yogen | OK overture

There's also the possibility you don't have to give him anything.

( now that komaeda thinks about it, he watches as amami turns to speak to rika almost to convert her to their side of ... maybe rokkun does like nail. it could work as bait for him if the ultimate ever wanted to speak with him one on one and couldn't find him. it's true, normal people wouldn't be drawn to a random nail from out of nowhere, but who is komaeda to reject the idea with how odd this school happens to be. which, he directs his question to rika: )

You weren't near me when he took it... does that mean you saw it?

( and when they say seeing is believing. )

He took it because Koma-kyun's a bad influence on him.

( rokkun wants to impress this dumb little bitch so much and for what? because he's got some fake memories of him? stupid. does he think flexing in front of komaeda how Nasty and Evil he is will somehow bring komaeda's memories back? stupid idiot.

she hates boys so much it's UNREAL! )

... ( squints at ami. so it was like the mirrors for him, maybe... ? still... creepy. ) AND I DON'T REGRET ANYTHING! YES, I SLEPT WITH HIM, SO WHAT? IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!

( aaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

ok normal again. she turns her head to komaeda and makes a face. )

... I did see it. ( because rokkun's a stupid idiot and dropped it in her hand instead of the rock, which he quickly swapped out, but she still saw it. ) He kept it in his pocket.

...

( amami needs a moment he is literally just processing this. komaeda isn't even here anymore he is just looking at rika with this frozen ass expression as he tries to understand this situation and what he's supposed to do about it. even if he's worried for her, worried for that guy's intentions, worried in general, everyone knows that freaking out doesn't help anything, right? especially with a girl like rika, so... )

...

( give him another minute, and: )

Were you safe?

( a bad influence? he doesn't think he's that negative on him, rather, he wants to see his hope shine as an individual with no talent. when it comes to him, komaeda is very mindful in what he says and does, hoping that his efforts will be able to help him in his complicated life. besides, he doubts explaining how he picked up teeth one time is how komaeda started sitting body parts down to draw him in. )

...

( he hums in thought, a hand to his chin as he says nothing. his submissive behavior shows as amami speaks, waiting for him to finish before komaeda's eyes sparkle at the sight of the ultimate. such passion, such worry and concern for someone beneath him... it makes komaeda's heart flutter, and he wants to praise that sort of hope. )

For someone confused about their talent... It's almost like you're the Ultimate Worrywart... but it seems so nerve-wracking to you over what they must've done.

( rokkun never said what they didn't, but he told komaeda to try it out for himself if he was so interested or something like that. )

Almost like an older brother concerned about their sister losing her virginity without his consent!

( :)

you know what. she genuinely thought they were just talking about how she and rokkun hugged each other as they slept. but, clearly, they've got an entirely different idea here. if she were any denser, maybe she wouldn't realize — but the moment amami asks about safety, it clicks.

now, she doesn't know what kind of a LOOSE HUSSY they think she is, but? while she talks a big game, when push comes to shove, she's about as experienced as reading other people's stories on r/sex when you're bored can make you. unfortunately, she's genre-savvy, because it's all a part of her disguise to push people away and keep them at comfortable, affection-less distance. if she's gross and controversial, they'll stay away, right?

so, let her get this straight: not only do they think she lost her virginity in a DAMN BLANKET FORT, LIKE SHE'D ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN — she also just got sisterzoned by a third party?

she takes a deep breath, then looks at amami, eyes big and lips parted. )

I'm... I'm sorry, Onii-chan... we did it raw... I wasn't thinking... ! He... pulled me into his lap, and... ( sniffle )

( rika... rika... why are you abusing your power like this.

it's not that amami is like, instinctively the type of person to skip straight to confrontation or anything. the little voice in the back of his mind, you know, it tells him that hey, if this is true? you should really stick with rika, you know? unfortunately, his higher level of thinking kind of shuts down in response to that combination of a big, soft, vulnerable pout from a girl he's gotten pretty attached to, as she calls him "onii-chan" and tells him that she was taken advantage of.

his expression doesn't change all that much, but he stands up from his chair so suddenly that it almost falls back against the floor, the legs of it scraping along the ground loudly and suddenly. )

Arata-kun is in the art club, right?

