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Fire Emblem on Forums: Seven Wishes of Hanako Saihara
~~Game Theme~~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JnSWYP1P1I)
~~~~RULES~~~~
1. All non-IC stuff is to be posted at the OOC thread (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=180300.0) or on the Discord. Violators will be haunted by Hanako.
2. Post formatting mandatory. As such:
Colored normal text for PC speech!
Colored italized text for PC thinking.
*Colored small text or between asterisks for PC whispering*
Normal text for generic descriptive text.
Bolded text for PC actions and orders!
3. Order of battle posts:
Players' actions -> GM resolves -> Player's actions -> GM resolves ... until all player actions have been posted -> GM posts Enemy/Ally Phase and new turn map -> Start again
If you need an action resolved before making another ask in the OOC thread.
4. Don't post until your character is properly introduced!
5. Be active if you can! I don't care if you don't want to RP, but try to post your action within a reasonable time. If you have to be warned several times your character may be automoved or put in the away list. If you can't post for personal reasons, try to warn the rest in the OOC thread. Delegating actions to other people is also allowed.
Definitely not ripped off from Solymr's posts, nope.
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Prologue: The End of Summer
(https://i.imgur.com/UyRQX8V.png)
~~Summer, 2014~~
"You know, if I were mistaken, I'd say you were about to confess your feelings, Satoshi."
Hanako gazed out over the river, fallen leaves blowing over the dirt path leading to their base in the woods. She and Satoshi were alone, sitting on a rock overlooking the river, the only sounds being the wind blowing through the branches above them and, right behind them, the others gathered in their base in the woods, probably waiting for them to come back around.
(https://i.imgur.com/uVZQ8hJ.png) "Hehe. What would you do if I was, Hana-chan?"
(https://i.imgur.com/OmCqEn2.png) "....you know, you shouldn't joke about things like that, you idiot," Hanako gently chided him. "....what would you do if I was being serious about it?"
He paused. The river continued to bubble behind them.
(https://i.imgur.com/uVZQ8hJ.png) "...what would you do, Hana-chan, if I was?"
The look on Hanako's face was something Satoshi had never seen before. Far from being coy and joking, it was a serious look, one he'd rarely seen from her. Only a few times before, in his life, had he ever seen her look so serious.
(https://i.imgur.com/OmCqEn2.png) "Are you being serious, Satoshi?"
Hanako was suddenly staring directly at Satoshi, her gaze fixed right on him, her eyes boring right into his very soul.
(https://i.imgur.com/XpUGOAG.png) "...I need to know, Satoshi."
The young man felt his heart beat a hundred beats a minute. He'd seen the trap, he'd known what it would be like, and yet he walked into it with open eyes.
(https://i.imgur.com/XpUGOAG.png) " Do you feel that way, about me, Akamatsu Satoshi?"
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First Wish: The Speechless Singer
(https://i.imgur.com/4fAFpEV.png)
~~Summer, 2016~~
"I'm home!"
The sounds of cicadas chirping could be heard outside, the summer heat permeating everything. Once again, summer had taken hold of Iwatodai, as it had for years before, and as it would for years after. A car whistled past on the road outside, and the sun was high in the sky; it was just past midday. Satoshi's shift as a lifeguard at the town's pool had just ended uneventfully. Thankfully, too. It was a good day when nobody needed his help.
Satoshi barged into his empty home with a loud yell. It was a small home; a kitchen, small living room, two bathrooms and bedrooms upstairs. Usually, it held two people; Kirihiko Akamatsu, the father of the house, who spent most of his time working in the nearby Mishima Economic District for the Mishima Corporation, and Satoshi Akamatsu, a young man in his final year at Yadomi High, who'd taken whatever he could to fill his summer.
It had been a long time since it held more than two people. Longer still since it had held three.
Satoshi slumped down on his sofa, sighing as he stared at the table, his father's customary note on it telling him to be careful and eat well and that he'd be home late so not to wait up, perched atop a pre-prepared box of tofu steamed last night. He whipped out his phone; no calls, no new texts. He frowned as he scrolled down a bit.
Two years since Hanako's last text.
Do you feel that way, about me, Akamatsu Satoshi?
Immediately, Satoshi's attention flew towards the clock. It was about one in the afternoon. Good. He promised Miss Honda he'd help her and her son move their couch in thirty minutes. He'd come home just in time. He smiled to himself.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "A little extra help will do the trick. And tonight, some yakiniku!"
Satoshi pulled himself from the couch to get ready. A change of clothes and a quick shower, perhaps; him smelling like sweat when he went over was going to be somewhat embarrassing. As he stood up, however, his phone slipped from his hand, skittering across the floor.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Oh!"
As he leant over to grab it, however...
"Here you go."
The hairs on the back of Satoshi's neck stood up.
A pale hand handed Satoshi's phone back to him. His eyes slowly traveled up across the person that had appeared in his living room. Up her jet-black dress, made of a material that looked as smooth as silk and translucent as clouds at night. Up her thin body, a few years older than he'd last seen her. Up her too-pale skin, almost ivory-white, only an approximation of life. A curtain of dark brown hair framed her smiling face, her deep brown eyes now a crimson shade.
Hanako Saihara was standing in his living room. Hanako Saihara, Satoshi's best friend. Hanako Saihara, the girl who'd helped him gather their old friend group.
Hanako Saihara, who had been dead for two years.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Hi, Satoshi."
....
Around Iwatodai, a certain group's phones began to buzz with messages, from a number you may not have called, texted or heard from in years.
The same message, from Satoshi.
Come to my house. Hanako is here. Send help.
What are you doing now?
//Everyone may post.
-
Takeo was sitting in the wreckage of his latest brawl. He'd been beaten down, of course; he'd never won a fight and it wasn't going to start with him being somewhat malnourished, underweight, and running on maybe an hour of sleep. But he had still, in his own way, won. He'd gotten a couple of them pretty good, and he knew he had from how long it had taken the rest of them to stop kicking him while he was down. The pain was still as distant as ever. Nothing was broken this time at least, but he'd have some spectacular bruises to show for it.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "'Least they didn't break the damn smokes."
He took a crumpled packet of cigarettes and a metal flip lighter, the outside rusty with age, out of his back pocket. With a quiet flick, he opened the lighter, lit a cigarette, and started smoking.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I wonder what their problem was, anyway. Maybe some old enemies or something."
He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, taking a deep drag that turned a quarter of the cigarette to ash and filled his lungs with nicotine-laced smoke. He exhaled it all slowly and deliberately - not forming smoke rings or anything of the sort, more... meditatively. He could have stayed there for hours - was planning to, actually - when his old flip-phone buzzed in his zipped coat pocket. He unzipped it and took the phone out, flipping it open. No one contacted him any more. He'd stopped replying months ago, but he'd kept the phone, kept it charged. He could still read her texts, see the handful of low-resolution pictures he'd taken of the group. It was the only proof he still had of her existence.
He opened the text.
Come to my house. Hanako is here. Send help.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...Hanako?"
Why do you still have this number? This better not be some kind of sick joke, Akamatsu.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/iddizvdjhsvfudj/NCT.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) It'd be a hell of a coincidence... if she wasn't always so close to my thoughts. Akamatsu isn't the kind of guy to prank people like this, but there's no way in hell he can be telling the truth, either. But if he wasn't, why would he get in touch with me after all this time? Screw it, man. There's only one way to get the truth.
Takeo finished his cigarette, sent one last message, and left the junkyard.
I'm on my way.
-
Minato had been studying. It had been a long morning, starting with an early morning garbage cleanup at a local road, followed by a shift reading to kids at the local kindergarten's summer program, and then a mild workout, but now he was showered, fed, and working hard to make sure he could keep his spot among the school's best students. After all, any deficiency was something that could stop him from helping, and knowing the world, it would certainly poke at any weakness it could find.
He hadn't noticed the text when it came in, his phone placed to the side to make sure it didn't distract him. When he finished reading the chapter he was on, he glanced at it. The text from Satoshi caused him to furrow his brow. Sure, they still kept in contact, especially when either had something they had been asked to help with that was too much for one person, but they didn't text too much anymore. Looking at a text from Satoshi and not seeing another person immediately chime in... it was just better to call, or speak in person.
When he looked at the actual content of the text, his brow furrowed further. Hanako... a part of him wondered if this was some kind of poor excuse for a joke... but that wasn't something Satoshi of all people would do. That left the option that he was mistaken or... he sighed. They all dealt with their guilt in different ways, and maybe it had all finally become too much for Satoshi. After all, he'd been closest to her of all of them. They'd all been certain those two would end up growing old together one day.
Well, only one thing to really do.
Of course, I'll be right over.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "You've got to be kidding me."
She'd thought today was just another ordinary, lazy summer day. Her mother and father were out as usual. Ran had taken her morning jog, made lunch for herself. She had plans with friends later to hang out at the market, do some window shopping, talk about things that didn't matter, so she'd been sitting at the dining table, browsing the internet on her phone until then.
It felt like time stopped when she saw Satoshi's name pop up on the screen, her fingers moving on their own to open his text.
Of course he wouldn't just message her out of nowhere after this long. What he was saying was crazy, and seeing Hanako's name written out for the first time in ages made her heart feel like it had been tied into a knot. Ran was almost mad, almost disappointed at him and at herself because of how badly she suddenly wanted his unbelievable story to be true.
did you hit your head?
i'm just supposed to come because you're telling me to?
It had to be a trick. He must have heard about the stupid things she'd done, or known that this of all things would work on her. But this was Satoshi she was talking about, always genuine, straightforward, who used to say the sappiest things without being embarrassed at all.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "..." With one hand she began canceling her other plans as she tossed on her shoes, grabbed her bag and was out the door.
fine, just don't scare her off!!!
-
Kaya Hawa's purple cape flapped in the sulfuric winds. His silhouette stretching down the street by the light of a terrible flame. A foul demon towered above the teenage warrior, its malevolent maw twisted in mockery.
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png) "Unhand the princess, you foul fiend, or face my Astral Blade!"
Kaya brandished a shining sword which glistened in the light of the demon's fiery shroud.
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png) "By the four winds and the great beyond, I smite—"
His phone buzzed. What was it now? Probably his mother telling him to eat alone again. Kaya fumbled about in his pockets. The demon dissolved from his imagination, leaving only an apartment block lit up by the setting sun. The sword was a twig he'd picked up from the roadside. The lines from the end of year play were still fresh in his mind. What fun would summer be without rehearsals?
Kaya stared in disbelief at the text message, lost for words like he so rarely was these days. Was this a game? He hoped so. Oh what an intriguing game it could be! Time to play along.
I make haste!
He swooped his great purple cloak (that much was real), and strode off towards Satoshi's house.
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The second day of her holidays. Well, technically, the first one. Kogen arrived late yesterday due to flight issues, so she only had enough time and energy for dinner and to sleep on the futon. But now she was rested and full of energy.
Well, almost full. Helping her grandparents around the house came first. It was the least she could do for honoring their hospitality. Not only for now, but also during the time she and her parents were relying on them while in Iwatodai. Until two years ago.
Two years ago...
