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imraespace · 1 year ago

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24: SHOPPING

YUUTA X READER

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It was a few hours after the small chat you had with Yuuta. Your mind had drifted back at lunchtime with everyone, you also noticed that the ring on his finger was gone.

You wondered why he took the ring off, was it a gift from her?

If so maybe you can give him one that he can wear on his finger.

With that thought, you turned off your phone and drifted off into another land.

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Sadly, the sound of your alarm woke you up but atleast this time you were happy to wake uo early.

The thought from yesterday still lingered as the first thing you did was to get out from your bed, and packed a few extra money in your wallet and placed it back into your bag for school.

Once you were happy with yourself, you began to get ready for school.

Finally, you left your dorm and made your way to the school building, but stopped in your tracks when you saw the boy you talked to yesterday patiently waiting for someone.

You figured out that someone was you when his eyes lit up when it noticed your presence.

You slowly walked up to him, eyes drifting towards his naked finger.

"Good morning, ready to go?" He asked.

You nodded, following behind him as he began walking to school.

From the distant, two pairs of eyes watched your moves.

"Honestly, I was going to give her the merch.." He mumbled as Maki rolled her eyes.

"Just leave her alone." She said as they both followed behind towards the school building.

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When both Yuuta and yourself arrived at school, surprisingly you didn't go to class, you both walked around talking about whatever came to your mind.

Maybe it wasn't alot but for you it felt like a dream come true and it caused you both to slow become a bit closer to each other.

But sadly, the bell went causing you both to sigh but atleast he offered to walk you to your class.

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Finally, lunch time came around and this time Inumaki came alone to collect you.

You both made it towards the group and you chose to sat next to Yuuta. Again.

"We should make a group chat with everyone in it." Inumaki brought up.

"Why? I already have enough on my phone I don't need anymore." Megumi mumbled.

"It will be fun duh." He answered back.

Megumi sighed.

"So should we?" Inumaki asked.

They all nodded, including yourself.

You think it would be fun.

"Okay then later today we are all gonna be in a group chat!" He finished.

Everyone else began chatting with each other.

"You can meet me by my classroom, I will be waiting there for you." Yuuta told you, causing you to nod.

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Sadly, lunch ended as soon as it came or you felt it did.

Everyone made their way back to their classrooms and attended their afternoon classes.

It took forever to ened but finally, it was over.

Everyone either left the classroom or went to their friends to chat.

You packed your bags and did as Yuuta said, you made your way towards his classroom, passing by a familiar white haired boy, who eyed you down a bit before leaving.

"You're here." He said.

You, of course, nodded at his words before you both made your way out of the school.

The walk was slow and quiet but it was also comforting.

Well, everything is comforting with he's around anyways.

You both finally made it to the mall.

"Okay, where do we go first?" He asked you.

To be honest you barely go out but for his sake, you will take the lead this time.

"I know a store, follow me." You replied as you both entered the mall.

You decided to go to a clothing store first, pointing out some that you liked and some that he thinks his sister would also like as well.

Then you found yourself at a plushie store.

It had alot, which made you roam the store to find something you liked, forgetting you came here to help Yuuta.

Of course, he noticed.

So in the small pile of plushies he got for his sister, he secretly got you one, planning on giving it to you when you both separate to head back to your dorms.

And finally, you both made it to the jewelry store.

He began hunting for some cute jewelry for his sister as you quietly made your way towards the rings.

You planned on buying one for the boy.

As you scanned, you began wondering if you should really do it, would he find it weird?

To you, it was an act out of kindness but what if he saw it as something else?

You sighed, getting rid of the thoughts and stuck to your plan.

Finally you found a cat themed ring. He reminded you of a kitty so you got it.

Just in time as he too, came back from his mini hunt.

"Did you buy something?" He asked you.

"No.. Why do you ask?"

"..There's a bag in your hand so uh." He mumbled.

"Don't think about it, buy your items." You ended the conversation with a small smile.

He laughed a bit at your behavior and did as you said.

That was the final stop for the day though he decided to buy you a snack but besides that you both made your way out of the mall and back to the dorms.

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He walked you back to the female dorms stopping you before you can enter.

"Wait I have something for you." He started.

Confused by his words, you stayed and waited for what he was about to give you.

Out of the bags he was holding, he pulled out a Chococat plushie and handed it to you.

It surprised you.

"You were all over the place in the store, so I decided to buy you one." He told you.

You took the plushie from his hand and stared at the bag in your hand.

"Take this." You said as you held the bag up.

You planned on giving him the ring another time but right now, it felt right to give him it.

"I thought you didn't buy anything?" He joked as he took the bag.

You looked away from him causing him to laugh.

"Okay bye now Y/N, I will check your gift later." He ended.

"Okay, and thank you.." You replied.

You both made it back to your dorms with a smile on your faces.

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MASTERLIST | <-PREVIOUS // NEXT->

TAGLIST: @milza12 @jayathelostdragon @instantmusico @aggtslva @norvacaine @polarbvnny @baku-boneless @forgot-the-acronym @zhochikennugget @oreologyx @iluhhjake @diogodxlot @iluv-ace @sasallie @pompompuriina @g0rep1ty @seventhcinema @deezy12299 @br66klynbaby @macimcnaron @mo0nforme @smashingdollz @mewju @bakarinnie @yoyo-yui @peptox @mint129106 @virisdescent (OPEN)

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note: you both bought each other matching gifts without realizing🤭

also something embarrassing happened to.me today I posted a suguru edit on my whatsapp status and the caption was something saying "his booty" bc I was SINGING A SONG AND THE OWNER OF A GAMING STORE I GO TO SAW IT I DIDNT EVEN SAVE THEIR NUMBER.☹️☹️😞☹️☹️

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allycat319 · 7 months ago

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Unlikely Affection Chapter 28: **To Floo or Not to Floo

Authors Note: Woah it's been a while! But to make up for my absence, I think I have written the dirtiest, smuttiest chapter that I have ever written! I hope you enjoy it and remember to let me know what you think!

Somewhere in my very sleep deprived night I made my decision, I had potions in the afternoon tomorrow and intended to go. I refuse to let Severus’ bad attitude and lack of emotional control ruin my grade and my chances at becoming an auror after I graduate next year.

So the next afternoon, I sauntered my way to the dungeons with Mari beside me. She was going on about her plans with Edwin at the weekend, and I nodded along to her description of their plans to walk by the Black Lake and have lunch at the Three Broomsticks. It does warm my heart to see how smitten they are with each other. I knew that once Edwin finally got the courage to tell her that they would end up together, not an official relationship yet…But it’s coming.

We continued our chat until Severus began class. I had not so much as glanced in his direction since I trotted into the room and sat in my seat. I only glanced up when Severus cleared his throat to announce that he was ready to begin and we all needed to shut it.

“Today you will be completing an examination…” He grabbed a stack of parchment from his desk and began walking around the room, placing the test in front of each person. “And you would be wise to heed this warning…If any of you utter so much as a word this examination will be marked as a T towards a major portion of your grade.”

Well he was in a mood today, and I honestly wasn’t surprised by that considering his run in with Harry yesterday and then our fight afterward. I made sure when he stalked past me I didn’t look at him and when he smacked the test down on the wooden desk in front of me, like he had to everyone else and my heart twinged with a small amount of guilt before I remembered why I was angry with him and continued to scowl down at my quill.

I glance over at Marigold who is scribbling on her parchment, her eyes flit up to mine and she gives me a ‘I wonder what crawled up his ass’ look. I just shrugged and looked back down at my test, doing my best to answer the questions that were much harder than usual and I internally rolled my eyes at his pettiness.

The test took the entire class period to complete and by the end of the two hours everyone looked a bit worse for wear. Sweat dribbled down foreheads that were so red from being rubbed raw in frustration, robes were haphazardly worn and hair was sticking up in all directions. Usually people left Severus’s classroom in a hurry but the level of speed they left with today was beyond anything I had ever seen.

After class was dismissed I waited for Marigold to pack her bag, still avoiding the gaze of the dungeon bat that I could feel on me. Mari and I were the last two in the classroom due to her spending an extra 10 minutes on the last question to make sure her answer was complete and she left out no steps for brewing liquid luck. She was smiling triumphantly as she walked over to Severus’s desk and laid her parchment on the top of the stack.

Once she had made her way over we both turned to leave and I stopped cold when I heard his voice call out dismissively.

“Astrill…Stay…” I turned around to face him but he wasn't looking up at us, he was still buried in whatever he was grading at his desk.

I looked over at Mari who just shrugged, “Sorry Sir…” I hesitated for a second thinking of a good excuse as to why I wouldn't be able to stay behind to speak to him and I know he noticed because he looked up at me, and raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “I have a meeting with Professor Flitwick this afternoon, going over some advanced charms that I couldn't quite pick up on in class.” I huffed out a nervous laugh and he continued to stare at me, no doubt realizing that I was indeed not over his little outburst and I had no interest in speaking to him.

“Very well…” Was all he said before he tilted his head towards his desk again and resumed scribbling.

Mari and I walked toward the great hall together, we were meeting up with Edwin and heading to the library to study for our upcoming exams and Marigold and I both knew that Edwin was in desperate need of any help he could get.

We were stopped in our tracks by a mob of students running from the great hall to the courtyard. So naturally, we followed them and were met with exploding fireworks of every color erupting into the sky and Fred and George Weasley flying through them on their broomsticks.

The laughter and joy echoed through the courtyard and everyone seemed to have a new level of energy at the sight of a disheveled and slightly charred Umbridge trying to regain control of rowdy teenagers who were sick of her rules. I smiled over at Edwin who was clapping and cheering for Fred and George and that's when I saw him…

Harry had fallen to his knees, I grabbed Edwin’s robe and pulled him with me through the crowd toward Harry. Hermione and I knelt beside him and he looked between us with a look in his eyes that was more than panic…It was absolute terror.

“He’s got Sirius.” Was all he said before standing up and pushing through the crowd towards the entrance to the school. Hermione and I looked at each other, unsure of what we were going to do next, until we made the silent decision to follow after him which led to Ron and Edwin following us.

“Harry, wait!” I called out as we rushed to the staircase. “How do you know You-Know-Who didn’t just put those images in your head to lure you into a trap?”

Harry looked beyond annoyed at the fact we were stopping him, turning toward us. “Am I just supposed to let him die? He is the only family I have left.” He was out of breath and the panic in his face made my heart ache for him.

“How…Are…We going…To get…To him?” Edwin asked, trying desperately to catch his breath.

Harry turned back towards the corridor the staircase had now changed to, “We are going to have to use the floo network.”

“But Umbridge has all of the chimneys under surveillance.” Hermione countered.

We followed Harry towards the common room. “Not all of them.”

Once we were all changed from our robes and into normal clothing we made our way to Umbridge’s office, the obnoxious pink stones and the smell of sickly sweet perfume greeting us as we entered the room.

Harry crouched by the chimney and we all gathered around him, “When I’m gone, alert the order if you can.”

Ron, Hermione, Edwin and I all looked at each other quickly. “Are you mental? We’re going with you.” Ron stated matter of factly.

“It’s too dangerous.” Harry countered.

I sighed “Harry, you do realize at this point we are all in this mess together….right?”

“That. You. Are.” Her voice made us all turn around to the door quickly. Umbridge looked utterly in tatters, her pink outfit was burnt to a crisp and her face was covered in soot…And she looked utterly insane with rage.

Her wand was pointed towards us and we knew not to try to fight her, we had to get to Sirius and we needed to play along as long as we could. Following behind as she entered the room was the group of stuck-up Slytherins who joined her little rat squad, their wands pointed at a few of our DA members. Luna, Neville, and Ginny as they forced them past Umbridge and towards the wall.

After a few moments, the Slytherins were posted behind all of us with their wands pointing into whatever portion of our bodies they could reach. Harry, on the other hand, was planted in a chair with Umbridge circling him like an animal who has just found its prey.

Her only thought was that we were all going to Dumbledore, to conspire against the ministry and overturn Fudge and his nonsense, it was quite comical actually but I was a bit too preoccupied with Pansy’s wand shoved into my spine to giggle at Umbridge’s hysteria.

“You sent for me, Headmistress?” His black clothed form covered the doorway entirely and my blood ran cold. Severus thought I had disbanded from this little ‘trouble making group’ as he called it and now he was being asked to provide Umbridge with truth-telling serum to interrogate Harry, if he brought the potion…we are all screwed.

His eyes searched the room and landed on me, I could see the rage building behind his emotionless expression…Shit. Shit. Shit.

Severus of course offered to poison Harry but thankfully he informed Umbridge that she had indeed gone through his storage of veritaserum, which rendered him useless to her.

He turned to make his way back down the stairs when he suddenly stopped and turned back around. “Headmistress…Finley and Astrill are due to serve detention with me this evening, seeing as they are in need of in addition to what they are already facing…Would you allow them to serve their punishment in the dungeons with me?”

