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>You’ve made your decision now. Hosoda-san was Kentaro-kun’s friend. If she’s in trouble, you will do everything in your power to help her (+10 Hopeful)

>The Assistant-Head Maid is probably. supported by a senior member of the household. Getting any more involved would draw you into household politics. And you’re not ready for that (+10 Cynic)

>There is something dark and sick in your home. And you had already found a link between it and Kentaro-kun: Hosoda-san. You will use your power to get to the bottom of it.

I know I'm late. I'm sorry.

>>4357451
>The Assistant-Head Maid is probably. supported by a senior member of the household. Getting any more involved would draw you into household politics. And you’re not ready for that (+10 Cynic)

>>4357451
For someone who never used her authority before Kaguya was quite formidable. Is this what Plutocrat education is capable of?

>There is something dark and sick in your home. And you had already found a link between it and Kentaro-kun: Hosoda-san. You will use your power to get to the bottom of it.

>>4357451
>There is something dark and sick in your home. And you had already found a link between it and Kentaro-kun: Hosoda-san. You will use your power to get to the bottom of it.

Okay update to the way the system we’ve been playing with works. The optimism/cynicism unlocks options is kinda cumbersome IMO, and we’ve been missing the duels since when Kentaro was our protagonist. So I’ll be implementing a social combat system where you try to gain optimism/cynicism outside of social combat and use it to gain bonuses to your rolls in social combat.

Interlude, 7 Years Ago

The woman sighed as she approached the front door of her apartment. Today had been a long night at work. But anyone would know from looking at her that she hadn’t come back from some overtime at the office or a factory night shift. For one there were her clothes. She wasn’t dressed in respectable office attire or utilitarian work coveralls. Beneath her transparent smog-poncho was what at first glance what looked like fashionable designer-brand clothing. But on closer examination, the fashionable clothes were all cheap, knock-off brand versions. They were tighter and showed an indecent amount of skin. And they were almost soiled, wrinkled and soaked with sweat. No amount of cheap perfume could cover up the smell of sweat and … other substances … that clung to her just as tightly as her smog-poncho.

She rubbed her forehead in hopes of preventing the oncoming migraine. Today had been a long day indeed. Her “customer” had been some dead-ended middle-manager. Another disgusting, fat, ugly bastard in a long line of them. Every muscle in her body felt sore. His kind of man wasn’t the gentle kind.

Feeling an asthmatic coughing fit building up inside her chest, The Woman took a long drag from her e-cig, letting the palliative vapour soothe the ache inside her lungs even as it deposited it’s debilitating, addicting cargo. Feeling the rush of relief as the tightness in her chest slowly faded away, she leaned against the dingy, graffitied wall and took another long drag. It was probably killing her, she mused. But any variety of vape was cheaper than real medicine. And well, she couldn’t work if she was coughing all the time.

The Woman spent some time leaned against the wall, taking long drags from her e-cig and watching her breath rise towards the dark ceiling. Then, finally steeling herself, she reached for her apartment door. Behind was maybe the only good thing left in her life. Or maybe the worst thing. Who frying knew anymore.

“Honey, I’m home!” She cried out.

No answer.

“Honey?” She repeated, more cautiously. Still no answer.

Worry gripped her heart, shocking her out of her tired stupor. Frantically, she ran into her living room.

“Kaguya? Are you playing a trick on Mommy?” The Woman tried to say in a lighthearted, playful tone. But there was no mistaking the edge of desperation in her voice.

Just then … There! A faint groan … In the direction of the bathroom?

“Kaguya?” The Woman rushed over to the washroom. A wave of relief washed over her as soon as she saw the small figure of her daughter.

But it faded away when she saw that it was crouched over the toilet bowl. The stench of vomit filled the cramped space.

“Kaguya baby? Are you okay?”

“Mama.” Kaguya groaned weakly as she picked her up. Her face was pale, and her cloaks were damp with clammy, black sweat.

The Woman sighed in relief, hearing Kaguya’s weak voice. “Baby, how are you feeling?”

“... Thirsty.”

“Hold on, let Mommy get you a glass of water ...”

The Woman cradled Kaguya in her arms to the kitchen and helped her into a seat at the table, before she popped open a can of soda. Inwardly, she cursed how she didn’t have the money to afford water safe to drink. But this was the best she had.

Kaguya gulped down the soft drink eagerly. For a brief moment, The Woman worried whether the soft drink would make her daughter sick again, but her worries were unfounded. As the color returned to Kaguya’s face, she relaxed.

But as soon as she did, she finally noticed that something was different about her kitchen table than before. That paper bag … hadn’t been empty when she had left this morning.

“Kaguya, honey … did you see any pills on the kitchen table?”

“I thought it was candy …” Kaguya quietly mumbled, “It smelled sweet.”

That was it. Her temper boiled over.

“You little bitch!” She swore, pushing Kaguya’s chair over. Kaguya yelped as she hit the floor, instinctively curling into a ball.

“I. Frying. NEEDED. Those. Pills!” She spat viciously, punctuating each word with a kick, all concern abandoned.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Kaguya sobbed between kicks.

“Sorry?” The Woman mocked, pulling Kaguya up by her hair, “I needed those pills to get through the week. I feed the both of us with the money I make, y’know? And all you have to say is that you’re frying SORRY? Huh”

Kaguya cringed away as she raised her hand for a slap. Seeing the fight leave her daughters eyes, The Woman let go of her daughter. A general feeling of disgust creeped up on her.

“I … Mommy needs a smoke.” The Woman hastily excused herself, walking back towards the door.

By the time she returned from the bar, Kaguya had dragged herself back to her room.
…
……
………

Present Day

When the beeping alarm by your bed stand begins to rain, you stare at it forlornly for a long time before turning it off. Getting out of bed seems like a massive chore. It seems you had a bad dream, although you can’t remember what exactly it was. Even after you make yourself breakfast, you still can’t remember what happened. That’s rare. Usually when you want to remember a dream, it doesn’t take long.

But you don’t want to think about it too long. Today’s sunday! Your free day! You’re not going to spend it upset about some bad dream you’ve already forgotten.

That’s right. Today, you’re planning to …

>Spend the day with Kyune. It’s a special treat. She rarely has that much free time.

>Explore slopetown by yourself. You’ve wanted to visit since last time ...

>Dive back into cyberspace. You’re not finished with your investigation.

>Spend the day on studying and your hobbies. That counts as relaxing for you.

>>4358985
>Dive back into cyberspace. You’re not finished with your investigation.

>>4358985
>Explore slopetown by yourself. You’ve wanted to visit since last time ...

>>4358985
> Spend the day with kyune
Today on Cyberpunk Lore:
- How to be street smart 101 for Plutocrats
- PoIs to Explore
- Side quests
- Combat training
- Character building
- Discuss cyberspace

>>4358985
>Spend the day with Kyune. It’s a special treat. She rarely has that much free time.

kyune sama pls protecc

>>4359338
( ﾟ∀ﾟ)o彡゜ Kyune, Kyune, tasukete Kyune

>>4358985
>Spend the day on studying and your hobbies. That counts as relaxing for you.

>>4358985
>Explore slopetown by yourself. You’ve wanted to visit since last time ...

>>4358985
>Explore slopetown by yourself. You’ve wanted to visit since last time ...

>>4358985
>Dive back into cyberspace. You’re not finished with your investigation.
Still want to find into

>>4357562
Many classes on proper speech, ettiquette, and drama combined with natural plutocrat tendencies make Kaguya a girl with remarkable self-control.

Today, you’re planning to explore Slopetown by yourself. You’ve wanted to visit since the time you had rode down the mountain on a bike with Kyune. A place that was neither the dangerous, poor city or the suffocating and oppressive world of the Plutocrats. You were fascinated by the concept. Maybe there, you’d even be able to have a little fun.

You had heard about Slopetown even when you had lived in the city, but never more than a general impression gained from ads, television, and magazines of an exclusive, luxurious place where the rich and privileged lived, as well as the unconscious knowledge of Noir’s poverty-stricken masses that the higher up a person lived, the more important they were. If so, then it had seemed to your young self that those living above the city itself in Slopetown must have been like Gods compared to you. And now you lived here on the highest slopes of the mountain, farther above the privileged in Slopetown than they had ever been above the poor waif living in the rundown, century-old arcology.

But you had still never set foot there until Kyune had brought you there. And the experience of Slopetown had been a shock to you. Being outside for the first time since five years ago, outdoors in in a space that wasn’t an enclosed garden … You still remember the day where you had been chauffeured up the mountain to the Manor for the first time, seeing the blue sky open up as you rose up above the crush of arcologies and skyscrapers. And what you had seen riding down the mountain with Kyune had affected you just as strongly.

The difference was that you could go down the mountain whenever you wanted. Which left you with only one question.

What would you wear?

>Some ordinary clothes from the Muramoto catalogue. You don’t want to stand out.

>Clothes from designer brands owned by the Muramoto corporation. You’ll look rich, but not as rich as you really are.

>You’ll wear the outfit Kyune gave you as a gift. It might be fun to dress as someone other than yourself.

>You’ll wear a casual yukata. There’s nothing wrong with standing out.

>>4360540
>Clothes from designer brands owned by the Muramoto corporation. You’ll look rich, but not as rich as you really are.

