#frog phobia

Haru

You just finished helping Haru out at Jabberwock. 

Now all that’s left is putting everything away into the shed. 

You carry the buckets inside while Haru dumps the shovels into a corner. 

Just as you’re about to set them down…

Ribbit.

You freeze. You try to convince yourself it’s from outside but…

Ribbit. 

You feel chills prickle your back. 

Slowly, like a character from a horror movie, you look behind you. 

Two tiny eyes stare back at you. 

You inhale. Then scream. 

Haru whips around.

“What happened–?” 

He stops. 

You are somehow on the tallest shelf. 

Crouched into a ball. Pale as a ghost. 

“MC? What are you doing up there?” 

You point with shaky hands. 

“T-T-THERE.” 

Haru follows your finger. To see a tiny frog look up at him. 

He looks back at you. At that petrified expression. And immediately bursts into laughter. 

“Gahahaha! There’s no way.” 

“HARU!” 

“That’s what’s got you all fussed up?” 

“S-Stop laughing!” 

“You can take care of anomalous beasts but frogs are what get ya?” 

Another Croak. 

You make a noise you’ve never heard before. 

Watching you tremble, he actually starts to feel bad. 

He wipes a tear. 

“Ok, ok. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” 

He opens the shed door. 

And without hesitation, he leans down and scoops the frog up with his bare hands. 

You shut your eyes tight as he carries it outside. 

Haru faces the frog one last time. 

“Sorry buddy. She has beef with your entire species. Try not to come here again, you hear?”

He comes back in, dusting his hands. 

“Ok, it’s gone.” 

You finally let out a breath. "Thank you."

Haru waits. And waits. Then looks up. 

“You gonna live up there forever?” 

You stare at the distant floor. 

“...Can you help me down?” 

His grin comes back instantly.

“Gahaha!” He spreads his arms out. “Alright then. Jump. I’ll catch you.” 

You hesitate once before hanging one foot over the edge. 

Then—

Ribbit. 

Your grip loosens. You slip and crash straight into Haru, slamming the floor with him. 

You don’t have time to register what happened. Instead, you hear footsteps.  And a pair of rowdy voices. 

The shed door bursts open.

“We heard screaming–”

Towa and Ren stare silently. At you. On top of their captain. 

Ren sighs. 

“Seriously? I’m working my ass off and you guys are doing stuff like this?” 

“No, Ren. It’s nothing like that,” you try to explain.  

“Tch. I’m going to my room.” 

“Ren–” Towa launches himself on top of you. 

Haru wheezes at the bottom, squirming around.

“Towa. Get off! You're squishing me!”  

Alan

You’re in the midst of a mission. Searching a room for clues. 

“Find anything yet?” Alan asks, going through the cabinets. 

“No. How about—”

Ribbit. 

Your body stiffens. 

Ribbit. 

You purse your lips. 

Slowly. As slow as you can. You look down. 

A pair of protruding eyes look back at you. 

A screech escapes your throat. 

Alan turns, “What–?” 

You jump. He catches you out of instinct.  

And also out of instinct, your arms lock around his neck.  Your legs wrap around his waist.  You cling onto him like a koala. 

Alan nearly loses his balance but he catches himself. 

“A-Are you okay?” 

“Nope. Nope. Absolutely not!” You point without looking. “T-T-T-There’s a frog right there!” 

As if to demonstrate, the frog hops closer. You scream again, trying to climb Alan’s body even higher. 

He winces. His ears are hurting from all the screaming and this position is pretty awkward. But instead of setting you down. He swings your legs into his right arm and places his other hand on your back. 

“Just a second.” 

 He steps closer to the frog. 

“W-What are you doing? You’re supposed to run away!” 

“We still have to investigate this room. I’ll get him out.” 

You yelp as your arms nearly choke Alan. “D-D-Don’t let me touch the ground!” 

“I won’t. Close your eyes.” 

You do as you’re told. Squeezing your eyes shut and burying your face into his shoulder. 

Alan nudges the door open. He uses his feet to guide the frog to the exit. 

You shake during the whole process. 

“Wow, captain.” 

You crack one eye open at the familiar voice.

The frog is gone. But another menace appears. 

Leo watches you with a playful grin. 

“Honor roll, what’s going on here?” 

You look down at your position and your face burns instantly. 

“W-Well, there was a frog and–”

“And you jumped into our captain's arms?”

Leo looks at Alan with a wide grin. “And why are you still carrying her?” 

Before you can explain, Alan answers.

“It’s none of your business.” 

Leo whistles.  

“Scary~ Captain’s already claiming his territory.” 

Alan sets you down and immediately turns away. 

“...Let’s continue investigating.” 

You nod. 

Little do you know that the tips of his ears are red too.

Elias

You walk into one of the Dionysia tents. Mio clearly hasn’t gotten to this one yet. It's completely run-down, like it might start crumbling at any moment. 

You find Elias sweeping the floor. 

“Inspector. It’s good to see you.” 

“Hi Elias. What are you doing?” 

He laughs softly. “You know me. I started cleaning and before I knew it, I was here.” He rests the broom against his shoulder. “And what brings you here?” 

