open //

[cambium]

Who: Keigo, et al.
What: gestures broadly
When: end of may
Where: gestures broadly again
Warnings: none yet

[ Keigo opens their eyes to find themselves standing in the mirror room, staring at their own tired reflection a large mirror — with a pounding headache and the last vestiges of vertigo before the world rights itself again. Thinking back, the last thing they remember is being warm and comfortable under the covers on a cool winter night, the taste of hot chocolate still on their lips, the sound of a movie still playing in the background growing more distant and the lights dimming as their consciousness fades. Their joints are stiff and their mouth dry, their wrist sore from the extra tally mark now etched into it.


...


They spend a long time in that mirror room, sinking down onto the floor at rubbing at their wrist as they stare at the mirrors around them, gaze lingering on dense forest and wooden floorboards, flicking this way and that around halls of the school as if trying to find something— someone. It still feels like winter with how cold it is despite long sleeves and pants, breath fogging the glass even with them sitting an arm's length away, red ribbon loosened then removed from around their neck to replace the empty space around their left ankle.

Muddled memories aside, they're certain they've never been down here before, neither the mirror room nor any of these other rooms in the basement once they finally tear themselves away from the mirrors, letting out a terrified scream when something grabs at them when they try to leave and possibly shattering a mirror or four in the process of getting away, but if they don't turn around and look to confirm then it didn't happen and they don't get bad luck, they decided this rule just now.

Not even going to look inside the bloody summoning room, why is there a summoning room.

The hidden entrances and exits are still hidden to them, but hallways only have two ends: one looks like a shaft they're certain they don't have the upper body strength to climb up more than several meters without handholds, and the other leads out to the forest where they're going to walk out into and get hopelessly lost and eventually make their way back to campus maybe if they're lucky.

Then they'll be around wherever and whenever convenient. ]

Comments

[sisters]

( so something really unusual has happened today. every day, amami makes a habit of checking on his compass — petting lily may when it inevitably leads him to wherever she happens to be resting. today, however, the compass doesn't point towards the school. today, as amami follows the direction it's laid out for him, he finds himself in the thick of the forest, and it isn't too long before he's able to make out a small silhouette between the trees in the distance.

black uniform. black hair. short stature. he can't really mistake who this is supposed to be, and there's a long pause as amami considers it; something like anxiety turns in the pit of his stomach, but really... it's not the kind of thing he can run away from — or even wants to. so he swallows hard, and taking a few steps closer, he'll wave one of his hands as he...

opens his mouth. closes his mouth. this is... actually kind of a difficult decision. what he ends up calling out with to get their attention is: )

...Kamo-kun?

[cambium]

[ They startle, nearly tripping over their feet as they whip around at the sound of that voice ]

Ani—-

[ -—wait, no, they clap their hands over their mouth at the mistake, bloody smear across one cheek from their palms. Ahh... mm.

...

Their hands lower slowly, gaze slipping away to somewhere above Amami's left shoulder, and they try again. ]

Aniki...?

[sisters]

( oh, ouch. not so much that amami's offended, but that searching feeling, it tugs at his heartstrings in a way that's unmistakable. unfortunately... )

Sorry, no Aniki here right now — just me. My name's Rantarou Amami, and you must be Keigo Arata-kun, right?

( amami shakes his head at the way they search, apologetic, and the hand that he'd used to wave for their attention, he brings to his cheek instead to scratch at it. honestly, it feels a little awkward, but the fact that they respond at all — it feels like a month's worth of tension releases all at once, and his shoulders fall as he puts on a sheepish looking smile. )

Are you looking for something out here?

[cambium]

[ Disappointment washes across their face, embarrassment, guilt, but they're able to shake it off and offer him a smile, hands falling to their sides and clasping behind their back. ]

No, just taking a walk. Do you [ ... ] know me? ...Amami-san?

[sisters]

Something like that.

( he offers a shrug here, smiling easily. there's no reason to linger on it, and he's sure he can get around to the state of the aniki, but it's all one thing at a time. for now, even if he won't push, it's the least he can do to answer the question honestly. )

I'm pretty sure we've met before, but if you don't remember, that's fine. I just came to check up on you and make sure you made it back safely.

