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[9th of May (MONDAY)]

“The name’s Avery. A-V-E-R-Y.” Of Germanic, European descent. The redhead grins wide with pride, thumbing towards her chest. “Remember it, coz’ it belongs to the best revolver in this damn country!”

You fold your arms and stare. It’s said that faith makes the spirit, both in wealth and in persona. This girl is certainly as boastful as the advertisers of her model, who sold it as ‘the most powerful handgun in the world’. You’ve got nothing on the shabby hoodie or the fiery red hair, though.

“Hoh…that’s a pretty tall claim.” You say, smirking slightly. “There’s thousands of revolvers used in Japan today, you know.”

“Ha! Like they’d ever compare to me.” Avery scoffs. “Call me when they find a revolver that can transform into a cute girl.”

That has nothing to do with the mechanisms of a revolver, nor the stopping power of its bullets, but whatever. The redhead sitting in front of you is happy enough that you’ll let your usual snarky remarks slide. It’s also a bit amusing to watch her shoot her mouth off.

“They ain’t got the experience or finesse I have, either. Served fifteen years in active duty, I have.” Avery finishes her boast.

“The revolver I fired at my mom’s place was twenty-six years old.” You reply.

“Pfft. Once you fire me, you’ll notice the difference.” Avery sneers. Then she pauses and squints at you with clear irritation. “Hey, that reminds me. When the hell are ya going to fire me, ya bastard?”

“You’re still on about that?” You ask, sighing.

“’course I’m gonna go on ‘bout that. I’m gonna go on and on ‘till ya land a decent shot on me!” You are starting to understand that this little revolver spirit slips into an accent when angered. Western American, perhaps? She’s speaking Japanese, so maybe it’s from Osaka. “For fuck’s sake! What use is a gun that doesn’t fire at shit? Ya might as well melt me down for scrap!”

Also, where did that laundry list of profanity come from? Was her former user a retired sailor or something? Still, Avery has a point. Your shipment of ammunition hasn’t arrived, but that is no excuse for not picking up the revolver and practicing it through other means. Somewhere in the Spirit World, your mentor feels a slight twitch on her nose and wonders where this sudden burst of irritation has come from.

You decide to apologize. “Sorry, Avery. I’ve been busy and it slipped my mind. It’s not a very good excuse, I know.”

Avery huffs. “Kids these days, they got no sense of responsibility.”

“Hey, you look like a kid, too.” You point out.

“I’m a damn gun. Fifteen years is old in guns years, you know!”

“For a cheap rifle, maybe. Revolvers are practically grannies with how long they last.” You grin. “So yeah, you are a kid. Like me!”

“I’m not a damn kid! Ah, we’re getting off topic!” Avery exclaims, shaking her little fists around. “Listen, mate, you better get your ass down to a range in the near future. Otherwise, I’m gonna flip! And let me ya, you’re not going to like that.”

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Yeah, you privately think to yourself. Akasha-Alea was already a handful to deal with. This spirit looks like just as much of a pain. “I’ll see what I can do. No promises.” You say.

“You better use some decent ammo, too! I ain’t asking for match grade quality, but it better not be cheap shit they manufacture in warehouses.”

“Where did that metaphor even come from...?” You mumble to yourself. Shaking your head, you smile and extend a hand. “Anyway, I hope we get along. Nice to meet you, Avery. Let’s work together.”

Avery grunts with triumph. “You bet!”

The two of you grab each other’s hands and settle into a strong, firm handshake. The two of you are positively set aglow with surging feelings of elation, camaraderie and respect. This is a major milestone in your life, you understand. A spirit of firearms, outside your strict mentor, has appeared and you have formed this gentle bond with her. Surely, this is a moment to treasure for remember.

Then the door to your room creaks open and your sister walks in.

“Onii-chan, why is the food thief in your room?” She asks, a careful neutral frown on her face and a throwing knife spinning in her free hand.

And thus a hasty explanation begins, exists and ultimately finishes. With liberal use of hand gestures and firearms jargon, you successfully manage to convince Airi to put the knife away and accept Avery as not just a petty food thief, but the spirit of your new revolver and by following definition an ally of the Hirayama family.

“But how does a spirit get born inside a gun?” Your sister asks.

“Search me. I need to Akasha when she gets back.” You reply.

“Does that mean she’s going to be living here from now on?” Your sister further asks.

“Yeah. Unless you like the idea of leaving her homeless.” You further reply.

“I see.” Airi nods a few times. Then she strides over to the readhead. “Avery, was it?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” Avery says, “What do you want, Keiichi’s sister?”

“My name is Airi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Now then…” Airi says. Then she puts on a smile. A smile that somehow drops the temperature in the room. A smile that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and drives your instincts to contemplate a speedy evacuation. And Avery receives the full brunt of it.

“May we discuss about the food in this household?”

