yamaboshi | ( closed )

( closed )

[ The duo wake up in what seems to be a classroom.

If they check the door or windows, they seem to be completely locked.

And even though it might be a classroom, the usual furnishings are replaced with things that you wouldn't expect from it -

A bed, along with several dressers.

The whiteboard seems to say WELCOME TO THE ESCAPE ROOM!

There doesn't seem to be any immediate other clues. Only when they're both awake does a voice filter in from the speakers, somewhat robotic voice that may be familiar to one of them - Yuki in particular: ]

Good morning!

After some research and getting some assistance, I have created the best way for Yuki-san to make friends! Just fulfill the requirements to get out and the door will automatically unlock! Good luck!

[ ...........and the voice shuts up.

WHAT THE HELL. ]

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I-Izumi-san!?

[ S-So loud!? Why!? ]

U-Um...! I-I said we should probably...?

[ ...Oh no, is this even a good spot anymore? Someone might come up to check on whoever screamed... ]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH--

[ Again, she yells.

She doesn't want to talk about this?! ]

[ She didn't even get this loud when they were... well, you know! Now Aoi's wondering if she didn't do good enough... wait, that's not the kind of thing she should be wondering, is it!? ]

I-Izumi-san, please! I understand how you feel, but still...!

[ You can't just scream your way out of this! ]

I thought we said we weren't going to ever talk about it ever again...!

Aoi knows what we said, but it isn't working!! Now please stop screaming, somebody will get concerned...!!

[ Well, at least Aoi's learned how to raise her own voice...? ]

... Fine, I got it. Well? What do you want me to do about it?

Hah...

[ Well, this is... a start, at least. Finally. ]

Aoi just... Aoi tried, but... this just isn't the kind of thing Aoi can just ignore and pretend... never happened. You... you know about my condition, don't you? It's... not possible for me.

... Right.

[ That part she hasn't forgotten. But still, she wishes that she could think about literally anything else. ]

So are you asking for me to take responsibility?

[ It was inadvertently her fault, after all. ]

H-Huh? U-Um... n-no, that's not what Aoi meant! It wasn't your fault, or at least, you never intended for it to end up that way. Aoi would never want to put that on you.

[ An angel... ]

It's just... it doesn't seem right to just leave things as it is. Avoiding each other as if we're... as if we're on bad terms. That, and... something's been wrong with Aoi ever since, and you're the only one I can talk to about it...

Still... I should have been keeping a better eye on what my AI was doing.

[ She does feel a bit guilty, even if Aoi isn't blaming her for it. ]

But I suppose I can hear you out.

If anything, it might be more impressive that your AI could do all of that at all... even if at our expense.

[ Well, Aoi knows how tricky feelings of guilt can be, so she won't push the matter. ]

Thank you, Izumi-san... I suppose to start, um...

[ Her cheeks redden a bit, but... since Aoi was the one to call her here, it's only fair that Aoi make her feelings known first. ]

Aoi... um, I just want to make it clear. I... don't regret what happened. Even if we weren't in our right minds, I... um...

[ This is so embarrassing...! But she can't stop here... ]

I... enjoyed it. T-That is to say! I'd still like to get to know you better, Izumi-san! If we still can...

[ Aah, she got it out... maybe she really has grown... ]

Those... those are my feelings on the matter. I'd... like to hear yours, Izumi-san. I understand if you don't feel the same way, though...

I'm pretty sure that they must have gotten some outside help from somebody.

[ She finds herself sighing again; honestly, at this rate, she's going to feel like an old lady wearing the skin suit of a teenager. The stress she's accumulated from the ordeal is enough for a whole lifetime, if not two. ]

I... honestly, don't really understand why you'd want to get to know me better.

[ It's way too earnest of an answer. Something that she just...isn't, around Ruka. ]

Eh? Is it that unusual…?

[ Though… she supposed she can kind of understand. Everyone in her life has always been impressed by Aoi’s academic ability, but she’d always felt like she didn’t actually have anything of interest in regards to herself. She wasn’t a genius or anything, she just… remembered things. ]

Um… don’t sell yourself short, Izumi-san. You’re pretty amazing, you know. You’re smart, you’re reliable, you made an AI that sounds just like a person talking… you’re not the leader of your squad, but you have abilities that would make any leader jealous. Myself included.

[ She’s even one of the few people Higuchi is outright fond of. ]

I just… wasn’t quite sure how to approach you at first.

[ …then they got locked in a room and fucked. ]

I know what I'm capable of, naturally, but... that's all.

[ She is nothing without her brain.

The only reason why she was considered a genius hacker was solely because of the group she was in. Not that she minds that, really.

She's still proud of being a member of the Orchids in spite of what happened. That's not something she really wants to talk about with Aoi... not that she's really hiding it. ]

Well, not many people approach me in general, so not surprising.

[ Outside of like, Higuchi on occasion and the other members of her squad, especially Ruka.

She knows how awful her personality is in spite of her skillset. ]

Well... Aoi's approached you now, hasn't she?

[ Well, she had some circumstances to give her a little push, but still. ]

I'd... understand if you wish I didn't, though. That's... why I'm here, after all. Aoi would like to have an amicable relationship with you, Izumi-san... but if you'd rather not, then... I'd like to know for certain.

[ Best to just... get that out of the way now, right? ]

...

[ For a moment, she's quiet, contemplative. Only when she speaks up again it's a bit of a sigh, following up with: ]

No, at the very least... I'd like to get along with you. We are still Seraph squad members.

Then, we're agreed on that front, at least.

[ At the very least, she's relieved the experience didn't leave Yuki... totally averse to Aoi. For now, that's fine.

That said... there's still one issue. ]

There's, um... one other thing, though... i-it's a little embarrassing to ask, but now there's... not really anyone else Aoi can ask.

I feel like I'm going to regret asking, but... what is it?

You... probably will, but I'm at my wits end.

[ Which is rare for Aoi, who usually has the tolerance of a saint. ]

How... how do you deal with... with arousal?

Uh...

[ Good question! ]

Ignoring it. Or a cold shower.

I-If that was all it took, I wouldn’t be asking!

[ Ah, she accidentally raised her voice a little. She coughs awkwardly before continuing. ]

Um… you remember my condition, right? My hyperthymesia?

I do. But it isn't as if I have any other... ideas.

There must be something...! Aoi doesn't know how it is for you, Izumi-san, but... Aoi literally can't get it out of her head! It's even happening in my dreams and... and nothing I do is enough...

[ It's distressing! How is she supposed to be a good leader like this!? ]

I'm not good at this sort of thing... honestly, you'd probably be better off asking Ruka.

A-Ask Kayamori-san!? N-n-n-no way, Aoi c-could never!

[ Now Aoi's face is really turning red. ]

B-Besides... h-how would I even explain it to her? T-That I keep having dreams of... of...

[ Of Yuki. ]

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