[commences]

( it's while the other student is wandering around the halls, passing by the windows of the student store is where the magic happen today. komaeda's lifting one box with the strength of a newborn kitten where he struggles at the start, grunting pathetically since it weighs too damn much. his legs shake, arms pull at the muscles that it stings, and he knows alice would come and help him if he requested his assistance, but komaeda wants to try for himself some days.

not that he doesn't appreciate the help, but that he doesn't want to be a burden to him. it's still rooted in his way of life that there are people who doesn't have to help him, and others who will lose their shine once his presence smudges their glow.

he leans up, exhaling with a frown as he states down at the box in front of him. he needs a low cart, and while he thinks about going to the back room to acquire one, he manages to see the familiar back of someone's head— full of fluffy black locks, and holds the basic appearance of an every day student here.

he thinks to let them go because he's working, but it'd be cruel to miss a sale (he thinks kogamo would never let someone slip by if they came close enough to the shop), and so the ultimate angel on his shoulder tells him to stick his head out the door — which he does — and he speaks up, an attempt to draw their attention. )

Hey, you! ( please turn around! ) You can't walk past the student store without buying something! Everything here brings hope during my shift guaranteed!

[cambium]

[ The shout makes them startle— everything seems to, recently— even as the thought crosses their mind that they should just keep walking and not turn around because that's how they get you, they know this tactic, how do they... It's too late now, though, with their stuttering steps making it impossible to feign unawareness, turning around with something of a steely resolve. ]

Sorry, I'm broke— [ n

...a little bit of that math lady meme here, simmered in indigestion.

...

... ]

How have sales been? [ one thing at a time ]

[commences]

( it hasn't been that long and so the memories have yet to fade of hugs and worries, and strong desire to sacrifice in order to keep their brother well, nor the fear they held after possession. the little stories of butterflies, and the make belief concept that there's powers behind rocks, and even the moments where they would fake sleep so that they wouldn't be questioned of their old shames. it's a mixed bag of scenarios where some are good, and others bad, but how could he forget those safe, comedic moments of the other afraid of the dark and hitting komaeda with his own arm, or going to the pool where play sand imitated real sand, and the pool water their ocean. lots of little things that add up to become memorable, and then those memories become something komaeda realizes he'll have the misfortune of forgetting, and the corner of his mouth twitches as he manages to pull a smile. )

Ahaha.

( asking if the other will take the body of another student to survive, the understanding of what would happen the moment komaeda took those fish and set them on the floor of sun four. the argument between half the transfers here, how they believed in none of amami's efforts, listened to nothing komaeda said when hope would come from it, and they would return for a good cause (alice listened, he seemed to understand more than others). to see the other here means he was right, and komaeda has always been right, but the school uniform, the insistence that they're broke and won't come to the shop.

...

he clears his throat, biting back a cough as he looks inside of the shop. )

They've been fine, a few changes here and there... but that's the standard, people want new things, and you have to cater to the public!

( isn't that how it goes? the customer is always right? ah, even komaeda can't keep eye contact... is it too much? should he bite his tongue and return to his post? has he done well enough to let the other inside to see what him and shin have worked on all this time in their absence. amami recalled nothing upon his return, but the subtle switch in words to how have things been... maybe there's something.

do they remember? ) ...Is there anything that you'd like?

( he's a businessman at the moment, but his words a touch fond as if the other could make any request, and komaeda would see to it. )

[cambium]

[ There are a lot of things they'd like, none of which can be found in a little student store tucked away in a corner of the school. "Happiness," what they'd always advertised, they wonder if there's anything like that here as they slow turn to follow Komaeda into the store, making no promises as their gaze first flicks up to that corner by the window, rising a little on their tippy toes to see behind the counter, giving that back door a curious look. It's a distinctly unsettling feeling, of coming home after vacation to find that you've been evicted and another family's moved into your house and you're just that one emoji of a guy ]

I want...

[ They shift their weight from one foot to the other, moves around in front of Komaeda and tilts their head to force him to look at them. ]

To know what happened.

[commences]

( komaeda has never cared about happiness, but everyone knows that hope can become just that if a person strives for it. as long as they have something, that positive feeling is just one rock's throw away because it sits in the palm of their hand, and it takes just one swing of their arm. komaeda doesn't need money to spread hope, what he uses is his charm and enthusiasm to sell it when offering the items. let people know how well they work with others, the gifts that can be handed to a special someone... the possibilities are endless.

infinity if they make it so.

with eyes that look at him, komaeda can't help but let his own dull gaze be caught by them. when rokkun became purer, more of an amnesiac, he might have had eyes like this. komaeda cant remember, but it was innocent, curious, so it must run in the family. )

Happened to what...? Hm, you have to be more direct.

( he lifts one hand, thinking to pinch their cheeks, but he goes with his better judgement to avoid forcing any familiarity. by the sound of it, and how the other normally is, they'll just ask straight out. it's what komaeda's hoping for anyway. )

What you want to know... what of it do you remember? I'll piece it together.

