thuringen | cmo/open post

[ The Tragedy was entirely unexpected. It seemed as if it were only yesterday that they were enjoying their peaceful, carefree days as high school students at Hope's Peak Academy, but now, those days have long since been lost. They were no longer students, but unwilling captives; the world outside was far too dangerous for them to leave, what with the killing and plundering and other horrific acts committed in the sake of despair, so they had no other choice but to reside in their school-turned-shelter until the disaster subsided.

However, Sayaka was beginning to believe that it wouldn't ever subside. In the beginning, she had hope; after all, there was no way that the authorities wouldn't be able to resolve the incident; but every passing day, every time she heard the chilling screams and the sounds of rapid gunfire coming from outside, her hope and belief that things would someday return to normal waned to the point that it was all but nonexistent.

Only a sliver remained, but it would be wrong of her to say that it was her own hope. No, it was the hope that one particular Naegi Makoto had instilled in her and continued to instill in her, even when she teetered dangerously between hope and despair, daring to fall into the latter's dark clutches at any given moment. It was him who always kept her from giving in completely to despair, and because of that, she felt as though just maybe she could keep believing that things would get better.

...But it's hard for her to believe that on her own, and that's why she finds herself knocking gently on Naegi's door, a bashful, almost shameful expression on her features while she waits outside for an answer. She feels guilty for constantly relying on him like this, and she wouldn't fault him for feeling frustrated with her, but...he's the only person Sayaka knows she can depend on. It isn't as though she dislikes the rest of their class, but there's something special about Naegi; there's always been, ever since their first year of junior high when she saw him rescue that crane, and it's a certain sort of specialness that she can't quite put her finger on.

...Or perhaps one that she won't quite put her finger on just yet. ] ...Naegi-kun? Are you in there?

Maizono-san...?

[Naegi sits up immediately. There's so little to do nowadays, and he had been trying to catch a nap which continued to stubbornly evade him... But he hadn't expected to be lucky enough for Maizono to show up at a time like this, and the distraction is welcome.

He's quick to cross his room and open the door for her. Hopefully his hair isn't a mess from the pillow, but it's too late to do anything about it now, so he tries to smile it off just in case.] Hi, Maizono-san. Did you need me for something?

[ She's about to open her mouth to speak, but his messy hair doesn't go unnoticed. It isn't as much of a mess as it could be, but Sayaka's keen enough to realize he had been lying down. Her lips purse together into a faint frown as she decides against what she was previously about to say, instead opting to propose to him another question: ]

Ah, sorry...did I wake you? I can come back at a later time, if you want...

A-ah, no, I- [Well, he can't really lie... Or he could, but he doesn't want to lie to Maizono. That would feel wrong.] I mean... I was trying to take a nap, but I haven't been able to doze off, so... I'm actually really happy you came. [Whoops, that might be a blush.]

Whatever you wanted to tell me, I'll listen.

Is that so...?

[ There's a faint pink on her cheeks as well, but it's the only indication towards her fluster; her voice is as level as ever, but she does sound a tinge happier at that remark. ]

Um, well...it's nothing in particular. I just...really wanted to talk to you, if that's okay.

Sure, of course! If you want, you can come in.

[It takes a beat before Naegi realizes he just invited Maizono Sayaka into his room and how that could sound.]

A-ah, or we-! [His voice cracks badly. Puberty is awesome.] We could, um... Go somewhere else in the school, it doesn't have to be here...

[Totally nailed it.]

[ That prompts a tiny giggle from her, and it's apparent that she's amused rather than offended by the invitation. She dismisses the issue with a shake of her head. ]

It's fine, Naegi-kun. I don't mind coming into your room, but thank you for being considerate.

[ Not that she would have expected anything else, really. It's just like him to consider others' feelings, and it's just one of the many things about Naegi that Sayaka finds endearing. After her words, she gives him a small bow and steps across the threshold into his room. ] Once again, I'm sorry for intruding suddenly like this...

If you're sure, then... [Naegi steps to the side and opens the door wider so Maizono can enter.] After you. Have a seat wherever you'd like.

[The moment the words are out of his mouth, is precisely when Naegi realizes that the only available seating is the one chair in front of his desk and the bed.

