my blood is steel, my heart is glass

[♪♪♪]

The nature of the motive didn’t have much impact on the days. It should have been a reprieve from the harshness, but it wasn’t. Servin had lost their body and now exists in a phone. Atsushi was executed for their breach of the rules and slaughtering the mascot. 

It’s afternoon and Eve is taking a walk as he looks for a certain someone, accompanied by Mingzhu who carries the phone-bound Servin. The three move around the areas together, eventually including the Agricultural District. 

Out in the open farm field, they find an oddity: something that is out of place; something that is suspicious too still… 

Eve finds who he is looking for. 

[ Credit to Rei for the pixels ]

[♫ ♫ ♫]

RE: ———–

Thank you for accepting the invitation for [ **Hero’s Rift **] . Please wait shortly as we obtain the necessary data from you in order to begin the game. You will be competing against 20 other individuals. 

Loading… Loading… Loading…

Your competitor’s names are…

1. Ada  

Played by Ven

2. Akira “Kossetsu” Komatsu 

Played by Kaz

3. Atsushi Oshiro 

 Played by Munny

4. Chiya “CC” Chuujou 

 Played by Finn

5. Eve 

 Played by Kat

6. Hades 

 Played by Chelse

7. Haruto Kiyoshi 

Played by John

8. Ikiryō  

 Played by Steph

9. Itoji Miyagi 

 Played by Jane

10. Kiyoko Satoori 

 Played by Mod Shan

11. Kou 

 Played by Alli

12. Lowell de Gloria 

 Played by Yuufa

13. Mayumi Tominaga 

 Played by Laney

14. Mingzhu Jia 

 Played by Dia

15. Misaki Yamakawa 

Played by Mod Coby

16. Persephone 

 Played by Lissa

17. Servin Lee Ramirez 

 Played by Yenii

18. Shuuya Murakami 

Played by Wiwy

19. Tomio Yasuda 

 Played by Eight

20. Tsurugi Tsukiko 

 Played by Sissel

21. Yuuya Hanasaki 

 Played by Mod Gwyneth

                                 L̸e̴t̷'̷s̶ ̵j̴u̶m̵p̶ ̴i̵n̷t̶o̸ ̸t̶h̵e̵ ̷r̷i̷f̷t̵ 

To tell the truth, she wasn’t too anxious the night before, if only because she had lost track of time, mindlessly forgetting the motive was due the day after. Still, a certain unease remains, Tsurugi feeling the place could be compared to a forest that’s far too still, that kind of anxiety crept into her, leaving her to wake up early even by her standards, perhaps this morning could go okay in the end.

She sat in the front of the lake for a long while before the screams called them all out, and before her mind caught up, her body was dashing to the dinning hall, thoughts racing, was someone in danger? Had Komori done something again? She pushed her legs to take her there as soon as possible and even sooner than that.

As it turned out, there were already two people there, Iyona and Toyo, she thanked the gods that they both appeared unharmed, but her nose had smelled it before she saw it, that coppery, grossly sweet scent gave away the tragedy that took place, her heart trying to break out of her chest, she approached the scene with quick steps only to regret it immediately.

She didn’t scream, nor did she cry, but she did feel something inside her head, her chest, her stomach. She tried blinking quickly, blink the scene away but of course, Sensei remained there, dead.

Dead.

She was dead.

That was reality as of now, and she had to accept it, even if her brain couldn’t, she had to, no easy way out of it.

Name: Cinderella Bellerose Time of Death: 11:02PM Time of Discovery: 6:55AM DIscovered By: ???, Toyo, Iyona Location: Dining Hall Cause of Death: Exsanguination

Behind you was none other than Komori, looking just as peppy and squishable as she always did.

“Oh! Someone did it! One of you finally killed! I wasn’t expectin’ you guys to off that sweetie teacher but I guess it works. Eheh…. It was about time one of you took this sewiously anyways! Since a murder has occurred I’ll go ahead and explain the next part to you all!”