>>4360540
>>Clothes from designer brands owned by the Muramoto corporation. You’ll look rich, but not as rich as you really are.

>>4360540
>You’ll wear a casual yukata. There’s nothing wrong with standing out.

>>4360540
>Clothes from designer brands owned by the Muramoto corporation. You’ll look rich, but not as rich as you really are.

>>4360540
Reminder that yukata is worn without underwear

>Some ordinary clothes from the Muramoto catalogue. You don’t want to stand out.

>>4360540
>You’ll wear a casual yukata. There’s nothing wrong with standing out.

Internet shitting itself now, this is the true cyberpunk experience.

The day you had decided to visit Slopetown, you had taken the liberty of ordering clothes from some of the designer brands the Muramoto Corporation owned. Corporations as large as the Muramoto had no set specialties. Typically, smaller companies and brands, ranging from algae farms to luxury goods to weaponry, were ruled like feudal fiefdoms. And just like fiefdoms in some feudal age, they exchanged hands frequently in the constant economic warfare between Megacorporations. You had been spoiled for choice picking out a fashionable outfit from the dozen or so high-end designer brands the Muramoto Corporation currently owned.

You admire yourself in the mirror. You did look pretty good, if you did say so yourself. A tastefully ruffled top over a skirt with just a hint of traditionalist sensibility in it’s frills. It was an understated kind of elegance. One could almost forget the clothing you were wearing was ludicrously expensive. Achieving this level of understated elegance with this kind of clothing was an impressive achievement all by itself. Still, it was only a fraction of the cost of some of the kimonos in your closet.

It feels really strange for you to be wearing something other than a yukata or kimono … now that you think about it, it’s been five years since you wore normal clothes … if the clothes you were wearing could be called normal. Part of you wonders if you’re dressing too conspicuously. But it might be stranger for a rich person to dress any poorer than you do. And it wasn’t like the inhabitants of Slopetown weren’t well-off enough to be used to this kind of clothing too. You had seen some very well-dressed girls the last time you were there.

Well, it wasn’t like you were trying to hide. It might even be advantageous to flaunt your wealth in a safe part of town.

Regardless, you’re as ready to head outside as you’ll ever be. You twirl one last time in the mirror, taking the rare opportunity to admire yourself in normal clothes and making sure to save a picture to show Kyune. Then, you pick up a new, small purse, and head out the door.

“Going somewhere, Kaguya-sama?” You hear your temporary bodyguard say as you pass through the lounge by your suite. For the past few days, it had been a guard named Nagamasa. Curiously, there was an extra needle-like dagger slipped into his sword belt next to his shirasaya. He had a swagger to him that you found irritating, but other than that he was professional enough to stay in the background so you hadn’t found reason to complain.

“Yes. I’m headed down to Slopetown.” You reply casually.

“In that case, I shall accompany you.” Nagamasa insists, bowing respectfully.

>You hardly need a bodyguard to follow you around on your day off. (+1 Hopeful)

>You could use a bodyguard on your excursion, if only to chauffeur you. (+1 Cynical)

>You don’t need a bodyguard. But you sure could use a maid to help carry bags and such.

>>4362082
>>You hardly need a bodyguard to follow you around on your day off. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4362082
>You could use a bodyguard on your excursion, if only to chauffeur you. (+1 Cynical)

>>4362082
>>You could use a bodyguard on your excursion, if only to chauffeur you. (+1 Cynical)

>>4362082
>You hardly need a bodyguard to follow you around on your day off. (+1 Hopeful)

what could possibly go wrong

>>4362082
>You hardly need a bodyguard to follow you around on your day off. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4362082
>You hardly need a bodyguard to follow you around on your day off. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4362082
>You could use a bodyguard on your excursion, if only to chauffeur you. (+1 Cynical)

>>4362082
>>You could use a bodyguard on your excursion, if only to chauffeur you. (+1 Cynical)

>>4362082
>You hardly need a bodyguard to follow you around on your day off. (+1 Hopeful)

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” You politely, but firmly reply.

“My Lady, are you sure that’s safe?” Nagamasa raises his head in surprise.

“Gated communities such as slopetown are kept free of petty crime, are they not? I’m sure it will be safe for me to be unaccompanied.” You brush away his concerns.

“That’s true …” Nagamasa admits, “But it’s still bad protocol for a daughter of the Muramoto family to be left unattended, My Lady.”

“But no one knows I’m a daughter of the Muramoto family.” You point out, “I’m dressed as any moderately wealthy girl my age would be.”

“You’re just going to go out of the Manor without anyone to attend you? Not even a maid to carry your bags?”

In a rare moment of levity, you smile in amusement and cheerfully announce “Today, I feel like carrying my own bags for once.”

“Well, if that is what Kaguya-sama wishes, I won’t stand in her way …” Nagamasa relents, “However, I will be contacting your Governess to ask what she thinks.”

“Feel free to do so.” You smile, “but in the meantime, I’ll be on my way down the mountain.”

True to your word, you make your way to the garage. Nagamasa follows you there, but he doesn’t do anything to stop you even after enough time has passed for him to contact Winslet-san. You guess there was no objection then. In the garage, you walk over to a plain black, unmarked drone-sedan.

“I’m leaving now …” You say slowly, almost hesitantly. You’re almost sure Nagamasa will suddenly stop you at the last minute. “S-so if you have any final objections I should hear about, n-now is the time!”

To your surprise, Nagamsa just shakes his head and smiles charmingly. “Enjoy your outing, Lady Kaguya.”

The Sedan’s doors slide shut, leaving you alone in the car. You breath out a pent-up sigh. You can’t believe you’re doing this.

Destination? A synthesized, soothing female voice prompts.

You almost say ‘Slopetown’. Then you remember that that by itself wasn’t very specific. Slopetown wrapped around a good portion of the valley.

“O-Rin’s Bar and Grill.” You say, picking the only location in Slopetown you knew of.

Destination: O-Rin’s Bar and Grill, closest … The Drone-Sedan’s synthesized voice repeats. Then, the car slowly starts driving out of the garage.

You feel a rush of elation as the garage door opens, filling the car with sunlight. As the Drone-Sedan makes it’s way down the driveway and the mountainside opens up in front of you, you get hit by a rush of elation. At least for this much, you’re taking control of your life!
…

As the Drone-Sedan makes its way down the mountain, your elation fades away to a healthy excitement. It’s a long way down the mountain, and the Drone-Sedan isn’t nearly as fast as Kyune’s bike. You have plenty of time to chart a course to whatever attraction in Slopetown you want.

>The Mall. You’ve always wanted to see what recreational shopping was like.

>The Movie Theater. You’ve always heard they were a popular attraction.

>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.

>You’ll stop by O-Rin’s Bar and grill and take things from there.

>>4364063
>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.

>>4364066
>>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.
a boy

>>4364066
>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.

>>4364066
>The Mall. You’ve always wanted to see what recreational shopping was like

>>4364066
>>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.

>>4364066
>The Movie Theater. You’ve always heard they were a popular attraction.

>>4364066
>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.

>>4364066
>You’ll walk down the street and see what you find.

>>4364066
>The Mall. You’ve always wanted to see what recreational shopping was like.

You step out of the Drone-Sedan into O-Rin’s parking lot. The morning sun feels pleasantly warm, especially combined with the gentle breeze. You walk up to the edge of the parking lot, taking in the view of the terraces of neat rows private residential homes, public parks, and high-end recreational centers spreading down the mountainside, the buildings gradually growing smaller and more pollution-encrusted and less neat until abruptly, like a line was crossed, the suburban development turned into ugly iron industrial centers dotting a thin, pollution-blasted heath of rust-colored dirt dotted with black pools of stagnant water until the plain reached the main body of the city of Noir.

Noir. The city filled the entire valley all the way to the distant sea. It’s hundreds of arcologies and thousands of skyscrapers blended together into one concrete-chrome mass that filled the entire horizon. Many towers stretched higher than where you currently stood, piercing through the fog of smog that pumped out from the thousands of factories and countless vehicles in the city. It was an ugly sight, a scar on the land. A testament the heights of industrial strength and technology mankind had reached. You saw Noir every time you looked out your window … but never this close.

You can’t believe you used to live in a place like that.

You shake your head, clearing these overly serious thoughts out of your head.You came to Slopetown for an escape after all. That’s right. You should start looking around already!

Heading nowhere in particular, you start walking down the street. With the mountain on one side and the stunning view of Noir on the other, just walking down the street and drinking in the sight has already made your trip worth it in your mind. For some reason, the view of the valley from your balcony and the view of them from the street feel completely different. Every so often, you pause to stare into the distance, before continuing your walk. Compared to the city below, Slopetown really does seem like another world. It seemed purpose-built for the comfort of it’s inhabitants. The mountainside had been carved into terraces like a rice paddy, except instead of rice there were standalone homes lining the narrow space between the mountainside and the edge. Observation platforms with shade, comfortable benches, and well-stocked vending machines were evenly spaced out, along with small, public parks dotted with play structures, sports fields, or simply green spaces where families could spread out tarps to enjoy a picnic.