My heart leapt in my chest and I looked over at Edwin who was wide eyed. At this point, neither one of us knew if staying here would in fact be worse than going to the dungeons with Severus but when Umbridge agreed with a sneer on her face we knew we would soon find out.

Severus said nothing until we entered the classroom, shutting and locking the door behind us with a flick of his wand. Turning to face Edwin and I who were planted side by side as close to the exit as we could possibly get in case we needed a speedy get away, Severus huffed out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“How idiotic can you be?” His voice was wavering and I could tell he was holding back anger. He took a deep breath before continuing. “Finley…You are meant to be her protector in my stead, how am I to trust you when you allow her into such ridiculous predicaments.”

Edwin’s eyes narrowed. “I beg your pardon…I’m not sure if you actually know the same Aurora that I do because it didn’t matter what I said or how I said it…If she wants to do something, she is going to do it. So don’t go blaming me for not locking her away in her room against her will.”

I looked at Edwin, my eyes bulging with surprise at his tone with Severus, who he was normally terrified of. Severus’ jaw tensed and he glared at Edwin. “Leave…Now…” He bit out and Edwin and I both turned to the door, my hand reaching to unlock the large iron lock when Severus spoke up again.

“Not you my Little Star…” He took a few steps closer so he was now standing in the middle of the dimly lit room. “I believe we are overdue to have a discussion.”

Edwin looked over at me, his eyes searching mine for an answer to if I was planning to stay or bolt from the room with him. In response I just nodded silently and turned to face Severus, giving Edwin room to unlock and open the door. My best friend turned and gave me one last look for reassurance before walking down the cold hallway, leaving me alone with a very angry Severus Snape.

When the door slammed closed I jumped a little, turning to make sure it was locked because I knew this conversation was not going to be a pretty one. But to my surprise when I turned back around, Severus was directly in front of me.

I inhaled, expecting the worst reprimand I had ever been given, but shock was all I was met with when Severus quickly cupped my face and pressed his lips to mine at an almost bruising rate.

He continued to kiss me as he pushed me against the wooden door, his tongue invading my mouth as my arms circled his neck, trying desperately to bring him closer to me. The wetness pooled between my legs in anticipation of what's to come and my mind was fuzzy with lust. This was definitely not the reaction I was expecting from him but I’m not complaining.

When he pulled away we were both breathing heavily and our lips were red and raw from the force of our kissing. My core clenched when he leaned down, his mouth ghosting against my ear. “Go to my bedroom and take off your clothes. You’d better be bending over my bed when I get in there.” I nodded silently and he tsked, gripping my jaw in his hand “Now now Little Star, is that the proper way to address me?” I gulped, I could feel my wetness soaking through my knickers at his demanding tone…So this is how he wants to play?

“Yes sir.” He smiled darkly and pecked my nose.

“Good girl…Now. Go.” I bolted out of the classroom and through the door to his private chambers, removing clothing as I went, and by the time I reached his room I was left in my black knickers and bra. I didn’t wear them on purpose, they are just comfortable so I guess it's just good luck for Severus that his favorite color is black and he will likely be tearing these off of me.

I do ask he asks and lay on the bed, my torso is laying on the bed and my feet are still planted on the cold stone floor, my rear facing the doorway so it will be the first thing Severus sees when he enters the room and the anticipation for what's to come has be rubbing my thighs together trying to relieve the ache that is settling in my center.

I could hear his footsteps echoing down the short hall and my stomach tightened when they stopped abruptly in the doorway. He approached me quickly, grabbing my ass with both of his hands and squeezing quickly before releasing. Those magnificent hands ran up my body until one of them landed in my hair at the base of my neck, gripping tightly and pulling my upper half towards himself as he leaned forward and pushed his covered cock into my rear.

“I am so looking forward to turning this beautiful bottom red with handprints.” He whispered in my ear, his unoccupied hand traveling back down my body to my hip and grinding his cock into my ass making me moan at the sensation. “Do you remember your safeword Little Star?”

I panted out a hurried “Yes sir.” and he chuckled darkly releasing my hair.

“Remind me of what it is, won’t you Precious?”

“Slytherin…Sir.” I moaned when I felt his hands gently pull my underwear down.

“Good girl.” Was all the response he gave before I felt the hard sting of his hand on my ass. I squealed at the force of the slap and he chuckled.

“When you make a promise to me…” Another slap. “I expect you to keep it.”

“I’m sorry!” I gripped onto the duvet as his hand came down again, despite the pain of the spanking he was giving me, my core wept for him and he knew it.

“It’s a bit too late for that.” Slap. Slap. Slap.

I counted 15 smacks before he finally felt that I had been sufficiently punished and rubbed a soothing hand over my bottom, slowly making his way down to my now drenched core.

“My my…You enjoyed that didn’t you?” He ran his fingers through my dripping folds, my breathing picking up with anticipation. “I would normally give you my fingers as preparation for my cock…But I don’t think you are deserving of it.”

I whined when his fingers left my heated flesh and returned to my legs, bending them at the knee and propping them on the bed so I was spread out for him completely. I screamed into the duvet when he rammed his cock into my pulsing heat, my hands gripping the fabric so tightly my knuckles were turning white from the force. I assumed he had wordlessly used magic to remove his clothing but at the current moment I was too preoccupied to care about how, all I cared about was the fullness I know felt inside me and the brutal pace he set without so much as giving me time to adjust to his size. His hips pistoned into me while his hands gripped my hips, keeping me from pulling away from his relentless thrusting.

“S-Severus…” I moaned, I felt my core clenching as I teetered on the edge of ecstasy.

The sound that left my mouth when his thrusts stopped was almost primal, my body bucking into his trying to regain some type of friction to pull back the feeling of release that was slowly fading to nothing.

“Did you really think you were going to get release that quickly?” His voice was rough and gritty as he pulled out of me almost like it was more torture for him than me. “Oh my darling Little Star, you are going to wish you had kept your promise to me.”

“Please Sir, I need you to fuck me.”

“Is that so?” He taunted, rubbing his head down the length of my slit teasingly. “Lie against the headboard and spread your legs.”

I hurried to do as he instructed, my head now resting against the pillows and my legs spread enough to leave him room to crawl between them. Once he was settled between my legs, he flicked his wrist and i felt the rough fiber of ropes slither their way around my ankles, tying my legs in place so I was powerless against him.

“I quite enjoy you like this…Spread out for me to take…To pleasure…” He leaned down and took my nipple in his mouth, sucking roughly on the hard peak before releasing it. “To punish…”

My eyes rolled back into my skull when he entered me again, this time slowly thrusting in and out of me. Slow enough that I could feel every vain and ridge of his hard cock gliding against my sensitive walls. My hands flew to his shoulders, scratching his sallow skin with my nails as he fucked me into oblivion.

“More…Please” I was pleading with him, my legs beginning to shake with my building climax. If he would just go a little faster, just fuck me a little harder….

Thankfully for me, he decided he was done torturing me and rammed into my sopping pussy, his pace was now relentless and brutel again and I pushed my head against the pillows. My feet pulled against the ropes, trying to break free to wrap my legs around his waist. I knew I was going to have rope burns but at this point I was beyond the point of caring.

“Are you going to lie to me again?” He asked, his voice strained as he continued to thrust into me.

I shook my head furiously. “N-no s-sir.” I stuttered, trying my best to talk through the pleasure.

“Good girl. Now you had better soak my cock with your cum before I decide to stop and send you back to your dormitory unsatisfied and dripping wet.”

That was all it took for my orgasm my rip through my body, vision turning white as my walls clenched around him causing him to erupt with a loud moan.

Severus collapsed on top of me, trying to catch his breath and lazily flicking his hand to release my ankles from the ropes. My hands circled his neck and I hugged him tightly as we both basked in the after-effects of an incredible orgasm. His breathing slowed after a few moments before he lifted his head and looked me in the eyes.

“Spend the summer with me Aurora?”

#alan rickman #original character #severus snape #severus snape x reader #severus snape x oc #allycat writes #allycat319 #fanfic #professor snape #professor snape smut

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katsona-the-katsequel · 3 months ago

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Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad Activity Report

Part 3

5/16 (Sat) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Uh, this is Takeba.

Actually, Tartarus is closed today, and Kirijo-senpai told me, "School take priority over SEES activities!", but it's tough to stay holed up in my room all day, so I snuck out. That being said, I don't really have anything to report.

Oh, I'm lying, there was one thing. Well, Sanada-senpai is a little scary. Haha. Apparently the doctor told him yesterday that he'll be okay to start boxing in about a week, and he's really happy about that.

Of course, since it's before the exams, he seems to be studying properly in his room, but when I went out to the stairwell, I saw him running up the stairs at a great pace. I was surprised and talked to him, and he said that he had been taking a break and couldn't stay still. Do you even know what a break means? But I'm glad he's doing well. Yes.

Well, I don't want to relax too much, so I'll get back to studying. This is Takeba.

5/17 (Sun) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Well... Good evening, I'm Junpei Iori. I don't really have anything to report, but Kirijo-senpai told me to hold the microphone. I guess she told me to calm down and complain or whatever because my cries from the heart are getting in the way of the wonderful training... but somehow, haven't I lost sight of my original purpose for this activity report?

…Oh, that's right, there's something to report.

No, I don't want to sit at my desk any more this afternoon.

I don't want that to happen! I'm stuck with that feeling.

Wait, I went to Paulownian Mall to change my mood.

Then, I felt some strange tension.

A self-proclaimed "reporter" told me about some strange things happening recently.

She asked me if I had information.

When she said something like "I'll be rewarded if you give me any information," I was tempted for a moment, but then I thought, aren't we just heroes of justice who work in secret? Of course, I said "I don't know," and rejected her. Then the reporter just said, "Oh, okay," and walked away... It's a bit complicated...

5/18 (Mon) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Well, the exam finally starts today. There's no point in rushing now. I'll just do my best.

However... I know this may be unnecessary, and it may not be the right topic to talk about at a time like this, but I am really concerned about the injury that happened to our physical education teacher, Mr. Aoyama. From what I heard, he had been drinking after work and was on his way home in a good mood when, an accident was caused by a falling sign, but the accident happened just as the day changed... around the Dark Hour.

Well, shadows wouldn't have to resort to such a roundabout means to drop a sign and injure someone. It's probably just paranoia born from the frustration of not being able to return. Forget it.

5/19 (Tue) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Hi, it's Junpei.

...It's no good anymore!

Ugh, today's modern Japanese test. I messed up... I messed up...

No, it was a chance question.

It was a question I remember doing, and it was the one that was called on me in that class, and I thought, "Yes, I got it," but then... I'd completely forgotten about it, hadn't I?

Damn it... If I had known it would be like this, I would have looked it up properly on my own instead of asking him for the answer!

5/20 (Wed) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba.

It's already the third day of the exam. How is everyone doing? Are you doing well? Are you scratching your head? I feel like I shouldn't be reporting here and should just go to bed or study... but let me get away with it.

...I mean, there's no way I can understand physics! What use is it for a girl to learn something like that in the future?

Yes, yes, I know I'm being petty.

5/24 (Sun) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

But I can't help but say it! Who the hell is Einstein! What did Newton do for me!

5/21 (Thu) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

Takeba... This may be unnecessary, but trivia about daily life isn't physics.

Now, it's Kirijo.

There are only two days left until the exams. Everyone seems to be getting tired. Before the exams, I hinted at a reward if they performed well, hoping to encourage them a little, but... I guess it was a bit too childish to lure them with something.

Of the three second-years, the ones who seem to have potential are the field leader and Takeba, but Takeba's complexion is getting worse day by day and he doesn't seem to be riding the wave at the moment, and in his case, it's hard to read his facial expressions...

I've always been bad at people-controlling techniques since I was forced to study something like the art of rulership before, but... putting it into practice is even more difficult. As someone in a position above them, I too must work even harder...

5/22 (Fri) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Hey, Junpei here. Only one more day left until the end of exams! Tomorrow is the last day! If I rush around anymore, it won't start, so I'm going to bed after I finish submitting my report!

Hehehe, well, the questions I was trying to answer came up today, so maybe I'm doing pretty well?

Even so, I was really lucky today.

That's great! I forgot the question I was asked the other day, but I remembered it well today. The difference between the Paleolithic and Neolithic is the shape of the stone tools!

Hehehe, that serves you right.

All right, let's do our best tomorrow too!

5/23 (Sat) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

It's been a long time... I wonder how long I've waited for this day.

Today, the doctor finally gave me the seal of approval that I'm completely recovered, and said that it's okay to move around a little more roughly. The midterm exams are over, so I'm even happier.

Well, I can't just be happy.

I haven't been able to move my body properly for a while, so I'll need some rehabilitation before I can move properly in a real fight. I've been working on my recovery menu since I was concentrating on my treatment, so I can start doing it tomorrow. I hope everyone looks forward to it.

Oh, and the report I asked the lab to send during the exam period has arrived. It's a report on Fuuka Yamagishi, the student with potential who was confirmed at the hospital before and has been undergoing detailed investigation since then.

