Jessica Ushiromiya (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
snakesdonthavelegs) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deercountry2022-05-17 03:07 pm
snakesdonthavelegs) wrote in deercountry2022-05-17 03:07 pm
Towering Cloud in Summer
Who: Jessica and Battler, Jessica and Himiko
What: Family Reunion, Flirting
When: Backdated to late April, and Early May
Where: Various
Content Warnings: Likely discussion of murder
[ When Battler comes to Trench, to Clockhouse, Jessica isn't there. Not for the first couple days at least. She's been doing a lot of training lately for the karate tournament, and playing a lot of shows, so she ended up rooming for a couple days closer to her usual performance place. That's what she says but... that's not all of it.
Despite the promise she made to Ange not to isolate herself, it's still having a tough time connecting with people, even if she's no longer avoiding people. And when she heard Battler had showed up, she almost panicked. It should make her happy. And it does, he's her family, and she's so glad that he's safe and she wants to see him, but... it's another thing to turn her world upside down, another person from her family who has to see her as this emotionally jumbled mess.
So, just a couple days.
On the morning that she works up her courage and shoves down her hesitations, she walks through the front door of Clockhouse, guitar case on her back, and there, right there in the living room, she can see him. He's much taller now of course, all grown up, but there's no way she can't recognize Battler Ushiromiya when she sees him. The color has returned to her cheeks, but god she must still look like a mess right now, all feverish and disheveled, still not completely recovered from the corruption that took her last month, but— no, no stupid excuses.
She sets her guitar case down and walks right in, and despite herself, she really smiles as she approaches. ]
Yo. You used to be such a shorty, what happened?
What: Family Reunion, Flirting
When: Backdated to late April, and Early May
Where: Various
Content Warnings: Likely discussion of murder
[ When Battler comes to Trench, to Clockhouse, Jessica isn't there. Not for the first couple days at least. She's been doing a lot of training lately for the karate tournament, and playing a lot of shows, so she ended up rooming for a couple days closer to her usual performance place. That's what she says but... that's not all of it.
Despite the promise she made to Ange not to isolate herself, it's still having a tough time connecting with people, even if she's no longer avoiding people. And when she heard Battler had showed up, she almost panicked. It should make her happy. And it does, he's her family, and she's so glad that he's safe and she wants to see him, but... it's another thing to turn her world upside down, another person from her family who has to see her as this emotionally jumbled mess.
So, just a couple days.
On the morning that she works up her courage and shoves down her hesitations, she walks through the front door of Clockhouse, guitar case on her back, and there, right there in the living room, she can see him. He's much taller now of course, all grown up, but there's no way she can't recognize Battler Ushiromiya when she sees him. The color has returned to her cheeks, but god she must still look like a mess right now, all feverish and disheveled, still not completely recovered from the corruption that took her last month, but— no, no stupid excuses.
She sets her guitar case down and walks right in, and despite herself, she really smiles as she approaches. ]
Yo. You used to be such a shorty, what happened?
[cw: battler makes a gross sexual joke]
Or so he thought, at least. Truth be told, even if he knew she was there, Battler hadn't actually seen Jessica. He tried not to worry too much - honestly, from what he heard she probably was doing, the activities weren't at all out of character for her. Training for a fight? No doubt she was - anyone who fought Jessica probably had an incoming time where their life would flash before their eyes before crashing to the ground in an instant with one of her punches.
He'd know. He'd felt it.
It's funny, given the amount of times that'd happened, you'd think Battler might have a better memory of his youth, but maybe it was also potential brain damage at work. Who knows.So he was more worried about whoever was unlucky enough to be Jessica's opponent in this big fight than Jessica herself. And she was playing music, of course. Aunt Natsuhi wasn't around to tell her what was proper and what wasn't, so she was free to pursue her interests. Good and bad there.Still, he was expecting to see her eventually. Eventually, Jessica would make her presence known, and it'd be a bright sunshine-y presence as per usual. He didn't expect it to be that day, of course, but he had no expectations in particular for that day. All he was doing was reading a book in the living room, after all. But when he heard someone come in, he glanced up, and--oh. She looked a little worse for wear, but that was definitely Jessica alright.
