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After school, Shizune and Misha quickly find me by the first floor lobby and latch onto me, covering each flank in case I might try to escape.
I feel a little offended, but I'd been considering it. Nevertheless, I'm a bit disturbed that enough people have made a break for it in the past that they're on their guard.
: What's with the escort? This doesn't make me feel very comfortable.
In fact, it makes me feel like a dangerous prisoner being transported to his cell.
: Wahahaha! What's wrong, Hicchan?
: ...
: That's right, we're just going to go play a game of Risk, remember?
I don't know, Misha, this all seems a little sinister to me. I start thinking that when we sit down to play the game, they'll tie me down and torture me until I agree to join the Student Council.
Parpol, you know this was gonna happen, didn't you?!
Well, that's highly unlikely, but still... For some reason, it just seems like it would be so plausible...
Getting to the student council room is as simple as turning two corners from where we started.
: What? That's it? This makes you guys being so on top of me seem a little silly.
: ...
: That's not true, Hicchan. Shicchan says that when their life is threatened, people have shown the capability to pull off superhuman bursts of speed.
: Life is threatened?
Her expression unchanging, Misha signs something amusedly to Shizune, who makes a baffling face and puts her hands behind her back, looking pleased with herself.
: Mm~ hm hm hm~...
Misha feigns deafness and hums cheerily. Stop that, I know you heard me; you have no excuse, unlike Shizune.
There's a big table in the center surrounded by chairs, and a smaller desk prominently placed in the back that I assume is Shizune's. There are a few regular desks and chairs stacked to one side, as well. Extras, perhaps?
Aside from the tables and chairs, the room doesn't have much else to offer. Just a couple of filing cabinets and bookshelves stacked with old school records and documents. Not much else. In fact, nothing else.
This is... a pretty bleak room. They could at least put a potted plant in here, or something. But the most noticeable thing that this room doesn't have is other people.
: Are we early?
: ...
: No~
: What do you mean 'no'? Does it mean nobody else is coming today?
: ...
: Yeah, that's right~.
Before I managed to ask why that's the case, Shizune claps her hands together very energetically.
: ...
: Hicchan, let's play Risk! Come on, you promised, didn't you? You have to~!
: Hahaha~! Okay okay okay~! Do you want to know the rules? We can explain to you while we set everything up!
While Misha is talking, Shizune takes out what looks like a board game from behind one of the filing cabinets and throws it on the table.
Actually, this looks kind of interesting.
After Misha spends a little too long for her liking running through the basics with a somewhat vague and confusing tutorial, Shizune cuts in and declares the game has started with a decisive motion, slicing her arm through the air.
Shizune's aggressiveness is rubbing off onto me. I start feeling more competitive than I intended to be when I agreed to this.
Halfway into the game, while I try to ponder how to defend against Shizune's assault from two fronts, she breaks my concentration by drumming her fingers on the table to get my attention.
: ...
: Hicchan, Shicchan wants you to know that you are taking too long to make a move.
: Shicchan also says that she will let you keep Australia if you agree to join the Student Council~!
: I thought this was a game with no strings attached.
Just the fact that she would dangle that over my head as an offer means that she knows I care about the outcome of this game.
: And anyway: No!
: ...
: Shicchan admires your fighting spirit and would be a benevolent dictator who will spare your people if you agree to join the Student Council~!
: Hahahaha~!
: You're so competitive, Shizune.
She seems to take this as a compliment.
: I would expect the Student Council president to be a little more magnanimous.
: Mag--nan--i--mous...?
She doesn't seem to know what the word means or how it's signed, so she pulls out a piece of paper and writes it for Shizune, who in return signs it back to Misha.
Misha presses her index fingers against her temples, as if trying to physically imprint the word into her memory.
: ...
Suddenly, Shizune bursts into a flurry of gestures. Misha looks daunted by the pace of her heated signing.
: Tell her I will crush her world empire with my rebellion.
: Ah... Okay...
: (mumble)I have no idea how you've managed to make a face like that.
: ...
: She says you have no chance if you keep playing like this, no you won't~!
Well, she did say no strings attached... EVERYONE! FULL ON ATTACK!
She is either really mocking me, or trying to trick me.
I have nothing else to lose, though, so I might as well try something different.
Maybe if I spread out my forces and try to control more territories, I can recoup the advantage.
Shizune seems to focus on conquering whole nations, so maybe I can sacrifice my hold on continents to gain more small countries.
It's worth a shot.
A few turns later, I end up losing the game anyway.
Shizune adjusts her glasses victoriously and allows herself to tentatively pump a fist in the air in celebration.
: ...
: I win, I win~! Yay~!
: There's no need to translate that, it was pretty clear.
: (mumble)Damnnit! Was I supposed to defend?.
: Wahaha~! Don't look so sad, Hicchan~! You were really giving it your best, that's what I thought!
: Sometimes, your best just isn't good enough, though~. If anyone knows that, it's me~! You did very well for someone who just learned how to play today!
: ...
: Hicchan, you attacked Iceland and North America at the same time, that's a very daring move. Shicchan is impressed~!
: ...
: The mark of great people is that they are daring, and that they can follow through~! You're already halfway there; isn't that great, Hicchan?
: ...
: That isn't enough though; just potential isn't enough! There is no point to potential if you don't take the first step, and there is no point to that if you don't keep going. I want to see more.