To Avery’s credit, she resists for ten whole seconds before folding like a house of cards.

“S-sure. Lead the way…”

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Time passes. It’s now seven-thirty in the morning. This is around the time your sister prepares breakfast for the two of you. Today there is a new addition to the kitchen table. She’s wolfing down her food with all the grace and finesse of a starved hog.

“So this is what cooked food tastes like!” Avery rumbles, muffled through a pair of bulging cheeks stuffed with salted tuna and white rice. The way she scoops up her food reminds you less of a human and more of the scoop of a construction excavator. “Oh my god, this is so good! How the hell did I live without this?”

“It’s just fish and rice. Airi makes it all the time. You talk like you haven’t eaten cooked food before.” You say, half-seriously, half smiling.

“That’s coz I haven’t.” Avery replies, not a second later.

You stare at her. “Say what?”

“You heard me.” Avery replies, chugging all of her juice at once. “All I had before this was the stuff in yer fridge.”

“…your previous master didn’t give you anything to eat?”

“Didn’t have a body back then.” Avery replies and you notice her bowl has been picked clean to point of spotlessness. She raises the bowl. “Seconds, please!”

Before you can contemplate the implications of her words, your phone buzzes. Taking it out of your pocket, you see it’s Michiko messaging you.


MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: Hey, what are you doing?

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Eating breakfast like usual. You?

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: I just got finished getting dressed. Are you coming to school today?

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: You never ask me this. What’s the big deal?

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: No reason.



There’s something afoot, but you can’t put your finger on it. It makes you press your lips together and exhale through your nostrils. In the distance, Airi tells Avery that there is no more rice left, prompting a cry of outrage from the revolver spirit.

You look at Avery again. Actually, Michiko poses a good question. With this new introduction to the Hirayama household in mind, are you going to attend school today?

>Yes, otherwise Airi will get mad.
>Yes, because it’s the right thing to do.
>Yes, you need to show Avery around.
>No, you’re taking Avery to the firing range today.
>No, because you can’t be bothered.
>No, because you have important stuff to do.
>Custom option.

>>1279280
Yes, Because Airi will get upset, Michiko is clearly planning something, and I can show Avery around my usual haunts. The last one is not really that important, but I would rather not have Airi and Michiko drag me around by the arm again. My shoulders are just now recovering.

>>1279280
>>Yes, otherwise Airi will get mad.

>>1279250
eyyyy
What's your ass status, Thorn? Your statass? Everything alright now?

>>1279280
>Yes, because otherwise Airi will get mad.

>>1279280
>Yes, otherwise Airi will get mad

>>1279311
It's getting better.

Writing now...

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KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Yeah, I’m going. It’s because I’m such a well-respected honor student and all.

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: No, it’s because Airi would have your head on a platter if you skipped again. :P

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Shit, you got me. Anyway, why are you so concerned about me going to school today again?

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: Geez, I don’t know. Maybe if you think about it, you’ll find out.

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: You’re definitely hiding something. This is what girls do all the time, I guess…

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: Keiichi, you’re not supposed to say that in a conversation with an actual girl.

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: I do it with Airi all the time. Shut up. Why could you possibly want me to come to school…it has something to do with you…

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Wait, I got it. You want me to come to school because you want me to practice that stupid school play! Oh god, I totally forgot about it.

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: It’s not stupid! The scenes and dialogue in the script are really heart-moving!

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: I took a look at the final scene and it almost made me vomit with how cheesy it was!

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: That’s because you neglected to read all the scenes before and missed out on all the emotional buildup!

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Emotional buildup, my ass! Those scenes were cheesy as hell too!

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: How is it possible for this guy to have such awful taste?

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Little miss blonde, I would say the same about you! I don't want to hear anything about taste from someone who un-ironically watches those shitty soap dramas! Anyway, you want me to come show you can make me sing in front of rest of the actors or something.

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: Well, yeah. Is that such a bad thing?

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: How is it not?

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to demonstrate your friend’s talent in front of others.

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: What if that friend might not totally enjoy demonstrating his talent?

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: Well, this hypothetical girl thinks her friend should learn to stop hiding in his shell and learn to appreciate his talent for what it is!

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Michiko, I swear to god and back

You are interrupted from your digitally-written rant by a tug on your sleeve. It’s Avery. The sides of her mouth are splattered with rice crumbs and strands of half-chewed fish.

“Hey, Keiichi, when are we going to the firing range?” She asks.

“Avery, we’re not going to the firing range.” You reply.

She lets loose a strangled, betrayed gasp. “And why the hell not?” She demands.

“It’s because Airi and I are going to school.”

“School? What’s that?”

>Question Avery’s mental capabilities.
>Answer with the textbook definition.
>Use the opportunity to complain about school.
>“It has a battle arena.”
>“It’s a garden where insane women tend to lurk.”
>“Actually, let’s not go. If we run now, we’ll escape my sister.”
>Custom option.