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "Hanako-chan..."
Kogen shook her head. It was tragic, yes, but that's why she was here too. To find closure after having been suddenly ripped away when her friends needed support the most. There was not even time to visit her grave and pay her respects. But that will change this summer. She will pray, ask Hanako for forgiveness for not having been to the graveyard earlier and then she will try to get the gang back together. She held no illusions that things will be like in the past. A key member was tragically missing after all. But that is life. To find your way back into life and make the best out of it.
What is gone is gone, after all. She just hoped something else wasn't gone, something that has been her secret and remained unused, hidden under a loose floor panel, for the past two years. She was too tired to check yesterday and too busy to check now, but she had some time now. Maybe she should...
Her smartphone rang, playing the opening notes of her current favourite RPG's theme. A message.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "Eeeeh? Mother, I know it's only one day, but you don't need to miss me that much so soon, hehehe~"
The purple, lightly-decorated smartphone is taken from the desk and she checked it.
The message was not from her mother.
(https://i.imgur.com/dpFu0Xs.png) "... Ya gotta be..."
Her legs moved faster than her mind. Essentials were swiftly stored into her pockets. She hastily shouted she's out to her grandparents while she stumbled down the stairs, almost tripping. Her body mildly slammed against the door as she turned the knob to press it outward, one of her shoes almost flying forward as she sprinted through the front yard. Her left leg carried her entire weight as she hopped one-legged down the road while fixing her loose shoe before finally entering a sprinting state for a second, turning around on the spot as she remembered that her grandfather fixed up an old bike just for her when the holiday plans were announced. Kogen returned quickly to the front yard and grabbed the bike grandpa pointed to yesterday, swinging herself on top of it and furiously pedaling.
Her goal was clear: The Akamatsu residence.
-
It was the start of another day for Yayoi. Climbing her way out of bed only to discover that her mother had long since left for work and had left her basically cereal for breakfast. The Magical Devil Warrior Lily Dusk sees every morning as the start of a new adventure. Even if her assigned Priestess could not attend to her needs in-person, it matters not! For the Magical Warrior Devil Lily Dusk derives her energies from the trails of stardust from the Dunkelsdammerung. Even if her offerings be greatly lacking, she shall not be deterred! For the Mag-
And it was way too early for her to be talking like this. This was really more Mi-someone else's thing. The fact she was doing it, well, uh, it was probably a sign of some sort. Most likely a sign of boredom. Well, whatever. She was pretty used to her mum being too busy for a proper breakfast. She'll make herself something - maybe some buttered toast to go along with the cereal. It'd give her something to prepare - she'd just have to slot the bread in the toaster, right? - while she, uh, marked herself with the symbols of magic freshened up.
She'd barely gotten her hair tied up when she'd gotten that telltale ping on her phone that told her that someone had sent a message. Now, who's be messaging her? If it was over two years ago, then there might have several someones. But, now? Well, uh, let's say Lily Dusk existed for a reason Might as well pick up her phone and have a look-see. Huh, apparently, it came from Satoshi and the contents were...clearly impossible.
Hanako was dead. They all knew that. The dead didn't come back to life, right? That wasn't how any of this worked. But what if it did? What if people could come back? What if they could all go back? Wasn't that a chance worth taking? All those thoughts ran through her mind as Yayoi dashed out a very hasty reply back to Satoshi.
wil b rght over!!!!!1!
Snatching up a (still-hot) slice of toast as she passed, Yayoi simply dash her way right out of the front door, slipping on a quick pair of shoes as she simply rushed her way towards the Akamatsu residence. Completely ignoring the fact that she hadn't bothered to change out of her pyjamas in her haste. Or the slice of toast currently caught in her mouth. Oh, wow. She was just the very image of manga stereotypes, wasn't she?
-
As each person arrives at the Akamatsu residence, they arrive to see....
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "....you're not really here, are you?"
Satoshi leapt away from Hanako, staring at her ethereal form. She was standing before him. He knew she should be dead, but she was here.
She couldn't be here. She shouldn't be.
Hanako frowned.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Don't be an idiot. Of course I'm here, Satoshi. I handed you your phone, didn't I?"
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "You're dead. You....how?"
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Don't ask me, Satoshi. Besides....I don't really know."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "What do you mean you don't know? You know what? I'm....I'm going to get some fresh air. You're not real. You're my summer beast. That's it! The heat's getting to me, at last."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Oh, come on. Seriously, AnoHana? You can't be joking."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Well, what am I supposed to say? This is LITERALLY what happened in that show! You and I both watched it....if you're even real."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Yes, and as I recall, you cried really hard at the ending. I know, Ran told me, because she found out from Takeo that YOU watched it alone because you didn't want me to see you cry."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "If you're a hallucination I made up, you'd know that. Okay, tell me something only Hanako would know."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "I just did. You'd never admit that you cried about Menma. You know we'd tease you for it."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Yeah, nice try. Try something else."
Hanako sighed.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "The night before the barbeque. I remember what you told me, Satoshi. You....promised me you wouldn't let me go."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "...."
Satoshi suddenly began typing in a text on his phone feverishly. Hanako tilted her head.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "....what are you doing?"
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "I'm getting everyone over here. We can settle this. Either they can see you too, or you're not real! And if you're here....well....we can get the band back together, right?"
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "That's.....surprisingly practical of you, Satoshi. Looks like they've been taking care of you."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "It's..."
Satoshi looked down at his phone. At the messages that hadn't been read for two years.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "...hard to explain. Shall we wait outside?"
.....as the others arrive, they see Satoshi, sitting by himself, outside his front door.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Oh! Hey guys! Can you see Hanako? She's sitting right here! Next to me. I think."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "You do realise if they can't, you're going to look crazy, right? Besides, it's not like this is exactly like AnoHana. They can probably see me."
Of course, none of the arriving group hear Hanako's side of the conversation.
-
Right, he'd really hoped it wouldn't be this, but there weren't really any other options of why Satoshi would have sent out that text. If it were just the two of them, he might play along a bit, better to avoid worsening the trauma by immediately attempting to confront it. Unfortunately, they were not alone, and even if everyone else reacted well, which wasn't too likely, anyone who knew Takeo knew that, unless he'd become enlightened in the past few years, his reaction to getting his hopes up that Hanako was back, only for them to be crushed, would be to attempt to crush whoever crushed them.
He had to move quickly.
(https://i.imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Satoshi, can we talk real quick?" he asked, placing an arm over Satoshi's shoulder and attempting to lead him to another room, away from Takeo, "Just the two of us?"
He shot a kind smile to all the others, who he'd love to talk to more later assuming they don't all storm out in anger.
(https://i.imgur.com/GY2phn7.png)
"Would you all mind staying here? We'll only be a moment."
-
It was bad enough that Satoshi had called all the others here, and that they had all arrived at about the same time.
She had wanted to believe him so badly. She had jogged here, barely overtaken by Kogen on her bike. Now seeing them all together once again - and no Hanako - and Satoshi alone talking to himself - and no Hanako - she felt like she was tipping over, losing her balance, falling down an endless hole.
So really, who was the crazy one here?
She was going to throw up if she didn't get rid of this bile in her throat.
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "No," Ran said, her voice full of reproach. "None of that 'saint' business, I want him to- I want him to explain. Tell me why."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Is that you, Minato? When'd you get taller than me?"
Takeo looked up at his friend. It wasn't like Takeo wasn't damn near the shortest member of the group - he was definitely the shortest male, anyway - but he seemed to remember Date being on eye-level with him two years ago. He lit another cigarette.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Anyway, Ran's right. Satoshi's not getting out of this shit without explaining himself, and you ain't dragging him out before I hear it."
Takeo turned to Akamatsu.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "There better be a good reason you would just..."
He released a deep breath through his nose.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/iddizvdjhsvfudj/NCT.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "You know how much she meant to all of us."
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "So start talking."
Takeo didn't make any verbal threats, but his balled fists at his side, his slightly leaned-forward stance, his narrowed eyes... everything said he was ready to start swinging.
-
Minato looked to Ran and Takeo. He couldn't disagree with them, they deserved answers. Truthfully, he wanted an answer too, but he was afraid of what they could be. He didn't want this to be some kind of bad joke, or a game made in poor taste, but the alternative to that would be... what? That Satoshi's grief had driven him insane so that he was hallucinating Hanako? The events of that morning had already taken so many things from them, he couldn't lose the one friend he'd managed to keep contact with too.
(https://i.imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"...fine." Minato relented, moving himself so that he looked Satoshi in the eyes, his hand resting on his shoulder in comfort.
(https://i.imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"No, we don't see Hanako." Minato replied, "Satoshi, are you feeling okay?"
-
Hanako groans.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Okay, they can't see me. It IS AnoHana rules. Right. Hate that. One second, I'll stop Takeo from killing you. It'd do you no good if we're both ghosts."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Uh. I can....explain. Or...well, trust me. Hanako's about to-"
Takeo suddenly feels that his phone has gone missing.
Or, well, in this case, is now floating, between him, Minato and Ran, with the screen open to the text messaging screen.
Hi. It's Hanako. Please don't beat Satoshi up. He's not hallucinating.
Satoshi stares at Hanako, currently holding up Takeo's phone, standing between him, Takeo, Minato and Ran. He has a look of complete exasperation.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Seriously?! That's your plan?!"
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Well, what was I supposed to do?! You're the planner, Satoshi!"
-
Kaya arrives to see the scene unfold with the floating phone. He tries to spot the thread that must be dangling it. When this game is over, I must ask Satoshi how me managed these effects...
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png): "Well met old friends! Do mine eyes deceive me? Or is there truly a ghost among us?"
-
Takeo stopped and stared at the phone.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Is... that really you... Hanako?"
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/iddizvdjhsvfudj/NCT.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Why can't I see you if you're there?"
After a moment to collect himself he looked at the phone again.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "The day we met. You and Satoshi were trying to fix something the two of you'd broken and I fixed it for you. What was it? Don't answer, Satoshi. I need to know that this is her."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Hanako?"
Should the people not able to see Hanako follow Satoshi's eyes, they'd be directed roughly where Hanako's head would be, if they could see her.
A pause.
Takeo's phone erases Hanako's previous message, then-
My tricycle. I'm sorry. I can't remember too much. There's a fog on a lot that happened when I was alive, but I'd never forget that. Satoshi and I were driving that tricycle around and we went into a ditch and you offered to fix it for us.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...That's right. I'd never forget it either."
He made no move to take his phone back. If that's how Hanako had to communicate with the rest of the group, so be it.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "It's her. I don't know how, or why we can't see her, but it's definitely Hanako. So... what do we do? How do we fix this and get you back?"
-
Compared to Takeo, Minato's reaction was... not as good.
(https://i.imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"Wha... what?" he muttered, waving his hand above the phone, trying to break some hidden wire, and below it, in case... the wind was keeping it aloft or something. Finally, he tapped the phone, to make sure it was really there.
It was.
(https://i.imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"This... this isn't... this..." he muttered, walking backward until he was sitting down on the couch, "This isn't possible. This is impossible."
