(open) bullheaded burn out fled his own pedigree

[taketori]

Who: Miyuki Shirogane, You?
What: oh shit it's july. also, continuing his fun adventures with his mind.
When: July 17th, dumbass o'clock.
Where: Courtyard.
Warnings: Shouldn't be any, unless you count his half-awake ramblings.

[ It's 3am, and Miyuki Shirogane is in the courtyard.

With the deafening silence now a thing of the past, he feels like he can actually move around a lot easier late at night. He's finally gotten over the despair disease, and even though something's been pulling at the back of his head as if he had done or said something really stupid, he can't quite recall much of anything.

It just gives him time to ponder, again, about what he's doing.

So much has gone on in the last month, it feels like so much has changed, but he's still here. Still in purgatory...

Near the wisteria tree, he gazes up into the sky. It dawned on him... when was the last time he actually looked at the stars? The last time he was able to gaze at the moon? Those days seemed so far away suddenly, as if years and years had passed. Time was getting away from him...

...oh. When he thinks about it. It's July 17th now. He takes out his PDA, scrolling back to the day he spoke about cleaning... ah.

...

Honestly. What was he doing? ]

un: m.shirogane

I know it's late, but I just realized that Tanabata is typically being celebrated around this time.

I'm not sure how many students here are unaware of the story, but it's always nice to have a reminder. Tanabata comes from the legend of two lovers, a princess named Orihime and and a herder named Hikoboshi. The princess spent all of her time weaving clothes for her father, Tentei. However, once they had fallen in love, Orihime no longer weaved clothes for her father and Hikoboshi no longer kept track of the cows, so they wandered across Heaven.

Tentei was angry enough to separate the two across the Amano River, in hopes that neither of them would ever meet again. Orihime wept, begging her father to allow them to meet. Moved by her tears, he allowed them to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month, provided she worked hard. Unfortunately, they were unable to meet the first year they attempted... it turned out that there was no bridge over the river. Orihime wept, so much that a flock of magpies appeared and promised that on a clear day, if the river doesn't rise, they will come and make a bridge to allow the two to meet again. Since then, the two have come to represent Vega and Altair, and we wish for nice weather so the two can meet their one day per year.

Luckily... I think it was a clear day and night on the 7th.

It's a strange story though, isn't it? A princess and a commoner needing permission from the king of Heaven to meet in the first place. If it was love, then it really wouldn't matter what he said or thought or even did. One day out of an entire year, and it's not even guaranteed. And a bridge made from magpies? Did they even know how hollow the bones of a bird are? I guess I never thought of that until now.

Even if the conditions aren't right, if it relies on a lack of common sense and there's no way to gain a blessing... if Orihime and Hikoboshi shared the same feelings, they'd be together regardless, right?

Anyway. Sorry for the long post. There's still plenty of time to celebrate Tanabata, so we'll have to think of something. If you have any suggestions or want to learn more about Vega and Altair directly, come find me. I'll be here.

And if you want to give your opinion on this story... again, I'll be here.

[ And. Send.

...

And he immediately hangs his head. Seriously. What the hell was he doing?

...no. He knew what he was doing. Didn't he? ]

Comments

[taketori]

Yeah. Ignoring them'll make it easier for you in the long run. [ Small pause. ] Though, it's satisfying to look someone directly in the eye and say, "Shut up, dumbass."

In the end, this is your afterlife. If you have a choice in turning it into heaven or into hell... well, you have to make the most of it.

[dereban]

[ Inaba finds herself snorting, just a little bit. ]

Well, yeah, that is satisfying. But that's basically it. I've been... making it my hell for so long. I'm tired of that. I mean-- there were reasons for it, sure: with all of the murder and fucked up shit that came along with it. That's part of the reason why I decided to join the Student Council. I want to be able to change things, here. Even if it meant being 'held back' for a little while longer.

[taketori]

[ Nodding along, he lets out a sigh. ]

Honestly, that makes me feel happy about joining in the first place.

Really, Ishimaru's been doing a lot to keep things running. With you, Helena, and... [ Well. ] Amami involved, it feels like we actually have a chance to fight back.

[ There's so many plans swirling about already. His next words should be internalized, but... ]

I just hope I can keep pace with everyone else.

