( 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

[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.

[lunarcycles]

[ When you're not laying attention to looks, voice goes a long way. And Akane is an expert at emulating the tone and cadence of the people she plays the role of. ]

Now, won't you take a seat on the bed? It's been a long couple of weeks; I'm sure you're exhausted. I'll lead you to it.

[taketori]

...right.

[ Shirogane isn't sure what he's expecting, but as he lets himself be led, it instantly feels like he's dreaming. Like he truly was being led to rest by Shinomiya. ]

[lunarcycles]

[ She takes him by the arm and pulls him towards the bed.

In fact, isn't this an opportune time? He can't see, so that means that even 'Shinomiya' would be much more confident... perhaps even bolder. Even more since he's been gone for quite some time.

She swallows. ]

President.

[ ... ]

You've been struggling this whole time, haven't you?

[taketori]

[ It's hard to tell through his typical sleep deprivation and stress-addled mind, as time goes on. He sits, threatening to lay back, while 'Shinomiya's' voice rings true in his ear. ]

Yeah... I'm surprised I'm even still alive. There were so many times where I didn't think I would come back at all.

[lunarcycles]

Mmm. But you managed to get out, didn't you?

[ She leans up against him slightly. ]

But you're back, that's what's important.

[taketori]

...yeah. I made it back.

I'm here and I can still be with you, Shinomiya.

[ He's definitely betraying his own mind... ]

[lunarcycles]

[ She nods, but then realizes he can't see it. ]

Yeah. Ah... is it alright if I be a little selfish?

[taketori]

...be as selfish as you'd like.

[lunarcycles]

Then-

[ She grabs his face with both of her hands and leans in to press her lips against his own.

There.

She's being selfish. ]

[taketori]

[ Ah. Ahh.

Between him not seeing Akane at all, only hearing the tone of voice that led him to believe he was hearing Shinomiya, and his sudden... uncertainty that he was even still awake, he's taken aback by how soft and warm and... comforting her lips are.

He almost missed this. Almost missed her.

The most he can do at the moment is return the kiss, letting a hand rest on her shoulder. ]

[lunarcycles]

[ How long can she keep this up...?

Nevertheless, she doesn't allow the kiss to last for long as she speaks up again, her voice softer now. ]

I'll let you have anything you want. Just for today... you can be selfish.

[taketori]

...

[ Anything...

Shinomiya, did you miss him that much? Anything... seriously? ]

...So then... if I say that I want you--?

[lunarcycles]

It's embarrassing to say, so don't make me say it twice!

[ Aaaand there's the retort and huff.

But yes. ]

[taketori]

...Then, that settles that.

[ He has to be brave-- at least, as brave as he can be with a blindfold on his face. ]

I want you, Shinomiya. I want to show how much I love you, before I can't anymore.

[lunarcycles]

Then... show me as much as much as you want. I'll help guide you.

[taketori]

[ Guide...

He hesitates, unsure if he can even ask this. Part of him has to fight back with something he's learned.

If he was going to die tomorrow, how would he handle this?

If that's the case... ]

Let... [ One more moment of hesitance... ] Let me touch you, Shinomiya.

[ He holds his hands up, trying to gauge where her hips would be... ]

[lunarcycles]

You're going to have to be much more specific than that-- where do you want to touch me?