loveedition | starsand // starnet DM / open post

Ah, that's right! Ushio-san is your age.

[She would know more about what people Ryoko's age do to relax, wouldn't she? Yuuto won't mention the other barriers that prevent him from fully understanding.]

I'm sure that the spirits would appreciate that. Shugo-san too. He acts tough, but I think he gets lonely at the library all by himself.

Mm. She's a lot better at being outgoing than I am, so I really should.

...Oh! You know, I should do that soon then! Maybe I can come up with special stories for this month?

I’ve only met her once, but she did seem really outgoing. I wonder where she gets all of that energy?

[Yuuto laughs softly. It feels good to see Ryoko like this. He’s almost forgotten to eat his share of the meal, because he’s so caught up in admiring how much lighter Ryoko looks.]

Like spooky test of courage stories?

A-Ahaha, maybe. I'm not too good at spooky stories.

...

[ man hand hook hand car door. ]

Actually, I think I can do better than others. I can have Leona-chan fight ghosts for a little bit.

[ Yes, her protagonist is named Leona-chan. ]

…

[Taiga Aisaka and Leona, huh?

Yuuto’s smile fades and he stares straight at Ryoko.]

Leona Aisaka-san is the name of your heroine?

I haven't really thought up a last name ye--

[ ...Oh.

Oh, he's making fun of her, isn't he. ]

L-Look, they're based off of things that actually happened?! I can't just use real names!

[Yuuto laughs a bit and recovers his smile.]

Eh~ I see! That makes total sense!

What kind of name does Ryoko have in her own stories?

... [ &*^$%*@ ]

...Leona-chan's partner's name is Reiko-chan.

Is that so? Then I’ll be a Reiko-chan, uh… What’s the word that the hip kids use these days..?

Reiko-chan’s… otaku?

[ yuuto. why. ]

T-That, you don't have to be?! Reiko-chan's more of a sidekick during these adventures anyway!

Something tells me that she’s more my type anyway. I’ll have to, uh. Buy merch?

[He leans forward on his elbows, smile becoming a bit devious. Yuuto hasn’t shown this side of himself in a long time. As much as he’s afraid of rejection, Yuuto is happy to share more of his true self with Ryoko. He trusts her.]

Reiko-chan is always supporting her friends, but you know… I think it might be time for her to be the main character in her own story.

[ She momentarily goes from embarrassed-- ]

But, the fiery lead...

[ To. Wanting to cry a bit, but holding back her tears and instead grumbling a bit. ]

Th-that....

...y...yeah. I guess so, huh.

[Yuuto hears the change in her voice and changes his own to match. No longer teasing, but quietly extending his concern.]

I’d like to hear more stories about Reiko-chan… and maybe see some of her adventures unfold here. She’s one of my favorite characters, you know?

[He tilts his head slightly,] And um… If the oden needs salt, that’s okay. I won’t be insulted.

[He’ll let her decide if she needs to get anymore tears out of her system.]

...[ She shakes her head, no. ]

No, it's fine. Your oden tastes good enough.

[ The main character, huh. For so long, she'd just thought of herself as backup. Someone given the reins by Noriaki Kakyoin to keep the magi together if he wasn't able to. There to lead Taiga along through a Nightmarescape. She couldn't be the lead. She wasn't strong enough.

...maybe she could learn. ]

The stories I tell at the library are changed around a bit to have happier endings. It's okay if you hear the less happy stories... right?

[His expression brightens with relief.

Yuuto nods.]

Magical girls have the power to make happy endings, mm. But even they can have bad days. If your stories are sad sometimes… That’s okay. You can just keep writing them until they feel happier..?

Or… something? That’s how I get through mine.

Sure. It's not all doom and gloom anyway. No one'd want to sit through a story like that.

[ A brief pause... ]

Thanks for believing in Reiko-chan's future, Yuuto. I'm sure she'll do her best. For herself.

If it gets that bad, then you have a lot of other characters to turn to for help now! You aren’t alone.

I’m looking forward to seeing where the future takes you. If you need anything along the way, then please let me know.

Of course.

...ahh, you know, you might have a knack for this. This is a good start for your oden preparing skills.

Really? The great oden master Ryoko approves of my oden?!

I didn’t have time to let it sit and soak up the broth, so the fish cakes and tofu aren’t as flavorful as they could be… But I worked hard on the broth!

[His mind goes to “Akutagawa likes my cooking too,” and then “I should make him and Ryoko oden together!” Until finally:]

Oh right. Were you dating Aisaka-san?

[Gotta!!! Bring Akutagawa that tea!!! It’s his favorite.]

Of course! After a lot of hard work--

[ rhgkdhfgdhj ]

N-no?! Nothing like that! Really...!

Ehehehe. I thought so… Akutagawa and I weren’t sure.

[Well. Yuuto sorta figured, but he saw where Akutagawa got the idea too.]

Ah right. Do you mind if I text him and tell him that you’re okay? We were going to check on you together if you didn’t reply by the evening…

O-Oh. No, it's nothing like that.

[ She laughs it off. That was an understanding she absolutely had to avoid. Especially right now. Thank goodness Taiga wasn't there, that would've been a hell of a thing to deal with. ]

U...Um, sure. I... I guess I'm really surprised. I didn't expect him to worry about me so much.

[Yuuto takes out his Starnet device so that he can begin to text Akutagawa, but pauses when he hears Ryoko's observation. It doesn't surprise him. He loves his partner dearly, but even Yuuto can tell that Akutagawa is a hard read.]

He's never had this kind of peaceful life before, so maybe he still comes off as 'severe.' But he really is thoughtful and observant. Did you think that he didn't care about you?

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