closed ❀ nekodamashi-hen divergence

[miirai]

[...to be honest, Furude Rika -

- if she can even be allowed to call herself that anymore, really -

her heart has basically... been torn to shreds to the point where she just wants to give up. If she can just get thrown back into Showa 58 - to 1983 - at any given moment, then what's the point?

Is it just her fate to experience these loops, over and over...?

That no matter what happens, she can't reach that happy ending?

Even in a world that was meant to be a perfect one, she died. That's why she suggested the game of hide and seek. Nobody would find her here, in the saiguden. It's a game of life and death. If even one of them finds her, then she'll reconsider. But if they don't...

...

It's not their fault.

She doesn't blame them in the slightest bit. But if they have to get hurt in each and every Fragment because of her - isn't it obvious what her choice should be?

Shouldn't she leave the stage early?

......It hurts so much, to make a choice like this. That is why she'll wait, and bide her time.

Because there's still a fragment of her that wants to still hope, in spite of her heart basically buckling under.

Come and find me, if you can, she thinks to herself, her eyes wet with tears, her voice breaking into hollow, broken laughter, alone. Because that what she truly is... right...?]

Comments

[keichan]

Yeah, I guess I still don't know all the places where she could be hiding.

[ He rubs the back of his head, playing dumb for now. He wipes some of the dirt from his knee, which he put there himself of course, and smiles at Satoko sincerely. ]

But Rika-chan really means a lot to everyone, so of course they're looking their hardest. I'm sure we'll find her soon. She's really special to you, isn't she, Satoko?

[ Is he saying that so that Rika can hear him? Maybe. And he might be trying to get Satoko to say something nice about Rika, too. ]

[moepcs]

Naturally! Rika is my most important friend, after all. We've been living together for quite some time, naturally. She is much more important to me than anyone else. [This is not to say that her other friends are unimportant, though.] Anyway, if she is not here, I should probably be searching elsewhere.

[keichan]

I'm not going to give up on Rika-chan, either! If we don't find her, then we'll have let her down, and that's just not acceptable! Where else do you think she could be?

[ Now he's trying to make Rika's opening for her. Hopefully, she heard that bit Satoko said about her being more important to her than anyone else.

He'll need to give Satoko a headpat for that one later. ]

1 / 2

[moepcs]

I wouldn't want to let Rika down like that... especially since I want to be the one to win. [Too bad Keiichi's already won, though.] Well, I suppose we haven't checked the clinic.

[miirai]

-- Boo!

[Rika rushes to hug Satoko from behind, from which Satoko gasps in surprise before frowning.]

"Rika?! Whatever was that for? Weren't you supposed to be hiding?"

Nihaha. Keiichi already found me a while ago.

"What?! Keiichi-san..."

[keichan]

Haha... sorry, Satoko. I couldn't resist the chance to surprise you all. Since Rika-chan did such a good job hiding, I figured we'd have a little bit of fun with everyone who lost.

[ He reaches out a hand to pat Satoko, then reaches behind her and pats Rika, too. ]

But that means you get to join in on our next victim. Rena should still be at the trash heap, right?

[miirai]

It's everyone's punishment game. Although Keiichi might come up with an even worse one as the winner later. Nipah~☆

"Rika..."

[There's a little frown of worry on Satoko's expression for a moment there before it breaks into a relaxed smile.]

"You seem to be doing quite better now, so I suppose I shouldn't be too mad. But if there is another victim to be found... I'll be there! Ohoho. It's quite unfortunate that I didn't find Rika first, but I'll have to concede here. But if there is anything that you need help with, Keiichi-san, I suppose I don't mind."

[#helping]

[keichan]

[ Rika definitely looks more like herself now, and that comes as a relief to Keiichi. She seems to be taking what he said to heart... and maybe hearing Satoko talk about how special she was to her lifted her spirits somewhat. ]

Right. [ He smiles at both of them, a smile that's full of warmth as well as mischief. ] Rena will probably be looking really hard at the junkyard. Rika-chan, Satoko... how do you think we should distract her?

[ He strokes his chin thoughtfully, contemplating the possibilities. ]

[miirai]

"Ohohoho~ A way to distract Rena-san, hm? It's too bad I don't have any traps set up over there, but I suppose we have to make do with what we got. Wouldn't the easiest way to distract Rena-san be with something cute?"

[Rika agrees, but considering the company she's got and their plan--]

Keiichi. I think you should use your super power to fluster Rena.

[RIKA YOU ARE AWFUL AND YOU SHOULD FEEL BAD]

[keichan]

[ He nods in agreement at Satoko's assessment. Something cute would easily hold Rena's attention, but that could be a double-edged sword. She might grab it, run off, and forget all about Rika.

And what he wants to do is make sure Rika hears Rena talking about how important she is to their club... to her personally. ]

My superpower, huh? I think I have an idea what you're saying, Rika-chan. But if you have something specific in mind, I'm listening.

[ He can think of one thing in his pocket that, while a little embarrassing to show off, might make Rena swoon. ]

[miirai]

Mii. Keiichi's superpower. I don't have anything in mind, so fight on, sir! ☆

[She says that in a way that seems like they're both in sync, almost knowingly.]

"Whatever are you two thinking...? Oh, well. I suppose while Keiichi-san does his thing with Rena-san, me and Rika shall hide until we get the cue. Is that alright with the two of you?"

[keichan]

Good idea, Satoko. I was thinking you could be part of the distraction, but your formidable skills would be better used helping Rika-chan get the drop on Rena.

[ He turns to Rika, smiling a confident smile. ]

Rika-chan. You'll wait until I lower Rena's defenses, right?

[miirai]

I'll wait.

Although if Rena goes overboard, we will leave it to you to handle it, Keiichi.

[Because they all know how she is.]

[keichan]

I understand. In that case, let's go! Satoko, Rika-chan, I'll go on ahead of you two once we reach the trash heap.

[ And with that, it's time to go. He needs to find a way to fluster Rena... but he also wants to make sure Rena gets a chance to talk about Rika, and that Rika hears every word of it.

His words could easily be dismissed as empty flattery, as far as he knows. All of their friends' words, however, will convince Rika just how much she means to everyone. ]

[miirai]

Yeah!

[And there's a fistpump in the air, trying to be optimistic. There are attempts being made here, it seems; at least, before they head towards the junkyard, where they'll find Rena, who seems to be searching every crevice of the place.]

[keichan]

[ As per the plan, Keiichi goes on ahead. He needs to tread carefully, and in more than one way: not only is his footing going to be a little more treacherous, but he doesn't want to lie to Rena. She might figure that out first.

When he sees her scouring the trash heap, he calls out to her, carefully walking across the tops of wooden pallets and discarded appliances. ]

Yo! Rena! Have you had any luck finding Rika-chan yet?

[ He's closing the distance between them, counting on Rika and Satoko to find their own path around. ]