: You're right, Shicchan~, but, that's so demanding...
: ...
: ...
Uso! USO! SHE NEVER SAYS THAT!
Shizune leans forward, suddenly looking a lot less playful and more like the serious person I expected her to be from the start.
: ...
: Hicchan, would you like to join the Student Council?
She really doesn't waste any time, does she? But...
It's only my second day of school, so I'm hesitant about committing to something so early.
I haven't even taken a look at any other clubs yet.
But spending time with Shizune and Misha doesn't seem like something I would hate.
I still need more time to think about it before I decide for sure.
: Okay, Hicchan~! But, I hope you're not just saying that so we don't feel bad.
: No, really.
: Really~?
: Hicchan, if you're going to say that, you're saying that it is definitely the truth, and there can't be any~ mistaking it~!
: I know, I know. I guess I should have my revenge for losing, at the very least.
Shizune smiles at that in a mischievous way that feels like twisting the knife in the wound of my loss.
I take a glance at the clock on the wall and realize I've spent far longer playing Risk than I expected.
: Sorry, I think I have to go. I wanted to go to the library. It's not closed yet, is it?
Shizune scratches her hand and gestures at Misha.
How hard can it be to determine whether the library is open? There's a clock right there on the wall.
: ...
: It should be, unless the librarian is absent.
: I think you're right, Shicchan.
: We... think the library is open. It's on the second floor; can't miss it. Do you want us to show you where it is?
: No thanks, it's okay. See you tomorrow.
: Bye bye!
-
The second floor hallway is a carbon copy of the third floor one.
Wide, of course; and plain, like only hallways can be.
The problem is that the library's whereabouts are not as easily determined as one would think.
The classrooms are marked with signs stating which class they belong to, but then there is a plethora of other, unmarked rooms.
Is the library one of them? Or is it just somewhere down the hallway?
I bet on the latter and choose my direction at random.
After I turn around the corner, an unmarked door draws my attention because it's not closed.
It's not open either though, just barely ajar so that I can see it's open and nothing else.
It would make sense for the library door to be invitingly open, and while this one is not quite that, it's good enough.
At the very least it means that someone is inside and I can ask for directions no matter how embarrassing that is.
I gingerly push on the center of the door with my fingertips, every muscle in my arm ready to pull back at a moment's notice.
The feeling of being an outsider to this school can't be shaken from my mind, so much so that I instinctively fear doing something wrong by entering.
The door slowly creaks as if groaning from a deep sleep, though is much easier to open than I'd anticipated.
Leaning over and poking my head ever further inside to gain sight of the room as fast as possible, the meek "Hello...?" on my lips is quickly snatched away.
Typing it all in is good exercise for my arms and hands, Loffy-chan.
And since you've responded... onwards with the adventure!
-
The door slid down shut - the sound of steel on steel clanging together like a blast door jarred my senses from the dream.
The blond girl sat at the table. Calm, smiling - and yet, I knew something was very wrong.
Picking up on the my nervous silence, she grinned creepily, and slashes the coffee table in two with her walking stick. Wait, that's not a walking stick... that was a sword!
Calmly, she settles into a fighting pose. It's a fight!
Leaping high into the sky, she cocked her fist, with a cup of tea in her hand! With my heart jammed into action by the adrenaline, I jumped out of the way as her attack missed me by inches!. The impact shattered the teacup, sending shards everywhere!. I instinctively closed my eyes at the loud crack as the wind rushed by m-
...unexpected, considering that I'm intruding upon her.
: Ummm... thanks.
I slowly step towards another seat opposite her, the girl resting the teacup and saucer on the wooden table inbetween.
The way she doesn't track my movements with her head is telling... that, and the slight cloudiness to her eyes means she must be at least partially blind, like Kenji.
Come to think of it, her voice doesn't have any detectable accent either. I guess she must be half-Japanese.
As I take my seat, her composure takes me slightly off-guard. Her air of relaxed confidence makes the silence entirely comfortable.
The calming atmosphere is so very different from the student council office.
: I take it you're a new student to Yamaku?
: Ah, yeah. I just transferred in yesterday.
I get the distinct feeling my speech patterns don't match the formality of hers, accentuated by her restrained bow of greeting.
One which I hasten to match, before realizing the futility of the action.
: I'm Lilly Satou. Pleased to meet you.
: Hisao. Hisao Nakai.
She gives a nod before gesturing roughly in the direction of her teacup.
: Would you care for a drink?
: Sure.
As much as it pains me, I can't keep step with her formality in the proceedings. And now I had to make sure she wasn't gonna add the roofies.
She gives a kind nod, taking the request in stride.
Without another word, she steps off the chair and prepares a second cup of tea from a collection of supplies laid out along a shelf.
A brush here, a brush there, her left hand often lightly touching the side of whichever container she's pouring into... it seems to be a process she's followed dozens of times before.
As I lean sideways to see around her back, she seems to use her long, dainty finger to measure the right amount of water in the cup.
It's one thing to see the different disabilities the students in my class have, but it's quite another to see how everyone seems to adapt.
Shizune and Misha have no problem working together to communicate to me, and Lilly herself seems to have workarounds for problems I'd never thought of.
While I feel slightly guilty about her doing the work, she seems pleased to be following the "correct" process of the offerer preparing the drink.
