[ madoka is too pure for senri ]

[usogi]

Comments

[frilly]

... Me too.

[usogi]

.... actually, he told me about a list that Madopyon is keeping.

[and he looks like he's sheepish to admit this]

Of everyone and their alignments?

[frilly]

[ she looks. mildly uncomfortable with the subject. probably because it feels bad to basically get caught sharing other people's secrets?? ]

I thought it would be a waste if I forgot something, or... If I got eliminated without being able to help anyone else with what I knew.

[ 'eliminated' is. a good substitute word for 'murdered' right? ]

[usogi]

[ . . . . well, he doesn't look mad at least. his expression softens.]

... I know. I keep mine locked up in my phone. If anything happens to me, Shishimaru will know everything I know - so you can ask him for it.

[frilly]

[ Madoka wonders if Takaomi would even be willing to share it with her, but. ]

... Okay. I'll remember that.

[ ........ she doesn't like thinking about if anything happened to Senri. ]

[usogi]

[he reaches a hand out to her - pausing in the eating so that he can hold onto her hand]

..... just in case, okay?

[frilly]

[ she squeezes his hand, and makes no effort to let go. ]

Right.

I got a bag. It's in my room right now - my notebook will be in that. If...

[usogi]

[ . . . . and he shakes his head.]

Nothing's going to happen to you, Madopyon.

I'll do my very best to make sure of that. So make sure you're careful too, okay?

[frilly]

I want to protect you, too.

[usogi]

[ah.]

.... I won't be in trouble, so I won't need it, okay?

I'm trying to make friends with as many gods as I can to make sure of that.

[frilly]

The gods aren't the ones moving in this contest.

[ they give the orders, but this game is designed for the players to play. she isn't confident that being liked by the gods will help. ]

[usogi]

[ . . . and senri just hums]

I'm trying not to make anyone angry enough to hurt me either, promise.

[frilly]

[ she doesn't want to say out loud that it might not be enough

but she thinks it, and still doesn't let go of his hand. ]

[usogi]

[ . . . . and he offers madoka a soft smile]

It'll be okay.

We all get to come back, and maybe I'll be in the dorm arguing with Shishimaru before I even know it. But... I'd like to win first.

[frilly]

[ she smiles, but also somehow... does not look like that cheered her up a whole lot. ]

That's right, isn't it? We all get to go back to our homes in the end.

[usogi]

[ . . . and he tilts his head]

... but we'll be friends no matter what. I think it'd be nice if I could at least ask the gods to help me get my phone to send interdimensional texts - so I can always talk to you.

[frilly]

That isn't...

[ she shakes her head slowly. ]

I don't have a phone, anymore. I'm not... In a place where anyone can reach me, anymore.

week 3, saturday

[usogi]

[the chances of senri leaving the kitchen are slim to none for a while. he's hanging out with a mug of tea in his hands - it's hard to tell how many he's had - and he's just going to look over when madoka comes to join him]

... hey Madopyon.

Wanna hear a story?

[frilly]

[ Madoka finds - a stool, or something. Whatever sitting apparatus there is in the kitchen? And takes a seat. ]

Sure. Of course.

[usogi]

[ . . . and he sighs softly.]

This is a secret.

Because a lot of people wanna know, but I'm only gonna tell you.

It's waaaaay more important than that Sasuke and mochi thing - so I need you to swear with me.

[frilly]

... I won't tell anyone.

But is this a secret that you want to tell me?

[usogi]

Uh-huh.

... because I think we need something a little odd, and a little funny, and a little sad right now.

Instead of just - sad.

[frilly]

That sounds perfect.

[usogi]

Once upon a time, there was a stage actor. He had a lot of friends, but also had a bad lying habit - what was wrong with seeing people smile, he thought? If he told them what they wanted to hear, then they could remember him, and give him a little bit of attention. He was a little bit of a hog that way.

And - the details are a little fuzzier here. But there's also a very beautiful young man - who was very well-loved in his life. Things grew complicated, but he eventually managed to find a family amongst his friends. Though... I think he started looking to a greater plan, and he was eventually got the chance to become a god. He took it.

[ . . . ]

I wonder what might happen, when two people like that meet - besides a lot of chaos.

[frilly]

[ Madoka listens patiently, but at the second part of the story the interest in her expression fades. She just looks mildly troubled by the end. ]

I... I don't think I understand.