( he's pretty sure that's, like, right next door. he's already turning to face that direction. )

You mean... Rokkun?

( actually who is komaeda to correct an ultimate who has had a sudden shift in the amamiverse. he wouldn't call it despair, but something about the way his mentality changes as time goes on makes komaeda stare in his direction. every word that passes rika's lips are digging deeper into the other's soul, and it's almost like this information is eating him up from the inside.

as he inhales, he's trying to figure out where things went wrong. between them, komaeda isn't too concerned about what they did and what they didn't do, but for amami... it's almost like he takes this personally. )

Ahaha! Isn't it great, Amami-kun? This means that there's no way she'd take advantage of you.

( he begins to clap, the sound echoing within the room with a bit of laughter as he watches the show, and is grateful because now the ultimate is safe. in a way, it's like watching someone attempt to deal with a problem that stands in their way, and komaeda's too thrilled to think anything else. )

Mmm... but he doesn't seem to be that type, and she did say she didn't regret it. ( he knows he doesn't have to say this, but it's like digging a nail into the coffin. he doesn't know the outcome, but amami must take his role very seriously if he's that concerned. ) As an Ultimate, you don't have to claim the baby... unless you're excited to be an uncle.

( she's going to kill both of them, actually.

amami, for standing up like he's possessed, with that scary expression on his face, and komaeda, for saying increasingly dumber and dumber shit. a baby? an uncle? she's gonna go insane?

almost instinctively, she jumps off the piano and rushes over to amami's side, grabbing onto his hand. he looks... genuinely angry, something on his face not quite right, and she's taken aback by how much he seems to even care about this, about her. don't get her wrong — she gets attached easily, and she cares for him, too, it's just... it's still strange that sometimes, people actually reciprocate your feelings. that said, it's because she cares for him that she can't let him go into the art club and try to pick a fight with rokuro — for one, there's nothing to actually fight over, and two... rokkun's a psycho who'd absolutely fight dirty? )

It was a joke, Ran-tan! We didn't actually do anything!! ( she huffs, her grip on his hand tightening. ) You don't have to make this scary expression, 'kay? I can handle myself just fine. ( she nods, resolute. ) All we did was sleep in each other's arms. It was really nice, and nothing bad happened... !

( then, she turns her head towards komaeda ~~like in the exorcist~~ — )

And you, ( POINTS AT HIM WITH HER FREE HAND ) I dunno what Rocchi told you, but if he said anything happened, he was lying! Jeez — who do you two think I am, huh?! I am not doing it unless the conditions are perfect, you idiots. No blanket forts! No clock towers! No libraries! If my first time isn't at least comfortable, I don't want it!

( ?? why is she listing these specifically... well. don't ask! )

( not komaeda feeding his bloodlust. okay. alright. okay. sure. this is fine. remember when this was gonna be a thread about rocks? yeah, miss that. it was a simpler time. as things stand now, rika didn't really help the situation either, so it's incredible she's blaming these two alone, but whatever! okay! when she takes his hand, amami pauses, and when she squeezes, he'll stop to look at her. he's still wearing that freak smile, mind you, but his brows furrow as rika finally offers up an actual explanation.

he... still doesn't really like it, to be honest, but it's probably because this is how he was introduced to the fact. )

What Arata-kun told him, huh? Obviously he's getting these ideas from somewhere, and even if you were joking, I can't say I agree with him going around spreading that idea.

( lets attack this problem at the source — he knows how teenage boys are, and he doesn't support it!!

okay, but at least amami looks a little bit less like he's going through a literal state of shock. actually, some of his irritation is more visible on his expression now, though he won't pull his hand away, or keep trying to walk over to the art room, but it's pretty easy to tell with a glance that he's making an active effort to keep his voice even and himself calm. )

But if you say you're fine with it, I guess I can't really interfere...