However, I was looking forward to it, but from what Junpei said today, it seems that she is sickly and often misses school. It's a shame, since the report said that not only was she suited to the Dark Hour, but he also had a good chance of using her Persona abilities.

To be honest, I can't really give up, but as long as there's even one cause for concern, I don't want to push it. We must never again cause tragedy by relying on optimism...

Well, it's Takeba.

The first Sunday since my exams!

Well, I guess I was pretty stressed out from the exams, so today I was pretty impulsive... and I did a ton of shopping, hahaha.

I know I should say this after I've already bought things, but mail order is a monster, isn't it!? In hindsight, I don't really need these things, but when I watch the show, I just want them so badly...

Yeah, that's right.

Right now I'm regretting that I bought something I didn't need. A multi-purpose apron... what should I do? Ugh, it was Takeba.

5/25 (Mon) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo. The results of the midterm exams were announced today. Akihiko was amazing! Excellent!

He had a hard time returning to the fight, and he seemed to be quite anxious before the exams, so I was worried he might lose his concentration, but he did a great job.

I told him that, but he turned his back on me, saying that he had to do it because it would set an example for his juniors. He's really not honest...

I'm a bit worried about the others. The leader seems to have been doing his best, but Takeba seems to have been staying in her room every day.

It seems she ended up with average results, and Junpei was... unbelievable.

As expected, they must be tired from going to Tartarus and defeating large shadows one after another. Although they look energetic, we need their help, but we can't let our activities affect their studies... We should be a little careful.

5/26 (Tue) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Seriously... if you're going to make that much of a fuss then you should have just studied properly from the beginning.

Ah, sorry. Just when I came out of my room, I heard some voices coming from Junpei's room saying things like "Pathetic" and "What am I doing?", just pathetic and wondering what he was doing. Well, I guess it's understandable with those terrible test results.

Mitsuru was also quite upset about the grades of her juniors, but this was something that couldn't be helped unless everyone put in an effort. After hearing that shout, Junpei would probably think things through properly next time. Probably.

Plus, we happen to be living in the same dorm.

If push comes to shove, no matter how much he doesn't want to do it, I'll just force my way into his room and make him do some pre-exam practice.

Intensive training...that's a good word. I'm looking forward to the final exams.

By the way, we are still investigating Yamagishi. Let's hope she will become a valuable addition to our team.

5/27 (Wed) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

O-ki-na-wa!

…Oh, no, they were talking about Okinawa's beach opening on the evening news, so I just did it.

I was talking about that, so I just did it.

So, it's Junpei! The sea is really nice. My exams are over, and I want to have some fun, but I don't have any money or time... Ugh, I'm not going to be able to go to the sea for the rest of my life.

I feel like I say this every summer...ugh.

But the sea is nice. Blue sky! Black bikini! White sand! Red bikini! I want to go and play. Oh, by the way, what happened to the new girl? Does she like the sea?

5/28 (Thu) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo. As always, Iori's report seems... stupid.

Well, from the beginning, I started these reports as just a memo for myself, and I don't have any strict reporting obligations. I'm just going to blurt out what I want to say, and if that makes me feel better, then that's fine.

It's good to use even if you're in the middle of nowhere.

Oh, speaking of Iori, I overheard him talking to Takeba in the lounge today, and it seemed like he was worried about his poor grades. It's easy to tell them to study, but I'll think about what I can do to help them more.

However... I noticed while Iori spoke that Magician's Arcana should have high magical power, so why does Iori's Hermes have such low magical power... Maybe next time, I'll get permission from him and study the correlation between abilities and Persona parameters? It's hard to find samples like that...

5/29 (Fri) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Uh, this is Takeba.

The exams are finally over, and there's some good news that we might even be hiring a new female member, so I should be in a good mood, but I'm in a bit of a bad mood today.

I overheard an unpleasant conversation in the school corridor...it was bullying.

I don't know who they were, but the two girls who seemed to be the bullies were talking about how they'd found out someone's weakness and how funny her crying face was, and stuff like that... and they were laughing out loud. Well, it wasn't an unusual story, so I just thought, "They must be bored," but... I ended up feeling annoyed afterwards.

Right now I have the power to call a Persona, right? Regardless of the type of power, the power is there to accomplish something, right? But even seeing that bullying scene and not being able to do anything...it's pathetic.

Sorry for complaining again. This was Takeba!

5/30 (Sat) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba for the second day in a row.

I was wondering what to do, but Kirijo-senpai asked me to keep a record of the matter, so I will continue on.

I don't know if it's related to the bullying issue I reported yesterday, but I found one of the girls I'd heard talking yesterday infront of the school gates this morning.

Yesterday, she was saying things like she was hearing voices and things that sounded like radio waves, so I thought something was a little strange...

6/1 (Mon) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

However, I don't know the details. I hope it was a coincidence. This was Takeba.

It's Kirijo... *sigh*. Well, something funny happened today. I couldn't help but laugh at the memory. Today's top news, which makes both Iori and Takeba laugh, is, without a doubt, the Junpei's Believe It Or Don't. I didn't know much about it, but apparently there was a comedian who told ghost stories, and Iori was imitating him. Akihiko says it sounds pretty similar, but even if you don't know the original comedian, it was still enjoyable.

To give a brief background, a rumor has spread around the school that a girl from class E in year 2 was found collapsed in front of the school gates, and that it was the work of a vengeful spirit. Iori told it in the form of a ghost story, but Takeba, who seems to have a hard time with ghosts, rebelled against it, and for some reason, he ended up investigating the truth of the ghost story.

I had originally planned to rely on them to at least conduct an investigation, but, how should I put it, the way Takeba was rushing headlong towards self-destruction... hehehe.

6/2 (Tue) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Um... My name is Takeba.

I can't sleep.

Since yesterday, I've given up Tartarus and I've been gathering information on ghosts... er, rumors, and everything I see, er... look weird.

I'm going to sleep with the TV on all night tonight...This was Takeba.

6/3 (Wed) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Good evening. It's time for Junpei Iori's report.

...Huh, to be honest, I've had enough of ghost stories.

Yuka-tan said that she's going to hold a report meeting and gather all the information she heard on Friday, but it's not that easy to gather information.

Oh, it's not that she can't find any information... it's just that there's too much.

If you walk down the hallway, 9 times out of 10 people are telling ghost stories. The remaining one seems to be about next week's "Phoenix Sentai Featherman R". I think next time, Swan will sing the full solo version of the theme song by herself or something.

Oh, well, leave Featherman aside. Anyway, there's way too much information! Is this what they call the information society's Heigai?

The ghost story I heard today was also a big mess, with one rumor leading to another and mixing with another... Anyway, the ghost story about how if you listen to the mysterious old lady's broadcast, you'll die covered in blood, I think I heard it as a rumor in a public school when I was in middle school. It's just too much to handle. I'm really tired.

6/7 (Sun) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

Come to think of it, the leader seemed to be doing some research. He was talking to someone from another class, which is unusual. He does things quietly. Well, I'll let it go for me now.

6/4 (Thu) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Eh... fuwaaah, it's Takeba. Uh, I was complaining the other day that I couldn't sleep, but today I'm actually really sleepy. Maybe it's because I was thinking about ghost stories so much last night, but I had a really bad dream... I'm a little sleep-deprived. It was bad during class.

I don't remember the details of the dream very well, I was locked in the school at night, and I was wandering around half crying, when suddenly the place changed to Tartarus. I suddenly had a bow and an Evoker, so this time I was charging ahead with all my might, but suddenly a shadow appeared, took off his mask and said, "How jealous of you"... he had Oiwa-san's face.

Ah, but the investigation is progressing smoothly. From the information we gathered yesterday and today, we found a small commonality among the victims. Ah, I forgot to mention this. There are multiple victims. Tomorrow, we will verify it and announce it at the briefing tonight. We will have the results next week, so please look forward to it. This was Takeba.

6/5 (Fri) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Takeba seems a bit enthusiastic. She said she'd go to the site tomorrow, but please don't do anything dangerous.

Well, those guys are no amateurs. They're quite skilled. Even though it's a hangout for delinquents, they won't fall behind that much... I should contact him... No, that's impossible...

6/6 (Sat) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

This is Kirijo.

No, I don't know where I started, but today was a tough day.

I trusted them... No, I still trust them fully, but as second-year high school students, they seem to lack thoughtfulness. Well, if that's what they're saying, we third-years should have guided them with that in mind. Let's be happy about their safe return.

Tonight, they went to a delinquent hangout outside Port Island Station. I'd heard the rumors, but it seems that the lawlessness of the place was terrible. They seemed to have escaped a close call, but I'll tell them to be careful for a while.

However, there was a big gain. According to information obtained at the hangout, Fuuka Yamagishi, a potential member of the team, has been missing for the past week. Also, the girl who collapsed at school is said to be part of the group that was bullying Yamagishi. At worst, Yamagishi may be the mastermind behind this incident...

No, let's stop speculating. First, we need to hear the details from the homeroom teacher who covered up Yamagishi's disappearance - was his name Ekoda?

Now, what should we do...? Come to think of it, it seems that the one who helped Takeba and the others was Aragaki, who just happened to be there. I realized by chance that I had still not lost touch with him.

It's Kirijo. It's been a while since I've been reporting this in a row. Perhaps they're still tired from yesterday's "investigation" or perhaps they played too much on Sunday, but all the second-years are already asleep. I monitored them during the Dark Hour just now, and they seem to be fast asleep without even turning over.

Today, there was something that bothered me a little. Apparently the second-years all stopped by a shrine during the day, and while they were talking about it, I heard the name "Amada."

At first, I just thought it was a name I'd heard somewhere before, but I'm sure the victim of the accident three years ago had the same name...

6/8 (Mon) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

I'm seriously dead today... Oh, crap, report, report. Huh...? No, you see, when you get lost in the Dark Hour, your memories are somehow erased, that's common knowledge for Persona Users, right?

Well, it's a bit late now though.

Ugh, sorry. I'm so tired and just want to go to sleep.

Umm, can I just post them all together?

A girl named Fuuka Yamagishi was locked in the gym because of bullying, and ended up wandering into Tartarus. The reason she was safe after being lost for a week was because, while time here stops during the Dark Hour, time there also stops outside of the Dark Hour... or so I think.

When examining the clock on the bike/backup equipment that Kirijo-senpai brought to Tartarus, it seems that you can tell the difference in the movement of time inside and outside... or so it seems. Hmm, it's complicated and I don't really get it.

So, we sneaked into the school in the middle of the night, took the same route as Yamagishi and entered Tartarus, and a large Shadow appeared, but we defeated it with our efforts, um... was there anything else? Ah, that's right. Yamagishi's Persona was amazing. It seemed to have a radar-like function, and can see all the enemy's weaknesses!

Oh, by the way, Kirijo-senpai has an unexpected lack of humor. If I said she was cute, I'd probably get punched. Well, I thought she was hard to get along with, so I've changed my opinion of her a little. Oh, I forgot something important! The large Shadows appear on the full moon! A customer who comes once a month! This is important information!

6/9 (Tue) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba. Today, Kirijo-senpai and Sanada-senpai are away visiting Yamagishi-san and their friend Moriyama-san. So, Tartarus is on a break. I'm still tired from fighting a large Shadow, so I'm not in the mood for Tartarus anyway. Oh, did I mention I was watching over Yamagishi-san? But it's not like I'm being selfish or anything.

On the contrary, she was extremely effective in the battle against the large Shadow, and it feels like she might be the strongest. Now she's collapsed from exhaustion because she used all her powers at once, so she's been hospitalized just to be safe.

If I had that kind of power, I guess I would join in... but this time she learned that SEES' missions are life-threatening. It would be great if she would join, but I don't want to force her. Ah, but the leader was quite welcoming and pulled her in...

Ugh, I'm thinking about a lot of things. Anyway, I'm really glad that Yamagishi-san is safe and that we were able to defeat the Shadow. This was Takeba.

6/10 (Wed) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo. Seriously, if I had taken my eyes off Iori for just a second, he'd have been a complete flop... What a poke. I admit that I do lack common sense in some areas, but... Oh well.

Well, today after I returned from visiting Yamagishi and Moriyama, I did some light sword training.

With Yamagishi joining the team, I will likely be on the front lines as well, so this is training for that.

The fencing club was on a break due to the midterm exams, and I didn't go to club activities as often as I thought because of my Student Council activities. It seems my skills have deteriorated more than I thought. I'm trying to be a little better so as not to be a burden to the hard-working second-year students.

I need to train hard.

Not only the leader and Yamagishi have shown remarkable abilities, but Iori and Takeba also have something special, even though they are still developing. As one of the original members of SEES... I can't lose. Maybe I should follow Akihiko's example and try that "special training" thing once in a while?

6/11 (Thu) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Ah, it's Takeba.

Good news... Yamagishi-san has been accepted into SEES. Kirijo-senpai's invitation seemed a bit pushy, and I was a bit worried she wouldn't accept, but she seemed keen...

