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“Looks like Summer's officially over.”

Io stares out onto the rainy pavement, the thunderstorm outside growing louder and louder, before turning to face you on the couch. You haven't said anything since you sat down, as Io looks on at you with concern.

“How's your hand?” she asks.

You look down at the white bandages covering your wrists, a rather bloody injury you received during your fight with The Stranger. Still, you got off light compared to some of the others. Gado is still unconscious after a rather nasty blow from the demon, and Mayu... you stabbed her. In a delirious state, you almost killed her with your own hands. She came to help you and you... you failed. After leaving the darkworld, the unconscious bodies of Mayu, Gado and that Ryoji guy were all dumped in the nurses office. You got your own sliced wrist stitched up, but you didn't stick around to check on any of them. You just fled back to the dorms. Like a coward.

Io sighs as she realises you aren't going to talk. “You know, you scared the heck out of me. I knew the missions you went on were dangerous, but... the sight of you bleeding from the arm, and Gado and Mayu looking just about dead... I wasn't expecting it.”

You say nothing, continuing to look down.

“And then when I find out what happened to Mayu...”

You continue to remain silent, simply staring at the blue orb as you hold it up between your fingers.

“I worry about you Kaz... I really do. In more ways than one.”

Again, no answer from you.

“You can play the cool silent type all you like,” Io smirks. “I know you're just itching for someone to talk to, maybe open up a little about all those feelings running around in your head? Kiriko's taking care of Mayu, Kuin's with her guard dog, and Risa and Tami are trying hard to keep Sae all-together. By process of elimination, I think that someone should be me. How about it, Kaz?”

Nothing.

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“Hmm... a little reluctant to have a chat with auntie Io, huh? You know what I like about you, Kaz? You're headstrong. Never afraid to challenge anyone. You were the first in the entire class to really challenge me. But sometimes, headstrong can just be another word for stubborn. You can't just bottle up your emotions like this. My parents used to do that all the time, and they-”

“Do you ever shut up?” you ask.

Io is taken aback by your sudden remark, and you're surprised yourself. You didn't mean to sound like a rude ass, but you've undoubtedly been on edge these last few hours. You don't really appreciate Io's attempts to pry into your mental state.

Io sports a shocked expression, biting her lip with hesitation, before slapping on a smile and laughing it off. “Now there's the Kaz I know! Always challenging me! Maybe you're just about ready to have a little chat now, big guy?”

>I think I'm starting to lose it, Io.
>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?
>I appreciate what you're doing Io, but we're not friends. I can't trust you enough to share what I'm feeling. Sorry.
>Don't answer her, just leave the room.

>>530789
>I think I'm starting to lose it, Io.
>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?
I think its time to let some emotions out.

>>530789
>>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?

>>530789
>Don't answer her, just leave the room

>>530789
>Don't answer her, just leave the room.

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>>530789
>Don't answer her, just leave the room.
Io can't you see we're trying to brood here?

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>>530787
>>530789
>>I think I'm starting to lose it, Io.
>>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?

Cry it out faggot.

>>530789
>>I think I'm starting to lose it, Io.
>>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?

>>530789
>>I think I'm starting to lose it, Io.
>>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?
We really won't have to worry about this secret getting out via Io. It will get out naturally anyways. May as well social link.

>>530791
Supporting.

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>I think I'm starting to lose it, Io.
>I stabbed a classmate tonight. How do you think I feel?

Io stares at you sullenly. "Kaz... from what I've been told, it wasn't your fault. That... place, it messed with your head. Made you see things. I know that must have sucked, but you can't beat yourself up over what happened."

"It's not just that..." you mutter. "For a while now, I just... I've been hearing things, having strange dreams... I just feel like my head is a ball of string that's being played with by a cat, unravelling faster and faster... I'm going crazy."

"You're not crazy!" Io places her hands on her hips. "You're perfectly sane!"

"Really?" you ask, looking up at her.

"Well... that's kind of a lie. You can be a teensy-weensy bit unnerving sometimes, but you're still a good person Kaz. We all know you'd never do what happened with Mayu normally."

Io places herself down on the couch next to you and places her hand on your shoulder with a smile. "Kaz... I have faith in you. Have a little more faith in yourself."

Those charming words from Io sound really good when she's not using them to sell you something. "I just... I don't know where my head is at right now," you reply.

"And that's okay!" Io reassures you. "You just went through a traumatic experience, and you're only fifteen! It's okay to show a little vulnerability every now and then. You don't have to be strong all the time! I'm sure even your dad wasn't strong all the time!"

"Yes he was," you snap at her, without thinking.

"Okay... dad's a touchy subject, I'll try to avoid it," Io sighs. "My point is, you're going through some stuff, and you shouldn't be afraid to talk about it. I get why you wouldn't want to open up to someone like me... but you should try Kiriko! Or Chuichi! One of your friends, you know?"

"Io..."

"You don't have to say it," Io shrugs. "I know we ain't friends, Kaz. You don't trust me... and I don't blame you. Don't think I don't recognise my faults... I do. I'm a liar and a cheat. It's what I do. I hope we can be friends one day, though."

>I feel like we already are.
>Maybe one day, Io.
>That's never going to happen if you don't clean up your act.

>>530828
>>Maybe one day, Io.

>>530828
>>Maybe one day, Io.

>>530828
>Maybe one day, Io.

>>530828
>>I feel like we already are.

>>530828
>Maybe one day, Io.

>>530828
>>That's never going to happen if you don't clean up your act.

Can't trust em. You can't!

>>530828
>Maybe one day, Io.
Her being candid with us is going a long way in cleaning up her image. We clearly aren't friends yet, but I would like to think we aren't enemies anymore. She does seem to.genuinely care.

>>530828
>Maybe one day, Io.
>So how much is this therapy session going to set me back?

>>530828
>Maybe one day, Io.

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>Maybe one day, Io.

Io gives a smile as she brushes her hair behind her ear. "I'd like that. I really would."

You give an affirming nod, before letting out a sigh. "Thanks, Io. You're being real nice."

"No problem," Io laughs. "Of course, my going rate for these therapy talks is 8000 yen an hour, so you better cough up soon!"

You give her an eye-brow raising glance.

"What? It's a joke!" Io protests. "I'm not actually that bad, am I?"

You spare giving her an answer.

"Did I ever tell you how my mom met my dad?" Io asks.

"You tell me lots of things," you reply, calling back to all the various tall tales she's tried to tell you over the months.

"Well, did I tell you this?"

"I don't remember."

"Good!" Io smiles, patting you on the back. "You see, when my mom and my dad first met, it was actually at a protest at city hall. My mother was the activist type."

"So they found a common interest," you yawn.

"Actually, no. You see, my mom was there on a protest, but my dad was actually the guy she was protesting against."

"Huh?"

Io giggles. "Yeah. My dad's a city planner, and he was building an expressway that may have involved demolishing a few houses. My mom hated him, and protested every single thing he did. But then, they eventually sat down to have a real conversation. That blind hatred started to fade away, and my parents stopped seeing each-other as enemies, but fellow humans. Sure, they had their faults, they had their disagreements, but there was still enough there for them to see the humanity in the other. Against all odds, they fell in love, got married, and had the best dang daughter this side of Tokyo."

"Is there a point to this?" you ask.

"My point is... nobodies perfect, and nobody gets along all the time. But my hope is... that we can all see the humanity in each-other. See each-other as more than just the lying snake, or the crazy guy, or however else others might see you."

"Uh-huh..." you sigh, lifting yourself from the couch. "And tell me, exactly how much of that anecdote was actually true?"

Io smirks and gives a wink. "Well, that's for me to know and for you to wonder, big guy."

"Please don't let that be my new nickname," you mutter. "I'm not even that big."

"Whatever you say big guy," Io teases, giving an affirmative salute. "I hope you feel better soon, Kaz... goodnight."

"Goodnight Io," you reply, as you make your way into your room. As you enter, you see the unnerved face of your roommate staring back at you, unsure of what to say. You hate it, but you can tell that Chuichi's a little afraid of you.

