Turn the Lights Off

As he turned the corner, he accidentally bumped into someone knocking into someone.

"Ah...! I am sorry," he quickly apologized, managing to keep himself upright.

@utsuhebi

Nozomi made her way through the halls of the school, clearly not paying enough attention to the world around her. She felt like something was going on that she didn't know about, that people were keeping secrets from her. She supposed she couldn't be too upset. She was keeping secrets from them too.

Thats why she managed to run into another person. Looking up, it was Takumi.

"Oh, Sumino-kun! It's my fault. I wasn't paying attention."

As she looked at him longer, something felt...off. Was he okay? She worried about him often, but he seemed even stranger than normal today. Of course, he always had days he was stranger than others...it managed to unsettle her, in a way.

Relationships were important. Interacting with people was important. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about interactions!

"Yes," he smiled joyfully, "Food is good. I would like to eat."

He followed behind Nozomi to the cafeteria. "Takumi" immediately marveled at the large aquarium on the right wall and the strange machines making food behind a conveyor belt. He then smelled the aroma of fruits, vegetables, and grains and darted to the kitchen. So many things he could try. He wanted to know how every single thing tasted.

The first thing he tried were the fruits. He bit into an apple, eating even the core. Then, he found a banana, biting into it like a stick. The outside was rough and bland, but the inside was mushy and sweet. Then the orange. It was like the banana, but juicier.

"I do not understand," he replied genuinely, "I am eating. Is that not what we came here to do?" He then smiled at her and said, "This food is much more enjoyable than the rocks and debris I was able to find outside. The tastes and textures are wonderful. What else is there?"

"Why don't we go to the bio lab and get you checked out?" She suggested, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room. "I think maybe you're missing something from your diet, and we should know what."

She didn't want to remember that night. She was far enough away to be spared of most of it, but it was still such a public spectacle she knew much more than she wanted to.

He couldn't quite understand why he would need to speak to Eito about having a relationship with Yugamu. Was it a bad thing to have such a thing with the other boy? He simply could not comprehend the problem.

He said he'd 'spoken to Takumi'. Was he in a fugue state? Or...a personality split? ...Would either of those lead to eating forks? She didn't know enough about this, and she doubted Yugamu did either, but Takumi (?) said he'd spoken to him, and that's where she had been going anyway, so....

He hadn't gotten a chance to set to work yet when the door to the bio lab crashed open. He thought he'd locked that.... Well, at least the visitors weren't unwelcomed.

"Yes," he stated, "We went to eat food together in the cafeteria. There were a ton of fish swimming around in the wall. It looked very pretty! I got to eat actual food today, as well. It was very good, until I reached the fork. Metal does not taste as good as the sweet, juicy food I ate before that."

"Yugamu-kun," Nozomi interrupted his thoughts. She moved closer to him, glancing warily at the other boy in the room. "Sumino-kun said he'd spoken to you recently so I thought you might know what's, um, going on with him?"

"Oh?" He lowered his voice as he spoke with her. "That's not Sumino-kun."

"What? Do you mean..."

"That's a monster from another dimension."

Nozomi glared at him. How could he be joking like that! This was serious! Something was very wrong with Takumi, and Yugamu was playing it off like a joke!

Unless...this was a joke? Were they working together to mess with her? Make her worry about some nonsense crazy behavior and then turn around and make fun of her for worrying? Were they that cruel? She didn't want to think so, but Yugamu was hard to judge sometimes, and she didn't really know Takumi at all...

He wanted to do more. He wanted to do so much more. If Doll-chan really could heal, he wanted to push it. Tear him apart and see how much damage he could sustain. And maybe he would lash out, fight back instinctively, make Yugamu regret messing with a monster. Make him learn his place in this world, he was just a small, weak human, he could be broken so easily-

He fought to hold that in. Not yet. For now, a small cut is all he would ask, and if Doll-chan said no, he would back off.

"We have Nozomi-chan here too, so if anything goes wrong, she can help."

But... his instructions... Could he... really defy them...?

...

...

This.

This wasn't defying.

This was for learning.

Yugamu did not have any ill intentions.

He would be healed up immediately.

