adsum | npc contact.1

( guess what, komaeda doesn't exactly know how to do a proper handshake — so his brow only raises as roku~n raises their already held hands and shake them. alright, he guesses if that's what he wants to do. so in a way, komaeda thinks he's free from any promises as he looks towards chiaki, and slow blinks at her comment — )

Kudo-san, do you want to kill me that bad? I don't mind, you know?

( that'll probably go unanswered (hopefully due to the change in location) until something more important comes up: students dressed suspiciously. their hangout only has one association to komaeda and it's the same with izumi being the spiders, and the only reason he knows that is because at one point he tried to clean them out with naegi. he doesn't recall anyone in cloaks when he visited the homeroom though, so maybe they frequent that place at different times and not the entire day. though, if it's a special stash, komaeda stares towards chiaki now slowly connecting the dots as in... she affiliates with them for it?

of course, he's going to let izumi ask the questions and if anything comes up odd, komaeda will stick his nose in. )

[ Matching icons... cute.

Roku~n wrinkles his nose a little at the mention of the spiders, trying not to think too hard about them and- no, a shudder runs down his spine despite himself, ugh. Chiaki just looks thoughtful, like what if she grabbed a handful of spiders and shoved them down Komaeda's throat, would he shut up then? ]

I'm talking about the... [ airquotes with his free hand ] "satanists," or whatever they call themselves.

[ Again he glances at Izumi, as if to gauge his reaction, but maybe he doesn't have to worry so much. I mean, Izumi hangs out with Komaeda, which can't be any worse for his reputation than being seen walking around with the cult. ]

We have something of an agreement with them, but it'll be dangerous if too many people got involved. Especially the other members of the club— the sacrifice isn't worth it.

[ RECORD SCRATCH

FREEZE FRAME ]

Excuse me, satanists?

[ they don't mean guys like sakasaki, right? the ones who'd draw pentagrams all over the school among other things, right?? he's feeling a hollow pit forming at the bottom of his stomach, because this probably isn't some chuuni bullshit.

still, izumi just gives rokku~n an incredulous look, but doesn't make any notion for the other boy to stop right there. ]

...What was the agreement? The sacrifice? I didn't really know much about the guys you're talking about since I don't always go to the third-year classrooms, but--

[ aaaaaaaahhhh ]

( and you wonder how komaeda and izumi got into this situation... well, it all dates back to... )

Ah? How interesting, really! What do you think their hope is like to be such an important piece in this school?

( where izumi is having a hard time processing this, komaeda's more curious about what everything entails. every person in this school does something for hope, and he wants to see how it all plays out. he doesn't find the satanists as horrible people, no, everyone has the same goal and komaeda believes that without hesitation. )

... If it's to sacrifice someone to help others like this, then shouldn't we be grateful for their contribution. ( haha, he's a little flushed as his fingers tighten around roku~n's, yeah... he's excited. )

That's their hope, Sena-kun! Are they draining the sacrifices for their blood? Hey, what if because she — ( he's not going to say her name because everyone knows who he's talking about. ) died, that was also a sacrifice to the school... Do those even count... ( he's mumbling to himself. )

[ "God, you are soooo creepy!" Chiaki pipes up with what's on everybody's mind, although Roku~n has enough presence of mind to shush her ineffectively. ]

I'm not going into the full details— I don't want you two to get any more involved than this.

[ Komaeda... please... he's going to extract his hand now so he can open the door and get his PDA ready for vending machine purchases, which he's sure Chiaki won't let him forget with how this is what makes her peel away from Izumi's side finally so she can trot over to the machine and see what's in stock today. ]

On paper, all you need to know is that in collaboration with somebody in the science club to keep the, uh... paint... from oxidizing, they provide us with supplies and we help them out with little things sometimes. The ability to draw perfect circles is apparently a lucrative skill.

[ Among other things. It's fine. Little things, really. ]

Ugh, next time I should get a muzzle to shut you up for good.

[ that's directed at komaeda, btw. hope this, hope that - it's more far-fetched than leo's ramblings whenever he's being manic. it's disgusting. good thing izumi's all too used to this bullshit that he can safely tune out the other boy's spiels, though he wants to elaborate more on that other matter.

anyway, back to rokku~n: ]

It's fine, we've already gotten this far. If anything, you should be concerned about yourselves for getting into this in the first place. [ were they coerced into working together? ugh, before he gets any more sick he has to make sure -- ] Someone from the science club... does that mean Arisu have something to do with it?

As long as I can still talk...

( he leaves the subject alone though, and he focuses more on what izumi says instead. he's paying attention to the facts that come together through the other's fishing. it's bait, and he wonders if chiaki and roku~n will be able to say who's part of this and who's part of that. komaeda's too focused on the idea of cultists in their midst, which makes him pull his hand from his friend's as he contemplates the fact that it seems that the sacrifice is part of the mix. the students will go that far just to have a smear of red along their paintbrush, and it makes komaeda laugh to himself. )

Is it true, Roku~n, are you using that as a substitute?

( he already knows about chiaki, but she said it was her secret stash.. so is it only her going for it or.. is his childhood friend a menace to society himself? ) If you want, I'll give you what I have in exchange for proper information.