For now, Junpei is simply happy. He's a really enviable guy. This was Takeba.

6/12 (Fri) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Hi, Junpei here! Today is truly a joyous and memorable day! Ahem... congratulations to our newest member, Miss Fuuka Yamagishi, on moving into the Iwatodai dormitory! Hip, hip, hooray! Yay! Cheers to our new friend, Fuuka!

Gulp gulp gulp... Phew! Oh, it's not alcohol. It's just Yotsuya sake.

Well, today Fuuka moved into the dorm, and I'm always excited to meet new people. Hehehe, it's good to have more members.

Yukari-chan seems a bit indecisive, but since they're both women, they'll quickly become friends. I heard that she was scheduled to move into the dormitory tomorrow, but it seems like she couldn't wait. Yeah, that's not bad!

6/21 (Sun) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

Ah, speaking of Fuuka... It seems like her homeroom teacher, Ekoda, has been punished for this incident, but I guess this was the work of the seniors... Well, even us students were getting annoyed with his nasty remarks, so it was like, "Serves him right!" When I asked Senpai the truth, she grinned and said, "Do you want to know, Iori?" No, that smile was probably many times scarier than when Senpai was angry. Ugh, so scary! I have to make sure I don't say anything unnecessary.

6/16 (Tue) - Reporter: Fuuka Yamagishi

H-hello! Oh, no. Good evening... Um, it's Fuuka Yamagishi.

From now on, I'll be in charge of all the backup stuff, so Kirijo-senpai showed me around the operations room... but for some reason, I'm also doing this activity report thing...

…Eh? Is that so? Ah, ah, sorry! You couldn't hear me just now, right? She told me not to worry about it, since it was just a formality, even though it was a report.

So... that's right. Can I just give you my impressions of the operations room's functions? The facilities here are really amazing. I've heard that Kirijo Electronics' technology is the most advanced in the world, but this equipment is even more advanced. Apparently, they're still using prototypes for testing... I never thought I'd be able to touch such amazing machines in a club activity, it's like a dream come true. I'm not sure how much I can help you with, but I'll do my best, so please look after me.

Was it a bit... stiff?

Oh, so I saw an interesting topic on the news today, so I'd like to share it with you... Well, it seems that a new vehicle control system for new urban transit systems is currently under development. After the monorail accident the other day, in order to prevent a similar accident... Wait, what?! That accident was caused by Shadow?!

6/17 (Wed) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

It's going so well that I feel a little guilty for suddenly increasing our fighting power and feeling strangely relieved.

If the hypothesis we discovered this time is correct, there will be about three weeks until the next full moon and the appearance of a large Shadow. We've made a strengthening plan to match this schedule, and thanks to Yamagishi, our new navigator, the exploration of Tartarus is going well, so on the surface there are no problems. Nothing.

But as the saying goes, good things come with many troubles.

It's times like these that we need to be on our toes and do our best. Especially Junpei... Ah, maybe I'm being a bit harsh. Junpei, you're doing well too. Don't worry about it.

6/18 (Thu) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

H-h-hi, it's Junpei.

For some reason, the last thing Sanada-san said yesterday is bothering me... At times like this, I'm usually the first one to be told off, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't worry about it and follow me. But actually, when you're nice to me, it really makes me feel down...

Well, well, please do as usual! Um, nothing special happened today... I guess? Oh, that reminds me, the school was recruiting new cultural clubs. Fuuka has also returned to club activities, so that's great! Um, which club was it? Art club... Photography club? Huh? Well, please ask her.

6/19 (Fri) Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Well, it's Takeba.

You may not have noticed, but I've been thinking about some weird things lately, and I may have been acting awkward around my senpais. I'm sorry if it offended you!

It's fine if you don't understand. I'll do my best as I have been doing.

Changing the subject... but the day before yesterday on TV there was a program called "Approaching the Real Face of the Kirijo Group!" It was a program that made things weirdly scandalous and like a third-rate scoop magazine. It made me feel bad watching it, but if you're just looking from the outside, you can make the other person out to be the bad guy as much as you want. Seriously... if you have a complaint, you should find out the truth before you say anything! I feel like that. I also tend to go ahead with my speculations, so I'm a bit remorseful.

...Ahaha, you don't know what I'm talking about, do you? That's all for today. This was Takeba.

6/20 (Sat) - Reporter: Fuuka Yamagishi

Good evening, this is Yamagishi.

I heard some unbelievable things today. 12 types of Shadow... 8 remaining. I had no idea that research had progressed to the point where we knew such detailed information. I'm a latecomer compared to you all, so I have to learn more and more things. I'll do my best.

By the way, the Chairman was researching the purpose of Shadows, and he said that individual Shadows attack people for "predation", but... I feel that's not quite right.

My persona... Lucia seems to have the power to sense the hearts of people around me. It's not quite telepathy, but I can sense small emotions and instinctive desires. Well, what I'm trying to say is... when I was locked up in Tartarus, I felt the hearts of shadows. It wasn't like an appetite...to put it into words...it was like they were saying "I want to go home"...

Hi, it's Junpei.

Today, Kirijo-senpai and Sanada-san are out, so Tartarus is closed. Kirijo-senpai seems to have gone to her main house, but I wonder what Sanada-san did?

It was dinner time when he went out, so I guess he ate somewhere around Iwatodai Station! Then he got full and sleepy, and didn't feel like going to Tartarus! Also, I guess the dinner menu was Umiushi beef bowl!

Well, I don't really care.

6/24 (Wed) - Reporter: Junpei Iori

By the way, I heard that a dog came in front of the dorm in the evening. They said it was a smart, cute, loyal dog, but I wanted to see it. I quite like dogs.

6/22 (Mon) - Reporter: Akihiko Sanada

Too bad, Junpei lost. Yesterday was pure training. That's right. As a penalty for not winning, I'll have him join me in some early morning training tomorrow.

…I'm not joking, I'm telling you, I'm not kidding.

Well, lately, both Mitsuru and I have been out a lot, so I thought that we might have been neglecting our training at Tartarus. Since this is a good opportunity, I'll make a training menu for Junpei and the others.

The field leader is fine for now, but sometimes he seems a little lacking in spirit. Well, I think he's just quiet, but let's train together sometimes to deepen our friendship.

I'm worried about Takeba. She seems to be out of her mind lately... She seemed to be worried in her report the other day. We're only one year apart in age, so I know it's hard to trust us. But if you want, I'll give you some advice. Keep that in mind.

6/23 (Tue) - Reporter: Mitsuru Kirijo

It's Kirijo.

Fufu... Akihiko, you're saying things like a senpai would. I can't let myself lose.

Not only Takeba, but also Iori and Yamagishi, if anything happens, please come and talk to us. We may not be as reliable as adults, but we are the same generation and can share the same worries.

That being said, it's not like you can spill everything you're feeling. Everyone has things they can't tell others. But if you trust us, we'll do our best to help you.

Well, I've digressed. Let's get back to today's report. Today is a new moon. With half a month left until the full moon, an increase in the number of people with Apathy Syndrome has been observed again. Today, the news were broadcasting someone suddenly squatting on the road and blocking traffic, and it seems that this person was also apathetic.

Fortunately, so far, the accidents have been limited to just after the Dark Hour, when traffic is light, so there have been no major casualties. ...Well, the fact that some people have become apathetic means that there has been enough damage. In any case, we will be fully prepared for the full moon. That's all.

Oh, that's right. Akihiko, where did you go without saying anything today? I don't mind you going out, but Tartarus is coming up in the evening. If possible, it would be helpful if you could leave a message. And...it seemed to me that you didn't have much energy when you got back. It's fine to be worried about your juniors, but don't neglect your own troubles. Got it?

Hi, it's Junpei.

Hehe... Ukukuku... well, Kirijo-senpai's report the other day was about how worried she was about us and it made me really happy, but... there was one thing that really hit the spot.

Umm, the part at the top that says "Takeba, Yamagishi, and Iori should talk to each other"...oh, the leader has been forgotten.

Hey! Ahahahaha!

Oh man, sorry sorry, that was a bit too funny. Well, as Sanada-san said today, I get the impression that he doesn't worry too much and just gets on with things calmly, right? Sanada-san said he doesn't envy him, but honestly, I do.

No, you see, I'm at an age where I have a lot of worries, right? Bad grades at school, worries about not being able to get a girlfriend, I'm on the verge of going bald from all the worries... but I should point out that I'm not actually bald, I just have street fashion.

...

Now, back to serious matters... I appreciate your concern, Kirijo-senpai. Thank you. But at least I am okay. That doesn't mean I don't have any worries... I have to figure them out and solve them myself.

More importantly, are you okay, Sanada-senpai?

Today you seemed worried in front of the boxing club room. You've been working hard ever since you came back, so maybe you're tired?

6/26 (Fri) - Reporter: Fuuka Yamagishi

I may not be able to be of much help to you, but if there's anything I can help you with, please let me know.

6/25 (Thu) - Reporter: Yukari Takeba

Hmm, it's Takeba.

Junpei... What do you mean, "an age full of worries"? And your worry is "not being able to get a girlfriend"?

Oh, gross.

Really gross.

It's a bit weird to live under the same roof as this guy, so I'm going to submit a motion to move Junpei's room to the roof.

Now, back to serious matters... I appreciate Kirijo-senpai's consideration. Thank you. But at least I'm okay. That doesn't mean I don't have any worries... I have to check and solve them myself.

More importantly, are you okay, Sanada-senpai?

Junpei said today that you looked worried in front of the boxing club room. You've been working hard since you came back, so maybe you're tired?

We may not be able to rely on you, but if there's anything I can help you with, please let me know. This was Takeba.

Good evening, this is Yamagishi.

I feel like I've gotten used to these activity reports. But when I listen to the records from the past, I think they feel more like a communication notebook than an activity report. Hehe.

But I think it's good. This way, we can communicate our feelings and understand each other.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that were the case?

Until recently, I was always thinking about how my words were not being understood by the people around me. But it's not like that here. Everyone, is considerate of each other. Even today, the Chairman of the board of directors came all the way out of his way to come... Well, there is a limit to what you can say, though. Phew...

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#persona 3 #mitsuru kirijo #akihiko sanada #yukari takeba #junpei iori #fuuka yamagishi #did minato never bother to make a report? did anyone tell him he's supposed to make one or did he not give a fuck?#that does appear in the bible!

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manias-wordcount · 6 months ago

Text

View of Paradise (Satoru Gojo x Reader) PART TWELVE

[𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙇𝙄𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝙃𝙊𝘾𝙊𝙇𝘼𝙏𝙀 𝙁𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝘼𝙐]

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔��𝗟𝗬 𝗹𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗺 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 (𝘀𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘁 (𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗢𝗟) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛)

𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽: 𝗨𝗶 𝗨𝗶 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗬𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁: 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗲: 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗲𝗶

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗼𝗻𝗲 || 𝘁𝘄𝗼 || 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 || 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 || 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 || 𝘀𝗶𝘅 || 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 || 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 || 𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 || 𝘁𝗲𝗻 || 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 || 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲 || 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 || 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 || 𝗳𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 || 𝘀𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 || 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲…

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 �� 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

If yesterday felt like a blur, then today surely feels like a dream.

Your brother was barely able to get a word out when the two of you came crashing through the front door yesterday afternoon. Your parents were still at work due to the time and only your grandparents were in the house to witness you and your brother nearly fall all over each other as you both scrambled inside. Speaking of your brother, it took him nearly two minutes for him to stop the wild retelling of what happened at the diner. And it took your grandparents a good couple of tries to finally wrench out what Yuuta was trying to tell them. And then it took passing the golden ticket around for everyone to stare at and read for it to click in everyone’s minds.

Yuuta had found it- Yuuta had found the last golden ticket.

A couple of hours later, your parents come shambling through the front door themselves. They’re tired and exhausted and want nothing more than a quiet night with their family. But the second they had stepped in through the doorway, they were met with an unfamiliar sight. Your once bedridden grandparents- up and moving. Grandma Utahime was in the kitchen, trying to see if she could do something to make the taste of cabbage soup special this time around. Grandpa Aibara trying to teach you and Grandma Shoko how to do his old favorite dance (something Grandma Shoko was more than reluctant to try). And Grandpa Kusakabe standing with Yuuta, giving him a hard time about a nice girl in his class named Rika.

Naturally, everyone began to clamor around your parents the second they walked in. And Yuuta struggled once again to tell the story of how he got the ticket before giving up and just showing it to your parents. To say that they were taken aback with excitement was an understatement. Your mother nearly squealed like a child when she saw the ticket. And your father was quick to scoop you and your brother up and spin you around like he used to. Though you believe the fact that the news was currently playing the story about how the ticket that was found just last night was found to be a fake truly helped seal the deal on everyone’s good feelings. Justice had prevailed in your eyes. Your brother had found it- the last golden ticket.