>>1279443
>Use the opportunity to complain about school.
but
>“It has a battle arena.”

>>1279443
>"It's a garden where insane women tend to lurk."

>>1279443
>Use the opportunity to complain about school.
>“It has a battle arena.”

>>1279443
>>“It has a battle arena.”
>>“It’s a garden where insane women tend to lurk."

>>1279443
>>1279478
This

>>1279443
>“It’s a garden where insane women tend to lurk.”
>“It has a battle arena.”

>>1279443
>Use the opportunity to complain about school.
>“It has a battle arena.”

>>1279443
>>>“It has a battle arena.”
>>“It’s a garden where insane women tend to lurk.”

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“If I had to sum it up, it’s probably the most boring place I’ve ever been to.”

“Eh? Then why are we going?”

“Because Airi will get mad at us if we don’t.”

“Come on, she can’t be that scary.”

“You have no idea, don’t you? School is also a garden where insane women lurk.”

“Huh? I don’t get it.”

“Insane women.” You repeat, staring down at your phone, which is filled with messages from a certain annoyed blonde.

NINA TAKAI: I’m also coming to school.

MICHIKO TSUKIWAKI: What? Nina, why are you even here?

NINA TAKAI: The forces of nature are a mystery indeed. Keiichi, aren’t you happy?

KEIICHI HIRAYAMA: Did your uncle drag you out of your den again?

Yes, school. The bane of any young man’s existence. A relentless eight hour chunk of time in the middle of any perfect weekday, consisted of numbing talks, hard desk chairs and fiendishly difficult assignments. Where children are forced into tiny boxes to write until their hands cramp. Any positives mingling with one’s peers might bring is immediately quashed by the horrors of the schoolyard gossip. It’s worse than the open plains back home, worse than a rainy day with nothing to do, worse than any of your mentor’s lectures—if only because she talks about stuff you’re actually interested in. Airi somehow manages to tolerate. You have always lacked this trait of hers. No wonder you skipped so much last year. The incidents, as dangerous and stupid as they were, were always more interesting than your classes.

Okay, you are being very overdramatic here, ignoring how fun it is to spend time with your friends and the benefits your lessons have granted you, but you aren’t exactly in the brightest mood right now. This is mainly due to the screechy, feminine voice bouncing around the inside of your head like echoes amidst a mountain range.

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“This is so boring!”

Bringing Avery along in your school blazer might’ve been something of a mistake.

“Keiichi, all you’re doing is sitting there and listening! Where the action? You said school has physical exercise!”

For all the sarcastic quips Akasha-Alea gave you, she was never this loud.

“I don’t even understand what the hell that guy in the front is saying!”

She even gave you advice on homework if she was in one of those rare good mood of hers.

“Is this what human kids do all day?”

“Avery.”

“Yeah?”

You clench your pen tighter. “Can you shut up? I’m trying to listen.”

“But there’s nothing else to do!” Avery whines. “I can’t believe you ditched firing me for this!”

“Like I said, I had no choice!”

“Nah, you were afraid of your little sister! You’re a coward, I tell ya! I tell ya!”

“Look, there’s a battle arena in this school. I’ll think about taking on a match and using you if you be quiet.”

“A battle arena? Why the hell didn’t you say so? What are we waiting for then? Let’s go!”

“It’s only open at lunchtimes and after school.”

“Wait, so we have to wait another few hours?”

“Five hours, to be exact.”

If Avery was in physical form, she’d probably be gripping the sides of her cheeks and howling in juvenile despair. Meanwhile, Michiko keeps shooting you small glances from the left. Nina is spinning a pen top with telekinesis and using it to carve words on the underside of her desk. Airi is studying like the good girl she is. Hideki is also writing, but from the wide cattish grin he has it’s most certainly not the work you’ve been assigned to do.

“At least talk to me, or something! You're not planning on leaving me here in silence? I’ll go bonkers if you do that!” Avery moans.

Okay, maybe you can indulge her in that. You did drag her all the way here, though it was mainly because shoving her in the gun locker felt too cruel. And yeah, talking to this new partner of yours is probably something you should do.

So, what do you want to talk about?

[Choose only one]
>What you and Airi are doing at the moment.
>You and Airi.
>This school.
>Your friends.
>Akasha-Alea.
>Avery’s past career.
>Custom option.

>>1279680
>>Your friends.

>>1279680
>Your friends.

>>1279680
>>Your friends
Maybe one of them will pique her interest.

>>1279680
>Akasha-Alea

>>1279680
>>Your friends.

>>1279680
>>Akasha-Alea.
Here's hoping we somehow find a bit more out about Avery, because I am curious.

>>1279680
>Your friends.

Oh fuck me. Avery's such a shit name, and I even voted for it.

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“I guess I can talk about my friends. I have three of them.”

“Is that girl next to you one of them?”