“When three people discover the body the game moves into the next section: investigation mode. I’ll be giving you all a couple hours to thoroughly investigate the murder. After that we will be moving on to the trial portion where you will all use the evidence and clues you found to try and vote for the correct killer! This isn’t optional by the way. You have to do this do don’t twy and weasle your way outta investigating!”

She claps her little bat wings together with a smile.

“It sounds fun doesn’t it? Since everything is more or less explained I’ll go ahead and let you all begin your investigations. I’ll notify your tablets when time is up, okay~? Have fuuun!!!”

“Oh and don’t take any of the evidence away with you either! Or else you’ll get in trouble.”

After that she waddles away once more, leaving you alone with the corps of your teacher. Someone here really murdered Miss Bellerose, huh…? For her sake you better recollect yourself and find out who would have done such a thing.

That and ‘cause Komori more or less ordered you to.

It was the third and final day you had to kill someone before all the bombs in the cavern went off. Days had passed and yet everyone was still alive and in one piece. Would that still last when the morning came? While some simply brushed off the bombs as being nothing more than fake some were feeling quite tense about the whole situation. Would anyone crack under the pressure, not willing to tempt fate itself to see if Komori’s motive was a bluff or not…? After tonight you were certainly going to find out.

As the day came to it’s end you all gradually went to bed one by one. Whether it be early or late, you pushed past any worries of waking up to explosions and eventually drifted off to sleep.  Or in some night owl’s cases you stayed up late in your tent. Either way the hours passed by in a flash, and when the morning finally came…

You woke up. Alive and not covered in a bunch of cave debris.

But more importantly you woke up to the sound of a distant scream echoing throughout the cave. As you all quickly collected your bearings and got dressed you checked your tablets. The day had indeed passed and it was early morning. The lights having only come on almost an hour ago. If you all survived to the next day then what was all the commotion about?

Soon you all gathered to the dining hall where the screams had originated from and saw Iyona and Toyo standing there, looking down at the ground intensely. As you got closer you soon realized what exactly was wrong…

It had been a couple days since your ‘caretaker’ had made her presence known and explained the killing game to you all. As expected no one had actually killed each other. So when the morning came where Komori had sent a message out to you all asking for everyone to meet her by the lake you prepared for the worst

As you all exited your tents and gathered by the lake you saw Komori standing there. As she began to speak the bat’s usual peppy expression turns to one of frustration… Well, as frustrated as a toy bat the size of a toddler can look at any rate.

“Students… I’m vewy disappointed in you all… None of you have killed each other yet! Don’t you realize we have a game to play hewe?! I know you all must want to stay down hewe with your lovely caretaker Komori-chan so much but you’re making this hard on me as well! 

Komori lets out an exasperated huff.

“But it’s okay… Because I love you all vewy much I’ve decided I’d help you out some more with a little… Incentive.”

Reaching behind her Komori reaches into the bag she had brought with her. You can hear the rustling of various objects before Komori eventually pulls out a small handheld control device.

“And what’s a better way to motivate you all than with a bang~!”

With that she dramatically clicks the button with her squishy little wing. All of a sudden you can hear the faint sound of multiple devices ticking echoing throughout the cave. As you all look around you spot various metal and wire fixtures on the wall that weren’t there the night before. All of them have a small digital clock on them that seems to be counting down. Suddenly the realization of what Komori meant hits you like a truck.

Were those all bombs?!

“While you were all asleep I went ahead and put a bunch of these bombs all over the cavern walls. As you can already tell they’re all set on a timer that I just activated~! So if someone doesn’t kill within three days then the bombs will all explode, causing a cave in that will kill you all.”

Komori couldn’t be serious about this, could she? There’s no way she’d be willing you risk getting you all killed… Right?!

“I think the choice here is pretty clear, yes yes~? One widdle life must be snuffed out in order to save you all! I’m positive one of you will step up to the plate sooner than later.”

“And one more thing- Don’t you even think about trying to disarm the bombs!! They’re rigged to explode if anyone tries to tamper or move them… I’ve also put some of them in the labyrinth so you can’t hide out there either.”

