adsum | npc contact.1

[ The cat's fine. Don't worry about it. There's nothing wrong with the cat, unlike the thought of having an affair with Komaeda that Akira just sort of visibly takes a step back from. ]

I said I didn't...

[ ugh, that gladiator match made his stomach turn, and the thought of it does the same now. ]

I'm not going to talk about this anymore, Komaeda-san. I can't.

Then explain, Fujioka-kun. If that's not what you did...

( komaeda's voice is low, and it's not every day he cares about human lives, but there were a few in that batch that made him curious. that made him wonder why them. )

Even after exposing your talent to me and Amami-kun... I haven't spoken a word of it.

( his hands remain in his pocket as he looks away from the other, but that was komaeda's request at the time... because it was his fault any of that happened. he could change his mind, people would love to know about what akira can do, what role he plays here, and why he can do it. )

...I want to understand, and I can only do that by asking you directly.

[ He looks away, quiet, heart hammering because he does remember when he did what he did in front of two relative strangers, how he didn't think about it at the time but agonized over it for so long after. It's a thinly veiled threat, but it is still a threat, and he does recognize it as such, but...

He breathes a sigh, and mumbles, as if to himself. ]

You don't always get what you want in life.

Fujioka-kun?

( going to ignore him being weird, komaeda doesn't have time for it. )

I understand the things you're capable of, what you're able to do... so it's fine to admit.

( he just wants to put two and two together, why he's able to do what he does, and why is it so common in this school. especially those with gold eyes, and don't think komaeda's letting them go!! he isn't. )

It's just us, anyway, and... Nanami-san.

[ It doesn't mean he has to talk about it, pressing his lips together in uncharacteristic stubborn defiance that immediately shatters with the mention of Nanami's name. ]

Nanami-san? What do you mean?

...

( komaeda hates that, actually, but his own lips purse into a straight line. he was always around her, so in a way, maybe he appreciates her as much as she should be appreciated in being an ultimate. everything else, is well... )

Focus, Fujioka-kun... What are you doing to the missing students?

Tell me what you meant by Nanami-san. ...please. [ because the request sounds too forceful without it ]

What does she have anything to do with this?

...

( he pauses, looking at the other. isn't it obvious what it means? he looks to the side, trying to find the birds from before. )

...Come with me.

( because he doesn't want to be out in the open where people can see them engaging, where is a little courtyard bench for them to sit at. )

[ There are no benches because benches get in the way of the hose when gardener-san needs to drag it around. There is... grass they can sit on. The courtyard is grass and some bushes along the school and maybe a path that leads out past the courtyard.

Wherever Komaeda ends up choosing, though, Akira follows behind, silent but willing. ]

( they can sit on the grass so that when they do, the birds will fly in on the other side and look back at them, like hatoful boyfriend.

he waits for akira to do the same before saying anything else, and komaeda's hands remain in his pocket during most of this conversation. )

There's a reason why it's only you I can speak to, because it involves Nanami-san as well.

[ Akira remains standing until Komaeda sits, looks like he doesn't really want to sit on the grass and dirt but the alternative is too awkward so he sits too, in front of Komaeda with ample space between them. ]

...If you're asking me to do for Nanami-san as you asked for Rokuro, I can't help you.

I'd never tell you to turn an Ultimate into one of those... ( you know, komaeda has been talking shit about akira's work for awhile now, he'll let up. ) ...What do you call them when they're like that, Fujioka-kun?

( he holds his smile for a moment, proud that he wouldn't ask for akira's assistance, it just wouldn't sit right with him after what he saw what was done to kirigiri. )

...Hold out your hand.

They're still people...

[ He looks down at his hand as if it would betray him and spontaneously hold out, but it hangs by his side. ]

Why?

[ Komaeda wouldn't be the first person who's dropped a dead bug in his hand when he's asked to hold it out, he's justified for being nervous about this. ]

The sort of life you live is filled with fear, every step you take forward... you're afraid. Living like that, isn't it tiring? When you could go with the flow, and be excited for what's around the corner...?

( not komaeda's word of advice, but he'll play on the other side of the field. what he pulls out his pocket, and holds out to the other is a familiar hairpin that komaeda found... in the elevator. hinata will not be needing this anymore, maybe akira needs a little emotional support, you never know. )

...