It was the weekend, and many people were outside enjoying the weather, walking, jogging, playing in the sports fields. Mowing their small lawns, watering flowers housed in special troughs that could close off in the case of a rare smog-storm. Or simply reclining in a chair outside and enjoying the weather. Occasionally, drone-sedans with tainted windows like the one you had come in pass by.

Eventually feeling tired, you stop at one of the observation platforms on the side of the mountain and sit down on the bench. You don’t think you’ve ever walked this far in your life! Come to think of it … wasn’t this the first time you had ever walked down a street? The arcology where you grew up had been completely self-contained, from the hospital to the pre-education centers to the living quarters.

You really enjoyed the feeling of just walking down the street. But your legs are starting to feel sore. So you’ll just take a short break.

A few minutes pass. You must have been daydreaming, because you didn’t notice that someone was under the observation platform with you until you heard the can drop from inside the vending machine.

“Hey, want something?” A boy roughly your age asks. He’s dressed in a kid-sized biker’s outfit. And sure enough, there’s his bike leaning against the fender.

“Something?” You tilt your head. “Ah. You mean from the vending machine.”

You weren’t used to people offering you petty favours. There was never any need.

Well, if he was offering …

>Just some water, thank you

>An energy drink, you could use a pick-me-up

>A Fujinoki Soda. Your favorite.

>No, but thank you very much

>>4365625
>A Fujinoki Soda. Your favorite.

>>4365625
>No, but thank you very much
A what, 14-year old riding a bike? He's definitely a corp kid, and corp kids are probably sociopaths.

>>4365625
>An energy drink, you could use a pick-me-up

We're about to take favors from a peasant


>>4365646
bro we're a corp kid

>>4365625
>A Fujinoki Soda. Your favorite

>>4365747
Thats why I've said "probably".

>>4365625
>A Fujinoki Soda. Your favorite.

>>4365625
>A Fujinoki Soda. Your favorite.

>>4365625
>Just some water, thank you

>>4365625
>>A Fujinoki Soda. Your favorite

“Of course I meant from the frying vending machine!” The Boy laughs. His voice is … funny. There’s a patina faux-toughness to it, like he’s trying to sound punkish. But he can’t mask the soft, refined enunciations that came from an educated background that make his delinquent act just sound immature … He sounded kind-of like Kyune Onee-chan.

“Well in that case, I’ll have a Fujinoki Soda please.” You say politely.

The Boy whistles. “An all-natural brand. You have expensive taste.”

“Is that so?” You say neutrally. You realize that, despite being aware of the luxury you lived in. you never saw the price tags. The city-waif in you had never stopped being awed by how expensive your normal food, drink, and clothes were, but never how much. You were even beginning to take it for granted.

But The Boy doesn’t protest. He just nonchalantly shrugs, pulls out a SINcard and presses it against the sensor on the vending machine.

“So what flavour?”

“Matcha.”

“Here ya go. Ice cold.” He drawls casually, throwing you the drink. You catch the green-colored can out of the air. Like The Boy promised it’s cold to the touch, so cold you can’t believe you’re not just holding a block of ice.

“Thank you.” You nod in thanks, before cracking the can open and taking a sip. The bitter, grassy flavor combined with the buzz of the carbonation and the coolness of the soda is incredibly refreshing, Just what you needed.

You notice The Boy wincing in disgust as he watches you sip your drink.

“Don’t … Don’t you find it frying bitter?” He asks.

“Yes.” You affirm, “It’s quite refreshing.”

“Damn. Expensive and refined taste!” The Boy laughs again, “Hey, I’m Hikaru.”

“My name is Kaguya.” You reply.

“Kaguya, huh? How come I’ve never seen you ‘round here before?”

>I don’t go outside much I guess

>I’m just visiting, so you wouldn’t have

>Do you remember every person you pass on the street?

>That’s cool (brush him off)

>>4367481
>I’m just visiting, so you wouldn’t have

>>4367481
>I don’t go outside much I guess

File: hqdefault.jpg (14 KB, 480x360)

14 KB JPG

>>4367481
>Do you remember every person you pass on the street?

>>4367481
>>I’m just visiting, so you wouldn’t have

>>4367481
>>I don’t go outside much I guess

>>4367481
>I don’t go outside much I guess

>>4367481
>>Do you remember every person you pass on the street?

>>4367481
>I’m just visiting, so you wouldn’t have

>>4367481
>I don’t go outside much I guess
Hikaru is right about matcha by the way. It's absolutely disgusting.

>>4369101
>Not having the money to genetically engineer your taste buds to like matcha

“Well, I don’t go outside much.” You explain, taking another sip of your matcha soda. It was a welcome relief on a hot summer day like today. Combined with the cool shade of the observation platform’s roof, it was all quite relaxing. Of course, your company was helping add to the relaxing feeling too.

“Yeah. I figured.” Hikaru says, “You’re dressed like you’re going to the mall. Most chicks would be afraid to go outside and take a walk in such expensive clothes.”

“I’m surprised you know that much about clothes.” You say, amused and slightly impressed, although you don’t let it show. In your etiquette classes, your Tutors had told you that many boys your age probably wouldn’t know as much about clothes as the average girl your age, and not to be surprised or upset over the deficiencies in their knowledge.

Hikaru shrugs, “I don’t … but well, you’re not exactly dressed in jogging clothing.”

Something about the way he says it makes you feel like laughing, but you don’t.

“Shame you don’t though …” Hikaru continues, “Go outside more, I mean …”

“What do you mean by that?” You ask. Inwardly, your thoughts are racing. You recognize what he’s doing. He’s flirting. Your etiquette lessons had covered this kind of behaviour too. But the situation was still completely unfamiliar. Sitting here in the shade, relaxing while sipping on something cool and talking with someone your age … It all feels fresh and new.

“Well, a pretty girl like you … I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing you around more.”

It’s hard to have something so blatant said to you and keep a straight face. But Hikaru said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Well … I appreciate your compliment …” You let your etiquette training take control while you mentally catch up with reality. You weren’t prepared for this kind of situation at all.

>Ask him if he knows anywhere interesting here (change the subject)

>Ask about his bike. It looks very nice.

>You can’t help but be interested in this boy. (Initiate Social Combat, Goal: Improve Hikaru’s opinion of you.)

>Thank him for the drink and continue your walk

>>4369690
>>Ask about his bike. It looks very nice.

>>4369690
>You can’t help but be interested in this boy. (Initiate Social Combat, Goal: Improve Hikaru’s opinion of you.)

He's what we call a practice boy

>>4369690
>Ask about his bike. It looks very nice.
Is he trying to raise his status and self-worth by picking up girls? Is he intending to use us then break our heart? Is he looking of an in with a rival family? Is he scouting for a new victim for his torture dungeon that his CEO dad covers up with his connections? Damn, dating in the Plutocrat world seems tough.

>>4369690
>>You can’t help but be interested in this boy. (Initiate Social Combat, Goal: Improve Hikaru’s opinion of you.)

>>4369690
>You can’t help but be interested in this boy. (Initiate Social Combat, Goal: Improve Hikaru’s opinion of you.)
For practice

>>4369690
>You can’t help but be interested in this boy. (Initiate Social Combat, Goal: Improve Hikaru’s opinion of you.)

>>4369690
>Ask about his bike. It looks very nice.

You let yourself smile a bit as you continue talking to Hikaru and absorbing his stream of compliments. You rarely do, but you’ve been told you have a charming smile.

But your smile isn’t completely calculated. You were pleased by Hikaru’s compliments. They were flattering and cleverly worded. And they weren’t completely made up. There was an earnestness behind them. You didn’t know if he was trying to boost his ego, looking to break some girl’s heart, or maybe just trying to kill time by playing games. Maybe he really was interested in you. He was too calm and in control to not have had practise. But he meant some of the things he was saying. You still had no idea what he was after.

In that case, you’ll just play along.

Optimism: 4
Cynicism: 4

>Compliment and charm him (Hopeful-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>Play coy and fascinate him (Cynical-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>>4371323
So how does this work?

>>4371325
It's combat except social. I will call a roll and depending on what option is chosen, Optimism and Cynicism can be spent to give a bonus. If the roll is successful, you will receive Optimism or Cynicism as a reward.

>>4371323
>>Compliment and charm him (Hopeful-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>>4371323
>Compliment and charm him (Hopeful-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>>4371323
>Play coy and fascinate him (Cynical-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>>4371323
>Play coy and fascinate him (Cynical-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>>4371323
>>Compliment and charm him (Hopeful-based bonus + Increase if successful)

>>4371323
>Compliment and charm him (Hopeful-based bonus + Increase if successful)

In response to Hikaru's skillful, flirtatious flattery, you employ some compliments of your own in an attempt to charm him.

>Roll 3 1d20's, one success is required

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4371960

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>4371960

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4371960

Rolled 10 (1d20)

Rolling for Hikaru

>+2 Kaguya is very charming
>+2 Hikaru is adolescent and weak to charming girls

>Success, Gained 1 Hopeful

Unlike Hikaru, you exercise some subtlety in your compliments. Instead of fitting one in every sentence, you make him feel flattered in harder to detect ways. You turn around to face him squarely, even on the straight bench. You look him in the eye, fixing him with a clear, attentive gaze.You smile at every compliment. Occasionally, you make small expressions of interest. Above all, you give him your full attention. But you’re careful to maintain your poise and dignity. You’re interested, not enraptured.

