adsum | npc contact.1

[ She looks up from her desk, somewhat surprised to be greeted in any capacity, but returns it with a slight dip of her head. ]

Good morning, Ishimaru.

[ and then returns to unpacking her school bag so all her notebooks and pens are neatly set out for the day. She sounds tired. But, then again, her voice is usually on the quieter side anyways. ]

[He just continues to stand awkwardly bt her desk, as rigid as a mannequin of a soldier.]

It is a fine morning, is it not? Surely, a splendid day of education awaits!

[After a small pause, he tries to get to the point.]

I am sure you must have heard rumors about me going around the school. I would like to confirm one of them at this time!

[There are no rumors about him, but he did apply to run for student council, while everyone else was fighting a cat.]

[ He keeps talking and she looks up again, giving him the weirded out look of somebody who never really had people want to continue a conversation past the initial polite greeting. ]

Rumors...? Most people would want to disprove rumors, not confirm them.

[ Like, rumors are usually bad? Nobody spreads positive rumors about people, when society is prone to petty gossip and delights in it. ]

Did you come here to brag?

Well, yes, if they were rumors that were false and unseemly... But we are not discussing anything of that nature on this day! Nor do I intend to brag. I aim to be as humble as possible!

[At least, that's what he aims for. To get back to what he's meant to say, Ishimaru clears his throat.]

I will also say that... yes. It is true that I am running for student council. We may have to prepare ourselves to see each other even more often! [He says with a light smile, looking as if he said something much funnier than he actually did.]

[ It feels more to her that she has to steel herself to seeing more of him, if he does end up on the student council. He wouldn't be the worst person to have— he has passion and work ethic in spades, and his voice would carry in the student council room or in the auditorium where Maya struggles to raise her voice loud enough to be heard.

Still, the person she needs on the student council isn't a good student, necessarily, but a fitting one, and she stares at him for a long moment as if scrutinizing. ]

Your application is your statement of intent; you needn't come here to tell me in person. The decision doesn't rest upon me either, so you're better off campaigning to the rest of the student body. Bake them cookies or something.

[ It's not bribery, it's campaigning. ]

Cookies? Ah, yes I suppose that such delicious treats would be helpful for the campaign...

[But he realizes he's trailing off and then refocuses himself.]

Ah, but I understand that! I did not mean to ask for your help. It would not be fair if I did not succeed under my own power, after all! Still, don't you think we should prepare for the possibility of sharing spots at the student council? We can... discuss school matters on a preliminary basis and see if we can build up a strong rapport!

[And see what he can learn in the process.]

Like an internship, or probation? No.

[ Sounds to her like he's jumping the gun there, already assuming he'll be the one chosen and if he isn't, it would be a waste of her time and energy. ]

Talking about school matters isn't a hobby or anything. [ She doesn't even like it. Who likes this stuff? Ishimaru excluded. ] That's not why I joined the student council, nor why I ran for presidency. Why are you?

[He has a lot of faith and hope in his chances! And, well, he wanted to see if he could use that as a way to get started with student council-related matters early.]

You want to know my reasoning? Very well, I will gladly outline it! [Somehow, he manages to stand even more upright as he goes on.]

As a reputable head of a public morals committee in a past school, I feel that my talents would be put to good use on the student council! I happen to value order, and I wish to do my part to help keep things orderly and under control in these halls. I also feel that it is important for one of us transfer students to have a place on the student council, so that we may have a voice in school affairs and address concerns of the entire student body! It is as simple as that.

[ It feels like a rehash of all the student council applications she's read and will have to read throughout the month from prospective members, with past experience in leading school clubs and the sense of duty to the school and whatever, but the transfer students having a voice? That makes her scoff under her breath. ]

Just how long has it been since you transferred here, Ishimaru? You're better off integrating with everybody else instead of continuing to set yourselves apart like that.

[ Never mind that the default form of address from other students tends to be "transfer student," but at least that tends to fall away when you get to know the person. ]

[He likes to think that his spirit sets him apart from the others!

Ishimaru frowns as he hears her response.]

It has been about two months. But that is easier said than done, when it feels like our situation is very different than other students! For example... many of us have unusual living situations! [He's not sure if he should be speaking in code or not with her, but there he is, trying to allude to them not being able to walk out of the school.] And it seems that more students continue to be transferred in, in need of help and guidance.

[ A lot of them do have that scruffy homeless vibe to them, but that would be rude to say and so she just keeps it to herself, scrutinizing him, impassive throughout his explanation. ]

You can help and guide others without the mantle of being a student council member, you know? As for your ...living situation... I may be able to do something about that. But you have nothing you can offer me, and I have nothing that I need from you, so I will not.