( he like, wants to, though... )

I think it's beautiful to see how far the hope of an Ultimate will go... especially when he isn't aware of what talent he possesses...

( his voice is carefree, light as always as he slowly stops clapping, the sound of it fading out as he watches rika try and diffuse the situation. unlike komaeda who continues to instigate without even knowing that he is — he's only saying what comes to mind, pure honesty that an ultimate should decide how much certain things mean to him. obviously a child is one, though komaeda can't imagine an ultimate and an untalented making a child together... it just doesn't make sense? it's at this point he starts to wonder what sort of child can be born between an ultimate and an ultimate. his eyes fall down to the ground, thoughtful in his actions as he taps his chin in thought.

saihara does have pretty eyes, the way his eyelashes tip into threes... triplets. )

Hmm... That type of spreading shouldn't be what you're worrying about... while acting like a role model, that is.

( he says this unprovoked as he notices the finger directed at him, but his eyes latch onto the shared contact between him and her. komaeda is a little odd when it comes to ultimates, and he's contemplating whether he should say something, but considering amami's an ultimate... he probably can't control anything about this situation. )

Ahahaha! Rokkun has my satisfaction, to see that he's able to motivate an Ultimate like this has my adrenaline pumping, and now the light that shines from Amami-kun will cover you... ah, what a moment in time to live in, Kawaii-san.

( this was for komaeda's amusement, this entire thing, as he loves to see an ultimate deliver, and also the unknown forces in this school that puts them into odd positions makes everything about this worth it. while rokkun is the talk of the conversation, komaeda doesn't seem too disappointed in him at all, rather like he's encouraging anything he does. the hope of the untalented may not be as strong as the talented, but as long as he can view hope like this, he doesn't mind the collision that could come from it. what sort of fireworks would spark from them, he wonders. )

( bro lemme tell you somebody boutta get their ass beat and its not rokkun )

( god... ori if you're reading this... i just feel the deep need to apologize for this whole thread we weren't thinking straight —

okay, yeah, she's not innocent, either, but she didn't expect this severe of a reaction?! nobody ever really cared for what she did, unless it was idol-related, and certainly she's never had a guy in her life who wanted to protect her in any way. it's weird. it's new and strange and she doesn't hate it, but she doesn't know how to deal with it, either. it makes her warm, and it also makes her angry, because amami jumped to so many conclusions all by himself, and why did he ask about safety, anyway, why is this any of his business — )

No. Rocchi... is not that kind of a guy. He hates attention. If he said something to Koma-kyun, it was probably only suggestive because he wanted to tease him, and he knew Koma-kyun wouldn't spread it around. ( because, let's be real, komaeda's not here for gossip, he's here for murder —

and speaking of, she sure wants to beat his ass right now. how dare you do this on the day of wilbur's mourning... )

Huh? What'd you say? ( her eyes narrow, as she turns her head towards komaeda, still gripping tight onto amami's hand. use this wisely because you might need to hold her back — ) What kind of spreading should he worry about then? Are you calling me a slut?!

( her lips curve into a frown, as she takes a step towards komaeda, dragging amami with. )

Is that it?!

( it shouldn't be suggestive at all, is amami's problem with it, and his expression clearly remains troubled. his brows are furrowed, and his lips turned in the beginnings of a frown, but he's not going to argue the fact. she seems confident in her words, and in arata, so there's little that amami can do to interfere with the situation; even making his feelings on the matter known is probably overstepping a little bit. nonetheless... the topic doesn't linger there any longer, so any further objections are quickly cut off by, well. yeah.

he's not actually expecting her to step forward — which he should have, honestly. can't disagree with her on this one, really. but when his body is pulled forward, there's a short, sharp intake of breath between clenched teeth. a quick recovery follows, but when it comes to unexpected movement, yeah... not the best right now, as his head manages to come back down to the situation. his hand squeezes rika's in a gesture intended to be reassuring, and he tries to cut in before komaeda can dig himself a deeper grave than he already has. )

You should really apologize, Komaeda-kun.

