It was tradition for the heir of the Muramoto Family to duel their father to first blood at the end of every month to measure growth and to instill a desire to surpass their predecessors while still cultivating respect and restraint. For all it’s formality, it was just a custom. Whether you won or lost, that didn’t matter. But you had never beaten your Old Man. Not even once. And that simple fact alone filled you with the desire to win.

The duel never began straight away. Instead, the two duelists took a few minutes to prepare themselves mentally, to purify their minds of any distractions. You breathe in deeply, taking a last-minute internal diagnostic of your body. Heart rate … 30 bps. Lung Capacity … one third from maximal. Blood oxygenation … around 70 percent full capacity. The gene-enhanced body of a plutocrat was an efficient, high-performance machine, but at the same time, painfully delicate and in need of fine-tuning. You’d poison yourself with hyperoxygenation before reaching your theoretical limit.

You feel that your left core is one twentieth stiffer than your right. You lean slightly to the side to stretch it and remedy it. It was unseemly to do a proper stretching regimen before a ritual like this, so you had woken up early to do one before coming. You had stretched every muscle in your body, from the major ones in your limbs and core, to the individual ones in your core, to the miniscule ones in your iris, all to make sure you could move and react exactly as you wanted to. Plutocrat swordmasters routinely entered a state of deep meditation before a duel to tense and relax every individual muscle fiber in their bodies, you always found your tutor in such a state before your classes began. But even for today, you hadn’t gone that far. You disliked prolonged meditation for personal reasons.

Finally, you open your eyes, meeting the stern gaze of your father’s charcoal eyes with your determination-filled onyx eyes.

The two of you rise to your feet and exchange a formal bow.

“Muramoto Hideyori, Neo-Kage school.” Your father rumbles in a low, deep voice.

“Muramoto Kyune, Zeijaku-Ten swordsmanship school.”

>Immediately go on the offensive

>Resolve everything in an all-or-nothing strike

>Approach cautiously and keep your guard up

>>4406712
>Resolve everything in an all-or-nothing strike

>>4406712
>Immediately go on the offensive

>>4406712
>Immediately go on the offensive

>>4406712
>>Immediately go on the offensive

>>4406712
>Resolve everything in an all-or-nothing strike

>>4406712
>Go on offensive

>>4406712
>Immediately go on the offensive

After years of dueling him, you are intimately familiar with the kind of style your father uses. He was a power fighter who focused on mercilessly hammering down his opponent’s defences and attacking without restraint.

On your fifth duel with him, you had vastly overcommitted and as a result, been countered by a draw-cut that had nicked your stomach. It had taken months for your stomach to regrow itself and you hadn’t been able to have anything in there the entire time. Now, you did your month’s drinking the night before a duel.

Ever since, you had fought cautiously when facing him and had avoided being that badly ever hurt again. Your Tutor had always cautioned you that you were naturally overaggressive. To stymie your habit of slipping into an aggressive rage, he punished you hard every time you overcommitted.

But following your bout with Kaguya’s retainer Kentaro-kun, you had learned something. Sometimes … you needed to brave conflict to win!

>Roll 3 1d20’s. You will need three successes.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4408294
Roll

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4408294

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4408294

Rolled 19 (1d20)

Rolling for Hideyoshi Muramoto

>>4409302
Lmao. The bad luck never ends.

Caution and restraint were fine for self-defense. And to be fair, that was what your Tutor had been training you for. But to win battles, you had to go on the offensive!

The dignified quiet of the ritualized hall is split by an aggressive warcry.

“YAAAHHH!” You shout, raising your katana above your head as you charge forwards. Your entire body is primed to deliver a blow that would break through the most solid defense. And even if a defense held, you’d still be able to follow through with three or four blows just like it.

But instead of blocking your furious attack, your Father meets it with one of his own.

“KIAI!” His low voice rumbles like thunder. With one powerful swing, he dispels the strength behind your attack.

The impact travels down your blade, jarring your arm. Your blade rings like a chime as it flies out of your hand, spinning through the air to embed itself in the woodblock floor behind you.

But instead of following through when you’re defenceless, your father steps away, giving you space to retrieve your katana.

“Come at me when you’re ready.” Your Father says, adopting a low, defensive stance.

You grit your teeth in frustration and pull your katana from the floor.

>Approach cautiously and keep your guard up

>Bait him into an attack you can counter

>Surrender your blade to your Anger

>>4409624
>>Surrender your blade to your Anger

>>4409624
>Surrender your blade to your Anger

>>4409624
>Approach cautiously and keep your guard up

>>4409624
>Approach cautiously and keep your guard up
Let’s not rush into foolishness again

File: external-content.duckduck(...).jpg (10 KB, 474x237)

10 KB JPG

>>4409624
>Surrender your blade to your Anger

We don't have a realistic chance to win this. Going in a cautious way after this start would be out of character, and most likely we can't control a superior swordsman. Our chance is to be unpredictable, and think outside of the box, and hope that Father follows the rituals, exposing a weak point.

At the very least, we will give a good show for everyone present, and work out things pooling inside us.

>>4409624
>Bait him into an attack you can counter

>>4409624
>Surrender your blade to your Anger

Frustrated, you begin muttering curses to yourself in a voice so low no one but you can hear what you’re saying. Damn him … standing there and facing you down so confidently like he’s so much better than you. You’ll show him! You’ll drag him right down to your level!

As frustration gives way to anger, you feel a cool feeling pervade your body. A burst of temporary and scarily indiscriminate killing intent. With razor-sharp focus, your gaze sweeps over your Father’s defense, cold-bloodedly considering how to bypass his defense and bury your blade in his body.

Without any warning at all, you charge, crossing the large room in three paces. There is no warcry this time. You just … attack!

You lock blades with your Father. You glare at him even as you push back against his blade, temporary hatred and killing intent burning in your eyes. To your deeper provocation, he calmly and dispassionately meets your gaze without flinching. However, there is a small glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes. You know that he can sense your killing intent is the real thing!

A sword is a tool designed for killing. The pinnacle of skill can’t be reached without the killing intent to back your blows up ...

>Roll 3 1d20’s. You will need three successes.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4410208
Why do I feel like it's the second virus

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4410208

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4410208

We're fucking dead, aren't we? And Noir is taking his time to write a suitable death post?

Rolled 15 (1d20)

Rolling for Hideyoshi Muramoto

>+1 A sword is a tool designed for killing.
>+2 Kyune plays to her strength of overwhelming assault
>+2 An overwhelming assault will batter down even the most perfect defense

At first, you think your Father must be humoring you today. Instead of meeting your assault head-on, or even parrying it, he bears the entire brunt of your attack, only blocking with his blade. It is only too late that you remember that Father never humours anyone past the age of eight.

As soon as you feel him begin to push back against your blade, you feel an intense sense of crisis. You disengage, only to attack exactly the same as before. But your momentum from before is gone, nullified by your Father’s block. This time … he just parries you!

Following your overcommitted attack, it’s you that’s left defenceless. And your Father’s still in the same, stable stance as before. Your Father draws his blade back for a sweeping overhead blow …

You manage to recover enough to just barely block and stop the duel ending there and then. But your stance is still nowhere near stable enough to stop your Father’s overhead strike without giving somewhere else. Your arms shake from the impact. You sink to one knee …

And promptly get kicked in the chest.

Your Father is a strong man, even by the standards of the gene-enhanced. You roll back farther than you had come from, before propping yourself up, coughing …

“PREPARE YOURSELF!”

You look up to see your Father looming over you, his katana poised overhead for an overhead thrust …

>Try to block his blow

>Roll away from him to gain the space to get to your feet. You’re dead on the ground.

>Hook his legs and take him down. Grappling isn’t honorable, but you’ll do anything to win!

>>4410274
Nope, but it surely will upset the family politics.
Get ready for
Fallen/Unruly Cyberpunk Princess Quest:
Starring Muramoto Kaguya :)

>>4410552
> Roll away from him to gain the space to get to your feet. You’re dead on the ground.

>>4410552
>>Roll away from him to gain the space to get to your feet. You’re dead on the ground.

>>4410552
>Hook his legs and take him down. Grappling isn’t honorable, but you’ll do anything to win!

By the way, as a curiosity, our chances of getting 3 successes at +5 are 0.52421875
We just have to try to kill Dad once more on average folks!

>>4410552
>>Hook his legs and take him down. Grappling isn’t honorable, but you’ll do anything to win!

>>4410714
You sure? I've been lying awake trying to get to sleep while I did this in my head so I probably made a mistake, but even with the most generous method I got 47.621875% odds for all three.