>So... sorry I stabbed your crush.
>Tonight was crazy, man. I don't want anything like this happening again.
>You look like you've got something to say.

>>530855
>>You look like you've got something to say.
Sorry, Bro.

>>530855
>You look like you've got something to say.
It was only because the darkworld's crazy cave fault... And the continous voice of my dad in my head that keeps telling me to kill everyone who looks funny at the rock around my neck

>>530855
>You look like you've got something to say.
This is probably the best option. The other two kind of sweep the issue under the rug or seem disingenuous. Better to talk about the issue.

>>530855
>>You look like you've got something to say.
Time to take the heat from our best buddy.

>>530855
>You look like you've got something to say.
"In my defence, she tried to take away my magic rock."

>>530855
>You look like you've got something to say.
We went deeper into Mayu than Chuichi ever will.

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>>530855
>Big guy
>For you....

>>530866
Shame that's as deep as Kaz'll get on account of the Tuna Can.

>>530866
He is not only angry because of the whole stabby business, he is more angry of we triggering a flag with Mayu.

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>You look like you've got something to say.

Chuichi shakes his head. "What the hell happened out there, man?"

"Chuichi, I..."

"You guys come back all beaten up, Mayu... she's nearly dead. And then I find out you're the one that did it?"

You sigh. "Look Chuichi, you should probably go check on her in the nurses-"

"-Nah man, I'm here because I'm worried about you," Chuichi replies. "I'm scared for Mayu, but Kiriko's by her side, and the nurse said she'll be fine. You... I don't know. That's got to be scarring."

He's worried about... you? For some reason, you didn't expect that to be the case.

"Right now, I just want to put it out of my mind," you reply. "Get some sleep, try to clear my head."

"Good thinking," Chuichi nods. "Quick question, though... why do you still have that?"

Chuichi points at the blue orb in your hand. "Don't forget Kaz, I saw what that thing does. And I was told that demon dude used it and made a great big boom. Did you... did you just swipe it from that Ryoji dude while he was unconscious?"

"Why not?" you ask. "It's mine. I just took it back before anything else bad happened with it."

"If you say so..." Chuichi shrugs. "I'm not going to hold it against you. Just... be careful with that thing, okay? I don't want you exploding or something because of it."

"That's not going to happen," you reply. "It was a gift from my dad."

"A gift from your dad... that demon's really want for some reason," Chuichi sighs. "Face it, that thing's not harmless."

"Yeah, but I think I can handle it," you fire back. "I've had this thing since I was a little kid. It hasn't screwed me over yet."

"Except when you stabbed your friend."

"That wasn't the stones fault," you snap. "I was hallucinating."

Besides, Mayu isn't your friend... right. Damn it, you're so confused by her. She's done nothing but put you down since you met her, and yet when you were in trouble, she was the first to rush to your aid. Of course, she paid a nasty price for it, which makes the whole ordeal even more muddled.

"I'm just going to get some sleep," you sigh. "Goodnight, Chuichi."

"Goodnight Kaz, I'm here if you need to talk."

The next morning, you're not feeling any better. How naive you were, to think a handy sleep would put away all your worries. You couldn't even get to sleep at all, you did nothing but toss and turn in your bunk. As dawn breaks, you rise out of bed with a sigh. Just what the hell are you going to do today?

>Visit May-

No. You can't. You wish you could just put aside you fears and just go, but... you're not ready. You can't face her, you wouldn't be able to look her in the eye. Even if you could, there's no telling how she'd react to seeing you. No, you're going to have to find a way to clear your head and relax before you can bring yourself to go to the nurse office. But how?

>Get breakfast. Can't think straight on an empty stomach.
>Go for a jog. That should help clear the head.
>Find a quiet place to relax on the school grounds.

>>530888
>Get breakfast. Can't think straight on an empty stomach.

>Chuichi tries to talk us out of keeping the magic rock.
You're walking on dangerous ground Goose.

>>530888
>Go for a jog. That should help clear the head.
There are a few class 1 members we have yet to meet. And if we don't run into them, odds are we'll run into a pair of someones...

Is it bad that I want Kaz to be angry at Io, Chuichi, Risa et all. Because they AREN'T mad at him?

>>530888
>Get breakfast. Can't think straight on an empty stomach.
Maybe we can bump into Sae and lick each others wounds after a quick spell of getting yelled at.

>>530888
>>Get breakfast. Can't think straight on an empty stomach.

Nice trips

>>530888
>Get breakfast. Can't think straight on an empty stomach.

>>530888
>Go for a jog. That should help clear the head.
Is this the new KazxRei ship?

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>Get breakfast. Can't think straight on an empty stomach.

You're not going to be able to think calmly and rationally about your situation unless you get some food in you. You're going to need to eat something if you want to be functional today... damn, you're starting to sound like Sae. Sae... poor girl. She went through the same crap you did last night and she came off worse for wear. You wonder how she's holding up now...

You step into the lounge and let out a yawn. You can feel the heavy bags under your eyes from not having slept a wink. That, on top of everything else being piled atop you, have left you feeling more than a little grumpy. And now your stomach is rumbling. Damn... it's early enough in the morning, and you don't have any classes, so hopefully everyone else is getting a lie in and there's nobody to bother you.

"Gooooooooooooood morning, sunshine!"

Not a voice you want to hear. Amaya. Usually her radiant positivity and sweetness would be a welcome sight, but in your current state it's nothing but irritating. The beautiful blonde smiles, as she fries up a couple of eggs over the common room's stove.

"Lovely to see another early bird!" Amaya smiles, reaching for a few more eggs to crack in the pan. "You're in luck, Mr. eager beaver! Now you can have breakfast with me! Do you like eggs? I make the best eggs you'll ever taste. I shan't tell a lie!"

"Good morning, Amaya..." you groggily groan.

"Uh oh!" Amaya smiles cheerfully, placing her hands on her hips. "Looks like someone hasn't fully left dreamland!"

What is she, a children's television host? Why does she talk like that?

"I never got to sleep last night," you explain, scratching your bed-head.

"Don't scratch, it's a bad habit!" Amaya commands, as she throws some eggs onto a plate. "You can have the first batch! They're an Amaya special. My mother taught me the recipe for them. The secret ingredients are love and care! How do they taste?"

You take a piece of the egg's white and stuff it in your mouth. It's terrible.

"It's delicious," you reply.

"I knew you'd like it!" Amaya beams with pride. "And you know, a good diet is the first step in becoming an honourable knight! Fit for protecting the lands, fighting off evil, saving the innocent... and maybe winning the heart of a princess or two?"

Amaya blushes as she cups her face in her hands and begins to daydream... while looking at you.

>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.
>Keep dreaming. I'm not interested.
>That all sounds pretty nice. Better get started.

>>530905
>>Keep dreaming. I'm not interested.
Sounds about right for a grumpy response and I don't really care much for Amaya. First option sounds nice too though.

>>530905
>Keep dreaming. I'm not interested.
Can't a guy brood in peace?

>>530905
>>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.

Looks like she wants Isamu

>>530905
>>Keep dreaming. I'm not interested.
Too early for this shit.

>>530905
>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.

>>530905
>Keep dreaming. I'm not interested.
We're moody, you can't cook for shit, leave us alone.

>>530905
>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.
I forget, but does she know that we stabbed Mayu?

>>530921
Don't think so. But I think it will be common knowledge soon enough.

>>530921
I would wager that the answer is no

>>530905
>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.
We are still Raideining right now.

>>530905
>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.

>>530909
>>530910
>>530913
>>530919
Keep dreaming

>>530911
>>530914
>>530921
>>530925
>>530926
I'm not a knight

Calling for
>I'm not a knight, Amaya. I can't protect anyone.
Writing now.

So we have two confirmed terrible cooks. How many more are lingering in the shadows?

>>530935
No one in year one is a competent cook, they're all awful

>>530937
How frightening...that said I am sure one person must be capable...I would hope.

>>530935
Well of course she put love on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wLjrwPgyD0

>>530945
Well, that was... something

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Amaya pouts. "Oh, don't be so down! You can be a perfect knight if you wanted. All it takes is endless courage, boundless strength and the purest of hearts!"