And I noticed she didn't put in a roofie in my drink.
: So...
Her soft voice brings me out of my silent observance.
: The school library. Shizune and Mi-- I mean some classmates, told me it was on this floor.
She finishes pouring water into the teacup as she nods, a small metallic tapping coming from the teacup indicating it being stirred.
: I'm aware of Miss Hakamichi, as are most students. To be with them means you're in class 3-3, no?
: That's right. In the science room with Mutou.
She gives a small giggle before setting down the teaspoon and slowly walking towards the table, teacup and saucer in hand.
: He's quite a character. I imagine you'll come to like him; most do.
As she sets down the tea, I gently take it and have a sip. I'm really more of a coffee person, but this seems like a rather bad moment to bring it up.
Nonetheless, the smell's quite nice. I hardly think it'd be hard to choke down.
: Thanks, Satou. It tastes really nice.
She smiles and quickly waves her hand in front of her face.
: Lilly, please. There's no need to be too formal.
She says this in spite of her exceedingly well-bred speech. Oh well.
Bred? Bread? I could never tell... I guess I should try and ask her about herself, as it really does seem as if she's catering to me.
: So which class are you from? I imagine it's one of the third-year classes.
: Correct, I'm in class 3-2; which is on the third floor, same as yours. It's taught by Miyagi, and is specifically for both blind and partially blind students.
: I see. Ah, I mean, uh, s-sorry...
I feel like slapping myself for the faux-pas. Looking at her face, though, she doesn't seem in the least bit put off by it.
: Ara ara, there's no need to change your speech on my account.
: Ah, sure. Sorry, I guess I'm really showing my newness here.
: An environment like this would be a big change, so I can't fault you for it. While the same can't be said for everyone, many have come to terms with their conditions.
A category which would include her, it seems. All too ready to jump ship from this particular topic, I segue into another.
: Do you come here to drink tea often? It's a really nice place.
Thinking on it, this might be her version of the place behind my school that I liked to have lunch at.
: I come here fairly often during lunch times. My duties as class representative don't leave enough time for an 'official' club, so a friend and I use this room for having tea.
Class representative, huh?
Compared to Shizune, her mannerisms seem to be almost completely opposite. While Shizune's blunt and fiercely driven, Lilly seems relaxed and calm, almost aloof.
Come to think of it, she might be useful for a less biased view of the school's clubs.
: What kinds of clubs are there to join?
: Hmm... the more popular ones are the track and field club, which uses the field near the school during lunchtimes, the baseball club, and the book club in a room near the library.
: There are also numerous small ones too, though, such as the art and music clubs.
At a time when I'm just wanting to get on my feet, rushing into a club right away seems slightly unappealing.
I wonder if this school shares the same rule as my old one...
: Is it compulsory to join a club?
: It isn't, though it is encouraged.
: Awesom- Ah, good. That's a relief.
I've really let down my guard around this girl to let such a thing slip out. The fact seems to slightly amuse her.
Not wanting my tea to get cold, I finally start drinking it as Lilly does the same.
To the left is the wooden library counter, with the library proper being on the right.
It easily dwarfs my old school's library, with the distinct smell of old books giving the place an almost old-world air.
There don't seem to be a lot of students here. Considering the time, it isn't a big surprise; everyone's probably either in the school grounds or the dorms.
: Yuuko, are you here?
She says it to thin air since the librarian doesn't seem to be present and of course Lilly can't see this.
What's unexpected is that it draws a reaction.
Something from under the counter thuds against it, followed by a quiet wail.
: Awwww.
Her voice is strained in a failing attempt to sound casual and she's rubbing the back of her head.
: Good afternoon. What happened just now? I heard a strange sound.
: It's nothing. I just hit my head.
: See, I dropped an eraser under my desk and while I was looking for it a pencil dropped and when I was looking for both of them you came and surprised me...
: Are you all right? I'm sorry, I couldn't know--
: It's okay! It's okay, sorry for making you worry.
: This is nothing, I've had worse happen to me.
She's quick to reverse Lilly's apologies, almost frantically trying to push aside the possibility that she could be in any way inconvenienced by bashing her head on the counter.
: Yes... worse things have happened, hehehe...
The girl fidgets with her fingers as Lilly doesn't seem to drop her concerned expression, and then she shuffles some papers around the counter for no reason.
A little shorter than Lilly, replete with glasses, freckles, and a very troubled look, she seems to fit a library perfectly.
: Ah, Lilly! Did you get my message?
: Message... hmm...
: Oh, the two imported books that arrived?
: Right! Right! They finally came! I can't believe it took so long, but--
Amidst her celebrations, partially for managing to change the topic I'm sure, she notices me from the corner of her eye and freezes on the spot when she does.
: Oh no, I'm sorry for not noticing you before!
: Did you need to check out a book? Or return one? I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
: ... too much coffee today?
The way she can so quickly shift between moods is a little unsettling.
: He's with me. Yuuko, this is Hisao, a new student. Hisao, this is Yuuko, the school librarian.
: Pleased to meet you.
: Hisao. Right. Hisao. Pleased to meet you, too. Hisao.
For a second she visibly attempts to engrave the name on her mind so she won't forget.
: Yuuko often arranges to import foreign books in Braille for me.
: Would you like to tell Hisao a little something about the library?
Lilly's innocent suggestion is met with an expression of abject terror.