>>4410552
>>Hook his legs and take him down. Grappling isn’t honorable, but you’ll do anything to win!

>>4411478
I used a calculator.
Also I considered equal rolls our win, which you might not have done.

>>4411487
Yea I didn't, guess I lied about most generous method lol

>>4411491
How the fuck did you do it in your head though?

>>4411504
Anon is gene-enhanced and probably very cute!

>>4411556
So the dystopian class divide is already starting. What a time to be alive.

>>4411572
I recalculated counting ties as a loss and got 0.4494. Whew. The rule of genetic overlords is still some time away.

Instead of rolling backwards, you … roll forwards! You roll forwards into his stance, before hooking his legs with yours in an attempt to take him down.

In a contest of swordplay, grappling is an especially unorthodox, and very unhonorable strategy to use … But you’ll do anything to win!

>Roll 3 1d20’s. You will need 3 successes.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4411590
tfw jujutsu was specifically developed by samurai for armored combat, then becomes dishonorable

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4411590

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4411590

>>4411597
The dice gods aren't with us. At least we put up a good show and most importantly -stay alive.
Also exactly how skilled are we in martial combat? Can we stand our ground against baseline humans (bully scene in previous episode)

>>4411597
Heh, true, but you still don't see people using it in kendo matches.
>>4412005
A fight with a baseline human would be a one-success affair.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

Rolling for Hideyoshi Muramoto

>>4412263
Holy Chinese Electric Batman
It happened
This is a thing that occured

>+2 Kyune catches her father by surprise
>-2 The Neo-Kage’s old-fashioned stance is a stable one

You must have caught your Father completely by surprise because he goes down shockingly easily. Your legs tangle around one of his, and then with a single twist of your waist, he topples over. Immediately, you roll over onto his stomach, sword in hand.

The expression of absolute shock on his face when you poise your sword over his chest is fragging gratifying. You feel like cackling with glee, although you manage to hold it back … just.

You’re aware of the waves of confusion washing over the room. This … was certainly an upset, wasn’t it. You spare a quick glance to your audience. Your Aunt was frowning in confusion and uncertainty over the correct protocol for this kind of occasion. Little Seru and Teru were at the edge of their seats. Miss Winslet had a silent look of disapproval for the improper way you won the duel. Kaguya was sitting straight upright, with both hands on her mouth with shock and awe at the incredible display of violent athleticism she had just seen you pull off so unexpectedly. And your Uncle …

Your Uncle was looking at you with a disgustingly amused, approving smile on his face.

>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.

>This is your victory. You won’t give it up so easily.

>>4412344
>>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.
Huehuehuehuehue

>>4412344
>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.

>>4412344
>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.

>>4412344
>This is your victory. You won’t give it up so easily.

>>4412344
>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.

>>4412344
>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.

>>4412344
>Get up and resume a combat stance. It’s the honorable thing to do.
Uncle's approval fills us with shame.

Everyone was shocked at how you had brought your Father to the ground. But it was to their even greater shock that you get up, withdraw five paces, and retake a fighting stance. Even though you had put so much effort to get to that point, you don’t regret doing the honorable thing for a second. Besides … if it was an opportunity to wipe a smile off your slimeball uncle …

With as much dignity as he can, your Father picks himself off the ground and squares off against you. His face has resumed an unyieldingly impassive mask again, that didn’t betray a hint of his earlier shock. But still, he gives you a barely imperceptible nod of approval.

“Come at me however you wish, my Daughter.” Your Father says, adopting his stable fighting stance, inviting you to one final clash of blades.

>Immediately go on the offensive

>Approach cautiously and keep your guard up

>You still have one trick up your sleeve

>>4413123
>>You still have one trick up your sleeve

>>4413123
>You still have one trick up your sleeve

>>4413123
>You still have one trick up your sleeve

>>4413123
>Immediately go on the offensive
Our strength is in the offensive

>>4413123
>You still have one trick up your sleeve

>You still have one trick up your sleeve

You stare carefully at your Father. Standing across the room from you as your opponent, he had an austere and uncompromising appearance. He hadn’t noticeably changed since you were a small child. Whether he was dressed in a tailored business suit, a formal kimono, or a plain hakama, he was the same austere, uncompromising man.

You still had one trick to try against him. A secret technique your teacher had taught you, and warned you to never use. But there was nothing dishonorable about it. If it takes using a trump card to win this fight, then you will!

You close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. Then, another, quicker one. Then a quicker one. Within five breaths, you’re hyperventilating, filling your lungs to maximal capacity with every half-second long breath. Your heart rate accelerates. Your blood pressure spikes. Super-oxygenated blood pumps to every corner of your body. It hits your brain, sending it’s delicate neurochemistry into a powerful oxygen high.

When you open your eyes again, they’re dilated fully. The cold morning light seems as bright as midday. You involuntarily chuckle in a low, soft voice. The world … seems incredibly beautiful.

>Roll 3 1d20’s. You will need 2 successes.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4413980

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4413980

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4413980

Rolled 5 (1d20)

Rolling for Hideyoshi Muramoto

>>4414819
Unless his bonus is more than 3 higher than ours, we win.

>>4414819
We got lucky at last.

>+2 Temporary Enlightenment: A sword as an instrument used to kill
>+1 Kyune’s dancelike movements are unpredictable
>+1 Kyune gains a one-breath burst of energy
>-1 Battlefield Resolve: Lord Muramoto’s resolve is fit for a battlefield.
>-1 Lord Muramoto plays to his natural strength in a strong offense

Knowledge of Mystic Killing. A secret and high-risk technique your Tutor had taught you, it was one of the three fruits of practising his personal sword style. The Knowledge of Mystic Killing depended on two components. The first was a sophisticated breathing exercise that accelerated your normally suppressed metabolism, used the full capacity of your lungs, and hyperoxygenated your blood. It was essentially blood doping at will. But simple blood doping was something any plutocrat could do given the right training. The second component was what defined the technique. It used the euphoria from such an oxygen high to enter an altered state of consciousness. There were some techniques that could not completely be understood with mere theory. But from this euphoric state … you’d use them automatically!

You bow gracefully to your Father, before changing to a one-handed stance. Brace yourself, Father!

You charge forwards in attack. But your charge isn’t anything like your earlier charges. Your movements don’t resemble any kind of sword form. Instead, they resemble the steps of some ancient sword dance. There’s no other way to describe it other than … that you were dancing!

The earlier linear strength and surety of your form is gone. Instead, your movements are eclectic, hypnotic. There isn’t a rhyme or rhythm to them. Your Father snorts at your ridiculous combat style and swings his sword that you would never be able to parry effectively with your unsteady stance … only to find that you aren’t there! He attacks again and you elegantly weave through his attack, before striking back like a serpent! Your attacks are quick and individual weak, but so unpredictable that even a second-long lapse of concentration would end the duel for your Father. Your movements are impossible, inhuman … It’s hard to believe your the same swordsman that was fighting him before.

In response to your change in demeanor, you feel your Father’s resolve harden, if such a thing was possible. These autohypnotic techniques were not rare for plutocrats. It’s completely expected for your Father to have some of his own. But for him to use all but the most minor them outside a life-or-death situation ... That was unlike him.

Suddenly, his attacks gain a strength and sharpness they were lacking before. Your Father uses a battlefield style composed of long, sweeping cuts that took up as much space as possible. With the sudden pickup in his intensity, it is no longer as easy to dodge his scything blade as before. On a particularly close swipe, you feel your left sleeve become loose, exposing the silken sarashi under your garment.

Still, there was no comparing some technique he picked up in his studies to something that your personal Tutor, a Ninth Degree master of his original school and founder of his own personal style, had created himself.

One minute, you’re crouched low to the ground. The next, you’ve effortlessly jumped three meters into the air. Then, from the impossible position you’ve contorted yourself, you throw an impossibly quick and fluid cut, forcing him to defend himself. You whirl, not losing any momentum at all, throwing a second cut. Then a third. Then, suddenly, your movements and stance resolve themselves into your previous strength, forcing your Father to defend. Your blades chime musically, and your Father staggers back, his katana vibrating, struck from an angle no stance could to block steadily from. But even then, his defense remains impregnable. In the entire exchange of blows, you blade hasn’t come close to his skin.

All of a sudden, your Father breaks away from the fighting.

“Kyune …” He addresses you by your first name, a rare thing. “You’ve grown while I wasn’t looking, haven’t you?”