In contrast, it seems your attempts to charm Hikaru are working. He’s leaning forward towards you. His body language shows he’s paying close attention to you. And there’s a smile on his face. You can tell it’s a real one by how it reaches the corners of his eyes.

“I would guess that you enjoy going outside often? It would seem so from your bike. You must ride it often.”

“That’s right.” Hikaru beams with pride, “It’s a Tetsuosu Model-88. Goes 240 kilometers per hour at top speed. Damn rocket.”

If you remembered correctly, that was 90 kilometers slower than what Kyune had mentioned her bike went at. But Hikaru seemed to know a fair amount about motorcycles and he thought that 240 kilometers per hour was considered fast so it probably was. Anything above 100 kph already sounded dizzyingly fast to you anyways.

“D-do you really ride around that fast?” You stare in apprehension at the motorcycle, before glancing at the mountain’s steep slope. One mistake that fast and the rider would be catapulted off the mountainside. The paltry barrier on the side of the road wouldn’t do a thing in the world.

“Yeah.” Hikaru says simply.

You stare at him in quiet incredulity.

“Okay, nah. I don’t.” He admits, “Sometimes, I break 110.”

“That still sounds fast for me.” You say, “And this motorcycle is how you travel?”

“It’s how I get around town, yeah.” Hikaru nods, before pausing uncharacteristically.

In the absence of the small talk that had been going on, the silence is awkward even for you. But then, suddenly, Hikaru breaks the silence.

“H-Hey, um ... “ Hikaru stutters, his voice noticeably higher pitched than before, “Y-you said you don’t go outside much, r-right?”

“That is indeed what I said.” You nod, choosing to overlook Hikaru’s sudden awkwardness. “Why do you ask?”

“Why? Well …” Hikaru rubs the the back of his head nervously, You must not know the fun parts of town yet, right? So I was thinking … M-maybe I could show you around?”

>That’s very generous of you. I’d be glad to accept. (+5 Hopeful)

>I’d be glad to accept … as long as we walk. (+3 Hopeful)

>I’m sorry, but I really should get going. (+3 Cynical)

>Did someone challenge you to do this? You’re awfully nervous.

>>4373119
>I’m sorry, but I really should get going. (+3 Cynical)

I'd want a bodyguard tailing us if some rando is gonna take us places

>>4373119
>Did someone challenge you to do this? You’re awfully nervous.

>>4373119
>>I’d be glad to accept … as long as we walk. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4373119
>>I’d be glad to accept … as long as we walk. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4373119
>I’d be glad to accept … as long as we walk. (+3 Hopeful)
She deserves a chance at real life. No one would be mad enough to seriously harm a Plutocrat, even without bodyguards. The revenge of Corporate Enforcers, equipped with lethal ICE in Cyberspace, and Goddess knows what in meatspace would sound like an effective criminal deterrent

>>4373119
>That’s very generous of you. I’d be glad to accept. (+5 Hopeful)

>>4373119
>I’d be glad to accept … as long as we walk. (+3 Hopeful)

Unfortunately there won't be an update tonight. Sorry.

>>4374254
Nooooooo what about my underage ultracapitalist predators' date?

>>4374254
None today as well?

>>4376569
QM kill

Sorry I'm late. Internet was unavailable for a while.

Interlude

High above the valley, on the side of the main road of a terrace of Slopetown, a figure perched on a chrome-coated cycle. The matte-white carbon hilt of a standard-pattern shirasaya poked out from under his longcoat. gazed over the edge of the cliff. To the casual observer, it looked like he was taking in the whole of the valley. But in reality, he was looking at a single spot, one kilometer away and three terraces down.

An Observation Platform.

The Figure watched as two young teenagers, a boy and a girl, walked out of the observation platform. The Boy gestured, and his Red Motorcycle sped away. Then, the two started walking down the street, chatting amiably, but somewhat awkwardly amongst themselves.

The Figure watched as the two of them walked farther and farther away. Then, he revved his cycle and slowly began following.

Noir, Slopetown, Hillside 7 Terrace 27-f

“I’d be glad to accept!” You smile genuinely, before looking cautiously at his motorcycle, “But are we riding on your motorcycle?”

“Nah, we can walk if you want.” Hikaru says

“You’re going to leave your motorcycle behind?

“Don’t worry about that.” Hikaru laughs. “Cycle. Garage.”

Responding to his command, Hikaru’s Motorcycle stands up, before speeding off down the road. You didn’t know motorcycles could do that … although you should have been able to guess, considering how droned vehicles were nowadays.

“Pretty cool, right?” Hikaru says, “Anyways … where d’ya want to go?”

“Well, I hardly know the neighbourhood well enough to know where I would want to go.” You point out.

“Well, let’s see ...” Hikaru muses, “There’s sports centers, arcades, there’s a movie theater in a mall two terraces down …”

>You’re interested in what a ‘sports center’ is like.

>You’re interested in what an arcade is like

>You want to visit a mall and go shopping … maybe even a movie?

>You’re starting to feel hungry … does he know anywhere good to eat?

>>4377611
>>You’re starting to feel hungry … does he know anywhere good to eat?

>>4377611

>You want to visit a mall and go shopping … maybe even a movie?

>>4377611
>You want to visit a mall and go shopping … maybe even a movie?
He's back

>>4377611
>You’re interested in what an arcade is like

>>4377611
>You’re starting to feel hungry … does he know anywhere good to eat?

>>4377611
>You want to visit a mall and go shopping … maybe even a movie?

“I’m interested in going to see the mall.” You say.

“You like shopping?” Hikaru smiles crookedly. It seemed he thought you were playing part of a stereotype.

“Mostly online shopping.” You reply. It wasn’t completely a lie ... if the half-hour you had spent assembling your outfit counted as online shopping. But you weren’t going to tell him you had never gone shopping in your life before. Still, you weren’t confident you would be able to hide how much it would be a new experience for you.

“Ah. I see, I see.” Hikaru nods, “Well then, I’ll show ya to the mall then … thing is, it’s half an hour away. Wanna call a taxi?”

You frown, “I wanted to walk, since it is easier to appreciate the view ...”

“The view?” Hikaru scoffs, “You see that every time you step out the door? Well … if you want, I guess.”

You smile slightly in thanks. “Please lead the way.”

You let Hikaru take the lead. Hikaru slows his pace down to match yours so he doesn’t leave you behind. Or at least he tries to. Every time he does, he slowly speeds up back to his natural pace as soon as he forgets he slowed down in the first place. Eventually, you just quicken your pace to match his. To make a young lady you were accompanying have to quicken her pace to match yours … how impolite! Inwardly. you smile. Etiquette seemed to be looser down here.

Hikaru starts slowing down slightly halfway through the walk anyways, as he starts to tire out. You’re surprised he couldn’t maintain his pace the entire way. He looked reasonably fit in the way he carried himself. Perhaps he wasn’t used to walking since he could ride his motorcycle everywhere.

“Maybe we should call a taxi.” You suggest, noting how Hikaru was beginning to look out of breath.

“Nah, I’m not tired. You tired?” Hikaru puffs, putting on a show with as much false bravado as he can muster.

Well … If he says so …

>Any questions for Hikaru?

>>4379159
>If you could hop on a plane right now, where would you go?
>Where is ‘home’?
>What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
>Did you have any nicknames growing up? Now?
>What were you like as a little child?
>What’s something I wouldn’t guess about you?
>What’s on your bucket list?
>What do you think your most attractive quality is?
>What’s been the most significant or best year of your life so far?
>Tell me about your family.
>If you won a million dollars tomorrow, what would you do?
>What are you most afraid of?
>Who do you talk to the most?
>If you were stranded on an island and could take three things with you, what would they be?
>How does it feel to be literally physically inferior to the genetic perfection that is a Plutocrat child?

>>4379189
Support lmao

>>4379159
Are you a genetically enhanced human?

>>4379159
>What do you normally do around here?

File: HIkaruPortrait.jpg (54 KB, 512x512)

54 KB JPG

You strike up a conversation with Hikaru as the two of you make your way to the mall. It isn’t much more than small talk, but you manage to learn more about Hikaru. You learn about his desire to visit America and cruise his motorcycle down the miles and miles of cross-country highways. You learn that he lives on 51 Hillside 7 Terrace 29-g, and he wouldn’t mind if you came by to ‘hang out’ someday. You learn his favorite food are the burgers at a hole-in-walled themed restaurant four terraces down from his house. You learn he’s been into motorcycles ever since he was eight. You learn that he considers himself a delinquent, as well as how he surprisingly considers this his most attractive quality.

You also learn some surprising things about him too. You learn that he’s a shockingly good chess player that has won some school tournaments, and that he considers the day he did the best day in his life, even compared to the day he got his bike … although he admits that might have been a better day once you point that unexpected discrepancy in character out to him. You learn that he has a deathly fear of cockroaches, since the time he found one in his kitchen two years ago. He even claims that they’re his greatest fear … other than trigonometry. You find that strange. Trigonometry was relatively simple at the basic level.

