Couldn't help myself

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

...

[ Looks up at the journal name. ]

You know, it's a good movie, but isn't that name kinda long? I hope someone gets the reference or the effort to think it up might go to waste.



But enough about that! I know you have a few games in mind, and while I don't really like either of them, you could at least send me to the one that Rin's at, all right? It's a big city too, so there's plenty of space for me to run! I'll just... not go anywhere near any monsters, right?

Comments

[hnggggh]

W-What? No, I'm good, honest!

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

At least make sure you go for a walk every day.

...for everyone's sake.

[hnggggh]

Yeah, I'll do my best.

It's kind of weird to say, but thanks for pushing me, Emi.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

See, I knew you'd like it when you really got into it.

Thanks for running with me, Hisao. I'm glad I had a running partner like you.

[hnggggh]

Well I still wouldn't say I like it, but... It's good for me and getting to hang out with you wasn't so bad either.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

Good enough! I'm glad my personality's magnetic enough to get you out there every morning.

[hnggggh]

Definitely the high point of my mornings! Then again you're only competing with waking up, swallowing some pills, eating cafeteria breakfast, and avoiding my neighbor, so...

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

Oh, so I'm only fun compared to a bunch of things that suck then?

[hnggggh]

It was a joke! You're more than just 'a step above lame'.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

[ She laughs. ]

Hey, remember that you're talking to someone with a sense of humor. I'm the last person who'd take that seriously you know.

[hnggggh]

Yeah, but sometimes I speak without thinking. It's nice to clarify. Not everyone can take a joke as good as you, Emi.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

You don't have to censor yourself with me, as long as I don't have to censor myself with you.

[hnggggh]

Okay, that'll be our little arrangement then.

[Hisao grins somewhat devilishly.]

Like you could say anything that would embarrass or offend me anyway!

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

...do you really want me to start trying? I know more about you than most people.

[hnggggh]

That wasn't really a challenge, but it could be funny to see you try.

[Hisao is suddenly reminded of his own words about speaking without thinking.]

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

It'll have to wait until other people around if I really wanna embarrass you.

[hnggggh]

Cheeky. I wonder if I have enough ammo to get you back when the time comes?

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

I don't think an embarrassment arms race would do anything but make things really, really awkward for whoever's around us. Maybe even Rin...

...maybe not.

[hnggggh]

I think Rin would completely school us both.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

She probably knows things about me that I don't even realize. And if it's Rin from her route-thing... then she'd know a lot about you too.

[hnggggh]

Rin spends a lot of time in space but I think she's really perceptive when she wants to be.

...Even if like the second thing she ever said to me was asking if my junk worked.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

...

[ SORRY HISAO but Emi is now doubled over laughing. ]

[hnggggh]

[That gets a chuckle from him too.]

...Yeah, I think she could beat us both. Completely unintentionally.

[chariotsofcarbonfiber]

[ Give her a moment. ]

Y-yeah, then she'd just... wonder what we're getting so worked up about.

[hnggggh]

I'd really like to figure out what goes through her head sometimes... I wonder if I ever will? Ah, my mun is still working on that one, I mean.

[A slight smirk.]

Yeah, it's still weird to think about the whole 'route' thing. Let alone talk about it.