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Where the Trail Leads; [Naoki/Akari]
Topic Started: Mar 3 2018, 09:27 AM (573 Views)
Miharu Yoshikuni
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"Yes, I do now have two favors with you, for I was indeed being quite honest," Akari said, catching on that he was trying to imply that she was probably fibbing.

That was what Akari liked to believe, at least. It was true that earlier on during their exchanges, she had admitted she would have rather kept things a secret and they kept their backgrounds unknown. However, it had less to do with the fact she wanted to impress Naoki or not drag him into her mess. Rather, she wanted, for once, to have a friend to whom she was an entirely clean and blank slate. Like with the rest of Shiori, wherein she'd be nothing more than just someone with an ordinary life. Besides, it was true, she couldn't see his face. Well...unless she...

She was temporarily reminded of Iofiel. She could use her to see what Naoki looked like. Not that she would mind if he was attractive or unattractive, but it would give her a sense of closure of who she was talking with. But perhaps she liked that, along with the rest of him, he remained a mystery for the most part.

Why couldn't they just have been friends that met up often after her show performances? That would have been much simpler.

The next thing Naoki said, would surprise her even more. He appeared to be offering her a form of "rescue".

"Ah, but your prison is not one of shackles and bars, is it? Iofiel reminded her. "It is one of a broken heart."

She wouldn't respond immediately to his offer. Partially, because he was now guiding her to what appeared to be their next place. When they were inside, however, she pondered a bit more before asking again: "And how exactly would you do that? Set me free, I mean?"
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Chidarake
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Naoki was surprised at her deadpan answer. There was no hint of hesitation in his voice; had he really been wrong about her hiding something? Well shit. At least she was kind enough to share the real answer, but now he really did owe her two things. Well, he'd deal with it when it came to that. After entering the house and locking the door behind him, Akari asked him how exactly he planned to free her from her prison.

At that, he smiled. Given that she herself had admitted that it was her own mind keeping her locked away, that left two options on how to do so. And since Naoki wasn't the type to join someone else's prison, he was planning to drag her out. But since nothing conventional seemed to work with this girl, he stayed silent for now; he'd have to catch her off guard. And he already knew the perfect way to do so. Staying quiet at first, he moved further into the house, removing a panel of the wall in the living room to reveal a staircase. After guiding her on to the first step and replacing the panel, he began his answer as he sslowly led her down the stairs; not with spoken words, but with part of a song.

"Even if the weight of the flower petals covering the water
Try to hold off the pushing waves,
Flames rise to the heavens
Spreading cherry blossoms as if shaking them off
Even if the greatly anticipated full bloom is not the wanted color,
I don't care about the difference."


As they reached the bottom - thankfully the lamp in the corner was still on from the last time he was there - he gave an actual spoken answer. "Easy. I'll be the flame that burns your prison down," he said with confidence, before quickly leaning in, attempting to give Akari a small kiss; an attempt to show he was serious.
Edited by Chidarake, Mar 28 2018, 07:36 AM.
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Miharu Yoshikuni
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As Naoki led her downstairs, she'd hear him sing again, this time about blooms. For some reason, the lyrics reminded her of the song she sang during her first show at the Aoi Hana, wherein the singer was asking a spring bloom a question. It played in her head.

Oh, field flower that has bloomed,
Ah, somehow, please tell me:
Why is it that people hurt each other
And fight?

Oh, flower that blooms with the asphalt,
What can you see from there?
Why is it that people
Cannot forgive each other?

Ame ga sugite natsu wa

In the summer, the rain passed
And the blue reflected,
Small, it rippled
In front of me,
Without saying a thing.


She stopped singing the song in her head when they reached the end of the stairs. To her surprise, Naoki had stopped singing as well, and now seemed ready to give her a proper answer. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly at his response, partially because burning reminded her of the unpleasantness of fire, and the other because it was still something she couldn't imagine. More to her surprise, she sensed him drawing nearer and almost pressing closer to Akari, and just before his lips could make contact, she realized what was happening and gasped.

Unawaringly, and almost reflexively, Akari found herself casting a softly-charged Hama in her palm as she pushed Naoki back, unintentionally causing her hand to burn at the touch if it made contact with him. Whether or not she was successful in pushing him away, she would have dodged left and start backing up against a corner, her prosthetic eyes wide in what almost seemed like terror, and her hands shaking and covering her mouth. Despite the paleness of her hands, her face would be flushed red.

"N-Naoki...I...I'm sorry...!" she said shakily. She almost seemed scared. "I-I never me--meant for things to be that way!"