You smile knowingly. “I know you always keep one eye on me.”

Your Father grunts in a low chuckle. “It wasn’t me who taught you to be so charming … Very well then, accept this final blow. KIAI!”

Your Father charges explosively forwards. In that instant, you experience a very curious thing. Time seems to freeze still. Where before, your Father had been surrounded by an impregnable defense, now, the air around him seems full of avenues of attack. Your Mind has reached maximum oxygen saturation. What was inscrutable before now seems plainly obvious.

In an euphoric state, you’re barely conscious that you’ve counterattacked. The three steps you take feel like you’re walking on a cloud.

But when time unfreezes, you find your Father standing five paces behind you, a ribbon-thin stream of blood trickling from below his arm. As for you … you somehow floated through your Father’s explosive charge unscathed.

Suddenly, your vision blurs. You almost collapse over then, stabbing your sword into the floor for support.

“Kyune!” You hear a soft, concerned voice cry out.

Ah, crap, your overtaxed body is catching up with you. Well, that was the price of using a trump card.

“KYUNE! Are you okay?”

Your muscles feel like they’re on fire. Technically, they are.

“I-is she going to be okay?”

You’d giggle maniacally if you had the energy. But the most you can manage is a wide, satisfied smile. You did it! You really beat your father!

But now might be a good time to tag out ...

>Roll 3 1d20’s to stay conscious. Outcome depends on number of successes.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4414913

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4414913

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>4414913

>>4414930
Finally! Thank Goddess

You hadn’t been sure if you should come to Kyune’s duel or not. But ultimately, you had. And you’re glad you did, because it had been … spectacular! From beginning to end, you had held your breath with tension as you watched the two swordsmen unhesitatingly unleash lethal flurries of blows holding deadly weapons in their hands. The sense of danger you had felt just being in the same room as both of them had made you want to shrink back. You had always been cautious of your Uncle, Kyune’s Father, and seeing him fight had only deepened your impression of him as a formidable man. But you had never seen Kyune so dangerous and intense … or as graceful as she was by the end.

Which was why you were caught doubly off guard when Kyune suddenly staggered and almost collapsed at the end.

You are Kaguya Muramoto, the illegitimate daughter of the pluto-aristocratic Muramoto Family. Since leaving the grimy arcologies of Urban Noir behind, you were educated in everything from history to advanced mathematics to politics were tutored in etiquette, archery, and the traditional arts, all of this to someday blend in perfectly as a true member of the Muramoto Family. The chase for legitimacy had been what brought you here today, to this private duel to which only members of the Muramoto Family were invited.

“I-Is Kyune going to be okay?” You ask uncertainly, concerned with the exhausted way your Older Cousin was barely keeping herself off the floor with her sword.

“Ah, don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Kyune grunts before collapsing over. Without thinking, you step forwards to catch her. You sag under her wait. Kyune was … surprisingly heavy.

“Whoops, lost my balance for a sec.” Kyune apologizes before standing up again, this time more steadily.

“That was a very dangerous technique you used.” Your Uncle tells your older cousin in a brusque voice, “They aren’t meant to be used lightly.”

“Still won, didn’t I?” Kyune says.

Uncle nods. “It is wholly your victory. Take pride in it.”

Just then, one of Lady Muramoto’s personal handmaids enters the room, pushing a cart with bandages and medical supplies … along with wet towels and a tray of refreshments. Before long, everyone has gotten up to partake in the refreshments …

>Go see if Kyune is okay

>Lady Muramoto is beckoning you over

>You have a rare chance to pay Uncle your respects

>This is the third time in your life you’ve ever seen your Father

>>4415950
>>You have a rare chance to pay Uncle your respects

>>4415950

>This is the third time in your life you’ve ever seen your Father

DADDY

>>4415950
>You have a rare chance to pay Uncle your respects

>>4415950
>>This is the third time in your life you’ve ever seen your Father

>>4415950
>Lady Muramoto is beckoning you over

>>4415950
>You have a rare chance to pay Uncle your respects
I don't think talking to our father would go very well, would it?

>>4415950
> This is the third time in your life you’ve ever seen your Father

> You are Kaguya Muramoto
Did we waste a second protagonist? It was good playing as Kyune. OP, please tell me, Kyune is going to be all right (especially with the saving throw), and we will play as Kyune no later than next thread.

>>4416485
That's some extremely quick-onset attachment.

>>4416485
Kyune will be the POV character occasionally ... certainly not every thread though. She knows too much about the mysteries behind everything to be a protagonist, not to mention having the resources to fix things very quickly.

>>4416485
>>4416804
Kyune sama's powerlevel is too high to control her.

>>4416485
Don't worry anon, Kaguya-Chan is going to save Kentaro and we'll get more POV from him.
I've actually really liked playing as Kaguya though.

>>4417185
I’m sure Kentaro will wake any moment now.

>>4417343
Chekhov's enforcer, eh?

>>4415950
>You have a rare chance to pay Uncle your respects

“So, is this duel always followed by such lavish refreshments?” You ask Kyune as you help her down by the corner.

“Well, yeah. That’s how rituals go. It ain’t one unless there’s drinks at the end” Kyune nonchalantly says. But you can tell she’s concealing a deep exhaustion with that air of nonchalance. Contrary to the image she projected, Kyune was always one to keep up appearances.

You can’t help but notice how Kyune shades her eyes with her hands as if the light bothers her, hunches over as if exhausted, but still twitches spasmodically occasionally. Her body is warm to the touch. When you draw your hand away, it is slick with oily, black sweat.

“Aww, your hands were nice and cool.” Kyune protests, as you pull away from her damp hakama.

“Will you really be okay?” You ask, your voice trembling with concern.

“I’ll be back on my feet by the end of the day.” Kyune promises, “Anyways, I’ve had worse. You should have seen the time I got bits of my intestine on the floor ...”

“I-intestine?” You gasp, not sure you heard Kyune right. S-she wasn’t teasing you, right?

“Bits of stomach too.” Kyune replies with a perfectly straight face, “Anyways, go mingle. That’s your real goal today, isn’t it? Your Onee-chan is kinda tired at the moment …”

You nod in acknowledgement of Kyune’s gentle reminder of your real purpose here, before leaving her to her rest. You were here to solidify your status as a full member of the Muramoto Family. And what full member of the family would stand awkwardly away at the side at a familial gathering such as this.

Well, your Uncle would be a good starting point for this. This was a rare chance for you as a low-status family member to pay your respects.

You find Uncle on the far side of the room. He was seated on a small, portable stool. His hakama was hanging around his waist, exposing a body like tough old rawhide, hard and rough and hairless. Unlike Kyune, there was only the barest hint of sweat on his body. One of Lady Muramoto’s maids knelt at his side, treating the small wound Kyune had inflicted on him.

“Kaguya.” Uncle greets you flatly, “I see you chose to attend the duel today.”

If you were to be honest, your Uncle scared you. You didn’t know what to make of him. Apparently, it had been him who had insisted you be welcomed into the Muramoto household. His treatment of you was the only reason you were here now. But at the same time, his demeanor towards you contained neither benevolence or hostility. He was completely unreadable to you in a way no one else was.

However, this kind of interaction was what your etiquette classes had trained you for.

Social Combat
Goal: Increase Uncle’s Regard

Optimism: 17
Cynicism: 4

>Compliment him for his swordsmanship (Hope bonus, Low, low reward)

>Attempt to flatter him (Cynical bonus, high risk, high reward)

>Ask him an innocent question (Avoid Social Combat)

Seems Hope/Cynicism accumulation is too fast, so I’m going to make it that you can lose it with failures in social combat as well. I’m going to make it proportional to how much you lose by. Still fine-tuning the system, please be patient.

>>4418284
>Compliment him for his swordsmanship

>>4418284
>Attempt to flatter him (Cynical bonus, high risk, high reward)

>>4418284
>Compliment him for his swordsmanship (Hope bonus, Low, low reward)
I'm too scared to do the flatter option.

>>4418284
>Attempt to flatter him (Cynical bonus, high risk, high reward)

GO BIG OR GO HOME

More seriously this is a good time to try, he's tired from the duel and shaken that this teenage girl kicked his ass.

>>4418284
>Attempt to flatter him (Cynical bonus, high risk, high reward)

“It was a splendid display of swordsmanship, Uncle. On both your and Kyune-san’s part. I could barely see the blades as they moved” You greet Uncle with a slight bow, a respectful one, but one not low enough to make it seem you were giving him more respect than was appropriate. You were family after all.