“Yeah. That’s Michiko Tsukiwaki. She’s a popular one. Really good at singing too. They call her the diva of this academy. I don’t think she’s a professional, though.”

“Why is she constantly looking at you?”

“Because she wants me to do something for her, no doubt.”

“Eh…she seems suspicious.” Avery grunts. “Like, my old master used to hang around girls who dressed themselves up to look nice. They’d always wind up swindling money and stuff.”

“I..what are you even talking about? Anyway…”

>“She’s got a good heart.”
>“She’s nice to look at.”
>“She needs to lose weight.”
>“Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking.”
>“Her taste in media is pathetic.”
>“I’ve accidentally groped her before.”
>Custom option.

>>1279819
Better than the other choices.

>>1279839
>>>“She’s got a good heart.”
>“Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking.”

>>1279839
>>Custom option.
>ALL OF THEM
I can't choose

>>1279819
Should have voted Lise along with that other guy that had great taste.

>>1279839
>>“Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking.”
>>“I’ve accidentally groped her before.”
>>"She's got a good heart."

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>>1279839
>All of the above

>>1279842
I know.

>>1279839
>>“She’s got a good heart.”
and
>“She’s nice to look at.”
but
>“Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking.”
and
>“Her taste in media is pathetic.”

>Also she like pink way too much and overreacts to accidental groping.

>>1279839
>"She's got a good heart."
>"Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking."

>>1279839
>“Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking.”
>“I’ve accidentally groped her before.”
...
>“She’s got a good heart.”

>>1279839
>“Half the time I can't understand what she's thinking.”
>“She’s got a good heart.”

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“Half the time I can’t understand what she’s thinking.” You admit. “There’s been heaps of times where she’s said one thing, but moments later she turns around and gripes about how she meant something else the entire time.” Usually coupled with stammering and a blush, you don’t bother saying that. Case in point: the time where she said she didn't need any ice-cream, but practically beamed when you handed her a vanilla scoop, only to scowl a moment later and say how you shouldn't have gone through the trouble. Girls sure are weird.

“Huh…”

“And I’ve also…actually never mind.” Now you’re blushing. You really don’t want Michiko to see this. Or any of your other classmates, for that matter.

“Eh? What?” Avery asks, oblivious.

“I said, never mind.”

“You can’t just leave me hanging like that. It’s rude!” She cries.

“I’m not saying.”

“Come on…”

“No.”

“I’ll pester you for the entire day if ya don’t. What’s the big deal?”

“Fine!” You yell in your head. “I’ve groped her a couple of times. They were all accidents and we’ve apologized to each other over them. Don’t bother me about it any more, alright? I get enough shit from Hideki about it.” The memories are flooding back. That time in front of the entire school on your first day. The scene at the pool on the sports day. The incident at the hot springs on that school trip. The exact, soft sensation your palm felt as it wrapped around…no, you are cutting off this train it thought before it derails and rips up any more railroad tracks. Repress, repress. Michiko is very nice to look at even in her school uniform—the fact is undeniable—but thinking about her like that often brings more trouble than its worth.

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“Still, she’s got a good heart.” You admit. “If she wasn’t around, this place would suck a lot more than it already does.”

“If ya say so…” Avery says, “I’m gonna keep my eye on her.”

“Not like you can do anything else…” You mutter. You turn your gaze to the right. “The girl over there is Nina Takai. I’m surprised she came to school today. She normally shuts herself inside her room and plays video games all day.”

“What’s a video game?”

“What, you don’t know?”

“Nah. Is it like a movie? I know those come on video tapes.”

“Video tapes? Man, those are ancient. It’s all about blu-rays and Internet these days.”

“My old master had a selection of super cool action movies on tape. He’d sit down at watch them after a long day.”

“Sounds comfortable. You never heard of a video game? Not even Tetris or Pacman?”

“Nope.”

“If Nina heard that, she’d freak. She plays games online for people to watch. She gets money from doing it.”

“Oh, it’s like a show! Like the ones where they dance and the men give them money.”

“Uh…yeah…” You say, hesitantly. Just what kind of places has Avery been? “Nina is, well…”

>“I wish she came to school more often.”
>“Her home isn’t as bad as they say.”
>“She’d be pretty if she took a shower…”
>“She’s way smarter than she looks.”
>“She’s childish in some aspects.”
>“She might be a huge pervert.”
>Custom option.

>>1280007
>She's smarter than she looks
>She'd be pretty if she took a shower
...
>but she might be a huge pervert.

>>1280007
>...best girl

>>1280007
>"She's way smarter than she looks."
>"She might be a huge pervert."

>>1280007
>She's smarter than she looks
>She'd be pretty if she took a shower
>“She’s childish in some aspects
...
>but she might be a huge pervert.

>>1280007
>>>“She’s way smarter than she looks.”
>>“She’s childish in some aspects.”