Though it was only after your family had all settled back down and Grandpa Kusakabe asked to see the ticket for the umpteenth time in a row did you actually think about reading the rest of the text that sat below the giant “MR. GOJO’S GOLDEN TICKET.” And so you peered over his shoulder and read off the rest of the words on the ticket for everyone to hear.

"Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Golden Ticket, from Mr Satoru Gojo! I shake you warmly by the hand! Tremendous things are in store for you! Many wonderful surprises await you! For now, I do invite you to come to my factory and be my guest for one whole day - you and all others who are lucky enough to find my Golden Tickets. I, Satoru Gojo, will conduct you around the factory myself, showing you everything that there is to see, and afterward, when it is time to leave, you will be escorted home by a procession of large trucks. These trucks, I can tell you are good, you will be loaded with enough delicious eatables to last you and your entire household for many years. If, at any time thereafter, you should run out of supplies, you have only to come back to the factory and show this Golden Ticket, and I shall be happy to refill your cupboard with whatever you want. " In this way, you will be able to keep yourself supplied with tasty morsels for the rest of your life. But this is by no means the most exciting thing that will happen on the day of your visit. I am preparing other surprises that are even more marvelous and even more fantastic for you and for all my beloved Golden Ticket holders - mystic and marvelous surprises that will entice, delight, intrigue, astonish and perplex you beyond measure. In your wildest dreams you could not imagine such things could happen to you! Just wait and see! And now, here are your instructions: the day I have chosen for the visit is the first day of the month of OCTOBER. On this day, and on no other, you must come to the factory gates at ten o'clock sharp in the morning. Don't be late! And you are allowed to bring one member of your own family to ensure that you don't get into mischief. One more thing - be certain to have this ticket with you, otherwise you will not be admitted.

The text was lengthy and the font size consistently got comically smaller as Mr. Gojo crammed in more and more seemingly meaningless rambles. Luckily, you were almost able to read all of it in one go. However, towards the end, you did have to tap out and ask your brother to take over for you so you could give your eyes and mouth a break. But it was only when Yuuta had stopped reading with about three or four sentences left did you all realize a glaring issue.

The ticket was good for the first of October. And today? Well, today was Yuuta’s birthday- September 30th.

The ticket was due for tomorrow. And your family had only realized this a little after nine o’clock at night.

At that, Yuuta quickly announced that he wanted to take you (as he should, in your opinion), while your Grandpa Aibara made a big fuss about falling onto his knees and pretending to beg your brother for the chance. But he was barely able to do so before your brother was snatched up by your dad as he and Grandpa Kusakabe mentioned something about shining shoes and finding a clean shirt. At the same time, you, your mother, and your grandmothers begin tearing up every single box of old clothes you four could find until you manage to find something semi-decent to wear to the opportunity of a lifetime. Before you knew it, things were a whirlwind in your house. Ironing clothes, washing faces, scrubbing out the occasional stain- the whole nine yards. And it was only sometime after midnight that you were finally, finally able to crawl into bed.

But that brings you to now… standing in front of the large Gojo Candy Factory Gates with four other families at 9:57 in the morning. On October 1st.

In your opinion, everything happened fast. Way too fast. You barely got to process the fact that your brother actually found a ticket when it happened. But now, you’re already dressed in your mother’s modest but flattering sweater dress that she wore to a wedding seven years ago and donning the pair of tights you had with the least amount of rips in them. And your brother was wearing… someone’s old sweater that clearly shrunk over the years. But the two of you were warm and standing side by side in front of those magnificent gates and that’s all that matters. Right?

Your stomach turns and you start to wish that you had enough time to eat something this morning. Things were in just such a rush and it was hard to focus considering your brother found a golden ticket, you realized that you had a shift today at work that you were ultimately going to no-show for, and…oh yeah. Your previously bedridden grandparents had suddenly found the strength to walk after years and years of not being able to.

But it’s far too late to worry or think about any of that now. It’s far too late for just about anything now. Still, Yuuta squeezes your hand and looks up to you nervously. The same feeling must be in his stomach. And you have no choice but to look back at him and smile as if everything was alright. But honestly, you’re not sure.

Right now, things were dead silent outside of the factory. Except for the occasional camera shutter and news reporter talking about the situation to both their cameras and the gigantic crowd of people who had gathered from far and wide, of course. Your parents and grandparents were somewhere in the crowd. They wrapped themselves up with blankets to replace the coats they didn’t have and stood and joined the people who had already gathered. You’re thankful for their presence, but you’re too anxious to turn and look for them at the moment. You swear you’ll lose yourself in your nerves if you look behind you, so you don’t. Instead, you continue to face out and peer at the factory behind the metal gates. Though for a moment, your eyes flicker to the watch on your wrist. It was Grandma Utahime’s at one point. Old, but not broken. It read 9:58 AM on its face. So you licked your lips and tore your gaze away.

You’re beginning to discover just how impatient of a person you actually are. Especially when you’re face to face with the very thing you deem to be the problem. Last night as you were trying to sleep, your brother kept you up with his whispers. And as much as you wanted to, you couldn’t be too mad at him. He told you all his fears when the two of you were alone and your clothes for the next day were as freshly pressed as your family could manage on such short notice and a tight budget. But Yuuta had told you how he was scared that the ticket wasn’t real. How he was scared that the two of you might show up to the gate today with someone already standing in the spot for the fifth ticket holder.

But Yuuta also told you about Mr. Geto. How Mr. Geto said he wanted to give Yuuta a present for his birthday- the candy bar he found the ticket in. How Mr. Geto told him that because the present he received ended up being so big and so grand, Yuuta now owed him a favor. But all he had to do was remember as much as he could about every single thing he saw in the factory and tell Mr. Geto all about it the next time they saw each other.

Yuuta told you that you had interrupted before he could promise Mr. Geto that he would do all that for him. But when he was mulling it over in his head and saying it out loud to you, he was unsure. Coupled with all the things Nanami had alluded to, it felt like there was more to the story than you and your brother could accurately piece together at the moment.

But you’re his big sister. So you couldn’t allow yourself to join in on his fears. You had to be strong. So you were strong for him. Even if it meant lying about your own anxieties and fears. That led to you telling him how you know in your heart that the ticket he found was real. That led to you telling him how you know for a fact that he found that ticket because he deserved it. But that also led to you telling him how he should listen to Nanami’s words and you’ll take care of whatever was happening with Mr. Geto. Because Mr. Geto was a stranger and Nanami was not. Because Nanami wouldn’t steer you or your brother wrong. But Mr. Geto might.

But that was what you said last night. Truthfully, if your brother looked at you right now and told you that he was scared, you’d probably say “Me too.”

But he didn’t say anything. So you didn’t say anything. Instead, you glanced at your watch once more. 9:59 AM and counting. You turned your attention to the sight in front of you.

The factory gates- in fact, the factory itself looks so different now that you’re not looking at it from onto a hill in the dark of the night (or while running as fast as you could past it). The realization of what you’re seeing and what is about to happen makes you antsy. The gate in front of you looked fancy and expensive. It was a shiny black metal that stretched tall, tall, tall, and rounded out its end with not-so-round pointed peaks. On each side of the gate stood a brick foundation that separated the metal gate from metal fencing of what looked like the same material. And that fencing wrapped around the entire front side of the factory- stretching about a good mile or so. But you know that mile pales in comparison to the fencing you’ve seen on the sides of the factory.

Yuuta told you how he once tried to walk the entire perimeter a long, long time ago. But he had given up after almost an hour of walking since he had even begun to find where the factory grounds would end.

But that’s just the perimeter. You know the real magic is what happens on the inside. Though admittedly, you feel that the factory has lost some of its charm now that it’s daytime. The fact that it’s an overcast, somewhat chilly day doesn’t help do anything to bring the childlike wondrous feeling you were hoping to experience. But the factory is big. And it is grand.

It’s also a bit depressing from where you stood.

Because on the other side of the gate, the factory stood silently and appeared almost aged and lonely. It looked to be completely made of a dark and intimidating metal. Tall towers and spires and pipes all colored the same foreboding gray. They spilled white smoke into the sky. Fluffy, pretty white smoke. The type one could mistake for clouds if you aren’t careful. Though the clouds being that innocent white shape and color still allowed for the setting to look horribly monotone. A sight that you found to be much more tolerable when being admired under the stars. At least the moon was able to make the exterior walls look more white and shiny than gray and well…gray. No wonder this factory was built out of the way, and way beyond city limits. Even the large mural on the side that spelled out the Gojo Candy logo in fancy, white lettering and a painted blue background did little to make the factory look more inviting. Though surprisingly, it didn’t make you any less curious.

Maybe it was because of all the neatly placed trucks just outside of the factory. Lined up and looking ready to receive packages of candy to be distributed to people all over the world despite no one reportedly ever being seen going in or out of the factory. Ever. Or maybe it was because of that white smoke. A symbol of progress. A symbol of life inside that seemingly metal prison. A symbol that someone was inside and that candy was being made and that dreams were about to come true (or rather, taste buds were about to become really, really happy).

One more glance at your watch. 10:00 AM on the dot. This old thing of yours must be correct because as soon as you spied it, a wave of murmurs broke through the crowd. It was time. And everyone knew it.

But the issue was, no one knew exactly what was going to happen. At least, nobody out here. And for a while, nobody was going to know.

Because nothing happened. At least, nothing at first.

So you licked at your lips and turned your eyes to the factory once more. But your eyes landed on one particular spot- the front entrance. At least, you could only assume it was the front entrance. It had large, heavy-looking doors that were the same look as the rest of the factory except for the fanciful carvings of a few decorative cursive G’s here and there. You thought it was a relatively pretty design for a somewhat, not-so-pretty factory. But then again, you haven’t seen very many factories in your lifetime. So perhaps you’re setting the bar too low, especially considering you’re almost half sure Gojo Candy has been around for just about twenty years? Plenty of time to make it not an eyesore. Even if no one has even been inside it before.

Still, there wasn’t too much you could say that you loved about this place now that you were looking at it in good lighting and with all the time in the world. And you suppose that there are far worse grievances to have at the moment. Especially since you seem to be one of ten people who actually get a chance to see what’s on the inside today.

You chanced another look at your watch while murmurs still continued on behind you. Still 10:00 AM? You clicked your tongue while your brother hummed thoughtfully beside you.

Taking the chance, you decided to peer a little extra hard at the front entrance once more. Perhaps all you needed was to have a little more hope and faith to make time go by faster (and make whatever was supposed to happen, happen). But you quickly realize that you’re not able to see just about anything. Not even an inch of movement or life happening around those doors. And it’s really no surprise either.

The factory itself was built quite far away from where the gate and fencing began. And so between the front and the gate was a large, stone courtyard. You could imagine all the candy trucks driving through this courtyard and out of these gates that stood in front of you with great ease. But you could also imagine a man- a world-famous chocolatier, even- peeking out of the front entrance as he watched the candy truck go by.

You couldn’t think of a face or description or just about anything to paint a picture of this person in your mind. But you could imagine the fact that there was someone behind this empire. Someone brought all these people here today. Someone just gave your brother the chance of a lifetime. Someone had put in the long hours and did their best to-

CREEAAAAAKKK!

You sucked in a large breath. At the same time, it sounded like the crowd behind you did too. Because suddenly, one of the large doors of the front entrance groaned to life. And slowly, but surely… it opened.

It’s so far away from where you’re standing. So, so, so far it would seem. And yet, you could hear the creak of the big, wide, loud thing oh so easily. The groan of a door that has either seen too much or too little use. At least, that is what you’ve deemed the cause to be. It sounds much like the doors in your own home. And in a way, that makes the daunting thing seem a little less scary than before.

But it still doesn’t settle every single one of your nerves. Not even close. Because from behind that large door stood a man. A man who, soon enough, began to make his way towards you. Towards all of you.

He laid his feet down purposely across the old cobblestone courtyard. One foot in front of the other. And for the entirety of his approach, no voice reached above a meager murmur from the crowd. You, your brother, and the other ticket holders and chaperones were at a loss for words as you watched the man from afar. At first, it was because you were surprised by how slowly he walked towards the gates. Couldn’t he see that there was a crowd waiting to get a peek inside of the very doors he just emerged from? Couldn’t he tell that there were five very eager children waiting for their once-in-a-lifetime chance to go behind those very same doors as well? You wanted to frown. But something told you to hold in line- and you’re very glad you did. Because not too soon after those thoughts entered your mind did you realize the reason for the man’s slow approach. Or rather, the two reasons.

The dark, curved handle cane in his right hand. And the slight jerk of his gait coming from the right side of his body- the telltale sign of a limp.

You must have noticed around the same time as the rest of the crowd because the impatient murmur swiftly ceased as the man came closer into view. No one dared to rush the gentleman who seemed to be moving as fast as he could towards you. No one wanted to be the one to ruin everything just to have things move a little more quickly than they would have otherwise. At least, you know you wouldn’t want to. In fact, your heart ached for this man. Was he your escort for the day? An assistant of sorts? No, that can’t be right. You’ve been around the sun long enough to hear all the rumors about Mr. Gojo and what goes on in his factory. As far as you’re concerned, there’s supposed to be no one in there but Mr. Gojo himself.

