adsum | npc contact.1

[... he'll eat his, too.]

Cursed? Like how?

Mm... [ sips their juice ] Sort of like "an eye for an eye" thing? Everything has a price. If somebody thinks it's worth it, they'd see it as a blessing.

[ But for npc-kun who likes their senses, thank you very much, they're more akin to curses. ]

Oh, so that's what he meant.

[...]

Is there a way to break the curse?

[clearly hopeful. shouldn't be in this school, given. but he's hopeful.]

He already paid the price. There's no refunds with this sort of thing...

[ Like getting to see ghosts for a week and then deciding never mind, it doesn't work like that. Even giving up that sight and stopping the progression of sight lost in his remaining eye. ]

I told him what it was. He knew exactly what the cost would be. He decided it was worth it.

[but it's not fair. subaru won't call it selflessness at least, because if he considered natsume's feelings and respected them he wouldn't be sitting here trading croquettes for info... but it's still not fair]

... He'd get mad at me for even asking you about this stuff, Boss. But Natsume's my very best friend here, and there's a lot of people who'd be upset at him for this. He doesn't get it, and even if he does he's just ignoring it.

[it doesn't matter if he can still tell fortunes or perform. natsume's focusing on that so he doesn't have to think about the people he won't be able to see anymore, the sights he'll miss while everyone him sits in awe. won't have to fully confront the fear of the unknown until it happens.]

I know he made his choice, and I know why he thought it was worth it. But I just wanna know if there's something, anything I can do to help him later on, once... we're graduated, I guess?

[ They get it, they do, it's why these are the only thing they're upfront about, unlike them making their rocks out to be more than they are. ]

...He's going to go blind in a year from now. And he's not a third year, so he won't be able to graduate. I think the best way to help him is to support him. You don't have to agree with his reasoning, but you can accept his decision, and do what you can do make it easier for him.

I'm already gonna do that, I just—

[he huffs, resolutely choosing to chew his on his frustration. and his pork cutlet. subaru's not good with working through his less positive emotions, which is why he's headstrong and defiant this way, but he's trying.]

What if I break the totem? What'll happen to him?

[ ... ]

Nothing. You can take your anger out on it, if you want, but the exchange has been made, so there's nothing left inside. It's part of him now, and he's a part of it. You'll have to take him somewhere it can't follow, I guess, before the year is up. But the damage will still be there.

That's about as good as it gets, huh.

[he puffs his cheeks out, then sighs and slouches against the counter. the only way is to get back to yumenosaki before his eyesight worsens too much, but subaru doesn't know the first step to that himself...]

Maaaaan, this blows. Why do you sell 'em in the first place, anyway? I mean, I get they might be a blessing to some people and all, but they just seem like a lot of trouble...

Natsume-san didn't think so. It depends on how you use them. Rocks can be dangerous, too... the suncatchers, the sweaters, anything in this room. Besides,

[ they set their chopsticks down and look straight at Subaru ]

I sell things that will help. I sell these because I know it will help.

[........... well.

for better or worse, subaru doesn't distrust shopkeeper-kun. actually he trusts them a lot, just because they have always been forthright about things. besides their rocks. but they're rocks, so it's fine. even if it's eye for an eye, these totems are supposed to help others... better put, supposed to help the trapped, considering when the store sells them.

subaru sits back up, propping his chin in his hand and staring back at the other.]

So what're you getting out of helping us? I mean, I trust you 'cause I don't have a reason not to, but is it 'cause you're stuck too?

I get your money out of it!

[ That much is obvious, but it's not the end goal, not really. ]

...I have something I need to buy. I need as much money as I can before the end of the school year. So this is me helping you, and you helping me.

[huh...]

So it's super expensive? No wonder you charge so much for stuff...

[... well. if they're scratching backs here—]

I've got a lotta fans here for some reason or another, so if you wanna sell my drawings and autographs and stuff to them for I don't mind. I'll net you a lot of customers since everyone's back too! Oh, and I'll try and make stuff that're good as leftovers, so that way you'll always have something to eat... I can't think of what else I'm good for, but an idol's body pays the bills, so if there's anything at all you'd wanna use me for just gimme a holler!

['cause he trusts them. selfishly, it's only because it's natsume that subaru cared so much to press in the first place-- but if shopkeeper-kun says everything in the shop is to help, then even if subaru doesn't like the side-effects of the totems

he can accept them, just a bit. only because shopkeeper-kun's so open and honest about them and their curse]

Oh.

