(after event chill out lil mingle) let's understand it

[nullificates]

(cw depression)

(he hasn't exactly been doing great - much to the opposite. he spent the week in bed, he hasn't taken care of himself whatsoever, and he's exhausted. either way, it hardly matters how he feels, does it ever?

so. let's go. a text message arrives to everyone's charms and tablets, and it reads:)

this is, you guessed it, osamu dazai. it's been a week since that stupid maze, so here is what we have:

1. i need copious amounts of alcohol and food. i'll bring some to the beach in 30, i suggest we all do the same.
2. i'd like to hear what your experiences were. it's important for data building - we have a few detectives in this place, some smartpants, and some go-getters. we need to take advantage of our only resource, which is ourselves. meet me at the beach, or send me anonymously. i don't care about your shit per se.

see you, or don't see you.

many words that mean absolutely nothing here,
dazai.

(to those that come to the beach, they'll see several cocktail possibilities laid in front of dazai, as well as a good number of the food they serve in lupin - mixed nuts, pistachio, cheese tables, chocolate, dried figs, potato chips, chicken snacks, boiled sausage, asparagus with sauces, and dried fruit. a bonfire warms his hands in the chilly breeze of the night - this feels awfully needed.)

Comments

[orphne]

They are. I miss them a lot! I hope you get to meet them, someday.

[Maybe in the future. Apparently Mitsuru and Akihiko created some weird task force for fighting Shadows? She won't be there, but hey, maybe Yu will!

She bumps her head against his shoulder.]

Tell me about the others on your team?

[It's a question, not a command, because last time they spoke, he couldn't remember a lot of them. How's your memory tonight, buddy?]

[izanagis]

[He squeezes her shoulder a bit.]

I hope so, too. You said one of them was a boxer, right?

[His team... he's more than happy to talk about them, now that his memory's been sorted out.]

You've met Yosuke. It was just us at first, me and him. [His tone is carefully measured. Things are still a little strange between them, and it's hard to make heads or tails of it. Ask he can do is hope they figure it out.

...]

They were all kids from my school. Most of them got pushed into the TV world. I never... [Oof, he does miss them a lot.] I never would've been able to do any of the things I did without them.

[orphne]

Yep! Akihiko Sanada-senpai. The Star.

[Again, another little detail for Yu alone. But oooh, deets about the Investigation Team... plus, a chance to get to hear more about him, now that things seem to be better. She tilts her head against his shoulder to try to glance up at his face -- it's not the best angle for it, but it's something, and she doesn't intend to move to get a better one.

Still, her smile is fond as she listens to him talk about his friends, eventually closing her eyes to listen to him speak and nestling her cheek against his shoulder.]

Yeah, [she agrees, voice soft but lips still curved in a little smile.] Me, either. Anything else?

[She is in real danger of falling asleep if he continues, but that's okay.]

[izanagis]

[The Star...Teddie, for him. It always seemed fitting, somehow. They all do.

Her cheek on his shoulder feels strangely...nostalgic, in a way. He could probably talk about his friends all day -- figuratively speaking, that is, he's not that talkative. But--]

... I get the feeling we should get you home. Before you do turn into a pumpkin.

[She seems like she's on the verge of it already.]

[orphne]

[She whines at him, a little unsatisfied noise-- she's comfortable here! -- but he's right. Sleeping on someone's shoulder is nice while falling asleep, but sucks to wake up from. With another exaggerated groan, she forces herself upright and stretches her arms out in front of her, rounding her back, then raising them and arching her back forward with a satisfying pop!]

Fine... I'll head back.

[She bonks her head against his shoulder this time, a familiar, if silly gesture, and gives him another tired smile.]

You should keep having fun here, though. I won't become a pumpkin until I'm in bed, promise.

[izanagis]

[He chuckles softly at the bonk, nudging her back. He'd be more than fine letting her fall asleep here, all said, but... her bed would probably be more comfy.]

You sure I can't walk you home?

[It's not that he thinks she can't handle herself, but... you know. He worries a little bit.]

[orphne]

The farmhouse is kind of out of the way... [she hedges, even as she rolls over to slowly push herself to her feet. It's not like she doesn't want to be walked home but-! She also doesn't want to take Yu away from spending time with others, either.] So you don't have to! You'll call me when you want to hit the beach, right?

[Either for a party, or just the two of them.]

[izanagis]

[Look, if I'm being honest, Yu would probably walk her home anyway, but for the sake of making space for new stuff--]

I will. Promise. [A little smile.] Good night, Kotone.