give your friends a surprise

[closewithnewintown]

Who: EVERYONE
What: FAMILY MEETING
When: 8/4, right after school closes.
Where: Student council room
Warnings: Eventually, probably.

["If my friends back home were acting like this, I would've already locked them in a room and forced them to figure out their feelings."

the job puts all of her considerable superspy skills to the test. she knows where every normal kid's locker is; it's easy enough to slip the note into each that morning. if it's someone who she knows would be unable to read the note, she tells them its contents, but keeps her own involvement out of it. lies of omission don't count.

the note reads:]

I have very important information about this place. Please come to the student council room after school ends today.

- Nao Sato

[and if the text looks just a bit girlier than you'd think she'd write, hey, you don't know her. she's got layers.

either way, it's a pretty interesting proposition: the student council room door is, for the first time in seemingly ever, wide open. anyone can walk inside - and, hopefully, most everyone should. because it's only when Stephanie thinks that she's got enough of them inside that she actually enters the room, shutting the door behind her.

click.

it locks. she grins, spins the key on her finger, and slips it into her pocket.

"How are you supposed to do that with grownups?"

the exact same way, she's decided.]

We haven't had any meetings since, um. Well. The last one. But, I'm pretty sure nobody has no more murders to report, so it shouldn't be too bad, and we can all just focus on the most important task: Getting along! All of us are on the same team, but most of us barely even know each other; some of us even hate some of the others! [SHE SAYS, LIKE SHE DOESN'T ACTIVELY DESPISE KOKICHI] So, I figured we could spend the evening fixing that problem. Play some games, talk about stuff we've discovered since the last time...

And, maybe, if everybody does a really good job, I'll unlock the door!

[smiles]

Comments

[commences]

Yep, at the start, I wanted to do everything I could to see the hope you all have. I don't regret my actions, Yashiro-san.

( because if he regrets them now, then everything he's done would lose meaning, the lives he taken would just be "mistakes," but no... he wants them to be something more. )

It's funny, people are hurt when they don't even know who I am... yes, you were all kind to me at the start. Even said things I've never heard before... ( even now, it's still so weird to him. ) but I couldn't change my thoughts because of your kindness, I'd take the brunt of everyone's hate to strengthen their light, even if it blinds me.

( he sighs, and here he is, taking it as it comes. in a way, the pool of people he can talk to is small, but he bothers everyone anyway so he doesn't notice it. what he does notice! )

I like your brooch, do you like skulls too?

i swear she was already going to say that before ur narration--

[mermaidcursed]

Why? Because you don't know how? Or because it makes everything you've done meaningless?

( or both?

but she just gives him a steady, impassive look. she's tired. she doesn't want to be having this conversation. she doesn't want to be locked in a room with all these people- she'd never stormed out of a meeting, but at least she had the option to. )

You decided we were weak without knowing who we were too. You never once gave anyone a chance. Do you really care? Or do you just say that to justify what you do?

...

( sigh. )

Only if they're not real. ( THE FACT THAT SHE FEELS THE NEED TO SPECIFY, WITH HIM- ) I've had this for two years now- it's important to me. My friend gave it to me because I like a lot of horror stuff.

IM LITERALLY CRYINGGGG *komaeda reading nenes vibes immediately*

[commences]

Is it meaningless when there's been so much that happened thanks to it?

( killing aiko opened so many doors for them to enter, giving way to ishimaru's newfound position, allowing dorms, and other little bits that made his action worth it. people may have lost friendship because of the killing, but that doesn't mean that her place a stepping stone was for not. now, komaeda doesn't care for half of that though, he's more about the product made from how they went in stride, the friendships that thickened, and how some of them lost their fear. )

...I don't do meaningless things, I do them for a reason, and hm... I decided it from how long I watched over you all, no one was... being productive. It's fine, look at you all, working hard because of it, it's fine... ah, I understand if you want me to be wrong, but I go to counseling now!

( as if that makes things better, but isn't that what everyone wants him to get? some help? )

I'm sorry, Yashiro-san. I can't say, I can't answer that question at all. But there's an answer, if that gives you some solace.

( ... )

I like them too. ( he's pulling at the skull chain that's attached to his jeans, showing it off so she can see. ) You have good taste, I've had this one for awhile, but nothing as meaningful as a friend handing it over. What sort of horror things, like movies...? Halloween?

THEM READING EACH OTHER LIKE FUCKING BOOKS IM. FAMILY (MIXED FEELINGS)!!!!!