He closed his book, marking the page with a bookmark, and took heed of what she said. Ah. So from her time, perhaps, he hadn't even returned to Rokkenjima...he'd play some of his cards close to his chest. For the best.]
Ne, it's been a few years, you know? I've grown like a real weed. Even the old bastard's kinda grumbling at that.
[And then, because he knows she probably expects this from him...]
You've grown, too. Really filled things out. Do I get to touch? Because I missed you?
[Cue the groping fingers in the air, and the squeezing, and the smirk. Battler, no.
Please punch him.]
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She'd been happy, really to hear that he was here. Finally getting to hang out with her fun loving cousin, really more of a friend she saw rarely, after so many years was something that she's been looking forward to. And Ange must be ecstatic to finally be at his side again. But... it's strange isn't it? Seeing another person entwined in that tragedy, even as she's thrilled to know that he escaped it.
And she is no longer the family that Ange was waiting for, is she.
Despite that, all her worries seem to give way in the face of the old playful banter, resuming just as though it were the summer of 1980 again. She might as well play along. She gives him a good sock in the gut, and though she's obviously not trying to really hurt him, it's also obvious that she's learned to throw a punch in her time here. ]
Oi, don't you try getting fresh here! There's girls here who'll kick your but six ways to sunday, and that means me too!
[ Just as he starts to double over, she gives him a good firm slap on the back. ]
Nice to see ya, ya big dumb oaf! This ain't... well it's not how we were supposed to meet. But hey, it's pretty cool here sometimes!
[ She's trying. She's really trying to be nonchalant, the devil may care spirited Jessica he remembers, the Jessica that she wants to be, and she mostly succeeds. Mostly. ]
And I'm the coolest thing here! I'm a real rock star these days, and I do karate too! I can get way more girls than you can, and grab way more boobs!
cw: himiko is himiko
well, she's cute. not cute like sayo, where she wants to dive into her skin just to learn more. cute in the way where she wants to see her cut up and bleeding. cute in the way where she wants to see her clothes torn up and the bruises underneath.
cute in the way where she approaches the stage after jessica's wrapped up, eagerly waving her hand and calling out: ]
Jessie-sama, Jessie-sama~! You're the best, Jessie-sama!!
[ such a cute girl needs to be her friend. so she'll just reach out first! ]
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And she always loves to see a fan, especially such an admiring one. She's not quite as confident when she's not performing, but enough of that post-performance rush has lingered that she can flash Himiko a wholehearted grin as she approaches her, sitting on the edge of the stage. ]
Hey, thanks! It's really great to know people like my music. I play here pretty often if you wanna come by again!
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[ the truth of the matter is, jessica's music isn't really her style. or at least, it wasn't her style about an hour ago. but seeing such a cute girl performing with all her might, with such a lovely voice, all dressed up and ready... how could she not love it? she wants to hear more, more, more! ]
Eh!? Really!? Can I come around more often!?!? [ there's an excitement to her voice, a fervor that transcends most fans. ] I'd have been coming every night if I knew I'd get a chance to see someone as cute as you!
[ that's. that's pretty forward! and interestingly, even though her face is flushed a bright pink, there isn't a hint of shame in those eyes. she means every word, right now. ]
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[ Jessica is still grinning, but her expression grows increasingly flustered as Himiko continues to praise her, and so passionately at that, her cheeks glowing bright pink. She never felt that she was the person her family wanted her to be, everything that made her happy was "crude and inelegant," at a certain point she all but resigned herself that she must be a disappointment. It makes the appreciation of her audience that much more joyful to experience.
But this girl lavishes praise on a more personal level, one that she might find a bit too forward were it not for the utter sincerity. It makes a shiver run down her spine, and though she still can't help obsessing over her lost love, in recent days she's become more comfortable with the thought of turning a new page in her life— especially with what she now knows about her predilections.
