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closed ✯ you know who this is for.
[ Death was not a new concept to the person known as the Super High School Level Detective. The idea of being dead wasn't either, given the fact that he had a "memory" - he knew better now that the truth was revealed about the Flashback Lights - of telling himself that he wanted to die; a feeling that now made him sick to his stomach. But never in his dreams did he think that not only would death come to him swiftly, it would also give him a reward for dying, too.
"You are now a god," they told him. "Go and find your vessel."
That raised many questions as a skeptic of the occult. Hell, he didn't exactly believe in Atua, either. He was of course warned that once he found the vessel, he'd be able to see their memories, their life stories. He would also have to give them a name; one different from the name that they had while they were alive.
The idea that he would be able to see every last bit of their life made his skin crawl. It was intruding on something that he dared not tread, an impolite gesture. Even if he knew that if he retorted with that, they would just simply argue that a god had the right. After all, they were a god.
He doesn't know what to expect for a vessel. Honestly, Saihara thinks that perhaps the first spirit he'll find is one that is unfamiliar to him.
But naturally, he doesn't have the luck as his eyes find a familiar face. One whose expression he hadn't seen in what feels like ages. It's not like the wax model of her that Angie made and Shinguji stabbed to create a locked room murder. There's something about her that's full of life - in a way, given that she was dead, that she was a spirit - but then he suddenly freezes up.
Because he knows that if she's a wandering spirit like this, she won't recall a single thing. Not about the Killing Life in that school, Monokuma, or even him. The idea twists in his chest to the point where it's almost painful. But if she is a roaming spirit, he has to get to her before anybody - or anything - does, so he starts to run, his feet moving faster with each step he takes.
Eventually, he reaches her -- he's slightly out of breath, but it's not enough to slow him down too much. He's done evening training just for this, he supposes. The idea of seeing her again makes his mind reel, but at the same time, he tells himself that it's probably for the best that he pretends that he doesn't know her. To play the role of a stranger, instead of a former friend.
He knows who she is. And who she decided to become. ]
Ah, excuse me...
[ The words are tight in his throat, but he manages to speak irregardless. It hurts so much just to even form words for her. This was not the way they were supposed to meet again. In fact, they shouldn't have met a second time at all. Not after she died. Even if he wished for it so much, from the bottom of his heart.
But he knew full well that the dead could not be resurrected. In a way, this is confirming his thoughts. ]
You're on your own, aren't you?
[ It's awkward, the way he says it. But he tries to exude an aura of confidence as he straightens himself out, although he knows it won't work for him very well. He's trying. ]
not the icon I needed but please don't fail me dw tools
But... It's not him, but the sound of his voice that makes Akamatsu pause. There's something in it that she can't quite place, and yet it stirs a strange feeling in her chest. She wants to make it go away, so she smiles at him like that'll help dismiss it.]
I am, but... How did you know that?
[How did you know that... when I don't even know anything about myself?
Because that's something she has to assume. There's nobody else with her, but how can she really be sure when all she knows is her name? It's scary when she thinks about it, so she pushes it from her mind.]
dw tools has yet to fail you
But he's not going to give up on her. Not when he's come so far to finally not give up on himself.
So he smiles himself, albeit something a little more awkward, a little shier. Maybe it's because he's with her that he's reverting to his old ways, just a little, but— ]
There's no one else here but us, right?
[ Maybe it's better that she doesn't remember. That way she doesn't need to deal with the pain, the suffering of that place. And this time... he can protect her. ]
...
[ He doesn't know what to say, and he curses himself inwardly about it. He shouldn't be putting on any airs of familiarity because that would make her suspicious. Think that he really does know something about her that she doesn't know and try to get him to spill.
So he tries to work his mouth, get it to say words, to say anything- ]
I'm... [ A detective, he doesn't say. Your friend, he doesn't admit. He swallows hard before finally committing to this: ] ... a god.
[ He doesn't know if she'll believe him, and honestly? Maybe she won't, given the crazy situation they've been thrown into. But he's trying to be sincere as possible, even if comes off a little more unsure than it would have been if anybody else had said it. ]
Gods know everything, right?
[ Saihara, why are you saying that as if you hadn't just become one... ]
Like, I know if you stay here and we don't make a contract, you'll be in big danger. Apparently there's these creatures called the ayakashi around that will corrupt a person's spirit. And... if I don't make a pact with someone and fight them, they'll just keep showing up. I know what I'm asking you is strange since we're strangers- [ and that hurts to say ] but I want you to trust me. If you can help me out, I promise. I'll protect you.
[ Like he failed to do before. This time, he won't fail. ]
God bless
[But then her laughter trails off into wide eyes before she yelps and flails her arms.]
O-oh, oh no! I'm sorry if I was disrespectful at all, Kami-sama! Is that how I should address you...? I’m not really sure, I don't think ever met a god before... Or if I have, I don't remember...
[The slight unsurety in his voice doesn't even register with Akamatsu. But... She believes in him. She really, really believes in him for some reason.
There's a lot going on that she doesn't know. But Akamatsu is going to trust her gut on this, and she all but says as much.]
I'm going to trust you, though. It's pretty kind of you to be concerned about me being in danger, after all.
[She giggles, and only then remembers herself. Kaede what are you doing ohmyGodyoucan’tteaseagod.]
W-wait, sorry, that might've been disrespectful to say it like that... But it is kind. Really. So I'll believe in what you’re telling me. And if you want me to make a pact with you, then let's do it.
