yogen | ☆ let's start a brand-new stage ☆

[... 'kay so—]

What happened to your arm?

[like. you're kinda favoring it. and uh. it's uh. yeah.]

[ ...not what he was thinking about, so he gives a start. ]

...Ah.

[ Google search, how do you start to explain to a new person who just got to this place -- and seems friendly too -- that... well. Murders. He stares at the sling on his arm for a second, then closes his eyes. ]

I suppose you could say that I got... caught up in a fight. It's not like I was trying too, but um... it was kind of my fault that it started in the first place.

[subaru stares contemplatively at shuichi's arm, thinking back on natsume's words only days ago, and then of the sort of attitudes that infected yumenosaki two years ago–]

Oh. That's rough, Sai-chan. You oughta put on some muscle and get 'em back for it, especially if they feel bad for doing it in the first place! It'll make whoever messed you up feel better about themselves. ☆

[ sai-chan... cute. he isn't used to it though and gets visibly flustered -- but thankfully, subaru distracts him himself. ]

They'll feel better... if I "get them back"?

[ just what exactly... does subaru think that means? he can't stab rika back?? and he doubts she wants retribution either, but... ]

...Knowing Kawai-san, she's more likely to beat me up instead. I got scolded for pushing myself... Besides, it's not like she wanted to hurt me. It was... meant for someone else.

( she doesn't want to eavesdrop, not really- but... well. the lockers only provide so much buffer for sound. clutching her notebook to her chest, she lingers, just a little... but she's not quite as out of sight as she wants to be. whoops.

thoughts are treacherous things, and even if she went into shock that night... she can still replay the attack in her mind too easily. )

[kawai... oh, her, huh..? then, if it's recent...

... so it was meant for natsume, probably? subaru's face pinches for a moment (he didn't have an exact timeline, but he figures it's more recent than not given the urgency his friend spoke to him with), but he leans against the lockers and catches nene's expression, mouth open to reply and sort of stopping short of actually saying anything

(natsume hurt a lot of people, he remembers. he wonders if nene was one of them.)

... just for a minute, because he softens his brighter tone and it sounds, maybe, that he's speaking lower too, itching to comfort someone who looks worse for wear. eyes back to shuichi, you... are safe.

actually you're not, subaru's gonna be opening his locker and rifling through the snacks for three bags (one is for crona later)]

If she didn't mean to hurt you, then don'tcha think she's hurting herself? If she's that kinda girl, I mean. I dunno anyone that well yet... Sometimes people heal by getting hurt though, like-- being punished for what they did, if they feel like that's what works. You should probably ask her before you go swinging though.

[sage advice... from subaru... who simply swings]

I-I wouldn't go swinging at her in the first place...!

[ He sounds a little exasperated, but... Shuichi watches Subaru, wondering if he doesn't just maybe have a point. It's that type of thing where frustration gives way at the end to some sort of exhausted amusement, audible in his voice with a note of relief. Like when somebody's attitude is a little disarming and you simply can't help it before you know, or... when they're saying things that aren't necessarily wrong. Rika doesn't outwardly seem like the type to beat herself up, but... he saw what happened with Ishimaru a while back.

She's the kind of person who'll slam herself against windows and doors... ]

But maybe... you're right in a way. Precisely because the situation was difficult, a simpler solution might prove for the best. I'll think about it a little more... Ah, though for now, first things first -- we should look at Yashiro-san's notes.

[ Where he'll kind of glance over, as if wondering whether Nene doesn't want to approach... ]

( oh- she was visible anyways, whoops. okay. quietly, nene walks over and opens the notebook to an earlier page for shuichi to see- but she's not going to let him take it when he's gotta be taking it easy.

there's a transcript of the symbols she attempted to take, a reference of the bird and it's possible connection to the school, and at one point it looks like she placed the paper over the coin and ran lead over it to try and imprint the engravings, but her actual reference drawing isn't entirely accurate. ... there's also an unrelated hamster doodle in one of the corners.

don't worry about it. )

Sorry about that... here. I don't know what any of the symbols really mean, though...