...If that's what this girl is saying. She's... attractive. Wow. ]
Yeah, um, of course! I'd love to see you around! Ahaha, I like cute girls in my audience, um, too... [ Her meager attempt at flirtation peters out, but she also means every word of it. ]
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[ it's not the skill necessary for jessica's performance that's impressive to himiko, after all. it's the drive. it's the emotion. it's the fact that these songs spoke to jessica, and that means she has to like them just as much, doesn't it?
though all that flies out of her mind the moment jessica makes her terrible attempt at flirting back. himiko literally jumps for joy, crying out: ]
Ya-ha! Jessie-sama thinks I'm cute, Jessie-sama thinks I'm cute!! [ she reaches forward, grabbing jessica's hands between her own. there is no hesitation. there is no second-guessing. ] Having such a cutie call me cute... I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die, I'm so happy!!
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[ Jessica scratches the back of her head, still obviously flustered, but the big dopey grin on her face makes it clear that she's enjoying the attention very much. Jessica has had plenty of friends, but only the closest seemed to really understand her, and even they always had some unspoken distance because of her family.
She's really over the moon being praised so directly and honestly. ]
Ahaha, um, I'm just Jessica off the stage... or Jessie. [ She blushes up to her ears when Himiko takes her hand, sputtering. ] Um, p-p-please don't die! I'd like to see you at more of my shows! I'm, really happy you feel that way.
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[ if jessica's blush looks flustered, himiko's practically looks lovesick. she's got a smile of her own on her face, and while it's a bit less dopey, it's no less genuine for it. ]
Alright! If you ask so nicely, then I have no choice! [ she squeezes jessica's hand, clearly in no rush to drop it. ] I'm Himiko Toga, hero-in-training! Proposed hero name: Blood Driver! But you can just call me Himiko, okay?!
[ she swings herself under jessica's arms, doing a light twirl and giggling. it's very cute, if a bit, well... touchy-feely??? ]
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[ Explosions go off in Jessica's mind, blinding white. Kanon, Sayo had loved her, but that passion had been laced with pain and regret for both of them, no matter how much she'd secretly like to mend that bridge. She'd hit it off with Faith, and it had been amazing, but she was pretty sure that was a casual, one-time arrangement (though she wouldn't mind more, not at all).
This is just... pure and intense affection in a way she's completely unused to. She giggles along with her, giddy with excitement. ]
Sure thing, Himiko-chan! Wow, Blood Driver, huh? That's a really cool name! Like a superhero?
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[ she strikes a pose. it's very high-school-girl-trying-to-be-cute. ]
Anyway! My Quirk lets me turn into anyone as long as I take a little sip of their blood. With a drop or two I can go for a few minutes, and if I take up to a cup I can go a whole day in their body! [ she lets go of jessica's hands and reaches up, pulling her lips back a bit to reveal her own canines more clearly. like this, it's clear: they're not unnaturally long, but they're definitely more prominent than your normal human's. ] I thought about calling myself the vampire hero, but Aizawa-sensei said that'd just give me bad press. So instead, I'm gonna be Blood Driver, the transfusion heroine!
[ she stops talking with her lips pulled back (which she has been the whole time, thanks himiko!!!), looking up to jessica with a completely guileless grin. ]
Hey, hey.... Wanna see how it works? [ she reaches down, patting a small bag at her side. ] I wouldn't bite or anything, don't worry! I've got little fingerprick kits in here, so it's completely safe~
[ why does she sound flirty. why is she making this sound flirty ]
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[ She giggles at Himiko's pose, and hops down to strike a pose herself, really getting into the spirit of it.
But that power is... sure something, isn't it? Her immediate reaction is to find it a little gross, but it's not like she can help it, right? And sometimes vampires are really cool and sexy! And Himiko is undeniably very cute. There's no reason why she should think it's gross, especially if she uses that power for justice.
There's a brief flash of recognition on her face. ]
Trans... wow, I think that anybody who doesn't accept something like that is a real jerk! [ Wrong trans, Jessica. ] You have to be who you are in your heart! That's what I've learned. [ She taps her hand on her chest. ]
Oh? [ Her eyes go wide, now surprised well beyond simply being flustered at Himiko's flirting. That seems... awfully sudden. But buoyed by the pleasant mood and positive feelings towards her new friend, she can't deny that she's curious. ] Um, c-can we do that somewhere in private?