Oh, that's all? Sounds pretty demanding to you.

"That's just it, Amaya... I don't have any of those things," you sigh.

"Of course you do, Kazuma!" Amaya smiles. "I can sense it in you! I can feel the glow of innate goodness within you, you just have to let it out!"

"No... I'm a failure," you mutter.

"Someone's being a gloomy guts!" Amaya says in a sing-song voice.

"No, I'm not a good protector. You don't understand, last night I-"

"I know what this calls for!" Amaya exclaims, as she rushes over and throws her arms around you and squeezes you tight.

"What is this?" you ask. "What is this thing you're doing?"

"It's a hug!" Amaya laughs. "A hug of pure goodness! I'll bring out the purity in your heart by connecting in with mine! Do you feel it, Kazuma? Do you feel our souls intertwining, do you feel my heart beating with yours, as the evil lifts from your body?"

No. You just feel her chest rubbing up against your arm, and it's making you feel uncomfortable.

"I don't understand-"

"When there's darkness in your heart, an act of love will always wash it away!" Amaya smiles. "Perhaps a hug isn't enough? Maybe you need a kiss on the cheek from a princess? Or maybe even a kiss on the-"

"What the hell are you dipshits doing?"

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Your head spins around to see her. Sae, her hair a tangle mess, with heavier bags under her eyes than yours. Sporting a hoodie, she looks grumpier than ever as she walks in on you and Amaya. Amaya, shocked by the rude interruption, breaks away to chastise Sae.

"Now Sae, language like that is not becoming of a-"

"Blow it out your tight ass, blondie."

"Why Sae, that's just vul-"

"Scram pipsqueak!"

Amaya pouts as she flees the room before Sae gets even more aggressive. She makes her way over to you, her hands placed firmly in her pockets. "You gonna eat those?"

"Nah, you can have the rest," you sigh, sliding the plate of eggs over to her.

"And the ones in the pan?" Sae asks.

"Amaya was making those for hers-"

"They're mine now," Sae interrupts. Damn, she is in a foul mood. And for good reason.

"So, about what happened last night..."

"Shut up."

"I just thought you might wanted to talk to me about it," you sigh. "We went through the same thing."

Sae glares at you. "No, it isn't! That place messed with my head, told lies to the people around me! You're just a psycho who stabs people on a whim! We're nothing alike, got it?! Stop trying to feel sorry for me! I'm fine!"

You shake your head as Sae munches down on all of the eggs. As she swallows the last one, seemingly having calmed her down, she sighs.

"It wasn't a lie..." Sae mutters.

You look over at her with concern. Sae runs her fingers through her hair as she continues. "The thing it showed us, with those kids... it wasn't fake. That was a real memory. Even worse... what they said to me, what they said about my mother... that was all true too."

"Sae... it's okay," you say. "There's no shame in admitting that."

"Yes there is!" Sae snaps. "Of course there is!"

"How?" you ask.

"Because now I'm just going to be a whore's daughter to you! Who would want to be friends with that?!"

>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.
>There's a million reasons why we aren't friends Sae. That's not one of them.
>Are you kidding? With you, I wouldn't even mind being more than friends!
>Hey... you need a hug?

>>530948
>>There's a million reasons why we aren't friends Sae. That's not one of them.

>>530948
>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.
That 3rd option.

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>>530948
>There's a million reasons why we aren't friends Sae. That's not one of them.

That third option, Booker

>>530948
>>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.

>>530948
>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.
Or at the very least, you are slightly above Io.

>>530948
>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.
>>Hey... you need a hug?
Based Sae to the rescue. Now we can cry it out together instead of being hugged by some happy go lucky paladin.

>>530948
>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.
>Hey... you need a hug?
It may not go well, but its worth a try.

>You're just a psycho who stabs people on a whim!
Well, by all accounts, she isn't wrong, at least via the optics. And at least someone is mad at him. May actually make him feel better.

I also suspect that Amaya certainly does know about the Mayu incident now.

>>530948
>There's a million reasons why we aren't friends Sae. That's not one of them.
You could just have called the third option <Commit Suicide> to save on letters

>>530960
I feel like Sae might not take too poorly to the third option, but it's still stupid as shit

>>530948
>>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.

>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.
>At the very least a friendly acquaintance.


I didn't get to say it earlier so i'll say it now, Io a best.

>>530948
>>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend

>>530948
>Are you kidding? With you, I wouldn't even mind being more than friends!

>>530948
>There's a million reasons why we aren't friends Sae. That's not one of them.

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>I don't think of you like that. You are my friend.

Sae seems to be taken aback by your comment, staring at you through shocked eyes. "You... you really mean that?"

"Yeah," you smile. "Of course you're my friend, Sae."

She stares at you, long enough that her eyes begin to water, before she looks away and grumbles. "Well... shut up. You're not my friend. I don't like you at all, you stupid dipshit."

There isn't even any anger in her voice, she can't even muster up the enthusiasm to try and make you believe what she's saying is true. "You don't have to say it," you say. "But I want you to know that you're my friend. I know we don't usually get along, and we barely know each-other, but we've already been through a lot together. Heck, we even danced together, remember that?"

"Shut up."

"You looked great in that dress, by the way-"

"I swear Kaz, I will tear off your arms."

You sigh. "Okay... just know that I'm here for you."

You get up and turn to leave, before Sae calls out to you. "Kaz..."

You turn around to look at her, sitting in a stool, her hands still in her hood pocket. "You're kind of my friend. Only kind of."

You smile and nod as you turn back to exit the room. You step out into the hall and open the door to leave the dorms... only to notice the rain pouring down. Seems the storm hasn't settled since last night. You sigh, disappointed, only to turn around to see a stern face looking back at you. "I need to speak to you," Anri says, adjusting his jacket.

You groan. "What about?"

"Nothing much," Anri replies. "Simply the fact that you skewered a fellow student and almost killed her in a paranoid rage. Kazuma Asai, do you understand where that places you in my list of prime suspects for the Yasunari murder case?"

>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on.
>I won't lie Anri... could have been me. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing when I stabbed Mayu. Could have happened before.
>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.

>>530977
>>I won't lie Anri... could have been me. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing when I stabbed Mayu. Could have happened before.

>>530977
>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.

>>530977
>>I won't lie Anri... could have been me. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing when I stabbed Mayu. Could have happened before.
Will shenanigans ensue?

>I won't lie Anri... could have been me. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing when I stabbed Mayu. Could have happened before.

Booker is a hack that steals things from better shows.

>>530977
>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on.
*beat*
>I won't lie Anri... could have been me. I had no idea where I was or what I was doing when I stabbed Mayu. Could have happened before.

>>530977
>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.
>Piss off Anri, I'm not in the mood.

>>530977
>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on.
It was Hanako, screencap this.

Well regardless of what happens next. Anri's relationship with Kaz will continue to be fascinating.

>>530977
>>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on.

>>530977
>>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.
Get your facts straight idiot

>>530992
Did she headbutt him into a pit of spikes or something?

>>530977
>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on.
>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.
The rest of the time I've been in favour of humouring him, but right now we're still grumpy so gtfo of our face.

>>530977
>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on
>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.

If Yasunari was murdered I'd bet on Wei being involved somehow

>>530983
>>530985
>>530988
>>530989
Could have been me

>>530984
>>530990
>>531000
>>531003
>>531008
Crazy person

>>530989
>>530992
>>530999
>>531003
>>531008
Prime suspect

Calling for
>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on
>Yasunari wasn't murdered, and you're a crazy person.
Writing now.

>>530977
>I'm your prime suspect now? Come on.

>>531010
This...will go over well...

>>531013
Yep, no conceivable way this can go badly for us.

>>531024
We'll just have to repair and appologize later. When we aren't brooding.

File: Anri11.jpg (128 KB, 600x800)

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Anri stares back at you, angered by your comment. "I was trying to approach this subject with a level of rationality Kazuma, and I don't appreciate your-"

"What subject?" you roll your eyes. "This isn't a case. You have nothing! You have no proof that the guy was murdered, no evidence to even suggest it, and your prime suspect changes on a dime because you've got nothing to pin on anyone!"