I'm not that creepy looking, am I?
: I... Please Lilly, I can't. I don't know what he could be interested in. This is too much responsibility.
How it's any responsibility at all I don't get, but her objection is so sincere I don't doubt for a second that she would rather disembowel herself on the spot than tell me where the light novels or visual novels are.
: But...
: So, there are a lot of books in Braille here?
I attempt to save the day by asking the first thing that pops into my head. It seems to work at least partially, as Yuuko seems to... not exactly relax, but at least look slightly less tense.
: Well... I think about a third or a fourth of Yamaku's library is either in Braille or audio.
Makes sense, given all the blind students that'd be here.
: If it's only that, how come this library is so big in the first place?
: Ummm, well, we get a lot of new books regularly because the library is adequately endowed. That's probably why.
: *snicker*
: They spend more on new books than on my salary, and then I have to organize and shelve all of them.
: It's so troublesome and they weigh so much, I wish I could quit this job.
...
A very awkward silence follows this revelation of too much information.
: Too much info, man. TMI, yo.
: Umm, I'll go check the aisles then, if you don't mind.
It's probably best for all of us if she doesn't keep talking to me. What if she exploded from all that tension? Hell of a mess to clean up.
: Very well. Meanwhile, Yuuko, I would have those books if it's all right with you.
--
My first impression was right; the library is surprisingly big.
Ambling down the narrow aisles, I study the spines of the books in random order, occasionally sliding one out to read the blurb, taking it with me if it looks good.
In a few moments I have a respectable stack of books in my arms.
I guess I'll never be stuck for choice in here.
The normality of the library sinks in. Sure, there are large-print and Braille books scattered throughout, but it is what it is: a library.
It's as if the calm mood from the room I had tea with Lilly in snuck with us in here, unless it was here to begin with.
Something about that puts me at ease, just like before.
I reach the end of the aisle and find a collection of desks, set up for study or personal reading. Going a little further, though, I discover a nice quiet corner at the back.
While the rest of the library has the odd student sitting at a desk either reading or stealthily sleeping, the back is pretty much deserted.
As I glance around, I see someone who I recognize sitting on one of several beanbags.
BGM - Everyday Fantasy (Not Final Fantasy. Geddit? Har!)
She's reading a book, keeping it close to her face which makes her look like she's really into it.
From the way she was acting today, I had her pegged as more of a delinquent than a bookworm. In fact, her mysterious disappearance from the class raises all sorts of whys in my head.
: (mumble) It'd be pretty cool, though...
Intrigue floats slowly but surely towards the surface, and before I know it I'm walking towards the mysterious long-haired girl.
I guess there's no harm in introducing myself as I would with anyone else. She's a classmate after all.
Walking over to another beanbag, I take a seat and lay my books besides it.
The girl starts, looking scaredly up at me from underneath her fringe.
This is the first time I've seen her this close. Underneath her long, dense bangs, I can see that part of her face, at least a third if not a half, is pretty badly scarred.
My eyes are immediately drawn to the scars, subconsciously peeking past her hair until they meet her own eyes.
For a second, I am shocked, and divert my eyes to the book in her hands, before I realize that looking away probably only makes it worse.
It takes too many seconds to collect myself and remember what I walked up to her for.
: Okay, za warudo! Huddle! : Okay, Hisao. She's not a delinquent. And she seems rather nice. And you've been staring at her scars and that's fucking rude, yo. : So, don't even think about insinuating that you startled her! Man the fuck up, treat her like a person and introduce yourself, fool! : Got it!. Let time flow once more!
: Hi! I'm new here. Hisao Nakai. We're in the same class.
...
: Umm... I just transferred here the other day. Maybe you don't remember?
...
: I did a self-introduction too.
...
The girl still doesn't say a word, but simple stares at me, wide-eyed.
: I'm still getting used to the place so I'm trying to meet as many people as I can.
: So, er... what's your name?
: H... Hanako...
Her speech is stuttering and so quiet that it is barely audible even in the still library.
Somehow I think that my "delinquent" impression of her was wrong.
: Hanako, eh? So what are you reading?
She gently tips the book backwards so that I can read the title, at the same time hiding her face behind it.
She must have noticed me staring before. Way to go, Huckleberry.
: Life of Pi? I've never heard of it before. What's it about?
: A boy... and a tiger...
: ...on a boat...
I can see this taking sometime.
: Sounds interesting. Is it any good?
She nods from behind the book, but stays silent.
She looks kinda tense. A bit like Yuuko earlier, but in a different way. More like... petrified with terror, I'd say.
So the mystery delinquent girl turned out to be anything but, and she is quivering in a way that makes it look like she is mortally afraid of me.
The only way out of this, as far as I can tell, is to try to get a normal conversation going.
: Is it a library book? I'm looking for new ones to read, but there's just so many...
: N-no. It's mine.
: Oh. So... do you come here often?
...
A huge, huge blush spreads on Hanako's face and her eyes widen far larger than I thought it was possible for eyes to do.
Uh-oh. Did she interpret my lame attempt at small talk as a feeble attempt to pick her up?
: I mean... ehh... I didn't mean it like that...
: (mumble) Gah, dig the hole a bit more, wont ya?!
: I...
: I... I...
: I...?
: Ivegottogodosomething!
Without warning, Hanako takes off and runs towards the counter.
