When Mayumi was seven years old, she went with her parents to visit her grandparents home. She never liked visiting her grandparents that much. They were kind to her, sure, but it was always at a cost. Her mother would expect Mayumi to be a proper girl whenever she visited. One who wouldn't be too loud, who would always mind her manners, and be out of the way. She tried to bide her time until she got the occasional piece of candy her grandmother would slip her, but it felt like more of the same. Mayumi would have to be on her best behavior, never cause a fuss, and let the adults have their time together until it was time to leave.
One particular visit, Mayumi was extremely bored visiting her grandparents' home. She had read the book she had brought with her and wanted to wander around for a bit. Her parents told her it was rude to wander around and to leave the rooms in her grandparents home the way she found them. However, Mayumi felt a bit more daring today. She wanted to go with a few of her classmates to a movie today, but her parents insisted she had to go to her grandparents' house instead. She wasn't sure why. It wasn't like she was going to have fun or be included.
Mayumi had heard a classmate of hers, Non-chan, had managed to successfully steal a plastic cartoon mask from a corner store at the daring of Ryu-kun. Mayumi couldn't believe her classmate would steal, but the way Non-chan and Ryu-kun were praised and cheered by the other kids for their act made her feel slightly jealous. So once Mayumi had to give up her hopes of seeing a movie, she resolved that she too would steal something from her grandparents' house.
Mayumi had quietly slipped out of the room her parents and grandparents were currently in, discussing the economic status of the country over barley tea and senbe. They hadn't even noticed that she had taken her backpack with her. The plan was simple: from the living room to the bathroom, Mayumi would find something to steal from her grandparents' house. Something small that they wouldn't notice. Their home was quite large, with a walled estate, koi pond, and rock garden. Just getting to the bathroom would be quite a trek, and she was sure to find something good along the way.
Mayumi tiptoed down the hall, her braid bouncing down her back. She finally settled on one room: her grandfather's office. Her grandfather had apparently made his fortune following the war, stepping in to fill the void that came from Japan cutting out the Western world when it became the Great Republic, starting a manufacturing company. Even though he was ostensibly retired, he still worked for his company as an adviser. She slowly opened the door and wandered into the room. The room smelled like stale cigarette smoke. Mayumi didn't want to spend long in here, so she quickly looked around. His desk was covered in documents she could barely comprehend and some random tchotchkes. Mayumi knew those would be too noticeable if she stole one, so she left them alone.
She then focused on the shelves of his room. They were covered in a variety of leather bound books. Grandfather had also set up a small seating area in his office with a TV. She had heard he liked to sit in there and watch movies and TV shows by himself or with company. She decided to open the cabinet under the TV to see what was inside.
Once she looked inside, she glanced around, and that was when she made her choice. In an instant, the good girl Mayumi had become a thief, and the reward for her naughtiness was now sealed inside her backpack. This was a big day for young Mayumi Tendou, and one that would change her life forever.
((Mayumi Tendou continued from End of a New Beginning))
Mayumi finished looking over the list on her map. The announcement had ended a few hours ago, but several more students had died. Hatagami and Kuninobu were still alive, it seemed. But eight more people had died, meaning about a quarter of the class had died. Sadly, there were some names Mayumi recognized. Yukie had always been friendly to her, a real leader to the class. Kayoko was someone Mayumi hadn't known that well, but one of Mayumi's dates had brought her to the bar Kayoko worked at. Mayumi was terrified Kayoko would say something, but the girl had been kind enough to stay quiet. Mayumi would end up at that bar some times after, and Kayoko had always treated her like another customer.
It was a good thing Mayumi was in a shrine, because it became easier for her to pray for them all. She had even fished some spare change out of her bag to toss into the well. Maybe a donation would help her survive the island and fulfill her dream. Maybe the gods were like that. She wasn't sure anymore.
The danger zones had been announced as well. The shrine was still safe, but Mayumi could see the shrine was starting to become a funneling point. Anyone on the West coast would have to pass by the shrine to avoid certain areas. Mayumi knew her time here was going to run out soon. Maybe she wouldn't see Kuninobu again, but she had to be ready in case anyone did come traipsing up.