[mermaidcursed]

Is the progress we've made really thanks to what's happened? Can you tell me for certain that we would have stagnated without it? ... No, you can't. You don't have that sort of power or sight. But I fully believe that even if it might have been a bit slower, we would have made those strides anyways, even without what you've done.

( this may be the most resolute he's heard her... and boy she hates it. she doesn't want him to Perceive her, thank you. ... but this stopped being about what she wants a long time ago, didn't it? )

... Thank you for humoring me at least.

( and it's said stiffly, but not coldly- even now she can't bring herself to be cold to him, even if she'll avoid him like the plague. but it's also a quiet 'this is over'. if he tries to bring it up more, she won't go along with it. she's said her piece, he can... throw it out the window or whatever he does now. she doesn't want to know. )

... I'm not good with horror movies, but some of them are fun- I like animated horror, or manga and games... I really like ghost stories, too. ( most horror movies are live-action- even if she knows it's fake, it doesn't look like it and that gets to her. also remember that time nene made a bloodborne reference? yeah she's played bloodborne. ) ... The brooch can also be used as a hair pin. It's helpful, when I'm cooking or gardening.

( it's very cute! but also girl you have the magatama pins too how many do you need just braid your hair- )

I KNOW I HATE IT HATE SHE SAID DID U KNOW THE FUTURE N I GASPED BC SHE KNEW HELP!!!

[commences]

You're right. ( he does say that, but it's never like he looked into it to begin with. ) I don't know what the future holds, because I know in the end that no matter what, good will come from it. That's why I'm not afraid of the consequences.

( that's why he can do what he can without thinking of the negative possibilities? is that unfair? or is he allowed to be hopeful, who knows, but to him, he feels like everything has gone... fine. they're doing what they can, they're learning from the experience, they know they have to think about everything moving forward. being thanked for something like that makes him wonder what did he humor? he hums in thought, crossing his arms in his lap, and he looks up as she continues. )

I never thought this would be my life, living in a haunted school... I always thought movies like those wouldn't actually happen to me, but knowing my luck... We have ghosts, and demons trying to eat us...

( but this isn't about the school, this is about the genre. )

Horror is pretty good... that way people stay together and count on one another. Nanami-san showed me various games, I think you would have liked them... hm... I think you'd like them if you had a group with you to watch along, what do you think?

( nooo, do they tend to have that many uses? now i learned something... ) Thank you for telling me that, I never knew you struggled so much with your hair.

SHE'S TURNING THE NENE BEAMS (READING YOU FOR FILTH) ON HIM!!!! AAAAAA she always has tho

[mermaidcursed]

( she almost admits it's not her first time with a haunted school- kamome is suuuuper haunted. but even though hanako straight up admitted from the start that she summoned him to yogen, she's so reluctant to acknowledge that with komaeda. )

The thing about the 'this happens to other people' mindset is that we're all 'other people' to everyone else...

Oh, um. I normally watch or play them by myself. Aoi-chan doesn't like scary things. ( akane and lemon are more aoi's friends than hers- when things happen and it's by her invitation, things patter out unless aoi is there. and her parents- they were rarely home, and when they were they didn't want to stress themselves out with scary things. ) I've never had people I could do that sort of thing with.

--Nno? You were interested in the brooch- I was giving you more information. ( WHY DO YOU GOTTA TAKE EVERTHING SO BADLY KOMADEA-SAN??? but no i think this is special to nene's skull, isn't that so cute? ) You sound so passive-aggressive, honestly...

IS SHE READING HIM FOR FILTH oR IS SHE MISUNDERSTANDING HIS FILTH

[commences]

Isn't that a lie? With the people you have here, the ones that motivate you, that makes you smile... can't you do it with them?

( komaeda didn't have people like that either until he was part of the main course, how he was able to fit in with people because of one person — nanami chiaki is an amazing person, a hope for the class, even acknowledging worthless waste like him. even as he says that, his hands squeeze at the pocket of his jacket, making sure that something is still there, but then... he realizes. he stops, and snaps his fingers. )

Oh? Did I...? That wasn't my intention.

( he looks down, a hand raised to his chin as he taps thoughtfully as if he's trying to figure out where he went wrong. then he'll be honest as he smiles, settling his hands back into the seat of his lap. )

I'm glad you told me, now I understand the things you like. I want to ask the shop owner if they have anything like it, because I want to buy it, and give it to you.