You slowly build up an image of an average Blank boy, the son of a senior manager of some finance-focused macrocorporation whose 7-figure income paid for a comfortable, carefree life. The kind of boy who played at being a wannabe punk but could still run back to his loving mother’s arms whenever he wanted. The kind of boy who lived with the laissez faire tomorrow-will-be-tomorrow attitude of someone who had never wanted for anything growing up, who, if he won a million dollars today, would call his friends and blow it all on a night on the town … unless, of course, some new upgrade for his bike hit the market.

Hikaru’s attempts to learn about you, on the other hand, are much less successful. You are skillfully evasive of his questions to the limit of his questions. But fortunately, he takes it all in good humour.

“Don’t like others getting a good handle on you, huh?”

“That is true.” you admit.

Over the course of the conversation, the only things he learns is that you like the taste of matcha, enjoy archery, and can play the biwa. At first, you worry that you might seem too boring, but Hikaru only seems more interested by your mysteriousness.

When you finally reach the mall, it’s sheer scale surprises you. It was a massive, ugly building that sprawled over several terraces, with a superficial veneer of plaster stonework. If you were surprised by it’s outside, you’re almost overwhelmed by it’s inside. The inside was a cavalcade of vivid sights and smells, gaudy displays and advertisements, the scents of snacks and food you could have never imagined. And above it all was the tinny sound of some poppy music just quiet enough to not be intrusive.

“A-are all malls like this?” You ask.

“It’s not a big one …” Hikaru says, “So … what do you wanna see first?”

>You’ll just walk along and see what is interesting

>You need more normal clothes

>Where can you find food here?

>What does Hikaru want to see?

>>4380746
>You’ll just walk along and see what is interesting

We don't even know what we're looking for.

>>4380746
>>You’ll just walk along and see what is interesting

>>4380746
>>You need more normal clothes

>>4380746
>You’ll just walk along and see what is interesting

>>4380744
Turns out Hikaru's a bit of a bishie.
This chess tidbit is also interesting. It might be that Hikaru is craving attention and recognition - both winning a chess tournament and being a "delinquent" can provide it. Maybe his father is neglecting him?

>>4380746
>You’ll just walk along and see what is interesting

>>4380746
>Where can you find food here?

“Hmmm … well, I would like to walk around and take it in.” You decide.

Hikaru gladly obliges you. The two of you spend the day wandering around the mall. You quickly get used to the mall’s new-ness and begin to really just relax and enjoy yourself.

But the mall is still full of fresh experiences for you. For one, once your sense of the sheer size of the mall wears off, you’re surprised by how sparsely populated it is, even on a weekend today. It is only dotted here and there by people shopping and enjoying themselves in little cliques and knots with more-than-comfortable amounts of space between them.

One of the most surprising things you learn is that the majority of the small shops and venues in the mall are devoted to various kinds of food. And many of them seemed to be the heavy, unhealthy kind, bursting with flavour. You pass a crepe stand, a milkshake stand, several fast food venues. When you pass by the food court, you can practically smell the calories in the air. Did people really enjoy eating such vast quantities of cheap, half-artificial food laden with such disgusting amounts of sugar, syrup, and salt? To your sensitive nose, it is so flavourful to be almost unappetizing. But you still want to try at least a bit of the food available … maybe when you’re more hungry from wandering around.

There are plenty of clothing stores too. And all of them seemed to be from high-end brands, although not ones as expensive as the designer ones you chose your clothes from. You browse a bit, and even purchase enough to assemble a few outfits out of. Hikaru chivalrously offers to carry them for you. It seems he really does know how to behave around girls.

You pass by …. other kinds of clothing stores as well. Hikaru blushes slightly at the sight of lingerie on display and quickens his pace. You personally don’t understand what’s to get so flustered over. The models used in the advertising looked too made up and digitally enhanced to be realistic.

But the most interesting thing for you is when you pass by a stationery store. You’re entranced by the sheer amount of office supplies in front of you. You suppose it made sense … everyone needed stationery. But compared to clothes or food … it was still a shock for you to see such a large supply of something so utilitarian and mundane.

“What’s so interesting about a bunch of mechanical pencils?” Hikaru asks as you carefully examine a bin of mechanical pencils.

“I like these ones. They’re better than the ones I have.” You smoothly lie, dropping a few cases of them in a shopping bag. An unintended purchase, but oh well …

Just then, the store is punctured by the rumble of your empty stomach.

“... Want to get something to eat?” Hikaru offers, “I know a good fast-food joint just around the corner.”

“Yes please.” You gratefully say, looking down in embarrassment.

***
“Here ya go.” Hikaru says, plopping a greasy bag in front of you, “Two all-beef patties with extra cheddar.”

“Thank you.” Before, this kind of overly-heavy food seemed unappetizing to you, but now that you’re hungry, you can’t wait to taste it.

“It’s pretty big. Are you sure you can finish … wow, uh, I guess I don’t have to worry about that, huh?” Hikaru watches in awe as you practically inhale the burger, “Y’know, I think I’d have trouble finishing the Big Wac that quickly …”

“Is that so?” You slow down to a more dainty pace.

Hikaru chuckles. “Yeah … Y’know, Kaguya, I have a question.”

“What would that be?”

“You’re not from around here, are you?” Hikaru says, “You act like you’ve never seen a mall in your life … But you’re obviously pretty classy. So where are you from?”


>Tell him the truth (+2 Hopeful)

>I’d rather not say (+2 Cynical)

>I said I don’t go outside much (Social Combat)

>The moon

>>4381845
>>Tell him the truth (+2 Hopeful)

>>4381845
>Tell him the truth (+2 Hopeful)

>>4381845
>Tell him the truth (+2 Hopeful)

>>4381845
>>I said I don’t go outside much (Social Combat)

>>4381845
>Tell him the truth (+2 Hopeful)
Blow his mind, hehe

>>4381845
>The moon
>I'm scouting for the Lunarian invasion to take revenge for the Apollo missions.

“I’m from a very important family.” You answer truthfully, “So I’ve been very sheltered throughout my life.”

“Sheltered?” Hikaru scoffs, “You’ve never been to a mall in your life! What kinda family shelters you that much?”

“The kind of family where I wouldn’t have a reason to leave our manor.” You explain.

To his credit, Hikaru doesn’t take long to put together what you’re saying.

“You’re from a plutocrat family, aren’t you?” He says.

“Would you like to know which one?”

“Doesn’t matter, they’re all frying rich.” Hikaru says, “I just don’t know how I didn’t realize it before.”

“I hope you don’t hold it against me for not telling you.”

“Nah,” Hikaru shakes his head, “Still … you’re like, a princess or something, right? What are you doing slumming it down here?”

“There wasn’t any reason greater than a whim.” You say simply.

“Fair enough …” Hikaru shrugs.

***

After finishing your late lunch, you spend the rest of the day wandering around the mall like before. But it isn’t long until it is time to leave.

“Well, let me guide you back to where we started,” Hikaru offers as the two of you walk out of the mall, “Or anywhere in the town you’d like.”

“I’d appreciate that greatly. Thank you. This time, would you like to call for a taxi?”

“If you want.” Hikaru says, almost managing to sound noncommittal.

“That’s very considerate!” You can’t help but cover your mouth and suppress a giggle. The way he clung onto his bravado from before … how cute!

“Although …” Hikaru pauses and looks at the distant skyline of Noir, “It would be a shame to miss a sunset like this, huh?”

“I think that you are beginning to understand me.” You admit cheerfully, “In that case, I will rely on you a little while longer.”

“You really talk like a refined lady, y’know?” Hikaru says, “Alright then… I just need to make a quick detour on the way ...”

***
Hikaru’s detour brings you to a large, economically designed building surrounded by a wall just high enough to block your line of vision. Hanging by a wrought-iron gate was a sign.

Yamahara Academy

Beyond the gate was a courtyard that seemed like a massive space for a building built on a mountainside, surrounding the whole of the U-shaped building. A squat clocktower rising from the center of the building displayed the late hour.

It was a 21-st century high school, right out of the history textbooks.

“This is your school?”

“My parents are massive traditionalists.” Hikaru explains, “Anyways, I just need to grab a few textbooks. Wait here in the courtyard, okay?”

>Alright, you’ll wait in the courtyard

>You’d like to look around, if that is okay.

>Doesn’t he know it’s bad manners to leave a lady unattended?

>>4382942
>You’d like to look around, if that is okay.

How do the normie kids learn?

>>4382942
>Alright, you’ll wait in the courtyard
This is where we get kidnapped or at least accosted by ruffians, right?
I'm miffed nobody supported the moon invasion tale btw.

>>4382942
>>You’d like to look around, if that is okay.

>>4382942
>>You’d like to look around, if that is okay.

>>4382942
>You’d like to look around, if that is okay.

“I’d like to look around, if that is okay.” You say, “I’m interested in how ‘more normal’ kids my age learn.”

“You don’t consider yourself normal?” Hikaru comments.

“Ah, I meant no offense.” You quickly apologize.

“What are you saying? None taken!” Hikaru laughs, “It’s pretty obvious you’re not exactly a typical schoolgirl, y’know?”

Now that Hikaru mentioned it, did you consider yourself not normal? You had always been aware that the way you were being raised was not typical for others your age. But on a day-to-day basis, you didn’t really think about your life that way, did you? Your life was simply the one you lived.