-
"You could have asked a question that Satoshi didn't also know the answer to," Ran said weakly. But the fact that she didn't ask a question of her own said more than she was willing to admit out loud.
Honestly, she was stunned too. She didn't step back or turn away to collect herself, but she realized for the first time that she had never really planned what she would say or do if she had succeeded years ago. But of course Satoshi and Hanako had always seemed closest... Still, if there was frustration or jealousy there it was overwhelmed by the rush of other feelings that washed over her.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png)"How's it impossible? You of all people, you're saying that?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/StJsVdQ.png): "Maybe it's a sick joke, but I'm honestly impressed by your stagecraft."
Kawa walks forward and swooshes his hand over the phone to try to catch a hidden wire. When his hand meets no resistance, he falls back with shock. You fool! The Satoshi you knew would never joke about this!
(https://i.imgur.com/Ji3FGI8.png): "It's... real? She's... back?!"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"I didn't just get taller in the past few years." Minato replied "I grew up. Spirits aren't real, and neither are ghosts. This can't be happening."
-
A gentle slap on the back of Minato's head reassures him that no, this is very much happening. Any other time, he might have attributed it to a leaf, or the wind, but....
This is happening, and I'm right here even if nobody but Satoshi can see me. You got real tall, Minato. A looker, too. Maybe you should've given Satoshi some tips.
Satoshi suppresses a chuckle, despite himself.
I'm sorry. I don't know why it's like this. Or why I came back. I can't even remember how I died. There's just a fog over everything back when I was alive, I'm sorry if I can't be more helpful.
Then.
I hope you all took care of each other while I was gone. Satoshi in particular.
-
Something seemed to shift, the expression behind her eyes, before Ran tossed her head and looked away.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png)"I wouldn't know, I haven't even thought about you in years."
She was addressing Minato but she hadn't missed Hanako's message either. She still couldn't identify the feelings roiling inside her, something like hot shame, self-righteousness, some strange fear. Were they still old friends in strangers' skin, or the other way around?
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png)"I just came here because of her, that's all."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/iddizvdjhsvfudj/NCT.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...I don't think any of us did. It didn't take long for us to fall apart without you. Satoshi holed himself up in his room. Kogen left. Minato became a stranger overnight. So did Kaya, Ran, and Yayoi. I guess I went a little crazy. Started fighting everyone. Eventually I left too. Couldn't stay away, though I tried."
That was events from his point of view.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "There's gotta be some reason you're a restless spirit. I'm gonna figure it out. That's a promise, Hanako."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"You don't need to lie," Minato replied to Ran, "I don't think a day went by that I didn't miss everyone. I'm really happy to see you all again."
Now he addressed Hanako.
(https://i.imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"I'm sorry, I should have done more to try to keep in contact with everyone. It just... it hurt to be with everyone, knowing that it wasn't everyone, but I should have done more. I'm sorry for not being able to do what you would have done."
-
Kogen was quiet. She hadn't seen anyone in the past two years due to moving back to Okinawa. And for a moment, she was kinda aghast. First, the worry that Satoshi was off his rockers. Then the magical thing unfolding before her eyes. But even more so, she was silent and nervous because of the rest of the group. They all seem... changed. Sure, two years passed, people are bound to change, but some seem to have undergone an outright metamorphosis.
Then again, what could she have done? Even if it wasn't her fault, she was no longer there when everyone needed an ear to listen to. She couldn't help but feel responsible for this strange situation.
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "... No, Minato. I of all people should apologize for not having been there. I know I had no choice in that matter, but still. Even now, me being here right now is pure coincidence... ..."
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "... Hey, Hanako. Hey, Satoshi. Ran. Kaya. Minato. Yayoi. Takeo. Guess we gotta hold a 'welcome back' party for two, eh?"
She suddenly turned towards Takeo.
(https://i.imgur.com/WDJbCYx.png) "Also, did I see that right earlier? When did you start smoking?! Akisamiyoo!"
Kogen often uttered this expression when she was surprised. Or angry. It's not hard to see which emotion was closer at the moment. Her expression suddenly shifted though.
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "... I'm sorry. I... should have been a better friend all this time... I have no right to complain."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Yeah... I smoke now. Started nearly two years ago. It isn't the only new habit I have."
He didn't reach for his back pocket, but he was aware of the flask in it.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Looks like you're the only one of us that's still the same. It must be a hell of a shock, seeing what a shambles the group as a whole is. Though I guess some of us got it together better than others."
-
Kogen lightly shook her head.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "... ... I probably seem to have remained the same because I could never move forward."
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "And how could I...? I couldn't even attend Hanako's funeral. And I became who I was because of y'all. Even when the messages became more sparse and shallow, I... would have felt guilty if I found new guys to hang out with..."
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "Because everyone... and everything important... is here..."
-
Is that right? Satoshi, you sap.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "I wasn't in my room that long, sheesh. But...that's all in the past now. And....yeah, I suppose we're....things have changed, Hanako."
Satoshi nods.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "I promise you this, Hanako. However we can help you, we'll help you. Takeo and I....no, all of us....we have your back."
Hanako chuckles.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Well. I've never known you to make a promise you couldn't keep, Satoshi. I'm holding you to it."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Heh. Always, Hana-chan."
That being said, I might have some ideas as to why I'm here. I think.
A pause.
Can ghosts get hungry? I feel hungry. We can discuss this when I have something to eat.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Oh! Uh...I can cook, if you guys want! Um....y'know, I should probably get you guys something to eat. Least I can do, getting you guys over here."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"I'll help." Minato said, getting up. He needed something else to focus on.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I don't know when you left your room, Satoshi. Sometime after I skipped town. I'm just giving the facts."
Takeo returned his attention to his floating phone. He didn't know where Hanako 'was', exactly, but he knew she was holding it up, so it was good enough.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "He isn't lying. I want things to go back to how they were. Whatever I gotta do for you, I'll do it. Except cooking. Those two can handle that."
His stomach rumbled and he smiled ruefully.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/0t061spdyq6z9wq/NCS.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I don't remember the last time I had something someone cooked. I've just been eating... protein bars and whatever else I could grab."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "It's been two years. I have other friends, you know?"
Minato wasn't paying attention anymore as the conversation moved to cooking, and Ran was glad for it because she didn't actually want to hurt him or the rest of them. She just hated how he had so casually suggested she was lying in front of everyone as if to strip her defenses away from her. She could take genuine straightforwardness from Satoshi, but this from Minato... She couldn't accept it yet.
After all, she hadn't moved on either. She just didn't think it'd be that easy to go back to the way things were.
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "Of course I'm helping her too, you don't have to volunteer me."
-
This was roughly the point when Yayoi finally arrived, panting with exertion from her mad dash. She took one look at the floating phone and recoiled, screaming.
(https://i.imgur.com/oqJeApy.png) "Aargh! A ghost?!"
Leaning closer to take a closer look at the phone, Yayoi began to mutter, nodding thoughtfully to herself.
(https://i.imgur.com/oqJeApy.png) "Oh, I see. Your phone must have fulfilled its hundred years and become a tsukumogami." , she concluded, tapping her fingers against her face in a manner that seemed as though she was adjusting her glasses, completely ignoring the fact that she wasn't wearing glasses anymore or how likely it was it hasn't even been half that long since the phone's manufacture.
(https://i.imgur.com/oqJeApy.png) "Never fear! Magical Devil Lily Dusk is here! Now, all we need is a little zing and a-" She declared, striking a pose and reaching a hand out for the 'floating' phone before she abruptly noticed everyone standing nearby, freezing in place with her fingers bare inches from the phone's surface. "Oh, uh, h-hi, everyone? L-long t-time n-no see?"
-
Upon seeing Yayoi and taking a moment to realize who she was, Kogen let out a defeated sigh.
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "Wow... That's a lot of transformation at once to get used to..."
She nodded once, as if to motivate herself.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "Then again, in a way, that's still soo you, Yayoi... Alright! Everyone who wants to cook, cook. I'd like to help, but right now I need to catch up with you guys, hearing what you've been up to. So everyone not doing work in the kitchen, ya gotta tell me everything that happened since I was away."
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "I won't take 'no' for an answer, by the way. We've been given a literal miracle, no way we'll let that go to waste!"
-
Takeo shrugged.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I'm not sure how much there is to tell. Hanako died. Minato stopped being Minato and started being an overachiever. Yayoi did the opposite. Satoshi didn't seem to want to talk to anyone, Ran started hanging out with her other friends, and Kaya got into theater. It's not like it's all their fault I stopped talking to them, though. I was... well, I'm still not in a good place, but I was a lot worse at the time."
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/iddizvdjhsvfudj/NCT.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I just stopped giving a shit. Didn't answer calls or texts. Spent most of my time picking fights just to let out the anger, so I could get hurt and feel something. Started smoking and drinking to try to take my mind off of it. Didn't work. Everywhere in this damn town reminded me of her, our entire group. So I fucked off, went to a few different cities. Probably easier on my parents having one less person around anyway."
Takeo finished his cigarette and, not seeing an ashtray around to put it in, placed the stub behind his right ear.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I tried a lot of different things out. Maybe I'll show you one day. Also did some part time work, just enough to put myself up in a PC cafe every night. Did some petty crimes, never got caught. Probably should have. Eventually I came back, been hanging around town for a few months. People still got grudges and I've still got two fists so I've been getting into fights fairly regularly. That's me, anyway. You, Kogen?"
-
Yayoi feels a light slap around the back of her head.
Please don't exorcise me. I'd rather like it if I could figure out why I came back first.
Then Takeo talks.
I see you guys really fell apart without me and Satoshi holding the fort, huh?
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "That doesn't sound like you, Satoshi."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "That's because it wasn't. But uh....it's all in the past now, right?"
Then Takeo also gets a slap around the head.
Don't think you're getting away. Well, quit that. You're not some delinquent. You're our Takeo. You and Satoshi were like brothers back in the day.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Ow. Fuck's sake."
Takeo's grousing as he rubbed his head wasn't serious, though. Being slapped by Hanako meant she had some sort of presence. She was here. Getting her visible was just the next step. He'd figure out the step after that when it was time for it. But he'd fix this.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...Any of you guys going to answer Kogen? I'm sure the last two years went better for some of you than it did for me. Or at least differently."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "Yeah, well, that 'all in the past' is really messing with my present day right now."
Ran's eyes flickered briefly towards Satoshi before she sighed and crossed her arms, considering Kogen and Takeo's prompting.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "I mean, what more is there to say? Takeo's right, that's basically what I did. After... it happened, I did whatever I could, I tried to get back to normal. And I did, before" - she gestured at the phone with her palm open and facing upwards - "this happened."
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "We've all changed." If her next words caught in her throat, she didn't let on. "Are we going to pretend like we're going to deal with it?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/StJsVdQ.png): "What was that line from last year's play... 'Friends, Long United, Must Divide; Long Divided, Must Unite', or something like that. It's the way of things... but we're back now! You're back now!"
Kaya would rather not dwell on the painful falling apart of his friend group... not when there's the miracle of Hanoka's return.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "You're not wrong, Ran. We aren't who we were before. Dunno if some of us will ever be. But we're all here, and I'm in a good mood for the first time in a long time, so let's try to make the most of it."