( not rehearsed, but thought out in that moment of hesitance he had. he looks nene directly in her eyes, waiting for her response. he sees no reason why this could be taken badly, but he's waiting for it. ) I really am bad... when talking to people, so that's my fault.

Both. Looks at the first time she called him out... so long ago.....

[mermaidcursed]

Don't you think people here have had enough of being scared? ( she certainly has- she needs a break from the scary things, after all of this. ) Besides, my games and movies and stuff aren't here. And I think I'd rather focus on comforting things here, anyways. I still like the aesthetics, like my brooch, but...

( but she witnessed imp attacks. her arm and one of her legs bears fresh scars from the start of summer from one, too. she saw izumi get pushed out a window, saw kazuki's true form in the void- so much, so much, not to mention the horrors of back home.

and then komaeda says something surprising- and for a moment she's tempted to say 'you don't have to do that', but she stops herself. he full-well knows already... but she's not one of his oh-so-special ultimates. so... )

... Why? Not that it isn't sweet of you, but... I don't get it. I'm not...

( '... anything special to you'. but she doesn't say it. instead she looks up at him in thought before sighing, sliding back in her chair for a moment. )

You are. ( N E N E ) It's easy to misunderstand your tone, and the way you word things. But... that doesn't really mean you're at 'fault' at the moment, you know. It's just- hard, sometimes.

its been awhile but hes doing good, what blood has he shed!!

[commences]

I'm not scared of those movies, but others might enjoy the reprieve. ( allow them to see the fantasy monsters and not what they've seen here, allow them to see a fake killer and laugh at the blood that doesn't send them to the void world. if they can enjoy that and get their minds off of it — no. ) They won't be afraid... everyone will be together. Isn't it normalcy to watch movies like that together with them, I can't understand it... but it seems like you'd have fun.

( there are different people who enjoy different things, but maybe nene can rely on those here during it. perhaps she's still scared, and komaeda makes a mental note as he carries on: )

Should I not do it? ... ( there was an attempt, and he's quick to leave the conversation as he looks up. it's because of his place, how he sits between the ultimates and those that lack talent, but he's said it before, there's something special about nene — he can feel it. he knows hope when it radiates off someone in waves. )

No one understands me, so it's fine... That's not a bad thing though, not understanding...

( actually, there's so much that can come from that, but he won't continue because that's for people around him to learn. )

HE HURTIN PEOPLES FEELINS ALL THE TIME??? ugh ur right tho.... he can have nekonigiri as an treat

[mermaidcursed]

... If people want to, I won't say no. But I don't force anyone to watch that sort of thing either. ... Ah- there's a horror manga I think you'd like, actually.

( ... is this..... friendship...................... no. it's just a really awkward family reunion between two white haired anime characters with odd relationships with death. but if he's interested, he's interested and will say so, won't he? )

You can do what you want with the shop- I just don't get why you'd do something like that for me. I thought you didn't like me.

( ... this is starting to tread into familiar territory oh no- quick, distract herself!

quietly, nene watches him... he really is hard to understand. mostly in the sense that he understands everything around him so much differently, that it changes even simple statements- )

... Does it get lonely, Komaeda-san?

HE HAS TO SO PPL CAN HATE HIM AND HIS LUCK DOESNT HURT THEM :(

[commences]

Do tell, I can try and think of a few for you, too.

( he can try, but given his memory that isn't too good, he might fail. it may not be manga that he thinks of first, but he's stumbled upon a few good books within the library. some longer, a few short and to the point, maybe too detailed in what makes it gruesome, so he can search for those lighter in that genre. )

If you come with me to the library, we can look around, I'm sure there's something... especially if you're interested in novels.

( now did he say that? or did his actions speak for him, but since he doesn't remember saying it aloud, he can only smile at her as if he knows something she doesn't. he's never lied, he can't find it in himself to do so, because that won't bring about anything aside from confusion, and problems he doesn't want to make. he willingly makes them, but his eyes do seem empty as he watches her, canting his head.

... )

Is that how you read it, Yashiro-san?

HURTIN THEM IS ALSO BAD LUCK NAGITO

[mermaidcursed]

It's about three girls who survived the end of the world, trying to find ways to enjoy living despite everything around them. Eventually a fourth joins them- it's really neat, too, because it also goes into the way they deal with things individually and how each can be good or bad. It's my favorite, actually... for horror manga, that is.