>>1280007
>>1280019
Supporting this

>>1280007
>>“She’d be pretty if she took a shower…”
>>“She’s way smarter than she looks.”
>>“She might be a huge pervert.”

>>1280007
>“She’s way smarter than she looks.”
>“She’s childish in some aspects.”

>>1280007
>“She’s way smarter than she looks.”
>“She’s childish in some aspects.”
Man, why you only run when I've been out drinking?

>>1279997
how the fuck do you fullon grope the exact same chest three separate times accidentally Keiichi

>>1280178
Destiny

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If the academy dress code is the law, then Nina is an agent of chaos working to disturb the peace of all that is good and harmonious. Loose strands on her skirt. The school stockings replaced with personal socks. A ruffled blouse from an improper laundry session. The only thing neat about her hair are the braids and even those look like they’ve gone through the wringer a few times.

“She’s be pretty if she took a shower for once.” That’s your critique. It’s a known fact that Nina used to smell like carbonated soda and easy-cook meals. To her credit, when Airi mass bought her that lily-scented body perfume she used it every day. And then refused to buy more when it ran out.

“Yeah, she kinda looks like a hobo.” Avery mentions. Something something glass houses, you think to yourself. “What’s she doing with that pen?”

“Writing graffiti on the desk, it looks like.”

“She’s not using her hands. What kind of magic is that?”

“Telekinesis. Yeah, Nina is smarter than she looks.” You answer. “That’s why she can afford to skip school so much. Her grades are usually worse than mine but if she tried she could be one of the top students in the academy. Man, thinking about it is annoying.”

“What, she showed you up or something?”

“There was this one time where I made a bet with her. Told her that if she got in the top ten in an upcoming exam. I’d do a favour for her. She accepted and then spent the next week doing nothing but studying. Then she completely and utterly beat my ass.”

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Avery laughs. “That’s hilarious! What did she make you do?”

“Ugh, I don’t want to talk about it. Besides, Nina might be a huge pervert, too.”

“She doesn’t look like it. She’s…what do ya call it…innocent?”

You resist the urge to snort with derision. “Say that once you see the anime figures in her room.”

“Why do you always got to use words I don’t understand? What’s anime?”

“Silly cartoons for kids.” You reply in your head, knowing that saying it aloud is begging for Nina to send you several dozen articles written in a sardonic tone in your inbox. "The last one is Hideki. He's that blonde guy in front of me. Works for the journalism club. Runs around the city snatching up gossip and publishes it on his blog. He can be a pain sometimes, but I guess he's got a good head and fun to hang out with.

"You hang out with a lot of girls, huh."

"Only three. Not that the balance really means anything to me. That's all my friends. Satisfied?"

The rest of the morning continues. Teachers slide in and out of the classroom. You take notes and try to wrap your head around the concepts explained. Michiko keeps looking at you. Airi smiles and works hard. Nina has abandoned all pretense of studying and is now messing around on her phone. Hideki may or may not be plotting a murder.

You go to check something on your phone and mistakenly open the gallery application. An image of a smirking azure-headed girl linking arms with a thoroughly exasperated black-haired boy flashes on the screen. You quickly scramble to turn it off, but it does not go unnoticed by the spirit lurking in the corners of your mind.

“Hey, who’s that girl?”

“No-one.”

“Bullshit. You know her, don’t know? Who is she? Now you’ve got me all curious.”

“...it’s Florence Rutherford.”

“Just a name? Tell me more about her like the others!”

>“I don’t understand her at all.”
>“She’s a good challenge, at the very least.”
>“She’s been getting better.”
>“She’s a stuck-up bitch.”
>“I keep running into her.”
>"I don't want to talk about her."
>Custom option.

>>1280275
>>“I don’t understand her at all.”
>>“She’s a good challenge, at the very least.”
>>“I keep running into her.”

>>1280275
>>“I don’t understand her at all.”
>Cold, calculating, ready and willing to use you her advantage. Rich and connected with all the boons and banes it implies.
>“I keep running into her.”
or more like she runs into me, and given the circles she moves in a power she wields, that is not nothing.

>>1280275
>"She's a good challenge, at the very least."
>"She's been getting better."
>"I keep running into her."

>>1280275
>"I don't want to talk about her."
But only if it means Avery makes us talk about her.

>“She’s a stuck-up bitch.”
>“She’s been getting better.”
>“She’s a good challenge, at the very least.”

>>1280275
>“She’s a stuck-up bitch.”
>She thinks and acts likes she's so much better than everyone else just because she's rich. She acts like hardly anyone else is worthy of her presence, and she like to play people like puppets just to get her kicks. She keeps trying to get me involved in crap."

>...She CAN be helpful if you catch her in the right mood, though, and she's a pretty good fighter...and for some reason I can't begin to fathom she's starting to get less bitchy around me. Dunno why, but I'll take what I can get."