He nodded to Kaya.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/y80sfs9ohmnfd44/NeutralSmile.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Recapture some of that old 'youth in summer' magic."
-
Satoshi laughs.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Yeah. That's the Takeo I know. It's good to see you guys again after so long."
He stretches his arms.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Let's go inside, get some food, and then we can figure out how we get on from here. That sound good?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"I didn't stop being me." Minato replied to Takeo, "Come on, I wasn't going to believe in spirits forever."
He shot a quick glance at the floating phone.
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Present company excluded, of course." he added, "...actually, speaking of spirits, Hanako, do you want me to make you a plate? I'm not sure if you can eat, but we do leave food for the spirits, so do you want some?
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Good for you. I'm sure you're happier being a normal person."
Takeo's tone wasn't entirely sarcastic. There was something else in it, but it was an emotion that was hard to pin down to a name.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...Good idea though. Hanako, can we leave you offerings? Maybe I could find a phone somewhere for you to use. You can hold on to it for now, but I kinda wanna keep my phone. It's important to me."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "You don't need our permission to let us in, especially since Minato already sat on your couch," Ran said pretty mildly.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "If Takeo's idea doesn't work out, I could just tell my parents I lost my phone and get them to buy me another. Not like they'll notice when it's the new one that goes missing instead."
-
I did say I was hungry, didn't I? Besides, if I don't eat, Satoshi and Takeo would fret like the parents of a lost child in a department store.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Uh...well, I do have a spare phone. Maybe you could use that? It doesn't have a SIM card....but also I don't think we can hear you anyway. Well, the others can't."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Maybe we could, if she spoke through some kind of medium. Like a radio or something. We already know she can manipulate objects well enough to text with my phone, so try calling it and put it on speaker. We'll see if we can hear her that way."
-
Satoshi looks over at Hanako (or, well, where Hanako would be if they could see her).
Worth a shot.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Alright, lemme just...."
Satoshi taps in Takeo's number, before giving the phone a ring. A few seconds pass, Takeo's phone rings, and the phone rotates around as Hanako picks it up. Satoshi turns on the speaker, and...
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Testing, testing. Moshi moshi, this is Saihara Hanako speaking."
....all that the others hear is a faint, scraping noise from Satoshi's phone.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...It's something, at least. Maybe a phone isn't the right medium - or at least, one that old. We'll keep trying until we find something that works. I promise."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png): "What if she disappears again? Hanoko, do you know what happened that day... when you uh..."
(https://i.imgur.com/Ji3FGI8.png): "...when you died?"
-
No. Sorry. It's all a blur. I remember a few things. I was talking with Satoshi, then we came and met you guys at the old base, then I wandered off, and then it all gets blurry after that.
A pause.
Wait. How is the old base?
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I've been staying there since I came back to town. I've put some work in on it but it could use more. Roof's leaking again and we could stand to get some kind of insulation for the walls to keep the cool air in. Maybe get started on some kind of chimney so when the weather gets colder it can have heat."
-
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"I'd be happy to help you fix the place up a bit if you're going to be staying there. Minato replied, "I know I'm not nearly as good as you at actually fixing things, but I'm pretty sure I can get in contact with someone who can get us the materials, and I still remember some of what I learned when we were all helping to keep it up."
He held himself just short of offering to let him stay at his house while it was being upgraded. He knew Takeo wouldn't accept, and that if he offered, it just might lead to an argument starting up.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Thanks, but I'd rather just raid the junkyard for materials. No one cares if things go missing from there and there's less of a trail. Though, if you want to help with the reconstruction I'm not gonna say no."
-
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Got it, just let me know when you have the materials and I'll head over as soon as I can."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Uh...well, I could grab some beddings or something. If you want them, Takeo."
Satoshi awkwardly rubs the back of his head.
Are you sure you're comfortable like that, Takeo?
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Thanks, Hanako. But no, it's better this way. I'm... fine on my own."
He turned to Satoshi.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "As long as you don't have to spend too much money or leave a trail otherwise, sure."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "... If you want, I could try talking with my grandparents, Takeo. It's a somewhat spacious place, I'm sure they don't mind if there's a futon and some bags in a corner."
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "Of course, I'd help fixing up the old base either way, I'd love to do that. But you don't have to sleep there if there's a better alternative. They're good people, I'm sure they'd welcome you."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "It's fine. Dad won't mind. We only ever had those because people used to come over. I could even get you a spare futon."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/y80sfs9ohmnfd44/NeutralSmile.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I'm not exactly sure your grandparents, as understanding as they are, would want some strange guy sleeping under the same roof as their granddaughter. And there's probably a no smoking policy besides. Thank you though."
He turned back to Satoshi.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Up to you. I'll take whatever you think won't be missed. It'll be good to get back to working on the place, at least - have something useful to do with my time."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "If you guys are going to get all buddy-buddy again, you won't be a stranger then, will you?"
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "And it's not like it matters to me, but if we're going to work together we're probably all going to end up pitching in at the old base anyway." Ran crossed her arms, her eyes drifting over to Satoshi. "I mean, don't tell me we're meeting here every time?"
-
Hanako takes a moment to figure out what to say next.
Don't be a stranger to the others, Takeo.
Then...
How is my little brother?
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Kousei? Um....he's....
Satoshi rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Satoshi."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "It's....complicated. I've been checking on him, but....Kousei looked up to you, you know. He didn't take...what happened well."
A few more moments after, once again, Satoshi speaks into thin air.
You guys invite my little brother over.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Little Kousei? Yeah, sure. We can get him."
Takeo sighed.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) Poor kid took it pretty hard, too. If I'd been thinking clearer I'd've been there for him.
-
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"I'll get him," Minato replied, "Satoshi and I have been checking on him, and Satoshi needs to stay here since he's the only one who can see Hanako."
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"Only question is, what should I tell him?" he asked, "'Your sister came back as a ghost and wants to talk to you' is a bit hard to believe even being able to actually see the phone."
-
I'm not ready to have my family see me like this. For a given value of see. I just want to know how he's doing. Don't tell him I'm here.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "You're telling me you don't know what to make up? Just tell him something close to the truth, whatever you usually say to get him to meet you."
Ran looked down, examining her fingernails.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "That's the same even if we wanted to tell him about all this, since unless you're Satoshi you have to lead with something that makes sense."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "You could just tell him we're all getting together since Kogen is back in town, and we'd like him to be part of the gathering. Plausible enough, basically true."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "Speak for yourself."
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "Trying to get him to deal with all of us, that's up to Satoshi and Minato since they know him. It's not like I'd have come if I knew it'd be everyone."
They could probably just hide while Kousei met only the two of them if he wasn't up for it.
-
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"I did think about that but..." Minato replied, "Well, Ran is right. Seeing everyone again after so long is a bit overwhelming. It will probably be even worse for Kousei, since for him it will be everyone except his sister, kind of like why I stopped using the group chat. Maybe just Satoshi and I would be better."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Doesn't matter if it was just Satoshi, all of us, two of us, whatever. If there was a chance Hanako was back I had to take it. Kousei ought to know too. Maybe he'll have some ideas about what we can do to fix this."
-
No, Takeo. Not yet. I need time.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Since it's you asking, all right."
-
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"So... I'll head off and tell him Satoshi and I wanted to hang out with him at Satoshi's house, the rest of you will hide, and Hanako will watch while we talk to him?" Minato asked, "Is that what we're going with?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "Sounds like a plan to me, yeah... I just hope it'll be a turn for the better for Kousei, even if just a little bit."
-
Satoshi rolls up his phone.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Okay. I'll give the little guy a call."
As Satoshi does that, the person standing nearest Satoshi can sense a light breeze. Probably from where Hanako tilts her head to listen into the call. Maybe. You can't tell, given she's still invisible to you.
Satoshi frowns.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Huh. No answer."
His phone pings with a notification. Satoshi quickly reads off the text.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "....he said he's busy. Helping Akasaka learn maths. What should I tell him?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "What do you mean, what do you want to tell him?"
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "If it can't wait, then I guess you have to make something important up." Ran glanced around the room, placing a hand on her hip. "I don't know, say you need help moving the couch right this instant, just don't expect him to be happy if it's something dumb."
Probably Minato had a better idea since he knew Kousei well. The only reason she was still making suggestions was because Hanako had asked them to do this.
-
(https://imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"I think first you should just ask him how long it's going to be." Minato replied, "There's no need to interrupt him if he's only got ten or so minutes left, and it's not like we're in a rush... right?"
He turned to look at the floating phone as he finished.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "He has a point. The kid has his own life. We can't expect him to drop everything and rush over at the drop of a hat. I'm not going anywhere, so I can wait however long it takes for him to get here."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "He has a point. The kid has his own life. We can't expect him to drop everything and rush over at the drop of a hat. I'm not going anywhere, so I can wait however long it takes for him to get here."
(https://i.imgur.com/Kk2Q9ed.png) "... Haven't we all rushed over here at the drop of a hat though? Ehehehe."
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "But you have a point."
-
Satoshi nods, and types again.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "He said....he wants to talk about something. Tomorrow. He's busy for the rest of tonight."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "I suppose Kou-chan is a little older now, so he'd have other things to do. Still, I'd like to know how he is. And what he wants to talk with you about."
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Same. Curious about that part, too. I saw him last week and he was fine, but..."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "But?"
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Well, you know Kousei hangs out with Akasaka and Honma, right? Honma said he hadn't hung out with him for a while and Akasaka said she was worried about him. He hasn't sung since...well."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "He hasn't sung? That's no good. Also....you probably should explain my side of the conversation. Remember, they can hear you, but not me."
Satoshi turns to the others.
(https://i.imgur.com/k2HYQJA.png) "Kousei said he wants to talk to us about something tomorrow."
-
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"Well, now that that's settled, we should get to cooking." Minato replied, "Anything specific anyone wants? I don't know what's in the fridge so I make no promises, but I can try."
-
The night goes on, and the group finally decides to cook food and eat. It's a rather odd experience; though Minato and Satoshi took over cooking duties in the end, and some conversation was exchanged, the entire thing felt odd. You hadn't done this for years, not since...
Oh, and of course, Hanako's plate gradually disappearing into thin air. If the text messages hadn't convinced you that Hanako was hovering just out of sight, the fact that she was actively consuming the food should have. As was the fact that she then volunteered to do the dishes, causing the sight of dishes floating in the air being wiped by an invisible figure.
Yet the question hovered at the back of your minds as you were a group once again since that fateful day.
Why was Hanako here again?
The next day
Satoshi sighs, staring at the leftovers from last night.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "....Hanako."
She fell into view, frowning.
(https://i.imgur.com/DuMjrKE.png) "Yes?"
(https://i.imgur.com/eY9w6Sl.png) "You really think....things could go back to how they were? I mean, I'm not sure, but....could they?"
(https://i.imgur.com/DuMjrKE.png) "If anyone could pull it off, it's you, Satoshi. But...it's been so long. Two years....."
