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June Event
hello
You open your eyes.
And you scream.
Four long gashes tear your sleeve to ribbons and arm to searing pain, something sharp clamps down on your ankle and sinks into flesh and bone, down the hall another student dangles half a foot off the ground with their hair slowly separating from their scalp, and littered across the floor are bodies pooling blood and occasionally twitching— not in a last bid for life, but in the way strips of skin and muscle and fabric pull away from a person's limbs when several dozen invisible hungry imps have decided they don't want to be banished and would rather feast on the blood of their enemies if that's what it takes to survive.
For every instance of blood that touches the floor, the school pitches and transforms into a dilapidated version of itself, what npcs that were in the hall with you turning into shadow versions of themselves and taking hold of the fallen bodies to drag them to the auditorium. There, the empty room is pitch black. There, the threshold at the doorway crumbles and expands with each shadow that stands and feeds the void another sacrifice. In this school, in its darkness and its silence and its faceless students that cannot be touched, you may at least find some reprieve from the imps that do not exist, find fresh water flowing from the bathroom sinks, and scenes of normal school life playing out in the cracked mirrors that if you break even further you find that you return.
You open your eyes, and no time has passed. Something invisible tears open a student's throat, so close you can see their vocal cords bright white and vibrating as they scream. Blood splatters on the ground, and the school pitches and turns once again.
And you scream.
Four long gashes tear your sleeve to ribbons and arm to searing pain, something sharp clamps down on your ankle and sinks into flesh and bone, down the hall another student dangles half a foot off the ground with their hair slowly separating from their scalp, and littered across the floor are bodies pooling blood and occasionally twitching— not in a last bid for life, but in the way strips of skin and muscle and fabric pull away from a person's limbs when several dozen invisible hungry imps have decided they don't want to be banished and would rather feast on the blood of their enemies if that's what it takes to survive.
For every instance of blood that touches the floor, the school pitches and transforms into a dilapidated version of itself, what npcs that were in the hall with you turning into shadow versions of themselves and taking hold of the fallen bodies to drag them to the auditorium. There, the empty room is pitch black. There, the threshold at the doorway crumbles and expands with each shadow that stands and feeds the void another sacrifice. In this school, in its darkness and its silence and its faceless students that cannot be touched, you may at least find some reprieve from the imps that do not exist, find fresh water flowing from the bathroom sinks, and scenes of normal school life playing out in the cracked mirrors that if you break even further you find that you return.
You open your eyes, and no time has passed. Something invisible tears open a student's throat, so close you can see their vocal cords bright white and vibrating as they scream. Blood splatters on the ground, and the school pitches and turns once again.
hi
For each fallen student, a new one transfers in to replace them. Between the student council election and the imp infestation, more and more you seem to be surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The contrast is stark between those veteran students with bandaged arms and a limp to their stride and long sleeves and pants despite the growing heat, and those students with bright and smiling faces, the ones who coo over the cats and share their lunches with anybody who looks hungry and sit in small groups outside by the wisteria tree to chat during breaks, ignorant of what keeps it fed.
With all the new transfer students, many teachers have decided to assign group projects for their classes: poster presentations on their favorite myth or legend, short skits portraying famous historical scenes, and, everybody say thank you Cain and Kelly, taking care of flour sack babies. Projects are by homeroom and can be done in groups of 2-4, because sometimes a family is a dad and a dad and a wine aunt and a dog. The projects are all due at the end of the month, and if you're able to keep your flour sack baby from being turned into a cake or torn apart by imps, you may notice that they start to feel... warm... after one week. At the end of the second week, they begin to make short, quiet noises— a gurgle, a breath, a whine. At the end of the third week, while you're cradling the sack in your arms, you swear it moves. At the end of the fourth week, well. The project is over. Maybe it'll hatch? Let me know if you make it.