After a slight pause, you add “Forgive me if my inexperienced eye is incorrect, but to me it seemed you held the upper hand for the first half of the duel … To tell the truth, I am surprised that Kyune was ultimately the victor. The way she wrested victory from you caught me completely off guard ...”

If you were to be honest, you would have to admit that half of what you said had been made up. You had been able to easily track the movement of the blades. In fact, you had been so entranced by their movement, you hadn’t paid any attention at all to who was winning or losing … not that you’d even presume to try to tell, given how you knew next to nothing about swordfighting ...

>Roll 3 1d20’s You will need 2 successes.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4419390

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4419390
OH NO NO NO

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4419390

Not bad at all

Rolled 20 (1d20)

Rolling for Hideyoshi Muramoto

>>4419894
Ahahahahahahahaha

>>4419894
Every fuckin time

>Your Uncle tells you are flattering him. He is not amused.
>Kaguya loses 7 Cynicism. She has 0 Left.

“Don’t attempt to flatter me, child.” Uncle brusquely tells you.

“Uncle, I would never attempt to …” You hastily say, trying to recover the situation.

“Child, If you don’t have anything worthwhile to say, then don’t waste your words.” Uncle interrupts your hasty apology, before waving you away.

Chagrined, you all but slink away from your Uncle’s presence. You take some small solace that at least, he did not take offense to your flattery.

The rest of the room turns a polite blind eye to your chatisement, paying it no attention at all. But out of the corner of your eye, you notice your Father regarding you with an amused disinterest, as if you had conveniently assuaged some feeling of boredom.

Soon, the celebration was over. In the end, you weren’t sure whether you had accomplished your original goal or not. But at least by coming, you had made Kyune happy.
…

Interlude

Hideyori Muramoto strode into his personal suite. Inwardly, he was in a foul mood, although an outside observer would never be able to tell from the way he carried himself with a languid grace. The damn monthly duel always disturbed his schedule. It irked him to be summoned to the kendo hall every month. It irked him to be summoned at all.

But perhaps most of all, it irked him how his small attempt to manipulate Kyune had failed. That smile of approval when she had had her father on the ground had been intentional … He really did admire how his Niece had brought his dear Elder Brother low with such an unexpectedly underhanded trick. But really, it had been to provoke Kyune to give up her advantage. If Kyune had simply ignored him, he would have been able to shrug his shoulders and not think anything more of it. But she had taken his bait. And ultimately claimed her victory too! Who had expected his dear Elder Brother, veteran of dozens of intercorporate wars and famous when he was young for leading from the front lines, to actually lose to his upstart niece!

Well, it was nothing day-ruining, not even anything two hours of idle amusement and a walk around the gardens couldn’t fix. Taking a soothing drag from his narcotic-infused Hookah, he decided to give no further thought to it. Besides, he had more important matters to think about.

For example, he still had a social gathering to plan for. But he didn’t have any curios to bring and entertain his friends. Still, he wasn’t going to lose to Vassepi and his inbred pomeranians.

He sighed and picked up his dataslate to check if he had anything else to concern himself over. The first notification was a message from his wife … something about him spending more time with his children …

He threw the dataslate into the corner. He was too distracted to think clearly right now. Yes. That’s right. He’d amuse himself for a few idle hours before thinking about anything too important. He reached for the interface at the side of his bed to summon is pleasure-drone, then thought better of it. Instead, he activated his bed’s integrated phone. He had a mind for a warmer, more lively companion today …

“Rina darling … are you free today? Splendid. I’ll send a car along to pick you up then …”

Interlude Out

After the duel today, you still had your normal classes. Today, you were receiving a lesson on.

>Alternate Worldwide Ideological Movements: Europe

>Proletariat birth-control

>This history of Noir

>Write-in

>>4420375
>Alternate Worldwide Ideological Movements: Europe

I kinda knew all along that he'd roll a twenty

>>4420375
>>Alternate Worldwide Ideological Movements: Europe

>>4420375
>>Alternate Worldwide Ideological Movements: Europe

>>4420375
>This history of Noir

>>4420375
>Alternate Worldwide Ideological Movements: Europe
I warned you all about this.

>>4420375
>This history of Noir
When did ever "go big or go home" work out for us?

While Traditionalism has been the dominant movement globally for more than a century, there are still a variety of alternate paradigms worldwide and there is arguably nowhere where this is more true than Europe. Ever since the dissolution of the European Union and it’s reformation into the Pan-European Free Cosmopolitan Area, Postculturalism has been the main school of thought in the PEFCA, or Pan-Europe.

The foundation of Postculturalism is the deconstructing traditions, beliefs, and cultures into their constituent elements, to synthesize a new paradigm of equal suitability to anyone regardless of origin. The term describes a movement of many aspects, from artistic to architectural, to musical, to ideological and systematic on a governmental level.

Pan-Europe is the strongest Postculturalist superpower in the world. At the same time, Pan-Europe is the last stronghold of Postculturalism outside of disparate underground and niche intellectual movements scattered around the world. However, Postculturalism is by no means Pan-European. Following the upheaval in the latter portion of the 21st and earliest portions of the 22nd century, many countries split away from the failing European Union. This stretched from countries with strong internal independence movements such as in the Italian and Iberian peninsula, to countries with deep dissatisfaction with the notion of a unified Europe such as the United Kingdom and Hungary, to countries that were simply cut off due to the burden of supporting them, such as Greece.

As a general rule, Postcultural social policy is defined by strong social welfare, extensive human rights, and a curtailing of corporate power and empowerment of government, especially the legislative branch. At the same time, Postcultural social policy has a tendency of heavily favouring economic and population centers and neglecting the margins of their territory …

“Excuse me …” A soft, courteous voice interrupts your lecture. You glance at the doorway where one of Lady Muramoto’s red-robed hand handmaids was waiting.

“May I help you?” Your Tutor asks.

“Pardon the intrusion,” The Handmaid apologizes, bowing, “But the Lady Kaguya has been summoned by Miss Winslet. There are important matters that require her attention.”

“Well then by all means.” Your Tutor acquiesces, “Kaguya, it seems our class will have to end early today.”

Bowing in thanks to your Tutor for what little teaching he had done today, you follow the Handmaiden out into the hallway. Throughout the journey, the Handmaid doesn’t say a word, staying aloof and graceful. Handmaids were different than regular Household Maids and Servants. This was primarily signified by their red robes and the traditional makeup which left their faces white and painted like porcelain dolls. While the latter was just hired help, Handmaids were attendants trained in everything an elite household servant might need to know, from cooking to sewing to first-aid. But they were more than that. They were attendants, trained to be the companions of their mistress, and expected to be cultured and graceful. Before being hired, they were given crash-courses in etiquette, and even an amateur understanding of the Arts and Pursuits Plutocrats enjoyed so much. There were firms dedicated to helping lower-income Blank families find their daughters positions as Handmaids.

You personally didn’t like your Mother’s handmaids. Every time you were called to meet her, they were sent to help dress you up properly. They always treated you coldly, and you suspect that they combed your hair harder than they needed to on purpose. But it had never been enough to warrant you complaining, so you never had.

The Handmaid leads you to a part of the Upper-West Wing you’ve never been to, to a carved oak door that seems out of place given the rest of the manor’s traditional style.

The Handmaid knocks on the door. “Miss Winslet, I’ve brought Lady Kaguya as you’ve requested.”

“Excellent. Send her in, the door’s unlocked.” A muffled voice from behind the door says.

The Handmaid opens the door and ushers you inside. As soon as you step in, the door slides closed with a low thud. You find yourself in a spacious office furnished in an european style, with wood-panel walls and heavy furniture, without an inch of tatami or paper screens in sight. At the center of the office was a large desk, and seated at the desk was the ever-poised Winslet-san.

“Lady Kaguya.” Winslet-san cordially greets you.

“Winslet-san. To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?” You ask. For some reason, you feel a sense of uneasiness.

“Well … this conversation might take a while, so I’d advise you to take a seat.” Winslet-san tells you. You find a seat on the well-appointed couch in front of her desk.

“Some tea?” Winslet-san offers, pulling a tea set out from the shelf behind her. You accept a cup of amber liquid. You hadn’t tried western teas many times. Still, as you take several sips of the warm, aromatic tea, your mind begins to clear. There were only two reasons you can think of for you to be called here. The fact that you still hadn’t chosen a temporary bodyguard, and the fact that you had gone on an excursion down into Slopetown.