[decrypter]

[the white cat is running, and a red ribbon trails out of her mouth. and behind her, a tap tap tap-ing as someone is trying to chase her down. Helena's legs are whole again, but their strength isn't fully recovered to the extent that they were from months of walking, swimming, climbing. thus, it's hard to chase down a cat intent on her prize who wants to worm away.]

Please stop...give it back!

[she had only meant to amuse the cat a little, to feel her tugging and batting, not wind up stolen from. it is vexing, since that's her only one left, and if it's gone, what to do?

caught up in this chase, she has no idea of who else could be around.]

[cambium]

[ "Helena's legs are whole again," WHAT HAPPENED IN THE TWO MONTHS I WAS GONE

The tap tap tap-ing sends alarm bells off in the back of their head, Keigo turning to see the cat come pelting down the hall, shoes squeaking on hardwood as they brace themselves to catch the fluffy white ball of fur coming at them as if playing soccer goalie— we play this with Laurel all the time, surely it will work on Lily May—-

There's a little grunt as they throw themselves forward, the yowl of a cat overlapping with a fumbled thump and blurted out ] S-sorry! [ because cats are not soccer balls and unlike kittens which can be scooped up, fluffy white cats do not appreciate being squeezed.

...

pitter-patter of cat feet continuing down the hall ]

[decrypter]

[I got her legs completely mangled dwbi they got better

drawing nearer, she heard the scuffle, and then the continuation of the little feet still running away. at this rate, she'll never get that ribbon back right now. she'll have to let it go, and later search for it. slowing down, she asks the only thing she can in this situation, because certainly, that voice...her mind must be playing a trick on her. had to be.]

Are you okay?

[the white cat will be given some kind of treat later for the fuss.]

[cambium]

[ ]

Uh.

[ Even with that brief a sound, she can hear the voice trail, directed downwards and off to the side instead of directly at her, as if on the other person looking away. It's confirmed with their quiet ]

I'm okay.

[ that's accompanied by nervous shuffling of shoes, a sharp intake of breath and the soft clack of teeth when they decide against it and bite back the follow-up. ]

[decrypter]

[...that voice. her eyes widen, though she cannot see the person. she has to be calm, can't show too much, because a leaping, shuddering fear is in her throat. if...this is real, and they don't recall, she will feel her heart agonize in her chest, like it's been wounded with every beat. others didn't recall. things were utterly forgotten.

but she dares to hope, it written across her features, in the confusion that flickers in her eyes, the traces of warmth in her tone.]

...Keigo?

[please. please, don't be a stranger.]

[starrypoint]

[subaru isn't much for class anymore.

he hasn't been for a while, really, since the (re)start of the year, and it's still early enough that he can get away with a bit of a lack of attendance so long as his grades are promising. subaru does homework and passes tests, it's good enough for now.

thankfully though spring break doesn't have homework, probably, or at least he doesn't care so early into it, and so subaru can spend his free days doing what he always did when he had classes: meandering around with his camera around his neck, taking pictures of whatever catches his eye. he's got a lot of them, really. the changing of seasons brings new things to snapshot, to commemorate, to remember where memories might fade-- the fact his birthday is so close, so soon, is something that hangs in the back of his mind, and there's no spark to it like he feels there should've been.

subaru akehoshi spots someone moving over the courtyard one day, the new heat of summer pouring down in the sunshine over them, and lifts his camera.

he zooms in as far as it goes, finger pressing tight against the shutter button

and stops, a profile once familiar washing nostalgia over him, and despite the sun denoting the time he hears nothing but buzzing in his ears.

is he going to be a normal person and call out? no, because his voice is caught in his throat, a name caught like a barb against the walls of his esophagus and threatening to tear at the softness of it all. what subaru does is simply let the camera fall back against his chest and he'll quietly follow keigo, not quite believing that the other isn't a ghost haunting more than his dreams.]

[cambium]

[ Who's the ghost haunting who, here?

They don't seem to notice being followed— they're hardly ever that vigilant in the first place, unless it's dark out and that vigilance goes into overdrive. But it's sunny out, a bit too warm for comfort although they keep their sleeves rolled down to their palms despite the heat.

A slow meandering walk, with stares and head tilts at the various buildings they pass by, as if a first time visitor to the campus if it weren't for the fact that their feet lead them straight to the wisteria tree where they come to a stop right in front of the trunk, staring upwards so that in their vision is nothing but that abnormal brilliant blue, they've always loved. ]

[starrypoint]

[keigo never took a single picture of themselves. they always took pictures of others, of things they loved and people they didn't want to lose. subaru had a single picture printed out from a fake world after much begging from natsume, but it isn't the same -- not the same as a polaroid, and a very different scene to boot. instead of the glittering expanse of explosive space there's the hardened bark of a tree komaeda once told him wailed with the souls trapped within the tree.

he was right, partially. there were souls. but for all subaru tried, he never heard them cry.

subaru fiddles with the camera, tries to figure out what to do, what to say, as he finds himself stopping a few feet from the smaller, familiar back of someone he'd often dog after, a teen in the throes of puppy love that turned into a bloody rose tightening thorns around his heart.

despite the fear that swells high of not being remembered, despite the uncertainty of if it would matter, despite the hope that flutters in his chest and the stinging in his eyes-- subaru does speak, soft as if this would break the illusion, and despite the volume his voice cracks with the emotions he's trying his best to keep tucked to his chest:]

Welcome home, Keigo.

