#tkatb mc

Sol: Are you doing this on purpose?

Hyugo: Look, I didn't know you were on a date. If I did, I would've just left you guys alone, but MC was nice enough to invite me to join.

Sol: ...

Sol: Then leave once you're done with your food.

Hyugo: Yeah, yeah. By the way, is this the place where MC is working now?

Sol: No. It's their Dad's.

Hyugo: Huh... Really? Wow. It's just... Wow.

MC's Dad: *approaches their table with MC following behind* You've got a problem with it, punk?

Hyugo: N-No, sir! I—

MC: He just couldn't believe you're running a place that's covered in pink.

MC's Dad: You suggested it.

MC: I didn't expect you'd listen.

MC's Dad: ...

Hyugo and Sol: ...

Hyugo: *wheezes*

Sol: *frowns at Hyugo, signaling him to stop*

Hyugo: Your Dad's cool.

MC: Even when he kicked us out?

Hyugo: Yeah. I'll come visit again.

Sol: ...

Sol: Hyugo.

Hyugo: Oh, right. Thanks for the free meal, MC! See ya at school tomorrow!

Hyugo: Enjoy your date, Sunny!

Sol: Just go.

MC: Hm? What date?

Sol: Don't mind him.

MC: There are plenty of better places than here. *Sol suggested that they just hang out at their apartment*

Sol: I'd feel more comfortable here than at some random hotel.

MC: ...

MC: Isn't it because you've developed Stockholm syndrome?

Sol: *chuckles* No.

Sol: I can help you in the kitchen—

MC: Sorry, no. I like working alone.

Sol: ...

Sol: How about—

MC: Oh, yeah. I've got my childhood photo album under the coffee table. Wanna check it out?

Sol: ...

Sol: Yes.

*While MC is busy in the kitchen*

Sol: *ended up staring at a particular photo that he's sure is him when he was little*

Sol: ...

Sol: Why is there a random kid here?

MC: *walks in with a tray of food in hand* Oh, that? I picked it up off the ground. I forgot where exactly. I remember having a tiny little crush on him when I was a kid, so I kept it.

Geo: *made MC impersonate him for three hours as punishment*

Geo: They need to learn a lesson. If they don't behave, they'll end up being chased—not by fans, but by the police. I'm just giving them a taste of that reality.

Crowe: Haha...

Crowe: I wonder where MC is now.

MC: *managed to escape to the rooftop*

MC: Finally! I got away from the horde— Huh?

Hyugo: ...

Hyugo: What? *knew at a glance that it wasn't Geo, yet he couldn't help being impressed by how perfectly they had mimicked his appearance*

Hyugo: You must be... MC, right? *beams* I've heard things about you!

MC: ???

MC: Do you have an x-ray vision?

Hyugo: *laughs* No, but Geo is my brother.

MC: ...

MC: Oh!!! *immediately walks up to him and shakes his hand*

MC: *smiles genuinely* It's nice to meet you.

Hyugo: ...

Hyugo: You're so cute. You know that?

MC: Hm? Yeah, I do.

Hyugo: Wha— *laughs*

MC: I met your brother.

Geo: ...

Geo: *frowns* Tell me you didn't do anything stupid.

MC: I got one of your baby pictures—

Geo: Delete it.

MC: ...

MC: You can't delete a hard copy. *then runs*

MC: *they had snatched him out of the classroom earlier because they needed someone to draw the illustrations for their presentation*

Sol: *trying his best to calm his heart* Personal space, please.

MC: But I want to watch the process.

Sol: Don't you need to work on your script?

MC: Nah. Watching you draw is more interesting.

Sol: *blushes; starts scribbling faster*

Sol: *finishes it in no time* Here.

MC: Oh? Already? Damn. You artists are something else... *genuinely amazed*

Sol: Good... Good luck with your presentation.

MC: Thanks! I'll let you know later how it went.

Sol: *smiles* Yeah...

MC: ...

MC: *stares at the now-torn drawing*

Bully A: Oops. Sorry. You're not actually going to cry over that, are you? It's just a drawing.

Bully B: I'm sure that bastard will be happy to draw you another one.

Bully A: That piece of sh—

MC: *lunges at him, forcefully stuffing the paper into his mouth*

Bully B: What are you doing?!!

MC: *keeps shoving the paper into his mouth despite his gagging*

Bully B: Get off him!

MC: Huh? *turns to him*

Bully B: !!!

Crowe: ...

MC: ...

Crowe: *has just fetched them from the guidance office*

Crowe: ...

Crowe: What happened?

MC: ...

MC: Violence.