Arisu...? You mean Hiro? I've only collected the end product so I don't know who they're collaborating with. You're better off leaving the kid alone, too.

[ He holds his PDA up to the vending machine, screen lighting up as his merit points tick down— Chiaki gets a Calpis, he gets a can of grass jelly, and he looks up at Komaeda and Izumi to see what they want. ]

It's not a lot and it's not often, so I don't need that from you, Nagito. Besides, I don't paint.

[ just... waves his hand like nah, he's not thirsty. especially when they're tackling a rather grizzly topic here. thanks, though. ]

At least give us a name on who's responsible for this. Was Okane involved? Was she the sacrifice? [ and he turns to chiaki. ] And Kudo, don't let your schoolmate do all the talking. You've got some explaining to do, using that for red paint. I get why it's a "trade secret" of yours, but it doesn't excuse the fact that it's more than a little messed up.

[ IT'S JUST NOT NORMAL ]

( ? did he just call the man, the myth, the legend himself... NAGITO. why is no one talking about this? i gasped. )

Roku~n...

( there's something misplaced in this man's heart for saying his name like that... it's personal, and komaeda's starting to wonder a few things. he looks towards izumi, and then over to chiaki as his fellow idol looks over to her — you know, that double intimidation tactic. though, he squats down in front of the vending machine to tap at the glass, you know... normally a mercedes benz would have crashed into this by now... he's not used to paying. )

Sena-kun, what if you give Kudo-san your blood instead? It'll solve a lot of problems, and then she won't deal with them anymore.

[ Sometimes you're on first name basis with your friend who has dementia so bad he doesn't even remember your real name ): ]

Not everything is about Aiko-san...

[ Chiaki pouts a little at being asked to speak up when it's about Aiko again, but she brightens up at Komaeda's suggestion? ]

It really would! What do you think, Sena?

[ chiaki using the english version of dr where everyone referred to each other by their first names... it's so offputting. but yeah wtf does that mean komaeda and rokku~n are closer than they all thought? star-crossed childhood friends?? damn-- ]

Hah?! First of all, that's disgusting. Second, if you guys think I'd be willing to donate blood on the fly and permanently scarring my beautiful skin good, you've got another thing coming. Like, hello? Even if you guys end up being vampire chuuni this entire time too, I won't offer a single dollop.

[ he already finds ritsu's vampire schtick back home super weird, now he has to deal with this? yall??? ]

It's not hard.

( he points to his wrist of his better hand, a metal digit dragging across the flesh as he shows the idol where he could start from. it's an uncomfortable subject, but komaeda manages to explain where he would start if he was offering his own blood. ) Especially when you can drink blood from your wrist to survive.

( whether that's true or not, he won't tell, but the expression komaeda wears is more "hear him out," than throw away the idea. ) We're already marked, so what's one more to have Kudo-san on our side?

( and what about roku~n? well, he's using komaeda's first name to talk to him so maybe he can get a pass, but he's not off the hook so don't worry. there's still a few concerns the ultimate has about him, but that's nothing he can bring up now actually. he looks towards chiaki, smiling softly while placing his water. )

As long as it's blood from Sena-kun, it doesn't matter right? You'll be satisfied?

No way!! You're not permanently scarring Sena's beautiful skin! There are other ways to bleed people without cu—- mmmnph!

[ Roku~n tiredly smushes Chiaki's drink against her cheek. Everybody please shut up. Except unfortunately, that sort of halfhearted attempt isn't enough to keep Chiaki quiet, who snatches the bottle from his hand and chugs half of it before recapping the bottle and continuing. ]

As long as it's Sena's, I'll be satisfied! I won't have to deal with those guys ever again!

[ it just keeps escalating and izumi couldn't think of any ways stop it. he's been surrounded with weirdo people before, sure, but when you're in a high school of horrors complete with a legitimate cult that yearns for blood, the stakes are higher than ever. why is komaeda enabling this? why is no one finding any of this fucked-up?

he clutches at his own wrist and gulps, a pained expression on his face. ]

Is... Is there really no other way? [ takes a deep breath. calm... calm. ] If I give you some of it, will you two talk more about them?

( komaeda drops his hand down as he stares back at what's inside of the vending machine, tapping the glass in thought as he listens to izumi respond. it's actually shocking to hear him budge, and immediately turns his head to look at the expression he wears — is he that bothered. even with his fears visible, komaeda gasps in thought as he smacks his prosthetic fist into the palm of his good hand. )

Hey, Sena-kun... ( he calls out in an attempt to grab his attempt to grab his attention, mostly to pull him out of that worried phase he's finding himself in. )

Since it was my idea, I'll do the honors of slicing you open.

( he's not a doctor, but he's done risky things for the sake of hope, and the idea of komaeda hurting himself and others isn't a foreign concept. it may sound like he gave izumi the short end of the stick, but komaeda's quick to get to his feet as he stares at the other with a kind smile. ) It's important you do this right... and because I'm lucky... I'll be able to get the right amount from you.