[...

it'd suck. it'd hurt. but subaru could live with it, as long as they were happy. that's what the deal meant, in the end.]

[cambium]

[ The voice startles them out of their thoughts, so that it takes a moment after turning around for their eyes to focus on Subaru's, but when they do, they lock and not once blink or look away as they take one- two- three steps, leaps, and bounds to throw themselves at Subaru. Unless he's gone and broken half the bones in his body again, he can take it, they're sure. ]

Subaru! I—- [ collides into him, pulling him into a hug that starts with a squeeze but this time doesn't relax into something more comfortable ]

I wanted to see you for so long!

[starrypoint]

[he hasn't, he hasn't and he catches them as easy as he always had (as he'd remembered, memories taking over dreams that'd turn into nightmares or leave him feel clawed up inside) and subaru's own name feels unbelievable to his ears.

he isn't the same subaru that they left. but damn if it matters when either way, either way subaru squeezes back and shuts his eyes so tight he sees dots.]

Well! I'm here! [trembling, from voice to body to heart to control,] Some "see you tomorrow" that was, huh?

[does the fact he can joke, can tease, make it any less? subaru inhales sharply, nuzzling his head against keigo's in a way he hasn't anyone else in so, so long--]

You too, Keigo. [just saying their name is nice, even if it hasn't been used with the frequence it once was.] I— I missed you so, so much, I—

[breathe, breathe, crying is pathetic even if this is something worth crying over and he actually can spare tears now unlike when he'd plaster over a smile or feel nothing but a deep sadness and empathy for others.

i'm sorry still goes unspoken though, bitten back as he shakes.]

[shimashima]

[ It's almost the same encounter as their first meeting, months ago, only reversed. There are lockers nearby, though they're shut — today, no one is making a ruckus, opening and closing the same small metal door. Alice didn't come to know Keigo Arata well back then, save agreeing to play rock gacha, and when he returned for a hundred more pulls, the former shopkeep was already gone, but recognition doesn't take too long to set in.

Perhaps it's time to make up for that first impression? He does recall startling them...

And so, Alice approaches as one might approach a skittish cat, at least until it occurs to him that moving around the hallway so oddly is anything but natural. He's much quieter than that day months ago, in any case! ]

You... appear to be in need of a rock. Or ten, even.

[cambium]

[ They still startle, but at the sound of his voice rather than his appearance, brows furrowing for a seconds upon seeing Alice's face, as if trying to remember, but ultimately smoothing out without recognition.

Then they furrow again, because... what? ]

I don't need them.

[ What are you doing trying to peddle rocks on them, what do rocks even do, they don't need any rocks ]

[shimashima]

[ So much for improving on last time... Now he sounds like some kind of insane weirdo, doesn't he?! But he really thought that mentioning rocks would be less creepy than a stranger suddenly welcoming Keigo Arata back, whether or not they had their memories, and he has promised to take spreading hope seriously! Surely free rocks are part of that!

Alice wilts a little. After a moment, he tries again. ]

Err... These aren't rocks found just anywhere, you know! Many were carefully painted by hand, so they make good ornaments to decorate one's room. Or a fish tank, for example.

[cambium]

[ He's still sounding like some kind of insane weirdo, but at least he's trying and Keigo can be sympathetic to his efforts. Maybe a little pitying. ]

With nontoxic paint and sealant? 'cause otherwise the fish will get sick, or the paint will flake off and the fish might eat the paint and then they'll die.

[ You don't want to kill their hypothetical fish, right, Alice? ]

[shimashima]

[ Hearing that, Alice stares at Keigo in horror before nodding vigorously. His composure is beginning to come apart, but the fish aren't sick or dead, as far as he knows. ]

Wha— Of course!! I'm certain that the paint isn't toxic, and the rocks were prepared properly to make sure that they wouldn't kill any fish! They were definitely alive, the last time that I saw them...

[ And now the fish will be reunited with both Rantarou Amami and Keigo Arata, won't they? In their own way, they'll rejoice, and they don't need stories anymore. ]