“So, I heard you went on a short day-trip to the Hillside Terraces.” Winslet-san says, “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”

>Admit what you did was wrong

>Refuse to admit you did any wrong

>Ask what the problem with doing so was

>Grit your teeth and hope your punishment isn’t too harsh

Write-ins are heavily encouraged for this post

>>4422528
>Ask what the problem with doing so was

>>4422528
>Refuse to admit you did any wrong

>>4422528
>Ask what the problem with doing so was

>>4422528
>Ask what the problem with doing so was
>four voters so far
>none of us have any good write-in ideas
Uhhhhhhhh

>>4422528
Uhhhhhhhhh
>Make up some excuse

RIP us

>>4422932
Cyberpunk Maid Quest now.

>>4422528
>Ask what the problem with doing so was

>>4422528
So it seems that I've been mixing up Kaguya and Kyune

> We should Initiate Social Combat with Winslet. Goal is to evade punishment.

As far as I know, Plutocrats must also display a sense of curiosity about the world, to get information by any way necessary to achieve a competetive edge over the enemies of the Muramoto Corporation. That's how I have been designed and engineered. By exploring the Hillside Terraces, I have gathered valuable information for myself which could prove an asset to myself in Family politics, and to the Corporation as a whole.

Also, while I realize that going out alone have recklessly endangered a Muramoto asset - and please accept my sincere apologies for that - I see that it would be prudent to rely more on my martial arts skills which cannot be bribed, hacked, or killed as a last line of defense for me as an asset.

>>4422528
Damn anon with the pro write ins

I'll back >>4423278

>>4422528
Backing this. >>4423278

>>4423278
>going out alone
Wait, does she think that? Are we for some reason hiding that our bodyguard followed us?

>>4423640
Kaguya didn't know Yoji was tailing her.

>>4423278
>>4423292
>>4423293

I'm going to implement this, with some slight tweaks to suit Kaguya's character more.

Also side note, Plutocrats aren't loyal to their corporations, they're loyal to their families. Corporations may be named after the families that control them, but they're just collections of assets in the end.

Social Combat
Goal: Evade Punishment

As soon as you realize what you’re in trouble for, a curious and strange thing happens. You feel like you watch from outside your own mind as you undergo a shocking internal transformation. Although your face is composed as usual, internally, you’re coldly considering what you can say to avoid punishment. You knew you were in a significant amount of trouble. And you have no difficulty imagining what kind of punishment awaits you. It wouldn’t be any temporary thing, some mere discipline. No, it would be something with intention behind it. It would be designed to stop you from causing trouble ever again. Thus, you conclude that the most likely punishment would be confinement within the Manor without a chance to go into Slopetown again.

Well, you had no intention of letting that happen. Your short excursion into Slopetown … was the first time you had felt free since coming into the Muramoto Household! No, you weren’t going to give up going there. If you had it your way, you’d go every week.

Your thorough deliberation is over before you blink. Then, you begin to speak.

“As far as I know, Plutocrat children such as I must approach the world with a sense of curiosity, to accumulate the knowledge and wisdom necessary to maintain a competitive edge against the enemies of our families. That’s what I was designed and engineered for, wasn’t I? By exploring the Hillside Terraces, I have gathered valuable information for myself which could prove useful to myself both within my family, and to my family as a whole.”

Feeling the words almost form themselves, you’re astonished by how eloquent you can be. The process is so instinctual and automatic, it feels like you just … know what to say. But even then, with how much you’ve already said, you’re not done yet …

Also, while I realize that going out alone endangered myself recklessly - and please accept my sincere apologies for that - The experience and knowledge I gain from going outside is too valuable to cut off due to danger. Thus, instead of relying on the walls of the manor and the strength of my guards for my safety, I would rather develop my knowledge and skills so that I can rely on myself.”

>List more reasons why going outside is helping you grow as an asset (Cynical Bonus)

>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)

>You feel that you’ve said enough

>>4423913
>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)

We lost all our cynicism

>>4423913
>>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)

>>4423913
>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)
Live in hope

>>4423913
>>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)

>>4423913
The part about exercising martial skills were important, as that's the main thing Winslet is worried about - loss of a Corporate asset. The second is low return on investment - we not growing enough.

Against her, the cynical option would have been better, but we have no cynicism left (Kaguya's too Good for this cruel world) .

> Hopeful option

This will be one hell of a roll, as Winslet should be specially trained sgainst Plutocrat charm, lradership and rhetoric. And we should be trained in all these to lead millions of employees.

>>4423913
>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)

>>4423913
>Express your desire for freedom, end with earnestness (Hope Bonus)

“But there’s one more thing. My trip to the Hillside Terraces … was the first time I’ve felt free in years!” You say, letting your emotion shake your voice. What you said before had been half rationalization, half you trying to say what you thought might appeal to Winslet-san. But your words right now were earnest. Your words before had been calculated, although not untrue. But now, you were pleading straight from your heart. “Slopetown was the first chance I had in my entire life to talk to someone my age. So please … don’t stop me from going!”

>Roll 3 1d20’s. Degree of success depends on number of successes.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4424375
Oh no no no...

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4424375
14.26%

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4424375

>>4424394
Deleting rolls is not a nice thing to do. Even if the roll is bad (though I don't think 13 was so bad). It destroys trust.

>>4424395
Finslly the dice gods smiled down on poor Kaguya. Now all that remains is a bad Winslet roll.

>>4424406
We need OP ruling, but should that mean that Winslet has a bo2 save, because we had a plus dice?

>>4424406
I didn’t find a deleted roll on any archive sites

>>4424406
>>4424413
Eh? Did someone delete their roll?

If that becomes a problem, i can just do all the rolls myself, which I really would rather not do since rolling your die is such a fun part of quests in general.

For now, I'll let it slide.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

Rolling for Winslet

>+2 Kaguya is very charming
>-1 Winslet has dealt with many Plutocratic children
>-1 Winslet was not fond of Kaguya until recently and still doesn’t know what to make of Kaguya

>Success, gained 2 Hopeful

As soon as you finish your speech, Winslet-san folds her arms in thought. You wait in painful anticipation as she makes her decision. Finally, she begins speaking

“Very well. Far be it from me to step between you and your freedom. You have my promise that I will not imprison you inside the walls of this manor.” Winslet-san says. “However, for a young lady such as yourself to not have a chaperone when she goes outside is inappropriate. What would people think of your Mother and Father if they could not at least provide a handmaiden to attend you and a retainer to ensure your safety? I will allow you to pick the two out yourself. However, if I find you that you have another excursion before you’ve chosen both a handmaiden and a retainer, the consequences will be much more strict than today. Keep in mind that you’re only escaping punishment today because I’m showing you a *gracious* amount of clemency.”

“Thank you.” You have little choice other than to nod in acknowledgement and graciously thank Winslet-san.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Winslet-san says, stopping you from leaving, “You seem to misunderstand your role in this household family. It’s frankly ridiculous that no one has impressed this onto you yet, so I suppose I will have to take care of it myself …”

“What do you mean?” You cautiously ask.

Winslet sets her cup of tea down, before staring straight into your eyes. Even though you were just going to leave, her gaze all but bolts you to your chair. Her cold blue eyes are cold and uncompromising. Before, she was just doing her job as your technical governess. But now? Winslet-san was completely serious.

“Lady Kaguya. You are a cultured young woman, and at the same time old enough to understand your position in this household, so it is for the utmost importance for you to do so. Your position as an illegitimate daughter is … unique. I’ve worked with many children from plutocratic families, so trust me when I say I am quite experienced when it comes to matters concerning them. As you said, you have certain gifts and talents, there’s simply no denying that. You are predisposed to excel in social situations. But please don’t speak a word to me about you fulfilling role as a Plutocrat. A real Plutocrat isn’t simply a matter of blood or family. A real Plutocrat is only the result of a very strict and proper upbringing. They are raised to be leaders, natural superiors that are driven to dominate and subjugate whatever situation they find themselves in. Unfortunately my dear, you are only a half-plutocrat with a half-plutocrat upbringing.”

Winslet-san’s words are shocking and wounding to the extreme. You involuntarily stand up in protest, but Winslet continues her scathing chiding, forcing you back into your seat with the weight of her words.

“You say that you want the freedom to go outside and interact with your peers, but you will never be the equal of your peers, or so superior to them to be their natural leader. What you will find is a crowd of simpering adulators who are hopelessly slower and less capable than you are. I am aware that you met a boy while you were exploring the Hillside Terraces. How long was it before you had him wrapped around your finger? A few sentences? And what did you do with your time in Slopetown? You explored and went to the mall. A real Plutocrat would have done something productive. To think that you were ‘engineered’, ‘designed’, or otherwise meant for a great role and service to this family is, quite frankly, naivety. It’s best to forget such silly notions, concentrate on your studies, and just try to keep out of trouble. You’ve succeeded until now, let’s not spoil your hard work.”