This is terrible. It's like a bad anime.]

Not that... there's much choice, haha...

[Everything's fine. Naegi can sit on the bed. Maizono can sit in the chair. It's okay.

~~Just stay cool.~~]

[ Sayaka can't help but giggle again at Naegi's words. How adorable - it seemed as though he was making an effort in trying to impress her...not that it was really working, nor was she really intending for him to try and impress her, but she did at least appreciate his efforts. The fact that she appreciated it, however, didn't stop her from wanting to tease him, just like she always does. ]

Ehehe, you're really nervous, Naegi-kun. You're acting like this is our first date or something.

[ ...Not that she would mind the idea at all, and even her suggestion is enough to make her blush faintly, but...no, this wasn't the appropriate time. There was no way they could go out on a date while the world was in its current state, and dating wasn't something that either of them should be concerned about now - the only thing that mattered was surviving. But perhaps some day soon, when this was all over... ]

...By the way, you can take the bed and I'll take the chair. I don't mind.

I... I-I-!

Date...?!

[Welp, there went all of his nerves. Completely decimated by that particular statement.

He... shouldn't be focusing on something like that right now, not with everything that's going on. But he can't help the way his stomach squirms with some strange mix of hope and panic.]

Sorry, it's just... Um... [This is potentially a very embarrassing situation and by brain keeps jumping the gun and it would probably be even worse if I said any of this out loud.] A-actually, never mind. I'll be fine in a minute.

[Nodding, Naegi takes the bed. The material is still stiff and unfamiliar, even though they've been here for a while, but Naegi is sure he'll get used to it after a few more weeks.] So, now that we're here, what would you like to talk about? [Fortunately, his voice comes out pretty normal and not too flustered, even if he's probably still a little red.]

Ah...um, it's nothing in particular.

[ It's a sheepish admission because she can't outright confess that the reason she wanted to talk to Naegi was...exactly that - she just wanted to talk to the boy. She didn't care what they talked about, so long as she was simply talking to him. Being around the boy never failed to make her feel better, especially in these trying times when she needed it the most. ]

I just wanted to check on you and see how you're doing...considering the situation.

[ It's a harmless lie, one she made up immediately to save face, but it isn't as though there isn't any truth to it. She's sure she knows what his answer will be, but it never hurt to hear it again. ]

O-Oh...!

[Ah, he must be blushing a lot now. His face feels hot. But he can't help the smile that pulls at lips, or the feeling of happiness bursting in his chest, and his heart just might be beating a little bit faster. Maizono-san... She was actually thinking about me...?]

That's... really very kind of you, Maizono-san. But I wouldn't expect anything less. You're a very kind person, after all.

I'm... doing alright, though. It's hard being in here sometimes, but I know it's like that for all of us... [But they don't really have a choice, so...] And it probably goes without saying, but sometimes I miss my family.

[His parents and Komaru... He hopes they're safe.]

I want to believe everything will work out, though! I know it looks bad right now, but... I want to believe that one day we'll get out of here. And then I'll get to see them again, and everyone else can see their important people too.

[ Part of her wants to ask him "Do you really believe that?" or "How can you say such a thing when you have no idea?" but...of course he believes it. Of course he thinks that way. His optimism is one of the many things that she admires about him, and while the pessimist in her hinders her from fully believing in his words, at least hearing them helps to quell some of her worries. ]

...Ehehe. When you say things like that...it makes me believe that we really will get out of here someday, Naegi-kun.

[ Or at the very least, it reminds her that she wants to get out of here. To return to her idol group, which weren't just her fellow members, but her friends and family. ]

Um...this may be a selfish request, but when that day comes and we all go our separate ways...please don't forget about me, okay, Naegi-kun?

Maizono-san...

[At first it's just a breath of surprise that's similar to awe - were his words enough to help...? But then it's something more along the lines of shock.]

Of course I'll never forget about you! No matter what happens, I wouldn't ever forget about you. I swear I wouldn't.