So who was this guy supposed to be? The groundskeeper? No, that couldn’t be right either. Because now that he was closer, you were able to make out some of his more prominent features outside of the limp.

He had on a nice pair of dress shoes, a dark pair of slacks, and a large, expensive-looking woolen overcoat. It was the type of coat that you would see fathers and grandfathers wear during the Sunday brunch hour at the diner. Right down to the color of it too. Although funnily enough, you continued to have trouble telling what color it was, even as the man hobbled closer. It was too rich of a color to be black or gray. But was it purple? Was it blue? You couldn’t tell. All you knew was that you found yourself liking the color. Whatever it was.

But you also noticed that despite the limp in his leg and the resulting bad posture that came from it, the man seemed to have once been extremely tall. But judging by the tuffs of pure white hair peaking out from beneath his black top hat, you can only imagine that the time in which he was in his prime must have been long, long ago. Maybe it was an injury that took away this old man’s imposing stature. Or perhaps he had just weathered along with his age.

Either way, watching the old man approach felt like watching a few of the regulars come and go in the diner. They were also older men. Men who shuffled slowly and limped to and fro just like this. Men whose wrinkled and sun-marked skin proved them at least worthy of some patience and kindness as they struggled to keep on with the rest of the world. Men who always seemed to-

…

You squinted your eyes and looked a little closer.

The man who was approaching had a limp, poor posture, and white hair.

But he did not have wrinkles. Nor did he have age spots. Or anything else that you would assume a man your grandparent’s age would have on their skin.

…

What…?

But at that point, he stopped. Almost like he sensed the question bubbling up in your mind, he froze. And then he took a deep breath in and out, placing both hands and his cane in front of him. He was a good couple of feet away from the large metal gate that separated the rest of the world from him. And you couldn’t make out much of his expression due to the pair of dark-tinted sunglasses adorning his face. It struck you as odd- it wasn’t a particularly sunny day. You didn’t think there would be much of a need for anyone to wear sunglasses.

But that was none of your business. For he was the man on the other side of the gate. The man with hair as white as snow yet skin as smooth and as clear as milk. The man who had just hobbled over to greet you and the others started right beside you. The man, who was now opening his mouth and beginning to speak:

“Well?” The stranger said in a loud, clear voice that rang across the crowd. It was different than you thought it would have sounded. Confident. Purposeful. Dare you even say, warm a little bit charming. You’re not quite sure yet. Though you suppose you’re still reeling from the shock that you can’t seem to tell just how old the man was. Then again, you imagined you could and would find out soon. “I suppose you’d like to come in now?”

At his question, you subconsciously pulled a sour face. Of course, you would like to. I’m sure everyone who gathered here would like to come in as well. But before you or just about anyone else could do anything, a voice spoke up.

“Why yes, sir.” It’s overly sweet, dripping with practiced niceness from lessons that don’t seem to work out too well. But from the few words you spoke, you detected an accent- a posh one you could only recognize as belonging to the second winner of the golden tickets. The girl with the rich parents and the factory of their own. “We would love to come in! Now if you don’t mind…”

You looked over at her when she talked and you were able to look just in time to see the fake grin on her face melt down to a more impatient look. As much as you remember disliking the girl, you couldn’t blame her. You’re starting to feel the same way she did. But the man behind the gate just clicked his tongue and shook his head at the little girl’s words.

“If I don’t mind? Well, you’re late now- all of you. It’s four minutes past the hour.” The man stated simply before cocking his head. Even from afar, you could see his lips form into a puzzled frown. “Why haven’t you opened the gate then?”

At his question you balk. And judging by how stiff your brother went right next to you, you can only imagine that he is processing the same emotions as you did. When the two of you arrived at the gate, you were busy thanking your lucky stars that you just so happened to live within walking distance (well, about two or so miles if you cut through enough people’s backyards and use all of your brother’s shortcuts in the book) from the very factory that the ticket winners were supposed to report to. The first, original, and only Gojo Candy Factory despite its nearly twenty years of history and worldwide presence. But by the time you managed to pull your brother through the crowd of grabby hands and make your way towards the front where a row of policemen were there to help you past a meager little barricade, you found that you and your brother were the last to arrive. And with only minutes to spare.

And not once did you ever think about reaching out and touching the gate…

But luckily, someone else did.

“I already tried! Damn thing won’t open” It’s another girl’s voice. It’s as young as the first’s girls voice, and judging from the confident and strong way she spoke, you could only assume this was the girl who won the third ticket. From what you caught of her interview after she had won, she struck you as the type of girl who would go and face any challenge head-on. Even if that challenge involved touching the gate of a building that clearly isn’t yours. “Aren’t you supposed to have a key? Can’t you unlock it? Why haven’t you opened the gate?”

But before the little girl could even finish speaking, the man on the other side of the gate threw his head back and let out a loud laugh at the sky. The type that sprouted from your belly and bubbled up until it was out in the open for all to hear and enjoy. And it was a joyous sound- that man’s laughter. It was as if he had heard the funniest joke you could think of. But it caught just about everyone off guard with how suddenly it happened. You found yourself almost joining in quietly because it took you by such surprise. But just as quickly as it started, the man’s laughter ceased.

“No, no,” He said to himself, a smile playing on his lips. “That won’t do.”

His shoulders still shook silently, like the thought of what must have made him laugh was still lingering in his ears. You were only just vaguely aware of the whispers behind you that were starting to grow in volume. People had the same questions as you regarding this man and his behavior. People had the same wishes as you regarding the delay of…well, whatever this was supposed to be. But the man seemed to pay no mind to the whispers.

Perhaps he couldn’t hear them. Or perhaps he just didn’t care.

Instead of addressing the girl or the crowd or the whispers any further, the man just clicked his tongue and slowly turned his head, as if surveying the crowd. His gaze seemed slow and deliberate. As if he had a lot on his mind and so much time. Behind you, the whispers grew louder. Only some voices refused to speak in whispers anymore. Some returned to a normal volume. Some spoke in volumes even greater than that. Grumbles mixed with mumbles. Scoffs trampled over huffs and puffs of frustration. A news reporter some ways behind you on your left began getting a play-by-play on what was happening while the man from behind the gate still took his sweet time with whatever he was doing.

At the same time, you heard some of the other winners and their chaperones speak amongst themselves. A young boy’s voice spoke about how he was bored and wanted to go home. When a motherly voice responded to him saying how they would not go home after all this trouble, the boy only shot back about how he clearly didn’t bring enough video games to deal with this. One of the girls made a complaint about the time this was taking too before turning to ask whoever she was with to make time go faster. And another boy mentioned how he was getting nervous and hungry and he didn’t like that he was being kept from the thing that he wanted most.

But to be honest, you were a bit busy focusing on your brother.

Somewhere amidst all the weird and silent confusion, your brother had begun squeezing your hand tight. Something you noticed he was doing a lot more recently. When your eyes peered down to look at him, you saw that the tips of his ears were red and he had refused to meet your eyes. He was still holding on to some of those nerves from last night. Hell, you were too. But it seemed like all this deliberation was only adding to your brother’s fears.

“Yuuta,” You whispered to him before squeezing his hand back. You turned your head towards him and offered him as comforting of a smile as you could muster. Years of being a waitress as made you good at things like these. But years of being his older sister? It damn made you perfect and knowing what he needed and when. “It’ll be okay. Just watch, alright? It’ll all be okay. ”

Yuuta hesitated, but eventually, he gave up and nodded before looking up at you to say something. But whatever words he had instantly died in his throat as his gaze caught on to something in front of him. You didn’t catch on right away. In fact, it was only a few seconds later when you realized how eerily quiet the crowd had grown once more that you decided to look into your brother’s sudden change in behavior and followed his gaze.

And there, in front of you, stood the man with the white hair and the top hat and the dark overcoat. Only this time, your vision of him was not obscured. Not by distance. And not by the dark pair of sunglasses donning his face either. Because right now, he was close enough that you could make out the fact that the man had seemingly no imperfections visible whatever so ever. Because right now, he was close enough that you could see the bright, brilliant blue color of his eyes peering over the rims of his glasses.

And that’s when you truly realized why you were close enough to see him- that man with the joyous laugh and brilliantly white hair- in this way. He had closed the distance between himself and the crowd. He had closed the distance between himself and the winners of the golden tickets. He had closed the distance between himself and your brother. And you. But most importantly: He was standing with you and your brother, on the other side- your side- of the gate.

On the other side of the locked gate.

And now?

“Well, young man?”

He was leaning down, down, down to meet your brother at eye level. Kneeling on one knee, he settled a mere foot away from Yuuta, before offering up a ridiculously pretty, blinding white smile full of a sort secrets and stories. Secrets and stories just begging to be told. But ones you’re not so sure they ever would receive such a luxury. But what do you know? Well, after this encounter, you’ve found that you’re quite sure of one thing, at least.

“Why don’t you give it a try?”

You’re not sure you know anything at all.

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foster-the-world · 6 months ago

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Let's glow!

Last week myself and another mom ran ten glow parties for about two hundred kids. As most things with PTA, it was kind of annoying to organize but turned out to be totally worth it. The kids had so much fun. We got silent disco headphones - so I made sure to dance for at least one song during every party. All ages (1st through 5th) loved the parties. The bigger kids busted out their tiktok dances. It was fun to see the energy. I'm glad to know the older kids weren't too cool to dance. I'll be handing over my PTA exec board duties happily next week. I still plan to be very involved but happy to give up the meetings. I'll probably volunteer to manage teachers appreciation week and end of year parties, again. I have one more monthly newsletter to send out.

My husband went Upstate alone for the weekend. He came back happy and relaxed. I'm glad we made it happened. Baby boy's a lot - which was kind of sad to (re)realize. We normally manage him by splitting up duties. One of us takes him in the mornings and then the other comes in the afternoon or vice versa. So the extra-ness is much more manageable. My in-laws kindly came to get the girls yesterday around noon. They took them swimming at their condo pool. It was a like a light switch flipped with baby boy. The second they were gone he started playing by himself calmly. This was after nonstop unregulated behavior the 36 hours before. For the thirty minutes after they left he entertained himself. Then after his long nap he was calm again. We went to the children's museum. I didn't have to correct him once. I sat on a bench across the room must watching. This is unheard of for him. I normally have to be within six inches of him, with constant corrections, just in case. The museum was pretty empty. I was hanging out with all the (assumingly) divorced dads. Its making me think he's going to need a really small class size for kindergarten. Crowds are really his downfall. There is one DOE program with only 12 kids (8 Gen Ed and 4 special needs) but he'll need an autism diagnosis. Which I still am not convinced he has but think we could probably get. We also won't know if he will get a spot. Limited spots and from what I read the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We can also sue and have the DOE pay for private school. These special needs private schools in NYC essentially become entirely funded by the DOE as everyone, regardless of income, sues. Anyway, working on getting the neurological assessment booked. My husband is calling today to figure out what insurance will cover. Fingers crossed.

I saw graduation photos from the school that would most likely fit his profile. Maybe twenty kids were graduating. It made me kind of sad. It feels like it will benefit him to keep his world small (for now) but I want him to be a part of the big ole world. The girls school is small class sizes but much bigger overall. Anyway, no reason to worry about him graduating from 8th grade/HS. Let's get him through 4k, first.

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minervadashwood · 1 year ago

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Daryl Dixon x NB!Reader (afab, plus-size) 🏹 Daryl x Reader x Rick 🛡️

The Cop and the Criminal - Chapter 27

~~~~~~~~

Series Masterlist | Masterlist | Taglist

Summary:

Finals week is hell.

Notes:

it's been a rough few days, but writing helped me cope. so here's a new chapter already. i hope you like it. contains: canon-typical violence, omega meltdowns, alpha rick (tm) word count: 3k

~~~~~~~~

Day two of finals week. your brain was fried and your nerves frayed. You’d finished one final exam and had an hour to recover before you had to start revising a final paper for the same class.

You’d been through finals weeks before, but never one like this. Some kind of flu had broken out in the city, and now there were campus-wide isolation procedures in place. Those who lived on campus were confined to their dorms, where they took their exams using the campus’s online portal. You had the option of staying home, but the internet was better on campus, so Daryl had driven you here this morning. In fact, Daryl had driven you everywhere lately, unwilling to let you travel alone. The only exception he made was when Rick had driven you home yesterday.

You were holed up with Ro, who had worries of his own. The biology department was no easier on its students than your anthropology professors were on you. You groaned in frustration. You’d much rather be with your mates than here, with a sense of impending doom at all the work ahead of you.

You laid down on Ro’s couch and stared at the ceiling, letting your mind wander.

You were not sure how much time had passed when Ro stormed out of his bedroom and ran into the living room, grabbing the TV remote.

“What’s going on? Some afternoon soap?” you murmured, sitting up.

