WEEK 5

[lockdownmods]

[ You're doing well! In fact, there's a nice message in your inboxes on Sunday reminding you about your midterm evaluations, and how those will be coming very soon. Make sure you're studying! And, of course, there will be support services on campus to help you cope with the stress. The message almost looks like it should go on and list what those services are, but it cuts off abruptly, and that's that.

Meanwhile, the wall is more ominous than it has been in the past. What felt oppressive last week feels oddly eerie, and if you let yourself stay near too long, it feels oddly comforting and calling. Your freedom is just on the other side of the wall, after all. But that's okay, someone has posted a warning outside all buildings to not go near the wall.

Oh well. At least there are new locations to explore!]

LOCATIONS | PROFILES | HAN OFFICE HOURS | MEGUMI OFFICE HOURS

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

Comments

[ososoi]

Yeah, we can check that.

...

Ya still losing your voice, there? [ Oso was drunk and in another room that time so he doesn't know. ]

[whatsmytalentagain]

[See, that's why he wrote down a note about taking a vow of silence on the first page of the notebook.]

[ososoi]

...Ah. 'Kay then.

So, art room it is, then.

[whatsmytalentagain]

[Nod!

Time to walk out of the Home Ec room and maneuver around the elevator!

The art room was not conviniently placed. You following along, Matsuno?]

[ososoi]

[ Yeppers! He's not far behind. ]

So what made ya want to take that vow of silence? Ya just got used to not talkin'?

[whatsmytalentagain]

[He makes a so-so gesture with his free hand. It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's part of it.]

[ososoi]

...Alrighty then.

[ Onwards to the art room! ]

[whatsmytalentagain]

[And so they made it to the art room without incident.

Rantaro makes a beeline to what he thinks are supplies for friendship bracelets and the like. Sure enough, he finds something that could work!

After going through the different choices, he pulls out one spool of black fabric cord and one spool of thin leather cord. Pick your poison.]

[ososoi]

...I might go for that one.

[ Oso chooses the thin leather cord on account of it probably being more durable. He tugs on it a few times. ]

Yeah, this can work!

[whatsmytalentagain]

[Well, there ya go! It is yours.

Rantaro puts the unchosen thread back and starts writing in his notebook again.]

BTW, about your question earlier: I found I take more time to think before I "speak" like this. Plus, more security and sticking it to the jerks pulling the strings here. Whoever's messing with us for the motives.

[He turns the notebook around so Matsuno can see it and looks up...]

[ososoi]

...Hmm. Yeah. [ Wow, Oso is not speaking a lot, is he? But there's a lot on his mind, honestly. ]

[ He fishes out the magatama from his pocket and inspects it. ]

[ Then he keeps staring at it, as if in a trance. ]

[whatsmytalentagain]

Oh...

[It's not hard to see why. Rantaro lets Matsuno stare at that precious little thing for a second. Poor guy... He must have had it real rough...

Rantaro flips through his notebook to one of the pre-written messages before walking up and putting a hand of Matsuno's shoulder.]

Need some help?

[ososoi]

...Ah.

[ He blinks. ]

...It's fine. [ It's not fine. ]

[whatsmytalentagain]

[Rantaro looks Matsuno dead in the eye. There's a clear sense of concern on his face.

You sure you're fine, buddy?]

[ososoi]

[ ... ]

[ Osomatsu wordlessly shifts the leather cord through the small holes in the magatama and holds them out. ]

...It's good enough, right?

[whatsmytalentagain]

[... He slowly nods.

He steps back to write down something.]

How long do you want it?

[ososoi]

You mean the cord?

...About as long as hers. Maybe? Or at least, long enough for a necklace?

[whatsmytalentagain]

Hm...

[He puts his notebook under his arm again and reaches over to touch both ends of the cord.

He pauses and looks up. May he...?]

[ososoi]

...Hmm?

[ Raises an eyebrow. ]

[whatsmytalentagain]

[Tilting his head at the magatama for a sec.]

[ososoi]

Y-Yeah?

[whatsmytalentagain]

[Rantaro's gonna take that as a yes?

Don't mind him as he adjusts the length of the cord so the magatama hangs a little higher than the middle of Matsuno's chest. He should be able to get his head through it so he can remove it in the unlikely case he wants it removed.

How's that?]

[ososoi]

...Yeah, that should do it.

[whatsmytalentagain]

[He nods and ties it off. He used a pretty strong knot, so it shouldn't fall apart on ya.

Rantaro holds up his palm, signaling Matsuno to wait while he gets a pair of scissors to cut the excess cord.]

[ososoi]

[ And so he waits. ]

[ Osomatsu briefly holds onto the magatama, noting how smooth-feeling it is. ]

[ It may not be magical now but it's... almost comforting. Almost. ]