he was.
This place, on the other hand, is like one big cage. One that keeps stealing his friends away from him. But he can recognize that there are freedoms afforded to him here that he wouldn't have at home. Like being alone with a girl inside a smoking lounge, for one thing. Although he could really live without the smell. But when the smoke smells like vanilla, he doesn't mind so much!
For now she volunteers to get him some snacks. He didn't mean to make her go fetch—she's the higher-rank here, and a woman—but he allows it this one time. He does, however, crease his forehead when she suggests the food might be laced with "something weird." Always a danger in the resort to be sure, but he sure hopes it's not a likely possibility.]
You're a Queen, so you could always try asking for something non-spiked.
[Though whether they'll actually respect her wishes is unknown. Either way, off she goes, leaving him briefly alone.
He rests his elbows on the table and slumps a bit. The smoky air and the atmosphere haven't gotten to him yet, but it was only a short while ago that he was crying over Leo's disappearance. What exactly is he doing...? Where does he go from here? Is there anything to do, other than wait for his turn to disappear at this point?
There are even more awful possibilities than just that. He knows it's possible that Jun, his partner from home, could turn to stone next, leaving him alone here. And that thought makes his stomach seize.
He straightens up when he sees her approach in his periphery, swallowing down his misery so he can talk to her normally. He did warn her he wouldn't be good company, but he still doesn't want to suck all the life out of the room.
First of all:]
You should try throwing around your status more. You could always call out and make them come to you, for example. I do that myself sometimes, and I'm a mere "numbered card."
[It's a leftover habit from back home, where he was a wealthy noble. But anyway, onto what she's saying.]
Those cupids were so ugly. But they're hardly the worst thing we've had to deal with.
[His shoulders slump again and his face hardens a bit. He really can't help but feel hopeless as he admits:]
I wish I could say it gets easier. But they're always twisting the rules and serving up new humiliations. And the longer you stay here, the more people you realize you haven't seen in a long time.
[...]
You said you wanted to hear about the statues, right?
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yet despite her own flaws, she took his advice and even began to make a note of it in her watch, typing away quickly before nodding. )
I guess you're right, I should have....thought of that. I'll do that next time.
( there's a slight blush that creeped onto her face, mostly drawn from embarrassment. wasn't she the older one here? yet she felt so useless. she was rich and famous back home and yet when she thought about it—
she was mostly treated like a singing machine. whatever she wanted she couldn't ever really have without pouting and throwing tantrums like a child. here it was different wasn't it? she could actually ask for what she wanted from the staff.
for now though she simply opted to lower her face a bit like a scolded child before he moved onto the next thing. )
Humiliations huh...I thought if we just did what they wanted they would leave us alone.
( yet another example of how naive and sheltered she was. )
Oh that, yeah I did want to know more about it. My friend Shanks told me a bit but I'm still pretty confused on how any of that works.
kicks captcha i waited long enough
Hmm... So we only get the basics if we don't do anything too risque, but we can't have any luxuries? Then doesn't that mean you can live comfortably without finding a partner?
[Though actually...]
Do you have a choice whether or not you can do it? They're so vague with their instructions, I feel like they can trick you into doing things you're not ready for.
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[No, not "sort of." Even if you have enough vouchers to support yourself, you'll still turn to stone if you don't have sex. How exactly should he break that to her, though?
It's always difficult. Meeting these wide-eyed new arrivals and having to be the bearer of bad news. But as someone who's been trapped here much longer than she has, he's basically her "senpai." And as her senior, and her partner for this activity, he wants to help. Both by telling her what she needs to do to survive, but also by telling her what she doesn't need to do, so she won't push herself too far.
He quits hemming and hawing and addresses her seriously.]
They will try to trick you, I'm sorry to say. And if you avoid going to bed with someone for over a month, you'll start to run into trouble. Which is absolutely horrid, since that's the sort of thing that shouldn't be forced on anyone. Still, there is some degree of choice, no matter how awful the system is.
[He clears his throat, pointing in a finger in the air.]
First of all, you don't need to go "all the way." I knew someone who was saving that for marriage, and he never got penalized for it, as far as I'm aware. Second of all—
[He holds another finger in the air.]
—there are a surprising number of loopholes that can work. For example, simply watching someone else can count; if two people invited you to watch them be intimate, you could get their cards without having letting anyone touch you. Which I know might sound strange, but it takes some of the pressure off, doesn't it? And simply exchanging pictures or messages can also work, as long as someone "enjoys themself" to the fullest. That's what the commoners call "sexting," apparently. I know doing that sort of thing can be somewhat nerve-wracking as an idol, though.
[He holds up a third figure.]
And third of all, you should always get to choose your partner. This place may try to shove you together with certain people, but you can always say, "Nope, no thanks!" Even if someone begs you for help with their suit, it's still within your right to say, "I don't feel like it today, so go find someone else!"
[His voice rises in volume. He's already invested in her well-being and he wants her to be alright, even if this place is absolutely, positively awful.]
You mustn't let anyone guilt you into things. There are always willing people here, and you seem like a lovely woman whom anyone would want, which means you can be picky as you please. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can cry themselves a river. Understood? That all makes sense, doesn't it?
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[Oh wow, he sure is passionate about this. It's so nice to hear someone so concerned about her wellbeing enough to warn her of the ways that she could be tricked, and even the mention of consent! What a kind young man.
Would he be disappointed to find out that the warning was unfortunately a little too late.]
... It must have been a really hard battle for you and your friend. So he's still keeping that up?
[Man must really want to keep his dick dry.]
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Only for her next words to take all the wind out of his sails, causing him to deflate like a balloon. Great, another horrible thing he has to warn her about.]
No, not exactly.
[He hesitates for a second, trying to figure out how to phrase himself before settling on something vague.]
He's no longer an active guest at the moment. People come and go a lot in this place.
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Right?]
I'm not sure I'm following... Isn't that a good thing?
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[Another long moment of hesitation follows. He thinks about saying, "There's no proof he's gone home," or something along those lines. Then she'd understand why he's worried. But that's not quite true, is it? He knows where Rinne is: in Reign's room, as a statue. Should he really explain that right now, though?
His shoulders slump. In the end, even the charismatic and ever-talkative Hiyori Tomoe can't spin a good answer out of nothing.]
... sorry. I hate to bear even more bad news, but people don't always go home when they disappear.
[Another pause, his voice sounding heavy and exhausted.]
He's been taken off the guest list, but he is still here. It just doesn't seem like "him," since he's turned into a stone statue.