( closed )

[repliacting]

[ The studio that all twenty participants had come to was no ordinary one.

It was a place that was secluded from the outside world, crafted specifically for these young minds to be on a sick, twisted reality-slash-game show.

Week after week, it tore at Akane's heart.

They'd offer up a motive. Some weeks, someone would succeed. They'd have a trial, figure out who the culprit is, and then the host would execute whoever was chosen, regardless of whether they were 'correct' or not.

But on weeks where they managed to prevent a murder, they'd play a game of sorts- many of them would be based off of other game shows that you'd see around, but would be more potentially deadly.

Everyone was split into four teams of five randomly, and each group had their own separate dorm area of sorts.

While Akane herself was not on the same team as Shirogane Miyuki... that didn't mean that they couldn't work together. In fact, he had saved her one week from an unfortunate fate. She felt indebted to him. There had to be some way that she could help him out.

She had heard from one of the other "contestants" that Shirogane's ideal girl was someone named Shinomiya Kaguya. That name was a bit familiar- or at least, the last name was. The Shinomiyas were a well known conglomerate that would sometimes invest in the entertainment business; she even heard from fellow members of Lalalie that if they could get that family interested in their theater company, they would truly be a success.

One of the rooms in the "house" they were living in during the duration of all of this was a library. It was stock full of all the information that she could possibly ask for.

And so...

She devoted her time to studying.

It didn't take her more than a day to figure out what this girl was like, and while she definitely had to fill in some holes that she couldn't find, but that was easy for her.

All she had to do was put it in practice. So she seeks him out after preparing herself--for once, she's glad there's a costuming room that she could use to replicate the look- something that she could possibly wear casually- a black dress with a bright red cardigan and tying her hair up with the 'usual' red ribbon- before seeking him. When she sees him, her eyes shut for a moment before she gets into character, speaking up with an air of confidence that she normally wouldn't have a tone that was befitting of someone who could only be described as upper class. ]

Ah, there you are. I've been looking for you for a while, president.

[ Her bright eyes shimmer, radiating something that, in spite of how in some ways she looks different enough from Kaguya for someone to tell the difference if they scrutinized hard enough, would be considered as deceptive.

Eyes that could make lies into truths. ]

Comments

[taketori]

Oh, that shouldn't be a problem. I should probably make some phone calls myself, now that I think about it.

[repliacting]

That's fine... ahh, should we meet somewhere in about an hour?

[taketori]

Sounds great! Just let me know where, and I'll be right there.

[ As he's pulling out his phone?? It's surreal knowing he's out again, but god, he can't shake the feeling of gratitude... ]

[repliacting]

I'll send you the address, then.

[ To which we smash cut to another time skip! ]

[taketori]

[ Time skip! To him trying to find the address. Hmmm. He did offer to meet with her, so where would that be... ]

[repliacting]

[ Good news: it is a hotel district, but at least it isn't love hotels? Small blessings.

Nevertheless, she can be found wearing her usual incognito wear, covering her face with a hat and glasses; she also seems to have a backpack with her, too. ]

Shirogane-kun, over here.

[taketori]

Oh! Hey there!

[ He didn't recognize her! Which was the point, no doubt. The district was an odd choice, but so far, so good? She WAS an actress after all, so being seen with a commoner like him...

Well.

Really, it's better for both of them. ]

So, what's the plan?

[repliacting]

I was thinking about renting a room that we could use for the reward.

[taketori]

Oh, that works for me. I suppose it's too early to meet at anyone's house in particular.

[ give him a second. ]

[repliacting]

You're really okay with that...

[ Huh. ]

Alright, let's go.

[ SMASH CUT TO INSIDE THE HOTEL ROOM?? ]

1/2

[taketori]

Sure. Let's go.

[ Right, they're renting a room... ]

[taketori]

[ It isn't until he's sitting on the bed and actually here, in the room until he realizes something.

Wait.

He's in a hotel room with Kurokawa. Despite what they went through, he's sharing a room with a girl.

...

ISN'T THIS BAD???? ]

... [ And now he's feeling awkward about it! ]

[repliacting]

... I-I know that it's probably awkward, but-

[ Maybe she should get to the point. ]

And I know I said the reward was for me, and in a way it is. I was just thinking, that even though I was the one who got us out here, you still saved my life. So I... want you to use me however you'd like.

[ Wait- ]

I mean-- I... want you to help me.

[taketori]

[ The look on his face after she said-- "use me".

To what end, exactly?!

But then, she rephrases and he... relaxes. A little? ]

Um... sure. I'll help in any way I can.

[ Despite his reservations, he did say he'd go along with it, but if it was meant to be for him, then... what??? ]

1 / 2

[repliacting]

[ Internally: why is she beating around the bush around this? Shouldn't she be honest with him? Ahh, she's no good at that...

Anyway, deep breaths.

If she wants to get what she wants, she just needs to play the role that he'd like-- ]

[repliacting]

[ --and then, once again, she's immersed in the role of 'Shinomiya Kaguya'. The nervousness fades as she exudes an air of confidence that is unlike the usual Kurokawa Akane.

There's a bit of a breathy, almost amused laugh. ]

Fufu, looks like everything really went according to plan... I almost didn't think I was going to get you in here so easily.

[taketori]

R-Right...

[ Alright, he has to ask this. His face grows flushed, and his eyes seem to try to look literally anywhere but at Akane.

The ease in which she settles into that character terrifies himi. ]

Are you... studying for a role right now, Kurokawa? Were you, before... all this?

[repliacting]

Studying... I suppose you could say that.

[ Akane presses her palm into the side of her cheek, a smirk playing across her lips. ]

Although your face is quite red right now, president.

[taketori]

How could it not be...?!

[ Frustration starts to settle in, even her mannerisms are starting to remind him... ]

I swear, if I closed my eyes, I'd think Shinomiya was actually here!

[repliacting]

Then...

[ She removes her backpack to open it as she unzips and takes out a blindfold. ]

If I covered your eyes with this, you'd believe it completely, right?

[taketori]

[ Oh. What in the--

Then, a thought presents itself. Of course, he was being ridiculous. This was clearly some form of exercise. Determining how into a role Akane could get, so much that if Miyuki's eyes were covered, he'd be completely immersed.

...

Yeah. That makes sense. ]

I think so. I'll give it a try?

[repliacting]

Great. Now, shall I put it on for you or do you want to do the honors yourself?

[taketori]

I'll put it on. It's fine.

[ He holds out his hand, to take the blindfold... to place it on, and hope that this goes swimmingly. ]

[lunarcycles]

Well? How is it? Not too tight, I presume?

[taketori]

[ His hands pause and soon fall to his sides once he hears her voice. How did it feel like she already improved??

Miyuki hesitates, before shaking his head. ]

No, it's... it's fine.