She gives you all a sympathetic wave.

“Okay! That’s all everyone, you are dismissed. I hope to see some results within the coming days…!”

With that she squeakily waddles away, bag in tow. The bombs countdown continued to tick ominously in the background as you are left once more to your own devices. You had three days left before the bombs would go off. Hopefully Komori was bluffing, but if she wasn’t then…

Whenever you return to your tents you all find a simple tablet sitting on your sleeping bag. It doesn’t have many features on it- just the Komori Guidelines, public bios of your fellow classmates, a map of the cavern, and even a little messaging feature! Though it looks like you can only message one person at a time.

Opening up the Komori Guidelines you’re greeted with a set of rules.

Students are not to harm Komori in any way. Doing so will result in a punishment.

It is encouraged that students don’t go around breaking property willy nilly. They are the ones have to live here after all.

All lights will be turned off at 11PM and will be turned back on at 6AM. Students are not required to be in their tents at this time but it is encouraged- there may be a killer roaming these caves after all!

Students must sleep in their own assigned tent and in no one else’s.

Students are only allowed one tablet. If a student somehow lose their tablet or accidentally damages it then it will not be replaced.

Purposely breaking tablets outside of murders is not allowed.

If students wish to enter the labyrinth then only groups of five students max may enter at a time.

If any students gets injured while exploring the labyrinth at any point then they are to sit tight until Komori comes and fetches them.

“Um… Are you referring to me?”

Standing yet again pretty far from the rest of you was the girl you had come to know as Akane. She blinked at Komori incredulously as the bat pointed at her. Komori nodded and began stomping squeakily towards the girl.

“Yes! This game is only for Hope’s Peak Academy’s 76th class to participate in, and you don’t even belong here! I don’t know what you think you’re doing here but since outsiders aren’t permitted to participate in the game…”

As if on cue; dozens of razor sharp claws suddenly, and rather comically, extruded from Komori’s wings as she gave Akane a devilish stare.

“You’ll have to be disposed of~!”

“W-What? You can’t be serious-!”

Unfortunately Akane never got the chance to finish before Komori was lunging at her at an unreal speed. What happened next was almost too fast and hectic to make out. As Komori slashed and attacked the girl in a frenzy all you could hear was blood curdling screams as blood splattered the ground and ceiling all around you. When it was all over you heard a hard ‘thump’ and saw Akane collapse to the ground in a puddle of her own blood as Komori landed a couple feet away.

With deep gashes and stab wounds all over, Akane stared up at the ceiling with pained wheezes and gasps as she quickly bled out. In her final moments you could have sworn you saw her murmuring something as the light faded from her eyes.

The strange girl who you barely got to know was dead, and she had died right before your very eyes.

…

“…Oh deary me, I may have gotten a little carried away there. I’m so vewy sowwy you had to see that! …Well! Regardless of the messiness of it all let this all be a lesson to you all my dears~ I am very serious and the Mutual Killing Game will be happening.”

“For now I’m gonna go wash myself off before cleaning up this place. I will also be dropping off your own personal Komori Tablets in your tent- they have the rules, guidelines, and a bunch of nifty features on them so I suggest checking them out. If you need anything else in the meantime don’t hesitate to ask~!”

With that Komori finally leaves you all be. After a display like that you’re not sure what to think.  Komori’s explanation, the mutual killing game, Akane’s sudden death- what was the meaning of this all? You could only hope that no one would actually participate in this messed up game Komori had planned for you.

Just what kind of cruel twist of fate was this…?

Before you had the chance to look the iron door in front of you all suddenly ‘clicks’ before slamming open. There you all see a small plush looking bat standing in the entry way. The squeaks of her steps echoed throughout the cavern as she waddled over to you in concern.

“Phew… Oh thank goodness you’re all still here in one piece! I was so worried something might have happened to you all! I’m so vewy sowwy! I won’t ever leave you guys again!”

“…Oh! I’m sowwy, I didn’t even introduce myself yet! I’m Komori~! I’m going to be your personal caretaker during your stay here.”