>You’re not going to take Winslet-san’s words sitting down! (+3 Hopeful)

>But still … what can you say in protest? (+3 Cynical)

>Does Winslet-san really think so little of you?

Write-ins are HIGHLY encouraged for this post

>>4425459
>You’re not going to take Winslet-san’s words sitting down! (+3 Hopeful)
I'm not good at write-ins but I'll try. I'm thinking something like
>If I'm not born a plutocrat, but I excel to the point that I'm indistinguishable from one, what am I? Does it even matter? The only "naive" thing I see here is being so attached to a label that it colors your judgment.
Maybe phrased a bit more politely, if this is too forward for Kaguya.

>>4425459
"So that's what it means to be a Plutocrat." Kaguya replied "Be nothing more than a flower arrangement - devorative, precious and invaluable, yet of no use to anyone. And while I am not to be a member of this family, I am not left out of it as well, so I have to serve all the duties, yet receive nothing more than the gilded cage I'm in. How is this life more different than the one in the arcologies, then? While here I never have to want for anything, I'd be denied self-fulfillment, as from your words I sense that I have an arranged marriage waiting for me, and maybe some couple-trillion scrap company, while I remain in the castle watching over how humans destroy themselves, and how the next generation of Plutocrats will outshine all of us. If I'm of no service to the Family, how come I'm not raised like Kyune-sama, enjoying her freedom, and looking forward to a career as an elite Enforcer? Tell me Winslet-san how can a half-Plutocrat serve as a membership of this family, and still retain their freedom?"

(Sorry, phone posting)
> Does Winslet-san really think so little of you?

>>4425459
>You’re not going to take Winslet-san’s words sitting down! (+3 Hopeful)
>If I'm not a 'real' Plutocrat then why do I have to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of one?

>>4425459
>Decide internally that the people you care about (Kyune and Kentaro) see your worth, and that's enough.

>>4425510
>>4425515
Support

>>4425459
>But still … what can you say in protest? (+3 Cynical)

She can think whatever she wants, we'll still act according to what we want, not what she thinks we should want.

Some great write-in ideas this thread

Despite yourself, you feel tears well up in the corners of your eyes from Winslet’s words. They are accompanied by an intense feeling of bitterness. Even though you know better, you find yourself speaking as you force back your tears.

"So that's what it means to be a Plutocrat? To be nothing more than a flower arrangement? Even though I will never be a full member of this family, I must still conduct myself perfectly as a daughter of it. If I'm not born a plutocrat, but I excel to the point that I'm indistinguishable from one, what am I? What difference does the beginning of my upbringing make if I am held to and meet standards fit for any plutocratic child? Is a gilded cage all I’m to expect for meeting these standards meant for people you yourself claim I will never be equal to? How is this life better than one in the arcologies, then? I know you’ll claim that I’m a spoiled child who never wants for anything, but in truth, I’m slowly being starved of freedom and self-fulfillment! And what awaits me in the future? An arranged marriage, and some scrap company worth trillions of dollars to support me that I’ll never have anything to do with? Are you telling me that my entire life, I’ll remain in a castle watching over how normal humans destroy themselves, while waiting for the next generation of Plutocrats to outshine any achievement I could be capable of? If my existence is so useless to the Family, why not at least let me live like Kyune-sama, and let me enjoy some freedom? Or at least raise me for a position in the corporation. Even a lowly enforcer would be better than living as nothing more than a flower arrangement, decorative, precious and invaluable, yet of no use to anyone! Tell me Winslet-san how can a half-Plutocrat serve as a member of this family, and still retain their freedom?".

“Don’t be absurd.” Winslet-san suddenly cuts you off, with a voice as cold as ice. “Lady Kaguya, you seem to have several misconceptions stuck in your head. Firstly, what makes you believe the expectations you are being held to are anywhere close to the expectations Plutocratic children your age are held to? And lLet me tell you young lady, your studies and extracurriculars are light. And your current situation being in any way comparable to living in an arcology? If that’s what you think, then the neighourhood your Uncle found you in must have treated you like a queen. Talk to the staff here. Ask them how hard growing up in a blue-collar family is. And being ‘starved’ of ‘ freedom and self-fulfillment’? Don’t needlessly dramatize your circumstances, dear. It’s disappointing, really, how a girl as bright and gifted as you are, cultured and able to master the finest and most subtle of arts arts, given the finest education with the finest tutors, and impressed with a sense of history, still manages to conduct herself like a spoiled child. They find you living as an arcology waif among millions, take you into the lap of luxury, and provide you with your every need, and you complain about there not being a place prepared for you? The gall, the gall!”

>Winslet’s regard for Kaguya has been lost

By now, real tears are rolling down your face. Winslet-san passes you a box of tissues, which you accept.

“Now, I’ve already decided not to punish you today and I don’t intend to change my mind just because your self-entitled speech child.” Winslet-san continues cooly and smoothly, although not as harshly as before, “But in the future, you should remember your blessings. I may be tolerant of adolescent ingratitude, but I promise you that you have family members that are much less forgiving. And if you have questions about what your family intends for your future, you would do well to ask your Father. But child, please. Be polite.”

It’s all you can do to bow politely and leave the office. Once you do, you quickly find a corner to compose yourself and wipe away any traces of tears with your sleeves. However, as you calm yourself you remember that even though Winslet-san was speaking to you personally, she might as well be a stranger to you. The more you think about it, the more you decide that as long as the people who truly care for you see your worth, that’s all that matters to you. Kentaro had understood your desire for more than this life, and Kyune actively encouraged you to seek freedom and self-fulfillment. As long as they supported your efforts that was enough.
…

The rest of the morning’s class passes in a daze. Soon, it’s your lunch break. Sometimes, you wish it was longer … although you don’t know what you’d do with the extra time.

Punctually, a maid enters the room, carrying your boxed lunch. Your boxed lunch was always brought to you. You never move from the room where you had been taking your lessons. Sometimes, you take your classes in a scenic part of the Manor, and then have your lunch there. But even the most stunning view eventually lost it’s lustre, so you only did so sparingly.

“Thank you.” You take a small pleasure in always thanking the maid that brings you lunch.

Wait … you recognize that Maid … It’s Hosoda-san! You haven’t seen her since that night in Kentaro’s room.

>Ask her how she’s doing

>Ask her how she met Kentaro

>Ask her if she found what she was looking for that night

>Let her leave, she’s working right now

>>4427139
>Winslet’s regard for Kaguya has been lost
Fucking thanks, write-in anon.

>>4427142
>Ask her how she’s doing

>>4427142
>>Ask her how she’s doing

>>4427142
>Ask her how she’s doing

>>4427337
All the write ins followed that tone, it wasn't just one person.

>>4427142
>Ask her how she’s doing
This quest and its predecessor is just an endless series of bad decisions ain’t it

>>4427337
You were free to provide your own ideas. By initial reactions, this coul wery well have been a character saving throw.

>>4427142
>Ask her how she’s doing

We need human interaction - also do we have anyone in the manor we could trust? I feel that Kaguya needs a friend now.

>>4427142
>Ask her how she’s doing
>>4427337
You're welcome anon :^)
I also voted to eat the virus by the way
>>4428145
Kyune, that's pretty much it.

>>4427142
>Ask her how she’s doing

There’s no mistaking that slightly unpleasant, sickly-sweet odor that clings to the Maid like thin gauze.

“Hosoda-san.” You stop Hosoda-san, just as she’s about to leave the room.

“Kaguya-sama … Is there something more I can do for you? Is there an issue with your food?” Hosoda-san suddenly tenses, as if wary of what you are going to say.

“No.” You shake your head, “I simply wanted to ask you how you were doing. Since you are Kentaro-kun’s friend, I wanted to know. I didn’t know what happened to you since that night ...”

“Oh, I see.” Hosoda-san visibly relaxes with relief. “Well … I’m doing fine, I guess.”

“You’re doing fine?” You tilt your head in mild confusion, as if you don’t fully believe her. Because you don’t. “So the matter between you and Ono-san is fine?”

Hosoda-san hesitantly nods.

“She … hasn’t approached me about money ever since that night. Actually, the Assistant-Head Maid hasn’t spoken to me about anything outside of work either.”