"I am making the best with what I-"

"No," you interrupt. "You're just some 15 year old boy getting his kicks off of playing a cool detective. It's ridiculous, and I'm not in the mood to humour it."

"I... I'm 16," Anri mutters.

"Doesn't matter, you're still just a crazy paranoid kid. I swear, I could do a better detective job than you."

"No..." Anri shakes his head. "No you couldn't! You're so stupid, you can't even work out the obvious yet!"

You raise an eyebrow. "Oh, and what is that?"

"That I'm..." Anri begins, before stopping himself. Obviously heated, he takes a deep breath, trying hard to compose himself. "I should remain professional... even if you won't. Apologies for insulting your intelligence. I'll be keeping my eyes on you, Kazuma Asai... but I sincerely hope we never have the displeasure of speaking again."

Anri storms off, retreating to his room and shutting the door hard behind him, obviously flustered. Damn it... you aren't in the best of moods, but you didn't need to take it out on him like that. Then again, he was accusing you of murder... maybe a little chastising is what it'd take to screw his head on right?

You look outside. The rain isn't letting up at all. Summer really is over, isn't it?

You try to go out there, you'll likely catch a cold. Seems you're stuck in the dorms for the time being. Maybe someone hanging around is free to pass the time with? Kiriko's still keeping an eye on Mayu... Gado's still in his hospital bed, but you're certain you heard Kuin return to the dorms last night, she's probably still asleep in her bed. Chuichi's still snoozing too. Maybe you could check back in on Sae, or see how Risa or Tami are doing. You doubt Alice is in her dormroom, she's never spent a night there before. Io, her supposed roommate could still be holed up in there though. And of course, you could always try apologising to Anri...

A lot of options, but who are you going to check in on?

>[WHO WILL YOU VISIT?]

>>531033
>Lets go see Risa, she's usually very level headed and helpful

>>531033
Kiriko and Mayu

>>531035
I can dig this

>>531033
>"That I'm..."
Certainly most definitely a boy yes we've established this.
>Kuin
GOTTA CHECK ON OUR GLORIOUS LEADER FRIEND

>>531036
They aren't at the dorm and we'd have to get past the Japanese Death Rain to see them

>reverse trap detective character
how original

>>531033
>[WHO WILL YOU VISIT?]
Atasuke

>>531041
Booker is a hack, this is established

>>531033
>Ma-ppfffffttttt
Let's visit Kuin and Gado.

>>531035
I'm alright with Risa. I don't want to disturb our glorious leader's sleep.

>>531033
>Risa

Smooth moove guys. Now Anri is livid with us...we'll have to appologize later. For now, we need someone to be therapist.

>>531033
>Risa

All this people getting baited by the obvious Naoto expy and not expecting the switcheroo

>>531053
I too am expecting a possible switch. But that does prompt the question of what Anri is hiding.

Anyways, best to move on and wait for a time to patch things up.

>>531033
>Atasuke
Best boy needs more facetime, unless he's only ever going to make flirty flypasts and never really talk to us.

File: Risa13.jpg (215 KB, 850x1275)

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>Risa

If there's one person you can trust to talk to and have a level head, it's Risa. She's the one who managed to talk you down from your delirious state in the first place. She's always had a good head on her shoulders. You make your way to her room and knock on the door. You wait for a moment, before you hear footsteps from inside. The door creaks open, as a tired Risa greets you from the other side, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning Kaz..." she smiles, and before you know it, he's leaning forward and planting a kiss on your cheek.

"What was that about?" you ask.

"I didn't remember until just now, but I promised you that for when we finished the mission," Risa laughs. "Say what you will about me, but I always deliver on my promises!"

"Can I come in?" you decide to ask.

Risa nods as she opens the door further, revealing her neat room. "Sure, go ahead. Knock yourself out!"

You step into the room and begin to survey your surroundings. You pick out quite a few items neatly organised within the room, but even then you recognise them as belonging to Amaya, Risa's roommate. Clothes, pictures of the family, sentimental objects. As far as items belonging to Risa goes, the room is pretty much bare.

"No pictures of the folks?" you ask.

"Nice try," Risa smirks. "Your prying has no effect on me."

You sigh. You at least expected there to be wires and gun parts lying around. You suppose Amaya's just a very cleanly roommate.

"Apologies for my appearance," Risa smiles. "You caught me before I've put my make-up on."

"You don't look much different," you remark. "You look fine right now."

"How flattering," Risa replies. "But believe it or not, I just enjoy putting make-up on."

You sit on the edge of the bed, as Risa pulls out a make-up kit and gets to work, talking to you as she does. "So, how are you holding up, anyway? You look tired."

"That's because I am tired," you sigh.

"Still feeling rough, huh?" Risa remarks. "You want to talk about it? Want to rest your head in my lap? That's supposed to help people relax, right?"

>Sure, it couldn't hurt.
>I think I'll just talk it out.
>Stop asking about me. It's about time you told me about yourself.
>I can think of a few other things people can do on a bed to relax...

>>531076
>>I think I'll just talk it out.

>>531076
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.
Where oh where to begin.

>>531076
>I think I'll just talk it out.

>>531076
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.

>>531076
>>I can think of a few other things people can do on a bed to relax...
Kaz please, you're killing me here with how smooth you are.

>>531076
>>Sure, it couldn't hurt.
Here we go

>I think I'll just talk it out.
Booker is a hack, who steals things from better series.

And I love him for that

>>531076
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.

>>531076
>She wants to steal your magic rock kill her

Jokes aside.
>I think I'll just talk it out.

>>531076
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.
Cause why not
She offered, and we need all the comfort we can get

>>531076
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.

>>531076
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.

>>531079
>>531082
>>531086
>>531093
Talk it out

>>531081
>>531083
>>531085
>>531092
>>531094
>>531097
Couldn't hurt.

Calling for
>Sure, it couldn't hurt.
Writing now.

File: Risa18.jpg (260 KB, 828x1280)

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Risa moves the make-up kit aside, as she grabs you by the shoulders, motioning for you to lie down on your side, your head placed firmly atop her lap. You feel the cold of her bare legs against your cheek as she begin to comfortingly stroke your hair as you move your feet up onto the bed, lying in a more comfortable position.

"There we are..." Risa whispers. "You've had a rough night, Kazuma. Try to just let it go for a moment. Relax..."

"I can't relax," you mutter. "No after what happened. Not after what I did."

"That wasn't your fault, Kaz..." Risa reassures you. "That place was designed to mess with your head. Make you see things that weren't there. If any of us had gone in first, we would be in your situation. Probably even worse. You volunteered to go in first, knowing what would happen to you. That doesn't make you a failure. It makes you a hero who took a bullet for the rest of us."

"Then stuck a sword through Mayu..."

Risa sighs. "Come on, Kaz. You can't let the self-pity take control here. Something bad happened, yeah. But everyone made it out alive. You can visit Mayu, talk it out with her and fix things. It could have been much, much worse. At least Mayu's around so that you can apologise to her... some people don't get that chance..."

Risa suddenly stops stroking your hair and quietens up, thinking for a moment. "Kazuma... what did you see? What was your vision? I'm curious."

"Now you're the one prying into my mind," you reply.

"You're the one with your head in my lap," Risa fires back with a smirk. "A lot of guys would kill to be this close to my thighs, you know? A little information is how you pay me back. What did you see that made you stab Mayu?"

>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone.
>It's none of your business, Risa.
>That's not a fair trade! You give me information, and I'll give you information.

>That's not a fair trade! You give me information, and I'll give you information.

>>531117
>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone.

>>531117
>>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone.
S-she won't laugh right?

>>531117
>It's none of your business, Risa.
>You give me information, and I'll give you information.
Yeah, that's not how this works.

>>531117
>That's not a fair trade! You give me information, and I'll give you information

>>531117
>I saw everyone dying around me that I had failed them
>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone
>I thought she was a monster trying to take it.
Tempting as that third option is. She does kind of know about the stone. We should clarify some details though.