With all the new transfer students, many teachers have decided to assign group projects for their classes: poster presentations on their favorite myth or legend, short skits portraying famous historical scenes, and, everybody say thank you Cain and Kelly, taking care of flour sack babies. Projects are by homeroom and can be done in groups of 2-4, because sometimes a family is a dad and a dad and a wine aunt and a dog. The projects are all due at the end of the month, and if you're able to keep your flour sack baby from being turned into a cake or torn apart by imps, you may notice that they start to feel... warm... after one week. At the end of the second week, they begin to make short, quiet noises— a gurgle, a breath, a whine. At the end of the third week, while you're cradling the sack in your arms, you swear it moves. At the end of the fourth week, well. The project is over. Maybe it'll hatch? Let me know if you make it.
can you hear me?
The veteran students don't seem very keen on working with transfer students who make excuses about not wanting to work outside of school, but newer students are more willing, eager to meet people and get to know them and learn about the school. They gravitate towards the bulletin board to check out the class ranks, new clubs, a new section on the board with several dozen slips of colored paper tacked onto it and a little container below containing blank slips and a pen so you can add your own wishes:
That's certainly the thought as the month goes on and there are more and more wishes for the construction in the clock tower stairwell to hurry up and finish already, as the entire month of June, from 6AM to 6PM, six days a week, the sounds of drilling and hammering and screaming and sawing can be heard in the stairwell despite no construction workers being seen entering or exiting the school. The clock tower itself is inaccessible while the stairs are being taken down and replaced with a brand new elevator— veteran students are particularly grateful, because it's hard to climb stairs and go to class when your shin is splintered and a thin layer of bandage is the only thing keeping your guts from spilling out onto the floor.
In the evening after the npcs leave, characters are able to open the doors on the second and fourth floors to find... that nothing looks any different. On the first floor, however, a set of elevator doors has been installed right by the front doors, and while the button to open the doors don't work, they can be wrenched apart and entered, revealing a barren space with metal walls, a clock hung on the back wall that ticks backwards, and too many buttons on the panel by the double doors. Most buttons are white, numbered -6 to 27 though out of order and not all the numbers are there. Some are black, one is red, neither colors having symbols etched into them. None of the buttons work when pressed.
Not yet.
Wishes are meant to be granted, but... Some of the newer students make an attempt at being a little more realistic and add things like "I want the answers to next week's math exam" and "I want a pony" and do check the board occasionally, so it never hurts to leave a wish of your own.
"I want to be normal. --XX, 1-A"
"I want to live. --XX, 2-B"
"I want my friends back. --XX, 3-D"
"I want life to go back to normal. --XX, 2-A"
"I want my brother back. --XX, 2-A"
"I want more power. --XX, 1-A"
"I want to be loved. --XX, 1-B"
"I want to fix the past. --XX, 2-A"
"I want to find my family. --XX, 3-B"
"I want to be loved. --XX, 2-A"
"I want a normal life. --XX, 1-A"
"I want my brother back. --XX, 2-B""I want to see my family. --XX, 1-C"
"I want to die. --XX, 2-D"
"I want my friends back. --XX, 2-D"
"I want to fix the past. --XX, 3-D"
"I want freedom. --XX, 1-D"
"I want to live. --XX, 1-C"
"LUNCH DATE WITH IZUMI SENA!!! --XX, 1-A"
"I want to be strong. --XX, 2-E"
"I want freedom. --XX, 3-E"
"I want to live. --XX, 2-E"
"I want to die. --XX, 3-E"
"I want to remember. --XX, 3-C"
That's certainly the thought as the month goes on and there are more and more wishes for the construction in the clock tower stairwell to hurry up and finish already, as the entire month of June, from 6AM to 6PM, six days a week, the sounds of drilling and hammering and screaming and sawing can be heard in the stairwell despite no construction workers being seen entering or exiting the school. The clock tower itself is inaccessible while the stairs are being taken down and replaced with a brand new elevator— veteran students are particularly grateful, because it's hard to climb stairs and go to class when your shin is splintered and a thin layer of bandage is the only thing keeping your guts from spilling out onto the floor.