[dereban]

[ --and that's getting a light karate chop to the head. ]

Don't talk like that. If you, or anyone else starts struggling when it comes to anything, that's when you ask for help, you dingus.

[taketori]

[ -doink!- ]

H-Hey, watch it, there's no need for violence...!

[ What a crybaby. ]

[dereban]

Then don't say something stupid that warrants it.

[taketori]

Alright, alright, it's just--

[ He holds up his hands, as if he's defenseless! Really, no bullying here, Inaban!! ]

I already rely on you enough that asking you to do more makes me feel like I'm taking advantage.

[dereban]

It's not taking advantage if it's related to student council work. We're working together now, so you can rely on me. Or anybody else in the council--unless someone pulls shit, then tell me and I'll try kicking their ass for it.

[taketori]

[ He stops walking for a second... and then, laughs a little. ]

Imagine that. A student council senpai having to rely so much on his kouhai. Don't worry, for all my griping... I don't intend on being so useless that I'll have to lean on you so hard.

That said, it's a two-way street. You're more than welcome to rely on me and ask me for anything you need. I'll come running.

[dereban]

If you say it like that, I might end up asking you for something you'll regret... besides, you still owe me.

[ She'll even take out the favor letter that he got her from a few months ago. ]

[taketori]

--Ah, hahah, I uh... I thought you had forgotten about that.

[ It's been so long and he hadn't heard anything about it. ]

I mean, if it's something I can actually do, then sure, but... you wouldn't be unreasonable, right, Inaba?

[ ha ha ha... ]

[dereban]

I've been saving it for a rainy day, actually.

[ But, hmm. Maybe she should use it now. ]

I do have an idea for it, though. Mind if we go behind the dorms?

[taketori]

Wh...what? Behind the dorms...

[ ...the hell is back there? He's got a bad feeling-- ]

...I mean... I can't really refuse. Behind the dorms it is.

[dereban]

You don't have to look so nervous, you know. I'm not going to make you do something crazy.

[ In any case, she is now going to lead the charge, slowly making her way over there. ]

[taketori]

[ --Okay, okay. He takes a deep breath in. He's being stupid. He knows that. ]

Alright, got it.

[ Then, he'll follow. Right, she's not going to be unreasonable. He wouldn't have gone through with it if--

...okay, yeah, he would have still. He's an idiot. ]

[dereban]

[ When they're finally there, Inaba lets out a deep, heavy sigh. She can honestly feel her fingers trembling just a little, nervous. ]

So, all I'm going to ask for is for you to listen to me. You... don't need to say anything, or respond, or anything like that. Unless you want to. That's a pretty easy request, right?

[taketori]

...that's it?

[ Listen.

...Well. ]

Okay. Sure. I'll listen.

[dereban]

That's it.

[ Deep breaths in and out-- ]

I was going to make this some long spiel, but... mm, it's probably for the best that I just say it, huh?

[ God, why is she so nervous, a part of her wants to run... ]

Well. To put it simply, I like you, Miyuki.

... that's all I wanted to say.

1/3

[taketori]

R...Right.

...

[ That's... that's all. Well. ]

[taketori]

[ ........

"I like you, Miyuki."

He's. He's stunned. She did it?! ]

[taketori]

I-Inaba, wait--!

[ He can feel his face lighting on fucking fire. It felt like, it felt like he'd be the one confessing--

He's got so many questions. He doesn't know where to start. He doesn't need to respond?! Screw that, he doesn't know how to respond to that! ]

H-Hold on, th-that's it?!

[dereban]

I didn't stutter, did I? Or am I going to have to show you that I mean it with actions?

[taketori]

No! I mean--

[ Fuck, that was too quick, too sudden-- ]

I just-- I didn't expect you to just come out and say it!

[ How the hell did she make that look so easy?! ]

[dereban]

Well. I do have more experience.

[ Now she's just acting smug to hide the nerves. ]

[taketori]

[ ...god, right. He chuckles, trying to calm himself down. ]

Yeah. I mean, I've never gotten the will to--

[ Confess. Say what he wants to say. ]

I guess I was so used to the idea of it being a long drawn out thing that, when you said we had so much time, I thought you would be waiting for me.

[ The one who confesses loses, after all. If that was the case, Miyuki was the winner, but...

No. He's not going to stop here. Not yet. ]

...is it alright if I do respond now, Inaba? I want you to hear what I have to say too.