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[wipingallout]

... ... ... ... ?

What is...?

I shouldn't... be awake...


[In the Velvet Room...]

[It's courteous of whatever's going on with Igor's plan here that Hamuko is dressed. She probably shouldn't even have a body... whatever she has going on now... did her body fall comatose without her? Did it die? If it was alive, she surely should be much older. ... ... ... Maybe that all doesn't really matter, right now. She's here, gifted a chance to be around others again. The pinboard catches her attention first, of course. Signs of other people... so many little notes, talking about multiple versions of the same person running around. That's... that's charming... that's fun. ...Even if the notes about Ken Amadas make her sad...]

Hmm... I don't see any other 'me' off the bat...

[She'll take a few minutes once given a pen and some pink paper to doodle a little version of herself, signed with her name and phone number, and add it to the corner of the pinboard.]


[Inaba, Central Shopping District]

[What a fun little town! A charming place... hey, isn't this the town she went to for the volleyball camp? She loved the accommodations, but it's so nice to actually wander the streets and see the little shops. This place is SO rural, Hamuko had never really visited a place this remote, even when jumping between foster homes.] Let's see... what's the good spot for the locals? [No point being a complete tourist shmuck!!]


[Shibuya, Underground Mall]

[Well, since nothing costs anything here... might as well get some cute new clothes, right? Who knows how long she'll be around here, and 'dreaming up' new outfits didn't seem to be a thing. No lucid dreaming here - somehow, Hamuko felt a lot happier with that in mind. Still... the fashion is so different!!]

I just want one cute orange top...!! Is orange out of style? Dang it...


[Iwatodai Dorms]

[Of all of the places she's been having fun goofing off and exploring in, the dorms... she couldn't quite get the courage to open the front. Not just yet.]

Not even Koromaru is out front right now. ...I've gotta apologize...

Comments

[shakenit]

"And maybe by the time anyone thought to, the monk was covering for you."

[wipingallout]

"Heheh, right? I think I was the one keeping him from talking off anyone else's ear. He was such a grouchy old man, but it weirdly kind of made me feel like I had a dad for a little while, some nights!"

[shakenit]

That says a lot in and of itself, but... they've had enough heavy topics for one conversation, really. "I guess he enjoyed having a regular conversation partner, then."

[wipingallout]

Agreed. Hamuko grinned mischievously, instead, peering at Sumi.

"I think you could try out something adventurous like that. It sounds fun - we should go all kinds of places we aren't allowed. Try a bunch of crazy things. Not like the sort of memories-of-people wandering around will do anything!"

[shakenit]

"The cognitions? I mean, I guess they wouldn't care, if they don't care about money..."

Or about holes being blown in the street, but Sumire hasn't heard that story yet.

[wipingallout]

"What's something you've wanted to do, but you kept having little excuses or reasons not to do it?"

[shakenit]

"...I don't know. Kasumi decided pretty much everything we did, so I don't have a lot of practice at choosing things for myself." It's one of many reasons Sumire's been kind of floundering.

But she promised she would try, so try she must.

"Maybe just... going and breaking something just to break it? Or graffiti or something?"

[wipingallout]

"Yes!!! Oh my god, I've always wanted to do some kind of vandalism - can you imagine grabbing a bunch of spray cans and covering a whole wall with paintings?? Finally, we could go for it because there's no real property owners!" Hamuko eagerly ate up the idea, laughing mirthfully.

"Oooh!! Or breaking into a hotel to hop in the pool? Trying out a motorcycle!! Ahh, I better save that last one in case Mitsuru shows up, since she actually knows how to drive one."

[shakenit]

"We - we could." Hamuko's enthusiasm is nothing if not contagious. "The pool thing sounds fun, too."

[wipingallout]

"Riiiight? I'll have to find a new swimsuit, oh, darn!" Hamuko giggled - from her tone, it was clear that she was more excited than anything to pick one up.

[shakenit]

"I don't have one here, either." Actually, Sumire's not sure if she has one at home - leotards are not remotely the same thing. "Maybe we could go look for them together?"

[wipingallout]

"That'll be so fun!!! We can pick out something super cute... my last one was this cute bikini with plaid and ruffles," Hamuko gushed, fondly recalling her summer vacation. "Mitsuru-senpai had this gorgeous one though, with a swim skirt... I might see if I can find one like it!"

[shakenit]

Aaaand now Sumire's thinking about Hamuko in a swimsuit. (Why is that making her blush so hard?)

"I - it'll be interesting to see what we can find."

[wipingallout]

Hamuko smiled, leaning against the sofa's arm as she looked at Sumire, eyes trailing her pretty hair and lovely face...

"Hmmm... I bet a pretty lilac colored suit would look amazing on you. And it'd suit your nickname, to boot, Vi."

[shakenit]

Oh no. Now she's blushing even harder.

"I - you think so?"

[wipingallout]

"Definitely! Something soft and pastel... nothing that takes away from your eyes too much," Hamuko encouraged, tapping her own face under her eye.

[shakenit]

Sumire is so flustered she can't manage much more than a squeak.

Part of her wants to say she's not pretty, she's boring. The other part of her observes that she thought she could physically pass for Kasumi, give or take the beauty mark, so she does have at least some physical attractiveness.

She's just. Not used to getting this mind of attention.

[wipingallout]

Kasumi who? All Hamuko sees right now is this absolutely adorable girl, crumbling under the slightest bit of praise.

From how she talked about her sister, sure, maybe she needed this. But Hamuko just giggled, resting her chin on her palm calmly - she was flirting because she thought Sumire was cute.

"Then, after we try swimsuits out, I'll take you out to lunch! We'll make a day of it. I know aaaaall the good spots around here. We could even see a movie or two, if you want~"

[shakenit]

"Wh - wait, like. Like a date?"

..............she's not against the idea. It's just that no one ever mentioned this was an option.

[wipingallout]

"If you want to, Vi," Hamuko replied, without a second of hesitation, doubt or shame.

[shakenit]

'Vi' is doing funny things to Sumire's stomach. The same kind of funny things as Akira-senpai laughing at something she said that he thinks is funny, or Akechi-san letting the Detective Prince mask down.

...or, now that she thinks about it, Futaba-senpai saying 'Stop Talking Shit About Yourself Challenge!' when she knows exactly how difficult it is.

Oh.

"I. I think I would."

[wipingallout]

"It'll be a blast. What kind of places do you like going to when you eat out instead of cooking? I usually splurge for good seafood or traditional sweets," she chattered, letting Vi have a little breather. Or just stew on it a little more.

[shakenit]

"Um. I don't... I have a high metabolism, so pretty much anywhere that serves hearty portions will be fine." She can figure out what works best nutrition-wise once the menu's in front of her.

[wipingallout]

"Have you tried Wakatsu yet? I always ate there waaaay too many nights in a row before exam week. Gotta get those omega 3s! I think with my grades it paid off, eheheh."

[shakenit]

"I have! It's very good. Aragaki-san also recommended the ramen shop, but I haven't been there yet."