"Yes," he replied, sounding a little more robotic than usual, "I am okay with this."

He beckoned Nozomi closer. He pulled out one of his knives and gently took the red haired boy's hand. His heart raced as he cut slowly across his palm. He wouldn't cut deep enough to do any serious damage on the off chance Doll-chan was wrong about his powers, but blood still flowed across their joined hands. Yugamu noted that it was exactly as red and warm as human blood. It smelled the same too; he wondered how it would taste.

Then things began to change. Among the red, purple began to appear. Faint violet tendrils spread out from each side of the slash, quickly crossing to the other and sealing it back up. The purple faded to a more flesh-like color, the smoothed itself out until the skin was perfect and unmarred again. If it weren't for the blood, there'd be no trace of the wound Yugamu made.

"Amazing!" Yugamu pulled Doll-chan's hand to him and looked at him with his eyes sparkling. Now that he'd seen it, he wanted to do it again! He wanted to do it more! Oh, there were so many exciting things they could do with a power like that- He realized he was drooling, oh, that was embarrassing.

Nozomi, on the other hand, was having a much different reaction. She'd taken a few steps back and steadied herself against the lab table.

As he turned the corner, he accidentally bumped into someone knocking into someone.

"Ah...! I am sorry," he quickly apologized, managing to keep himself upright.

@utsuhebi

Nozomi made her way through the halls of the school, clearly not paying enough attention to the world around her. She felt like something was going on that she didn't know about, that people were keeping secrets from her. She supposed she couldn't be too upset. She was keeping secrets from them too.

Thats why she managed to run into another person. Looking up, it was Takumi.

"Oh, Sumino-kun! It's my fault. I wasn't paying attention."

As she looked at him longer, something felt...off. Was he okay? She worried about him often, but he seemed even stranger than normal today. Of course, he always had days he was stranger than others...it managed to unsettle her, in a way.

Relationships were important. Interacting with people was important. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about interactions!

"Yes," he smiled joyfully, "Food is good. I would like to eat."

He followed behind Nozomi to the cafeteria. "Takumi" immediately marveled at the large aquarium on the right wall and the strange machines making food behind a conveyor belt. He then smelled the aroma of fruits, vegetables, and grains and darted to the kitchen. So many things he could try. He wanted to know how every single thing tasted.

The first thing he tried were the fruits. He bit into an apple, eating even the core. Then, he found a banana, biting into it like a stick. The outside was rough and bland, but the inside was mushy and sweet. Then the orange. It was like the banana, but juicier.

"I do not understand," he replied genuinely, "I am eating. Is that not what we came here to do?" He then smiled at her and said, "This food is much more enjoyable than the rocks and debris I was able to find outside. The tastes and textures are wonderful. What else is there?"

"Why don't we go to the bio lab and get you checked out?" She suggested, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room. "I think maybe you're missing something from your diet, and we should know what."

She didn't want to remember that night. She was far enough away to be spared of most of it, but it was still such a public spectacle she knew much more than she wanted to.

He couldn't quite understand why he would need to speak to Eito about having a relationship with Yugamu. Was it a bad thing to have such a thing with the other boy? He simply could not comprehend the problem.

He said he'd 'spoken to Takumi'. Was he in a fugue state? Or...a personality split? ...Would either of those lead to eating forks? She didn't know enough about this, and she doubted Yugamu did either, but Takumi (?) said he'd spoken to him, and that's where she had been going anyway, so....

He hadn't gotten a chance to set to work yet when the door to the bio lab crashed open. He thought he'd locked that.... Well, at least the visitors weren't unwelcomed.

"Yes," he stated, "We went to eat food together in the cafeteria. There were a ton of fish swimming around in the wall. It looked very pretty! I got to eat actual food today, as well. It was very good, until I reached the fork. Metal does not taste as good as the sweet, juicy food I ate before that."

"Yugamu-kun," Nozomi interrupted his thoughts. She moved closer to him, glancing warily at the other boy in the room. "Sumino-kun said he'd spoken to you recently so I thought you might know what's, um, going on with him?"

"Oh?" He lowered his voice as he spoke with her. "That's not Sumino-kun."