>>531117
>>That's not a fair trade! You give me information, and I'll give you information.

>>531117
>>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone.

>>531117
>>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone.

>>531117
>>That's not a fair trade! You give me information, and I'll give you information.

>>531117
>>I... I thought she was trying to steal my stone.

File: Risa24.jpg (491 KB, 1050x1700)

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>That's not a fair trade! You give me information, and I'll give you information.

"You're really that desperate to know more about me, huh?" Risa asks.

"It's not just that," you sigh. "You're my friend, and I can't just spill my heart out about everything wrong I did, when you won't even tell so much as where you're from!"

Risa stares at you, biting her bottom lip. "Fine..." she sighs.

She moves your head as she sits up from the bed. She bends over as she opens the drawer of one of her chests and rummages around the bottom of it, before pulling out a small Polaroid photo. She hand it over to you with a shrug. "Take a glance at this. It's a picture of me when I was four years old. I'm sure you can gleam a little from that."

You stare at the picture, depicting a small girl in a nicely furnished dinning room, holding up a finger-painting she did, a splotch of purple paint still hanging on the bridge of her nose.

"Cute kid," you mutter.

"Thanks," Risa smiles. "I'm also a pretty cute teenager, in case you hadn't noticed."

You nod as you continue to look at the photo. You don't get it. It all seems so normal, so simple. Why on earth would she want to keep this a secret from any... hang on...

"What's this thing?" you ask, pointing at a spot in the photo.

"What's what?"

"This long green thing, you can see it just outside your window, right behind you... it looks like the barrel of a t-"

Risa snatches the photo from your hand, crumpling it up in the process. "Okay, I said you could take a glance. I definitely allowed more than a glance. Now tell me what you saw in that place."

You sigh. "Just... all sorts of things. I saw people dying in front of me, Kiriko sinking into the ground... when Mayu came by, I thought she was some horrible creature, who... who..."

"Who what?"

"Who was after my stone."

Risa looks at you raising an eyebrow. "Your... stone? The magic one that glows?"

"Yeah."

"You almost killed Mayu... over a stone?" she asks.

"Now do you get it?" you reply. "I'm a failure, a freak!"

"Kaz... if you ask me, I think the stone was messing with your head just as much as the Darkworld was," Risa remarks. "You've had hallucinations about it before, haven't you? That time you collapsed in class... you said you saw you dad and he was telling you to kill anyone who tried to take it from you."

"Yeah..."

"That's probably what's been throwing you out of whack," Risa explains. "Good thing that stone up and vanished when that demon used it."

You feel the jab of the stone against your leg as it rests in your pocket.

>Yeah... good thing we don't have to deal with it anymore.
>Well, actually... I still have it.

>>531183
>Well, actually... I still have it.

>>531183
>>Well, actually... I still have it.
we already told Chuichi

>>531183
>>Well, actually... I still have it.

>Well, actually... I still have it.
SHE
HAD
A
FUCKING
TANK

>>531183
>Well, actually... I still have it.
>And who knows what that demon did when he took it off me.
DreamDad's still in the right to be honest.

>>531183
>Well, actually... I still have it.
Things are going to get more awkward now.

>>531183
>>Well, actually... I still have it.

>>531183
>Well, actually... I still have it.

>>531192
>Child soldiers/Artificial superhumans theory intensifies theory intensifies

File: Risa20.png (578 KB, 586x1003)

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>Well, actually... I still have it.

"You... what?" Risa states, staring at you wide-eyed. "What do you mean, you still have it?"

"I mean... I still have it," you explain. "It's in my pocket right now."

"You just... swiped it off Ryoji when nobody else was looking?"

"I didn't try to be sneaky about it," you explain. "The fact that nobody was looking when I grabbed it was just happenstance. I'm not trying to keep it a secret."

Risa crosses her arms. "Well... get rid of it. It's cursed or something."

"It's not cursed," you reply.

"No, it just tells you to kill people in your sleep," Risa fires back. "Totally not cursed."

"It was a gift from my dad!" You protest.

"Then your dad gives crappy gifts!" Risa exclaims. "Come on, Kaz! It's obviously a bad kind of magic in that thing! If you hold onto it any longer, it'll probably turn you into an ugly goblin or something."

"That's ridiculous."

"But not ridiculous enough," Risa replies. "You're trying to tell me you think that thing isn't cursed?"

"I've had it for years, and besides, it lead us to Ryoji. It's got some serious power, clearly. I don't want it falling into the wrong hands."

"And you're the right hands?" Risa asks. "The hands that st-No, I shouldn't go there... look, why don't you just give it to me. You can't think straight when that thing's involved."

You shake your head. "No. Why would I give it to you?"

Risa sighs. "I will reach into your pocket and pull it out if I have too. I'm not trusting you with that stone."

"You wouldn't dare."

Risa smirks. "Oh yeah?"

Before you know it, she's pouncing on you, trying to retrieve the stone as you struggle. "Come on Kaz, give it to me! You're not safe with it!"

"Risa stop, seriously-"

"-I'm not afraid to reach in there!"

"Risa, stop messing around-"

"-That's it, I'm going in-"

"Risa, stop-"

"-Here I g-g-g..."

You didn't mean to do it. You really didn't. But... out of sheer reflex, your hand shoots up, and wraps itself around Risa's throat. You squeeze tight, choking her for a few second, before you come to your senses, regain control of your hand and loosen up as she staggers back. You both stare at each-other, equally shocked at what just happened. You... you never thought you would do something like that. The look on Risa's face... she's terrified of you.

>Risa... I am so sorry, I just... lost control...
>I told you to stop.
>To hell with it... just cry.

>>531235
>>I told you to stop.
>To hell with it... just cry.

>>531235
>To hell with it... just cry.
Holy shit...

>>531235
>I told you to stop.
Kaz did warn her, don't touch our shit.

>>531235
>>I told you to stop.
>>To hell with it... just cry.

>"If you hold onto it any longer, it'll probably turn you into an ugly goblin or something."
Eugh Goblins I dont like em, Dont like Goblins, Euuuugh
>Run Away
>While Crying
Also yeah it's very very possible we are a muderer

>>531235
>Risa... I am so sorry, I just... lost control...
I really don't like playing as Kaz

>>531235
>>I told you to stop.
Crying makes her look like that bad guy here and it feels crappy to toss an apology in her face after that. We'll just leave and let the situation play out.

>>531235
>>I tol- told you t-
>>To hell with it... just cry.

>>531235
>>To hell with it... just cry.

>>531235
>>I told you to stop.

>>531235
>>To hell with it... just cry.

>>531093
I told you so

>>531251
I disagree. I think Risa knowing our situation, particularily out guilt towards stabbing Mayu. I don't believe that she will be made out to be the bad guy. Thats my theory at least

>>531269
I dunno man, unless we're both going to start crying then the one who did the choking probably shouldn't be the one that bursts into treats.

>>531235
>>I told you to stop.
>>To hell with it... just cry.
>Blubbering something about being a failure

>>531242
>>531245
>>531247
>>531251
>>531263
>>531278
>I told you to stop.

>>531242
>>531243
>>531247
>>531252
>>531254
>>531265
>>531278
>To hell with it... just cry.

Calling for
>To hell with it... just cry.
Writing now.

We really need to get rid of that fucking stone

>>531283
>DreamDad tells us to kill anyone that touches the magic rock
>We lose it and it unleashes the FUCKING APOCALYPSE
Honestly the best place for that stone is still with Kaz, fuck giving it to The Stranger.

>>531274
We may just. But right now its more about the macroscopic. Kaz has been doing exactly what Io said he was doing. And its all come out. He needs to let it out or he will never be able to move forward.

>>531283
I suspect getting rid of it will create more problems. Best we can do is lock it up tight in a safe and never open it until the most dire of moments. We toss it, it will fall in far worse hands.

>>531292
Sure, but it has caused more, awful repercussions when Kaz had it

>>531292
>not wanting Ryoji and The Stranger's ass kicking adventures
I'm all for giving Ryoji the stone, there isn't an in character reason to get rid of it though. Unless choking your friends is the last straw, but I think we need to go for three strikes first.