As the bat spread out her wings enthusiastically at you her words suddenly hit you… Your stay here? What? Seeing the confused looks on your faces Komori continued on.

“Ah! Now now now… You may be asking yourselves, 'Oh no! What is our widdle sweet Komori-chan talking about?’ I know it’s a lot to take in, but, well… You’ll be staying down here with me, permanently.”

“I know a lot of you must be feeling homesick but you must understand…The world as you know it isn’t the same anymore. It’s so dangerous and scawy now, there is nothing left for you back up there but heartbreak and despair… But it’s okay! None of you have to worry because you’ll all be safe here with me! It might be hard but try to think of this place as your new home. If you need anything at all pwease don’t be afraid to ask! I’m here to ensure your well being after all~!”

You could feel the dread in the pits on your stomachs the more Komori spoke. What did she mean the world wasn’t the same anymore? Were you truly going to be forced to stay down here forever? Live the rest of your days in some dingy underground cave that was god knows where? Could this truly be happening to all of you? As you shared uneasy glances with the rest of your classmate your 'caretaker’ spoke up.

“…But, there is one exception. I realize some of you might not be as willing to stay down here fowever with me. If you truly want to go back home then all you gotta do is win a wittle game we’ll all be playing!”

A game? Just what was she talking about this time?

“It can get pwetty drab and boring spending all your time down here so I’ve prepared a little game for everyone to play! This game isn’t optional either- you all gotta play or else it won’t be any fun, okay? The rules are vewy simple…!”

“If you want to leave the cavern and return to the outside world then you must kill one of your fellow classmates and get away with it. Failing to do so will result in your own death as well. Simple enough, yes? You all must participate in our mutual killing game if you ever wish to leave this place. Breaking any rules or attempting to harm me will also result in your death as well.”

Despite Komori’s cheery smile you could only feel your blood run cold. Mutual killing game…? There was no way any of this could be real- This was all so twisted and absurd. Surely there has to be another way out of here. You weren’t actually going to have to go through something so sick and terrible down here, were you?

“…Though I’ve found that you kids don’t tend to believe me when I explain the nature of this game, fyuuu… And there is one other issue we need to take care of before we can begin. Hmm… Oh! I got it! I think a demonstration is in order!”

Just what was she going to do? Before you could inquire further Komori looked out into the crowd of you all and pointed at someone.

It had only been a couple hours since you all woke up before your teacher Miss Bellerose gathered you all together once more. She sounded urgent but still calm

“Hello? Students? Can you please come over here for a short while? I have something to discuss with you all!”

Thanks to how wide open the cavern was it didn’t take you all long to gather next to the iron door where your teacher was standing by. Clasping her hands together Bellerose looked to you all with a reassuring smile.

“I’ve done a lot of looking and I can only presume that this door may be the way for us to escape… However I cannot seem to find the method to opening it. I’m still searching for other means of an exit but for now… I believe this is our only  way out. I don’t see a key hole or a control pad… So I’m assuming there must be another way to open it…”

Before Bellerose could continue any further however, you all heard a tiny shrill squeaking sound coming from behind the door. As you looked among yourself wondering what on Earth was that you hear the pitter patter of squeaks and someone in a panic.

“Oh no! I’m late I’m late I’m late! Uwaaaa-!”

Oh God not the swords! Yet  MIUNHŌSEI would actually be quite thrilled to see some swords in real life! Actually functional swords that aren’t just a decorative conversational piece, that is. Though whether he’d be able to handle wielding a sword in real life remains yet to be seen.

“Cannot say those types of training techniques are unfamiliar to me if I am being honest! I cannot say that I have actually experienced anything as intensely as that, but if I had to I’d say I wouldn’t complain either. After all a strong training is the basis for the skills you accrued over time, yes? Without having gone through that you perhaps wouldn’t even be who you are now. The fact you completed such a rigorous training only reinforces the idea that you are truly strong.”