Being less of a bitch to one person doesn't mean a while lot to me.

>>1280338
Such a tsundere, anon

>>1280275
>“She’s a good challenge, at the very least.”
>“She’s a stuck-up bitch.”
but
>“She’s been getting better.”

>>1280275
>>“I don’t understand her at all.”
>“She’s a good challenge, at the very least.”
>“I keep running into her.”

>>1280350
Less tsundere and more I didn't want the option to be dismissed due to having all negatives. I felt it fair to at least mention SOME positives, ephermal though they may be.

But no, Florence can take a long walk off a short pier.

>>1279341
Was it ass cancer, or just regular pain in the ass?

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“She’s a stuck-up bitch.” You reply. That was your first impression from when you met her all those months ago, and it hasn’t changed much. What else can you expect from a girl who sees others not as fellow humans, but as opportunities for profit? “She’s cold like the ice she manipulates. She acts like hardly anyone is worthy of her presence, which makes sense given from where she comes from, but it still isn't great. She’s always getting me involved in stupid crap too.”

“What sort of crap?”

“Games. Chess games, debates, mind riddles, that sort of stuff. She likes to toy with me. Hell if I know why she doesn’t do it with the other guys at her school.”

“She doesn’t come here?”

“Nah, she’s in Stonewolf High, which is another school in Shibuya. I keep running into her. No clue why.”

"I know! She's the one seeking you out."

"Thanks a bunch, Avery. I'm going to be having nightmares tonight."

“Is she really that bad? Sounds like you don’t understand her at all.”

“Yeah. I don’t.” You don’t get why you are the only person whom Florence acts towards with some measure of humanity. Always teasing, watching your reactions, smiling and giggling in a way that never fails to send your anger pulsating. You’ve helped her in the past, but it always because she happened to be in the way or she had something dangling over your head. Then there was that time in the public battle arena, where she wagered a favour from her family. It was sincere, which was very surprising.

Why did she say she wanted to make your scraps with her a weekly occurrence had she won? You’d say she wanted to make friends with you, but you doubt Florence understands the idea of genuine friendship.

“She’s a pretty good fighter, though.” You admit. “If I really wanted to challenge myself, I’d go to her.”

“Do you respect her?” Avery asks.

You pause. “I don’t know.”

“Hmm…well, I totally know how it feels. There was this rookie in my old master’s group that I couldn’t stand. He was a complete wimp! I didn’t like him at all. Then he did some crazy stuff that saved my old master from a few scrapes and I started to appreciate him more. Who knows? Maybe you’ll warm up to this Florence chick over time.”

“That’s some surprising advice coming from you.”

“Hey, don’t look down at me! I’ve been around for a while! Been in wars, y’know!”

Warming up to Florence…the idea seems as impossible as trying to light a candle in a snowstorm, but who knows what the future might bring? Maybe Florence is a sweet girl beneath all those layers of frost...no, you're sorry. You can't think that way without smirking with bitterness.

“So Keiichi, who do you like the most?”

Your trap senses are tingling. How will you respond?

>Michiko.
>Nina.
>Florence.
>Airi.
>Akasha-Alea.
>Hideki.
>Avery.
>It’s not fair to choose.
>Custom option.

>>1280529
>>Florence.
or airi

>>1280529
>Florence
I think she's the most interesting out of all of them so far

>>1280529
>>It’s not fair to choose.
>and this feels like a trap

>>1280529
In character, I doubt there would be any way Keiichi would ever answer Florence.
More like >Airi is the least terrible
But I doubt you're really asking for our thoughts IC, so
>Nina.

>>1280529
>>Avery.

>Not using this opportunity to screw with Avery

>>1280524
Regular pain.

>>1280178
Because anime.

I'm taking a lunch break. Be back in 30 mins...

Changing vote to this >>1280568

>>1280529
>Michiko.
Florence is a close second

>>1280529
>>Nina.

>>1280529
>Airi.
or
>Avery.

>>1280572
Good to know the curse hasn't got you.

>>1280529
>>Avery
Obvious choice since it's a trap!

>>1280529
>Akasha-Alea.

>>1280529
>It’s not fair to choose.

Deflect deflect deflect.

>>1280529
>Airi. She's my sister, duh.

But I had to pick someone otherwise

>Nina.

>>1280529
>Florence

>>1280529
>>Florence

>>1280905
>>1280913
nice try samefag

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“Florence, of course.” You reply. There is little hesitation in your voice.

“Eh? You said you hated her.”

“Nina, then.” You remark.

“That makes more sense, but what do you like about her?”

“Michiko, too.”

“The hell?”

“Akasha-Alea.” You say. Hey, this maths problem looks like something you can do. Mathematics is a subject your mentor made you study, primarily because calculating for ballistics is skill you need to learn.

“Who the hell is that?”

“The name of my mentor. And you too, Avery.”