"What? Do you mean..."

"That's a monster from another dimension."

Nozomi glared at him. How could he be joking like that! This was serious! Something was very wrong with Takumi, and Yugamu was playing it off like a joke!

Unless...this was a joke? Were they working together to mess with her? Make her worry about some nonsense crazy behavior and then turn around and make fun of her for worrying? Were they that cruel? She didn't want to think so, but Yugamu was hard to judge sometimes, and she didn't really know Takumi at all...

He wanted to do more. He wanted to do so much more. If Doll-chan really could heal, he wanted to push it. Tear him apart and see how much damage he could sustain. And maybe he would lash out, fight back instinctively, make Yugamu regret messing with a monster. Make him learn his place in this world, he was just a small, weak human, he could be broken so easily-

He fought to hold that in. Not yet. For now, a small cut is all he would ask, and if Doll-chan said no, he would back off.

"We have Nozomi-chan here too, so if anything goes wrong, she can help."

As he turned the corner, he accidentally bumped into someone knocking into someone.

"Ah...! I am sorry," he quickly apologized, managing to keep himself upright.

@utsuhebi

Nozomi made her way through the halls of the school, clearly not paying enough attention to the world around her. She felt like something was going on that she didn't know about, that people were keeping secrets from her. She supposed she couldn't be too upset. She was keeping secrets from them too.

Thats why she managed to run into another person. Looking up, it was Takumi.

"Oh, Sumino-kun! It's my fault. I wasn't paying attention."

As she looked at him longer, something felt...off. Was he okay? She worried about him often, but he seemed even stranger than normal today. Of course, he always had days he was stranger than others...it managed to unsettle her, in a way.

Relationships were important. Interacting with people was important. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about interactions!

"Yes," he smiled joyfully, "Food is good. I would like to eat."

He followed behind Nozomi to the cafeteria. "Takumi" immediately marveled at the large aquarium on the right wall and the strange machines making food behind a conveyor belt. He then smelled the aroma of fruits, vegetables, and grains and darted to the kitchen. So many things he could try. He wanted to know how every single thing tasted.

The first thing he tried were the fruits. He bit into an apple, eating even the core. Then, he found a banana, biting into it like a stick. The outside was rough and bland, but the inside was mushy and sweet. Then the orange. It was like the banana, but juicier.

"I do not understand," he replied genuinely, "I am eating. Is that not what we came here to do?" He then smiled at her and said, "This food is much more enjoyable than the rocks and debris I was able to find outside. The tastes and textures are wonderful. What else is there?"

"Why don't we go to the bio lab and get you checked out?" She suggested, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room. "I think maybe you're missing something from your diet, and we should know what."

She didn't want to remember that night. She was far enough away to be spared of most of it, but it was still such a public spectacle she knew much more than she wanted to.

He couldn't quite understand why he would need to speak to Eito about having a relationship with Yugamu. Was it a bad thing to have such a thing with the other boy? He simply could not comprehend the problem.

He said he'd 'spoken to Takumi'. Was he in a fugue state? Or...a personality split? ...Would either of those lead to eating forks? She didn't know enough about this, and she doubted Yugamu did either, but Takumi (?) said he'd spoken to him, and that's where she had been going anyway, so....

He hadn't gotten a chance to set to work yet when the door to the bio lab crashed open. He thought he'd locked that.... Well, at least the visitors weren't unwelcomed.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

"I am not human," he informed Yugamu, "I am a Retnsom. So is Darumi. She informed me that I am a copy of Takumi Sumino. Which means I have all the abilities that Takumi Sumino and Retsnom have."

And that idea excited him all over. He'd caught some sort of twisted science experiment, and he'd caught it alive! It was all his! Oh, the tests he could run, the experiments he could try!

But he'd promised not to hurt it. He wouldn't break that promise. He reached out and pet the creatures hair. No, he'd only cut it with permission.

"Takumi" was not instructed to protect the rest of the SDU members, but he was not instructed to harm them, either. Currently, "Takumi" harbors no ill will towards anyone. He holds no feelings towards anyone. He barely holds feelings in himself at all.

But, he is changing. Learning. Evolving.