>>531299
Dubs confirmed, 1 more strike and we drop the fucking thing

>>531298
>more, awful repercussions when Kaz had it
I don't see how accidentally stabbing someone is worse than ending the world.

>>531299
I wouldn't mind Ryoji getting a power boost but that would involve believing what The Stranger said about it not letting him reestablish control over Ryoji.

File: Akihito.jpg (148 KB, 969x1200)

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As tears begin to flood your eyes, you see Risa trying as hard as possible to contain her own. As you try hard to regain control, to wipe the tears from your cheeks, you fall back, landing on your ass, sitting in a ball of your own failures.

"I just..." you blubber. "What the hell is wrong with me?"

Risa, doing her best to stay composed, cautiously hunkers down to her knees, trying to keep at eye level with you. Your head hurts so much, you don't know what you're doing, you can't control yourself... it started so well, you were talking to your friend, resting your head in her lap, learning more about her... and then you snapped. You really are a psychopath, a monster. Risa would be wise to stay away from you.

"Kazuma..." Risa frowns. "Come on. Pick yourself up."

"W-what?"

You look up, and see the tears flowing from her face. "Kazuma... you have problems. That's obvious. But you can't just crumple up like this and give up."

"Risa... stop," you cry. "You can't be this nice to me... not after I..."

Risa rubs her neck. She's still clearly unnerved around you, but is trying hard to power through. "I can forgive you for that, Kaz. You... you're not in your right mind. Come on, let's get you to the school counsellor."

Risa pulls you to your feet, practically picking you up by force. As you stand on your feet, your legs shaking, your face pale, Risa stares at you. She places her hands on your arms, trying to keep you steady, before wrapping her arms around you in a tight embrace. "Come on, Kaz. You're stronger than this..."

You don't return the hug. You can't bring yourself to lay your hands on her. Risa helpfully leads you to the door, as the two of you step outside. "Look... the rain's stopped," Risa mutters. "See? Things are looking up already."

>Later

"Thank you for waiting, Kazuma."

Akihito, the homeroom teacher of class 2 and the school's counsellor, sits in the chair before you. You've been waiting twenty minutes for him to get fully prepared. Understandable, you came to him on such short notice, a messy, tired ball of tears. He was definitely caught by surprise with your presence.

"I see you've been going through some problems recently, brought about during your time in the Darkworld."

You nod, but don't speak.

"And your incident with miss Aoki marks the second such incident in one day, your incident with miss Nakatoni having a rather nasty outcome... I can see that you're a deeply troubled boy, Kazuma."

You nod, but don't speak.

"Well Kazuma, let's start out with some basic word association. I'm going to say a word, and please tell me the first thing that comes into your head, okay?"

You nod, but don't speak.

"Very well. Just say the first word that comes into your mind when I say... Father."

>Hero
>Shadow
>Hatred
>Death
>Say nothing

>>531324
>>Say nothing

>>531324
>>Hero

>>531324
>Shadow
Oh boy...this...this is going to be good.

>>531324
>Shadow
What's this? Akihito actually doing his job?
Where was he when Raiden, Rei, Saki post-Endless night had all their shit?
Can't be the murder attempt, Raiden has some of those under his belt

>>531324
>Hero

>>531324
>Shadow

>>531324
>Shadow
Holy shit, is Akihito actually doing his job?

>>531324
>>Say nothing

>>531335
>>531340
Now too be fair, those characters aren't our POV. So he may be doing his job and we don't know it. Alternatively look at those names you have listed. Are these the characters that would actively and willingly seek him out? Best I can guess, is that he has seen problems, offered help, but had it promptly refused. There does need to be two willing parties, after all. Believe me, I have been to councilers before.

>>531324
>>Hero

>>531324
>>Death

>>531348
True, but wasn't his reaction to finding out about Ryoji turning into a Darkworlder basically just, "Deal with it, this is what you signed up for." even though Ryoji had no idea what was going on? I can't really remember since it's been a while since I re read the earlier parts of the quest.

>>531360
Not quite that, but he was certainly doing his level best to spin it into a positive. Suggesting that he make some friends and try to enjoy the school. The assumption I would take is that he only got whispers about this school and that he forgot orientation.

That said I think its fair to assume that he may not be the best fit for the job. But what can they realistically do? I think he's trying his best.

>>531324
>>Hero

>>531375
He being Ryoji, I should mention.

>>531378
I think this ties up the vote and I know Book is likely wroting anyways. But I kinda like the idea of Kaz answering both in confusion.

File: Kazuma07.jpg (44 KB, 388x495)

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>Shadow

"You feel intimidated by your father, Kazuma?" Akihito asks, adjusting his glasses. "It's very understandable. Kankuro Asai is a man who casts a long shadow."

"You knew him?" you ask.

"Of course, he was a teacher when I was still a student," Akihito explains. "He was a very intimidating man. I understand, Kazuma... you feel imposed upon by your father's legacy."

You cross your arms. "This isn't about my father."

"Of course, apologies..." Akihito says, as he makes a few notes in his book. "But you should know Kazuma, if you're not willing to open up about your emotions, there isn't much I can do for you. I want to help you Kazuma, but I can only work with what you give me."

You let out a sigh. He's right. You came here because of your problems, which means you're just going to have to share them with him. You spend the next few minutes... well, more than just a few minutes. It takes almost a full hour before you're able to unload everything that happened in the last while to the counsellor. By the end, you've started to tear up again.

The whole time, Akihito listens intently, making notes as he goes. "I see..." he mutters, before taking a look at his watch. "Hmm, it seems our time is up already. But, if it's okay with you, I'd like to extend our session by another fifteen minutes?"

"Of course," you reply. "That's generous of you."

"I'm in a generous mood," Akihito smiles. "My favourite student just returned. Now... the first thing I have to say to you is that you have good friends. It was very mature and responsible of miss Aoki to act the way that she did after your earlier incident. She did the right thing by bringing you to me. Friends are a very important piece of support, and it seems you have plenty of support in your life."

And all you've done so far is let them down...

"Never be afraid to rely on your friends," Akihito explains. "Tell me Kazuma, who among your friends can you truly rely on. Who would be the first person you'd go to with your problems?"

>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.
>Chuichi, he's my roommate, and we spend a lot of time together.
>Risa, she's proven that she's mature enough to diffuse even the most stressful conversations.
>Other

>>531396
>>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.
>But she was with Mayu and I couldn't go there.

>>531396
>>Risa, she's proven that she's mature enough to diffuse even the most stressful conversations.

>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.

>>531396
>>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.

>>531396
>>Other
I can't rely on anyone if i'm not strong enough to rely on myself.
I can't be a burrden
I won't be

>>531400
Seconding

>>531396
>>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.

>>531400
I'll second this.

>>531400
Fourthing this.

>>531396
>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.

>>531400
I will support this option. Akihito will have a field day with this one.

>>531396
Just noticed something.
>My favourite student just returned

Awwwwwwwwww he missed Ryoji so much. I feel like we have to explore this next episode.

>>531396
>Other
Tami, she'd shoot in the throat

File: Kiriko26.png (257 KB, 700x900)

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>Kiriko, she's my best friend. I've known her for years.
>But she was with Mayu and I couldn't go there.

"You're hesitant to see Mayu?" Akihito asks.

"Of course I am," you reply. "I... I stabbed her. I can't bring myself to face her after something like that. I'm not ready."

"That's very understandable," Akihito nods. "But I must say, you can't hold off on it too long. If you neglect the repairing of a bridge, it's condition will only worsen. I'm certain that Mayu will forgive you should you talk to her about the events that transpired."

"I don't think you know Mayu very well," you reply. "She wouldn't forgive me for anything."

"From what you've told me of her so far, Kazuma... I feel that you're the one who doesn't know her."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well... it seems to me that miss Nakatoni cares for you a good deal greater than either of you would let on. I'd go so far as to make other assumptions on her feeling towards you, but they are far from my place to say."

You raise an eyebrow. "You really think Mayu would be that understanding of me?"