If she was expecting him to fuzz over the training she received, she’d be wrong! If anything MIUNHŌSEI only seems impressed by it. He wonders if he could ever complete a training like that if he were put through that. He wants to say ‘no’ to himself and yet he finds himself excited over the idea, actually!

“I am only as nice as the person I am talking with. You are a sweetheart yourself as well, Tsukiko-dono, but your compliments are not lost on me, and I thank you deeply for your kind words towards me! I shall do my best to not disappoint you! By the way, I love the scarf you’re carrying. It seems very comfortable and warm. Did you knit it yourself perhaps? It does not look like any model I have ever laid eyes on.”

The make-believe sky… How he wishes it were the real one and not, well, whatever this is… A cavern? A lake? A cavern with a lake that sparkles? It was simply too much for him to try to process right now.

“It’d be my honor to visit the country with you. As for your comment, yes I suppose that is a way to interpret it. Perhaps that is why your eyes are so clear, Tsukiko-dono. Because you possess a pure and carefree, gentle soul. The best of its kind even, perhaps!”

He’s in luck because guess who doesn’t mind borrowing her swords to people. Well, if they were here at least, alas… that’ll have to wait until another  time… maybe even lifetime.

“Yeah! I wasn’t born swingin’ a sword, or anythin’, despite the name.”, she admittedly had interest in them from early on but still, “I ain’t sure strong is what I’d just here, more, y’know…”, she doesn’t finish that sentence. Very helpful, Tsurugi.

She really did miss that sort of thing already, not that she did it daily, but the cave was so comparatively small to it.

“Hehe”, it’s good she can giggle and not just laugh like that, “I’m just bein’ myself, really, but thankies!”, the smile on her face grows a little more. “Not me, no! My ma made it for me so I try to never take it off or at least keep it close by, ya know? Wouldn’t want anythin’ happenin’ to it jus’ ‘cause I’m so clumsy.”

She kind of wants to reach for it, jumping and touch the ceiling, of course, it’s impossible, but she can’t help but stretch her arm towards it and close her hand into a fist, as if grasping a star.

Not a single one of them? Does she just have an entire rack of swords or something? It would be quite concerning if she did have one of those in here! But at the same time, she probably could’ve cut through that elevator or that weird iron door lodged in the cave if she had them. So does that mean someone took them from her on purpose? There’s a lot of mysteries in this small cave he’s come to realize… He even chinhands as he thinks about this… That is until she brings him back to reality!

“Hm? Oh, yes, that term! Truth is I am unaware of its origins or what the significance behind it is. It is just something I hear some of my former Masters say. Still, to give the credit not only to yourself but even those that helped guide you to where you are now is truly a noble thing, Tsukiko-dono. You remind me of a samurai with how honorable you are..!”

He can already imagine her standing in full samurai armor and tearing havoc with not one but two swords! Probably to her surprise, he doesn’t seem at all shocked or surprised or even judgmental of her laughter! He just soaks it in and then…

“Hahahahaha! In that case people have been mistreating you! Everyone could use a compliment once in a while, you included of course! But mine come from the heart, so please trust me when I say I do mean everything I say! Hahahahaha!”

Is he… Ugly laughing in conjunction with her? Yes, he is! It’s certainly not as loud or energetic as she is, but he’s still throwing his head back like she is! After all he doesn’t want her to feel like she’s alone in her laughing! Besides, he’s been through worse! An unorthodox laugh like that doesn’t mean much to him! Everyone is different in their own way, after all.

“It’s got nothing to do with the color in your eyes, silly! It’s about what I see in them! From our brief conversation I’ve already learned how much of a delightful person you are, Tsukiko-dono! I’m truly lucky to have met you!– Ah, but… That sounds so peaceful… Perhaps I shall accompany you after we exit this cave so we can gaze at the night sky together! Truth be told, I could use a vacation, and I very much wouldn’t complain if it were one where I could stare at the sky without the troublesome city lights.”

Oh boy, you're in for a surprise for when you decide to ask that question. But the answer is yes. She has a collection of them, waiting for her return. Or not. We’ll see in due time.