: Sustained mach 3. Three times faster than sound. Whoa.
Very good job on including bgm feels and basically all appropriate pieces of story with perfect tangent f0rkheadery.
God damn it the random images and video and links to other shit is absolutely perfect. Yom, you are fucking awesome.
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Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:06 am
Pantsman
Level 39
Posts: 21063
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Re: Katawa Shoujo. (Playthrough 1)
I woke up.
"What... happened?" I ask myself.
Only, I don't hear myself speak. I feel the wind in my throat, my vocal cords vibrating and my nostrils siphoning air. In fact, I can't hear anything. I realize that I'm half-buried under a pile of books, that had fallen from a bookshelf. As my vision stopped swimming, I realized where I was.
I shake my head as a sudden ringing registers in my ears - as slowly, my hearing comes back to me. My legs give way, and I fall to my knees. As my insides do a crazy Irish jig, I recall what happened. I was talking to this girl... and just out of nowhere, she ran off at nearly a kilometer per second. The shock wave of air must've done a number on me.
And there they were, her footprints scorched into the flooring material of the library. The intense heat still causing wisps of vapor to float in the air.
As my head cleared, another pressing concern surfaced.
"She might tell everyone I'm a rapist or something" I sigh. "I better go find her..."
Her hypersonic jet-like takeoff had caught me so off guard that I still had trouble walking in a general direction. I didn't manage to go after her for a few minutes.
By the time I reach the counter she is nowhere to be seen.
Lilly and Yuuko are happily chatting away.
Knowing that I won't be able to catch Hanako myself without further digging deeper the pit I had dug myself into, I approach the girls.
: Hey, did you see... er... notice a girl run past here?
: Um, maybe... what did she look like?
: Long, dark hair. Kinda shy. She had... well... some scars... on her... face.
: You wouldn't be talking about Hanako, would you?
: Yeah, that's her. I saw her reading and tried to talk to her, but I think I scared her off or something.
: Oh dear. Yuuko, would you excuse me, I had better try and find her.
: S-sure. I'll just hold onto these until you come back.
: Um, what's going on?
: I'm sorry, but I'll have to explain it to you some other time.
: Right. I'll see you later then...
Lilly hastily grabs her cane and hurries out of the library, leaving me alone with Yuuko.
: I don't think I'll ever get the hang of this place.
: Did I do something wrong?
: What did you do?
: Nothing! I was just looking for some books and then she got this fit and ran off.
: The most offending thing I can think of was that I might've looked at her general direction a few times.
: Well, she is a very timid girl.
: You have to be very careful around her. She can be very jumpy, I think, and she's not accustomed to talking with other people.
: Isn't that a bit... strange?
: I wonder... It's just how she is, I think.
Yuuko doesn't sound all that convincing. Then again, maybe this is just the norm around here.
Everyone has their own problems, or else they wouldn't be here.
: But how should I deal with these people? Forcing myself to act overly casually only makes me feel phony.
: Like I was supposed to be ignoring the elephant in the room.
Yuuko fidgets, looking like she wants to say something to that, but resists it.
: I think it's an elephant only if you feel that way.
I guess she doesn't have a good sense of self-restraint. It makes me smile, and she blushes heavily.
: W... what? Did that sound stupid?
: No no, it sounded really wise. I guess you're right. It's more about me than anyone else.
Neither of us has anything to add so Yuuko fills the silence by shuffling some papers around.
People who have papers on their desks really like doing that.
: Did you find any books? I should be closing soon. I mean this library should be closing. But I have to do it. I hope that's not too inconvenient for you.
: Oh. Yeah, I want some books, but I left them over there because...
: ...I'll just go get them.
I fetch my stack of books from beside the beanbags where Hanako and I were sitting and return to the counter.
: Wow. You read a lot, don't you?
: I surprise myself with that too, honestly. At least, when I really think about it.
: I had a lot of free time earlier this year, so I just kind of... started reading books to fill that time. I couldn't do much else.
: I see.
But she doesn't say anything else, and just checks out my books for me.
I guess this is what they call tact.
-
Holding the library books with one arm, I trawl my pocket for the key to the door.
A sudden sound from behind startles me, making me nearly drop the books I'm carrying or the key that I almost managed to get into the lock.
I turn around to see who is talking to me. It's Kenji. He seems to be in a friendly mood, although the light glinting off his glasses in the dark gives him a sinister look.
: It's just me.
This makes him pause and lick his lips nervously.
: Who is me? I don't know anyone called me. Are you some new guy again?
His voice is suddenly strained and quick.
: Yes... but we've met before. Yesterday.
: I don't think so, I would remember someone who I met only yesterday. ...When was that? What day is it today?
I try to ignore him. Is he joking or what?
: Prove that we've met before!
: You live across the hall. You're Kenji.
Kenji jumps back, his eyes filled with an uncomprehending fear.
: How do you know my name? Damn, this can only mean one of two things: Either we have met, and you are telling the truth, and I just can't remember it, or you are a spy.
He pauses.
: A psychic spy.
: I'm not Chinese.
His eyes dart around me, trying to peek into my room, although it's hard to believe he can see anything through those thick glasses.
His mood swung from friendly to manic in less than a minute.
: I'm not psychic.
: How do I know that? I'm not a mind reader.
Kenji points a finger in my face damningly.