(https://i.imgur.com/ii3PIgV.png) "Two years and I never stopped thinking about everybody. Trust me, Hanako. When we find out why you're here, we'll all do our best."
(https://i.imgur.com/0WIjQUw.png) "Thanks. I...well, I suppose this would be so much easier if I wasn't....well. Two years too late to worry about that, huh?"
Hanako exhales. It was habit, rather than necessity; ghosts didn't need to breathe.
(https://i.imgur.com/0WIjQUw.png) "We should at least figure out if there's a way to get everyone to see me. I don't want to keep tapping away at a phone. And you can't keep me all to yourself, Sato-kun."
Satoshi snorted.
(https://i.imgur.com/eY9w6Sl.png) "Hey, you're the ghost. Maybe you wanted me all for yourself, and that's why I'm the only one who can see you. Think about that?"
(https://i.imgur.com/9uYPy68.png) "Being your summer beast isn't my idea of spending my free time. Besides, you'd never listen to me. You'd be too busy doing your...Satoshi thing. Speaking of which....where are you meeting Kou-chan?"
Kousei had asked (and then Satoshi had subsequently communicated to the others) to meet him at old Uncle Honda's eatery at the market. It had been there since they were kids, been there since their parents' childhoods and would probably be there until the end of time.
Old Uncle Honda was one of those people who seemed to never age, who seemed to have appeared, fully formed as a vaguely middle-aged man who was happy to dish out bowls of udon in the middle of the market. It was not the local favorite - that would be Auntie Nana's eatery around the corner - but Satoshi's group used to gather there, and Satoshi and Hanako had a soft spot for his udon.
Nowadays, it was the new terrible trio who hung out there; Natsuo Honma, Kousei Saihara and Yelena Akasaka.
If the rumours were anything to go by, the three of them, roughly the same age and being younger than Satoshi's group, had found each other because they were outsiders. Yelena was half-Russian and clearly a foreigner (and it didn't help that her school nickname was that of a character from an anime she resembled, a character rather appropriate to Satoshi and Hanako's current situation), Natsuo was one of the smartest children in school and preferred the company of books to people, and Kousei had somewhat faded into the fringe since Hanako's death. Still, Satoshi couldn't help but smile as he thought about it. Kousei, at least, landed on his feet after Hanako had left their lives.
So it was there Satoshi and Hanako waited for the others to appear.
-
Takeo was the first of the group to arrive, looking a little unsteady and his knuckles so bloody it dripped down his fingers, still wearing the same outfit as he had yesterday but looking slightly more rumpled and dirtier. He didn't seem concerned about that at all as he fumbled a cigarette out of the pack and lit it with shaky hands, taking a drag with a hitched breath that spoke of bruised ribs as soon as the flame caught.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Morning, Hanako, Satoshi. Least I hope she's here, since you are. I dunno what ghost rules are. It'd be bullshit if she was bound to your place for some reason."
-
Takeo feels a slight pressure on his hands, as Hanako lifts them up, probably to examine them. At least, you know for sure she's here. Satoshi's eyes flit up, presumably because Hanako is telling him something, before he reaches in his bag, producing some tissues.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "Hell, Takeo. You look like hell. What happened to you? Lemme grab some tissues and clean you up. By the way, I'm not the only one asking. Hanako's here too. She says hi."
-
Minato arrived next, doing his best to hide how tired he felt. He hadn't slept well last night, his brain having been a bit overloaded by the complete upheaval of his understanding of the world, and also all the nerves he felt about the group. He was scared, that this was just another cruel prank the world would play, bringing back Hanako, bringing all his friends together again... and then it would all crumble to ash as a lesson to not hope for impossible things.
When he woke up, he was half certain the situation had been a particularly vivid dream... but there was a stain on the shirt he wore yesterday he'd gotten while cooking. Hanako was really back. It was a miracle... but this world didn't hand out miracles so easily.
Regardless, when he saw the shape Takeo was in, he shoved his fears aside.
(https://imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"Takeo, what happened?" he asked, "Are you ok? And I mean actually ok, not 'I will still fight as long as there's blood in my body' ok."
-
Takeo let Hanako examine his hands without protest, even blowing smoke out of the corner of his mouth so as not to get it in her face.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Same old shit. Ran into some people that were happy to see me after I was away for so long. Hit a brick wall instead of a face a few times. Guess I'm lucky I don't hit very hard or I'd have broken instead of cut knuckles."
He coughed and nearly lost his cigarette, but managed to recover it at the last second, then turned to Minato.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I took a couple of aspirin. I'll be all right after I smoke it off. Just need to sit down for a minute."
There was a moment of silence, then...
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...Thanks anyway though, Minato. Almost forgot you were nice."
-
Kaya Hawa struggled to sleep that night. At last something exciting was happening in this town! He awoke early and rushed out to the meeting spot, before waiting around the corner, pacing about so he wouldn't be the first to arrive.
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png) "I'm starving, and I've got an udon shaped hole right here!"
-
Satoshi gazes again somewhere to Takeo's side, nodding briefly, before handing her the tissues. An invisible hand picks them up and begins using them to clean off the blood.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "You tell them to take it up with us, Takeo. That was Hanako, by the way. She's....well, not happy with you. And also thankful she doesn't have the phone right now. Maybe I should start asking Kurenai-senpai to look out for you."
-
The side of Takeo's mouth quirked up a bit in an almost-smile at Satoshi's words.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "You can't have forgotten in only two years. I fight my battles, your battles, Minato's battles... May not do a good job at winning any of 'em but I'm not going to back down or let my friends get picked on. Rather get my ass kicked than run away or ask someone to do it for me."
He let Hanako wipe away the blood, watching the tissues move seemingly under their own power.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Gotta say, this is a hell of a thing to try to get used to. Ain't complaining though. Good to have you around again, Hanako."
Takeo nodded to Kaya.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Hawa's right. Ain't ate since yesterday and I could do with a bowl or two. Unless we're waiting for the rest first?"
-
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"I don't imagine you'll listen, but just know you don't need to fight all of our battles anymore, especially not alone." Minato replied, "...though admittedly, there are a lot fewer people trying to start battles with me now than there were two years ago."
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"Oh, and also, I'm paying for your food, and you're not allowed to argue about that."
-
As the group discusses lunch plans, before they can order anything, they see a young man, probably just out of middle school.
Of course, from his scruffy brown hair, the eyes he shared with his sister, and awkward gait, they could recognise him any day. Kousei Saihara had arrived.
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "....He's grown up. Last time I saw him he was barely chest height. Now....he's taller than you, I'm pretty sure."
(https://i.imgur.com/SYrYDoh.png) "He is. You....still don't want us to tell him about you, right?"
(https://i.imgur.com/0WIjQUw.png) "Not yet. I don't want to face my family like this, Satoshi."
Satoshi turns around to the others, whispering as he approaches.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "Alright, you know the deal. Don't tell Kou-kun about Hana-chan. Besides, if we tell him his sister's here but he can't see her, it'd kill him."
The young man approaches them as Satoshi finishes whispering.
(https://i.imgur.com/inOKhS7.png) "..."
Satoshi greets him with a grin and a wave.
(https://i.imgur.com/5d9h23K.png) "Yo, Kou-kun! How are you?"
Kousei opens his mouth as if to speak.
(https://i.imgur.com/inOKhS7.png) "..."
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "....Kou-kun?"
Kousei then sighs, frustated. Closing his eyes, he whips out his phone and types something in very quickly, before showing it to the others.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Sorry. My voice is gone. I can't talk. Don't know what happened. Parents will freak out if they find out. Please help.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Wasn't planning to. I don't turn down free food."
Takeo chuckled quietly, then turned as Satoshi pointed out Kousei. After the brief exchange, he tilted his head.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gn06bhmymrgunq/NC.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "One weird thing after another these days. Sure it ain't just laryngitis?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) My throat is fine. I just stopped being able to speak a few days ago when I was trying to help Yelena out with her homework.
-
Takeo snuffed his cigarette and tucked what was left into the pack to finish later.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I see. Willing to help out, but how do you think we can fix it? Herbal remedies or what?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) I was going to ask Satoshi actually. He's friends with nearly everyone, so he might know someone. I was looking it up on Google last night and some message boards were talking about stuff like this. It just happens randomly and nobody knows why.
At that, Satoshi perks up.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "Huh? Me? Why?"
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) They called it stuff like "adolescence syndrome" or "Abnormalities".
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "Abnor...oh. Now I see. One sec."
Satoshi looks over at the others. Takeo feels a rush of air around his back, probably where Hanako is. Satoshi's phone, left on the counter, lights up, switching to the messaging app.
"Is Kou-chan okay?"
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "You guys know what those are, right? The rumours, everything?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png) "What rumours? What with all the rehearsals, I've been out of the loop..."
(https://i.imgur.com/StJsVdQ.png) "'Adolescence syndrome' just sounds like something boring old people made up because they can't handle our creative spirits."
-
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"’Adolescence Syndrome’ or just ‘Abnormalities’ is a term for any supernatural phenomena not related to kaijin or Akuma." Minato began, ”There’s not really any formal research on them, just info floating around on message boards, and no one knows what the cause is, but it’s been linked to odd going’s on, like memory loss, or time loops. People claim that they’re linked to the subconscious desires of those who suffer from them, and can be cured by dealing with those desires, though admittedly I’ve generally just considered them like any other internet rumor.”
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"I’d advise asking Amagi or Takeba. They say that espers have some sort of connection with abnormalities, so they might be able to help… just push for an answer that isn’t ‘denpa waves’." he continued, ”Sorry that I can’t be of too much help. Like I said, I don’t know that much about this kind of thing.”
-
Satoshi rubs the back of his head.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "Uh, well. It's just...weird stuff that happens to people. Stuff like people literally being in two places at once or people literally experiencing the same day twice. Like that Mandela effect they talk about online or something. It-"
"Did someone say....denpa waves?"
[Now Playing: Chizuru's Theme] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT19vPKCGKg)
As if summoned by a magic incantation, a bright-eyed young lady, blonde hair arranged into two drill-like curls behind her head and in an odd, Victorian-style dress, tilts her head right in front of Minato. After briefly studying Minato, she rubs her chin and speaks with a confident tone.
(https://i.imgur.com/7WCQHZD.png) "Your waves feel....yellow today. That's good! Keep it up!"
(https://i.imgur.com/inOKhS7.png) Amagi-senpai?
(https://i.imgur.com/IVrQu5N.png) "As local purveyor of all denpa wave-related phenomena and leader of the Denpa Detection Club, I, Chizuru Amagi, will investigate these issues and protect people from overexposure to denpa phenomena!"
(https://i.imgur.com/0WIjQUw.png) "....who is this lady and why are they talking about denpa waves?"
(https://i.imgur.com/uLkMEPZ.png) "She transferred into school after you...left. I'd explain but it'd take a while."
-
After quietly deciding to avoid the color yellow for the next few days, including people with yellow hair, and biting back a snippy retort about being both a purveyor of "denpa phenomena" and claiming people needed protection from it, Minato was... as ready as he ever was to speak to Chizuru Amagi.