In the evening after the npcs leave, characters are able to open the doors on the second and fourth floors to find... that nothing looks any different. On the first floor, however, a set of elevator doors has been installed right by the front doors, and while the button to open the doors don't work, they can be wrenched apart and entered, revealing a barren space with metal walls, a clock hung on the back wall that ticks backwards, and too many buttons on the panel by the double doors. Most buttons are white, numbered -6 to 27 though out of order and not all the numbers are there. Some are black, one is red, neither colors having symbols etched into them. None of the buttons work when pressed.
Not yet.
it'll be alright
Until then, the clock tower can be reached as normal up several flights of stairs, the room at the very top bright and sunny with clock faces in the glass on all four sides, floorboards stained copper red and the air thick and difficult to breathe. For some, it's still worth it for the view of the wisteria tree in perpetual bloom in the courtyard below, especially as the heat and humidity of summer approaches and with it comes clouds of gnats that have taken up residence in the courtyard, hovering over puddles of light pink water left over from watering the courtyard overnight. Classes are no longer held outdoors, as teachers find it impossible to speak without gnats entering their mouths at any given opportunity, and the heat inside the school becomes near unbearable towards the latter half of the month as there is no air conditioning and teachers hesitate to open their windows. The homeroom teachers in 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C made that mistake once, opening the windows facing the courtyard and the gnats had gotten in, little homing missiles to their favorite food: blood, sweat, and tears. But if you don't cry, sweat, or bleed and aren't afraid of the gnats squeezing their way through the mesh screen in the windows, it can be nice to sit by the window and hope a breeze comes your way.
Those in classes 3-A, 3-B, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, and all of the first year classes can find that they're able to open the windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C to enjoy the breeze, but find an invisible barrier blocking their way and preventing any part of them from reaching out into the open space. 3-A, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, 1-B, 1-D, and 1-E are able to remove the screen and exit through those windows facing the courtyard, keeping in mind it is the 3rd and 4th floors and they will have to climb back up to reenter the school. 2-C, 1-B, and 1-D can go a step further and find that the front door to the school opens for them, except when they try to leave, they run into an invisible barrier, unable to take another step out the door. But they can stand there and take in the sight of the school gates in the near distance, of the forest just beyond, of the npc students slipping past them on their way to and from home. At this threshold it is chilly despite the heat that smothers the school in waves, the air is fresh, invigorating, and when the sun passes overhead you swear you can feel it staring.
Those in classes 3-A, 3-B, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, and all of the first year classes can find that they're able to open the windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C to enjoy the breeze, but find an invisible barrier blocking their way and preventing any part of them from reaching out into the open space. 3-A, 2-C, 2-D, 2-E, 1-B, 1-D, and 1-E are able to remove the screen and exit through those windows facing the courtyard, keeping in mind it is the 3rd and 4th floors and they will have to climb back up to reenter the school. 2-C, 1-B, and 1-D can go a step further and find that the front door to the school opens for them, except when they try to leave, they run into an invisible barrier, unable to take another step out the door. But they can stand there and take in the sight of the school gates in the near distance, of the forest just beyond, of the npc students slipping past them on their way to and from home. At this threshold it is chilly despite the heat that smothers the school in waves, the air is fresh, invigorating, and when the sun passes overhead you swear you can feel it staring.
OOC
✽ Sometimes you summon murder imps and you gotta get rid of them yourselves. The imps are invisible unless supernatural sight (eg Nene, Clamor) or form (eg Moriarty, Sherlock) is regained, or are seen through an adder stone (possessed by Arthur, Gundham), but can still be fought either way through physical or magical means, or banished with the proper materials. They will NOT be rampaging and attacking everybody all the time, so this prompt is avoidable if you'd rather not, but they will gravitate towards 1) students who are alone, and 2) areas where there is already bloodshed happening.