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[ sorry, jessica. if you were expecting himiko to catch your blunder, you would need to come on a day that himiko wasn't fangirling - and especially a day where you didn't just offer to go somewhere with a fan. ]
Eh!? Is that really okay with you?? [ she puts her hands together in front of her, doing a little full-body wiggle with her hips. this is a disaster. she's a disaster. ] Of course that's okay! As long as you're okay with it, I'm okay!!
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[ Now it's Jessica's turn to have stars in her eyes, thrilled by the thought that she's becoming friends with a real superhero! Who is also a nice, pretty girl who thinks she's cute, aaaaa!
And she's going to see her powers! The blood thing is a bit unusual, but she can tell Himiko won't hurt her. ]
Yeah! Help yourself! Just slurp away, plenty of Jessica Juice is on tap!
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and then, gently but firmly, she pushes jessica's back against a nearby wall, leaning in to speak closer. ]
Jessie-chan... You probably shouldn't make such cute offers, you know? I might take you up on them.
[ she moves slowly, carefully - giving jessica more than enough time to protest at each juncture. she reaches forward again, taking jessica's hand in hers and bringing it up to her lips. she takes jessica's middle finger in one hand, just as she reaches into her bag to pull out a fingerprick.
and then, she asks again- ]
You're really okay with this?
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W-Well, then you shouldn't be such a sweet talker!
[ It's sudden yes, but she likes this. She has a feeling that she'll get along really well with Himiko, and her peculiarities are really pretty cute. Her hand is warm, but firm, and feels nice against Jessica's. Since her encounter with Faith, she's found herself growing more adventurous in her outlook. ]
I'm sure. I really want to see what makes you special, Himiko-chan. Um, m-maybe this is too soon to say, but I'd like to be friends.
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well, that doesn't matter right now. right now, what matters is the girl in front of her. her smile. her trust. the way she still agrees, after everything himiko's said. and the way she says that last bit, sending shivers down himiko's spine- ]
I wanna be friends too, Jessie-chan. So much I can barely stand it.
[ it's with a practiced ease that she flips the fingerprick open, jabbing the tip of jessica's middle finger with hardly any pain even as she's still speaking. ]
It's been a while since I've met a girl that was just my type, you know~?
[ and with that, she digs in - not bothering with the vial to collect jessica's blood at all, but instead bringing the girl's finger directly to her lips.
sorry, jessica. there's a tongue coiling around the tip of your finger now. ]
cw: needles i guess
G-Good, we can definitely hang out sometime! For sure, I think it could be really fun, I've even been thinking of writing a few songs, maybe I could, um—
[ She stammers and babbles as Himiko works the fingerprint, and even as she jabs her, mitigating the anxiety of getting stuck with a needle by focusing on her. ]
Oh—! [ Jessica reels as Himiko sucks on her finger, her mind seizing up in the brilliant excitement of this moment, in the warmth of her mouth and the softness of her tongue. She brings her free hand to her mouth, biting a knuckle to suppress first an undignified squeak, and then a sound that spills out in a quiet moan. ]
Mm...
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The affectionate rough-up of Jessica. Fond memories.]
Eeeeh...okay, okay! I'll restrain myself! I got the impression everyone around here is tough as nails anyway with your fighting tournaments, and...all that.
[He straightens his jacket again.]
Eh, it's not how we were technically supposed to meet, but hey. At least we're together now. With Ange, too. Three family members all in...this mess.
[Though he does snort softly.]
I heard about both the fighting and the music. Sheeesh, you've really gotten to let go, huh? [He's pretty sure Aunt Natsuhi would've actually combusted on the spot from that last sentence...] I'm almost envious. I have nothing to let go of, really, since I wear my shame on my sleeves...I have to even decide what to do here now.
[Who knows what that might be. Sure not fuckin' him.]
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I'll have my eye on you!
[ Her grin grows more subdued and sentimental as he alludes to the situation that they've been stuck in. In some ways this place could be hell, a nightmare. But they're together. They have each other now, and after everything she's been through, it's a relief to know that she still has her family after all. She almost forgot that, so caught up in training and seeking out a new future, that she has her family here for her right now. ]
...Yeah. It's sort of nice, isn't it? I'm stuck on you like glue now, you better believe it!
