>>41164511
>"Julie, is something wrong?"
>"What has gotten into you today?"

>>41164511
>>"Julie, is something wrong?"

>>41164511
>"Julie, is something wrong?"
>"I think you need to go sit down and talk with Marie. Right?"

>>41164511
>"Julie, is something wrong?"
>"Okay, if that will make you feel better."

>>41164511
>"Julie, is something wrong?"
>"I think you need to go sit down and talk with Marie."

>"Julie, is something wrong?"
>"I think you need to go sit down and talk with Marie."

Writing!

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"Julie." I say in that stern tone that Mom sometimes uses when she wants me to do something. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine."
She's avoiding eye contact, instead trying to stare at the trees and the birds.

"Look at me, Julie." I cross my arms. "Is something wrong?"
"No no, it's just. I just didn't want to watch someone cry, is all."

I don't believe her.
"I think you need to go sit down and talk with Marie."

She jumps.
"Talk!? Talk to her about what!?"

"What's with that attitude? I mean, don't just stand over here and stare at her, why not go over there and talk with her so you don't seem like some kind of weirdo!"

"I'm not the weirdo!" Julie suddenly seems offended. "You're the one that was dreaming about going into a private room with your sister last night, you weirdo!"
"SHH!" I cup my hand over Julie's mouth. "We were just talking! And don't say weird things like that in public!"

I look around, my cheeks flush red. No one seems to have noticed. Seriously, Julie; what is wrong with you to say that about your sister?

"Just go talk with Marie, Julie!"
"I-in a minute."

"Come on, Julie. I'll go with you."
She seems hesitant still. I'm not sure what to say in order to give her that final push.

>"If you go talk with her, we'll go for ice cream later!"
>"If you don't go talk with her, I'm going to get her to come over here."
>"Did you want to look at something before you went and talked?"
>"Is this about earlier with that thing you're hiding from Mom?"
>Just leave her alone, go do something else.
>Like maybe going and rejoining the conversation.
>Other?

>>41166028
>"Is this about earlier with that thing you're hiding from Mom?"

>>41166028
>"If you go talk with her, we'll go for ice cream later!"
>"Is this about earlier with that thing you're hiding from Mom?"
Off to sleep I go, thanks for the thread.

>>41166028
>"Is this about earlier with that thing you're hiding from Mom?"

>>41166065
Thanks for playing.

>"If you go talk with her, we'll go for ice cream later!"
>"Is this about earlier with that thing you're hiding from Mom?"

Writing!

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"Julllliiee, come on! If you-"

I try to think of something that may make Julie change her mind.
"If you go over there and talk, we'll go for ice cream later!"

Success! She's thinking about it! That sense of curosity is filling her eyes.
Then, at the last moment, she turns her head away from me.
"Pass."

"Come on, Julie! Is this about that thing earlier that you were hiding from Mom?"

This time, SHE puts her hand over MY mouth.
"SHH!"
"Mmph!"

"No! Don't say it! Don't say that too loud."

She looks around, and notices that no one noticed me saying that.
"J-Julie!" I push her hand away. "You don't have to talk about that, just try to make Marie think you're a normal person!"

"No, but-"
"No buts." I cross my arms. "You're going over there and talking with her, right now!"

She tries to say something, but I'm dragging her by the arm before she does.

The group notices me approaching with Julie and makes space for us to sit. Julie immediately crosses her legs and looks away from everyone else.
She seems really uncomfortable right now.

Marie asked Aiko what she wanted, and Aiko told her exactly what I was expecting to hear. Aiko just wanted to live a simple life with her friends and family, and never really wanted to get into this fighting stuff. Marie insists that she at least learn some kind of magic.
Then Mom tried to offer to help teach Aiko magic, Marie declined.

Now there's a slight awkward silence as everyone tries to think of something to say.

>Introduce Julie!
>Wait to see if anyone says something else.
>Ask Marie if Aiko wants to learn magic from me.
>Put pressure on someone to talk (Who?)
>Talk about nothing, I'm okay at doing that.
>Other?

>>41167077
>Introduce Julie!
>Put pressure on someone to talk (Who?)
Julie, duh

>>41167077
>Wait to see if anyone says something else.
>Talk about nothing, I'm okay at doing that.