✽ For the flour sack group project, groups are by homeroom and can number between 2-4 students. You may also assume npc students are part of your group if you wish.
✽ Characters may notice that physically, an elevator can't make sense without demolishing the first floor locker area, and they will have to accept the fact that not everything will make sense, and that sometimes, Ori just does not want to redraw floorplans. The elevator will be functional starting next month, maybe.
✽ Only windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C can be opened by characters in classes that have gained at least one class rank to date. Those classes that gained at least one class rank last month are able to exit out the windows facing the courtyard only. Those classes with 30 or more ranks are able to open the front door to the school but not exit through it. To anybody else watching them open the door, they will see that character turn into a shadow and go through the motions of opening the door without exiting, exactly how npc students appear when they enter and exit the school.
✽ For the flour sack group project, groups are by homeroom and can number between 2-4 students. You may also assume npc students are part of your group if you wish.
✽ Characters may notice that physically, an elevator can't make sense without demolishing the first floor locker area, and they will have to accept the fact that not everything will make sense, and that sometimes, Ori just does not want to redraw floorplans. The elevator will be functional starting next month, maybe.
✽ Only windows in classrooms 1-B, 1-D, and 2-C can be opened by characters in classes that have gained at least one class rank to date. Those classes that gained at least one class rank last month are able to exit out the windows facing the courtyard only. Those classes with 30 or more ranks are able to open the front door to the school but not exit through it. To anybody else watching them open the door, they will see that character turn into a shadow and go through the motions of opening the door without exiting, exactly how npc students appear when they enter and exit the school.
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kindergartnerOK ITS NOT THAT BAD BUT ITS MESSY AS FUCK - handwriting. ]Character: Nanami Chiaki
Homeroom: 2-B
Wish 1: I want Nagito Komeada to live a healthy and fulfilling life!
Wish 2: I want Hajime Hinata to have a wonderful future!
Wish 3: I want Gundamn Tanaka to meet up with 4 Devas of destruction again!
Wish 4: I want everyone here to live and graduate happy.
Wish 5: I want more games & game consoles to play with everyone with.
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wish 2 :')
His heart feels the briefest warmth at the sight of her child-like handwriting, but it's quick to fade as he takes in what she wrote - and his face morphs into a grimace. His other, free hand digs crescents into his hands. Pain, to control himself and not say something overwhelmingly bitter to Nanami, of all people.]
Even if we get free of here, and don't have to deal with the Killing Game after... I don't think that can be a reality for me anymore.
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...
[ Nanami presses the wish gently where it can be displayed. Looking over to where Hajime were - her face smiles warmly. Upon immediately seeing him, however when he speaks there's this tone to him. She cannot help but hyperactive take note of. ]
What do you mean Hajime-kun?
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[Hinata closes his eyes. Whatever expression she makes, pity or otherwise, it'll be too much to bear looking at.]
...I remember. What Komaeda found in the Final Dead Room about me. I woke up a few days ago... and I remembered it.
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A part of her feels her heart skip a beat, feels knots in her stomach. Something that she had felt before but perhaps now as she learned more and more from others... For whatever reason, it hurt more - and it takes her a minute to process everything. Looking away from him. Eyes veering to the wishes that she made - does he know?. Her voice inside asks herself quietly - Does he know what I am?
The way he talks to her - YOU makes it feel as if perhaps he does. Or maybe.... He had just remembered the Final Dead Room, as well as the Trial that occurred from it. A pause had occurred, but her eyes draw back to the other and she softly asks him, ]
You look like you have that same worried expression on your face when you went to the Final Dead Room - what's wrong Hajime-kun?
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I guess it makes sense... that I'd have the same expression. After all, waking up that day was like Komaeda telling me all over again.
[As his shoulder lifts in a half-shrug, he wonders if Nanami will be able to detect the ire in his voice when he says his name.]