And... Maybe if you don't mind, I'd like to ask something of you that's far more selfish than what you asked me... [As in, Maizono hadn't been selfish at all, but Naegi is certainly about to be.] I know... When we get out of here, it's likely we'll each take our own path separate from one another. But Maizono-san, if it's at all possible... I'd like to continue being around you, even if it's just a little every once in a while. I know you'll probably be busy with your life as an idol once things have settled down, so you probably won't have as much time, but... This might be presumptuous of me to say, but I think of you as a friend. [Probably a little bit more, but Maizono doesn't need to know that right now.] And I'd... like to continue being your friend, if it's alright with you.

Besides... If we were able to meet again here at Hope's Peak, only to be separated again once we leave... That seems too cruel of a fate, doesn't it?

[ She's relieved to hear that he won't forget about her, and it's evident from the release of the breath she wasn't even aware she had been holding. Being forgotten was one of her biggest fears, and to be forgotten by a person she cherished dearly, by Naegi, was even worse. Therefore, it meant the world to her to know that he valued her so much that he wouldn't ever forget about her. ]

Naegi-kun...thank you. [ Sayaka can't help but smile at that, but this time, it's a genuine smile. Not the usual smiles she always forces upon her face in order to uphold her image, but...Naegi had some effect on her that always allowed her to smile genuinely when she was around him.

However, when he says he has a selfish request of his own, that smile fades, replaced by pure confusion. She hasn't the slightest idea what Naegi could want to ask of her, unless...no, there was certainly no way that he would ask her that, would he...? She can't help but flush at the prospect, but she puts away her assumptions, quietly listening to him speak while trying to ignore the blood rushing to her cheeks.

When he finishes, she can't say it was what she expected, but that doesn't mean that she appreciates it any less. That smile from before returns, and she shakes her head. ]

...No, that's not presumptuous at all. It actually makes me happy to hear that, because...I think of you as a friend, too, Naegi-kun. Well, now that I think about it...we're more than that, aren't we? [ She pauses just for a moment, enough to tease him by allowing him to start making assumptions about what she's going to say next, before continuing on. ] I mean, that makes us soulmates now, right? Being reunited at this school and remaining together for the rest of our lives...ehehe, maybe we're bound together by the red string of fate.

Ma- Maizono-san...!

[Naegi had been so relieved by Maizono's words, but her pause and calling them soulmates makes him incredibly flustered. Although, for a minute... He'd almost thought Maizono would say they were.. Something else...]

I-I suppose that makes sense, doesn't it? No, it definitely does. I've... never given much thought to soulmates, to be honest, but it seems like a lot of coincidences that we would keep meeting each other like this...

[It's a nice thought, a warm thought. It feels a little silly, but Naegi is inexplicably happy about it.]

If such a thing exists, though... I'm glad we get to be each other's soulmates, Maizono-san.

Edited (forgot subject line whoops) 2016-11-19 19:29 (UTC)

[ Sayaka smiles brightly, and she can feel her heart flutter within her chest when he says that he's glad. She only proposes the idea as one of her usual jokes, but a part of her longs for her words to be true--no, a part of her does believe that her words are true. There's no other explanation about why she and Naegi keep crossing paths like this except that they truly were soulmates. That's what she wants to believe, anyways. ]

I'm glad, too, Naegi-kun. Um, this may sound a little forward, but...I couldn't imagine having anyone else as my soulmate.

[ She's certain her face is still a little red as she says this, but it's how she feels. She's glad that fate or whatever else powers that be decided to pair them together. ]

Although, if we are soulmates, then...that proposes a bit of a problem.

[Is his whole face red yet? He feels like it probably is. Very, very red.]

I... don't know why you would want someone as ordinary as me, but it would be an honor...

[His heart is skipping in happiness, but it slows down a little bit as he registers the last words she says.]

Why would it be a problem, though? [It isn't him, is it? Maizono said she wanted him to be her soulmate, so... It can't something he's done, can it? He can't help voicing his concern anyway.] Is there... something wrong with me being your soulmate?

No, no! There's nothing wrong with you, Naegi-kun. It's just...um...

[ Alright, she's going in for it! This is the most forward thing that she's probably ever going to say, and she's a little embarrassed, but no turning back now. ]

If we are truly soulmates, then wouldn't it be problematic if we both were to...see different people? For example, if you suddenly got a girlfriend, Naegi-kun...