: ...Unlike you!
: Stop that, man. We met yesterday. What's wrong with you? I live in this room.
: Lies. If you think you can pass as Hisao because I'm legally blind you are sorely mistaken.
: You don't even look like him. I mean, the resemblance is real, real slim. Maybe at a distance, but who do you think you're kidding?
I want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Exasperated, I rub my eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
: Stay there.
Kenji comes closer, one careful step at a time. I stay still, lest he assault me physically, although I doubt he could do much damage even if he did.
: Oh, wait. I see it now. Damn, it really is you.
Sighing again, and then once again for good measure, I step backwards, just in case.
: What's up, man? You don't look too good. I think. Something wrong?
: I don't know. Just had something stupid happen to me. A few stupid things, actually. Even if you discount this one.
: I can't get a proper touch on other people here, and I have no idea if it's because of me or because of them.
I don't know why I'm telling this to Kenji. It's not like we've had any contact either.
: That's rough, dude. Yeah, I'm sorry about calling you a psychic spy and all, but you can never be too careful.
: It's the hard reality we live in.
I'm slowly starting to think that Kenji isn't necessarily living in the same reality as the rest of us.
: You see? This is how it is, this world. There is no justice. You see? Even when I lose, I win, because I don't lose the lesson.
: ...What does that even mean?
: It doesn't matter.
He dismisses it flatly with a wave of his hand.
: So what happened? Why the long face? Do you have a long face?
: Eh, it's nothing. I just scared some girl off accidentally. Literally too, she actually ran away from me.
: Was my fault, really, I think. I'm not really... used to all this yet.
: A girl? A cute one?
Cute? That's a hard question. She had a nice body and really beautiful hair... but the face...
Now, I realized what I had to do. This was the moment to transform him from a nervous wreck to an avenger destined to save all of Mankind. I felt nervous about saying this - but I had realized my destiny. I was merely the rocket booster to the ship that was Kenji, my sole purpose to inspire Kenji to live again. Whatever jettisoning and humiliation I should suffer for undertaking my role, I have no regrets.
... ffffffffffffffffffFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUCK.
Damn. Really should invest in a fund-cyclotron one of these days. ;_;
: I believe that this school is a battleground. The site of a feminist infiltration.
: This disparity in the number of men to women is a clear sign of how far they have come. In case this cold war turns hot, they will have superiority in numbers.
: Just another skirmish in the eternal war against the forces of the feminists... They're everywhere. In Japan, women outnumber men. It's not a 60-40 split, but it's only a matter of time, man...
: Even in America, women are the majority by a hair. They're building up their numbers. In the past, the buildup of a military has always been the clearest sign of imminent war.
: Japan is just the first step. Our economy is badass, and the country itself is small and isolated, yet a huge part of the Pacific in terms of political value.
: The perfect target. They are so cunning... As expected of women.
: Soon, the day will come, when...
Kenji's voice trails off ominously.
: That is why you can't trust them. They will string you along, and then kill you, just as they killed me. You will end up just like me.
: So? You're not supposed to say something like that! Damn, so rude.
: Where was I? Oh yeah, vast feminist conspiracy.
: Stop it. Stop! I lost you way, way back there somewhere. Somewhere around 'feminist infiltration.'
: Too hard to follow? It's cool, I have some graphs and stuff in my room. And puppets. You like puppets?
: No puppets.
: You don't like puppets, okay. Graphs are still cool, though, right?
He speaks energetically, responding almost before I'm done talking, moving his hands in an animated way as he continues to rant on.
This is too strange. I had him pegged as relatively normal, but it's clear that I was wrong.
: Something on your mind, dude?
: Just thinking about what it's like to be the last sane man in an insane world.
Kenji frowns, looking deeply upset.
: You mean that's you? That can't be, because I'm the last sane man in an insane world. This is my dream, you can't just steal a man's dream.
: What the hell, there can't be two last sane men. It would invalidate that whole 'last' part... and that part is kind of important.
: There can only be one, like in that foreign movie where there could only be one, and in the end there is only one dude left, because that was the point.
I have never seen anyone talk so heatedly and so defensively about absolutely nothing before.
: Anyway, if you wait here, I can get my graphs. I also have a list of the other dark and complex conspiracies that this school holds, as tangled as...
: Quick, finish my analogy for me. Be a pal.
: I'm going to go to bed now. It's extremely late.
: That doesn't sound like an analogy. But whatever.
: I like you, you seem like a cool dude.
: Most people don't understand what I'm talking about when I try to explain the vast feminist conspiracy to them. Denial is a terrible thing.
: Later.
He claps me on the back and then vanishes into his room so quickly and quietly it's like he didn't even open the door but instead walked right through it like a ghost.
I don't know if I can fully digest what just happened, so I give up and just go to my room, kicking off my shoes before falling facefirst into bed.
It takes me some time to relax and get up so I can get started on homework.
It's because the sheets are cool and comforting against my cheeks, and it feels good just lying there with my eyes closed.
This school is like some kind of bizarre and surreal island. It's isolated on top of a mountain, and each person is stranger than the last.
I just can't seem to fit in. What irony, one would think that fitting in a place that's made for people who are unfit for anywhere else would be easy.
: Maybe I'm trying too hard.
Although I say that, it doesn't help take the edge off, and the words are left echoing off my empty walls.