"It's what I believe, but I can't guarantee that I'm right," Akihito explains. "I still believe that it would be best for yourself and Mayu that you don't avoid the responsibility of speaking to her. Now... I'm afraid I can't spare any more time with you without cutting into my session with another Class 2 student. Thank you Kazuma, I hope we can do this again sometime. A single session isn't enough to solve anything."

"Thank you sir," you respectfully reply. You shake his hand, as a small black haired girl from Class 2 with a wide grin on her face enters the room. You remember her being a friend of Saki's. She gives you a thumbs up as you exit the room, leaving you to wonder why someone like that would need counselling.

As you step out of the room, you are surprised by a certain ninja leaping onto you and holding you tight.

"Kaz!" Kiriko yells, as she hugs you tighter. "I just heard about what happened. I'm sorry!"

"Sorry for what?" you ask.

"I was so busy looking after Mayu that I neglected to help you when you were in trouble!" Kiriko cries. "I'm sorry, I'll never do it again!"

"It's fine," you sigh. "You can't be in two places at once, Kiriko."

"Yeah, but I'm still worried about you!" Kiriko explains. "I don't want my little bro going crazy in my absence!"

There's a tense silence between the two of you before Kiriko speaks up again. "Mayu's awake, you know."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah..." Kiriko mutters. "You should go see her."

>I should, I'll do that now.
>No... I'm not ready to see her yet.
>I don't think I'm ever going to visit Mayu.

>I should, I'll do that now.

>>531495
>No... I'm not ready to see her yet.

>>531495
>>I should, I'll do that now.
>Realize we are not moving
>help

>>531495
>I should, I'll do that now.
Here we go...

>Meanwhile...
Akemi noooooo!

>>531495
>>I should, I'll do that now.

>>531495
>I should, I'll do that now.

File: his smile and optimism.png (345 KB, 640x480)

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>>531495
>I should, I'll do that now.

Also
>You shake his hand, as a small black haired girl from Class 2 with a wide grin on her face enters the room. You remember her being a friend of Saki's. She gives you a thumbs up as you exit the room, leaving you to wonder why someone like that would need counselling.

>>531495
>>I should, I'll do that now.

>>531525
Guess she hasn't quite gotten over it. That or she's more stressed about the darkworld than fucking Hoshi.

>>531495
>>I should, I'll do that now.

I doubt Akemi is in any real emotional or mental duress. You guys are just being paranoid.

>>531549
Ryojis disappearence was tough on her, and she never really vents or shows negative feelings, this is probably good for her

>>531495
>I should, I'll do that now.

>>531495
>I should, I'll do that now.
Got to do it sometime, might as well get it over with.

>>531495
>>I should, I'll do that now.

File: Mayu15.jpg (80 KB, 885x1007)

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>I should, I'll do that now.

You're dreading this... but it needs to be done. You need to see her. You need to apologise for what happened.

"Do you want me to come with?" Kiriko asks. "I mean, I just came out of there, but..."

"It's okay, Kiriko. You go back to the dorms. Get some rest. This... this is something I have to do for myself."

Kiriko gives you a reassuring pat on the back as she makes her way down the hall, and you begin to make your way to the nurse's office.

As you enter, you see that Gado's bed is empty. The tough guy must already be up and about. You also see Saki sitting by Ryoji's bed, leaning over as she tightly grasps her boyfriend's hand. She looks so worried for him, she might be terrified that she'll never wake up. Kosuke, the blonde guy from Class 2, is sitting on the opposite side, waiting for his friend to come to.

And then you see her. Sitting up in her bed, a small tub of yoghurt and a spoon in her hands... Mayu. She glances over to you, then back to the yoghurt, trying hard not to look at you a second time. You take a deep breath, as you make your way over to her, sitting in the chair by the side of her bed. "Hey," is the only thing you manage to get out.

"Hello Kazuma," she replies in a blunt tone, without looking away from the yoghurt.

"Mayu, I..."

"If you wish to have a private conversation with me, I would appreciate it if you closed the curtains. I do not wish for the others to listen in."

You nod, and rise from the chair, grabbing the blue curtain and pulling it around her bedside, concealing the two of you from the rest of the room.

"I would like you to know," Mayu states, "You are now responsible for the single most painful moment of my life."

You sigh. "Yeah, I can't imagine a sword through the gut tickling..."

"It's not about the blade," Mayu explains. "It's who was holding it."

You pause. "What do you mean?"

"I never expected you to hurt me, Kazuma."

You don't understand. You were under the impression that she hated you. That she considered you to be attempting to ruin her life at every turn.

"Mayu... I'm so sorry for what happened. I-"

"You lost control," Mayu interrupts. "I understand. You don't have to explain yourself to me. I've lost control myself in the past."

"Still... I'm sorry."

Mayu nods. "Thank you, but it's okay."

"I don't understand though..." you mutter. "Why did you come help me? Why were you of all people the first to my aid?"

"I came to your aid because you were in need of it," Mayu explains. "It is not a complicated concept. And besides... I do not fully hate you. Not anymore."

>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

>>531623
>That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?
Might as well ask about it now.

>>531623
>>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

>>531623
>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.
And so begins a long complicated discussion.

>>531623
>>That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

>>531623
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

>>531623
>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

Inb4 she says I never said that I liked you.

>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

>>531623
>>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>>That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.

Can we finally give her that goddamn forehead kiss?

>>531623
>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

I think that we should give the stone to Mayu because we know that we can fully trust her.

>>531661
>Can we finally give her that goddamn forehead kiss?

No.

>>531677
You just want Mayu to get killed off don't you? If we give her that magic rock then we might sleep stab her to get it back.

>>531623
>>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.

>>531715
Fuck you saw straight threw me

>>531713
You heartless bastard

>It's all that boy's fault, because of him everyone thinks you are crazy and ended up hurting your friends.
>Even worse his demon-pal stole your stone.
>Who says he won't steal it from you as well
>Kill him, it's all his fault.

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>Thanks Mayu. I like you too.
>Why did you hate me to begin with, anyway?

"I never claimed to like you," Mayu states. "Please do not misinterpret my words. I simply stated that I did not hate you. That does not mean that I like you. It does not mean that I am in love with you. These are not inclusive statements."

"Mayu... it was a joke."

"Oh..." Mayu mutters. "In that case, please refrain from making another."

You almost forgot how bad she was with any kind of humour. "But I do like you, Mayu."

"Thank you," Mayu replies, a slight smile breaking out onto her face.

"So... why did you hate me to begin with?"

Mayu pauses, biting her bottom lip. She's clearly hesitating to say anything. Eventually, she looks over to you, sadness creeping into her eyes, as she lets out two simple words. "Your father..." she mutters, before trailing off.

"My dad?" you ask. "What about my dad?"

Mayu takes a deep, defeated breath. "It... it doesn't matter anymore. I don't blame you for any of that. I... I would rather not talk about it now."

"Maybe some other time?" you ask.

"We'll see," Mayu replies. "Now, all that matters is that I do not hate you. How... how are you, Kazuma?"

She's asking about how you're feeling? That's unexpected.

"Well..." you begin, before taking a look at her. The smile on her face... it's so genuine, so pretty, so heartwarming. She's truly concerned. "I haven't had the best time lately."

"I can imagine," Mayu replies. "After all, you did try to kill me."

"Thanks for the reminder..."

"I did not think you had forgotten, but you're welcome," Mayu smiles. "Would... you like to talk about it?"

You smile. "Wow Mayu, is this the first step in us becoming friends?"

"We were already friends... for Kiriko's sake, remember?" Mayu explains.

"Yeah, but I think we're starting to become friends for our own sakes," you reply.

Mayu smiles once more, as she gently places her hand atop your and gives it a light comforting squeeze. "Perhaps," she says. "Come Kazuma... tell me about your day."

And there it was. In the midst of everything, your unravelling mind, your unshakeable fears, the crumbling of the world around you, and the the darkness from the ever present shadow... a single moment. A single touch of the hand, a simple smile, and you briefly feel as if everything is right in the world.

And that'll be the last update for tonight. Thread will continue sometime tomorrow afternoon GMT.