[ She snickers, trying to defuse the heavy mood. ]
What's wrong? Jealous of how much cooler I am than you? I wouldn't blame you! [ She laughs affectionately. ]Seriously, though, I know you'll figure it out. You've always been like that, you know?
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[ she mouths the words around jessica's finger, even as her tongue continues to lap up that delicious blood. it's a good fifteen seconds later when she finally pulls back, giving that sick little grin as she murmurs: ]
You're so cute, Jessie-chan... I'll do my best~ [ she bites her tongue, looking down and focusing for a moment - and then turning an even deeper red. ] Ah! Wait, it's gonna look a little weird, okay? Normally I take off my clothes first, but I think that might be moving a little fast...
[ she doesn't wait for jessica's approval. by the end of the sentence, her face is already shifting- like clay getting stirred up, filling out some places and melting off others. one second passes, then another, and by the third-
by the third, "jessie-chan" is standing right there, giving her counterpart a cocky grin. ]
Yo! [ she looks down - and bursts into laughter at her own clothing. himiko's clothing has stayed fully intact, with an entire new set of jessica's stage costume underneath it. ] Ahaha! Wow, you really never get used to that, huh?!
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[ Jessica's mind goes blank for a moment at the mental image of Himiko undressing. She wonders if she might faint like some sort of stereotypical dainty lady if she receives any more stimulation. She can still feel Himiko lapping up her blood even now, the saliva cooling on her skin.
It's not like she has much time to process that before the next strange thing happens to surprise her. She knew it was coming, but nothing could possibly prepare her for seeing her own visage grinning back at her, surely looking a damn sight more confident than she feels right now. She yelps in astonishment. ]
Wahh! Y-You— Me! You really look like me! You really did it!
[ Without anything else to do she just laughs, a fit of uncontrollable giggles spilling out of her. ]
Ehehehe, holy cow!
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Ehehe, it- it's nothing that special!
[ every moment that passes, "jessie-chan" becomes a bit less like jessie-sama and a bit more like jessica. her laugh and confidence slowly shift to mimic jessica's; she blushes bright, reaching up to rub at the back of her neck as she breaks eye contact.
it's not quite a perfect imitation. certainly not this soon after meeting her. but for the mere minutes they've talked, for the hour or so she stuck around for a show...
well. it's nothing short of incredible, really. ]
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Almost without thinking, Jessica mirrors the same bashful gesture, reaching up to rub the back of her neck. Something her parents had scolded her for as "boyish" but which she never managed to shake. ]
You're really amazing Himiko-chan!
[ Under other circumstances, Jessica might find this bizarre scene disturbing. But right now, this girl who adores her so fervently and purely, just for who she is, who tells her that she's good just for being her, is here copying her simply out of the sheer joy of wanting to know her.
She doesn't have to be the Ushiromiya heir, or the cool class president adored by the school, she doesn't have to be elegant and ladylike, she doesn't have to be milady, or to shine like the sun: she just has to be her, and that alone is enough Himiko to make into part of herself. The thought almost brings her to tears. ]
Yeah... it's really, really amazing. I don't think I've ever been as excited to be me, as you are to be me.
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[He's not going to be crass! Probably! He knows better! He's a gentleman! Not really, but the effort is there! Still, it's...it is nice. He can't help but snort.]
Ne, are you? You're not afraid I'm going to ruin your cool reputation? [He smirks.] Then again, I suppose hanging out with some kind of in-crowd would do wonders for my popularity, too. Then I can get lots of girls, too. Or...
[...]
...G....uys? Is....is that a thing I consider, too?
[Such uncertainty in his voice. It is probably hysterical. Yes, Jessica, please take Cousin Himbo to meet everyone, he's a social expert who totally isn't uncertain of anything whatsoever.]
Things are different like that here, too...but I guess I am a natural mystery-solver, so I'll find my place. [Doing something. Maybe he'll just become a detective. It's in his wheelhouse, right?] I appreciate the vote of confidence, though.
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[ ...Okay, that's not quite what she expected him to say, or for him to be questioning. But why should it surprise her? This is apparently much more common than she ever knew. It doesn't have to be something all stuck in the shadows, right? If she has to play wingman for him to pick up some guys, than she will. ]
Wahaha, congrats, I guess! You should watch some of those Korean music videos, then you'll know for sure! [ It worked for Jessica! ] Whatever it is, you have time to figure it out.