[ npc-kun looks genuinely surprised at all that Subaru has to offer, it's so much more than they'd ever expect, and npc-kun isn't even giving him anything in return that doesn't have a price tag on it. ]

Advertising would help me out lots! Maybe you can put in a good word for the rocks? [ 'cause, like, selling autographs and stuff will rake in big bucks and all, but also they have so many rocks ]

I feel kind of bad I can't do anything you need. I'm a salesperson, not a curse breaker.

[so so many rocks.]

I will! And don't worry that, okay? We're friends, so I wanna help you out -- even if you can't help me with my selfish problem! Natsume made his choice, and... even if I don't like it, you're right that all I can do is be there for him anyway.

[as if he ever had any thought, but... he can admit the other party's right, so.]

[ Oh, this friendship thing isn't so bad, if these are the perks that come with it. npc-kun makes the mental note to brag to Komaeda later that they made a friend. ]

Alright!

[ Phew, not having to worry about paying Subaru back. Unlike Natsume, npc-kun doesn't believe in give-and-take, at least not in equivalent exchange.

...

But there is something they want to do. ]

Actually, I've got something for you. It's a pair of super special rocks I've been saving, I haven't let anybody else buy it! Since you're going to be helping me out, I'm going to give it to you as payment upfront!

[not how npc-kuns friendship gifts are rocks]

Really?! [you're so lucky he's legit excited about rock collecting. my boy needs a tumbler so he can polish the ones he gets from gacha] You're the best!

[ Like a penguin, giving another penguin their favorite rock...

but they grin at being called the best, because they are, they say it all the time, but affirmation from somebody else will always give them a little boost. ]

Okay, close your eyes and give me your hand.

[wtf ori... thats so cute...

but subaru will do as intructed, closing his eyes and holding one of his hands out for The Special Rocks...!!!!!]

[ It's not a rock that drops onto the palm of his hand, but instead, another hand. It's npc-kun taking his hand and pulling him forward, the sound of the door opening, then closing, the click of the lock and the openness of the hall.

They turn the corner, towards the other side of the floor. ]

[?!?!?

the sudden hand in his is already confusing enough (not unpleasant, mind, but he Was expecting rocks) but being pulled outside snaps his eyes open, until he has the thought that he shouldn't open his eyes until his friend says so (?) and closes them again, grip tightening on npc-kun's hand]

Quick Q, am I supposed to keep my eyes shut until you tell me to? Because I can. It's no problem.

Yeah, keep your eyes shut! No peeking.

[ Is this not a universal understanding that when somebody asks you to close your eyes, there's an unsaid "until I say so"?

He already peeked, so it's less of a surprise where they're going, but it's okay. Because this isn't the surprise. They go down the hall past the lockers and just straight forward instead of turning towards the faculty offices. Instead, it's the little janitor's closet between the office and the bathroom, door closed and lights turned off (with a nervous little squeeze of npc-kun's hand) when they finally say ]

Okay... Open your eyes now.

[ It's pitch black. ]

[well SORRY surprise opened his eyes... but it's fine he's kept them closed until they stop, but when he opens them when actually told it's

like he hasn't opened them at all! wow! it is pitch black and he knows they're in a small space and this sucks. the saving grace is that he's not alone, because his biggest dislike is being in dark places alone. npc-kun is getting a return squeeze, because he is also nervous.]

They're open.

[he doesn't wanna ask if he's supposed to see something but darkness, because that might disappoint his pal here, so he'll just. confirm he's opened them.]

[ Subaru npc-kun handshake meme over not liking to be in dark places alone.

It has to be here, though, the closest place they could think of. ]

Okay. Stand there and don't move. I'm going to let go, but I'm still here.

[ Not like they can leave without obviously opening the door, anyways, but they're slow to let go, replacing the hand holding with a touch on both sides of his arms, up onto his shoulder, and then nothing, like they were making sure they're at least arm's length apart in this tiny closet.

There's a cracking noise of two rocks being hit together, and with it comes a brief flash of light. ]

Did you see that?

[handshaking intensifies....... the light touches are welcome though, since it's very much a "still here" gesture (nevermind that yes, obviously, neither of them can leave without opening the door), and subaru doesn't feel as nervous as normal when they disappear completely—

and the nerves leave him entirely when there's a flash a light, distracting him.]

Yeah, yeah! Are those the special stones?

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