The plot thickens.

>>531765
THE POTTERY THICKENS
With every update, I get more and more suspicious of Kaz's Dad. I'm expecting multiple shoe-drops now.

>>531765
Great thread so far Booker. I feel like Kaz continues to grow into a great character, like Ryoji.

>>531779
Me too. I am starting to think we'll be getting the addage about Heroes not neccessarily being good people. Sins of the Father and all that.

As for minor details, I think its safe to say that right now the following changes have taken place.

>Sae Urai, Mayu Nakatoni are now Friends of Kazuma Azai, and vice versa.
>Kazuma Azai is now an Enemy of Anri Kitamura
The last is something we should really try to fix by the end of this episode. But we still need to touch base with a handful of others.

At the very least, I think I can safely say that Risa is currently my favourite Class 1. By nature of being a very good person through all this.

>>531779
I imagine that Kankuro is the "I did what I had to do for the greater good" kind of guy. Probably left a family member of Mayu's to die or something.

>>531836
But how far he is on the WellI ntentioned Extremist scale is still unknown. He could be as crazy as Settan.

>>531836
I'm betting he's actually Mayu's dad, giving Kaz a real big sister

File: Takeshi03.png (562 KB, 800x625)

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“You did what?!”

The next day, you were beginning to return to your old self. You still weren't quite there yet, and a tense glance between yourself and Risa in the hallways made you feel sick to your stomach... but you're now speaking more with the school counsellor, opening up more about your feelings, and Mayu's making a speedy recovery. She's already up and out of bed, thought she's still not ready to get back into her training, a fact that annoys her greatly. But right now, you've been able to move away from your mental issues, away from the blue stone, and focus on simpler things.

Like Takeshi being an idiot.

“W-well, you see...” Takeshi nervously chuckles, scratching the back of his head. “I s-spent the last week trying to work up the courage to ask out Tekina... and, well... when I asked her if she wanted to go to dinner, she said 'pardon'?”

“Probably because she couldn't hear you,” you reply. “I doubt you were able to ask her out in anything louder than under your breath.”

“W-well, I still freaked out! I had to backtrack, so I...”

“You told her you were chaperoning a student date,” you finish.

“Y-yeah... so you understood the first time...” Takeshi mutters.

“Yeah, I did,” you say. “Quick question though, why did you have to name me as the student?”

“You were the first name that came into my head!” Takeshi protests. “But Tekina agreed to help chaperone the date, so now you have to come or I'll look like an idiot!”

“I'm not going to do that,” you reply.

“Come on Kazuma, we're buddies!”

“No, we're a student and teach-”

“And I didn't say who the girl was, so you can bring anyone!” Takeshi smiles. “Now's your time to ask out your crush.”

“I don't have a crush.”

“Well... that's a little insulting,” Takeshi mumbles. “There's plenty of nice girls in your class! You should take one to dinner, give her a chance!”

“Or... I could no-show entirely. I don't have to do this, and you get alone time with the nurse. Boom, two birds with one stone.”

“Y-you can't do that!” Takeshi protests. “I-If you don't show up... if we wait outside the restaurant and you don't arrive with a date, she'll just go back to her lab! I'll be crushed! My heart will break into a million pieces! A-and then, when I try to pick up the pieces, I'll just drop them and shatter them into more pieces! You know how clumsy I am! You can't have that many shards of broken heart lying on the street like that! People will cut their feet when they try to walk by! I-I can't let that happen! Please Kazuma, innocent people's feet are at stake here!”

>Okay, I'll do it... for the people.
>Okay, I'll do it... for you, Takeshi.
>No way that's happening. Sorry, Takeshi.
>That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. No.

>That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
>I'll do it... for the people.

Takeshi Senpai is a master of prose

>>533818
>Okay, I'll do it... for you, Takeshi.
Bring the whole god damn club, we hareming it up now.

>>533818
>>No way that's happening. Sorry, Takeshi.
>>That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. No.

>>533818
>That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
>I'll do it... for the people.
Oh, Takeshi...

>>533818
>That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard
>Okay, I'll do it... for the people

>>533818
>Okay, I'll do it... for the people.
But now, who do we take...

Bring Gado on the date
Maximum Spaghetti for Takashi

>>533831
>Gado
>Not Atasuke
What are you, a faggot?

>>533837
9 INCH CLIT

Bring Kirkio. Nothing awkward about bringing your sister for a dinner.

>>533837
In the absence of any grills being an obvious candidate to ask I was actually thinking this too. The Takeshi spaghetti would be awesome, and from the rest of the characters there should be a fair bit also.

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Bring Sae, it'll be GLORIOUS.

C'mon, just imagine, this is possibly the best choice because Kaz doesn't have a crush on anyone, so bringing anyone he's on a more romantic path with would be silly, whereas with Sae it'd be in-line with his usual teasing of her to turn this situation into entertainment for himself by making her come, just to watch her reaction to even being told it's teachers orders to go on a date with him, let ALONE the date itself and the fact it's being chaperoned so other people have to see it too.

Plus, She;ll be eating, so not only do we get to tease her but we'll get to do it even more cause there is food there to constantly calm her back down, its the PERFECT chance.

Sae best option, tsundereteasing best option, vote sae 2k16 for the best chaperoned date yer ever gonna see.

Or bring Kiriko, no harm in taking your best friend out for a meal once in a while.

But mainly lets bring Sae!

>>533849
Counterpoint.
Sae sucks.

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>That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
>I'll do it... for the people.

Takeshi excitedly claps his hands together. "Yes! See, this is why you're my best friend, Kazuma!"

"That's... really sad of you to say, sensei..."

"If I were allowed to hug students, I'd hug you right now!" Takeshi laughs. "You're a lifesaver! Thank you! Thank you! Just find a girl to bring, and we're all set!"

As Takeshi bounds down the corner, you let out a sigh. You were really hoping to spend a night safe from the Darkworld doing something a little more fruitful, but you suppose this is what you're stuck with. Damn it all... how they hell are you supposed to find a girl willing to do this by tonight? In your mind, you try to run through all of the potential options. Kiriko's an obvious first choice. You've known her since you could barely walk, and there's nobody you're more comfortable around. Going to dinner with her wouldn't even feel like a date. Sae can be a real handful, but she loves to eat, so taking her to a restaurant might be a pleasant time. Kuin's nice... but you ask her out, and you've got a fifth wheel in the form of her hulking bodyguard.

You've been getting closer with Mayu, and a nice dinner might be the next step in apologising for what happened... but you don't think a date would be something she'd appreciate... Risa's always been cool, and you think she's flirted with you once or twice... but after what happened yesterday, you've had a hard time facing her. Maybe Hanako, she's beautiful... then again, Takeshi has already given you your fill of awkward people, and you worry about the mess she could cause in the restaurant. Io would probably know some good deals in town, get you the nicest date for your yen... but then again, it's Io. Do you really want to go out with someone like her?

"What about Alice?" a voice from behind you calls out. You spin around, confused, to come face to face with Chihiro Toriyama of Class 2, Alice's... cousin? Niece? Their familial relationship confuses you.

"Excuse me?" you ask.

"You were discussing your potential dates under your breath, dear..." Chihiro smirks. "And I must say, I am insulted that you didn't think of my auntie Alice first! She is a lovely girl, and she's in your class, is she not?"

"Yeah, but-"

Chihiro places her hands on her hips. "Oh, I would very much appreciate it if Alice could meet a nice, handsome boy her age... like you!"

But she's not your age... well, she is, but she's not supposed to be. Physically and mentally she's still a teenager, but if she didn't have that thing in her, if she wasn't trapped in the darkworld all that long... she would be an 80 year old.

"Alice is-"

"An angel!" Chihiro interrupts. "A saint among saints! And she's cuter than a row of baby ducks! What, exactly, do you think the problem with her is?"

>She's too old.
>She's crazy.
>She's a demon.
>I'm just not attracted to her.
>There's no problem. I like Alice.

Bring our Glorious Benevolent Dictator Kuin
Then we get Gado as an extra shaperone for free

>I'm just not attracted to her.
>She's too young.