“Is that so?” You muse. You wonder why that’s the case. Was a perceived association between Hosoda-san and yourself protecting her? And even though the Assistant-Head Maid had apparently broken off contact with Hosoda-san, you still smelled that aroma around her so she was getting her supply of narcotics from somewhere.

>Unobtrusively ask Hosoda-san a few questions you have (+1 Hopeful)

>Try to subtly manipulate Hosoda-san into telling you as much as possible. (+1 Cynical, enter social combat)

>You don’t want to pressure Hosoda-san.

>>4429040
>Try to subtly manipulate Hosoda-san into telling you as much as possible. (+1 Cynical, enter social combat)

tell me where druggie

>>4429040
>Try to subtly manipulate Hosoda-san into telling you as much as possible. (+1 Cynical, enter social combat)

>>4429040
>Unobtrusively ask Hosoda-san a few questions you have (+1 Hopeful)

>>4429040
>Try to subtly manipulate Hosoda-san into telling you as much as possible. (+1 Cynical, enter social combat)

>>4429040
>>Try to subtly manipulate Hosoda-san into telling you as much as possible. (+1 Cynical, enter social combat)

Social Combat
Goal: Coerce Hosoda-san into answering your questions

“I see. That’s good to hear.” You breathe out a small sigh of relief. Even though it’s small, the way you drop your shoulders, close your eyes, your body language draws attention to it. It is a much larger expression of emotion than you would naturally show. But despite this it’s still subtle, only just noticeable.

“R-Really?” Hosoda-san says in barely concealed surprise, “I … I didn’t expect Kaguya-sama to take such concern in me.”

With the subtle way you had expressed your concern, you had convinced Hosoda-san you really were concerned and genuinely cared for her more than your natural expression would have been able to.You were also establishing an impression of closeness and safety. You were a friend of Kentaro-kun like her, and was concerned for her. Surely she could confide in you?

>Roll 3 1d20’s. Degree of success depends on number of successes.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4431005
pls no nat 20 for a scrub like Hosoda

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4431005

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>4431005
Can’t resist our plutocrat charms

>+2 Kaguya is very charming
>Hosoda-san is not on guard and cannot actively resist

>2 Successes
>Gained 2 Cynicism

“Well, I’m glad for you that the Assistant-Head Maid has stopped pressuring you.” You say, before adding in, almost as an afterthought, as if you were simply musing out loud to yourself, , “... I wonder why she would do such a thing though ...”

“Actually … I think it’s all thanks to you!” Hosoda-san says. You look over to her in faux surprise. “Ah … I didn’t mean to interrupt Kaguya-sama’s thinking. I’m sorry.”

“No, no … I don’t mind at all.” You wave away Hosoda-san’s concerns. Of course, you had baited her into interrupting you, but that was neither here nor there. “But why do you say so? That it is thanks to me?”

“I think … the Assistant-Head Maid believes we know each other.” Hosoda-san says.

“Ah.” You nod, “So you’re saying that she believes I might be fond of you, and is avoiding doing anything to provoke me.”

“That’s right.” Hosoda-san nods.

“Hmmm, if that is the case, I’d say you’re quite safe for now, but still, I can see that you haven’t stopped …” You trail off. Hosoda-san will know what you are alluding to. Her Narcotic addiction.

Hosoda shivers imperceptibly, before responding a tiny, fearful voice. “... Yes. You’re right.”

“May I ask what this alternate source is?”

Hosoda hesitates for a long time, as if extremely reluctant, before confessing. “I’ve … been sleeping with some of the Enforcers for it.”

You keep your face in a calm, understanding look. It’s not hard at all, especially because you had expected such an answer. “And does the Assistant-Head Maid know about this alternate source?”

if she does, she’ll see you as a competitor in her market. Inwardly, you’re surprised at how cold and calculated that thought was.

“I don’t know.” Hosoda-san says.

You sink into deep thought as you consider what to do.

>You’ll continue giving the impression that Hosoda-san is favored by you. But you’re not sure if this limited form of protection will last.

>As a favor to Kentaro-kun, you’ll do everything in your power to take care of his friend. (+3 Hopeful)

>Hosoda-san might be useful when you investigate the Assistant-Head Maid. You might even gain some clues to what happened to Kentaro-kun … If you use her correctly. (+3 Cynical)

>>4432274
>Hosoda-san can be our ally, in finding out what happened to Kentaro, and in other stuff. There are things the help knows that are hard to learn from another source.

>>4432274
>Hosoda-san might be useful when you investigate the Assistant-Head Maid. You might even gain some clues to what happened to Kentaro-kun … If you use her correctly. (+3 Cynical)

>>4432274
>Hosoda-san might be useful when you investigate the Assistant-Head Maid. You might even gain some clues to what happened to Kentaro-kun … If you use her correctly. (+3 Cynical)

>>4432274
>>Hosoda-san might be useful when you investigate the Assistant-Head Maid. You might even gain some clues to what happened to Kentaro-kun … If you use her correctly. (+3 Cynical)

>Gained 3 Cynicism

But now that you think about it … Hosoda-san might really be useful to you. If you were planning to investigate the Assistant-Head Maid to gain clues to why Kentaro had fallen into a coma, you couldn’t ask for a better contact or source than Hosoda-san, could you? If you wanted to protect her, given your position in your family, you could do so at any time. But if you held off on that protection, and let her fall back into contact with the people you were trying to investigate … you might be able to protect her at the last minute and gain clues to what had happened to Kentaro-kun!

The audacity of the plan forming in your head surprises even you. In the present, you would make no visible efforts to protect Hosoda-san from the Assistant-Head Maid. You highly doubted the Assistant-Head Maid was aware of your exact status and influence in the family. She wasn’t in a high enough position in the Household. If you gave off the impression that you had a slight fondness for Hosoda-san but still didn’t do anything to protect her, it wouldn’t be long until she assumed you either didn’t have the influence to or … simply wasn’t fond enough of Hosoda-san to even bother. You would wait until the Assistant-Head Maid could not tolerate Hosoda-san stealing her business anymore. And when she made her move, you’d be able to observe what assets she relied on to put pressure on Hosoda-san.

You were confident in your ability to save Hosoda-san from any situation the Assistant-Head Maid might put her in. You’d even lean on Kyune for her to help if you needed to. As for the fact that you could really save Hosoda-san at any time, but were choosing not to … she didn’t need to know. After all, you weren’t sure you could trust her to keep the information to herself and give away your whole plan. Hosoda-san was only a maid after all.

A cool feeling fills your inside as you realize you … really enjoyed scheming. It came naturally to you and at the same time felt like a challenge to you. It was stimulating in a way you had never really experienced before. Perhaps it was even what you were born to do.

So you turn to look Hosoda-san in the eye. “I’m sorry, but my position in the family is not high enough to help you more than I have. Kentaro-kun was my retainer, and it pains me to be unable to protect his friend. Please forgive me, but all I can provide is an understanding ear.”

Hosoda-san nods in understanding. Shockingly, tears of gratitude form in the corner of her eye before she wipes them away. “I-I understand Kaguya-sama. Thank you.”

Such an earnest personality … You were sure now you made the right choice not letting her in on your scheme.

“I hope you know that I will continue to be available if you need a sympathetic ear should you need one in the future.” You tell Hosoda-san.

Hosoda-san bows in thanks again, before leaving, understanding that that was what you would hear for today. As she walks away, you notice she stands straighter than before, as if a great weight had been taken off her back. Or perhaps she was just showing a brave face to the world. Well, you can't help but want to cheer on an attitude like that.

After Hosoda-san leaves, you quickly finish your lunch and return to your classes. The rest of the day passes by uneventfully and soon, you’re back in your room listening to music and unwinding.

>Practise something artistic, you’ll definitely impress Kyune Onee-chan with what you make next

>You’ve been introduced to the joys of online shopping recently. You think you’ll give it another try.

>Do some self-studying like a good student (Write-in lore topic)

>>4434269
>Practise something artistic, you’ll definitely impress Kyune Onee-chan with what you make next

We gotta look good after that excursion, and outburst

>>4434266
>You’ve been introduced to the joys of online shopping recently. You think you’ll give it another try.

>>4434266
This will not end well.

>>4434269
>Practise something artistic, you’ll definitely impress Kyune Onee-chan with what you make next

>>4434269
>You’ve been introduced to the joys of online shopping recently. You think you’ll give it another try
I want to do the self study option but I can't think of a good topic.

>>4434269
>You’ve been introduced to the joys of online shopping recently. You think you’ll give it another try.