>>41167077
>Wait to see if anyone says something else.
>Introduce Julie!

>>41167077
>>Wait to see if anyone says something else.
>>Other?
So what do we do next about Asai?

>Wait to see if anyone says something else.
>Introduce Julie!
>So what do we do next about Asai?

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Still silence, nobody is really saying much of anything.
Marie apologizes once again to Aiko, and they sit staring at the rest of the group as someone tries to think of something to say that won't set Marie back off.

Now is as good of a time as ever!
"So Um!" I lean over, wrapping my arms around Julie's shoulders. "This is Julie!"
"H-HEY!" She yells, her cheeks turn beet-red.

"Julie is so cool! She has this cool blue sword, and she can summon a blue aura, and she's really fast!" I gush about her as she tries to withdraw into herself.
"But also!" I continue, big grin on my face. "She can take off her face an-"

"OKAY! THAT'S ENOUGH!" She bursts out. Cupping her hand over my mouth once more. "I- I think we heard enough about me, h-how about you? I-it's good to meet you all."
Aiko seems confused, "Uh, I'm Aiko. We haven't really got to speak much since the Fortune thing. So, are you Masami's sister now?"
"That's right! Exactly right!" Julie really does seem nervous now that she's been called out.

"So, uh." Aiko is confused, "You can use magic? Just, on your own?"
"I can, y-yeah."

"That's cool!" Aiko smiles at her. Which is good because I haven't really seen Aiko smile all day. "That must be really useful."
"It is."

"Can you do anything else?"
"NO!" Julie blushes, "I mean, no, no not really."
"Aw."

I try to change the subject, "So, now that introductions are out of the way. Can we talk about what we're going to do about Asai?"
Marie looks worried, but Aiko grabs her by the arm once more.

"I'm going to help!" I pout. "I'm not going to back out! Besides, Asai isn't really my family anyway."

"We had a plan to make it where he can't hurt anyone anymore, are you interested?"
"What do you mean? You're going to destroy him, right?" Marie seems confused.

"No, not-"
"Not interested, then." Marie crosses her arms.

>Come on! Hear us out!
>It's a really good plan!
>Technically he's destroyed!
>He's not a monster anymore if it works!
>Other?

>>41167915
>>Come on! Hear us out!
>>He's not a monster anymore if it works!

>>41167915
>Come on! Hear us out!
>He's not a monster anymore if it works!

>>41167915
>Come on! Hear us out!
>Technically he's destroyed!

>Come on! Hear us out!
>He's not a monster anymore if it works!

Writing!

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"Come on!" I say, crossing my arms. "Hear us out! It's a proven idea!"
"Anything that doesn't destroy Asai is unacceptable." She sighs.

"But hold on, this is different! This is something that has reformed every monster we've seen recently! It's a tried and tested method!"

"It's too risky. Anything that leaves the possibility that Asai can come back can't be trusted."
"It will not be a monster anymore if it works!"

Her eyes open, she kneads her hands.
"I'm listening."

I tell her about how every monster we've seen in the past few days has turned human after something happened. I'm not sure what that something is or what causes it, but it's still enough to be potent enough to reform everything. Plus it means that their powers are reduced, and that it might revert him to an age where he can be disciplined once more to behave.

Marie still seems skeptical. Thinking back on it, the whole thing does seem kind of far-fetched.
"Listen, even if this does work, what is stopping him from just starting up a new company?"
"Because he'll be too young to do that!"

"I don't think I trust this method. You say some of the reformed monsters still have powers, right?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Then this doesn't solve anything. Asai may still have his abilities once he has reformed."

Haruko stands up, she seems insulted.
"Listen! I know we may still have our powers, but it really works! Every monster I've seen that transformed acts like the kindest person imaginable, Just take Julie for ins-"

Before I can react, Julie has already bolted upright, jumped over to Haruko, and grabbed her mouth.
The two start struggling against one another. Mom laughs, and I feel a weird sense that I have lots of work to do on reforming my sisters.

>There, see? It works just fine!
>Please tell me your plan if you have a better one?
>Let's compromise!
>Let's just make up a plan as we go.
>Other?