[subaru peers over it too, playing with his own coin, and sets his shiny treasure on the page next to the bird drawing; being as it's brand spanking new, or at least looks it, it's a clear shot of its beautifully cool two-headed form.

her hamster's so cute... he wants to tell her... just wait, just you wait...]

I mean, your bird's pretty good! Better than mine~, but my skills lie in Daikichi drawing. Oh, but the other side's probably what you're gonna wanna see — it's got somethin' here you don't have.

[which is, when he flips it over, the words disco inferno inscribed on it]

I dunno if it's related, but it was suuuuper hot when I picked it up! It cooled off pretty much immediately though, I didn't have to blow on it or anything.

[ Daikichi... what's a Daikichi-- He wants to ask, but unfortunately right now there are things that take precedence, such as the refresher from Nene's notes and the coin itself. I'm imagining they're all like huddled in a circle around the notebook and leaning in and I hope Shuichi bumps heads with Subaru. Ouch. ]

Ah... s-sorry. But you're right... You can actually read the words.

[ Disco... inferno? What does that even mean? No wonder Subaru believed him when he said it's a board game; with something like that on the coin, even he'd be tempted to think that for real, if only... he hadn't seen them in action. And if he remembers from what Subaru mentioned to him on the forum just minutes ago... ]

You said you found it on the fourth floor, correct? Was it around the locked half...? You know... there's a door past the clock tower that doesn't seem to open, no matter what we do.

[ There's a reason why that's his guess. ]

I kinda mostly traced it, honestly. But thank you!

( she studied it really, really, really hard while trying to note everything down. she hopes she didn't miss anything, since it's gone now... though, at the mention that it's readable, nene leans over. )

... L-like that American song? Or... ... do you think anyone in the school knows Latin?

( ... nene. )

[yes they can bump heads rina, that is all i want. and he'll hum thoughtfully, drawing out his path with a finger in the air... let's see... he went that way, then up the stairs, and...]

Yeah, it was over that way... When I tried the door [like usual? pre-this day?] it was locked, so that about lines up.

[and for nene—]

What's Latin?

[ Excellent, since Peace is letting me have this, Shuichi's just rubbing his head from where he hit it and... giving that sheepish kind of expression where he doesn't know if he should try to smile or be concerned. He's going to leave the explanation of Latin to Nene. It's a little... difficult to imagine someone wouldn't know what it is in the first place, but here Subaru is, in all his glory.

Either way, he's far more concerned with the air map the other "drew", placing the turns in his head until they match. ]

Just like I thought... that makes it kind of around where I found the clue. [ which is a long story, we're tl;dr-ing ] Ah, I mean... where Kawai-san and I saw the gorintos that gave me the idea. Both of them had a coin at the top... but, something's been bothering me.

[ And he never told Nene this part either, because they only had one coin before... ]

Not both of them... were faced with the same side up. I wonder if there's some meaning to that, too.

( nene just winces slightly at the head bumps, but otherwise. well. she let shuichi answer questions with aiko, might as well let him do the same here, she guesses. )

Latin's a mmmmostly dead language that lots of other languages were born from kinda, like Spanish and stuff? It's used in media for spooky or supernatural stuff or like, proof that people are smart.

( ........NENE- )

Oh- if we find more, we'll be able to check for sure. ( ... though, she wouldn't blame shuichi if he didn't want her there for it. ) I don't think anything in this place is so... simple, honestly. I found mine in the crafts section of the home ec room, back during spring break... but it could be worth looking around that area for more.

Edited 2021-07-29 22:33 (UTC)

[latin's just not in his Things That Are Important To Know thought process. until now]

Ohhhhh, so for occult stuff? Haha, I guess I've seen that sorta spooky stuff around before then~. There's a guy at my school who's wild about it, but I dunno if he'd be able to read it or if it's just for show. You know, like those people who through stuff into Google and hope it gets translated right.

[it's natsume. the edgy latin knower is natsume. subaru'll flip the coin between his fingers again, idle habits of Not Being Able To Stop Moving manifesting.]

You mean, like... One of 'em had the eagle thing showing, and the other had the text instead? Or lack of text, whatever. Maybe one side brings 'em back to life or something like that~.

[it's like, half-joking, 'cause there's no way that'd be it, but wouldn't that be cool?