( like he didn't jump to conclusions too — but at least amami's weren't phrased like... that. apologize for the misunderstanding, if nothing else.

his expression looks pretty serious when he meets komaeda's eyes, too — it's clear he's not joking around. amami literally can't help you if rika decides she boutta go off for real. force is reserved for rokkun at this time — you're gonna have to save yourself. )

( it's true, komaeda's not one for gossip, so rokkun has nothing to worry about in that regard, since it's not even gossip if it's shared with who was involved, and they admit it as the truth. he's pretty satisfied as he sits there minding his business as rika tries to stop amami from doing anything to their associate. he's not too worried about either side, but purely interested in what will come from their hope as they are two different people — komaeda leans towards ultimates without hesitation, but it's hope that captures his entire attention so it's enough for him to lean either direction of who has the best quantity.

his eyes lift to look towards the female as she calls him out, putting words into his mouth he didn't exactly say, but it's not like that wasn't what he said. he blinks, smiling sheepishly as he leans back in his chair, and hands in his lap as he watches her. he can't really do anything if that's the notion she wants to go to, but he does follow orders the moment amami requests them of him. )

I'm so sorry you feel that way, Kawaii-san.

( is that apologetic enough? because truthfully he's not even sorry, he's only saying it because he's been asked, but amami never said he had to be genuine about it. komaeda glances down to the floor where there's a small plate with naughty wilbur's remains wrapped inside, and a few slices of cheese around it. )

It's a shame this sort of talk had to happen during Naughty Wilbur's funeral... he wouldn't want us to act like this.

( he was there eating pizza crust one minute, and now he's gone to another realm... the rat realm where they eat cheese for free. there's a deep sigh as komaeda looks back up to rika's angered face, and he already knows she's probably going to be pissed as fuck regardless. it's whatever, he thinks, as he claps his hands together with a beaming smile, looking between the two as he nods. )

Back to business, shall we?

That's... that's not a fucking apology!

( "sorry if you feel that way," "sorry that you got offended," "sorry you're so sensitive." she doesn't care for his bullshit attempt to placate amami, or whatever the hell this half-assed, so-called apology was. there's a lot she can let go; they're certainly not in a place where she can afford to be picky about her allies, and compared to some people, komaeda's still relatively harmless, but —

it's hard to let this one go. it's a kneejerk reaction; she remembers the men's sneering faces, she remembers her friends' off-hand comments, she remembers her mother's drunk, accepting smile, the insults just barely registering in her drunken mind. they register to rika, though — they always do, when her mother brings another scumbag of a man home, when she promises it's the last one. her free fist clenches tightly, only rooted in her spot because she knows this isn't the time for this, but —

she can hear the way amami's breath hitches, when she drags him forward. she's not sure why, but maybe it's because of the sudden movement — so she lets go of his hand, turning back to komaeda, eyes narrowed. )

I'm not... I'm not doing anything else until you apologize. If you don't, both of you can fuck right off.

( sorry amami, maybe if you were a little firmer...

so much for sharing rock stories. )

( wow, komaeda, you really fucked that one up for both of them now didn't you? yes, he's about to completely ignore your ass. yes, he's doing it on purpose. damage control for you is clearly not the correct choice out here.

with how rika reacts, amami can't really blame her. it takes a moment for him to actually let her hand go, and he doesn't particularly want to for a handful of reasons, but it doesn't look like she's actually taking further steps towards komaeda, so he reluctantly does. and when those next words come out, he feels pretty awful about having held it at all. rika isn't looking at him, so she probably can't see the way his expression shifts, but it feels like a punch to the gut, and it takes a moment for him to even it back out into something more neutrally apologetic before he speaks up. )

I'm sorry, I... really overstepped there, huh?

( he gets it now, that it was a misunderstanding caused by some poor wording, but even if it wasn't... amami really doesn't have the right to stick his nose into rika's business like that, does he? it's not that he would have judged her if she had, but that sense of overbearing concern is clearly unwelcome, and that should have been clear enough just from the length of time they've known each other for. bringing one hand up to scratch at the back of his neck, he'll glance to the side for a moment as he gathers his words. his other is pocketed, clenched into a fist as he gives a resigned sigh. )

I probably can't make it up to you, but I'll try to think of a way.