It... makes sense, doesn't it? I probably forgot it again since we were all effected by that weird amnesia. If my brain was that desperate to forget it a second time, it must be true... That I have no talent. That I'm really part of the Reserve Course.
[That I'll never be anyone I can be proud of.]
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[ A conversation replays in her head, it's the same as each moment. Where she tells him the same thing every time, in every iteration, even the her that she is modeled after. Nanami wants to say it again, that being a reserve course student isnt wrong... That he has the freedom to chose, who he wants to be unlike the other Ultimates.
The issue here is Hinata seems to be at his limit with everything. The stress of the school, the way that he is treated, and how things seem to go about with the others. Having woken up to memories that he had lost before, as if they were someone elses to toy with. Let alone Nanami knowing of future memories, he does not have. It was like the pressure of the world one that comes crashing down. She remembers what she wrote that night in her journal, how Hinata was facing far too much for himself to handle. How he was panicked that no one believed him.
Nanami didn't want that now. ]
Hajime-kun.
[ Nanami reaches for his hands, both of her own reaching out to cup his wrist. It is still something rather new, but with how kind everyone has been. All the new friendships she has gained, it isn't strange to want to reach out and take hold of the others hand. ]
Will you come with me?
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Hinata Hajime of the present has a heart that's too torn up to react as normal... but it does make him almost feel something, just for a brief moment.]
I...
[He looks down at his hand, the crumpled piece of paper that makes him chest burn. The second wish he hasn't put up yet. "I wish I had a talent."
...There's probably no point in putting that up here anyway. There's probably nobody in this whole school that could make that wish come true.]
...Alright.
[The word is full of reluctance. But he still tiredly squeezes one of her wrists with his free hand before letting it drop away from her.]
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After each distant step. She would pause to look at him, eyes wandering and making sure he had followed. Leading him unto the upstairs areas. Now that most people have filtered out from the school rooms. She peaks into each door, wondering and looking - perhaps testing Hinata's patience. However it would be hard to break her out of her actions in this moment, as she continues to look for an empty room.
Inevitably she does. Then looks over to him expectantly. Eyes round and wide, seemingly mildly eccentric. They always were when she is trying to prompt something inherently special or imperative like this. ]
Okay.. Okay.. In here..
[ The girl states with a soft voice, as if this were a secret to be had. She would enter the empty room first, shoes tapping away she hurried to sit where she wanted to. Then when he looks in, Nanami would be settled onto the floor looking up at him as he walks inside. ]
Okay sit here.
[ She points at the floor, yes. It's a rather... Clean floor, not the most beautiful of places to be. Hopefully it's one of the class rooms where the window is open - though none of them can escape out of it. Again the imagery in Nanami's eccentric moments never is ever picture perfect or sound. However she is trying, she waits for him to sit down beside her. ]
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But it's Nanami. It's still Nanami, so he'll follow her anywhere... even if he doesn't want to take another step forward.
Up and up, even if he freezes on the stairs a few times and she'll have to wait for him - until finally, they make it to the room Nanami leads them to.]
...A classroom?
[He makes a face as he watches her sit on the floor, a little bit of doubt creeping in... But it probably can't do anymore harm than what's already done, so he'll take a seat next to her when she asks.]
...Fine. I'm here, so... What did you need from me?
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[ Perhaps she catches Hinata off guard - she will count on it. As her hands reach out. Fingers lining along his shoulders and then with some rather - surprising force. Nanami will shove Hinata's head upon her lap, where he looks outwards toward the door. His cheek pressed against the folds of her skirt as she takes a moment to move her hands and think further. ]
... Ne, ne - I noticed you aren't the same anymore? You looked at the stairs behind us like something bad had happened.... You look at me like you are afraid of something.... Ne, ne - you look really tired.
[ Although this very awkward for her, she notices how soft it feels to have his head on his lap. Curiously and remembering the scene, she would - so long as he did not move. Tuck strands of his hair away from his forehead. Gently attempting to do as she saw. ]
In the scenes.. [ Nanami leans over speaking. ] It's called a lap pillow - its weird because how can a lap be a pillow? .... But I get it... I think? If Hajime-kun rests his head here for a little bit and tells me what's wrong. Do you think... He will feel better again? Hm, hm, will you tell me what's on your mind?