“Your masters teach such things? Strange! Mine only taught me the sword and such things, really, or instruct me to do things like run up and down a mountain in the snow while carryi’ as many sacks full of bags of rice as  I could, builds stamina and character or so I’ve been told.”

She smiles at the memory, though, her training probably sounds intense to say the least but she never once complained and she is not about to start now.

“Aw, I ain’t think I’m so strict to be followin’ stuff like bushido, for example I ain’t fancy myself very courageous.”, she shrugs, her fears being quite silly in fact, “thanks again though! Ya sure got nothin’ but good stuff to say about everyone else, hehe. Yer a nice fellow, you know that?”

She grins as she hears his laughter, were it an act or an attempt at comfort, it’d completely escape her notice, and she naturally assumes it as a natural, honest laugh.

She continued to scan the make-believe sky.

“You can’t train here? Well I suppose that is possible depending on the kind of training you were aiming to do! Physical exercise? Mental exercises? Perhaps even some yoga? If you are in need of either of those please do not hesitate to ask me for assistance! Otherwise I’d do nothing but bring shame to my title of SHSL Etiquette Consultant! Besides, I’m pretty sharp myself I’d say! I know that I look perhaps a bit like a ‘skinny legend’ to use a modern term, but I assure you I am at my peak!”

He even flexes! It looks kind of silly considering his arm is almost like a twig, but there’s certainly muscle mass in there! Probably not as much as she has though considering how daily she swings around a sword! He even expresses surprise when she mentions what it is that she exactly does! He even chuckles to himself.

“Sword training then! Yes I suppose I can understand that! Still, attaining such a title at your age? You’re an inspiration and a role model as well then! Let’s both do our best together, Tsukino-dono! I am glad to find out that I wasn’t mistaken; you truly do have very warm and kind eyes!”

Seems like he either didn’t catch her being from the countryside… Or he did catch up and avoided bringing it up! If she didn’t mention it more directly it was for a reason after all, right? It wouldn’t be of any good to speak about a topic she herself seems to be avoiding! He nods his head though. He did find her way of speaking charming! Due to his work he rarely gets to hang out with others that aren’t from the city.

“I do! Your giggles, energy and appearance are all adorable! Yet you possess a lot of strength and stamina if you can swing a sword and run across this place without getting exhausted. I suppose this just means you have a lot of surprises within you! How is it by the way? Seeing the night sky without all the lights… I imagine it is lovely, yes? I’ve always loved nature. It’s so much more different from the city, after all.”

“I ain’t got my swords, not a single one of ‘em.”, she explains, “I do mediate sometimes, ‘cus I’m pretty dang good at emptying my head, gawahahaha!”, she’s mostly joking, but she does indeed do yoga and the like, “But I like to do it after training so it feels a lil’ moot, right now. Thanks for offerin’ help though, means a bunch! No idea what a skinny legend is but!”

She gives a smile and a thumbs up. She isn’t too worried, her blade wouldn’t dull so easily, and if nothing else, she can still do every other exercise.

“Aww, thanks so much! It’s not like I did all by myself, though, I had buncha trainin’ from friends and my ma worked and keeps working hard for me to ‘ave the chance to be ‘ere. Or er, ya know, Hope’s Peak. Not the cave, anyway! Thanks! I ain’t sure I’m all that stuff or anythin’ but I try!”

Complimenting her giggles of all things is strange when she… laughs like….

“Gawahahaha!”, she throws her head back a bit, staring at the ceiling, “It’s kinda embarrassing bein’ complimented so much, a rarity too.”, she runs her fingers through her comically long scarf, “but I’ll take it! I think I get ye olde brown eyes only though, haha!”

She again fixates on the ceiling now that he mentioned it again.

That was quick, and certainly energetic too! MIUNHŌSEI wasn’t honestly expecting her to be so quick to agree! But he finds that rather sweet, actually. He hopes he wasn’t mistaken about her, but if her attitude so far is to be believed, then he highly doubts that this is the case! She certainly was quick to put a smile on his face!