“But we’ve only known each other for a day!” She cries. The penny then drops. “Hey, are you messin’ with me?”

“Aw, you found out.” You say.

“Damn it, Keiichi, give me a straight answer!”

“Don’t want to. I don’t like choosing between my friends. I like them all for different reasons.” This time you are serious. “End of story.”

Avery sighs. “You could’ve said so from the very start, ya dingus!”

“Man, didn’t feel like it.”

“Sheesh. No respect. Hey, what about Airi?”

“She’s my twin sister. She’s on a whole different level.” You reply. “Sorry, I need to focus on this. Otherwise, I’m going to fail and Airi is going to rage. Talk to me later.”

The classes pass by without much incident. Soon, it’s time for lunch. Airi apologizes to you and leaves in a rush. You stand out of your chair and leave the classroom with your lunchbox. It feels like you’ve forgetting something, but you can’t—

“Keiichi, I’m hungry…”

And there it is. “Oh yeah, you need food too.”

“What do ya mean, I need food? Are you tryin’ to insult me here?” Avery shouts. You wince in a hallway full of students. Some of them are looking at you. They must think you have gone mad. Again.

“Look, Akasha-Alea didn’t need to eat anything when she was with me.”

“Well, I’m different! I’m starving here. Please, Keiichi, I need something to eat. Do you want your precious revolver to suffer like this?”

It’s weird how you can hear her stomach growling.

>Share your lunch with her.
>Give your lunch to her.
>Buy something from the cafeteria.
>Leave the school for a place to eat.
>Find a spare school uniform for Avery to wear.
>Custom option.

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>>1280915
This feels like a rite of passage of some sort

>>1280943
>Buy something from the cafeteria. it can't all be horrible.

>>1280943
>Find a spare school uniform for Avery to wear
Ooh, shenanigans? Shenanigans!

>>1280943
>>Buy something from the cafeteria.

>>1280943
>>Buy something from the cafeteria.

>>1280943
>Leave the school for a place to eat.
or
>Find a spare school uniform for Avery to wear.

>>1280943
>Buy something from the cafeteria.

Florence: 4
Nina: 3
Michiko: 1
Akasha-Alea: 1
Avery: 3
Airi: 3

The results shall be taken into account. Writing now...

>>1280943
>>Find a spare school uniform for Avery to wear
Totally isn't weird to be looking for a spare girls outfit right?

>>1280943
>>Leave the school for a place to eat

>>1281066
To be fair I voted not wanting to choose, if I was pressed I'd have gone for Michiko.

Friggen troll/lul votes.

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>>1280943
>copout answer

>>1281066
>lost to Florencefags

>>1281127
It's only because your taste is shit.

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>>1281135
The fuck did you just say about me? you, me irl 1v1

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>>1281170

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>>1281170

>>1281135
>>1281170
>>1281247
>>1281273
Why does this make me feel nostalgic?

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“Fine, I’ll get you something from the cafeteria. Give me five minutes.”

The school cafeteria is a hive of bodies shoving together in desperation for their place in the queue. It’s usually like this. Quick on your feet and with the experience of the past year, you duck and weave through the crowd and manage to land a decent spot in the line. The fact that people tend to stay out of your way around these parts helped, of course.

“A beef burger, please.”

“You’ve already got a lunchbox, sonny.” The man at the counter grouses.

“It’s for a friend. Do you want my money or not?”

Grumbling, he passes over the meal. You dump change on the counter and weave through the crowd once more. The sky is covered in patches of cloud, though it’s nowhere near close to the blanket of grey that arrives during the autumn and winter periods. Most people are sitting outside and enjoying the sunshine. You’ll have to pass. You need to find somewhere quiet. The back of the school near the school shed should do.

You dump your lunchbox and burger on the concrete there. After checking there’s no-one around to see you, you take out your revolver and place it on the ground. There’s a burst of mana and suddenly Avery is sitting there, dressed in the same hoodie and shorts you found her in. Her eyes sparkle at the burger and drool falls from her mouth. You blink and the burger is on its way to her mouth. She bites through the bread and meat, letting the barbecue sauce and melted cheese seep onto her tongue.

“So good!” she exclaims, utterly exhilarated. “I didn’t know it was possible for bread to taste this good!”

“It’s just a burger.” You say, opening your own lunch box. Rice, meat, eggs and pickled vegetables. Standard for Airi, but delicious nonetheless.

“Yeah, but I’ve never had one before. I’m not going to forget this for the rest of my life!”

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“It’s a cheap school cafeteria burger that they probably defrosted this morning. It’s nothing to write home about.” You reply. “There are better burger places in Shibuya. Maybe I’ll take you there one day.”

Avery doesn’t respond. She’s too busy shoving the rest of the burger into her maw. She chews through the meal like a man possessed. Yeah, she’s eating what is essentially fast food, but it must feel like heaven to her. The wide smile she has is nothing to laugh about. It’s actually kind of cute. Smiling to yourself, you proceed to dig in your own lunch.