( with that said, he looks towards chiaki and roku~n, wondering if they'll agree with komaeda helping izumi do this, and besides, he might feel comfortable having someone else cut at his skin. )

Is that fine with you two? We could meet up at a different spot once I'm finished draining him, because trading an expensive good in the hallway is bad for business too.

[ Chiaki pulls her arm back to wham!! it into Komaeda's stomach. ]

Don't you dare touch him! GET AWAY FROM HIM! I won't let you hurt him!!

[ The honors is hers-- I'm just kidding. "She's just kidding," Roku~n says, helplessly and therefore unconvincingly, wrapping his arms around Chiaki from behind so he can physically pull her away from Komaeda.

"Hey, why don't we just let this drop? This has nothing to do with the late president, and her stash isn't going to run out anytime soon. Remember what he said, Chiaki?" He pokes her on the top of the head with his chin. "He likes blue." ]

[ he feels faint. he can't even stop komaeda from getting punched in the gut by the feisty girl (something that izumi really appreciates, thanks kudo), as he staggers back a little until his back hits the vending machine. he wanted to say that no he does NOT trust komaeda enough to slice him open what the fuck?? but for once the words don't come out. is this really how they're going to resolve things?

give him a moment to clear his throat, find his voice. ]

...You guys suck at being funny if all of this is just a joke. [ god. ] So what, you're just going to keep using her blood for art projects and satanist rituals? I thought you guys don't want to stay indebted to those freaks!

( listen, that wham!! gets a reaction from him, coughing up whatever breath he had as he finds himself dropping down to his knees, a hand outstretched to place against the floor so that he doesn't actually collide face first. his other hand however rests in the area where he was hit, and he coughs loudly while trying to catch his breath. overdramatic? no, but that was truly unlucky, he thinks. )

...

( you know what, you got this izumi! komaeda's just going to stay on the floor, because while he may be an ultimate that doesn't mean he's unable to get his ass whooped! the worst part, there's a smile on his face as he takes a slow breath, swallowing down the saliva caught in his throat as he looks up at chiaki. )

Y— ( let him breathe again, god he's probably having so much trouble because the collar he wears is tight. ) You're good at that... Be proud of yourself, ah... for such an opportunity, ( he almost looks like he's shaking? maybe he enjoyed it? maybe this is what people with sicknesses do. don't ask me about this freak. ) I wonder what bad luck will befall us. ( cough, cough, omg why does it hurt. )

[ Oh. Do you ever feel instant regret in punching something but not for any moral reason? It's like squashing a bug and now you have bug guts all over your hand and it's gross, that's the sort of face Chiaki makes. ]

Bad luck is trying to cut ties with that stupid Satan club. Do you think we've never thought about it?

[ why is komaeda so disgusting. izumi's not sure if he should pity the guy or help him up on his feet. he'll at least try to unbuckle the collar around his neck though, to help komaeda catch his breath. ]

Well, there's got to be a way! I'm not giving up my blood for anything until I know what the hell's going on. [ huffs! ] At least tell us what the sacrifices are for. Cults usually revolve around some god, right?

[ he doesn't... believe in gods... but cults were a thing in yumenosaki so he'd like to know more, thanks ]

( he wants to DIE what do you expect! which... thank you sena-kun... for being so kind, of course, while he tries, komaeda will reach up to grab his wrist. it's fine, he's actually been through worse. )

It's their hope, Sena-kun...

( he points out again, clearing his throat as he releases the idol's hand and sits down on the floor proper, criss-crossed. ) We can't look at what they're doing as bad, unless it's needless as despair...

( but this isn't what they need to talk about. ) If it's killing just to kill, it has to be dealt with. ( so it does come down to what izumi said. ) Who has been the sacrifices so far?

Don't know.

[ Roku~n lowers himself onto the floor like they're some sort of lunch group sitting in a circle in front of the vending machines, cracking open his can but not taking a sip. ]

Nothing good's going to come out of going in too deep with those people, so the less we know, the better. [ They could be gutting chicken for all he knows, and that's how it's going to stay. Whose blood it is, what all this is for, the people who would know are the ones in the cult—- and he's not about to suggest either of them talk to the cult members. ]

And we're not taking your blood, so calm down, Izumi. Just worry about graduating, don't get involved in all of this.

Yeah, yeah. My blood is too good for something as shady as that anyway.

[ enstars event where they have to do a bloodletting drive let's goooooo

but it seems that neither chiaki or rokku~n are budging, so it seems that they've reached a dead end? unless komaeda has something else to add. the guy's a lot more perceptive than he looks, loathe as izumi is to admit it.

oh wait, there is one more - ]

Just one more thing. Do you think the blood they've been using is the same one found in the water systems?

Why do you say it like that, Sena-kun? Explain it thoroughly.

( he looks to both chiaki and rokyu~n (hehe get it) and with a smile, he adds onto izumi's statement. )

There's a body in the pipes, and there might be more...

( now if there's a copious amount of deceased bodies in there, then that's a problem, but nothing they can help. the idea is... do they dispose of the bodies that they get blood out of into the sewers or what... ) Are they responsible for that too since... throwing away bodies seems complicated in a place like this. ( it's true, considering someone dumped one with a donation note on it. )

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