I guess it's not as bad as I expected, though. This place really is more a school and less a hospital pretending it's a school than I thought it would be.
If nothing else, the scenery is beautiful.
I open one eye, seeing the schoolbooks and bottles of pills arranged side-by-side on my desktop.
Maybe this place is too much like a normal school, after all.
I feel very tired this morning, probably because yesterday itself was a very tiring day. On top of that, I woke up far earlier than necessary.
After saying hi to Shizune and Misha, I start doing the work as instructed from the board. It already looks like today is going to be heavy.
I don't have a problem with that now, though. Shizune and Misha might jump on me trying to get an answer about whether or not I've decided to join the Student Council, even if it's just one day.
I wouldn't put it past them to try, and I don't have an answer for them if they do. So, this situation is convenient for me.
About ten minutes into class, Hanako walks in and takes a seat, but no one looks at her. The teacher doesn't even comment on her lateness.
He does, however, stop us to say that we're going to break into groups again.
: T-ta-ta-TASUKETEEE KENJIIII!!!!!! >_<
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Wed Oct 01, 2014 4:53 pm
LordofFlames
Lord Cumdrops
Posts: 2017
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Cash on hand: 423,083.55
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Re: Katawa Shoujo. (Playthrough 1)
Kenji cannot save you from the feminist conspiracy, he hasn't obtained the strength yet!
_________________ LordofFlames. The somewhat unknown oldie!
: Hicchan~, it looks like we're together again! Yay yay~!
Misha leans sideways while Shizune pushes her desk closer to mine. There really is no escape now unless I were to jump through the window.
: Why haven't they invented jetpacks yet?!
Jumping out the window isn't the best option, sadly.
: ...
: What's wrong, Hicchan?
: ...
: Oh... Hicchan, have you been thinking about what you said yesterday? You said that you would think about joining the Student Council, didn't you?
: It's okay, Hicchan. We were talking about it after you left, and it would be rude to expect you to already have an answer for us this early, right? Right~!
: Hahahahahaha~!
I'm so happy you two are able to have a laugh at my expense, and even more pleased to know that you both know how crazy the two of you can be.
Now that that's over, Shizune snaps back into serious mode and smacks today's assignment with the back of her hand in an overly dramatic and important way.
When I actually look at the stuff, it's mostly just reading. In fact, there are only two problems.
I almost want to say something about how her rush to get started seems a bit much, considering the small amount of work. In fact, Shizune probably knows how little there is, and simply doesn't care.
Yeah, it seems like the workload doesn't matter to her as much as the fact that there is work; the actual amount is unimportant. She approaches everything with the same level of ambition.
While I'm reading, I let my eyes wander around the room and catch Hanako trying her hand at solving the problems. It looks like she's working alone.
I can't remember seeing her working with other people before.
Thinking back to how shy she is, it's understandable.
: Hey, that girl over there...
: Huh? Who, Hicchan?
: Her. Hanako. Over there. Does she always work alone?
: I think so, Hicchan. Do you feel sorry for her because she's alone?
: I was just thinking that maybe she could work with us, or something.
: Hmmmm... No, I don't think that would be a good idea, Hicchan.
: Why not?
: Shicchan wouldn't get along with her.
: Why?
Misha shuffles around the question, letting out a laugh that sounds very strange; it's nervous, but still has that lilting up-and-down quality present in everything she says.
: Just because, Hicchan.
By now, Shizune has noticed our conversation, and it makes me realize again how Misha has been signing everything she has been saying this whole time.
: ...
: What, Shicchan? The friend of my enemy is my enemy? That sounds so harsh, I'm not going to say that.
: You said it anyway.
: I know, Hicchan, it's fine if you overhear~!
I wonder if this is Misha's way of keeping things fair, since without her, I wouldn't be able to understand a thing Shizune is saying, and vice versa.
Is that also why she signs all the time, so there is never a conversation Shizune will be left out of?
: ...
: Anyway, we should start on the problems now, Hicchan.
We finish with time to spare, and I decide to ask if there are any alternatives to the cafeteria, as frankly, the food so far has been subpar.
This sends Shizune and Misha arguing among themselves about their favorite restaurants. All of them are downtown, so I don't think we have time to go all the way there. And what about the bill?
Are they arguing just for the fun of it?
Maybe. They seem so distracted by it that they don't even notice the start of the actual lunch break.
I look over my shoulder towards the back of the classroom.
She seems to be studying her notes from the previous class.
It's an odd sight; everyone else in the class is busying themselves with the lunch break.
Socializing, gossiping, rearranging desks, the ones with actual boxed lunches mixed in and chattering like everyone else, only interrupted by short bouts of eating.
But, when I watch Hanako, it feels that I'm the only one who can see her. Almost as if she was invisible; sort of hiding in plain sight.
: That must be some advanced stealth tech she's usin'...
Is she being bullied? Is she isolating herself from the rest of the class on her own accord?
I see her look over her shoulder towards the classroom's rear door.
Come to think of it, she hasn't turned a page since I've started watching her.
I guess she's waiting for someone.
: If I approach her now, she'll probably run off - and its a crowd this time. A LOT of people are gonna get hurt in the aftermath.
: I guess my only choice is to wait for Misha to finish arguing with Shizune...
Misha and Shizune are still arguing about their choice for lunch place, incomprehensible for a pair of high school students who have to take a taxi at least to make it to downtown and back in time.