( not necessarily to regain her favour, but more to show he's sincere. anyway, he's already halfway to the door, and on god he sure does want out of here right about now. )

( he knows nothing of her past, or what trauma that plagues her, but what he does know is that her mouth runs. she can be a tad abrasive, and very forward when she wants to be, and he knows by now that she's capable of biting back. it's when she doesn't exactly do so that komaeda realizes something, and he keeps a smile on his face all the while. he said something specific that hit a sore spot, but it wasn't on purpose, it's just that komaeda can run his mouth without a care in the world because what comes with the bad, offers him some good, and vice versa. his actions reflect both the ultimates, and komaeda looks towards amami first, before his eyes fall upon the female who's bothered by the entirety of this.

he's not being difficult, but he proceeds to walk towards rika to meet her about halfway, and he stares down at her as if waiting for something to happen. she wants him to apologize as a proper person because he hurt her feelings, and he wonders why she can't just ignore him, and carry on. those sort of words must chip away at her entire being, and in a way, those thoughtless comments are specific stepping stones that she could walk over without being weighed down by them. they must be heavy.

komaeda slowly drops down to one knee before her, his gaze downcast along with his head as a hand is placed against his chest. it's a gesture he's used to, perfect form and everything considering his past, and how he played this role rather well. the last thing he wants is his words to reflect poorly on another ultimate, but he didn't think amami would be part of the insanity komaeda offered. )

Don't punish him for the things I do, Kawaii-san.

( he starts, that carefree smile of his gone from his face as he takes responsibility for both him and amami, sighs... why does he have to be the adult here. )

Though, if you're mad at him... ( because why would she waste any sort of feelings on komaeda of all people, but really, he knows he's the main focus of any negativity so he doesn't see the need to say "us." ) you can take your anger out on me.

( he pauses, recalling the request from earlier. )

Forgive me, I don't think of you as a slut at all.

( she knows she's lashing out; always, always, choosing emotion over logic time and time again, with no one but herself to blame. it's so easy to get swept up in negativity; it's so easy to let it consume and gnaw at your heart, but —

rarely, if ever, it's met with a genuine reaction. most of the time, people fight her back, like she's got no right to be upset, like she's got no right to worry, like she's got no right to feel the way she does. when she tried to convince the girls to stop fighting — when momoe insulted her mother — time and time again, she's been met with resistance rather than compliance, and...

it makes her pause, eyes wide in surprise, as amami apologizes for god knows what (worrying about her? is that really something to say sorry for?) and komaeda... well, she watches him get down on one knee, and almost scoffs, a little amused. it's probably as earnest as he can get, no trace of mockery in his voice — maybe it's stupid, but she wants to believe him. and, most importantly, he's right: she shouldn't take her anger out on amami, when he hasn't done anything wrong, except maybe for crossing some boundaries — which, let's be real, she's never had any particular respect for, herself. )

I'm not taking anything out on you, freak. And, um... wait, Ran-tan. ( she wants to apologize. she wants to apologize. she wants to apologize... !

...... but, as expected, it's really hard. being vulnerable, showing that you care — she takes a breath, motioning for komaeda to get up, and shakes her head. )

I... I'm not mad. There's nothing to make up for. ( she assures the both of them, stumbling through her words. ) You wanted to know about the stone, right... ? Well, Rocchi's been looking for rocks since middle school, so I bet he could help you out. And... he's convinced he's known Koma-kyun since childhood, so maybe taking him along would be good...