Well, regardless, you were still curious.

Hikaru leads you into the school building, passing through an area with rows of lockers.

“Shouldn’t I change my shoes?” You ask when the floor changes from tiles to wood.

“Ah, don’t worry about it.” Hikaru says, “It’ll just be in and out.”

Well, if he said it was okay …

Disappointingly, the school is quite bare. The hallways are small and the classrooms all seem the same. Compared to the riot of noise and color the mall had been, it’s almost boring. You quickly grow tired of exploring and head back to Hikaru.

But as you approach the classroom where you left him, you hear voices. Instinctively, you duck behind a corner.

“What the hell do you want, Gorira?”
“Eh? Nothin’ big, Hikaru.” A deep, thuggish voice replies, I was jus’ wondering why I saw you pickin’ up girls on Shady Ape turf.”

“Ah, that? Well, I’m so sorry about that Gorira.” Hikaru says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Daihi’s willin’ to let you off the hook if you compensate him.” The Thuggish Voice continues.

“That’s awfully generous of him. Well, here’s the thing, I’ll pick up girls wherever I damn well please. And you can tell that to Daihi the next time you’re frying his cock.”

“You fragging little shit!” The Thuggish Voice swears.

You hear the sound of furniture getting overturned …

>Speak up (+1 Hopefulness)

>Run away (+1 Cynicism)

>Watch what happens from hiding

>>4384402
>Speak up (+1 Hopefulness)

full hope

>>4384402
>Watch what happens from hiding

By the way, congratulations to everyone! There's now a decision in another quest as bad as drinking the virus. We're no longer THE stupidest playerbase, only one of.

>>4384402
>Speak up (+1 Hopefulness)

>>4384623
It’s the very same playerbase anon

>>4384822
To clarify, I wasn't talking about any decision in this quest. I sure hope we got better.

>>4384402
>Watch what happens from hiding

>>4384402
>Speak up (+1 Hopefulness)

>>4384402
>Run away (+1 Cynicism)

“L-leave Hikaru alone!” You squeak as you step out from behind the corner.

In front of you were three boys, dressed in tellingly clean delinquent-esque outfits. The largest of them had Hikaru up against the wall by the collar of his skirt and was holding a stubby, black object in his hand that crackled with electric energy.

“Huh? Look at that, Hikaru! A girl’s come to save you!” Gorira says, shaking Hikaru roughly.

“I-I’m fine, Kaguya!” Hikaru shouts, “You don’t need to worry about me!”

Social Combat: De-escalate Situation

Optimism: 11
Cynicism: 4

>Aren’t you ashamed, ganging up on him? (Hopeful)

>If you hurt him, I’ll make sure you regret it! (Cynical)

>>4385510
>Aren’t you ashamed, ganging up on him? (Hopeful)

we've got the deep hope reserves

>>4385510
>If you hurt him, I’ll make sure you regret it! (Cynical)

>>4385510
>Aren’t you ashamed, ganging up on him? (Hopeful)

Roll 3 1d20's. You will need 2 successes.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4386344

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4386344

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4386344

>>4386351
>>4386366
>>4386367
I-is this the Power of Hope?
Are we secretly a magical girl? There's no other explanation.

>>4386452
It's the power of being a genetically enhanced plutocrat child designed to emotionally manipulate.

>>4386458
That's for the Cynical route.

>>4386461
Those rolls aren't super unlikely anyway. Pretty close to the odds of a nat 100 on 1d100.

>>4384623
I stand by the virus-drinking choice. It's going to pay off, trust me. We just need to beat this coma.
What decision are you talking about, though?

>>4386498
It happened in Castlevania: Elegy of Inheritance recently. The shitstorm might still be ongoing.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>+2 Kaguya is very charming
>+2 Gorira is adolescent and weak to charming girls
>+2 Gorira believes himself to be at least honorable

>20, 20, 20

Rolling for Gorira

>>4386772
Well well well.

>Gorira: Critical Success
>Failure

>Kaguya is Intimidated

“Aren’t you ashamed of ganging up on him?” You do your best to berate the three delinquents in front of you. “There are three of you and you’re all bigger than him!”

“Ashamed?” Gorira laughs, “This little fragger was the’ one breaking rules he already knew about. Whaddya have to say about that, eh?”

Gorira throws Hikaru down onto a desk which promptly topples over.

“Hikaru!” You cry.

“I’m … fine.” Hikaru insists, picking himself up from the floor, before raising two fists in front of him. It hurt you to see him continue to fight.

“Pfft … Don’t know when to quit, d’you?” Gojira snorts, throwing a vicious right hook that catches Hikaru square in the jaw, jolting him with the stun gun in his hand and sending him spasming to the floor.

“Y-you’re killing him!”

“Aw, you’re overreacting. This wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t hit on you on our turf.” Gorira laughs again.

Gorira turns over to his cronies. “Hold th’ Princess. I want her to watch me give her boyfriend a lesson neither of them will forget.” His voice had a note of gleeful anticipation.

“N-No! Don’t touch me!” You shriek, backing away as the two, much larger boys approached you. You turn to run. A rough hand grabs your forearm, pulling you towards your captor’s chest. In a panic, you struggle to break his grip, but he merely grins and pulls you harder.

“No use struggling, ‘Princess’.” He grunts in dim amusement.

Then, a third, black-gloved hand descends from nowhere to grab his forearm.

“Huh?” The Delinquent grunts in surprise.

The fist around the Delinquent’s forearm tightens, forcing his grip on you to loosen.

There was a tall man dressed in a black, synthleather longcoat standing between the two of you. His face was hidden by wraparound shades.

“Who the frag are you?” The Delinquent demands, reaching into his pocket with his free hand.

Without waiting to see what he pulled out, The Man twists the Delinquent’s arm around his back, before forcing his face to the floor with a heavy boot sole. You hear cracks like snapped twigs as he breaks the Delinquent’s arm one, two, three times.

“Fragging old geezer!” Gorira’s other croney swore, before pulling a stun gun out of his pocket and charging.

The Man seamlessly intercepts his weapon-arm, before deftly flipping the stunned delinquent’s entire body in a lazy arc through the air, down onto a desk halfway across the room, smashing it into kindling.

“And STAY DOWN.” He growls in a voice infinitely deeper and fuller of menace than anything those delinquents could manage. It is so laden with the promise of violence that you can’t help but shrink away in fear even though you’re not the target for it. The delinquents on the floor don’t dare to move. As for Gorira, he’s all but whimpering in fear. There’s a wet stain spreading over his crotch.

The Man calmly walks across the room and snatches the stun gun out of his hands, before tossing it into the far corner. Then, he turns to you.

“Lady Kaguya, are you okay?” He asks, in a much gentler voice.

“I … think so.” You mutter, still in shock from the professional violence you just witnessed. “K-Kentaro-kun?” You mutter, unsure.

“Sorry.” He pulls off his shades. Your shock-blurred vision clears. It was Yoji.

>Thank him for saving you (+1 Hopeful)

>But ask him why he’s here. (+1 Cynical)

>Rush to Hikaru’s side

>>4386968
>>Thank him for saving you (+1 Hopeful)

>>4386968
>Thank him for saving you (+1 Hopeful)

>>4386968
>But ask him why he’s here. (+1 Cynical)

hope has failed us

>>4386968
>>Thank him for saving you (+1 Hopeful)

>>4386968
>Rush to Hikaru’s side

>>4386968
>>Thank him for saving you (+1 Hopeful)

>>4386968
Hope has no place in a cyberpunk dystopia after all. Even the dice gods think so.

>Thank him for saving you (+1 Hopeful)
>Rush to Hikaru’s side

>>4386968
>Rush to Hikaru’s side

>>4386968
>Rush to Hikaru’s side

>>4386968
Changing to
>Rush to Hikaru’s side

“Hikaru!” You cry, as soon as your head clears from shock. You rush over to his side. “Are you alright?”

“Like … I said … I’m … Fine.” Hikaru groans, trying to pick himself off the ground before collapsing again.

“You got hit pretty badly. Don’t move.” You gently but firmly, insist, gently pushing him down when he tries to get up on his feet again. Hikaru looks slightly annoyed, but doesn’t protest.

“Is there anything you can do to help?” You ask, turning to Yoji.

Yoji walks over to Hikaru. “How was he hurt?”

You describe the brief fight as well as you can. Yoji nods in acknowledgement, examining Hikaru’s swelling face.

“Follow my finger.” Yoji orders Hikaru. You can’t see what happens from behind Yoji’s back, but he’s apparently satisfied with the result because he chuckles in amusement. “Seems you are overly worried, Kaguya-sama … Tased and still kicking, huh? He’s a scrappy one.”

“See? I told ya there was nothing to worry about.” Hikaru gloats, leaning on Yoji as he got up, “Anyways, are you alright, Kaguya? Did those bastards hurt you?”

“N-no … You should be more worried about yourself!” You grow slightly flustered at the concern in Hikaru’s voice. It was completely misplaced with the cheeky grin on his swollen face.

“You … you’ll fragging pay for this. Mark my words!” Gorira suddenly interrupts you with a shaky voice. You look over to where he’s currently helping his friend from where he lay in the ruins of a desk.