Ro didn’t answer, but he sat down on the couch beside you, his knee bouncing as he flipped channels and stopped on the local news.

You looked at the screen to see an aerial shot of a local hospital. High above the ground the camera zoomed in on rectangular shapes lined up on the backside of the building. The image grew fuzzy the closer the camera zoomed in, but that didn’t stop you from realizing what you were seeing.

Body bags, rows and rows of them, just left outside the hospital, lined up in some sort of loading bay.

“I knew,” Ro blurted. “I fucking knew , but I didn’t say anything.” He stared at the TV wide-eyed, and--was he frightened ?

You inched closer to him and he put his arm around you, shaking.

“Thought it was going to be the weather,” he kept saying. “Blackouts, floods, roadslides, but not this .”

You took the remote from his hand and muted the sound.

“Deep breaths,” you told him. This was a turn. He was the beta; wasn’t he supposed to be the calm one? You’d never seen Ro like this. Normally he was unflappable, easygoing; there was no problem in the world he couldn’t handle.

He shook his head and grabbed his phone from his pocket and began typing furiously.

“We have to get out of here,” he rambled. “Out of the city. I have to get you to your mates.” He threw his phone on the table. “Why the fuck does he never answer me?!”

You glanced at Ro’s phone screen to see a text message thread between him and Merle. Ro had sent at least three messages to Merle, but apparently Merle had never replied.

All of a sudden, Ro laughed, but his eyes remained haunted. “I thought my project was going to be the best thing for humanity, but here I am--as useless as ever.”

“Ro-- Paul ,” you whispered, hugging your friend. Did those omega pheromones work on betas? Or at least on your packmates? You hoped so.

As you hugged him, his breathing slowed a little, and he sighed.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, and you let go of him, studying him closely.

He gestured at the TV. “This is why you need them both. This is what I’ve been trying to figure out for the past month. Look at all of them. This outbreak started when? Last Sunday? Friday at the earliest, and now, not even two weeks later?”

You followed his gaze to the TV. Now, a reporter was standing with the hospital in the background. Security guards patrolled the entrance to the hospital, but otherwise the area was empty.

You unmuted the TV.

“The mayor’s office is expected to announce shelter in place orders for the entire city. What that will entail, we’re not sure yet, but we’ll have the news to you as soon as it happens.”

Ro stood up, and you followed him to the kitchen. He started grabbing canvas shopping bags out of a drawer. “Can you pack some food? Non-perishables. Ignore the fridge. I’ll get some stuff together and then we’ll head to your place.”

His eyes flitted around his apartment, and you watched, wordlessly taking the shopping bags from him.

Your own hands were shaking now. What if Rick got sick? He worked with the public all day. What if Daryl picked it up from one of his tenants? What about Carl? He spent all day at elementary school where germs passed from pup to pup in an endless exchange.

Suddenly, Ro’s hands were on your shoulders, squeezing gently. “Call your alphas. Pack the food. Don’t think about anything else.”

You nodded, trying not to panic. Ignoring the bags for now, you retrieved your phone from the kitchen table, where you’d been working all morning. The sight of your laptop open to GSU’s homepage suddenly made your earlier worries seem so trivial, so inconsequential.

You picked up your phone and called Daryl. As you waited for it to start ringing, you stared at the TV. The news reporter was gone, and now the mayor stood at a podium with an ASL translator at his side. In your ear, your phone made a strange beeping noise. You looked down, and it said, “Call dropped.”

You tried calling Daryl again, with the same result. Then you stared at the service bars icon, watching them blink in and out. Of all days to have service issues. The more you tried, the more desperate you became. If you didn’t hear Daryl or Rick’s voice in your ear soon, you were going to lose it. You’d be a helpless heap of a person, a whimpering mess on the kitchen floor.

Then, you got a text message. From Rick.

“We’re coming. Stay put.”

You clutched at your phone, sniffling. God, you hated your biology right now. You’d be no good to Ro like this. Ro needed you to be calm and sensible. You typed out a reply with trembling fingers.

“Please hurry.”

For the past few days Daryl had been subjected to your elevated stress levels, but he knew it was because of your exams. So far, he’d been doing his best to ignore it. However, it constantly haunted him, and provoked his alpha instinct to save you, to protect you. His mate was in distress, after all.

At the same time you were watching new news with Ro, Daryl was at the store, stocking up on salt and gravel for the coming winter. He’d had it all loaded in the back of his pickup truck when all his hair stood on end and adrenaline coursed through him. You were scared, panicked. He got into the truck, trying to find his phone, but then realized he’d forgotten it at home. He could see it in his mind’s eye, sitting on his desk.

He drove back to the Chalets in a fury. There, Rick was already waiting on him, dressed in his uniform and pacing in front of the office.

“Thank God you’re here,” Rick said as Daryl got out of his truck. “What’s going on? I’m supposed to be out on patrol, but I just got this feeling.”

Daryl grunted, motioning for Rick to follow, and Daryl went inside, grabbing his phone. But there was nothing from you, no calls, no messages. He looked to Rick, who shook his head.

“I haven’t heard from them, but I didn’t call because they’re busy, right? Taking an exam today?”

Daryl didn’t reply, instead he called you, only for his phone to somehow not go through. He tried again and again. Beside him, Rick was calling you too, growing more and more agitated.

“Daryl,” Rick said, putting his hand on Daryl’s shoulder. “On my radio they were saying something about the hospitals being over capacity in the city. Let me get on there and see what I can find out.”

In Rick’s police car, they listened to the scanner, then switched on the actual radio to hear the mayor’s press conference about locking down the city.

“Maybe I can get a text to them,” Rick mumbled typing on his phone. After the message was sent, he tossed his phone to Daryl. And Daryl stared at the screen, fury coursing through him, desperation making him growl.

Meanwhile, Rick was driving fast through the parking lot, and even switched on his lights and siren as he got onto the road.

Rick turned off the car radio, but kept his police scanner on, and as they got closer to Atlanta, things only got worse. Some of the sick people were hallucinating, or delusional, attacking doctors and nursing by biting them, just like the man they’d seen last weekend.

Eventually, you replied to Rick’s message, and Daryl read it. No matter how fast Rick was driving, it still wasn’t fast enough. If one of those people got to you, or you got sick yourself, Daryl would go out of his mind with rage. For now, he could only sit beside Rick and hope that Jesus would do his best to protect you.

While you waited for your mates, Ro had packed what seemed to be his whole life in a hiker’s backpack. He had changes of clothes, water bottles, first aid kits, bottles of pills (OTC and otherwise), packs of cigarettes, and toiletries.

Your phones still weren’t able to call out, but Ro did send a few more angry texts to Merle. Both of you watched the news off and on, most of it repeating what you already knew.

Then, at last, you sensed Daryl was close. You sprang up from your seat on the couch. “Daryl’s here!”

“Thank fuck,” Ro sighed. He put his backpack on his shoulders and you grabbed your school bag and the grocery bags. Before opening the door, Ro peered out the peephole for a few seconds.

What was he looking for? Security? Casey, the hall director?

The university told students to stay in their own apartments, but that didn’t mean you were trapped there, did it? Technically, you still had a place downstairs, but it’s not like you lived there anymore.

Finally, Ro sighed and opened his door. Ushering you out first, he turned and locked it.

“You go first,” he said. “I’ll watch our backs.”

You saw the tension in his features, like he was afraid of being attacked. But who would want to attack either of you?

Regardless, you were still scared when you grabbed the handrail and started taking the steps down the six flights to the lobby. On the fifth floor, you stopped to adjust your grip on the grocery bags.

“Just need to stop for a second,” you said, turning around. But Ro wasn’t behind you.

You sprinted back up a few steps just in time to see Ro shove one of your neighbors against a wall. The girl flew backwards a few feet, and Ro threw down his backpack and bent his knees, his hands held up defensively.

To your surprise, she ran for him, making some guttural noise and grabbing at him. Ro blocked her arms away, then dodged another attempt before finally, shoving her to the floor.

You froze in place, panicking. You sank to the floor, crying and whimpering and trying to make yourself small. Why was he fighting her? Why was she attacking him? Was it drugs? Desperately, you wanted to help Ro, but your body wouldn’t listen. You could only stare helplessly as he continued to fight her off. He tried not to hurt her, at first, but she was relentless until finally Ro kicked her in the stomach then dragged her through the door and back into the hallway.

Still shuddering, you gazed at him through the stair railing as he grabbed his bag and practically flew down the stairs. He reached to help you up, but at the same time, the door beside you flew open, and you screamed.

Suddenly, strong, rough hands were on you, forcing you to stand up. Then someone dressed in tan ran past you, leaping up the stairs to help Ro.

Daryl shook with adrenaline as he pulled you up off the floor and shoved you behind him. He glanced from the door next to you to the commotion above, ready to leap into action.

“Back up!” Rick shouted, and Daryl watched as Rick started unfastening the gun at his waist. “Don’t come any closer!” Jesus was behind Rick staring ahead at the approaching woman.

As she came into view, she reminded Daryl of the man he’d seen the other night: a shambling, aggressive figure. Before he could shout at Rick, a gunshot echoed in the stairwell. Behind him, Daryl felt you clutching at his jacket with shaking hands.

The woman fell forward, her head hitting the concrete floor, and Daryl saw the exit wound, a dark, bloody mess where her hair used to be.

Jesus mouthed the word, “Fuck,” but Daryl didn’t hear, his ears were ringing with the blast of the shot. Rick stared at the lifeless body, and lowered his revolver, and looked around for you. Once he spotted you, he was down the stairs, followed by Jesus.

Now that it was safe, Daryl finally let himself hold you. You clutched at him and cried, your words too muffled and halting for him to understand. Soon Rick was there, too, pulling both of you into a hug, and then scenting all of you, including Ro.

You hiccuped and let go of Daryl to grab a hold of Rick. “Y-you shot her,” you muttered.

Although Rick was pale with shock, he clenched his jaw before saying, “It was the only way to stop her.”

“It was,” Jesus replied, pulling a backpack over his shoulders.

“Le’s get the hell outta ‘ere,” Daryl grumbled, taking the bags from you and taking your hand.

You stuck to Daryl, but there was little solace in being next to him, only a vague sense of safety. Rick led the way down the stairs and Ro brought up the rear, and every time your group turned a corner you were convinced someone would attack Rick. Both your mates were frightened and on high alert. But unlike you, that fear made them aggressive, alert.

Finally, you made it to the ground floor and the lobby. When you saw the front desk, the director, Casey, was practically passed out in her seat. Beside her was a bottle of tylenol, knocked over with pills pouring out of it. The desk was covered with used tissues and an empty orange juice can was on its side.

“Casey?” you whispered, walking toward her. If she was sick, she needed help.

You took a few steps forward, and Casey’s head shot up. Her eyes were glazed over, almost milky, and she reached for you.

Daryl shoved you away, and Ro grabbed you to keep you from toppling over.

“Get them out of here!” Rick shouted, and Ro obeyed, dragging you to the front door and outside.

You heard another gunshot, standing next to Rick’s police vehicle with Ro’s hands on your shoulders, holding you in place. At last your mates walked through the doors, their eyes alert and haunted as they looked around the parking lot then at you.

Rick threw all the bags in the trunk, and then Daryl forced you into the backseat of the SUV and followed you in. Ro took the passenger seat, and finally Rick got behind the wheel, turning on the lights and siren as he drove away from Georgia State University.

In the backseat, Daryl cradled your face, looking at you with wild eyes. You put your hands over his, and his breathing slowed. He pressed his forehead to yours, and you wrapped your arms around him, holding him close and trying not to cry. You needed to be strong for your alphas so they could be strong for you.

You wished you could touch Rick, too, hold him and thank him, have his scent envelop you, but there was a wire cage separating you from him. He drove so quickly, weaving in and out of traffic, and then following Daryl’s directions to take side streets and back roads home.

Along the way, your lower belly cramped and you started breaking out in a sweat.

Beside you, Daryl growled, and then he helped you get your coat off.

“It’s too soon,” you winced, clutching your middle.

Daryl shook his head and nuzzled your neck. “Smelled it on ya this mornin’. Shoulda kept ya home.”

“Not now. Not today. We have to find Merle. And what about Carl? Lori and Shane?”

“Lori’s got her pup,” Daryl told you, using a handkerchief to wipe your brow. “No tellin’ where Merle is, but don’ worry ‘bout ‘im.” Daryl looked at Ro. “Ya ‘ear me up there? My brother’s a tough sumbitch, an’ he’ll find his way home when he’s ready.”

Another cramp hit you, and you moaned. You took Daryl’s hand and squeezed it.

“I’ll get you to your nest soon, Bunny. Just sit tight,” Rick told you.

“Yes, Alpha,” you replied, your omega instinct soothed by his words and comforted by Daryl’s hands.