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He hopes she doesn't notice.
No, please don't notice. ]
Ah... you can just call me Saihara. Saihara Shuuichi, that's my name.
[ It probably doesn't sound too god-like, but he would rather introduce himself by his real name over the god name that he was given - Fugen, the god of truth.
But it's only when she admits to trusting him that he finally looks at her again, the flush slowly sweeping off his cheeks as he smiles brightly at her. ]
Okay. If you're going to trust me... I'll make the pact with you. Just give me your true name and I'll give you a vessel name that suits you.
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Ah... Maybe I'll get in trouble for saying this, but... It's cute your face is so red.
[She giggles, part of it nerves and part of it just finding him endearing. She doesn't know if it’s okay to think of him as a cute god, but the thought is unavoidable. He really is.]
Ah... [She'd been expecting something less... normal, for a name? Less human? But Akamatsu doesn't have any complaints. It's a nice sounding name.] Saihara-sama it is, then!
[It feels funny in her mouth. Or rather, the honorific specifically does.
But that’s silly, isn't it? That's ridiculous. She doesn't have any reason for it to feel strange.]
Thank you for coming to me when I didn't know what to do, Saihara-sama. From here on, I'll be putting all of my faith in you.
[She takes a deep breath, because she doesn't know what the result of this pact will be, but it feels like something she needs to brace herself for.]
My name is Akamatsu Kaede.
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[ He's definitely caught completely off guard as he finds himself almost jerking in slight surprise. Maybe it's the fact that she's calling him cute, or perhaps it's the honorific, it's kind of embarrassing regardless.
Swallowing hard, she introduces herself. He knows her name. He's known for a while now, and it's a name that he'd never forget.
He has to call her by her name for the pact. Her first name. Even if he's a god, he just became one, so this is legitimately embarrassing. ]
I'm not really cute... [ But let him clear his throat first as he nods, closing his eyes as he concentrates, writing the kanji out in the air, glowing a faint blue color - Fuuki (楓器). ] Your human name, Kaede. And now your vessel name is Fuuki!
[ He has absolutely no idea what she'll become as a vessel - although he swears if she becomes a piano he will find that ironic - but he hopes that whatever she ends up becoming will definitely be beautiful.
Although he's relieved that even as a new god, he knows how to turn her back to a human shape in case her vessel form isn't needed. ]
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But then her eyelids flutter shut, the last thing she sees being a soft lavender light and the face of the God who now rules over her, Saihara Shuuichi.
When the transformation is done, Saihara will find on his Person what looks like a portable, purple keyboard with a strap attached. Surprise...?]
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If only because that was his first time calling her by her first name that he's pretty much shocked at himself. But it was something that was necessary for the incantation to make her his vessel, or at least, that's what he was told.
But.
He's definitely surprised at what appears on him. That's- ]
You're... these are called keytars, right? Or at least, that's what I think they are. I don't know how useful this would be in fighting the ayakashi, but the pact's done and there's none around for now, so I guess you can turn back now.
[ Although he realizes what he has to do to turn her back and he finds his cheeks burning bright again. ]
... Kaede.
[ Using her human name should work, he's pretty certain. That's what he was told, anyway. But it makes it feel so ridiculously intimate, even if he knows it's not like that in the slightest bit. ]
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She never does get to try out speaking, because then Saihara is calling her by her name and in another flutter of light, she's back to her normal self. There's things she would've been curious to try, but she isn't against this development either. It's good to be herself again!]
Wah, what a unique experience that was...! I don't think it was bad, but... Wow. [It''s a little shaky, but the smile she manages is genuine.] Saihara-sama, you should try playing me next time. I want to know what I sound like!
[She isn't quite sure where the feeling comes from suddenly, but... Akamatsu hopes that her music would be pretty.]
At any rate, if you need me to fight them for you, then we'll figure something out. No matter what, I'll definitely find a way to help you.
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[ He says that without even the slightest bit of hesitation in his voice, fully determined to protect her. Even though he wants to tell her that she doesn't have to call him Saihara-sama, he can't bring himself to. If only because of the expression that plays across her face.
She's smiling.
He can't bring himself to break that smile. ]
But I'm sure that you'll sound beautiful, Akamatsu-san. Anyway, now that we got that out of the way... we should probably head back at least. Since you probably should at least see my shrine.
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Geez, how can you say something so smooth so effortlessly... [She's almost pouting a bit, honestly.] That's not fair at all.
[Maybe this is some kind of poetic justice for saying he was cute earlier.]
That's really neat, though, that you have your own shrine! What does it look like? And... where is it, exactly?
[Not that knowing will help, exactly. It's not like her own memories are doing much good in this regard.]
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[ Although seeing the flush on her cheeks is a little amusing in its own right, but he feels that if he voices that, he might get justice right back. ]
As for my shrine, I... haven't actually checked yet. They did tell me where it was, though, so we can check it out together.
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[What is she supposed to do if he asks that?! She wasn't prepared for that!]
It- just isn't! I-I mean... You're a god, so of course you're supposed to be really cool and impressive... But that's really overwhelming when I'm just meeting you, you know!
[She stops being flustered long enough to huff, but she'll bounce back from it pretty quickly.]
It'll be a bit of an adventure, then! It's exciting that it'll be the first time for both of us.
[As happy as she is, Akamatsu rubs the back of her neck after a moment.]
Hah, it's sort of strange, though... I can't even remember anything about myself besides my name, and yet I can still have an idea of what a shrine is... Isn't it kind of weird?