Mayumi slowly opened the door to the shrine open a bit so she could see out. No one was there yet, but this at least gave her the opportunity to see if anyone else was approaching.
I'd like to do just whatever I like the whole day long
Open, post second announcement
Moderator: BRAU2 Director
I'd like to do just whatever I like the whole day long
G014: Mayumi Tendou
((Yuichiro Takiguchi continued from Revolutionary Boy Yuichiro))
So it turned out that Guns Are Heavy.
It also turned out that they were even heavier when, for some reason, you decided the direction to head in was straight across the mountain in the setting sun, without even a streetlight to illuminate your path. The sensible thing would've been to head south, towards civilisation and across flat land, but Yuichiro had not had the good sense to look at the map during his power-up sequence. How he had managed to avoid stepping off an edge and tumbling down a cliff to his doom, in light of this lack of preparation, could only be chalked up to sheer dumb luck.
And dumb was very much how he felt at that moment in time, as his ragged breaths enunciated every step he took. All of his bones were screaming at him to just collapse right there and then, swallow a mouthful of mud and bugs and take a good long dirt nap. Far too many empty water bottles knocked around inside his bag. They were a clunking indicator that any sense of rationing had been discarded as his body, that had never lifted anything heavier than five manga at once, had screamed for sustenance. His bladder ached, but he knew if he stopped to pee, he probably wouldn't start back up again.
Honestly, what chance did he have of finding his friends, or saving them, or being the anime hero his heart desired, when he couldn’t even make it across a mountain carrying several kilos of firepower?
He was about to give in to his legs oppressive demands, just drop everything there and then and let fate claim his body, when he caught the light of the moon glimmering off the Shinto shrine. In that instant, all the exhaustion melted away as a big smile swam across his face, under the sweat-soaked neck-tie still wrapped around his head. Civilization! A place he could stop and catch his breath!
With no caution for whoever might be waiting inside, either a continuing expression of his blind faith in his peers or an exhausted indicator of his lack of forethought, Yuichiro hurried towards the entrance as fast as his buckling legs could manage.
So it turned out that Guns Are Heavy.
It also turned out that they were even heavier when, for some reason, you decided the direction to head in was straight across the mountain in the setting sun, without even a streetlight to illuminate your path. The sensible thing would've been to head south, towards civilisation and across flat land, but Yuichiro had not had the good sense to look at the map during his power-up sequence. How he had managed to avoid stepping off an edge and tumbling down a cliff to his doom, in light of this lack of preparation, could only be chalked up to sheer dumb luck.
And dumb was very much how he felt at that moment in time, as his ragged breaths enunciated every step he took. All of his bones were screaming at him to just collapse right there and then, swallow a mouthful of mud and bugs and take a good long dirt nap. Far too many empty water bottles knocked around inside his bag. They were a clunking indicator that any sense of rationing had been discarded as his body, that had never lifted anything heavier than five manga at once, had screamed for sustenance. His bladder ached, but he knew if he stopped to pee, he probably wouldn't start back up again.
Honestly, what chance did he have of finding his friends, or saving them, or being the anime hero his heart desired, when he couldn’t even make it across a mountain carrying several kilos of firepower?
He was about to give in to his legs oppressive demands, just drop everything there and then and let fate claim his body, when he caught the light of the moon glimmering off the Shinto shrine. In that instant, all the exhaustion melted away as a big smile swam across his face, under the sweat-soaked neck-tie still wrapped around his head. Civilization! A place he could stop and catch his breath!
With no caution for whoever might be waiting inside, either a continuing expression of his blind faith in his peers or an exhausted indicator of his lack of forethought, Yuichiro hurried towards the entrance as fast as his buckling legs could manage.
Mayumi didn't see anyone coming up the steps, so she sighed and stepped away from the door. It was getting late, so now would be a good time for her to get something to eat. She had tried to monitor the amount of food and water she had. She was fairly used to eating small portions of withholding eating full servings. Her mother said it would make her more presentable to men, something that was proven true with every call to her secret cell phone.
