yogen | npc contact.2

[ The one... single tally... He's lucky it's his left that's hiding. ]

If it doesn't bother you, no. But for some people, the reminder eats away at them. They can't stop wondering.

[ How they died, who killed them, whether they've killed, who've they killed—-

And then there's people who remember, like npc-kun who gives Amami's hand a tug back towards the door, like if they can get him out of here, he won't be tempted to buy anything. ]

( amami will let them lead him back out but, unfortunately, the totems out of sight doesn't mean that they're out of mind. there are a few questions that they raise, actually, and he watches kamo-kun with something of an expectant look in his eyes. )

I guess if they're so specific, you must know more than I thought about the things we're dealing with in this place, huh.

( not sure how he feels about that, actually. he grimaces a bit. )

And if they demand such a high cost, there must be something important about what they're able to show us...

[ They avoid meeting his eyes, and they're silent for a lot of this, because yeah... they know. They have to know, to be able to sell "happiness" and "safety" like they advertise, and they're here doing what they do for a reason. Being a shopkeeper at least sets them apart from the other students, not having to worry about projects going awry or fretting over exams, but at the end of the day, when school lets out, they're in the same boat. ]

A high cost doesn't always mean it's important. Look at what I've been charging for rocks. [ a glance up at him, finally, ]

None of this are things you need... [ But to them, Amami isn't the sort of person to play it safe, when there's the opportunity to get ahead ] But if you still think it's worth it... I can't say no.

( when they meet his eyes, the smile he gives feels a little apologetic. )

There's a difference between the value of money and your senses. I don't see you as the type to charge a cost like that if there isn't, say, something to hear after midnight.

( pretty clear which one's caught his eye, and it's not any of the "dead" or "good as dead" ones, at least. but anyway, imagine agreeing to go deaf and all you hear overnight is the sound of your roommate snoring? kamo-kun is pretty strapped for cash, sure, but amami doesn't take them as one to do something like that; as far as he's concerned, the secrets these totems hide are plenty important.

though, well, he's not oblivious. he can tell that they don't seem too fond of the idea, themselves. )

Anyway, it's not a decision to make lightly. I'm sure you think so too, right?

[ It's not dead or good as dead, but still... Eventually, he wouldn't be able to hear them anymore, and how are they supposed to express anything properly if not by talking? There's anyways hugs, they supposed. The only really important thing they want to express.

... ]

You can't be mad at me, okay? If you end up regretting.

[ No refunds. But this time, it's not about the money. ]

I wouldn't be. Probably couldn't be mad at you if I wanted to, y'know?

( it's like, "buyer beware" and all that, right? he gets it. he's also still holding their hand though, and gives it a little squeeze. )

But I can promise I won't want to, either.

[ They bite at their bottom lip, confident in their ability to make people bad but they don't want Amami to be mad at them. ]

Okay...

[ Where is his other hand, npc-kun reaches for his other one too, they want both ]

You better talk to me lots, while you still can.

( he'll let them have his other hand too, can't say no after making them worry after all. )

Every day, whenever you want. You don't have a PDA, do you?

( they're not a student, but it's worth a try at least. )

[ They want to say every day all the time, but then Amami's going to fail his finals and die. ]

No, I don't. Not a school one, anyways.

[ ... ]

It's okay! It's not happening yet, and it'll take a year for... [ ... ] So it'll be okay.

[ They have less than a year, anyways. ]

( he can do that without their help, so they shouldn't feel too bad. bright smile to reassure. )

And? I can still want to be there for you before that happens.

( if it happens. anyway, how will he know if kamo-kun needs something if they don't have a pda to ping him with? he wants to bring a hand to his chin in thought, but kamo-kun has both his hands, so instead he just kind of swings both of their hands back and forth. )

We have walkies in our club, but I'm not sure Saihara-kun would let me borrow those permanently. It'd be better if we had something with text too, like a phone.

