purrtagonist | [Week 1, Saturday: Ichigo, Monika]

[ monika is, comically, still in her bloodied skirt. she's got junko's shirt and yang's coat on, though. ]

....The cheaper option?

[ JUST...SAYING ]

[Monika, you're going to get a look from Ichigo as that comes out.]

You're fine. Since we didn't buy that clue, I've got enough money to buy whatever you want.

[He does seem pretty tired, though - him speaking up probably led to the avalanche of votes for Terra, and...that's still hanging on him a bit.]

And I'm pretty sure everything costs the same, here. Besides--

[elbows Ichigo pointedly. Akira's still pretty exhausted himself, but for these two? he'll put on a strong face]

We'll split the cost.

[ these boys are ridiculous. monika can't help but offer them her own tired smile. ]

The cheapest would be one instead of both.

...I'll admit I prefer skirts, though. But you know what? Surprise me. I'm used to picking out my own clothes.

Um. It's sort of why I didn't pick up anything, myself... in addition to the money problem.

Ow-

[That elbowing hurt, but he gets the gist - and elbows back, a little bit in revenge.]

Sure. I - Okay, I'm not used to picking out skirts, but it can't be that hard. Right?

[ELBOWING. . . CONTEST. . . but now, Akira takes the jab to the ribs, wincing only slightly at the contact]

I'm not used to it, either. [but!] One of my best friends was a model. I can take cues from her.

[do you wanna look like 80's Ann Takamaki, Monika]

Edited 2018-03-18 04:12 (UTC)

[ monika wants to ask about this whole... situation, but only nods. ]

A model has more experience than me. Um. This might sound silly, but I actually asked the players of my game to commission art of me in casual clothing, so...

[ she literally is so overwhelmed. ]

Um. Sorry, is that awkward to admit?

[It's just teenagers being teenagers, don't worry about it.

Ichigo blinks, though - what with all this talk of a game and comissioning art. Was she an AI, or something?]

...You've never had a body before, huh? Uh - a real one, I mean.

[He hasn't really talked to Monika much, so...]

[well, her cause of death on her profile was "deletion." Akira takes it for what it is, as he sifts through some Sheep Heavenly clothing racks]

[Ichigo asks his question, and before Monika can answer, Akira chimes in]

But for the record, it isn't awkward to admit.

No, I had a body. However, it was limited. Basically... I didn't have a sprite that gave me casual clothing.

[ lmao. ] Have you ever played a dating sim? I mean, not that I'm judging, but it might explain somethings for you. The reliable club president without a route... who can't even achieve some kind of happiness by the rules of the game, that's me.

[ monika will join akira in looking through the racks, but she looks a little distant. ] So honestly, despite the way this place is, I'm glad I'm out. Oh, but if you're ever curious about meeting me, you should going to ddlc.moe and downloading the game!

[ .........old habits die hard?? ]

...I've never played one, but I get what you're getting at. I don't know if your game exists back home, but...I'll keep it in mind, I guess.

[So even characters from games could die....well, maybe it's not that surprising. Animals had souls - why NOT videogame characters?

He helps look through the racks as well, looking at all these 80's styled skirts with a curious eye.]

Didn't realize skirts could have so many different ways of being ruffled...

Oh, yeah - Monika, what's your favorite color?

I've played one.

[NO SHAME. also Futaba loves them, so. you know]

Is that what you meant when you asked me to meet your club members, Monika? [back last week, when they went for tea together] Because if so, the next time I have internet access, I know which site I'm visiting first.

[he really]

[has no shame]

[also the question about favorite colors is good, so he'll just wait for Monika to answer before picking out a skirt]

Green. Like my eyes... Oh, eye, haha!