"I want to be Takumi because I am Takumi," he answered straightforwardly, "I do not know how the others feel about it, or if it is a "Retsnom thing". I was told I am Takumi Sumino, so that is who I am."

Anything Darumi told him was the absolute truth. It was law in "Takumi's" mind. He was Takumi Sumino and he was to watch over the Takumi and Eito of this timeline.

But... he wasn't told to learn. Wanting to learn... that was something he himself decided on his own. What did he like? What did he feel?

Right now, he felt stiff, being forced to lay in the same position for so long. He no longer felt cold, though. Yugamu's body heat radiated onto him, warming up his exposed skin nicely.

"I would love to. And you can teach me more about yourself, I'm still curious about many things." He laughed, "This sounds like the begining of a long term relationship. How would you like to be my assistant? There's many things you could learn working with me here.

Yugamu was willing to teach him things! This was amazing! That happy feeling filled his chest, and his face couldn't stop smiling at the idea of being an assistant.

That smile, however, faltered when Yugamu asked about names. "Not... Takumi?" He asked, saddened at the idea of not being able to be called Takumi. He was a clone, and was created after Takumi. Maybe that's why he was the one who needed to be called something different?

It seemed it would be his responsibility to come up with a name for his new toy. Hm...that was an accurate description in it's own way. A blank toy with an identity to be shaped. Made to be molded or dressed up however he wanted....

"Takumi" had no idea what a doll was, but if Yugamu thought that's what he should call him, then he was okay with it.

"Okay," "Takumi" smiled, "I like that nickname."

"Of course. Thank you for answering all my questions so nicely, Doll-chan. I look forward to working with you."

He released the boy's hands and feet. "If you're feeling stiff I could give you a massage. And I do mean massage- you've already had the torture!"

He laughed at his own joke while he retrieved his new assistant's clothes. They were definitely Takumi's clothes; he wondered where the other Darumi got them. Was she close with a Takumi in her timeline? Why make another? And why send him here- did she know their Takumi and Eito?

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

"I am not human," he informed Yugamu, "I am a Retnsom. So is Darumi. She informed me that I am a copy of Takumi Sumino. Which means I have all the abilities that Takumi Sumino and Retsnom have."

And that idea excited him all over. He'd caught some sort of twisted science experiment, and he'd caught it alive! It was all his! Oh, the tests he could run, the experiments he could try!

But he'd promised not to hurt it. He wouldn't break that promise. He reached out and pet the creatures hair. No, he'd only cut it with permission.

"Takumi" was not instructed to protect the rest of the SDU members, but he was not instructed to harm them, either. Currently, "Takumi" harbors no ill will towards anyone. He holds no feelings towards anyone. He barely holds feelings in himself at all.

But, he is changing. Learning. Evolving.

"I want to be Takumi because I am Takumi," he answered straightforwardly, "I do not know how the others feel about it, or if it is a "Retsnom thing". I was told I am Takumi Sumino, so that is who I am."

Anything Darumi told him was the absolute truth. It was law in "Takumi's" mind. He was Takumi Sumino and he was to watch over the Takumi and Eito of this timeline.

But... he wasn't told to learn. Wanting to learn... that was something he himself decided on his own. What did he like? What did he feel?

Right now, he felt stiff, being forced to lay in the same position for so long. He no longer felt cold, though. Yugamu's body heat radiated onto him, warming up his exposed skin nicely.

"I would love to. And you can teach me more about yourself, I'm still curious about many things." He laughed, "This sounds like the begining of a long term relationship. How would you like to be my assistant? There's many things you could learn working with me here.

Yugamu was willing to teach him things! This was amazing! That happy feeling filled his chest, and his face couldn't stop smiling at the idea of being an assistant.

That smile, however, faltered when Yugamu asked about names. "Not... Takumi?" He asked, saddened at the idea of not being able to be called Takumi. He was a clone, and was created after Takumi. Maybe that's why he was the one who needed to be called something different?

It seemed it would be his responsibility to come up with a name for his new toy. Hm...that was an accurate description in it's own way. A blank toy with an identity to be shaped. Made to be molded or dressed up however he wanted....