: Haven't you finished, already?
: Oh, sorry Hicchan! Were you waiting for us?
: ...
: You don't have any plans?
: Plans?
: For lunch?
: Well, I don't, so I thought I could hang with you guys.
Misha smiles victoriously at my lack of plans, and excitedly translates my response to Shizune.
: ...
: If you don't have anything specific planned out, do you want to eat lunch with me and Shicchan? Ah, we're going to go to town for lunch, though... Don't worry, Hicchan, it's not that far.
: Sure, I'll come with you.
And with that, we leave the classroom.
*clickclickclickclick* : Incoming Spider-mech-
Just around the corner of the hallway something hits me in the chest with the force of a runaway train.
They belong to the perpetrator, a short girl who bumped into me and has now fallen down onto the hallway floor.
She wears a PE uniform and a very worried frown. The former strikes me as a rather strange thing to have on during a lunch break.
Or she does, but they are not flesh and bone. Her pale and very much flesh-and-bone thighs end in shins and feet made of some black metallic or plastic-like material.
They look disturbingly artificial and unnatural. It almost makes me forget that my chest is hurting.
The girl winces a little, rubs her nose and jumps up.
: Aw man... Hey, are you all right? I'm sorry about that, really!
: I wasn't looking where I was going, and you just came out of nowhere. Sorry... Sorry!
She's looking really apologetic, in the hurt puppy way of looking apologetic.
I quickly forget about being angry or anything, since hurt puppies are my weak spot.
: It's okay. Don't worry about it... ouch...
*BA THUMP*
I say that, but there's a stinging pain growing in my chest, and I know that this is about the biggest possible danger for my condition.
Don't overexert yourself, don't forget your medication and most of all, don't get hit in the chest.
I try to rub my solar plexus to chase the pain away, holding my breath in an attempt to hear my heartbeat.
It seems normal...
: Hey, should I get a nurse?
The worried, high-pitched voice of the girl snaps me out of it.
I stare at her for a few seconds dumbfounded, until I realize that I probably looked worse off than I really was, doubled over myself and looking all tense.
Damn, I'm overly worried about my heart.
: Err... no need, I'm fine.
Meaning to say something in response, I pull myself upright, feeling my sore ribs one last time, and take a deep breath.
She just knocked the wind out of me. Big time. But it's nothing more than that.
: You sure you're okay? I hit you pretty hard.
: It's okay. I said I was fine, and nothing's broken. No harm done.
: That's good! I was--
I feel a hand on my shoulder at the same time the girl's eyes widen in horror and whatever she was saying gets interrupted by a very horrified--
: Eep!
I don't have time to look behind me because Shizune is already shoving me aside and stomping over to the girl, signing furiously at her.
: Miss Ibarazaki, I saw that. Running in the halls is strictly forbidden.
Misha translates, right on Shizune's tail, but her voice is girlishly playful, not full of the divine fury Shizune's arm movements would seem to call for.
: Er, sorry, I was just going to get some stuff, and I was kind of in a hurry.
: ...
: You've been told this a thousand times before. Your reckless behavior endangers other students, and even worse, it's explicitly against the school regulations.
The girl blushes and starts to fidget nervously like a little child caught misbehaving.
It's so cute I find myself smiling.
: I know that! I-- I, um, I was just...
: ...
: Make sure that this will not happen again... although I'm sure telling you this is futile, and only causes me further headache when you choose to ignore the regulations.
: Got that, Emi?
The small girl sticks her tongue out in response.
: Aaah!
: I gotta go!
: Teacher'll have my head! I promised to help with printouts, but I went running instead! Sorry, but I've gotta change and everything!
Before Misha or Shizune or I can say anything, she's already bolted from where she was a second ago, almost halfway towards the stairwell.
Shizune looks like she's about to go nuclear on the spot, so I smile at her in a vain attempt to calm her down.
: ...
: Are you okay, Hicchan? That Ibarazaki girl is always like that, causing trouble to others.
: You know, I'm pretty certain Shizune wouldn't call me 'Hicchan.'
: Never mind, never mind!
...
: Yeah, anyway, I'm okay. Just got the wind knocked out of me.
: ...
: That's great, Hicchan!
I wouldn't call that great, but I let it slide this one time.
: ...
: So, let's hurry, Hicchan~! To have lunch!
: We promise it'll be great!
: I'll take your word for it. What kind of a place is it?
: A restaurant, or something?
: ...
: It's a teahouse, Hicchan~!
A teahouse... that sounds kind of fancy.
: ...
: Why are you looking at your wallet, Hicchan? It's okay, if you don't have any money we'll cover for you~!
: That's really nice of you. Thanks.
: It's okay, Hicchan! After all, we're friends, right, Hicchan?
It's only been three days. Are we really friends that quickly?
Heh. But, hearing that makes me happy.
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Sat Nov 08, 2014 3:33 pm
LordofFlames
Lord Cumdrops
Posts: 2017
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Cash on hand: 423,083.55
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Re: Katawa Shoujo. (Playthrough 1)
This is my mandatory response as per instructions of the great Yom-sama! Now keep posting and finish this god dammit. Do you know how many games and VNs I've had time clearing during this? Pick up the pace you darn Yomukkuri o.o
GIEF MOAR ENTERTAINMENT!
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