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"Hello Amagi-san. Yes, we were just discussing you. Kousei believes he may be dealing with an abnormality, and I am aware that you are more knowledgeable about those than most, so I was hoping you would be able to help."
-
Takeo said nothing, but from the fact he had a more sour expression than his normal resting bitch face it was obvious to those who knew him that he didn't believe an ounce of this nonsense. He glanced at Kaya and Satoshi out of the corner of his eye, then over to where he mistakenly thought Hanako was, before sighing quietly and leaving it up to Minato.
-
Chizuru tilts her head further.
(https://i.imgur.com/7WCQHZD.png) "As the local expert in all things denpa wave-related, I would be happy to help!"
She then turns to Kousei, who is suddenly taken aback by how fast Chizuru rounds on him, examining him like a particularly interesting painting. She rubs her chin.
(https://i.imgur.com/dKDOowm.png) "Your denpa waves feel....purple. And clogged. That's no good."
Chizuru turns to the others.
(https://i.imgur.com/7WCQHZD.png) "I would say there's something unresolved bothering Saihara. It's been bothering him for a while, which is clogging up his positive denpa waves and letting him be showered with negative denpa waves, which is causing the Abnormality. I couldn't say what exactly, maybe there's something he couldn't do."
At that, Kousei flinches.
(https://i.imgur.com/7WCQHZD.png) "I can't say what for sure. It's not my place to intervene, so I'll let you, Nagase and Akamatsu handle it, Date-kun."
She stands back, practically skipping.
(https://i.imgur.com/2CW040L.png) "If you do need more help or find more denpa wave phenomena, give me or Aya-chan a call. Keep your denpa waves up, Date-kun!"
Chizuru turns to leave, but before she does, she pauses. Her eyes are lingering somewhere beyond Takeo's back.
At that moment, Takeo feels a slight swaying in the wind behind him, right where Chizuru is looking.
Right where Hanako is standing.
(https://i.imgur.com/dKDOowm.png) "....hmm. Very weird waves. Very weird."
She wanders off without further comment.
(https://i.imgur.com/DuMjrKE.png) "Did....can she see me?"
(https://i.imgur.com/uLkMEPZ.png) "Who knows with Amagi? If it was Takeba, I might not question it. Y'know, Esper and all."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...Didn't say a damn thing about how to 'unclog denpa waves'."
Takeo rubbed his forehead and turned to Kousei.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "How about it? Feel like there's 'something unresolved' we can help you with?"
-
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"As usual, I only understand about half of what she's saying, but she does have an uncanny tendency to be right about these sorts of things." Minato said, before adding under his breath "*Wish she'd stop calling me 'Date-kun' though. We don't know each other nearly that well.*"
He turned to Kousei
(https://imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to, but I'm not sure we can help you if we don't know what's causing the problem."
-
Kousei thinks for a bit.
(https://i.imgur.com/inOKhS7.png) ....
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Plenty. I'm not sure what Amagi-senpai could be talking about. I'm sure it has to be something serious if it's causing this Abnormality thing, so it's probably not that 500 yen I owe Natsuo.
-
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Well, while you're trying to figure it out, I think we should all sit down and have some udon." Minato replied, "It's possible that a nice meal will help you to figure it out."
-
Yayoi feels a light slap around the back of her head.
Please don't exorcise me. I'd rather like it if I could figure out why I came back first.
Then Takeo talks.
I see you guys really fell apart without me and Satoshi holding the fort, huh?
Well, she did feel some kind of light breeze past somewhere around the back of her head. It wasn't really much but it was probably some kind of signal to stop.
(https://i.imgur.com/oqJeApy.png) "Ehe-he-heh", she chuckled nervously as though it really didn't matter.
(https://i.imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"I didn't stop being me." Minato replied to Takeo, "Come on, I wasn't going to believe in spirits forever."
(https://i.imgur.com/oqJeApy.png) "A shame.", came a faint nearly-inaudible mumble in response. "I kinda liked them too..." Well, sounded like everyone else had their own reasons for drifting apart. It wasn't her place to comment anyway. It was fine. Really, it was. She still had her own fantasies to hide in. Like she'd been for the last two years...
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"Well, now that that's settled, we should get to cooking." Minato replied, "Anything specific anyone wants? I don't know what's in the fridge so I make no promises, but I can try."
Which incidentally, she might have been endulging a little too much in. The meeting was over before she could really work up the nerve to say much. What she'd managed to get out of it was that Kousei seemed to want to say something, which needed another meeting tomorrow. "Okay.", Yayoi murmured "Um, I-I should take a look too." Maybe there's some yummy maitake mushrooms in the pantry somewhere.
The next day...
She'd ended up... a little lost. Well, lost enough to arrive late to Uncle Honda's, anyway. Well, late enough to only catch the back of a certain someone...infamous wandering away from the rest of the group.
(https://i.imgur.com/57mpZN1.png) "W-was that the denpa mistress?" Yayoi had sounded slightly bewildered, using her own nickname for Amagi Chizuru. Wonder what she came out here for. Well, before she can worry about that, she may as well greet everyone else. "Um, h-hi, everyone. Hi, Kousei. I-is, um, Yelena coming too?"
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Well, while you're trying to figure it out, I think we should all sit down and have some udon." Minato replied, "It's possible that a nice meal will help you to figure it out."
(https://i.imgur.com/57mpZN1.png) "Ooh! That sounds like a plan! I'll have some creamy mushroom udon, thanks! Darkness-flavoured!" By which she'd meant with a lot of soy sauce but darkness had sounded quite a great deal cooler. Well, that wasn't the important bit, anyway. The key was the mushrooms. Always the mushrooms!
-
Kogen was rather silent and in the background during all this. She recognized a few things and faces here and there, but it dawned more and more on her just how much two years of absence could change everything.
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "... That's definitely a weird start to visiting Honda's joint again after all that time."
-
Satoshi thinks carefully.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "I have an idea. Kou-kun, do you have any idea where Akasaka or Honma are?"
(https://i.imgur.com/inOKhS7.png) Akasaka? She should be at home. Honma's at the library at school. He's looking up everything he can find on Abnormalities. Apparently there's a bunch of legends and folklore books about them in Iwatodai.
Satoshi turns to the others.
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "I recommend we split up. Some of us stay with Kousei here and figure out what it is he might be going through. Some of us go find Akasaka and some of us go and find Honma, and see what they know. They're closer to Kou-kun than most of us are, so they might have some idea. Should be about an hour, maybe two, and then we can meet back here and figure out what's what?"
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "Oh, and you just assume I'm coming with you, then? Scandalous."
(https://i.imgur.com/tCZyRW1.png) "Well, you are my summer beast, so I'm kinda stuck with you."
(https://i.imgur.com/R9CDkQP.png) "We'll see, Satoshi."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png) "I'll head to the library to see Honma then. I've got to return some scripts anyway."
(https://i.imgur.com/StJsVdQ.png) "But first... noodles!"
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "You ought to stay here, Satoshi. I'll go wherever Minato goes."
-
(https://imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"I'm happy to go wherever I'm needed," Minato replied, "but I think we should wait for Ran to arrive, or at least talk to her over text about how we're splitting up. Make sure that everyone has a say in where they go."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "I'll stick with Kousei-kun. It's been a while, so me running around town in a hurry might not be the wisest thing. Plus I can't solely rely on you guys to catch up on town matters here, so might as well have a chat with him."
(https://i.imgur.com/Kk2Q9ed.png) "Also... I did some training earlier this morning and since I'm already here... Yaasa ru maasaru, ahahaha!"
An Okinawan proverb that you remember well since Kogen used to say it a lot. It means that food is the best when one is hungry.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/57mpZN1.png) "Um, I-I can go find Yelena if we, um, really need to."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "Wait for me for what?" After glancing around as if she was checking for something (or that someone had left), Ran joined the rest of the group without much fanfare.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "Let's say I overheard everything," she said, not particularly bothering to explain. "Since Satoshi and Kogen are staying here, I'll talk to Akasaka with Yayoi. Shouldn't you stay with Kousei too since you know him, Minato?"
-
(https://imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"Well, Kogen and Satoshi are already planning to stay here, and I don't think we need three people just to stay here," Minato replied, "and since you're going with Yayoi, that means Takeo and I should go to the library with Kaya."
"I also need to make sure that no one tries anything with Takeo again." he thought.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Sounds good. I won't smoke in the library."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Sounds good. I won't smoke in the library."
(https://i.imgur.com/WDJbCYx.png) "You better don't, it'll just stunt your growth!"
Said by the somewhat shorter martial artist.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Says the one person in our group responsible for me not being the shortest."
Takeo smiled slightly after he said it though, to show he meant no harm.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/Kk2Q9ed.png) "Haha! Just means this compact powerhouse has easier access to all the things that would hurt you the most."
She gave Takeo a playful bump of her fist against his right arm.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/y80sfs9ohmnfd44/NeutralSmile.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "I know, right? Can't imagine trying to punch down. Way easier punching up at people."
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Anyway. Just gonna wolf down this tonkatsu real fast and then I'll be ready to go to the library."
-
Akasaka Household
Yayoi and Ran stop in front of the Akasaka house. It is a rather normal place, all things considered; the only thing differentiating it from any house nearby is the board next to the front door, listing each family member of the Akasaka family. Yelena and her mother's names are listed both in katakana and Cyrillic, the main marker of their ancestry.
Ringing the doorbell, you hear footsteps heading towards you. Judging from the lack of shoes outside bar for one dainty pair of shoes, you suspect the only person at home is Yelena herself. It would be a good time to consider what you're going to ask her.
School Library
Kaya, Takeo and Minato arrive at the school library.
While it was the middle of the summer, the school was often open during this time for summer classes. Some students like Honma wold exploit that fact to enter the library and make use of its resources. As such, after a quick conversation with the guard outside, the trio are able to make their way in.
The library, given that it's the mdidle of a nice summer day, is rather empty. Only a few students doing some studying for classes can be seen on the desks, and one or two on the computers. Over in the corner, you can see Natsuo Honma, a stack of books with titles such as A History of Iwatodai and The Forgotten Gods of Japan next to him. A bunch of scribbled notes are also seen next to him; you can just about make out the words "Kaijin", "Abnormality" and a few others.
(https://i.imgur.com/6nxKmgA.png) "...."
It would be a good time to consider what you need to ask Honma about.
Uncle Honda's Eatery
That of course, leaves Satoshi and Kogen with Kousei. And Hanako, though as far as either of the other two is concerned, she has remained silent, in keeping with her wish to avoid her brother for the moment.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Kogen-senpai. It's nice to see you again. How was Okinawa?
A good time to think about what you might want to ask Kousei, then.
-
Kogen orders a big noodle dish for herself. She definitely was hungry.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "It's nice to see you again too, Kousei-kun. Nakijin is the same ol' place it was before I moved to Iwatodai, barely anything changed there. So you could say peaceful. Or boring, depending on your perspective, hehe."
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "... It definitely was from my perspective. I missed y'all."
She points in Satoshi's direction and nods towards him.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kk2Q9ed.png) "Thanks for welcoming me so much I got homesick at home, you uumaku, ahahaha!"