( god, what were those things from the 90's? pagers? one of those would be perfect. )

Oh, Subaru was talking about that too. Walkie talkies.

[ But Amami's going deaf, so texting might be the way to go. But ughh... texting is hard. ]

Maybe you can just write me letters? Then I'll have something to keep...

[ And Amami will have to hand deliver the letters. Which totally defeats the purpose of long distance communication, but look, ]

What kind of letters do you want me to write for you?

( even if it might not be the solution they're looking for, that doesn't mean amami won't be endeared at the suggestion. )

I don't think talking about my classes will be too interesting, but is there anything you'd want to read?

( he's good at these — used to write them all the time, actually. )

[ What sort of letters... Ideally, nice things about them, I love yous and I'm thinking about yous and the sorts of things you replay over and over again on the answering machine so you can hear somebody's voice long after they're gone...

... ]

Write to me about all the fun things you're doing. The people you meet and the friends you're making. It's supposed to be important to make friends.

Sure. That's the kind of letters I'll write then.

( on both counts, because he's getting the hang of how much attention they seem to enjoy now. )

You'll have to write back though. We'll be pen pals, so make sure you tell me about all the same things, 'kay?

Yeah! I'll write to you about the day's profits, and changes in inventory, and what I've learned about manifolds!

[ Their letters to Amami would read like a school notebook, probably. But that's the shopkeep life ]

So I don't get to hear about lunch with Akehoshi-kun and math with Sara?

( don't think he's met sara... so if sara kamo-kun says, then sara she is.

not that he minds business and school notes — he's used to those things, but, y'know. )

No.

[ look, ]

I want you to only think about me.

That's exactly why you have to tell me everything — I won't have time to think about anything else then.

( knowing who they like, what makes them happy, how they spend their day — that's thinking about them too. )

[ ... ]

Okay, so today I got up at six and watered the banyan and ate a pear, and then I tidied up the store and got everything all set up for customers, but there weren't a lot of people before school and they were mostly interested in playing the gacha machine and— actually, do you think it'd be better if I make it so you have to purchase something first in order to play with the machine? The price is already dirt cheap because everybody here lives in poverty, but I figured if I could get a little out of everybody, it'll all add up.

( well it's not exactly what he expected, but he immediately breaks into a grin. cute... cute!!! )

I wonder. Spending a little at a time is probably fine — it's easier for them to justify spending more often if it's only a small amount.

( wait, hold on... )

If anything, you'd want the reverse, where they can win a discount in the store. Then they'll feel like it's a waste if they don't buy something bigger to go with it.

( are these ethical business practices? maybe not. but amami did promise to help. )

[ every opportunity is a business opportunity...

There's a little frown at discounts, though, because that's losing money. It's different when they're the one who calls it a discount and only after they've jacked up the price to cover it. ]

Hm... You're right. I could say they can win a discount.

[ They could say it, but make it a 0% chance of happening. This is ethical, because if nobody knows, it's not a lie. ]

( aw, he sees that little frown, and he's quick to make his case. )

Yeah, I think that might work. Even if you sell it at a slightly lower price, you'll still make more than you would've if they hadn't bought anything at all. It doesn't have to be a big discount either, but maybe if you put a time limit on it, so they have to use it before a certain date...

( they're going for predatory not illegal. )

[ ... ]

Every 100 pulls earns you a chance at winning a discount, but the number resets at the start of each day so you'd best play in multiples of a hundred. How's that sound? We should make more posters so people know.

Each day, huh? Well I guess the rates are up to you.

( he does have more thoughts on the matter, but... well, he knows kamo-kun needs the money for something important to them. so he'd feel bad if he tried to encourage them into more realistic strategies. instead, he'll focus on that last bit. )

Right, should we pay another visit to the art room some time? I've been thinking about joining the club so I can get some more practice, actually.

You don't have to join a club to draw. You can do that wherever.

[ If it's about art supplies, it's not like people don't go in there and use it up outside of club hours. They and Amami did just that. ]

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