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

"I am not human," he informed Yugamu, "I am a Retnsom. So is Darumi. She informed me that I am a copy of Takumi Sumino. Which means I have all the abilities that Takumi Sumino and Retsnom have."

And that idea excited him all over. He'd caught some sort of twisted science experiment, and he'd caught it alive! It was all his! Oh, the tests he could run, the experiments he could try!

But he'd promised not to hurt it. He wouldn't break that promise. He reached out and pet the creatures hair. No, he'd only cut it with permission.

"Takumi" was not instructed to protect the rest of the SDU members, but he was not instructed to harm them, either. Currently, "Takumi" harbors no ill will towards anyone. He holds no feelings towards anyone. He barely holds feelings in himself at all.

But, he is changing. Learning. Evolving.

"I want to be Takumi because I am Takumi," he answered straightforwardly, "I do not know how the others feel about it, or if it is a "Retsnom thing". I was told I am Takumi Sumino, so that is who I am."

Anything Darumi told him was the absolute truth. It was law in "Takumi's" mind. He was Takumi Sumino and he was to watch over the Takumi and Eito of this timeline.

But... he wasn't told to learn. Wanting to learn... that was something he himself decided on his own. What did he like? What did he feel?

Right now, he felt stiff, being forced to lay in the same position for so long. He no longer felt cold, though. Yugamu's body heat radiated onto him, warming up his exposed skin nicely.

"I would love to. And you can teach me more about yourself, I'm still curious about many things." He laughed, "This sounds like the begining of a long term relationship. How would you like to be my assistant? There's many things you could learn working with me here.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

"I am not human," he informed Yugamu, "I am a Retnsom. So is Darumi. She informed me that I am a copy of Takumi Sumino. Which means I have all the abilities that Takumi Sumino and Retsnom have."

And that idea excited him all over. He'd caught some sort of twisted science experiment, and he'd caught it alive! It was all his! Oh, the tests he could run, the experiments he could try!

But he'd promised not to hurt it. He wouldn't break that promise. He reached out and pet the creatures hair. No, he'd only cut it with permission.

"Takumi" was not instructed to protect the rest of the SDU members, but he was not instructed to harm them, either. Currently, "Takumi" harbors no ill will towards anyone. He holds no feelings towards anyone. He barely holds feelings in himself at all.

But, he is changing. Learning. Evolving.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

"I am not human," he informed Yugamu, "I am a Retnsom. So is Darumi. She informed me that I am a copy of Takumi Sumino. Which means I have all the abilities that Takumi Sumino and Retsnom have."

And that idea excited him all over. He'd caught some sort of twisted science experiment, and he'd caught it alive! It was all his! Oh, the tests he could run, the experiments he could try!

But he'd promised not to hurt it. He wouldn't break that promise. He reached out and pet the creatures hair. No, he'd only cut it with permission.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

"I am not human," he informed Yugamu, "I am a Retnsom. So is Darumi. She informed me that I am a copy of Takumi Sumino. Which means I have all the abilities that Takumi Sumino and Retsnom have."

And that idea excited him all over. He'd caught some sort of twisted science experiment, and he'd caught it alive! It was all his! Oh, the tests he could run, the experiments he could try!

But he'd promised not to hurt it. He wouldn't break that promise. He reached out and pet the creatures hair. No, he'd only cut it with permission.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

"I am not sure," he answered honestly, "I was created in another timeline by Darumi, but I do not know if I am from that timeline or not. I am sorry I cannot give you a more clear answer."

Darumi didn't give him much information to go off of before sending him off. He knew the basics of all the SDU members and commanders, what a retsnom was and how his powers worked, the layout of the school, and how to work the PLM, but that was about it. Everything else he's learned during his time observing Takumi. He had never ever fought anyone before, though he knew he had Takumi's battle experience somewhere in his head.

He leaned forward crossed his arms atop the other's chest, resting his head on them. "Unfortunately, I still have a few more questions. If I gave you your clothes back, I'd have to unbind you, and I can't do that until we're done, okay? But I'll stay close and keep you warm myself."