Another Okinawan word the group might remember her having said often, especially in context of Satoshi. It essentially means rascal.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "So yeah... For now I'm back for a long vacation. Gotta visit granpa and granma too, they're as much family as my parents..."
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "... What I want to say is... I never could properly say goodbye to anyone here back then..."
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "I'm sorry. That I didn't say bye. That I couldn't be there. So... Please allow me to start by sincerely saying: My condolences, Kousei-kun."
-
Kaya returns his stack of scripts and idles by the theatrical section, pretending to browse while really peering over at Honma.
(https://i.imgur.com/C46nAvJ.png) "What did we wanna ask him about...?" he whispers to Takeo and Minato.
-
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Hey Honma," Minato said, getting the boy's attention, "We just met with Kousei. He asked us to head down and ask if you've figured anything out."
-
Ran glanced at Yayoi. For a moment she almost seemed to look past the other girl, frowning, before she refocused her gaze back towards the Akasakas' front door.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "Let's just ask about Kousei as soon as we can. That's what we're here for, isn't it?"
-
Takeo answered Kaya first.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "See if he knows anything about what's up with Kousei being speechless. Come on."
He walked over to Honma's other side and sat on the table, picking up the first book on the stack and looking at it.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "History, huh. Stuff like this happen much in the past?"
-
Library
As Takeo walks over to Natsuo, he notes that he's on one of the computers. Briefly, you can see the website he's looking up; something about building up your confidence to confess your feelings.
And of course, more open tabs than the average millionaire has sports cars.
The second Minato and Takeo approach him, Natsuo switches tabs to the Wikipedia page on Iwatodai.
(https://i.imgur.com/6nxKmgA.png) "Nagase-senpai, Date-senpai."
He adjusts his glasses. He speaks with the tone of a child trying to sound more formal than he actually is. But then, this has always been Natsuo Honma's way, trying to emphasise his smarts.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "Correct, Nagase-senpai. Iwatodai is a center for supernatural phenomena like Abnormalities. It is rather hard to find solid proof of such happenings, given that they are primarily comprised of reports on 2channel, bulletin boards and forums. Rather like Domains, only less harmful."
He nods.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "Interestingly enough, Iwatodai has never been known for Kaijin or Domain sightings, but is known for having many Abnormalities in the town proper or surrounding townships. My theory is that something about this town wards off Akuma, and creates Abnormalities in their place."
He turns to Minato.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "Kousei sent you? Intriguing. Here is what I know."
Natsuo whips out one of the sheets he was making notes on, eyes quickly scanning it.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "Something similar happened in Shinjuku a few months ago. An aspiring singer suddenly lost the ability to speak. Something also happened in the Mishima District; one of the idols from Afternoon suddenly had her voice give out during a Live. The cases were resolved, but I am not sure how."
Eatery
At the mention of Hanako's death, Kousei's breath visibly catches in his throat. He recovers quickly, but it's clear Kogen might have struck a nerve.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) It's fine, Kogen-senpai. You had somewhere else to be.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Akamatsu-senpai was here to take care of us anyway, so I don't want to think about the past.
A brush of wind behind Kogen's back, but no corresponding text from Hanako. Hanako wasn't kidding about wanting to remain hidden, so close and yet far from her brother.
Akasaka Residence
Before long, the door opens, greeting you with the dainty, small frame of Yelena Akasaka.
All things considered, she would stand out in a crowd anywhere, if she were but a little taller. Platinum-blonde, almost white hair and blue eyes with pale skin almost like a ghost's, Yelena had earned a few nicknames, with one in particular based on a popular show. It didn't quite help that she shared a similar personality, and bore herself in much the same fashion.
She bore them with characteristic good humor, however; of the trio of her, Kousei and Natsuo, she was probably the most sociable. However, it was still hard to make friends; being visibly foreign, both good and bad rumours found their way about her.
As she greets you, you notice her wearing a smock with splashes of paint in colors that don't quite complement each other. Red and purple, orange and green.
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Oh! Sasagawa-senpai! Shichimiya-senpai! Is there anything I can do for you? I was kinda busy. Actually, have you seen Kou-kun? I'm really worried about him."
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Take it you at least have an idea or two."
He got out a cigarette and was about to put it in his mouth when he remembered where he was. With a quiet 'tch' he put it back in the damaged box and stuffed it into a pocket.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Can tell you, Kou's silence ain't the only weird thing going on. Ain't my place to say more - though, know anything about ghosts? Ones that you can't see but can move things?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "That's actually why we're here." Ran placed one hand on her hip, or really her bag which rested on her hip. "I know we don't run in the same circles, but since I'm getting roped into helping Kousei out, do you mind telling us what's been going on with him?"
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "You have to be worried about him for a reason."
-
Library
Natsuo taps the side of his glasses, thinking carefully.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "No ghosts. It would not be beyond the realm of possibility if such things as Akuma or Abnormalities really exist, but nothing that I have seen in my research."
Akasaka Residence
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Uh, well, he uh....suddenly just stopped being able to talk when he was over at mine tutoring me in maths. He just stopped making sound mid-sentence. Is he okay?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/5XKgGhl.png) "That is fair enough. Sorry it came out like that, it's... No, no past talk."
(https://i.imgur.com/OrZB4TR.png) "Let's talk about the present. And the future."
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "But step by step..."
Kogen's order arrives. She pays and gives her thanks, then turns back to Kousei, bowl in one hand, chopsticks in the other.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kk2Q9ed.png) "Kuwachi sabida!"
No Okinawan person is complete without this saying before eating. The chopsticks weren't moving yet though.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "I've barely arrived here before everything got crazy and the gang got together, so I haven't had time to really walk through Iwatodai. Any cool stories lately? Did what's-his-name finally gather the courage to drag his crush under the Friendship Garden tree? Y'know, the tall one with square glasses who was crazy good at jubeat? Oh, and when's the Great Dream-Colored Festival again? I made sure to be on vacation for long enough that I would catch it no matter what, but I didn't check the actual date, ehehe..."
Kogen now begins eating.
-
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"It may not be possible to confirm, but do the two cases seem to have any commonalities we could try to use to identify the cause or solution?" Minato asked, sitting down at the desk next to Natsuo, "Based only on what you've told us, there appears to be a connection where all three were singers, meaning that that likely plays into the cause, unless you've been specifically checking for singer related incidents? Not to doubt your research, it's just important that all matters are confirmed in order to avoid coming to any inaccurate conclusions."
Meanwhile, he planned to ask if Natsuo needed any help with... other matters later, when it was more private.
-
Library
Natsuo thinks briefly.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "The singer was a woman by the name of....Minako Shirogane? Yes. Apparently, her mother had died a few months prior. As for the idol, I looked into her history. Rumour has it that a stalker broke into her house and stole valuables, including a keepsake from her father overseas. That one, I believe, was resolved by..."
He quickly switches tabs to show off an article titled "Stalker Found Unconscious In Front Of Police Station".
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "Rumour suggests that her fellow unit member, a girl by the name of Azusa Kumon, recovered the keepsake. Coincidentally, after the valuables were recovered, she was able to sing again."
Eatery
Kousei half-heartedly raises his chopsticks in agreement.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Terasawa-senpai? I don't recall him being any good at jubeat, but he and Takeba-senpai are dating now. The festival's at the end of summer, in a few weeks.
-
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"Loss of family or of a keepsake of them? …well that’s a clear enough parallel for Kousei." Minato replied, his voice turning a bit more morose, "Do you know if anything specific happened lately that might have… reopened old wounds?"
-
Kousei half-heartedly raises his chopsticks in agreement.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Terasawa-senpai? I don't recall him being any good at jubeat, but he and Takeba-senpai are dating now. The festival's at the end of summer, in a few weeks.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kk2Q9ed.png) "Hehe, good on them. And yeah, that works out, I'll definitely experience it again."
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "So I guess Iwatodai has remained busy in my absence. I'll do my best to add the town as it is now to my list of cherished memories while I'm here."
She points her chopsticks in Kousei's direction for a second.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "Hopefully I can add hearing your voice to that list."
-
Library
Natsuo pauses, his expression visibly more pained.
He sighs.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "....I am not sure that wound ever closed, Date-senpai. Saihara-senpai was the one who supported his singing ambitions. When she....passed, Kousei gave up on them almost entirely."
Eatery
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Hopefully. I just don't want Yelena or the others to worry.
Kousei sighs.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) So, what did you guys want to talk to me about?
Satoshi glances over at Kogen. Kogen can almost sense Hanako's eyes on her, too.
-
Akasaka Residence
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Uh, well, he uh....suddenly just stopped being able to talk when he was over at mine tutoring me in maths. He just stopped making sound mid-sentence. Is he okay?"
Sounded like Yelena didn't really know what was going on with Kousei either so pressing further was probably going to be fruitless.
(https://i.imgur.com/57mpZN1.png) "Uh-huh!", Yayoi nodded. "He sounded fine. Just a little, um, tongue-tied. By the way,", she added, drawing attention to her smock. "Have you been, um, working on something?"
-
Minato sighed.
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"I thought as such," he said, as his shoulders slumped, "I mostly asked as I was hoping there could be something simple we could do to try to fix this, like recovering an old picture of him and Hanako that he had lost, or some other physical object. It seems like the only way to fix this is dealing with the emotional trauma and that... isn't something I'm sure any of us can do any time soon."
-
Library
Natsuo shakes his head.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9lEpO0.png) "You underestimate Kousei. He is a lot stronger than you think. He has been talking about getting back into music recently with me and Yelena, but something is still keeping him back. Almost as if he is waiting for something to happen."
Natsuo taps the desk with his fingers in thought.
(https://i.imgur.com/BXMHW6Z.png) "If you managed to figure out how to let him know it would be okay for him, in some way, to move on, I think that is the only nudge he needs. If Saihara-senpai were still around, she might have given him that strength, but.... Honestly, you and Akamatsu-senpai checking up on him is probably the push he has been waiting for."
Akasaka Residence
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Um...I don't wanna talk about it. It's....not going too well."
The mismatched colors on her smock tell you as much. Before you can press her, Yelena changes the subject back.
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Tongue-tied? Natsuo said it might be one of those Abnormality things. Is it true?"
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "You sure? Tch."
Takeo wasn't going to lie to the kid. He was in no position to tell anyone else to move on when he couldn't, either.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Minato's smart. I'm sure he'll figure out a way."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "That's what Kousei said himself." (Well, she'd inferred it from context clues right before she ended up hiding from Ms. Denpa Enthusiast.) "You're sure there was nothing bothering him before he lost his voice?"
Ran respected Yayoi's choice to back off with the questions, really, but she at least wanted a little more information to go back with.
-
Library
(https://i.imgur.com/BXMHW6Z.png) "And you, Date-senpai?"
Akasaka Residence
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Well, I wouldn't say nothing. He's....well, you know Kousei. He's...he wanted to sing at the Budokan before his sister died, and, he's put all of those dreams on hold. I feel like something's still in his way."