... wouldn't that be cool, so things could be fixed with natsume and the others and subaru won't have to pretend that he doesn't know the guy (even if he's doing a poor job at it)?]

[ Brings them back to life...

Words Shuichi would be tiredly trying to brush off in any other situation, but after everything that's happened in this school, it wouldn't be the most surprising thing. Although... it still sounds... a little too easy. If it were possible, he doesn't know how he'd feel; after all, once people die... they're gone. That's the point -- that's why losing others hurts so much.

But this isn't really the time to get depressed. ]

I don't know... but I think it's worth a try. When I used Yashiro-san's coin, I mimicked the gorinto that had the text facing up.

[ In other words, if Subaru's willing to take the risk (whatever it entails), they could attempt... to put the bird on top this time. ]

If... the text let us talk to Okane-san, perhaps... the bird will let us see the person the gorinto is for?

( honestly, given her own goal to save the dead, she's invested in this and the nuances of the coins alike. ... what would freeing them do, she wonders? is there a golden ending to this hell? something to bring back the ones they've lost?

... wishful thinking, probably. but she can still try. )

[spooky...☆

well--]

I'm game to try if you guys are~! I like how shiny it is, but if it'll help someone out then I don't mind giving it away. Coins aren't meant to be hoarded, y'know~☆

...Thank you, Akehoshi-kun.

[ That's... a surprisingly sensible approach, and Shuichi's expression appears to brighten a little with relief as he listens. The Subaru and Nene effect combined... too powerful. After a second of hesitation, he gives them both a firm nod.

If they're willing to do this, then so is he. They have to try something, the truth won't just... find itself. ]

Then... ah, I suppose it might be best if we waited until Sunday. Since the regular students won't be around...

Right... um. I-I know it's a lot to ask, but... if I can't come with, will you tell me everything that happens? I have some... investment, I guess you could say, in this sort of thing.

( nene honey why would you not be able to.............. honestly part of her might be assuming that subaru is going to go since she went for her coin, and. what if three's a crowd?

nene. n e n e.

but at least shuichi's smiling. that alone helps her mood too... so it looks like team sunshine has to attack shuichi at least once a day! for his health!! )

I don't mind if you come~. Sai-chan, you don't mind either, right? If you've got a horse in the race, then you've gotta see it through to the end! There's no point in coming half-way, y'know?

[which seems to be something he's very About, seeing things through... regardless subaru'll pocket the coin for safekeeping and take both their hands in his own, giving him a gooooood shake!!]

But if something comes up and you can't, you'll be the first person to know everything! Ooooh, I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what happens!

[ Shuichi softly shakes his head, the lingering traces of that happier expression inspired by both of them still on his face. There shouldn't be any issue if Nene comes with them... if anything, they'll have more insurance that if something does go wrong, either they'll be able to get away or at least one of them will so they can tell the others what's going on. Although that's... maybe not such a positive thought, and he scraps it for now. ]

No... I'd also feel a little more reassured if Yashiro-san joins us. So of course I don't mind.

[ He thinks for a minute, but... he's the only second year among them, right? Unless Subaru is too, because at this point he probably hasn't checked the roster for where he is yet, but since they know for sure in his case... ]

But... ah, there's a small chance it could turn dangerous, so even if you're excited... be careful, alright? We can meet in my homeroom on Sunday before going. It's 2-C, so it's on the same floor as the art club.

[ and i'm assuming they did that so here we go... let's get this party started ]

( nene gives a small smile and nods. sunday, 2-C... and much like last time, she will make something to eat afterwards. providing that whatever they learn doesn't bring them down too much- no. no, then she's especially got to do that. taking care of her friends... she's got to. )

Okay. We can do that. I'll see if I can think of things to ask ahead of time...

( which she will relay! later! woo! )

☆ let's start a brand-new stage ☆ | un: s.akehoshi

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oops its Angst

NENE NOOOOOO

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i may have died but i at least wanted to do this

!!!!!! peaceeee welcome back

MY LOVES....

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this is just making me want them to make friendship bracelets tbqh

WAIT PLEASE DO SUBARU'D SO BE DOWN FOR IT

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