Mayumi had stepped away from the door and further into the shrine. She had left her bag by the alter, so she made her way into the shrine.
Before she could eat another bit of bread, she suddenly heard footsteps hurrying towards the shrine. Mayumi tensed up a bit. She was cornered inside the shrine, and there weren't many places for her to go. Maybe it was Kuninobu, but she didn't have time to think.
Mayumi quickly dashed to the corner of the room. She had to hope there was enough shadow to obscure her from whoever opened the door. She kept the gun by her side, turning the safety off, and crouched down.
She swallowed a lump in her throat. She had two pleasant encounters with her former classmates so far, but if the third time was when things changed or solidified, then Mayumi was sure this one would be the important one. It just depended on who opened the door.
Mayumi had stepped away from the door and further into the shrine. She had left her bag by the alter, so she made her way into the shrine.
Before she could eat another bit of bread, she suddenly heard footsteps hurrying towards the shrine. Mayumi tensed up a bit. She was cornered inside the shrine, and there weren't many places for her to go. Maybe it was Kuninobu, but she didn't have time to think.
Mayumi quickly dashed to the corner of the room. She had to hope there was enough shadow to obscure her from whoever opened the door. She kept the gun by her side, turning the safety off, and crouched down.
She swallowed a lump in her throat. She had two pleasant encounters with her former classmates so far, but if the third time was when things changed or solidified, then Mayumi was sure this one would be the important one. It just depended on who opened the door.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Yuichiro wasn’t a religious guy. He only visited shrines at the start of a new year, and he hadn’t gone in a while. It used to be that they’d all go as a family, used to be him riding on his dad’s shoulders and his mom and grandma smiling at the sight. They’d ring the bell, get their fortunes drawn, and stop for a bite on the way home, with him always getting the meal with a prize for his collection.
With his dad gone though, and his grandma having a tough time leaving the apartment for long, the visits had stopped. Yuichiro could’ve gone by himself, but it would’ve been kind of lonely. He would’ve gone with some of his friends if he’d been invited, but that hadn’t happened yet. Besides, he wasn’t sure he really believed in prayer. It didn’t seem to do him much good up to now.
Despite that, he thought that this shrine was beautiful in the moonlight. The lacquered woodwork, still cared for despite the island’s small population, glowed under the silver illumination, which shone through the thin walls and ventilated windows. The alter itself had a humble power to it, as a locus for the kami native to the area, that belied its subdued furnishings. He had been too young to appreciate Shinto architecture before, and he had never really paid them much attention in the background of his manga. But in this instance, regardless of his flustered form and grim spectre pervading the island, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sight.
All too soon though, reality and exhaustion stole him from the moment. He fell to his knees halfway forwards, prostrating himself and begging for air to fill his desperate lungs. The Uzi 9mm slung over his shoulder (for aesthetic value, of course) rattled against the floor, only avoiding another misfire by virtue of its empty belly. He had always felt embarrassed back in gym class when he had become a sweaty red mess after running laps, and was grateful for the privacy he mistakenly believed he had. If he knew it was a girl watching him, gone unnoticed in his moment of awe and the obscuring darkness, his humiliation would’ve been tenfold.
With his dad gone though, and his grandma having a tough time leaving the apartment for long, the visits had stopped. Yuichiro could’ve gone by himself, but it would’ve been kind of lonely. He would’ve gone with some of his friends if he’d been invited, but that hadn’t happened yet. Besides, he wasn’t sure he really believed in prayer. It didn’t seem to do him much good up to now.
Despite that, he thought that this shrine was beautiful in the moonlight. The lacquered woodwork, still cared for despite the island’s small population, glowed under the silver illumination, which shone through the thin walls and ventilated windows. The alter itself had a humble power to it, as a locus for the kami native to the area, that belied its subdued furnishings. He had been too young to appreciate Shinto architecture before, and he had never really paid them much attention in the background of his manga. But in this instance, regardless of his flustered form and grim spectre pervading the island, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sight.