She'd turn away.

"I thought we were just...having fun, and--and--"

Akari' couldn't finish her sentence. A stone had formed in her throat, and nothing else would come out. Her heart was pounding like a steam hammer in her chest, and her head was just throbbing so much she thought it was going to split open. Suddenly, images flashed in her mind. The school. The music room. Three figures looming over her. She felt lightheaded. She felt like puking. For whatever reason, however, she managed to steel her nerves. Perhaps it was because she didn't want to hurt Naoki's feelings. Perhaps she just didn't want to go through another episode. Whatever the case, she clutched herself tightly with her hand still over her mouth as she stammered an explanation.

"I thought we were just...having fun as friends."

No, no, no, she thoughts murmured. It's not supposed to be like this. This wasn't supposed to happen! You're not supposed to...to like me!

Whatever atmosphere there was earlier of teasing and banter and quick wordplay seemed to have vanished completely. What remained was an air of uneasiness.

Edited by Miharu Yoshikuni, Mar 28 2018, 01:52 PM.
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Chidarake
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Akari's reaction was swift and direct. Pushing him away with what seemed to be a hand charged with a spell, he stepped back, worried. Had he gone too far? He didn't have much time to think, though, as she continued speaking, obviously terrified. The only thing natural about her reaction was the redness in her face, but everything else?

He had hit on something. Something bad. She was acting way too terrified. And while most of him was worried about her and what his actions might have done to the way she thought about him... a small part of him couldn't help but focus on the fact that he'd finally made a crack in that armor of hers. Absolutely no more reckless stunts, though, or he'd be left with more than a light burning in his cheek.

He decided to start with the obvious, hoping the change of subject might calm her down a bit. "Huh... a persona, eh? Explains how you were able to climb that fence so easily," he said, rubbing the side of his face. "Don't worry, I got one too. And lucky for both of us, I'm not weak to whatever it is you put into that, so don't worry about that."

Now came the harder part. What could he even say at this point? Apologize? Play it off? Was working an angle really even the best way to try and go at this? No. No, he'd face this head on. She deserved at least that much, especially if a simple act like that was causing such a frightened reaction. "Anyway. You have nothing to apologize for, I'm the one who should say I'm sorry. I know this sounds weird, but... I do want us to have fun. But my whole life, I've had to be a stranger to everyone. I wanted someone to have fun with as the real me, not some fake self. But at the same time, I wanted that person to be their own real self as well. All these lies, this deception... it has to end sometime, you know? And at first, I did enjoy our interactions as friends. But when you began talking about keeping yourself locked away... I don't know exactly what, but something for me changed. I wanted to help. I STILL want to help. Just now was... It was just to prove I was serious about that, rather than just empty words. Hell, I don't even know myself how I feel about you at this point, honestly. Still at least friend, certainly, but more than that? I don't know. Maybe that was me trying to figure it out. And I'm sorry that it hurt you this much," Naoki said before finally taking a few moments to breathe.

Contrary to the rest of the night, there was no playfulness in his voice. No cheerfulness. Not even a serious, matter-of-fact tone. He tried to speak in a flat monotone, but the sadness of being rejected and hurting her was oozing out, along with a hint of concern for her current condition.

After looking down at the violin case he still held in his left hand, he started walking towards Akari again. Slowly, so as not to startle her. "Here. I think this belongs to you," he said, placing the case down with a loud thunk a few paces behind her. He then raised his head up, and decided to only say a few more words. "But whether it be as friends or as more than that, either way, I still stand by what I said. I can tell there's something deep there, but if you'll let me, I can help. You just have to trust me. I'm under contract due to our bet to do whatever you want me to twice. That doesn't mean that I can't choose to accept more requests on my own," he finished before going silent, waiting for her reaction.
Edited by Chidarake, Mar 28 2018, 10:03 PM.
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Miharu Yoshikuni
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Akari's entire body was still on full alert when Naoki tried to explain his actions and apologize, and while she was trying her best to remain focus, part of what he said would just become roaring noise in her ear, drowned by the own sound of her heart pounding. He would then mention the prospect of liking her, which made her expression deeply sadden. She wanted to say that while she thought it was sweet, she couldn't accept his feelings--or anyone's for that matter. Or that he should trust her in knowing she didn't deserve him or that really, friendship was as far as they could go. In the end, though, she felt it was useless to explain herself. A bridge had been crossed and she had broken it. She had done something that had pulled Naoki in the whirlpool of people who wanted to help her, rescue her--because she couldn't. Even in her escape, her weakness was only reaffirmed. It was best to just...go.

