bilocation | shout out your love! now, hero!

[A-ya props his head up in his hand. Good, she liked it. But more important, as always, are her thoughts, the way she interprets it. What does B-ko, unguarded in this moment, think?]

What sort of horrible thing could that be though? Isn't that the most chilling part? Anything imaginable probably isn't it. Maybe something only the dead can know that could throw people into despair...

[At this moment, in the lull after the story, she doesn't have to focus on herself. A-ya doesn't want any fake reactions, a pleasant "you're right" or "that's interesting." What he wants--and what she rarely gives--are her own thoughts. She can speak as freely as she likes, even if he gives her that mean smirk in return.]

Something worse than death, even. [She speaks softly. The atmosphere almost seems to demand it.] What a spiteful ghost.

Targeting happy lovers, it's obvious what sort of history she must have.

[Something surprising that he's been slowly confirming with these meetings is B-ko's 'soft' side. It's so normal that he should be disappointed. Instead, he wonders what type of person that actually makes her.]

Who's she to judge who's happy or not, anyway? I bet she's the sort who picks on others who had similar relationships to her. [She huffs, as if that settles that.] It's petty.

[Though she would never admit to herself that what she does, ducking beneath these sorts of masks, would be on the same level of pettiness.]

[He can't help smiling. Her reactions really are so much fun. Watching her mind jump to conclusions allows him to read her.]

So, you thought something like that, huh? What kind of relationship do you think she had?

[She points a finger.] It's obvious, isn't it? It was probably something she thought was perfect at first. Or others thought it was, and it fell apart while they acted like it was great. That's the most common relationship.

So the whole relationship was a lie from the start. I see. If she can't stand that lie, just seeing it hurts her. Or something like that. What a bitter outlook on relationships... not that I know about them.

Of course you wouldn't know. You're the most pessimistic out of our group. I've never seen you around with anyone else except C-ta.

[The conversation could turn to be about him easily but he doesn't let it.] Despite that, you're the one who just made a very pessimistic statement about relationships.

[On the other hand, she's a little peeved and pleased that the attention's on her.]

Hey, what are you trying to say? I'm not the one on the bottom of the food chain here...

[No point in denying that since he doesn't care.]

So you should have enough guys to pick from that you could find one that would make you happy.

[--no, never mind, she doesn't want this attention at all.]

Are you kidding me? Half of them can't say their own names right.

[He can't help laughing.]

A lot of them were angry at me. A no one getting the famous B-ko's attention. Well, there are popular boys but none that match you anyway. They're all in another quadrant compared to you.

[Ah. Wait. Had the rumors gotten that bad? Was that what A-ya had been hinting at when he said the attention had been bothering him? Her class was full of stupid jocks, anyway, and stupid jocks had a tendency to do stupid things-- no, she's not focusing on that. That's already been taken care of. It's not important! She doesn't care if he was harassed. He deserved to be harassed with the way he treated people, like they were some sort of rumor-spreading tools?!

... but at the same time, what's he implying by saying that no popular boy could match her? It's the sort of straightforward compliment she'd expect from D-ne, not A-ya. Yet there's this unpleasant feeling growing in her chest, making her face heat.

What did he expect?? She was the most popular girl at school. Of course he'd get picked on! He brought it on himself... but for some reason, it's almost... flattering?

B-ko doesn't get it. She doesn't get it at all.]

[None of that shows, however, save for a slight flush. Her mask is solid.]

Was that an attempt to flirt with me? Besides, you should know that hanging out with me is bound to get you into trouble with your status.

[That mask spares her any of A-ya's thoughts on it. The flush is enough to amuse him. What did he say to earn that? Is it just an expression of pride at her hard won status? Though it didn't sound like flirting to him. Was it similar?]

Even if I don't like attention, it still isn't hard to go by unnoticed. I have a lot of practice. Again, you managed to concoct a rumour and spread it through sheer strength of will, without any art but just raw determination...

[Added, with a slight wave of his hand:] Anyway, that wasn't flirting. It was an observation. My observations about you aren't wrong. You're truly interesting, a rarity in this dull, routine world. That's right, things are a little less washed out because of someone as fun as you.

[B-ko's heard variations of those lines countless times before. 'You're special. You're fun. You're amazing.' Her friends, no matter where she moved, parroted those compliments over and over again. And that's what she wanted to hear. If they gave her those meaningless praises it meant that the image she sought to present was perfect.

She was perfect.

It's still strange. The way he tells her these things make a strange rush of heat rise to the tips of her ears. Everything about him suggests that it isn't sincere-- no, that's not quite right. The way he presents it makes it seem like an objective fact, even if that smile of his mocks her for it. People only gave her praise when she performed the right way. That was how an imposter lived.

A-ya wasn't supposed to compliment her when she shouted at him. A-ya wasn't supposed to accept her so openly. He wasn't supposed to be so interested in her.

But he did. And he was.]

... shut up.

[She elbows his side. There's a dizzy ringing in her head, resounding like a bell. It makes it hard to think straight.] I don't know what I expected. I figured a guy who gets off on rumors would have a tendency to exaggerate.

[He grunts, covering his now throbbing side. Well, he should have seen that coming. It's how she always reacts to him: violently.

Though, he really doesn't understand what it means. She doesn't shove around D-ne or C-ta. Is it supposed to be some sign of closeness?

Ah. Why did he jump to that conclusion? Simply because of the way they spend time together doesn't mean anything. There's no reason for him to think of them as 'close' even if they share a similar passion for this hobby.

So, why did he wonder that...?

Rubbing his side, A-ya shakes his head.]

When it comes to analysing a person, objectivity is important. Compared to my previous mundane days before taking an interest in you, these ones are more remarkable.

[That's all there is to it. This boring everyday life is just a little less so because of B-ko's strange character. That's all, isn't it?

Either to push the topic away from this or to accomplish something unknown to him, he adds more before she can speak or hit him again.]

I created that rumour I told you just now, about the suicide couples. I made it up on the way here for you.

[A-ya spreads rumors about her constantly. It's almost like a regular routine: rumor, realization, anger, repeat. What's with that, anyway? He liked seeing her mad, was that what made his days so remarkable? If that's the case, then maybe...

The thought embarrasses her too much to finish it.]

... I figured it was. [He normally wouldn't tell her right off the bat, or tell her at all. He knew how rumors worked, and it was best if they didn't have a source to trace back to. Essentially, he was smothering this one early by telling her that it was him.

B-ko huffs.]

For me? Didn't you just want to see me squirm over a creepy story?

Not exactly. I thought you would enjoy it.

[Well, isn't that true? But when he thinks about it, crafting a rumour just to ruin it was a little stupid. Next time, he'll spread it first and she can hear it that way. Wouldn't it be fun for her to be the one to approach him and excitedly tell him some rumour she heard?

He'd have to be careful. She knows his signature marks well. But he can do it.

Doing all that just so she can tell him a rumour he already knows...? But, she'd enjoy it. That alone...

...is a very strange thought.]

Though, your reactions are my favourite part.

[The more time she spends with him, the less she understands him.]

You mean when I shout at you and shake you? Weirdo.

It's stranger for you to enjoy doing it to me.

Wh-Who says I enjoy it?!

It's pretty obvious you do. It's that called sadism? Well, I suppose if that's what appeals to you, I won't judge it.

[Oh look he's smirking.]

[Even though it proves his point, she's grabbing him by the collar to shake him to-- to prove that she's not a sadist!!!]

What's with that look on your face?! If you spread that around as a rumor, I-I'll--!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject