[After he's seen to taking care of Fauna, which does take him some time, Yuuto opens his phone. It's late... But he remembers how long he was awake before. Heartbreak doesn't follow a clock.
So he sends a tentative text. Aware that she might not reply until morning, or for a few days, but wanting to extend the offer of company.]
[There’s no easy way to start this conversation. But after seeing that Ryoko had spoken to Inaba, and talking to her himself, he’d worried. Ryoko’s kindness was a strength and weakness, after all. It often caused her pain.
[ To say that conversation was a disaster was an understatement. She ran the entire spectrum of her emotions, and none of them were good. In the end, she had to disengage.
But naturally. She couldn't worry Yuuto. She didn't even know if he had spoken to her, it didn't look like he had. So. ]
[After he's had a chance to walk around his home and make some tea, trying to sort through everything he read online, Ryoko finally gets her check-in text:]
[Ryoko will be getting a bouquet of yellow roses (totally normal,) and box of handmade chocolates to share with Taiga. Yuuto has written a little note:
”Happy Valentines Day, Ryoko & Taiga. I love you both soo much! Let’s be together forever!”]
[ It would be smart to provide some context in many cases when sending a text. This is an action that allows the other party to have a greater understanding of what is going on, and is particularly recommended when speaking to someone who may have anxiety. Some would even call it a necessary courtesy that you owe, so everything is treated with the appropriate level of care for the situation.
Unfortunately, that's not what Ryoko gets. ]
ryokoooooooooooooooooooo where r u????? come home now its baaaaaaaad
when yuuto's not around ryoko's inbox, she should be asking "where's yuuto"
[ She was helping out at the Spacetime Shrine! Which means luckily, those she's helping out would understand if she had to drop everything that moment to go see what's happening. ]
What's bad?! Hold on, I'm on my way! If it hurts, don't move!
[ She's IMMEDIATELY jumping to the worst scenario?! ]
[ The elevator ride felt like it took forever. Ryoko stared out into the distance, every so often taking a glance at her gem. It was still glistening, she hadn't had to use her magic at all... but, she felt like she had to keep looking. Making sure she wasn't just seeing things, if it wasn't a reflection or just her wanting to force a vision into her sight that wasn't really there.
No, it... was still fine. So then, what the hell was this heavy feeling she held onto?
Envy? Jealousy? Frustration? Or a... lack of fulfillment that she had again, went to do something to help someone, and wound up not helping at all. Again, waited for someone else to solve the problem, because that's the kind of person she was.
Thirty minutes, alone with her thoughts. It felt like an eternity.
By the time she made it back to their home... she felt drained. Like she'd fall over if she didn't support herself well enough. Regardless, she didn't want to worry Taiga with any of this. So she'd have to try her hardest to put a smile back on her face as she came back. Maybe start thinking about what to make for lunch. Something to distract herself.
Soon-- she's home, and knocks before opening the door. ]
[ like an excited puppy, taiga’s quick to call out from the other room when she hears the door. her hair is in slightly sloppy half buns, and there’s various hair clips and products on the table. ]
Perfect timing—I was starting to get hungry… What should we have?
starnet > outgoing to Starlight
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Asakura-chan? It’s okay. I’m glad you’re doing better.
Mm, it’s alright.
I’m not allowed to be okay right now.
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text: yuuto
I’m sorry for the trouble.
Please
Don’t leave her alone.
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What happened?
Where are you?
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depressing placeholder
So he sends a tentative text. Aware that she might not reply until morning, or for a few days, but wanting to extend the offer of company.]
If you need anything, then I'm here.
Fauna is okay.
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Thank you.
I'm sorry to put you through that. You shouldn't have to clean up my messes.
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private
He was worried.]
Ryoko?
How are you?
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But naturally. She couldn't worry Yuuto. She didn't even know if he had spoken to her, it didn't look like he had. So. ]
I'm doing okay. Why do you ask?
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This is Yuuto’s inbox now
when will the combo breaker appear....
Guess it's time. ]
Sure. I'm putting away leftovers right now. I can pack you something if you want to take it home.
A Challenger…
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text
I meant to check in a few days ago.
I woke up!
Are you okay?
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I'm doing fine?
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UN: Starlight
Ryoko!
What if we watched movies together? I have some!
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afternoon | jan 1st
Are you feeling okay, Ryoko?
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Okay, so it's been literally one day. What a time. ]
Me? I'm okay. Um... why do you ask?
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Valentines Day
”Happy Valentines Day, Ryoko & Taiga. I love you both soo much! Let’s be together forever!”]
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c-c-c-c-c-c-combo breaker
Unfortunately, that's not what Ryoko gets. ]
ryokoooooooooooooooooooo where r u????? come home now
its baaaaaaaad
when yuuto's not around ryoko's inbox, she should be asking "where's yuuto"
What's bad?! Hold on, I'm on my way! If it hurts, don't move!
[ She's IMMEDIATELY jumping to the worst scenario?! ]
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cw: stupid unaliving thoughts
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un: masochist
Do you think the kissing should be done in silence or would you prefer music? I’m making a sample playlist for the next time I come over.
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What the hell are you talking about.
What are you doing.
Did I miss something~?
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Back in his natural habitat: ryoko’s inbox
An effort captured in this text:]
ryoko
If it says 15% alcohol then does that mean I need to drink 6.66 bottles to get drunk?
I’ll be okay.
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Maybe it's... just a rhetorical question? He really does like math, there could be something else going on after the debacle earlier this month. ]
I don't think it works that way. Not that I know much about drinking.
What are you doing?
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May 3rd
Are you there?
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action // closed to taiga
No, it... was still fine. So then, what the hell was this heavy feeling she held onto?
Envy? Jealousy? Frustration? Or a... lack of fulfillment that she had again, went to do something to help someone, and wound up not helping at all. Again, waited for someone else to solve the problem, because that's the kind of person she was.
Thirty minutes, alone with her thoughts. It felt like an eternity.
By the time she made it back to their home... she felt drained. Like she'd fall over if she didn't support herself well enough. Regardless, she didn't want to worry Taiga with any of this. So she'd have to try her hardest to put a smile back on her face as she came back. Maybe start thinking about what to make for lunch. Something to distract herself.
Soon-- she's home, and knocks before opening the door. ]
no subject
[ like an excited puppy, taiga’s quick to call out from the other room when she hears the door. her hair is in slightly sloppy half buns, and there’s various hair clips and products on the table. ]
Perfect timing—I was starting to get hungry… What should we have?
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After the Meeting
Did you get home okay?
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No problems here.
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