In response, Yoji brushes his jacket back. At the sight of the hilt of his sword, Gorira steps back in fear. But Yoji draws a wallet instead, from which he pulls out a flat square of metal. He tosses it to embed itself in the floor in front Gorira. “All client-defense related actions are covered under article 19 amendment 91 of the Civic Corporate Charter. If you have any complaints or wish to file a lawsuit, refer to my security firm’s contact information on the card.”

Without looking back, Yoji walks away. You glance back just long enough to see Gorira lean down to pull the card from the floor.

The last thing you hear from them is “Who the frag was that?”
…

“I think it would be a good idea to head home, Kaguya-sama.”

Your Drone-Sedan is waiting in the school parking lot. Mounted on a rack on the back was a chrome motorcycle.

“So, this is goodbye for now, huh?” Hikaru says.

“I guess so.” You nod.

“Man, it was a wild day …” Hikaru sighs, before smiling crookedly “I promise it’s not usually this exciting around me.”

That manages to get a weak laugh out of you.

“The mall was fun.” You reassure Hikaru.

“Good to hear.” He says, “Anyways … see you again?”

>As long as it’s like the first half of today. (+1 Hopeful)

>I don’t know if that will be possible. (+1 Cynical)

>I’m sorry, but I’d rather not a repeat of today.

>>4389212
>>As long as it’s like the first half of today. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4389212
>As long as it’s like the first half of today. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4389212
>>As long as it’s like the first half of today. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4389212
>As long as it’s like the first half of today. (+1 Hopeful)

>>4389212
>As long as it’s like the first half of today. (+1 Hopeful)

“Well, as long as it’s like the first half of today.”

Hikaru laughs again. But this time, his laugh is a little unsure and awkward. “Yeah, let’s not do today again.”

“If that is the case, then I look forwards to when we meet again.” You say, “Goodbye, Hikaru.”

“You sure you don’t want a ride home?” Yoji interjects.

“Nah, I’m fine. I’ll manage to get home as I am.” Hikaru respectfully declines. There’s a level of respect in his voice towards Yoji that you hadn’t seen him direct towards anyone else. But then again, he had seen what Yoji was capable of. You yourself already knew how fast and strong the household enforcers were from occasionally seeing them spar. But seeing the real thing was still completely different.

“Well in that case …” Yoji reaches into his pocket and pulls out a palm-sized auto-injector and tosses it to Hikaru.

“Thanks, but I really don’t need …”

“Ah come on. It’s for your bruising.” Yoji annoyedly interrupts Hikaru, although not unkindly. “It’s just an anti-inflammatory compound. No painkillers. You’re not going to ride home with your face as purple as a grapefruit, are you? You’ll crash!”

“That’s fair … Thanks then.” Hikaru injects himself in the bruising. Immediately, the bruising visibly begins to shrink. He hands the injector back to Yoji who nods in acknowledgement.

“Let’s get going, Kaguya-sama.”

It isn’t until the car leaves the parking lot that you realize that Yoji knew that Hikaru planned to be riding a motorcycle home. So he’d been following you since this morning then? He’d been following you for that long and you hadn’t noticed. Still, that also meant you were never in any danger.

“So, Kaguya-sama … How much does he know?” Yoji casually asks, shaking you out of your thoughts. He doesn’t take his eyes off the road, so you can’t tell what he means by the question.

“How much does he know?”

“About who you are.” Yoji explains, “Does he know where you live? what family you’re from? Those kinds of topics.”

>He knows what kind of family I’m from (+1 Hopeful)

>I’m just an ordinary girl to him. (Lie, +2 Cynical)

>>4390780
>>He knows what kind of family I’m from (+1 Hopeful)
If anything Yoji showing up kinda reveals it anyway. Do stress he doesn't know anything else beyond that Kaguya is likely some Plutocrat.

>>4390780
>>He knows what kind of family I’m from (+1 Hopeful)

>>4390780
>I suppose now he knows what kind of family I'm from.

>>4390780
>He knows what kind of family I’m from (+1 Hopeful)

“Well, he knows what kind of family I’m from.” You reply honestly, “But other than that, he doesn’t know anything other than my first name.”

If it has to do with security concerns, you figure the best thing to do would be honest.

“Hmm …” Yoji muses, “It might not be my place to say, but if I’m honest, Kaguya-sama, that may pose some problems if you plan on meeting him again.”

“Excuse me?” You exclaim. In your tired state, you can’t hide how Yoji’s words upset you. “But he only knows my first name, as well as that I’m from a plutocratic family! Wouldn’t you having appeared have given that away at the very least?”

“Well apologies about that, but you were in danger.” Despite your distressed state, Yoji calmly and professionally answers your questions. “Actually, even a dozen bodyguards might not be out of the question for an upper-middle class Blank family. The card I gave that punk back there had the contact information of a shell company of the type common of security firms geared towards the needs of such families.”

“But still, how is him knowing so little a problem?”

Yoji sighs. “He did seem like a trustworthy kid. It was impressive how he held his ground against three boys twice his size. But consider this, Kaguya-sama. Even if he is trustworthy, he’s also a teenage boy. I was that age once, I know what it’s like. And being a teenage boy, he will brag to his friends about the girls he meets. And they may not be as trustworthy as he is.”

“So you’re saying I may not be able to see Hikaru again?” Deflated, you sink into your seat and look out the window in a vain attempt to distract yourself with the view.

“It isn’t my place to say … Your Governess Winslet-san might be a better person to ask.” Yoji doesn’t say anything else for the rest of the ride back.
…

When you get back to the manor’s garage, you find Kyune in the corner working on her motorcycle. Now more than ever, your older cousin is a sight for sore eyes.

“Oh, hey Kaguya, were you in town?” Kyune cheerfully greets you, “How was your trip? … Oh, not too good, was it?”

Wordlessly, you nod. Around Kyune, you let the misery show on your face.

“Frag, you look down. Wanna come to my room to talk about it?” Kyune offers.

>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.

>You want to talk to Winslet-san as soon as possible.

>You need some time to listen to music alone in your room and depressurize.

>>4392757
>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.
Inb4 her advice is eliminate the witnesses

>>4392757
>You need some time to listen to music alone in your room and depressurize.

>>4392757
>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.
Could you remind me what a Blank family is?

>>4393211
A white-collar family. 'Blank' is slang for white-collar. FYI 'Blue' is slang for blue-collar.

>>4392757
>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.

>>4392757
>>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.

>>4392757
>>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.

>>4392757
>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.
Obviously. Glooming will not help us, and our governess will most likely tell that we have an arranged marriage waiting for us.

>>4392757
>Maybe Kyune has some useful advice.

You silently hug Kyune. Her white yukata is mildly stained with engine grease and oil, and is probably ruining your outfit, but you don’t care. “Yes please.”

“Frag, you really had a bad day, didn’t you?” Kyune says softly. She sighs and squeezes you closer.
…

When you smell the calming scent of matcha tea, you finally begin to relax. Kyune’s tea was always exquisite, handpicked from the manor’s botanical gardens and prepared with skill gained over a decade of practise.

“Here,” Kyune offers, gracefully pouring you a cup. For some reason, whenever you saw Kyune pour a cup of tea, all her swagger disappeared, leaving her the very picture of sophisticated traditional grace.

You sink into her couch and take a sip. Her couch was a hard thing, with firm, flat cushions. Most of Kyune’s furniture was like this, bare and austere and intricately, beautifully carved and ornamented. It seemed Kyune liked to surround herself with objects of that nature.

You much preferred the luxurious softness of your bed. But still, sitting in front of Kyune onee-chan with only a low coffee table in front of you was one of the safest places in the world for you.

“So? What happened to get you so upset? Must’ve been bad, you’re usually pretty calm.” Kyune asks.

You take a deep breath, then start talking. “So, today, I decided to take a walk in Slopetown. While I was there, I met a boy my age. His name was Hikaru …”

It takes you half the evening to tell Kyune the full story. As much as you trusted Kyune, you’ve never actually opened your heart like this to her before. The stress of living in this manor, the stifling feeling of measuring your every movement as you lived the life of the plutocrat. These were feelings that you had suppressed deep inside yourself. Instead, you had taken your own personal comfort in Kyune’s brashness, her reliable presence, the way she flaunted the rules of plutocratic etiquette in a way you would never have dared. And most of all, how she treated you with genuine affection.

But even though it’s your first time opening up your heart to her, you still feel completely safe doing so. Maybe it was because inwardly you realized that the issue with Hikaru was comparatively something very small to get so upset about when considering the sea of negative feeling even deeper in your heart. But maybe that was all rationalization for how the way Kyune stared at you with so much sympathy and attention in her eyes and seemed to listen to every word you say made you feel absolutely fine with telling her everything on your mind.

“... And Yoji-san told me that seeing Hikaru-kun might be a problem. So now I’m worried I won’t be able to see him again.”

Kyune nods slowly once you finish, before taking a long sip from the can of cheap beer she held in her hand. While she usually made you tea when you visited, her own beverage of choice was almost always some brand of cheap, bitter beer. You didn’t know where she got it from, although sometimes you saw her walking through the hallways with packs of it slung over her shoulder.

“I understand completely, Kaguya.”