-
(https://imgur.com/A8oC3JS.png)
"I wish I had the faith in myself that you have in me, Takeo.", Minato replied, "I can't say I have any ideas of what to do to help, besides what I've already been doing, but I can promise that I won't give up until Kousei can sing again."
(https://imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
"With that said, I think I'll text the others, especially Satoshi, with what we've learned." he added, "Anything you think we'd be remiss not to include, Honma?"
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "May have acted a fool but I always knew you had a big brain in there. Had to, to think of half the things you came up with. Just... didn't expect you needing a gold star by your name to realize it."
Takeo shrugged. He didn't mean any offense with what he said, but he didn't know how else to say it.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Always been more of a 'doer' myself. If we could fix Kousei by repairing or building something I'd be first pick. Ain't the case here though, so let's figure out what kinda push he needs and how to give it to 'em."
-
Library
(https://i.imgur.com/BXMHW6Z.png) "...I think that reminding him that Saihara-senpai would not have wanted him to stay out of music on her account would be best. I just wish I knew how you could do that. I would also note that Yelena and I found a letter addressed to him with the Mishima logo last week when we were at the Saihara house. She'd know more than me - she read it - but I think he needs that push and whatever is going on with him is risking taking him away."
Of course, you might find it easier than Natsuo, given that you know where the girl herself is.
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Letter sounds important. Think maybe we ought to go find it and take a look ourselves, but we should at least tell Ran and Yayoi to ask Yelena about it. See if they can get any answers."
-
Minato sent a few texts to the group chat.
"Hey, we have some info from Honma. He says that the loss of voice is probably tied to Kousei's trauma over Hanako's death, and that the only way to get his voice back is to help him get over it, easier said than done."
"He also said that he and Akasaka found a letter with the Mishima logo at the house the other day that might be important. Yayoi, Ran, can you ask her about it? Thank you."
(https://imgur.com/gk63Adu.png)
"Ok, just let everyone know what we know." he told the group, "Anything else for us to do besides heading back? Do you need any help with the research, Honma, or anything else?"
-
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "The Budokan..." Just then, her phone vibrated in her bag; she fished it out in a quick, casual motion, glancing at it to decide whether to ignore the interruption. "Oh. Give me a second."
Ran frowned, reading over Minato's message, then sent back an appropriately lengthy reply.
k
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "The others helping Kousei, they said you found a letter at his house, something from Mishima? Seems like it might be important."
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Library
You note that Natsuo is looking between you and the computer screen, as if hoping you hadn't seen what he was looking at before you arrived.
(https://i.imgur.com/BXMHW6Z.png) "No, not at all. Give me your numbers, and I will text you if I know of anything else. I will say this. His sister was a driving force for his musical ambition. Maybe a reminder of her and what she would want for him could help."
Akasaka Residence
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "Ah! Well, he had it out on his desk, so I stole a little peak. Uh...it seems like he auditioned for their entertainment agency? I read it and....they said they'd be willing to take him on. I didn't want to say anything, in case Kousei wanted to surprise us....do you think it might have something to do with what's up?"
-
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Got it. Guess we'll have to have an old fashioned heart to heart with him."
Takeo got off the table and made as if to leave, then hesitated for a second.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "...Might not be my place to say, but that thing you were looking at? Go for it. Regret it forever if you don't. I should know. Don't be like me."
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "I think I get it. It's a big step forward, isn't it?"
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "It's not like I know anything about Abnormalities" (she lied) "but if it's about something holding him back, it makes sense this would happen now since he's being pulled in two directions more than ever."
And if it had to do with Hanako... was there something specific between them about his singing? Guess she'd find out if Minato and Satoshi didn't already know.
hey minato.
the letter was about kousei making it into mishima entertainment after he auditioned.
you can fill in the blanks yourself, right?
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Got it. I think we have the info we need from Honma, and we're going to head back soon. You two too?
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"...yeah... we saw, sorry." Minato said to Honma as he looked up from his phone. "I'm not going to ask any more question, and I don't expect you to tell me anything, but if you want my help with anything, my number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. I don't really have experience with this kind of thing, so I don't really have any advice, but I'm willing to try to assist you in other ways if you want."
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Library
Natsuo....doesn't comment. Either because he doesn't want to talk about it, or he's desperately hoping you didn't notice and pretending like you didn't so you won't say anything.
He makes a strangled noise in his throat, briefly resembling a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, before composing himself.
(https://i.imgur.com/BXMHW6Z.png) "Just help Kousei. Yelena has been worried sick about him since he lost the ability to talk. Tell me when you have helped him."
Akasaka Residence
Yelena rubs the back of her head.
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "I really just want Kou-kun to be able to do what he wants, you know? It feels like he's almost back to who he used to be. Can you help him?"
-
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
"Got it. We'll be heading out now then." Minato replied, "Good luck on your projects."
-
Ran didn't bother to reply to Minato's text - the two of them would get back soon enough anyway. And Yayoi had to be better at reassurance than her, but since she did want to help Kousei for Hanako's sake if nothing else...
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "Leave it to us."
With that, she turned on her heel, only waiting long enough for Yayoi to catch up before she left the Akasaka house behind her.
-
Akasaka Residence
Yelena rubs the back of her head.
(https://i.imgur.com/QWPQtrh.png) "I really just want Kou-kun to be able to do what he wants, you know? It feels like he's almost back to who he used to be. Can you help him?"
Yayoi gave a quick nod and a smile.
(https://i.imgur.com/57mpZN1.png) “We can try. We're all friends, aren't we?" Besides, she was feeling strangely excited. This talk about Mishima Entertainment was starting to spark some thoughts of corporate conspiracies and hidden experiments. Which probably weren't a thing but she could feel free to imagine, right?
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "Leave it to us."
With that, she turned on her heel, only waiting long enough for Yayoi to catch up before she left the Akasaka house behind her.
Which, she'd been having a little too much fun with because, uh, apparently Ran was now waiting for her.
(https://i.imgur.com/57mpZN1.png) “Oh, uh, coming! Wait for me!" Yayoi turned back a little just to offer Yelena a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We'll take care of it." before leaving to join Ran.
-
As the groups return back to where Kousei, Satoshi and Kogen are (and Hanako), they receive a text on the group chat.
What do we know? Is there any way we can help Kousei?
-
kou was 🏹 4 budokan. wat hav u 👂re: mishima entmt? he got ✉️ from them b4 🤫
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On our end, Honma found that situations like this had happened before, as a result of loss or bereavement. We have one case of it being cured, an idol who lost a memento of her father who lived overseas got her voice back when the memento was recovered. He mentioned a note from Mishima, and that maybe what Kousei needs is a reminder that Hanako wouldn't have wanted him to give up on singing. I'm thinking maybe he doesn't think he's worthy of the acceptance, or he doesn't want to leave town for fear he'll forget her. Either way I think Honma's right, but it might be easier said than done.
-
don't hurt yourself thinking too hard.
just talk to him when we all get back. ╮( ˘ ､ ˘ )╭
-
So....we can solve this if we can convince him that Hanako wouldn't have wanted him to give up.
A pause.
We need to distract him. Hanako might know all about it, but we can't talk to her while Kousei's around.
-
Guess I can show him some dance moves I picked up in Sakatahama, when I was out of town. Embarrassing, didn't want you guys to know about that, but if it's for Hanako I'll do it. Figure it'll be distracting enough, long as one of you have some music or something.
-
you're going to show him your dancing in the middle of the market?
There was a clear pause before her messages resumed.
sure
you know, why not
we're almost back anyway, so when you and minato are back too let's play music on a phone or whatever and get this over with.
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I am completely on board with this plan. What kind of music do you want?
-
Electro-swing is good.
A pause in which Takeo glanced at Minato out of the corner of his eye to gauge his reaction.
...Don't laugh. Know that wasn't my style back in the day.
-
Hey man, I like electro-swing
Minato shot him a smile
Besides, if anyone’s going to judge you, it’s not going to be me.
-
Takeo put his old flip-phone away for the moment.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Thought about what you're going to say to Hanako? Can't guarantee I can hold Kousei's attention for more than two or three minutes at most, so you guys are gonna have to be quick."
-
As the party arrives back with Kousei, Satoshi looks almost completely at a loss. You can sense that, though Hanako is currently invisible to you, she's waiting for something, any good news.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "We didn't come back completely empty-handed, if that's what you're wondering." Satoshi had to know since he'd been reading the group messages, so she was just saying this for Kousei's benefit now, she guessed?
Ran crossed her arms, glancing in Takeo's direction. It was probably rude to prompt him like this, but she was getting impatient.
(https://i.imgur.com/dBtcpau.png) "Weren't you excited to talk to Kousei about something?"
-
Takeo, for only a second, shot Ran back the most sour, 'how dare you, I'm not mentally ready yet' look. And considering it came from a dour teenager with a terminal case of resting bitch face, it was the epitome of such an expression. One might even say it was a perfect resemblance to the emoticon >:C.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Was working up to it. You don't just rush into this kind of thing. There's a process."
He sighed, visibly fought the urge to light up a cigarette to steady his nerves, and took a deep breath.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/o60vh2hwsg9i9qg/Neutral.png?raw=1) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/to1hvimakao4zyv/Takeo20Sheet.txt?raw=1) "Right. Think what you need is a distraction, Kousei. Take your mind off whatever it's dwelling on that's making you clam up. Could show you something I learned while I was in Sakatahama. What do you think?"
-
Kousei stares, puzzled.
He thinks briefly, before tapping into his phone.
(https://i.imgur.com/4zJ0qwc.png) Sure. Why not? If you learned something cool, senpai, I'd be happy to see it.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/VDQNS1O.png) "While you were in Sakatahama... Ah well, why not indeed."
Kogen gets up from her seat and looks towards Takeo.
(https://i.imgur.com/BmqkvOT.png) "Need any prep I could help with?"
-
Ran hadn't been expecting that pronounced of an expression from Takeo, and she almost laughed. Almost. She couldn't, wouldn't forget that things weren't the same as they used to be.
(https://i.imgur.com/46AgDQ0.png) "Oh, so is the super fancy process over?"
Not that she would get to see his dancing if the distraction worked like all of them had discussed, so she decided the best way to act uninterested was to go back to examining her nails.
-
(https://imgur.com/QaR3KyA.png)
“Can you show me later?” Minato asked, “I want to fill Satoshi in on what we learned. Ran, Yayoi, would one of you mind coming with me to fill us in one what happened at the Akasaka house? Kaya, feel free to come or help Takeo.”
He walked a bit away from Kousei and Takeo, so that they would hopefully be unable to hear, and turned to the open air beside Satoshi, where Hanako was hopefully standing.
(https://i.imgur.com/GxYFgfX.png)
“I hope you’ve been keeping up with the group chat, but to summarize a bit, it’s almost certainly related to his remaining grief, reignited by a letter he received that the Mishima entertainment company would be willing to take him on as a talent. We only have one recorded case of an incident like this being resolved. A singer whose memento of their father, absent overseas, was stolen and returned. Is there anything simple like that that we could use to help remind Kousei that you support his dreams? A specific keepsake or place that’s emotionally significant to such a discussion, or even a specific conversation you had about it we could attempt to remind him of?”