Please, Mun-san. Can we not speak of the events of recent chapters? Otherwise, I believe that not even the fountain of youth has enough liquid mass to supply my tears!

Can we instead speak of something more positive in that place you have stuck me in? Such as... your sudden reversal of your intentions to drop me! I am glad that I have been been able to earn your favor back. The lotus of Konoha does bloom twice, after all. And I look forward to what you have planned for me. The prospects of acting as or competing with this Santa-sama, who seems as skilled as any Hokage, sounds like one of the most worthy challenge I could ask for. And getting the squirrel whose life I saved all those years ago as a Christmas gift? My heart will overflow with emotion. Not to mention that... Sakura-san may arrive in the next cycle. This is so exciting!

[Yes, focus on that rather than the horrible news that she or other new arrivals could bring.]

Please, Mun-san! Allow me to keep investigating the interests of those who wish to apply here, and this "meme" where such people test their drives! And... before this ends, Mun-san, I ask that you give me permission to call out to one person, please, with all of my youth! The one whom I miss most dearly....

GAI-SENSEI! WHERE ARE YOU!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're getting a... squirrel? [ most important subject or most important subject. Lee, bro, what the heck. ]

Correct, Chouji-kun! That is how Santa-sama shall choose to reward for my hard work! I saved that creature's life back in the Chunin exam. Do you think he can learn ninjutsu?

Aa, well, anything's possible in Luceti, right? [ Like he's about to crush a guy's dream. No way. ] And people are always talking about Christmas miracles. Maybe he's a natural.

The possibilities are truly endless! Perhaps he can master taijutsu instead, like me! But... I should start thinking of a name for him. Shikamaru's deer has such a cool name, I would not want to disappoint this small creature with an unfitting name.

You'll probably do a great job! It's pretty hard to go wrong when you're really worried about disappointing them. I think.

And I guess you name for personality in animals so you'll know it fits him... what's Shikamaru's deer called?

Thank you for your faith, Chouji-kun! I just want to make sure I do not put too much pressure on him. He will be a fine pet even if he cannot fight!

Rikumaru is his name! I am not sure what it means...

[ Lee how do you go between being 'what the heck' and being awesome, teach him... well STILL, smiling, because that's the spirit! Keep to the cheerfulness. ]

I'm not sure, either. I never really asked about the Nara's naming. [ Tried, once or twice. But it's like the deer can sense you're curious. They gather. ]

That is very courteous of you, Chouji-kun. But... oh! Did you know that Shikamaru's name actually means "deer"? Then perhaps Rikimaru's name means, "human!"! The Nara's ways are truly fascinating...

He's the same one I've helped raised since I was a kid, from back home. You've met him once or twice I think.

Oh, him! I don't think the forests around Luceti would be off badly with him around. [ Plus there may or may not be something about Shikamaru having a deer bro from home that is inherently relieving, but opinions, opinions. :I ]

They're not. He makes a good guard, when I'm training.

[ In which she just... can't quite ignore recent canon events. But Tenten can't bring herself to say anything just yet. ]

[It's not hard to guess what feels she's feeling. So he looks towards his teammate in concern.]

Ah! Tenten...

[ And perhaps it's the eerie sort of calm she's displaying that makes it all so unsettling to see. Because Tenten is a kunoichi first. And, as ever, she was born to destroy, not heal. ]

Lee... [ But he's a teammate and a friend. So the business tone she's taken to using slips just the tiniest bit. And the hard-edged shell she's sporting softens. Just for him. ] ...How have you been?

[He stares on pensively.]

In my game, I have been feeling fine. Content. I am living contently with Neji.

But here... In this realm... I- I... [He winces his eyes shut.] this news.

Yeah... [ Can't... quite finding in herself to look at him quite yet. ] It's, uh... [ Coughs softly. ] It's a hard thing to swallow.

It must be a fabrication! It has to be! Neji would would not... He could never...

[leave us. But the thought can't be voiced.]

He can. [ Softens. He did. And that was something that she still choked on to say. So Tenten'll leave it at that. ] It's something we'll all have to deal with, sooner or later.

[ After all, everyone, eventually...

Knitting her brows the smallest bit, she tilts her head away. Because she was hurting too. Because as much as she wants to deny it along with him, there's no mistaking the breaking of his seal and what it meant. ] I just wish... [ Why did he have to be first? ]

I know. I wish too, Tenten. [His face sinks, but he tries to grip her shoulder reassuringly.]That... that I could have defeated him. That I could have... said goodbye. That I could have- have stopped it.

[ And for all his efforts, it only hurts her more. Because all of the should'ves, would'ves, could'ves in the world wasn't bringing him back. Still... ] ...Yeah. Saying goodbye would've been nice...

On luceti's app interests and test drive opening (possible spoilers in comments)

GAI-SENSEI! WHERE ARE YOU!

well if there's a post and all

jbsdnlk

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if I may just cut in

terribly rude of you :'|

I know, please forgive me :'|

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