( i can't fucking believe mise was right )

( yeah, at first, amami is pretty sure komaeda is just out here digging them a deeper grave, to be honest. it's kind of a relief, really, when rika actually speaks up — her voice sounds tired, sure, but a better kind of tired. like she's gotten about as much as she can expect from him, or maybe a little more, and just can't believe how extra he's being about this. (amami almost can't, himself, but guess he's learning a little more about komaeda every day at this rate.)

but, even when she turns to amami to offer up that reassurance, he still looks like he doesn't quite know what to do with himself. he offers a tentative smile, still apologetic; can't let her effort go to waste, you know? but with how fast it all happened, maybe he might still be suffering from some residual emotional whiplash. )

Thanks — I appreciate it, but... are you sure Komaeda-kun is the best person for this...?

( he's not going to outright say it, but komaeda did kind of turn this whole conversation into a downward spiral just now. maybe amami is fine with paying full price upfront. )

( she didn't take her anger out on him? well, it's a damn shame, but maybe that means she's not upset with amami after all — he's an ultimate, so she has no reason to be. at her request to stand up, he doesn't do as told as he finds himself sitting down rather politely on the floor. if he was to add extra reassurance to amami, that's out of his hand, for who is he to come near an ultimate? sighs, it's just unlike him. yet, he watches the way untalented flock to talent, and that's the way things should be. )

Do you want me gone that bad, Amami-kun?

( he doesn't have to say it, but komaeda can speak for him instead about how he feelings, and it's easy to tell when someone wants him gone. it's pretty natural. he crosses his legs, setting both his hands in the middle as they press against the ground like a child as he leans forward. )

Taking your anger out on me also works...

( though, komaeda is well aware he can't do anything to him right now, but his eyes follow to rika who can, instead, put him through an ass whooping. )

But... It's this sort of hope cultivated from two types of people that makes me curious for the future... ( but soon after, he finds himself falling silent once rika begins to speak up about the rocks that amami is looking for. he doesn't want a repeat of last time though to the point of sabotaging him again, so he lifts his prosthetic to begin stacking cheese atop of wilbur's dead body. )

Well, Koma-kyun is —

( and she looks at what he's doing, still on the ground, now...

... apparently stacking cheese on the body of a dead rat wrapped in a plastic bag. )

...

( why... does komaeda... make life... so fucking hard... )

What the hell are you doing?! Stop that — ( yes, she's going to try kicking him in the hand to keep him from disrespecting wilbur any further. )

Ow...

( which is said five minutes after he's been kicked, it's a delayed, but annoying reaction as he pulls his hand away. dropping them back into the middle of his lap, he looks up at rika to see what expression she's wearing now — is she frustrated, still sad, what did komaeda do to deserve this?

he looks towards amami, ready to speak, until the rat bag begins to... crinkle, crackle... like something inside is moving. komaeda turns his head to look at the bag, blink once, then twice, before looking back towards the other ultimate. )

Rokkun and I go way back, apparently... Though, like I said, he may take kindly to you.

( he laughs as the bag crackles again, )

You've helped him before!

Edited 2021-06-13 03:29 (UTC)

( it's not that amami wants him gone necessarily, but... i mean, just look at him? stacking cheese on a dead rat like that... freak.

actually, when rika notices that, it's enough that he can't help the laugh that escapes him. it's sudden, but soft, and the smile lingers on his features even after.

listen, that couldn't have been any funnier if it was planned, okay? )

Me?

( and when komaeda points that out, he points at himself, caught off guard and even glancing to rika momentarily. he... doesn't remember helping that one before — lends a hand to the native students once in a while, sure, but he's gone out of his way to make a note of arata, so — )

Are you sure? I think I'd remember if I did...

( they're both freaks, is what rika wants to assure amami about. they fit together like mismatched gloves, in her opinion, because they just feed each other's insanity, but whatever — this isn't the time to get into that. she's not sure what's this about amami helping rokkun before, either, but if that's really the case, then... maybe he can get that stone easier than expected.

at any rate: )

Well, if he knows of you, that simplifies things. ( she shrugs, about to drop the subject, when...

the bag crinkles. now, she'd ignore it, thinking it was a mere hallucination, probably due to the headache komaeda is giving her, but... no. it does it again. )

... what the hell did you put in the bag, Koma-kyun?

OK overture

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