“Y-you do?” You exclaim.

“I had the same problem at your age, y’know?” Kyune explains, “Fought long and hard with basically the entire household to be able to ride around town in peace.”

“You did?” You exclaim in amazement. Though, you should have realized it sooner. Kyune broke enough rules every day for there to not have been conflict in the past.

“That’s right.” Kyune nods, before tossing her now empty bottle at a vertical tower of similar empty cans in the corner of the room. It lands perfectly upright at the top.

“Did you have to fight with Uncle?” You ask, before shuddering at the thought, “I would never dare to.”

Kyune smiles, although the smile looks a little painful as if reliving memories she had mixed feelings about, “Well, he becomes much less scary once you duel him with live steel at the end of every month since you’re twelve.”

Kyune cracks open a new can of beer her can before tossing her now empty old can at a vertical tower of similar empty cans in the corner of the room. It lands perfectly upright at the top. Tonight, she had finished eight cans, an unusually large number for her. Usually, she stuck to five.

“Alright, here’s how it’s going to go down.” She says, leaning forwards, “You’ll probably be able to see him again. But it will be chaperoned. Better pick a retainer you like.”

“Aren’t you going to talk to your father about getting someone from his personal guard?”

“Frag, I’ve been waiting for a day when he’s in a good mood.” Kyune apologizes, “No luck yet. Thing is, if you want to get down to any fun, a bodyguard from his personal guard would be a shitty choice. They’re all total hardasses.”

You breathe out a sigh of relief. If a chaperone was all you needed, then that was fine with you.

“Thank you, Kyune onee-chan.” You say earnestly. It feels like a weight’s been taken off your chest.

“Hey, no problem.” Kyune laughs, “It’s important to have some fun at your age.”

Now that you’ve finished venting to Kyune and feel massively more reassured than before, all that’s left is to hang out in her suite like usual …

>Kyune’s room is usually neat. But tonight, there’s several packs of beer by the wall.

>There’s a gorgeous furisode hanging from a rack by Kyune’s ornamental shelves.

>In the corner, there’s a straw mat with esoteric and very ornamental equipment including a dish-sized whetstone and basin filled with oil with a bamboo ladle floating in it.

>Actually, you still have a few questions for Kyune

>>4395313
>Kyune’s room is usually neat. But tonight, there’s several packs of beer by the wall.

Are we really gonna let Kyune go through it all by herself?

>>4395313
>In the corner, there’s a straw mat with esoteric and very ornamental equipment including a dish-sized whetstone and basin filled with oil with a bamboo ladle floating in it.
>>4395338
Alcohol is haram, brother.

>>4395313
>In the corner, there’s a straw mat with esoteric and very ornamental equipment including a dish-sized whetstone and basin filled with oil with a bamboo ladle floating in it.

I've just thought: maybe Kyune likes us _because_ our father is neglecting us, our mother is absent and our bloodline isn't pure. Basically, we have as little claim to power as possible and no one to push it, so it's safe for Kyune to be close to us. Maybe that's how it started.

>>4395313
>>Kyune’s room is usually neat. But tonight, there’s several packs of beer by the wall.

>>4395313
>>In the corner, there’s a straw mat with esoteric and very ornamental equipment including a dish-sized whetstone and basin filled with oil with a bamboo ladle floating in it.

>>4395313
>There’s a gorgeous furisode hanging from a rack by Kyune’s ornamental shelves.

>>4395313
>Kyune’s room is usually neat. But tonight, there’s several packs of beer by the wall.

You and Kyune chat half the night away. Over the course of the night, you watch as Kyune drains several more cans of beer.

“Kyune onee-chan, I-is it okay for you to be drinking so much?” You ask in concern.

“Pah! I’m actually holding back! You should see what I get up to when you’re not in my room!” Kyune laughs, draining the last dregs of her current can and tossing it to land perfectly on the top of her growing pile. “I’m actually only halfway to getting actually drunk.”

“Alright then.” You nod, still feeling uncertain, “But where did you get all of this beer?”

When you and Hikaru had been in the shopping mall, you had passed through a convenience store. And you hadn’t seen a single one of any of the brands of beer Kyune had right now.

“Well … let’s say that when I was in town, I stumbled across a larger haul than expected.” Kyune says vaguely.

You still have no idea what Kyune is talking about. Although, from what you had seen of biker culture you were beginning to develop an idea … was Kyune onee-chan a delinquent?

You realize you might not like the answer and decide not to ask.

Midway through your conversation with Kyune, she relocates to a straw mat in the corner. On the straw mat was a collection of esoteric and very ornamental equipment including a dish-sized whetstone and basin filled with oil with a bamboo ladle floating in it.

“Don’t mind me.” Kyune nonchalantly says as she picks up a sheathed sword that was propped against the wall. You watch in avid interest as she strips down the sword, oils it, and begins to grind it against the whetstone. Every action is deliberate and ritualistic and there’s a strange beauty to it all, as if Kyune was dancing instead of sharpening a weapon.

“Interested?” Kyune smiles wryly, pausing halfway through to remark about your fascinated gaze.

“I’ve never seen you sharpen your sword before.” You say, “Does it always take so much work?”

“If you want it to be sharp.” Kyune answers, taking a swipe at one of the towers of empty beer cans. You can’t even tell the tower’s been cut until the top half tumbles over a few seconds later. Satisfied, Kyune slides the sword back into it’s sheath. “My monthly duel with my father is tomorrow.”

“Is that why you were sharpening your sword?”

“That’s right.” Kyune nods, “You’re coming, right?”


“I’m … not sure if I would be welcome there.” You apologize.

“It’s your right as a member of the family.” Kyune says, “Actually, it’s technically your obligation. No one’s objected to your absence until now because of your unique status. But … if you want to send a message that you consider yourself a full member of the Muramoto family, you should come.”

>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

>I still don’t think I should … (+3 Cynical)

>>4398538
>>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4398538
>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

We can bring pom poms and cheer

>>4398538
>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4398538
>>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4398538
>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4398538
>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

>>4398538
>If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel. (+3 Hopeful)

“If you think I should, then I’ll attend your duel.” You decide that Kyune’s advice is probably correct. If she says it would be good for you to go, then you should go. And If it means so much to her for you to come, then you will gladly do so.

But that’s not all. You wanted to get to the bottom of the dark sickness in your home, didn’t you? Kentaro-kun had been neck-deep in it without you even noticing and he had fallen into a coma without you being able to do a thing. You won’t let something like this happen again! But if you were going to follow him in safely, you would need power and influence, more power and influence than you currently have.

Kyune stares at you with an expression you’ve never seen on her face before. A cold, avid interest. Maybe she could see how you were gathering your resolve. You see a flash of approval in her eyes.

“Make sure to wear something nice.” Kyune advises you, “But not something too formal. You don’t want to overstate your presence.’

“I understand.” You nod. The feeling of cold regard in Kyune’s eyes has disappeared, replaced by the usual sisterly affection. Did you just imagine it?

“Great then. See you there!” Kyune giggles giddily, before swaying to her feet and slinging her sword over her shoulder and striking a dynamic pose.

“Kyune onee-chan?”

“The brave warrior marches into battle!” Kyune declares in a deep, authoritative, and not-at-all serious voice before patting you on your head. “But at least she has a fair maiden cheering her on from the sidelines, huh?”

It seems that Kyune had finally become drunk …

End of Thread

Extra Scene 005

There was a small convoy of half a dozen bikes parked on the lawn of a secluded park right on the edge of a lower-Slopetown terrace. The sounds of adolescent bantering joking could be heard from outside the park. The sounds of teenagers ignoring whatever schoolwork or chores they had to shoot shit with their equally badly-behaved comrades.

Presently, there was a seventh bike pulling up.

“Damn Hikaru, you look absolutely fried.” A delinquent noticeably older than his peers surrounding him comments.

“Aw, shaddup Tagane. I ‘got the girl’ like you told me to, didn’t I?” Hikaru swears good-naturedly, sitting down on an empty chair in the bare apartment. “So, am I in?”

“Yeah, you’re frying in! Welcome to the Licensed to Ride Gang.” Tagane says, tossing Hikaru a can of beer from the torn-open pack sitting at his feet. “Enjoy that, our source was cut off recently, so fizzies will be hard to come by for a while.”

“So, did you get her number?” A delinquent in the crowd obnoxiously asks.

“Course I did.” Hikaru says, “That was a key part of the initiation, right?”

“Yeah it is, along with getting and recording a call from her.” Tagane reminds Hikaru, “Which you did do, right?”

“Crap.” Hikaru curses, “Well, the way she left made that kinda hard.”

“Eh? How bad was it?”

“Her bodyguard or something came to pick her up.”

“That frying bad?” Tagane laughs, “Well that’s a pretty good excuse. We’re not that big on rules so just call her at the earliest opportunity, alright?”

“Sure.” Hikaru nods.

“From what I saw when you approached her, she was a pretty one, right?”

Hikaru nods again. “She sure was.”

So that's the end of this thread. The new thread will be sometime this week, either thursday or friday.

I hope y'all are enjoying our change to Kaguya as the MC.

>>4400426
I do. See you soon.

>>4400426
Thanks for running!

>>4400426
Kaguya is adorable.