[ she is. so unbothered, apparently, by her lack of an eye. oops. ]

It is, though. "I'm super excited for you to make friends with everyone and help the Literature Club become a more intimate place for all my members." ... But I can tell already that you're a sweetheart—will you promise to spend the most time with me? ♥

[ was that last bit her reciting the game text, or not? who knows. play and find out! ] Man, I miss twitter! I was getting so many followers... I was complaining to Izaya about that, actually. I owe him a call out thread, in fact.

[ monika pulls a neon yellow jumper off the rack, stares at it, and then shoves at the end of the rack. Begone. ]

The hell's a twitter?

[HE'S FROM 2002, I'M SO SORRY??

He winces a little to hear her so casually laugh about losing an eye, but...maybe it doesn't feel quite real to her? IT's hard to tell, and he's not going to point that out, and instead look for a green skirt that he thinks will fit her.

They're all in neon, please help.]

[. . . glances at Ichigo]

[then at Monika]

[then returns to the clothing rack without saying a damn word. YOU EXPLAIN, MONIKA-SAN. . .]

[but eventually he manages to pull this cute and not at all blinding skirt from the rack]

How about this?

[ monika meets akira's gaze and huffs a little. it's teasing. ]

It's like... a chatroom... all at once? Um. If you've heard of Facebook, it's similar.

[ the concept of twitter actually is hard to explain lmao oocly im dying

monika definitely lights up at both skirts, though. they're... cute? and they feel special? she feels special. she feels way more special than she ever has in her life, and she didn't even need to destroy coding to do it. her vision is a little watery but it's fine. it's fine. it's fine. ]

It's beautiful.

[ if only because someone picked it out for her. man. ]

[Ah-

It's hard to miss that tear welling up in her eye, and...she probably never really had this, did she? Having people pay attention just to her, treating her like a real person...

It's nice to know that she's happy, that she's moved almost to tears - and that he can still help make someone feel that way, even despite everything that's happened.]

Do you want to try them on?

[His voice is gentle, a little fond as he looks at her with that smile that seems to light up his features in a way that isn't normally seen on him.]

[he'd take the reins and try to fill in the blanks Monika left about Twitter, but. then her eyes are welling up as she stares at the skirts, and Ichigo is smiling in a way Akira hasn't seen him smile since they arrived here, and. . .]

[this is good]

[they needed this]

[they needed this so badly]

We'll pick you out some shirts that match while you're in the dressing room. You can choose whichever you like best.

[ ichigo is right. this has never been monika's life. maybe akira's been right to worry about her, because she's always focused on other people. so much so, that by the time monika has time for herself, all she wants is a long nap.

so she nods enthusiastically. it's so out of character for her, she knows, but she can't help it. she wants to keep her composure, but it's dripping away so fast... she snatches up the skirts and disappears into a changing room. ]

Thank you. Um. Both of you. So much.

...I should be more eloquent with my words, but to be honest, even as the president of the literature club, I'm at a loss. This means more to me than I can convey.

It's alright.

[That smile of his deepens, watching her go - it's a real smile for once, one where his eyebrows finally un-furrow and his entire face seems to light up.

She's a lot like him, isn't she? Always focusing on other people, never giving a thought to herself...He knows what that feels like, and how having someone care about you can literally make all the difference in the world.

So, he's happy if he can make he feel like she is, even if it's just for a short time in a murderous game, truly cared for. ]

Sometimes...you just don't have the words for what you want to say. And that's alright, as long as you're happy with this.

[With them, and the outfits, and the friendship being offered.]

[they're all like this, so focused on others to the potential detriment of themselves. maybe that's one reason why Akira decided to pour his concern over Monika so much. she was strong-- he earnestly believed that-- but he didn't want her to push herself beyond functionality trying to help others]

[and maybe that's also why Ichigo's smile, as bright as it is, warms him from the inside out]

[there isn't much he can add to what Ichigo says, so he just. watches Monika disappear into the changing room. watches as his partner's expression softens, turns into something earnest and happy. this was. . . how things should be for them. no murder, no death, no reapers. just teenagers being teenagers, and caring about each other along the way]

Mmmm.