Crowe: ...Without a reason?

MC: Of course not.

Crowe: ...

Crowe: Geo won't be happy if he finds out about this.

MC: ...You're not gonna snitch?

Crowe: You were only retaliating, and they're known troublemakers. Just try not to do it again.

MC: ...

MC: I think I understand now why you call yourself Crowe.

Crowe: ...

Sol: Pumpkin and I have only just become acquainted. I don't want to give myself away, do I? *while sketching MC's face for the nth time, smiling*

Hyugo: ...

Hyugo: *mumbles* Love fool.

Hyugo: So, does that mean you don't need those sleeping pills anymore? Our deal's over?

Sol: ...

Sol: Yes. I can take it from here.

Hyugo: Haa, finally.

Geo: *holding MC by the scruff of their neck*

MC: Geo, we're basically like a mother cat and her kitten right now, judging by the way you're treating me.

Geo: Why did you skip classes?

MC: ...

Geo: Do you want to get held back that badly?

MC: Wow, you're more pissed off than my mom.

Geo: Your mom's dead.

MC: Exactly. She's so chill, she'd probably be unfazed even if I waved a C-minus grade in front of her ashes.

Geo: ...

Geo: *releases them* I'm so done with you. *walks away*

MC: ...

MC: *walks after him*

Geo: Stop following me.

MC: No. You're my Mama Cat.

Geo: ...

Geo: You little shit—

Brittney: Wow.

MC: *their knees on the ground, arms raised*

MC: Geo, my arms hurt!

Geo: That's what the punishment is for.

Brittney: Are you their mother?

MC: Sometimes. I enjoy looking at trees. Or if I'm lucky enough, I'd get to find a dead body.

Sol: ...

Sol: What?

MC: I think it was a few months ago? *described what it looks like*

MC: It was pretty nasty.

Sol: ...

Sol: Why didn't you report it?

MC: I did. Just not to a police, though.

Sol: *raised an eyebrow*

MC: To a vigilante. *chuckles* Told me to leave it 'cause it's none of my business.

Sol: *smiles* I see.

MC: By the way, how's your injury? Does it still hurt?

Sol: No. Not that much.

MC: Good. I can stop feeling guilty now.

Sol: *chuckles* Hey. *nudges them*

Sol: We should probably head back.

MC: Yeah. It was nice chatting with you, Sol.

Sol: ...

Sol: Don't you want to chat with me again tomorrow?

MC: ...

MC: I've got nothing to talk to you about.

Sol: ...

Sol: Hobbies?

MC: It depends on my mood.

Sol: ...

Sol: How about your connection with vigilantes?

MC: That's classified information.

Sol: But you didn't hesitate to share that you know one.

MC: I didn't drop a name.

Sol: ...

Sol: It can be about anything. I just... I want to get to know you more.

MC: *doesn't understand hints* Okay.

MC: ...

MC: Do you respect quiet time?

Sol: ...

Sol: *smiles* Yes.

Geo: Are we playing 20 Questions?

Brittney: I'm just curious. Besides Crowe, nobody would just casually approach you.

MC: ...

MC: *looks at Geo* Damn. You're that anti-social?

Geo: "Intimidating".

MC: Sure—Ouch! *gets nudged hard by him*

Deryl: So what's the story?

Geo: It's not anything special.

MC: Yeah, because I suffered that day.

Crowe, Brittney, Deryl, and Jess: *their interest piqued*

Crowe: Why? What happened?

MC: I used to have a side gig as an impersonator, and not to brag, but I was pretty good at it. Geo wasn't convinced, so he challenged me to disguise myself as him.

Jess: H-How did it go?

MC: I got chased down.

Geo: *faintly smirks*

Brittney: How's that possible? You don't even have the same height.

MC: Platform shoes.

Brittney: Oh.

Crowe: Thanks for spending time with us. Think you can make it around this time again tomorrow?

MC: Er... I'm not sure.

Crowe: Oh. I see. *smiles* It's okay.

MC: Bye. *walks away*

Crowe: They're not good with people, either, huh? *to Geo*

Geo: Yes, but they'll be a good addition to the group.

MC: Sol? What are you doing here?

Sol: I... I should be asking you.

MC: ...

MC: You didn't see me climb over the fence, did you?

Sol: ...

Sol: *smiles* Why? Afraid that I'll report you?

MC: Well, no. I think you're doing something illegal, too. *eyeing his axe*

Sol: ...Like what?

MC: Illegal logging?

Sol: ...Pft— No. It's not that.

MC: Oh, okay. But we're technically in the same boat, so… no snitching?