( she has too many beloved shoujo manga for her to ever choose however. her shelves are so full and disorganized back home-

but it seems as if komaeda's made his decision about acts of kindness for her, so she won't bring it up again. instead, there's something more- is that how it seems to her? well, yes, actually. so few people back home like her, because she's either too much, or trying too hard to fit in. no one really likes the real her, except aoi. and the way she sees it... a small handful of people love komaeda, some tolerate him... and so many hate him. because they can't understand him, and he can't fully understand them in turn. it sounds terribly lonely in her opinion. )

Maybe. But that doesn't really answer my question...

HE WISHES HE COULD HAVE GOOD LUCK

[commences]

It speaks on their exceptional bonds, huh? ...Pushing them to their limits with the power of friendship to survive in a world where it's only them, and learning about one another to tackle the problems that they face while having to accepts the uglier part of them?

( it sounds like a thrilling tale, actually, and he wonders what hope they'll be able to make, or if it'll all come crashing down. he has a feeling that it works on the aspects of love and harmony between them since he can't see nene interested in more aggressive outcomes. people coming together, counting on one another, and learning to cherish despite their differences... what did they all learn from it? maybe he'll take a look into it, or maybe if she comes with him to the library they can see if the school has anything equivalent — he likes reading, he wouldn't mind having something to look into. amami has opened his eyes to... geographic books, just for a chance of scenery. )

It's not lonely, it tells me a lot about a person.

( because for someone like komaeda, he pays attention to people and their surroundings, and even like right now... he's cataloguing what nene says, and how she reacts. sadly, it's not that obvious given his innocent expression, eyes wide as he smiles right after like he's done nothing wrong. ) How far will you go to understand someone, will you give up if it gets hard?

listen............... hes gettin nekonigiri............

[mermaidcursed]

( she just listens to his musing with... almost a smile, actually. progress...? but wow, he's gonna hate rii-chan then. )

Mhm. If I can ever find it, I'll show you, okay? But the anime changes some things. I think it kinda weakens the story a bit. It's called School-Live, though.

( not being understood tells him about people, huh? somehow she kind of doubts it- or at least, doubts that he truly understands. he just... fits things into his world view, doesn't he? )

... If trying is more harmful to anyone involved than beneficial, I'll back away.

( but backing away doesn't mean giving up, does it? no, there's implications that she can and will approach again, later. when there's been time to learn and heal. )

AFTER they find hanako kun... WHERE IS MY SON!!

[commences]

Kind of like now? We're in a school, it sounds like fun... the sort of changes we'd go through.

( here in yogen, they're doing their best... well, who knows what the outside world is like... there's students, but not much else. he commits it to memory, which unfortunately he'll forget along the way due to his illness, but he does smile as she continues. )

You like Hinata-kun, don't you? ( he's seen them around each other, smiling, laughing, things like that. a normal life the other fits into so easily, but komaeda doesn't understand it. ) The reason he's the way he is... is because he doesn't understand.

( ... but, that would be too much to speak about. ) Do your best, Yashiro-san, I believe in your hope.

WAILS!!!!

[mermaidcursed]

Ah- kinda, actually? They call themselves the 'School Living Club' since they stay there.

( the outside world is a terrifying unknown- the undead in the city and how far other survivors may have sunk for the manga, and what lies beyond the woods, what keeps them trapped in this plot of land for them. threats they can't possibly all know until it's almost too late, with not even the school walls being enough to keep them safe... the only difference is the girls at least knew they could trust each other.

but nene's torn from her thoughts at the mention of hinata, and understanding- doesn't understand what? the small smile fades into a confused frown as she leans over just slightly, like she's searching for a physical answer that isn't there. )

What do you mean?

DONT CRY

[commences]

Just like us... how familiar, it's almost like it was meant to be a warning for everyone.

( he laughs, placing his hands into his lap as he looks at nene. school living club, that's basically what they all are, their own group that's separate from the natives, and trying to lead their own lives with hope. can't forget that. )

...When you speak to him, know that no matter what, he'll try to understand. That's the type of person he is, even if nothing makes sense... his will is always fighting, that's why... it'll be fine.

( with all of hinata's memories wiped, he probably doesn't know the things that he used to about her. it's like when he spoke to saihara, didn't know him, but he felt familiar, and then learned his name... he wanted to understand, and he thinks it'll be the same for her. it's because komaeda knows hinata so well is why he can speak this narration onto him when it comes to nene. )