“Keiichi, you should eat a burger too.”

“I can’t. My mentor doesn’t allow it most of the time.”

“How come.”

“She said they’ll make me fat, which is true. If you eat too much fast food, you’ll swell up like a balloon. She also said she’ll punish me with MREs if I didn’t listen.”

“Oh yeah, I think my old master had those when he was on missions. He always had this funny scrunched up expression whenever he ate. Are they really that bad?”

“They taste like fucking sandpaper.”

The food is quickly consumed. The two of you take a moment to rest. Avery jumps back into her revolver form and you tuck her into your blazer. Then you get up and head straight for the battle arena. There’s fighting to be done.

But of what sort?

STANDOFF
Both participants stand back to back. They then take ten steps in the direction they’re facing. Ten seconds then pass. The participants then turn around and attempt to hit each other. First to hit is the winner. Singles only.

COLLAPSE
Participants are placed on a hovering platform in the air. They must then attempt to knock each other off it. First to fall to the ground is the loser.

HIT BATTLE
Participants are placed in a flat surfaced arena to fight. The objective is to obtain a number of hits on your opponent (usually three or five) before they do. There are no other rules, apart from the standard battle arena ones.

REGULAR BATTLE
First to be knocked down for ten whole seconds is the loser. Eye-gouging, limb severing and inflicting fatal injuries are forbidden. If the timer runs out, the match is concluded as a draw.

>STANDOFF.
>COLLAPSE.
>HIT BATTLE.
>REGULAR BATTLE.

>>1281308
>>HIT BATTLE.

>>1281308
>>HIT BATTLE.

>>1281308
>Regular Battle
We did Standoff last time, Hit Battle is similarly tilted in our favor and I want something a bit more challenging this time -- but not Collapse, where our shit would prob get kicked.

>>1281308
>>REGULAR BATTLE.

>>1281308
>HIT BATTLE.

>>1281308
>REGULAR BATTLE.

>>1281308
>>HIT BATTLE.

>>1281308
>"They taste like fucking sandpaper"
Oh come on, Mex Style Chick Stew ain't so bad. Put some crackers and cheese in chili mac and that's alright too.

>REGULAR BATTLE

Actually, y'know what? >>1281328
has a point. Changing my vote to

>REGULAR BATTLE

>>1281308
>REGULAR BATTLE

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You have decided to partake in a REGULAR BATTLE. The objective is make your opponent stay unconscious for ten whole seconds. You may not eye-gouge, sever limbs or inflict any wounds that would result in fatality. If both you and your opponent take too long, the match is concluded as a draw.

You have an option to take a partner. Choose:

>Michiko.
>Nina.
>Hideki.
>You’ll fight alone.

>>1281379
>>Michiko.
She's dragging us into acting shit, we'll drag her into the battlefield.

>>1281379
Nina, because curiosity.

>Michiko
if only because
>>1281383
raises a point that amuses me

>>1281379
>Nina
Also, does anyone else think Michiko's power sucks donkey balls? She seems to use her microphone stand more than whatever her actual skill is.

>>1281379
>>Nina.

>>1281379
>Hideki
The guys usually fall off from having any significant role after the first couple episodes. Let's avoid that.

>>1281379
>Hideki.
I wanna see how he fights.

>>1281390
Her power I basically Sonic attacks ranging from shockwaves to rupturing your ears. She uses her stand when she doesn't want to cripple the enemy.

>>1281379
>>Hideki.
Let's see what he can actually do in a fight

>>1281390
I thought Michiko's power was her voice, hence using the microphone

>>1281406
it is she can literally kill you with a song if she wants too. I imagine she could probably do siren type things too.

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>>1281425
>siren type things too
>Michiko dressed and performing as a lounge singer

Hideki as the partner? An unexpected choice, but I like it! Writing his magic art will take some time; time that I don't have today. So I'll call it a day here. Next session is on the 25th of March, 9:30 pm UTC. Hope to see you there.

On an unrelated note, I hope to have ACT 2 completed by the end of June, at the latest. Knowing my luck, this won't happen but a man can dream, right?

Archived Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1279250
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn
No ask fm because I barely use it anymore.

>>1281467
See you then! Thanks for running, Thorn!

>>1281467
Thanks for running, hope your ass makes a full recovery soon.

>>1281467
Thanks for running this was one strange recap thread

>>1281467
Thanks for running TT

>>1281457
>Michiko gets turned evil by spirit magic
>Enslaves the entire male student body excepting k1 because of Avery
>up to him to out sing her in a competition as a distraction while best sister saves everyone.

>>1281501
I'd fund that.

>>1281467
Thanks for the thread mate, see ya then!

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>>1281467
Super, fuckin' late, but

cheers, boss