1/2 gimme a second I'll send part two through my tears
Hinata has walls all around his heart, the only defense mechanism left to him, and that's why an act of love is perfectly enough to catch him off guard.]
Na... nami...
[The breath rushes out of him, flush streaking across his face, and for just a moment - for just a moment, he doesn't feel like the Reserve Course student who can't remember he has no worth, but the Hinata Hajime that's filled with hopes and dreams and wants and desires. She feels soft underneath him, like the day he'd bumped into her when they were reunited, her hands tender with him in a way that makes his eyes sting - his heart races, and in this moment, he still feels like the Hinata Hajime that's built up in the lens of Nanami's eyes.]
Why... [His voice shakes with emotion.] Why are you doing this for somebody like me...?
[If he had the wherewithal to realize how much he sounds like Komaeda as he says it, he'd probably be enraged all over again.]
I'm not an important person, not anymore... And yet you're still...
[Treating him like he is.
It's terrifying.
He feels like he'll crack apart and all the messy feelings he's holding in will spill out and it's terrifying.
If she gives just the right push.]
How can I just... tell you all of those things? What you're asking of me are things that'll make you think even lower of me than you already should... The painful things that make me someone that no one could ever look up to... You're asking me to give you those things freely, and yet-!
[And yet.
Sometimes the right push... is little more than a simple nudge in the correct direction.
It's not quite her words that do it, though they pave the path.
It's the way she pushes the hair from his forehead the rest of the way, so sweetly, gaze matching his with the soft care that he doesn't know how to accept.
Tears flood Hinata's eyes.]
How can you pull me onto your lap, asking me about the things that prove I'm nothing... and yet treat me with the kindness of someone that matters...?!
[Congratulations, Nanami Chiaki. You've cleared this Rebuttal Showdown.
2/2 cries all the way home
nanami at rebbutual showdown with her samurai knife like 'fuck u im saving hinata ON MY OWN'
still carrying everyone on her back
me p ulling out all the stocks to fucking fix hi mand fix this WE NEE DHIM KOMAEDA NEEDS HIM I NEED
not you pulling out Re:Zero on me again in the small text
LMAO STOp BUT IT FITS I T MAKES SENSE STARTR FROM ZERO HAJIME!!!!
it's true he started from zero points and look at him n- actually don't look at him yet
STOP DONT SAY THAT PLEASE IM TRYING
BELIEVE ME YOU'RE HOLDING DOWN THE FORT RIGHT NOW
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wish 3
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[ He looks down at his shoes, and carefully lifts them up to reveal the droppings. He's disgusted that he's got poop on his boots, but then the realization sets in and he's shocked that he's got HAMSTER poop on his boots. Anyone near him at this moment will hear soft laughter quickly growing in volume as he puts his hands on his hips and boldly challenges whatever dark entity in this school to take away his happiness. Thank you for this sign, spring break fairy!!! ]
Fuhahahaha! I KNEW it! Wherever you are, I shall find you, my Four Dark Devas of Destruction!
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?? Did you see them?
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[ He goes to lift his boot but also realizes that people probably don't want to see hamster droppings and moves his hand away. ]
I have encountered their... runoff. [ That's a good word for it, right- ] Rascally devils, they are. Like sylphs, they ride the air and vanish without a trace. However, I am certain when the time is right, they shall return to me.
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[ Nanami says throwing in a little reference, enjoying the fact that the wish she made did come true! ]
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[ Honestly, nothing can bring him down today- just getting some semblance of a sign that they're alright is good enough for him for now. ]
When the fateful day arrives, you will be one of the first to gaze upon their countenance yet again.
[ He owes Chiaki that much, at least! ]
wish 5
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