>>41168906
>There, see? It works just fine!

>>41168906
>>There, see? It works just fine!

>>There, see? It works just fine!

Writing!

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I nervously watch the twins struggle against each other. They pull at each other's hair and lightly try to push each other off. Julie puts her hand in Haruko's mouth and starts pulling at her cheek.

My head turns back to Marie.
"T-there, see? It works just fine!"

Marie sighs, and then rubs her daughter's head.
"..If you say that your method can keep Asai from hurting anybody else. Then I'm willing to give it a try. Just this once, though."

My eyes light up, "Really!?"
"If you think you can do it, then I'll let you try. But the second you stumble, I'm going to be there to do it my way." Marie seems certain about this decision.

I bolt upward, running over and wrapping my arms around Aiko. She falls over backwards as I practically tackle her.
"THIS MEANS YOU CAN COME HOME!" I'm practically beaming with joy.
"Ow, ow."
"Oh, oh. Sorry."

"So how is this plan of yours? Can I see a demonstration?"
"It's uh-"

Mom interrupts, "It's a work in progress. If you come by the house tomorrow, we can show you what you've been working on."
Tomorrow? But it's barely-

That's when I notice that the Sun is a few hours away from setting. We've spent all day worrying about Aiko.
Which means tomorrow is the final day before Asai can break out of that bubble.

"That's fine." Marie stands up. "We have a long drive ahead of us anyway. We'll pack up and meet you back in-"
"Hold on, you won't have to do that." Mom smiles at her.
"Why not?"

"Come this way."

--

Mom somehow managed to fit all of us inside of Marie's four door sedan parked at a nearby town. Within a few seconds, Mom is able to take the entire car and bring it back home.

That power is amazing.

Aina asked to stay with us overnight, and I don't blame her. Aiko stayed over as well to keep her company. Marie decided to use the night preparing for tomorrow in case our plan doesn't work.

But it will work. I'm certain that it will.

>Cont.

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>>41170403
Kaori was a mess when we walked in the door. Apparently she spent most of the time that we were away worrying and crying. She genuinely thought that she would never get to see us ever again. She was even trying to work on the card that could turn monsters into humans, assuming that we wouldn't be back in time to finish it.

Then I told her about that ability that Mom 'accidentally' forgot. She replaced most of her fear with anger after that.

It's late at night now, and everyone is getting ready for bed.

"I got this bed." Kaori lazily flops down next to me, barely taking the time to take off her shirt. She's been insecure ever since we got back, and I don't really blame her after we made her worry so much.

Aina and Aiko got their own room, which means my bed may be extra crowded tonight like I'm expecting. The invisible girl has already taken residence at the end of my bed, which means I may be sleeping on the floor again.

"And I got this side!" Haruko happily jumps into bed next to me and hogs the blankets.

Something is missing, though.
"Hey, I'll be right back."
"Ugh, okay." Kaori almost immediately passes out.

--

"Julie?"
She's sitting at the dining room table in her pajamas, a small glass of water in front of her. She doesn't say anything.
I sit down across from her.
"Julie, seriously. Can you please tell me what's wrong?"

"I was a monster." The weight in her voice is almost tangible. "And I feel so awful about what I've done to everyone."

>Thread End
>Next Thread Vote

>Okay?
>Don't worry about it.
>Get over it.
>Can you tell me the things you've done?
>No one cares anymore
>You're not like that now.
>Other?

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Thanks for the thread everyone. I'm sorry it started so late, and I'm sorry that it was cut off kind of short. I was wanting to get further than I did today.

But I did have fun, it was a good thread. Thanks to everyone who participated and let me know what you think of where we're heading.

>>41170714
>>Okay?
>>Don't worry about it.
>>You're not like that now.
>>41170739
Thanks for running.

>>41170714
>Can you tell me the things you've done?
>You're not like that now.
Talking helps, more so than denial.

>>41170739
Thanks for the thread! Looks like we're going to crash into the endgame in true Masami-"flailing around wildly with the barest hints of a plan"-style. I look forward to it.

>>41170714
>Okay?
>Can you tell me the things you've done?

>>41170739
Thanks for running.