[ Maybe that'll change in the future. But as of now, she doesn't do charity. ]

I am well aware of my ability to help out as a normal student. I have been trying to live to such a role throughout my short time here! But I still feel that being part of the student council will bring more opportunities to make a difference.

[Still, he pauses as he lets the rest of her words sink in.]

Wait. You do have a way to help? ...Ah... are you sure that it needs to be an exchange? What if it is just for the sake of doing something good for others?

Why should I? Favors aren't guaranteed to be returned, and at this moment, helping you is not worth my effort. Make it worth my effort.

[ What is it like to be a good person? She wouldn't know. But she will honor exchanges, something to keep in your back pocket for now. ]

I- I see! I suggested doing it for the sake of doing something good, but I suppose that is not enough. [He doesn't approve of this girl's morals! But he only has so much ground to stand on.]

Then I will do what I can to be worthy! [An uncertain pause.] Do you have any idea as to... what one could do to be worth such a favor?

[ Where her morals are grey, at least she has principles she adheres to, even if they're self-serving more often than not. ]

Think about that yourself. And think about what you're willing to do. Would you kill somebody if I asked? Would you give your own life?

[Ishimaru could respect adhering to one's principles, though it's trickier when they doesn't align as morally as he would like...

These questions shock Ishimaru.]

Wh-what? Those are somewhat extreme options, don't you think? [And it doesn't sound like the most even trade for what he asks! Not to mention that it reminds him uncomfortably of the killing game rules...] ...I do not seek to commit murder. But surely there are other possibilities...

They are extreme.

[ She doesn't even deny it; they're extreme and that's the point, to see whether Ishimaru has the mettle to go to the extremes. As such, she looks somewhat disappointed in him, although she nods to herself as if that's what she expected anyways. ]

You should be prepared for such extremes if you seek a student council position. In the meantime, if you're at a loss for other possibilities... Protect my brother. Maybe eventually, I'll feel generous enough to help.

Such extremes... in the student council? [He seems utterly baffled and lost! The student council is supposed to be a paragon of order and morality among the student body. Why should they be associated with death? Stephanie's morbid theories aside.]

...I can look out for your brother, for sure! [He pauses, thinking back on what was discussed with the others about Hiro, before he adds.] Does he have a tendency to get into trouble?

[ Maybe we should all be listening to Stephanie. Maya just shrugs at his surprise, though, at what she takes to be a hypothetical question not meant to be answered. ]

He does, and a tendency not to speak up for himself. I'm not asking you to speak for him or anything like that— he will hate you if you did. But I want you, collective you, to protect him.

[He doesn't want to believe it. Surely she must be exaggerating!]

I see. Of course, I would not wish to speak for someone else. But looking out for him is certainly something that I can aspire to. I promise to do everything that I can to protect your brother! With us around, he will not have to rely solely on a switchblade to protect himself anymore! [He says that as if it's an innocent joke!]

[ I'm crying. Maya, at this moment, wishes she were the one with the switchblade so she can plunge it into Ishimaru's throat and make him stop talking. Her eyes flash dangerously when she looks up at him, forced into a steely glare as she breathes out through her nose and sets her shoulders back, voice low. ]

Do you truly believe that was out of protection?

[That's enough to drive the humor from his expression. He steels up tensely, and there's a slightly timid look in his eyes as he looks back at her, leaning back slightly at the same time.]

I - I am not sure! I am not privy to the details, myself... [He responds quickly and quietly.] It was just one possibility that was considered!

You're discussing it. You and the other "transfer students."

[ She doesn't know for sure, but it's a statement instead of a question anyways, because of course they would be. Like with Sakasaki and Saihara and Ebalon and all those who spoke to her under the pretense of solving Okane's death. Meddlesome. ]

You'd better be damn sure of yourselves if this is the favor you take in exchange for my help. I'm asking you to protect him, and that means without question, without going back on your word halfway through no matter what you learn. If you aren't able to do that, then find something else to impress me with.

It... it may have been a subject that came up...

[He responds meekly, shrinking back a bit. But he does have resolve as he goes on.]

I mean it. I do not intend to abandon him! E-even if he has his own share of problems, I am not about to condemn someone else easily. I cannot speak for the others... b-but I will do my best on my own front!

[ She squints at him and his blatant admittance that he and his friends gossip about her brother. ]

Prove it. Bring me one of Sakasaki's fingers.

[ Natsume's been teaching her brother shady demon circles /: Hiro protection starts by getting rid of this guy ]

npc contact.1

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