“There was a mistake on one of the reports so I need you to sign–”

Ribbit. 

Your eyes widen. Your shoulders tense. 

Hesitantly, you glance around the room. 

“...Elias.” 

“Yes?” 

“I-Is there a frog in here, by any chance.” 

His brows rise. 

“You have good ears. I’ve been trying to find it this whole time.” 

You freeze. Then nervously chuckle. 

“Oh, really?” 

Elias watches your feet take a step backward.

“Well, it seems like you’re busy so I’ll come back another time.” 

“No need.” He smiles. “Please, bring it over.” 

You stare at the distance. 

It isn’t far. You can do this…right?

You walk forward. Your eyes scan every corner and shadow.  

Another step. 

“Inspector, are you alright? You look a bit…pale.” 

You gulp. 

“Yes, I’m fine.” 

You take another step. And another.

“Inspector.” 

“Yes?” 

“Don’t panic, but at your feet–” 

That does it. 

You scream. You jump back. And look down…to see nothing?

“There’s a rusty nail.” You look at him. The corners of his lips twitch. “I was going to tell you to be careful.” 

You can tell he’s holding back his laugh. 

You shove the folder into his hands. 

“Thank you for your concern. Goodbye.” 

You start to head to the door. 

“Ah, Inspector.”

Despite your racing heart, you don’t look back. 

“You’re not getting me twice.” 

“But,” you’re almost at the door, “right at the entrance, there’s–”

A frog leaps out. Right in front of you. 

Your brain, breath, and existence stop for half a second.

You’re completely still. 

Elias watches. 

“Inspector, is something wrong?” 

You turn around like a mechanical robot. 

Then, in record speed, scurry right behind him.

You tug his sleeve. 

“I-I’m deathly afraid of frogs.” You swallow your pride. “Please help me.” 

 “Pfft.” He’s about to burst, but you glare. He covers his mouth. “It would be my pleasure.” 

He takes the broom and carefully nudges the frog outside. 

He returns. Still smiling. 

“Don’t worry Inspector. You’re safe now.” 

You narrow your eyes.

“From the frog.” You sigh. “But not from you.” 

“Ouch.” But his expression stays bright. 

Taiga

You’re in Taiga’s room. Tasked with the impossible mission to wake him up. 

“Taiga, we have to go.” 

No response. Just a groan. 

You sigh. 

“Taiga.” 

He pulls the blanket over his ears. 

You try to pull it off of him. 

“Come on. It’s already–”

Ribbit.

You stop. 

The talking’s gone. The tugging too. 

Taiga notices the unusual silence. 

He cracks one eye open to find you’re no longer next to the bed. 

He scans the room. 

Then finds you pressed into a corner. Hands over your mouth.  Trying to become one with the wall.

He groggily sits up. “The hell are you doing?”

You point. Finger trembling. 

“F-F-F-F-”

“Huh?” 

You point even harder. 

“FROG!” 

Taiga searches the ground. 

A frog sits in the middle of the room. Peacefully minding its own business. 

He stares at it. Then at you. And back at the frog. 

Suddenly, he drops back onto the bed. 

“Gyahahahaha!” He rolls across the mattress, holding his stomach. “Seriously?” 

“It’s not funny!” 

“This little thing’s got you scared?” 

“I-It’s not little.”  (It's like 3 inches)

Still grinning, he throws the blanket off and stumbles out of bed. 

He crouches in front of the creature. Evaluating it. 

“A kitty-cat scared of a frog?” He clicks his tongue. “What’s gonna happen to the food chain?” 

The frog hops suddenly at your direction.

A horrendous sound leaves your mouth. 

Taiga covers his ears. Frowning. 

“So loud.” 

“TAIGA!” 

“What?” 

“D-Do something.” 

He sighs. Grabs the frog without hesitation. And brings it suspiciously close to his face. 

Your eyes widen.

“Stop!” 

Taiga groans. “What now?” 

“Don’t eat it!” 

“You said to do something bout it.” 

“J-Just not that.” 

“You sure have a lot of complaints for a scaredy-cat.” 

He pokes at the frog curiously.

Uh-oh.

Slowly, a jagged smile appears on his face. The one he makes after thinking of an idea. Usually a bad one. 

“So I can do anything else?” 

He stands up like a drunkard. 

He turns. You freeze. 

“Taiga…” 

He takes a step toward you.

“W-What are you doing?” 

And another. 

He raises the frog. 

“What does it look like I’m doing?” 

You back into the wall further and lift your hands as his pace quickens. 

“Stop! Don’t come any closer!” 

He’s still walking. 

“Stay back!” 

Closer. 

“TAIGA!” 

You can’t close your eyes. You can’t run. You just await your doom. 

“STOP–!”

Click. 

He opens the window beside you and throws the frog outside. 

You blink. 

He wipes his hands on his pants. 

“There? You happy now?” 

Your knees immediately give out. You slide dramatically down the wall. 

Taiga crouches down beside you. 

Still grinning. 

“Thanks Kitty-cat.” 

You glare. “For what?” 

“The entertainment. Best wake-up call this week.” ____