She started to walk away and would turn to say sorry, but then she heard the thunk of something too familiar. He reiterated again that he wanted to help and have her trust him, but also that they still had a deal. Akari would pause and turn around. She'd stoop over to pick up the violin case, her expression pensive.

"Naoki-kun," she said. "I have my reasons for wanting to keep things secret. It's not just about running away. I can't...I can't be myself. I hate it. More than anything. I can't tell you why, but if you knew, you'd understand. That said, if we're...going to continue this--being friends, I mean--then you have to keep your word of this contract. These two requests that you must not break no matter what."

Akari went quiet for a moment, gathering enough courage to say what she demanded of him. Her head lowered and a shadow cast over her face, she spoke.

"My first request is that...you never try to rescue me," she said. "I don't need a hero. I don't need someone to pull me out of an abyss or of my prison. Only I can do that in time...and if someone else were to do it, then it means I'm still in that prison anyways. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but 'rescuing' me is counterintuitive to setting me free. As for my second request..."

Akari went quiet again. This time, she lifted her eyes. The two doll-eye prosthetics would stare hard and heartlessly at Naoki.

"Never fall in love with me," she said. "Not even the slightest romantic feelings. Those need to be pushed away. I'm sorry, I just...I cannot offer you anything in that aspect. And...and I can't be with someone who wants to be with me on that account."

She'd continue staring at him, her voice now steady and calm, but also firm.

"Those are what I ask. That is all."
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Chidarake
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As Akari spoke, preparing to use her requests for what seemed like an ultimatum, Naoki slowly shifted himself towards the staircase and sat down on it, making as little noise as possible. Whatever these requests were going to be, based on her words, they were likely things he wasn't going to like, meaning she probably wouldn't like his answers, so he didn't want her suddenly running off. Especially since it was dangerous for a girl to be out in this area alone at night, more so for a blind one.

And as she spoke both her first and second request, his suspicions were confirmed. The first one he saw coming, but the second... that one caught him off guard a bit. He wasn't entirely downtrodden, as he really didn't know how he felt about her, but it still stung a bit. Why would she demand that nobody love her? He spent a few moments thinking; he had promised to follow her requests. But these... he couldn't accept it. But to flat out refuse would probably make things worse, so he decided to do what he did best; talk his way around the subject and hope for more info.

"These two requests I must not break no matter what, eh..." he repeated, as he tilted his head back. "Well, let's start from the top before we get into that. You can't tell me why, but I'd understand if you did. So how can I possibly understand? If I can't understand, but still want to help, then I have no choice but to do things my own way. And no matter what, you're always yourself, even if it's behind a mask you made up - you still made it. So let's start with your first request," he said, pausing so as to let that sink in.

"First of all, when did I ever use the word rescue? Sure, I said I could help you escape. But when it comes to the time of prison you've locked yourself away in, that's all I can do. I can burn down the bars. I can reach out a hand. But it's up to you to grab it. And sorry, but I don't buy your excuse that only you can do it in time. You can't escape your own prison without a little help. And, if I'm not mistaken, offering help isn't an attempt to rescue. So I haven't, and don't plan on, breaking this request, because it's not possible for me to. Again, I can only offer a helping hand, while it's your choice whether or not to grab it and pull yourself out. Besides, since when is someone like me considered a hero?" he continued, though this time he didn't laugh at his small joke, instead pulling his switchblade out of his eyeing it before moving on.

"And for your second request, I believe I've already mentioned, I don't know what these feelings are. A deeper friendship? Respect? Kinship in the fact that we both have our own secrets? Love? Who knows. But on the chance that it is love, can it really be blamed on me? I don't choose who I fall in love with. And while I may hide things to protect people, I wouldn't want to hide a feeling that can heal. Love is something everybody needs in their life. I love my mother and she loves me, and that alone keeps me going every day. Every living person deserves, and needs, to be loved. As for the form it takes, that doesn't matter. Let's say for example I do fall in love with you, just for hypothetical reasons," he said, pocketing the switchblade and climbing to his feet. "You say you have nothing to offer. And that you can't be with someone who wants to be with you on that account. But what if I said I loved you and wanted to be with you, while expecting nothing in return? You underestimate thieves; we take what we want, and we give what we want. We don't expect others to give us things freely. So even if you had nothing, but I still loved and wanted to be with you, then I would stay by your side, even if you gave me nothing in return. As for the request itself... Again, I believe I meet the requirements of following it as I described earlier, since it's something out of my control," he finished answering, leaning against the wall of the staircase.