[He freezes. Physically and mentally, he freezes.

Something wells up in him, expanding in his chest. It feels like longing and fear and courage all knotted up into one sensation, and it's both exhilarating and unbearable.]

Maizono-san...

[The moment he says her name, Naegi knows. He knows that he's going to go through with it and say it. It's absolutely terrifying, and it's literally the last thing he wants to do, the fear of outright rejection sitting so heavily on his chest...

But the world is in chaos outside. And in here, every passing day is bleaker and bleaker.

If he doesn't say it now, when will he ever?]

What if you were my girlfriend?

[ It's a question she had been expecting - after all, she had good intuition and has never once been wrong - but her anticipation didn't actually prepare her to hear him ask it. She's silent for a while, unsure of how to respond. It isn't that she doesn't want to be his girlfriend, because really, she does - right now, she's the happiest she's ever been, and she can't stop her heart from racing inside of her chest. She's happy that her feelings are reciprocated and that he truly wants her to be his girlfriend, yet...she can't help but feel hesitant on giving a definitive yes. ]

Naegi-kun...

[ She pauses for a moment, looking sheepish. It's almost as if she's uncertain of her words. ]

...It's not like I don't want to. Please don't get me wrong, I'm...really glad that you asked. I've liked you for a while, actually...ever since junior high when I saw you rescue that crane, but we never got the chance to talk, and before I knew it, we both graduated and went our separate ways. That's why I was so happy to see you here at Hope's Peak, and I'm happy that you feel the same way, but...

[ She can't help but feel scared. What if Naegi realizes that he truthfully doesn't like her? Would he still like her if he knew who she truly was? If he knew all of the terrible things she had to do to achieve and maintain the title of SHSL Idol? She can't hide it from him...well, she could, but then she would feel terrible for lying to him. She doesn't want him to like her because of the mask she wore; if he was going to like her, she wanted him to know the true her, and he deserved to know. ]

...Are you certain about this? About me?

...I'm sure. I'm completely, absolutely certain.

[In spite of the pause, his voice leaves no room for doubt. He's red-faced, but Naegi looks at her determinedly and unflinchingly.]

To hear that you like me also... It's more than I could ever hope for. Saying that, I was sure I'd be rejected, but...

...Maizono-san. [He smiles, wide and warm, and his eyes might just be a little watery.] You have no idea... How happy I am right now. How long I dreamed that you might say something like that to me...

I know things are really scary and uncertain right now... I want to be with you, even in spite of that, and I never imagined that you would accept me, but...

If you'll have me, Maizono-san, my heart belongs to you.

...Sayaka. [ The entire time he speaks, she says nothing, but it's her little correction that finally breaks her silence. There's an embarrassed smile on her lips as she says that, and she can't stop herself from feeling giddy - especially after hearing him say something like that. His heart belongs to her...she never would've imagined someone - least of all, Naegi - saying those words to her, so she's elated beyond belief. ]

If...If we're going to start dating, Naegi-kun, then...I want you to call me by my given name.

[ It's a privilege she would've granted him a long time ago, but...this opportunity is more fitting instead, isn't it? She had never wanted to overstep her boundaries, lest he didn't feel the same way, but to know that their feelings for each other were reciprocated...there was no better time than now to step out of formalities. ]

I'm happy to hear that your heart belongs to me, and the same goes for me as well. You might not believe it, and it's a little embarrassing to admit, but...I've never had a boyfriend before. [ Though, it wasn't all that surprising, what with her status as an idol. To have a boyfriend would surely rouse scandals and tarnish her "pristine" image. It didn't matter now while they were locked in the school, but...she didn't know what would happen next if they were rescued and could return to the public.

...She supposed she'd cross that bridge when she got there. ] Therefore, I'm not very certain on how dating works...but I promise you I'll do my best to become your Super High School Level Girlfriend. Ehehe!

cmo/open post

for yama

hello i am here probably

yes hello welcome friend

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i caved in and bought a paid...

friend no, not like this

yama you should know by now i have no self-control

it's okay I probably don't either

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slides in late but without the Starbucks

shhh it is okay friend

thank you friend :' DDD

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this is so cheesy and i love it