[ She smiles, comfortable in the nostalgia. She really missed the sort of banter they had, how natural their friendship had been. She'd had many other friends, and many of them closer than he had been, but it'd never been quite the same.]
It's... really been six years though. I feel like I need to get to know you too, y'know? [ There's a sadness in that nostalgia. For things that can never come back, even if all the people involved miraculously appeared here. ] Um, I'm guessing you've already been spending a lot of time around Ange-chan, too...
[ She pauses, biting her lip. He deserves to know about everything. It will hurt, but... ignorance hadn't been good for them either. But she won't bring it up all at once. ]
...Shannon is here too. But it's... complicated. Really, really complicated. It's not something I'd recommend talking to Ange-chan about.
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[ subconscious, perhaps - at least on some level. but it's hardly an aspect of her power. it's a lifetime of watching, of mimicking, of wanting to understand and be understood more than anything else.
and speaking of understanding...
her expression shifts as jessica continues to speak. finding her quirk amazing... she can understand that. she thinks it's pretty neat too, all things considered. but the feelings jessica's describing are feelings for someone else - feelings completely at odds with the jessie-sama on the stage.
that's just a part of jessica, too, isn't it? and even if it's beautiful, it's also a little sad. ]
Well... you should be. [ simple, straightforward, and utterly certain of her own words. ] You're the coolest. You're pretty, you sing well, you've got some muscle under that outfit... You're willing to try new things, even if you're not always comfortable with them.
[ she does a joking little shadowjab at jessica, laughing sheepishly afterwards. ]
I think anyone would be excited to be you for a day, y'know?
[ and with that, she reaches out, crossing the distance between them-
-only to grab the real jessica by the shoulder, squeezing reassuringly and grinning. ]
So chin up already! What, do you need me to make stupid faces at you or something? [ she reaches up, hooking one of "jessica's" lips with her index finger. ] See? I'll do it, just you watch!
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Before she knows it, tears are already forming at the corners of her eyes. It's been so hard. After all the things she learned about her life and her family, it had been a struggle to reconstruct what it meant to be "Jessica." She puts her hand over her mouth, too overcome by those words to even speak for a moment.
The silence is only broken by that playful jab, which draws out a giggle. It's a strange thing to talk to somebody with your own face, just a bit unnerving. But... she doesn't mind it either. There's something wonderful about seeing yourself in a new way, even if it's not her, it still lets her see what Himiko thinks of her. ]
Himiko-chan... do you, really mean all of that?
[ She giggles again at her silly face, the tears spilling down her cheeks. She already has the strength to go forward as Jessica Ushiromiya, to sing with all her heart and walk on her own and support her family. But... this filled a need that she never exactly knew she had. ]
Ehehe, th-thank you so much, Himiko-chan... I don't think I'm so impressive, but I want to live up to what you see in me. I'm... really happy knowing somebody thinks of me like that.
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[Battler. Behaving. That's cute. That's nice to believe. He tries.]
I've definitely spent some time with Ange, yeah. We've caught up a little. Got to meet her, ah, fiancée. Ruby's a nice girl.
[But his expression falters a bit at that last bit.]
....I know.
Sayo found me out on the beach when I first washed up. Nearly throttled me. But she didn't. She ended up crying for a bit, and I ended up crying, and long story short I'm aware there's complications.
I wish there wasn't, but there is.
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Oh, good! It's hard not to want to protect her, but... Ruby's really great! She's been a good friend.
[ But, it's something that has to be addressed. She hangs her head, a gloomy expression settling over her face. ]
Yeah… I’m still… figuring it all out. Sayo, and my feelings, and what the future looks like for me. She's my best friend, and I... I love her. But I don't know where you go from that, you know? I was such a bad friend, too... I ignored her when she was hurting, I lied to myself that I didn't even notice what was going on...
[ She swallows hard. There's something else that she needs to ask, something she needs to know about him. ]
Hey, Battler. This might sound weird, but when did you come from? The last thing I remembered was falling asleep on October 3rd, before the conference.