🌒 [Open]

[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]

"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."

[wipingallout]

"Oooh, Hakagure is great, too!! Their house special is fantastic. A little salt heavy so I always make sure to drink a lot of water after."

[shakenit]

Sumire nods. "I drink a lot of water anyway, but that's still good to know. Something like the burger place, I'd reserve for after a particularly vigorous workout, when I need to replace a lot of calories at once."

[wipingallout]

"If the menu is on the heavier end with Hakagure, we can take the night to break into a pool and burn calories that way - might as well break in the new swimsuits, right?"

[shakenit]

And there's the blushing again, but at least she's also smiling. "I - I guess so."

[wipingallout]

"Heehee. I'm not pushing you around too much, am I? You can always tell me off, I won't be offended - I get caught up in excitement sometimes," Hamuko reassured.

[shakenit]

"You're not. I'm not used to this, but... it's nice."

Kasumi just bulldozed ahead with what she wanted to do, and assumed Sumire was also down for it. Most of the time Sumire convinced herself she was. Hamuko is taking her opinions into account - she's taking charge with the ideas, but Sumire doesn't feel unheard.

[wipingallout]

"Heheh. Well, tonight I was just gonna relax, say hi to everyone staying here in the dorm, maybe watch a little tv. You're free to join me!"

[shakenit]

"All right. I'd actually been planning to see what's around for dinner when I came downstairs, if you wanted to help...?"

If she doesn't want to cook, Sumire won't make her.

[wipingallout]

"Sure!! That sounds fun, let's go for it!" Hamuko agreed, hopping up from the couch with a bit of pep.

[shakenit]

The moment Sumire crosses the threshold into the kitchen, something in her posture eases. Calling it confidence might still be a bit of a stretch, but this is where she's the most at home, the most certain of her skills. This is the one thing Kasumi was never better at.

She opens the fridge and starts rooting around. "That's the stuff Aragaki-san wanted... this is somebody's leftovers... good gods, how long has that been in here?... ooh! Could you check the pantry and see how much rice we have?"

So far, she's found the unclaimed makings of a decent stir-fry.

[wipingallout]

"You got it," Hamuko agreed, getting out the rice and, seeing the ingredients coming out and getting a few other staples and some spices that could go well in seasoning rice. Once ingredients were out, Hamuko rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands, ready to cut, mix or saute depending on Vi's instruction.

It looked like she was taking charge, after all - she'd let Vi shine and support, this time around!

[shakenit]

Pork, eggs, snap peas, an onion... "Are you any good at grating apples?"

Those are going into the sauce, for extra fiber and a bit of flavor enhancement.

[wipingallout]

"I've zested lemons - are we looking for peel and the flesh too, or just peel?" Hamuko asked, reaching into the drawer for the grater.

[shakenit]

"Peel and flesh." As for the rice, Sumire sets up a pretty basic seasoning profile that should enhance the stir-fry's flavors without overpowering them, then gets the rice cooker started.

[wipingallout]

Easy peasy! Hamuko set to shredding the apples she'd gotten out, getting down to the core of one.

"How many apples, you think?" she asked, sneaking a bite of apple before tossing the core into the trash.

[shakenit]

"Two should be plenty, if not slightly overboard, but I can use the rest tomorrow if there's extra." It'll go well with whatever she whips together for breakfast.

Or whatever Aragaki-san whips together for breakfast and insists everyone eat. Whichever. She dices the onion nice and quick, then turns her attention to the pork.

[wipingallout]

Vi's knife skills are incredibly confident and competent! Hamuko doesn't comment, knowing after getting an earful from Shinji not to interrupt in the middle of cooking. Another shredded apple coming right up!

Another lesson from Shinji was, of course, following instructions and not asking directions. Once the apples were shredded, Hamuko set to rinsing the grater, watching Violet for her next instruction if any. If not, she'd happily help clean up as they went.

[shakenit]

Honestly, just having someone to do the cleanup as they go is really helpful. It lets Sumire focus more on the meal itself.

And indeed, before too long they have some pork stir-fry with vegetables and a savory sauce, and some rice to carry the dish. "Thank you for your help."