[that's a noise of agreement with what Ichigo has said, by the way]

[ monika might be busy getting into the skirts picked out, but that doesn't mean she isn't listening. without her face to betray her expression, it's hard to tell she was at all affected. maybe "strong" is one word for it, but monika thinks of herself as stubborn. ]

You'd think that would happen more here... But you're right. I don't know why we haven't hung out before now. It's nice, even if tomorrow might not be pleasant [ i mean, lmao, they're probably about to watch someone suffocate in a few hours ] there's always tonight.

[His smile falters a little at the mention of tomorrow - because he still feels guilty over Terra, despite really not having much to do with his decision or making people vote for him - and the smile that comes back onto his face is much tighter and closed than it once was.]

...Yeah. There's always tonight.

[Anyway -]

Let's pick a shirt out for you while you're in there - Any requests for colors?

[they'll always have tonight. a bit of respite in an otherwise tumultuous atmosphere]

If your skirts are green, white or black might go well with it. Don't worry about matching if you'd rather choose your second favorite color, though.

[ hey so my last tag is now the worst now that we know too much about ass/terra

but anyway ]

So... I uuuuusually go with white. It matches my ribbon and I haven't really changed that. But! You guys wear black a lot, right?

[ monika is poking her head out, drawing the curtains close so only her head can be seen. she does look at ichigo for a moment, and her expression is apologetic but... she'll get to him, soon. for now, she's just checking. ]

[I WAS TRYING TO FORGET YOU HORRIBLE PERSON

He's still keeping on that smile - the funny thing is, it would look like he's fine to anyone who doesn't know him well, but...

Too bad she missed his actual smile when she was busy changing.

He nods, already heading towards the shirts.]

Well, I wouldn't say I wear it a lot, but - I think it'd look nice on you, anyway.

Edited 2018-03-18 20:46 (UTC)

[WE'RE ALL TRYING TO FORGET THE DISASTER THAT IS ASS/TERRA]

[it isn't until Ichigo brushes past him towards the shirts that Akira notices his own faltering smile. he hesitates as well, brows furrowed, nose wrinkled, but otherwise pushes towards the shirts, too]

I'm only wearing it because it's my school uniform.

[and none of these shops are his #aesthetic, and we all know how important Akira's #aesthetic is]

Buuuut if that's what you're looking for. . . [something loose and flowy!!]

[ oh no, they're both adorable.

also, we all experienced that together. they don't know it now, but these teens are BONDED through the power of... seeing way too much. ]

I was just thinking it'd be cute if we matched. Akira, you're next, though.

[ dress up!! dress up!! dress up! ]

But, yeah, throw it over. I'll try it.

I might pay to see Akira in a green skirt.

[HE'S CLEARLY TEASING, but he couldn't help give that little jab because, well. Akira can take it, he proved that in Ikea.]

Red is more my color, actually.

[he replies in an even deadpan, adjusting his glasses as he does so. to hide his desire to smirk in amusement]

You're handsome in both colors, but a red and green skirt would probably a kilt, right?

[ which. like. is a manskirt right ]

A kilt would work.

[And now he's imagining it and trying not to crack up, and uh -

It's not working so well.]

Pfft-

[you know what? if Ichigo imagining him in a kilt gets him to laugh, earnestly and without restraint, then he's okay with this]

Do you think they sell kilts here? Or should I put in a special request with Max?

Ichigo deserves a special request, don't you agree?

[ monika also just wants to see the look on max's face tbh lmao ]

I'll pay you ten ripcoins if you go through with it.

[And then he breaks out laughing, because -

-well-

For once, he doesn't feel sorrowful, or guilty, or any of the other emotions he's been struggling with. For once, he just feels normal - something he hasn't felt in a very, very long time.

And that alone is something worth smiling about.]

[fingeguns in Ichigo's direction]

Deal. Be prepared to pay up, chump.

[Week 1, Saturday: Ichigo, Monika]

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