>>4434269
>Do some self-studying like a good student (Write-in lore topic)
> Plutocratic Biology
Optimizing the performance of a Plutocrat in adolescence
If not available: Notable Half-Plutocrats, and Half-Plutocrat phenotypes, difference of Half-Plutocrats to pure Plutocrats.
If not available: Current advancements in Plutocrat biology

>>4434269
I'd like to switch my vote to second >>4435009

>>4435009
Changing to this. We need to minmax ourselves.

>>4435009
>>4435079
>>4435380
My update was already half-finished when the new votes for this came in, so I will cover it in a near-future.

A few days ago, you had been introduced to the world of online shopping when you had looked for casualwear for your excursion into Slopetown. Back then, you had only been browsing the catalogue of brands and companies owned by the Muramoto Corporation, which you could order from for free. But now that you think about it, you never really used your allowance, did you? It was a substantial amount. In one month, you received the equivalent of the average annual income for a white-collar working class family in Noir. If you could find something online you wanted to buy, chances were that you could buy it.

You’ve heard that shopping, either online or in the real world, is a popular hobby for girls your age from White-collar class families and even Plutocratic ones. You think you’ll give it another try!

You’ve only accessed the Muramoto catalogue before, but you don’t spend much time online before you’ve compiled a list of the most popular online markets. As soon as you visit one of the public pages for a few of the Muramoto-owned brands with your browser security settings turned slightly down, you’re flooded with ads from multiple different markets.

To your surprise and slight disappointment, it’s … mostly clothes. A sea of hundreds of different brands with slightly different variations between them. You were pretty sure more than half of them were all owned by the same ten corporations if you remembered your lessons correctly. Were clothes … really all that girls your age were interested in buying? From the way the ads were targeted, you have a sinking suspicion that like-it-or-not, that was the case.

But despite all of that, you manage to find a few other items that catch your eye.

Clothes Choose what outfit Kaguya is interested in.
>Punk Brands. It’s ugly and offensive… but somehow oddly appealing and interesting.
>Urban Wa. It’s an assortment of different kimonos, but the outfits are so non-traditional and breaks all kinds of etiquette.
>Techwear. Is it really necessary for a windbreaker to have fifty pockets, adjustable insulation, and smart permeability? And what do they mean that it’s ‘Modular’?
>Gothic Lolita. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty.
>You have enough clothes

Other Markets (choose one)
>You’d like to purchase a Dataport of your own, even if it will be hard to explain why you need one.
>You stumble across an Online Market for antiques. A “Package Set” of 21st Century Information Technology catches your eye.
>A sudden notification tells you that you’ve been sent a free gift: A four-person ticket to the Northern Hillside Terrace Annual Festival.

>>4435588
>Gothic Lolita. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty.

yaaassssss

>A sudden notification tells you that you’ve been sent a free gift: A four-person ticket to the Northern Hillside Terrace Annual Festival.

haha time to get a virus

>>4435588
>Gothic Lolita. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty.
>You stumble across an Online Market for antiques. A “Package Set” of 21st Century Information Technology catches your eye.

>>4435588
>Gothic Lolita. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty
>You stumble across an Online Market for antiques. A “Package Set” of 21st Century Information Technology catches your eye

>>4435588
>Is it really necessary for a windbreaker to have fifty pockets
YES IT IS

Khm

>Gothic Lolita. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty.
>You stumble across an Online Market for antiques. A “Package Set” of 21st Century Information Technology catches your eye.

>>4435588
>Gothic Lolita. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty
>You’d like to purchase a Dataport of your own, even if it will be hard to explain why you need one.

>>4435588
>You have enough clothes
>You’d like to purchase a Dataport of your own, even if it will be hard to explain why you need one
I really want to click the malware ad, but I'm resisting for now.

While looking through clothes, you stumble across a public page for a company named Angelique. The design for the online market was dark and a bit extravagant, designed as if the items on display were being displayed from a dark, satin-curtained stage. But the items on display … were beautiful. Voluminous dresses, draped in layers and layers of frills and lace, all black as night with blood-red highlights and hard iron ornaments cast in religious iconography both holy and profane. You never thought something that looked so gloomy.could be this pretty.

For some reason, you’re drawn to this company, Angelique’s, clothing more than any other. You don’t hesitate to buy an outfit from that store.

Other than shopping for clothes, you also find an Online Market for old antiques. Intrigued, you end up buying a set of old antiques labelled “21st Century Information Technology - Package Set”. It’s not like you don’t have money to spare.

Just as you are wrapping up your shopping, a notification pops up. Someone is calling you. You check the Caller’s ID. It’s … Hikaru! That’s right, you exchanged numbers with him back in Slopetown. You quickly answer.

Hello?

Hi Kaguya. Hikaru’s faux-delinquent voice comes in clear inside your head, School done for ya today?

That’s right …

>You’ve been waiting for a call like this. Talk to him for a while and try to learn more about him (what?)

>You’re not averse to a call like this. Entertain Hikaru, you’re open to some small talk

>Apologize and hang up, you don’t want to talk right now

>>4436891
>You’ve been waiting for a call like this. Talk to him for a while and try to learn more about him (what?)

His relationship with those other bos and how they're doing after getting rekt by our bodyguard

>>4436891
>You’ve been waiting for a call like this. Talk to him for a while and try to learn more about him (what?)
How do you plebs live without burden

>>4436891
>>You’re not averse to a call like this. Entertain Hikaru, you’re open to some small talk

>>4436891
>You’ve been waiting for a call like this. Talk to him for a while and try to learn more about him (what?)
Does he think high laced boots go with lacy dressess? (This is a test)

>>4436891
>You’re not averse to a call like this. Entertain Hikaru, you’re open to some small talk

>>4436891
>You’re not averse to a call like this. Entertain Hikaru, you’re open to some small talk

>>4436901
^This. My question is what was that conflict?

[i]So, uh, how was your day?[/i] Hikaru asks, a hint of shyness in his voice.

[i]Hmm … I suppose it was okay.[/i] You’re lying, your day was anything but okay. From Winslet’s scolding to your conversation with Hosoda-san, it had been full of ups and downs, hadn’t it? But you didn’t know how safe it was to tell Hikaru about your day.

[i]Only okay? Nothing interesting happen at all?[/i]

[i]Not really[/i]. You refuse to elaborate further.

[i]Well, okay … well, my day was frying wild …[/i]

Hikaru shoots off on a story of assignments, hijinks, stuck-up class representatives, and ‘fried-ass’ teachers. Throughout the story, Hikaru repeatedly references the names of people you don’t know and insists on continuing without more than a vague explanation of who they are to him. Even if he seems to consider the day he had fairly mundane and boring, hearing about life in a Hillside Terrace highschool seems exciting and full of drama to you. Even the concept of an idle class sounds like an exciting, new experience to you. Every single one of your classes was saturated with new and relevant information from start-to-finish … Although from what you hear of what Hikaru gets up to in class, you wonder if the ‘bullshit grading’ he complains his teachers inflict on him is really just the result of him not using his time in class properly.
All in all, you’re developing a very clear picture of what life in a highschool is like. Your thoughts drift back to the identical corridors of the building you had visited yesterday, except now they’re filled with throngs of students your age dressed in uniforms, holding bags and books, and chatting amiably amongst themselves. Part of you deeply yearns to see how you would do in that kind of environment.

You’re sure you’d have a lot of fun. You’re already been drawn into enjoying even this casual conversation with Hikaru, letting him vent to you about his day and simultaneously learning more about him, occasionally prompting him into continuing or asking questions about what you take an interest in.

But just as you’re finally beginning to settle into the conversation, you hear a knock on your door outside.

“Sorry, I’ve got to go.” You quickly apologize. After Hikaru says something about having to leave too to work on a report, you end the call.

As you walk down the stairs to your door, you wonder who it could be. Did Winslet-san want to see you again? It could just be a maid who had come to deliver something, but you hope it’s Kyune Onee-chan, even if her visiting you is a rare occurrence.

But you could never have expected the person waiting for you behind the door. Or perhaps you just didn’t want to.

“Hello, Kaguya.” A cool, silky, contempt-filled voice drawls.

You slowly step away from the door, shivering slightly in fear. “Mother …”

[b]End of Thread[/b]

>>4439079
MOMMY NO

Thanks for running OP!

>>4439079
OH FUCK
I don't know why but OH FUCK
Looking forward to the next thread!

Nu thread when

>>4439736
Monday or Tuesday

>monday already
>still no new thread