( it sits in the palm of his hand, as if he's waiting for akira to take it. )

[ Why... does he have that? Why would Nanami give that to him? She's not here anymore, so he can't ask, but Komaeda is right: it's fear that grips his heart and poisons his veins but it's the only way he can live, the only reason he's still here.

He's hesitant, but he does take the clip, in the end. ]

...not everybody is as strong as you, Komaeda-san. I'm scared of dying. I don't want to die.

( komaeda doesn't like anyone who makes his ultimates laugh, make them happy, disrupt them from what they do — yes, he was jealous seeing someone who lacks talent around his beloved ultimate. things are different now, and some things won't change, but as soon as the pin is in his grasp.

komaeda's hands slowly curl into a fist, and he sets it down in the seat of his lap. )

...

( wouldn't know if it should be called strong, where komaeda stays away from others knowing that he's burden, someone who will have everyone die around them. compared to akira who stays from others in hopes to avoid his death. )

I understand that you're weak, that you confided in an Ultimate that was stronger than you... what are you living for, Fujioka-kun, where is your hope?

[ God, Komaeda is like Rokkun but worse, they're both petty bitches around people who are around people they love. Speaking of him, though, that question is one that Akira can answer, one he lifts his gaze to answer and without hesitation. ]

My hope is Rokuro. I might not believe in his methods, but I believe in him. I promised to [ was coerced into ] help him however I can.

( the way you're placing rokkun's insanity beneath komaeda's, oh, i might cry. the quick reply however makes komaeda stare at akira, he already knew they worked together in some way. the question at the end of the day was who listened to who — guess that answers it. )

His hope...

( very sensitive subject, he wouldn't call rokkun his hope, but he does want to see it. he has praised what rokkun has, so he can see someone like akira latching onto it, despite having a hope that's... miniscule next to others. he's so afraid, unwilling, and yet here he is. )

Then you have to do everything you can for him... would he be the person you're having an affair with? ( where is the affair at! )

Wha— No! [ HUGE STEP BACK ] We're not involved in that way!

[ Stop it!!!! Don't think he's like Komaeda with his 57384903 Ultimates he only has eyes for, this is also what sets Komaeda and Rokkun apart. ]

( affair? where the affair at. AND STOPPPP!! subconscious komaeda probably wishes he could forget ultimates, because then his life would be so better, but luck and dementia doesn't allow him...! )

Are you an idiot?

( now don't get mad with komaeda, akira's the one who used the term!! )

I meant with the deceased, you called it a private affair... you are against his means, but you trust him. Everything you do is unorthodox.

[ Komaeda doesn't have to parrot back terms other people use, look where that got him with counselor-kun and Rokkun's stupid terminology ]

It's... ugh. [ If he keeps quiet, so will Rokkun, right? Regardless of what he thinks of Komaeda, that guy is cagey when it comes to everything else. ]

That's between him and me. I trust him... and you should too. Or at least believe in him.

[ even if Rokuro is insane ]

( stop, he knows that rokkun is so fucking insane, and doesn't know what he be talking about. LAST TIME HE USES ROKKUN SPEECH TO ANYONE!! )

If this is between you two...

( komaeda sounds tired at the thought, looking off to the side as he tries to figure out what placement he has in this relationship. )

Are you the only one behind the golden eyes, here...

( natsume's struggle was different, but... ) You can tell me what it symbolizes, if not your plan.

[ There's no relationship, it's largely Rokkun doing his own thing and Akira being anxious about it and Komaeda wanting to know what's going on except nobody talks to anybody. ]

I... don't know? It doesn't symbolize anything, it's just...

[ It is what it is, and he doesn't want to ascribe any higher meaning than that. Let it be insanity, it doesn't have to tie into anything larger. ]

( stop why don't they understand communication is key!! they're both hiding something is how komaeda has to look at this. )

"It's just..."? it happens to a few students here, gaining gold eyes... some are afraid to see them, should they be wary, Fujioka-kun?

( well, someone's looking insane, and it's not komaeda. )

[ look... actually, no, don't look at him, Akira isn't looking at him. ]

...no more wary than they would be towards anybody else. [ is his eventual, calculated response. Yellow eyed students are maybe scary, but so are the regular ones. The only difference is how they came into being. ]

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