But of course, he had throw one more chip into the pile just to see if he could convince her to change her mind. Most likely she would just make things harder for him, but if she was going to be stubborn, he was prepared to match it. "If you don't like my answers though, you're free to retract your requests and ask for two other things. I'll let you do so as much as you want to, in fact, until you're satisfied. But for every request you take back, I get one of my own to ask of you."
Edited by Chidarake, Mar 29 2018, 04:50 AM.
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Miharu Yoshikuni
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Had it been any other instance, Akari would have been perhaps impressed by Naoki's sly backwards reasoning, but this was not one of them. If anything, she looked even more tense.

"Trying to kiss someone's not really what I'd call a way to show 'newfound respect'," she retorted with her arms crossed, and even if it was a jab at being playful, it was still obvious that she wasn't in the mood for games.

That said, Naoki had been serious about his own words, and she'd have to accept it as it was or not. In the back of her head, she heard a giggle.

"Oooh, he got you good," a conceited voice said.

Akari's body went cold. She hadn't heard her Shadow in months. Why did it have to be back now, of all times?

"He's asking you to take it or leave it, Akari," her Shadow said. "Accept the fact that everyone, even Naoki, can't help but look at you as a pity case that needs help and support, or go back on what you asked."

Akari mentally slammed a lid shut on the Shadow's voice hoping to keep her composure. Everything was going out of control. The little she had been building upon for the hope of something new and free of its past was just crumbling down and she was falling back into the chasm she came from.

Naoki had offered to have her retract the request for two new things, but she had a feeling no way she'd try to ask for something, she'd end up getting an answer similar to what he said now. Her mind was strained. Finally, her arms drooped at her sides and she lowered her head.

"Then those two rules would just be in vain," she said. She crossed her own arms as an attempt to keep herself steady. "I'll take both back, but I first want to know what you want to ask in return."
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Chidarake
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Naoki couldn't reply to her verbal jab - she had a point, and no amount of wordplay could get around that. However, he perked up a bit when, after a few moments and what seemed like a depressed posture, she took back her requests, giving him two to use in response. But that wasn't what was important right now.

He'd seen that posture before. And while the particular person he had in mind was rather unique... there was one thing that girl shared with other people. And it was probably part of the reason Akari was acting so overly defensive and scared. Made sense, based on what he had read about them. He couldn't know for sure, but he had a decent guess that Akari's shadow was playing with her mind. But unless he knew what it was telling her, he couldn't counteract it. But maybe there was a way, if he took her by surprise...

After a few moments of pensive thought of his own, Naoki began. "First, I want a reliable way to contact you. Cell phone number, rooftop meetings, whatever floats your boat. It's my hope that this little mishap doesn't completely kill our relationship, whatever you allow it to be," he said, pausing to wait for her answer before continuing.

"Second... You're going to tell me what your shadow's been saying to you. Yeah, I know you have one, I had mine check after that little hand fiasco. And please, remember, shadows are the dark part of you. Don't let that part decide who you are or what you do," Naoki said, taking his gamble. He raised the pot by insinuating that he had proof, but it was the only way he could think of to keep her from getting out with a fake denial. The rest was just stuff he remembered from that Bedlam site, but right now he needed all the help he could get.

He didn't even care what her next two requests might be; he just wanted to do his best to break through to her. The cage she'd put around herself was locked tighter than he thought, and she apparently had no intentions of leaving. He couldn't let things stay like that, especially now that he knew she had a persona as well. But until he got some answers, brute force was the only method he had at trying to get through that lock.
Edited by Chidarake, Apr 10 2018, 06:05 AM.
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Miharu Yoshikuni
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When Naoki mentioned his first request, Akari sighed a little bit, and for the smallest moment, she smiled.

"Of course I don't want this to ruin our friendship," she said. She glanced to the side, her hand rubbing against her arm nervously. "I care too much to let this go over my own worries and fears. Though, at the same time, it's those same worries and fears that are fueled by the fact I don't want this to be butchered over my past."

She supposed that was the slightest she could give him on that issue, but she decided not to push it.

"I'll be more than happy to give you my number. And, as per usual, I'll be at the rooftop during lunch hours. I don't...really have much else to go to--not where I want to be, anyways."

Yes, not anywhere else she wanted to be. The cafeteria presented the risk of her classmates asking her questions. The halls could mean passing Chisato, or Nagaru, or Bart, anyone of her friends, really.

When he mentioned his second request, however, she'd flinch a bit. He was quick to pick up on her Shadow, and while it was true that it was possible for others to know when a Shadow was affecting them (she remembered this happening when she was with Trent), she was still a little taken aback.