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

"I am Takumi Sumino," he answered honestly, "That is what I was told. I am supposed to watch the Takumi Sumino and Eito Aotsuki of this timeline and make sure they do not fight. Those were my instructions."

Strange. Why was he feeling so open all of a sudden? Why couldn't he stop talking? Was it because of this strange, foreign drug in his body? Should he stop? Darumi did not tell him he couldn't reveal himself or his origins. So, he supposed it was alright.

"Darumi sent me," he finally answered, "She did not like that Takumi and Eito were fighting. She wants me to protect them. I am..."

He leaned in closer, deep in thought. "No, I won't hurt you, so long as you keep being honest with me. I don't like to hurt people who don't want it."

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

Slowly, "Takumi" blinked his eyes open, fighting away the remains of the sleeping drug. When he tried to sit up, he found himself unable to move. A quick glance down at himself revealed him strapped to a table without his jackets and shirt. The metal table was cold to his skin, forcing a shiver through his whole upper body.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He didn't even realize what Yugamu was saying until something sharp poked him in the neck. A second later, his body became heavy, exhaustion started to overtake him. He tried to fight against it, confused as to what was happening, but the drug was too powerful.

He lifted the unconscious body onto the operating table. He removed the boy's clothes from the waist up and strapped him down.

Despite reminding himself that this was business, he couldn't help but drool at the sight. This cutie looked exactly like Takumi, his best friend, someone he very much would love to see in this position. But it wasn't him, it was someone else, equally adorable in their own right. Was that better or worse? He didn't know, but his heart was racing to find out.

He searched through his collection of chemicals and found the drugs he wanted. Pulling out two, he prepared them then injected them one after another into the unconscious patient. A stimulant to wake him up and a chemical to encourage him to tell the truth. Of course, Yugamu wasn't foolish enough to believe that alone would suffice. Thats why he also had a collection of scalpels and other tools nearby.

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.

"Here, lay them down over here." He placed his down then quickly set about working on other things. "Thank you again, 'Takumi-kun', you've been a big help. So please, relax and have a nice nap. You'll be back in a moment to give me answers."

He was laughing to himself about aforementioned locking up and the events that lead to it when he heard footsteps near him. Instantly, he was focused. He didn't have his infuser on him, but he had plenty of other weapons, including the knife he was currently using to cut flower stems.

He turned towards the source of the sound. With an edge to his voice he called out, "Hello, I heard you. You should show yourself, I promise it'll be better for you if you do."

The one who called himself Takumi froze. He recognized the voice calling out to him; that voice belonged to Yugamu, so claimed the information he was given about the SDU members.

This was... not good. He was not prepared to interact with any of the SDU members at this point in time. What was most unfortunate about this was that he would be unable to sneak away, as Yugamu was a trained assassin. Compared to Yugamu, "Takumi" was a loud, stomping mess.

Perhaps... Perhaps this would be a good chance to test out everything he had learned thus far. He had been hoping to talk to Yugamu first, after all- this was just faster than he had anticipated.

With careful steps, "Takumi" walked out of the shadows and revealed himself. He tried to keep his posture relaxed as he approached the other teen.

"Oh, uh, I believe I would die if you were to do that, though," he replied awkwardly, shifting his weight slightly. Not that a knife to the throat would actually kill him, but it would kill Takumi. And he was Takumi. So, it would kill him.

"I'm just collecting some resources. These plants here," he knelt down and gestured to the flowers he'd been collecting. They were purple, with drooping bell-like openings trailed along a bright green stem. "Is Foxglove. I suggest you don't touch it; it's poisonous. If you're looking for I trip to the revive-o-matic, I'd much rather you let me do it myself.

"A poison or medicine...?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly in confusion. He wasn't sure how to answer. Medicine healed people and poisons hurt people. That much he knew. But, there was so much he didn't know. Why was Yugamu making poison? Why was he making medicine? How do you turn a flower into either of those things? "Takumi" wanted so desperately to learn...!

Maybe that was why Yugamu didn't worry about handing him a knife. He showed where to cut the plants so they could get what they needed, but they would still be allowed to regrow. He made sure they cut enough that he'd be unable to carry it all on his own, or that it would look that way anyway.