[ voice >> video ]

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

[ There’s a bit of scrabbling, like someone has dropped the communicator and is trying to pick it up. And failing a little. ]

Oh. Ow. Hey ...

[ When the video turns on, a second later, the viewers can get a good view of a table. And then slowly the communicator is lifted up and turned around. A young boy, an elementary schooler!?, gives a sort of sheepish smile and a left handed wave. ]

Sorry, that was a lot of dead time. Uh, I'm new. . . I'm not sure there's really a proper greeting for this scenario . . .

I'm Kuronuma Aoba. It's nice to meet you?

Comments

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

Aah, is it. For a moment I thought senpai was putting it on, but it looks like you really are from a different time.

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

. . . Why would I put on an act?

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

[ scratches his cheek with his other hand ]

This is a weird situation now . . . isn't my senpai supposed to know more than me?

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

. . . [starts work on cleaning this hole 8\;]

I-- I would have trouble believing it, but I was "ahead" of Masaomi, too. . .

I can at least fill you in on the situation here. . . it's really amazing.

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

Ow. . . .

It sounds like something Mikado-senpai would like. . .

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

Sorry. . .

. . . Ah, it. . .

[his tone sobers, but his face. . .]

It is a war. The reason we're here, the powers we've been given-- it might be like a manga or anime, but being right in the middle of it. . . whether to fight or not is left up to us.

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

You think it's exciting, huh?

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

[looks up at him]

It's-- it's terrible a lot of the time. I can't stop Masaomi from fighting, and the best way to be safe is with a partner, so Sonohara-san is getting one too. . . and now you're in this situation too! Because my friends are trapped here too, I. . .

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

And people die, right? It's dangerous. . .

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

[...nods]

Someone died right before I arrived. And people are sent back just as easily as they are brought here by BREW. The stakes are high. . .

I'm sorry, I wish I had better news for you.

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

. . . well, it isn't something you can change anyway . . .

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

And isn't this the kind of thing you like, anyway . . .?

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

You keep saying that, but . . .

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

[ unimpressed look. Also pulls his hand back and holds it up to his face, squinting at you through the hole in his hand. ]

But?

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

[th-that's weird, Aoba-kun]

. . . But, I'm the last kind of person that belongs in this place. . . after all we're "normal kids," right? Being told by them that I'm someone who could be a warrior, and being given powers I can use against real monsters, that's. . .

It feels like a mistake.

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

[ lowers his hand ]

For someone who is in such a high position in the Dollars you can be really reluctant, Mikado-senpai.

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

. . . [takes it again gawd]

So you really know. . .

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know.

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

[... starts re-wrapping the hand]

That's a surprise.

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

Why?

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

It isn't as though I meet a lot of people who know before I tell them. . .

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

. . . ah, that's right. Does senpai not remember meeting my classmates?

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

. . .

What?

[sharpenned.livejournal.com]

You met a lot of my friends from middle school . . .

[anonforgives.livejournal.com]

No, I just. . . I knew you knew, but we hadn't talked about it beyond when you first told me. . .