Oh, so is he going to try and play therapist now? the Shadow said, not entirely impressed, but also not pleased by the fact that someone was trying to get rid of her.

Naoki was trying to persuade her not to listen, and to tell him what the Shadow was telling her. To Akari's own surprise, it was something she wasn't afraid of talking about. Still, she moved slowly towards a nearby seat in order to properly get in place to talk about it. She sighed, and, in contrast to her usual prim and proper posture, she slouched and her eyes looked downcast.

"My Shadow doesn't tell me anything, you don't already know," she said.

Smart girl! the shadow told her. That's right. You're so transparent, there's no need to hide the fact you hate yourself and you're miserable, right? Just let it all out and let everyone know how loathsome you are!

Akari clasped her hands tightly. If she could see, she would have stared at her hands and open palms.

"It tells me...that I deserve to be miserable," she said plainly. "And I entirely agree. After the things I did, I deserve to be unhappy."

Yes.

This time, when her shadow spoke, its voice seemed more distorted than usual. Monstrous, even. It was as if it had multiplied and there was now a chorus talking to her, and they were all versions of her telling her everything she had just admitted.

You don't deserve to be happy. You can never be happy. You know why?

Because I killed Honoka.

Because you killed Honoka.

Because I burdened my friends.

Because you troubled them, gained their trust, and then lied to them. Because you ran away.

Because I make my parents sad.

They know you can't be fixed. They know no matter how much they care for you, Honoka won't ever come back. But do you know the TRUE reason you can never be happy?

...why?

And it was at this point that all other noise seemed to have drowned out. She had pretty much forgotten the last phrase Naoki had said. Akari had no choice in this matter, not her at least. She was at the mercy of her shadow forever. Her shadow seemed to surround her, and in the darkness of her own blindness, she could see them: versions of her with yellow eyes grinning and smiling in a twisted manner, their teeth shining and their skin pale and lifeless.

BECAUSE YOU ENJOY BEING MISERABLE. YOU ENJOY SUFFERING. YOU RELISH IT. YOU RELISH THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NEVER BE HAPPY AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE IN A CAGE. BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO WEAK TO FIGHT FOR YOUR OWN HAPPINESS. BECAUSE...

YOU.

WANT.

TO.

DIE.


As if out of nowhere, Akari's ears would hear the sound of pounding on a door.

"I can't open it!" the low and disgruntled voice of a girl said in exasperation.

"Let me handle this!"

"Wait. Tomoyo. What are you--"

A loud scream would come from the floor above as they'd hear a body ram into the door at full speed and force it open. They'd hear a sigh.

"How are we supposed to keep a low profile if you keep on using Tarukaja and headbutting everything!??"

"That wasn't a headbutt! I used my side to ram the door!"

"Ssssh!"


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Chidarake
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At Akari's response to his first request, Naoki wanted to retort to her comment about her fears, but decided to be satisfied with just getting her number and waiting for her response to his second request, which is when he decided to jump in. "No, that's not true. No one deserves to be unhappy. You-" he started before a loud pounding noise interrupted him.

Cursing under his breath, Naoki instinctively leaped into action. He rushed over to the lamp and then, after taking a brief second to confirm the location of the furniture and any odds and ends on the floor, flipped the switch to kill the light. He then worked his way back to Akari as he heard the two girls arguing above. The word 'Tarukaja' tipped him off that they weren't the intruders he was expecting, so he preemptively brought out his mask and placed it over his face. Hopefully the pair wouldn't even find the hidden door, but he was already coming up with an escape plan if by some chance they did. Using his outstretched hands and memory as a guide, Naoki would briefly touch Akari's shoulder before stopping.

"Anyone you know? Friends? Enemies?" he asked in a hushed voice so that Akari could just barely hear him, his tone suddenly turning serious, panicked, and slightly fearful. "Doesn't matter. My turn to cheat. Stay quiet," he whispered, finishing just as one of the girls started shushing the other. Forced to stay quiet now that the noise was gone, Naoki simply had to pray that Akari would listen to him. His best guess at what was happening was that two persona users had followed Akari for whatever reason, given that he didn't recognize the voices, but seeing as he didn't know if they meant good or harm, they were best avoided for now. Especially since with the current situation, he would definitely be seen as the bad guy here.

Just as long as they didn't check the wall under the stairs leading to the second floor, and Akari didn't give them away, they'd hopefully be able to hide there until the two eventually gave up and moved on to another house...
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