You closed your eyes and let Daryl hold you the rest of the way home.

~~~~~~~~

Next chapter.

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daturadiary · 1 year ago

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✩02.10.2023✩

✧Today the library finally opened!! Red and me had classes in the afternoon, so we decided to go to uni an hour early, so that we can go see how it is from the inside, take a look around at the books and sections, there´s such an extensive collection of different books in different languages for different majors, about different subjects!! We also sat there for a bit and compared our answers for an assignement we had (I did all my assignements yesterday, as i didnt have class since the past wednesday, wich is why i didnt post last week, besides on monday :3 )

✧After that we had class, our french teacher didnt come, again (I really wonder if we are gonna see him this semester, but red doesnt seem bummed, she doesnt like french), and so we didas we usually do when a prof doesnt show up and we sat under a tree with one of our friends. Then came spoken english, i enoyed the session, its very fun in it´s own way. Then our last prof didnt show up, so after waiting we just went home

✧Just now i finished an assignement i had for praragraph writing, (i really love seeing the ´´completed´´ sign on my notion) that is due tommorow, so i officially did every assignement on my to-do list :D

✧ Before i wrap up this post. just wanted to talk a bit about this book i just started ´´fire and blood´´ (yes as in house targaryen from gameof thrones).I havent watched the show, but it seems really interesting altough some fans seem upset with the adaptation so i decided to go for the book. Fire and blood is not necessary to the timeline, but iam a fantasy girl all the way and just love dragons , so this book seemed like the perfect introduction to this series. I was reading it on breaks and while waiting for professors, and it is a very enjoyable read, the plot is interesting and especially the way that it is written, it just catches your attention ! (well for me atleasto.o).

✧Thanks for reading my rambling! Moonie out :)

.・。.・゜✭・.・・゜✭・。..・。.・゜✭・.・・゜✭・。.

#studyblr #academics #dark academia #literature #english literature #lit #study blog #study aesthetic #student life #studying #study motivation #studyspo #university #october #productive #daily routine

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my-own-walker · 1 year ago

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Someone You've Never Seen Before

A Kyle Spencer Fan Fiction

frat!kyle AU, fem!main character, sexual themes, mature language, use of drugs and alcohol, frat boy antics

The afternoon sun peeked through the leaves of the tree I laid under. The dancing light cast shadows on the ground that fluttered and shifted with each gust of wind. I stretched out on a blanket situated a few feet away from the base of the giant oak tree. Its trunk seemed to stretch up into the sky for miles, from my vantage point. The twisted branches intertwined to create a beautiful pattern. I breathed in fresh, crisp fall air as another breeze washed over me.

"Hannah," Kyle spoke, breaking me out of my daze. I turned my head to the right and looked up at him. He smiled at me before stroking my hair idly. "I was just making sure you weren't falling asleep on me."

I giggled softly and reached up to my head, putting my hand on top of his. "I was looking at the tree."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Here, look," I instructed, patting the blanket beside me. "Lay down and look up, you'll see what I mean." Kyle scooted over and laid down, blonde curls splaying like a golden crown around his head. "Look at how the branches weave together."

"It's pretty," he replied simply. "Not as pretty as you, though." I blushed, turning my head to once again face him. He propped himself up on his elbow and leaned down to kiss me. He stopped, suddenly.

"Hannah," he said.

"What?"

"Hannah," he repeated, louder. "Hannah!"

My eyes shot open at the sound of Lily's voice. Her hands grasped my arm tightly, shaking me awake. I sat up slightly to signal to her that she could stop manhandling me. Words couldn't quite come to my lips just yet.

"Christ, Han," Lily groaned, stepping back and grabbing my phone off of my nightstand. "Can you turn this shit off? Damn!"

I didn't even hear my alarm going off. Wordlessly, I grabbed my phone from her and unlocked it, tapping the necessary items to shut the racket off. My eyes still felt bleary, reality still not quite setting in.

"Sorry," I croaked. It was about all I could manage.

"Are you even okay? Jesus," she asked, annoyance still coloring her tone. "You're still in jeans, babe."

I looked down, and to my own shock, found that I was still in yesterday's clothes. I stayed up almost all night reworking my horrible poem. I didn't even give myself time to get changed after getting home. I took breaks only for food and the bathroom, but even still I wasn't happy with the final product.

"I stayed up late doing homework," I replied, finally looking Lily in the eyes. She wore a light layer of makeup. Her hair was up and held back with a bright pink cloth headband. She was dressed and ready for class, in total contrast to me. "What time is it?"

"9:30," she answered. "Your alarm's been going off for like two hours. I think you missed your class."

"Yep, I fuckin' did, huh?" I sighed, flopping back heavily onto my pillow. "This is so backward. You're going to class and I skipped mine."

"I have to today," she replied, sighing as well. "It's our first exam. Yay, History of American Education!" She was entirely sarcastic, of course. She sat on the edge of my bed and put her hand on my arm.

"I had the weirdest dream," I whispered, looking off into space. "I was on a date or something."

"Oooh, with who?" Lily teased. For a second, I couldn't quite remember. In the way that dreams tend to leave your head as soon as you open your eyes. Then, it dawned on me. My eyes widened slightly.

"Y-you know, I can't really remember," I stammered, too embarrassed to admit the truth.

"Well, that's boring, then. I thought you were going to say something funny like Leon or Channing Tatum," she complained, standing to leave.

"Ew, Lily," I cringed. "Channing Tatum? Really?"

"What? He's disgustingly handsome," she returned, beginning to walk out of the room. "You're like, the only girl that doesn't think that. It would be so funny if you had a sex dream about him."

"You're so fucking gross! Leave!" I cackled, throwing a pillow at her as she walked out the door.

"Bye, love you!" she called back.

"Love you," I grumbled in reply, turning onto my side. I stared at the wall across from my bed, straight at the David Bowie poster I had hung up. He stared back at me with his piercing bi-colored eyes, his bright orange hair blazing majestically.

Oh, David, I thought. I think I'm fucked.

Before long, the sun set and it became time to walk over to 1024 Broadway Street.

Just come over at 7.

I stared at the text Kyle sent, reading it over almost every minute. I was afraid to be too early, but I also didn't want to be too late. I also, for sure, did not want to see him after the dream I had. For some reason, I had this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I thought about him. The same feeling I had when he was about to kiss me in the dream.

I couldn't quiet my thoughts about him on the entire walk to the Kappa Lambda Gamma house. It was agonizing. I intentionally wore a pair of athletic shorts and an oversized sweatshirt for the little meetup. The signals in my mind were already fried, I didn't want to confuse them further by wearing something nice. My caveman girl brain would mistake this thing for a date, given the night prior's events.

The house was a red brick colonial with black shutters and white, rounded-off windows. The fraternity's Greek letters, cut out of wood and painted a dark blue, sat just above the doorway, just in case any of the guys got lost, I assume. When you're piss drunk, having your frat's symbol emblazoned onto your house like a bat signal should give you a higher success rate of getting home.

I had been in the house before. Or at least, I was pretty sure I had been there before. Like I've said before, I went to a lot of parties during my time at Tulane, thanks to Lily. Kyle's frat didn't host often. They were on probation after a few unsavory incidents in the house left people injured or harmed in some way. It had been a long time since I even walked near the KLG house.

Too afraid to simply walk up to the door and knock, I stood on the sidewalk, a few yards from the house, and pulled out my phone to text Kyle to come get me. Before I could even open the messages app, though, I heard a voice call my name.

I looked up quickly and found Kyle standing on the porch, waiting for me. He must have had the foresight to realize I'd be unsure of how to even approach getting inside. He gestured for me to come closer with his hand.

"Come on in, I didn't want you to get lost," he called to me as I rushed closer. "It's a big house."

"I can see that," I quipped, raising my eyebrows. I walked through the door Kyle was holding open for me and stood awkwardly in the foyer, waiting for him to show me where to go. Kyle turned and looked at me, pausing for a moment, almost as if he was waiting for me to lead the way.

"Oh- uh," he stuttered, "you can follow me." He paused awkwardly again before sliding past me. The house was strangely quiet. I followed him up the large set of stairs on the left side of the foyer, taking care to not trip or something and further my embarrassment. In all honesty, I couldn't even fully look at him. I should have still been seething from his stunt the day before but instead, I was weirdly nervous.

He turned left and led me down a hallway, stopping about halfway down in front of a door on the left side.

"This is me," he uttered, opening the door. "I'm one of the lucky ones that didn't get stuck with a roommate." He stepped in and waited for me to follow suit before closing the door, turning the latch on the doorknob to lock it. He must have seen my face change to one of discomfort. "Just so my brothers can't barge in and be weird," he quickly added.

His room was surprisingly well decorated. His bed sat lofted in the right corner of the room with a grey-striped bedspread tucked neatly into the bed frame. His desk was nestled under the bed, lit with a small desk lamp and the light of his computer monitor. A chest of drawers sat in the left corner of the room right below a small window, which was adorned with dark blue curtains. Closer to where we were standing was a small couch on the right side of the room, and a TV stand with a small television atop it on the left. In the center of the floor laid a grey wool rug. The walls were littered with various posters and flags, including a Tulane flag and a Beatles poster.

"Abbey Road," I remarked, pointing at the aforementioned wall hanging.

"One of the best albums of all time," he answered, walking to his desk. He pulled out the chair and sat on it sideways so he could face me.

"Best song on it?" I challenged, not fully believing that he'd actually listened to the album.

"How can I pick just one?" he smirked. I was sure I found him out. Anyone who actually listens to an album for sure has a favorite. "The entire B-side of the record from 'You Never Give Me Your Money' on is brilliant."

I was stunned. "The medley, huh?" I muttered. "I like 'I Want You.'"

"That's a long one," he chuckled.

"I prefer The White Album, though," I replied. I still stood stiffly in the front of the room. I didn't want to sit in his furniture, for fear of what he might have done on them. Kyle turned to grab his books out of his backpack, so I took the opportunity to step forward and plop down, criss-cross applesauce on the ground. The rug was soft, thankfully. I slung my bag off my shoulder and looked down to open it.

"You can, you know, sit on the couch," Kyle remarked smartly. "You don't have to sit on the floor."

"I know, I just, work better this way." A lie. But a harmless one at that.

"Well, I feel bad that I'm in a chair and you're not," he declared, sliding out of his chair to join me on the rug. "We're just brainstorming so I don't need a desk."

We spent an hour talking through the project and its requirements, making a schedule to meet every Thursday night to get little pieces done. The final project acted as our final, rather than an exam, so we both agreed to take it seriously. I was silently thankful that someone so good at Calc would be contributing so much to my final grade in the class.

"Now," Kyle started, setting his math notebook aside. "I feel like I need to get something out of the way."

My stomach dropped. "Y-yeah?"

"Your poem," he replied lowly. My stomach fell even further. "I want to apologize for that. I shouldn't have been so rude."

"No, it's fine," I began. "It was kinda bad."

"I don't know why I said anything."

"I get it. But I'm an English major. I should write better," I continued. "I rewrote it a bit. I was struggling with it, honestly." I appreciated the apology. It was big of him to own up to what he did. It was likely because we'd have to see each other regularly and be civil to do well on the project. I didn't care the reason, it just made me happy to know he had a sliver of a conscience.

"Can I try to help? I actually like poetry," he asked. "I also listen to a lot of music and that's like poetry I think." I grabbed my bag and rummaged through, pulling out the small spiral notebook I use for ideas and brainstorming.

"What do you propose? It's due tomorrow," I responded. Kyle shifted to lay on his stomach, resting his chin on his hands. He looked off into middle distance, eyes cast toward the door.

"I just think that writing about eyes is cliche like I said. What was the prompt again?"

"Love. Just love. Fucking vague, right?" I snarked.

"God, yeah," he sighed. "I think... I think if you want to describe loving someone, like parts of them, you should pick unique things. At this point you shouldn't scrap the whole poem, just tweak it."

"Yeah, I agree, again, considering it's due tomorrow."

Kyle inhaled sharply and turned onto his side, still staring off, rather than looking at me directly. I sat, pen perched over the notebook paper, waiting to write his ideas down. Even if I didn't use them, I still valued other people's takes on things.

"Talk about, oh, I don't know. Their clothes. How they express themselves. How they stand out from a crowd. Or the way they scrunch their face up when they stretch." I started scribbling his words down quickly. "Her crooked smile, or the way her eyes flash when she gets passionate about what she's saying. The way her hair is always getting in her eyes, or how she pushes her glasses up her nose when they start to slip down."

I don't know when it happened, but I slowly stopped writing, transfixed by his words. The detail with which he described some imaginary person left me flustered. You could tell he knew what true love was.

"Maybe," he continued, "write about how you love when she finishes your thoughts. Or how she taps her pencil on her face when she's thinking."

I do that. I thought.

"Should I keep going?" he asked, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up at him, finding him staring directly at me. I met his deep brown eyes, which were now sparkling and bright. He sat up to look at my notebook. "No good, huh?"

"Oh, god, no it was great," I stammered, still looking into his eyes. "Sorry, I just, my pen ran out of ink."

"Hah, that sucks. Was that helpful at all?"

"Immensely," I breathed.

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