“Really? I’m surprised. I’m rather stressed, but that is because this place doesn’t allow me to fully operate to the full extent of my abilities. It is rather… Stressful if I may be so honest, knowing you can do so much more and yet, due to circumstances entirely out of your control, you cannot do that. I’ve found that in just one day this place’s plagued me so. But thank you, your companionship does a lot to ease the burden..!”

He giggles. She really seems to be a kind of lackadaisical type of person! Maybe she’s just never experienced high-tension situations like these before? That would make sense… Then again though, he doesn’t know what troubles she’s been through, if any at all. It would do well to get to know her better considering they’re going to be cavemates! Of course, he returns the handshake just as firmly as hers! She has been studying the blade, after all.

“My Title is Etiquette Consultant by the way. Tsukiko-dono, if you do not mind me prying, what’s your Talent? Ah, but… You are right, it is peaceful. If only we could see the real night sky and not an imitation though… Are you fond of stargazing as well? I find myself doing it whenever I’m exhausted. By the way, if I may be so blunt, I adore the way you speak! It is very charming!”

He really has nothing but compliments for the people in here doesn’t he.

Tsurugi is nothing if not quick and energetic indeed, and carefree. Like, far too carefree for her own good as well as everyone else’s.

“Oohhh, yeah that makes sense… I’m annoyed I can’t train ‘ere. I ain’t even got any swords on me or anythin’.”, she pauses, “I coulda prob’aly run laps though and that sorta thing, but it ain’t the same.”

Oh well. It’s not like they were in any danger in her mind.

“But yeah!”, she perks up, nodding at the other, “it’s nice there’s folks ‘round to chat with!”

She raises an eyebrow. “Fancy tittle ya got there!”, her hand travels along her scarf, “I’m the fencer of the group, y’know like stabby stabby.”S

She gestures as if she had a sword, though not a lot, seeing as she had sat down.

“Yeppers, from where I’m from, ya can see the night sky without all the lights”, she doesn’t like people knowing she’s from the country, but she doesn’t realize this is giving it away, either. “So it feels kinda peaceful ‘ere!”

MIUNHŌSEI was honestly lost at this point. He didn’t know what to do or what to say and accepting these circumstances they’ve all suddenly found themselves in is the last thing he wants to do, but seeing as there’s almost no choice but to do so, he decides to return to the one place that he found some modicum of sincere happiness in: the Moondrop Lake. There was just something… Bizarre about this lake that kept drawing him in. A certain allure. A mystery.

Not unlike himself, now that he thinks about it. The same mysterious allure that keeps drawing others to himself too, he thinks. But he’s not going to bother trying to use those fishing rods. He knows the waters look far too still and undisturbed for there to be any actual fishes swimming. At least the place was rather chilly, but surprisingly comfortable. He almost finds himself lost in the crystal clear waters as he sits in front of the edge, cross-legged. 

Even then though his senses tells him someone’s nearby, and quickly turning around to wave, it seems he wasn’t wrong! There really was someone going around! He doesn’t know much about this one, but her eyes seem trustworthy somehow! Maybe it’s because of the way she’s carrying herself? He doesn’t know. For all he knows he could be completely and entirely wrong! Still, he finds himself waving her over.

“Are you feeling restless too? If so, I can understand that… There isn’t much to do huh… Ah, sorry if this is an awkward way to talk with you! I’m not very good at social interactions I’m afraid. My naem is MIUNHŌSEI though! Would you mind joining me if that’s okay? A conversation would be nice if I’m being honest. Besides, this lake is pretty! I think you would like it.”

It did so much, that she almost ignored them for a second until she snapped back to reality and waved back with a big smile on her face, running to the other with that agility so common to her.

“Nah, I’m doin’ pretty okay!”, and indeed, her tone carries nothing but a lack baid attitude to it, and she promptly sits down, much faster than her clothes would seemingly allow her to, “I ain’t mind, no!”, she offers a handshake, “Pleasure! I’m Tsurugi Tsukiko! “

She nods, looking to the lake.