All too soon though, reality and exhaustion stole him from the moment. He fell to his knees halfway forwards, prostrating himself and begging for air to fill his desperate lungs. The Uzi 9mm slung over his shoulder (for aesthetic value, of course) rattled against the floor, only avoiding another misfire by virtue of its empty belly. He had always felt embarrassed back in gym class when he had become a sweaty red mess after running laps, and was grateful for the privacy he mistakenly believed he had. If he knew it was a girl watching him, gone unnoticed in his moment of awe and the obscuring darkness, his humiliation would’ve been tenfold.
Finally, the figure burst into the shrine. It was another boy, and he collapsed to his knees. Mayumi raised the gun and kept it aimed at him. He appeared to have one gun on hand, which was currently on the ground. Whatever brought this boy here seemed to take a lot out of him. If he was running from someone, Mayumi needed to find out who.
Mayumi slowly stepped out of the shadows, keeping her gun on the boy.
"Freeze," she said.
Now that she was out of the shadows, she could see who it was. It was the otaku Takiguchi. He was that boy who was around Hatagami back at school.
"Are you being chased? Are we in danger?"
Mayumi slowly stepped out of the shadows, keeping her gun on the boy.
"Freeze," she said.
Now that she was out of the shadows, she could see who it was. It was the otaku Takiguchi. He was that boy who was around Hatagami back at school.
"Are you being chased? Are we in danger?"
G014: Mayumi Tendou
It took Yuichiro a hot minute to realise there was a gun pointed at him. His fatigued brain recognised the figure as Tendou-san immediately, but the barrel protruding from her hand was far less recognisable. Even less so in the hand of the normally so demure girl, where he wouldn't think a weapon would ever reach under normal circumstances. Really, the first thought had been how pathetic he was looking in front of a girl after all. That stole the majority of his mental RAM.
He looked back at the floor, shaking his head as his chest slowly steadied. “No, I’m just- not good at hiking.” He admitted, between breaths. With one big gasp, he rolled over onto his ass, facing Mayumi as his breathing slowed.
“Um, Tendou-san? You don’t have to point that at me if you don’t want. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Even though he knew first hand how dangerous guns could be, being intimidated by Mayumi had not even crossed his mind, as he truly believed she wouldn’t hurt him. She was too kind for that. She was always very poised and polite at school, and never teased him for being such a nerd. She would probably make a good wife someday.
At the same time though, she looked so cool. So calm. It was hard to tell in the light, but her face looked so clean next to his sweaty tomato of a head. He didn’t think she would do something she’d regret, like he had already done.
“But guns can go off by mistake, you know? Trust me.” he shrugged with a meek smile, his automatic gun, claimed from Kazushi Niida to save it from going to waste, still resting on the floor next to him.
He looked back at the floor, shaking his head as his chest slowly steadied. “No, I’m just- not good at hiking.” He admitted, between breaths. With one big gasp, he rolled over onto his ass, facing Mayumi as his breathing slowed.
“Um, Tendou-san? You don’t have to point that at me if you don’t want. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Even though he knew first hand how dangerous guns could be, being intimidated by Mayumi had not even crossed his mind, as he truly believed she wouldn’t hurt him. She was too kind for that. She was always very poised and polite at school, and never teased him for being such a nerd. She would probably make a good wife someday.
At the same time though, she looked so cool. So calm. It was hard to tell in the light, but her face looked so clean next to his sweaty tomato of a head. He didn’t think she would do something she’d regret, like he had already done.
“But guns can go off by mistake, you know? Trust me.” he shrugged with a meek smile, his automatic gun, claimed from Kazushi Niida to save it from going to waste, still resting on the floor next to him.
Takiguchi wasn't being pursued, which at least removed the danger of an outside interference from coming in to kill them both. However, despite Takiguchi's cheery attitude, Mayumi didn't feel entirely safe yet. He was almost too cheery and calm for having spent a full day on this island. Mayumi decided it would be good to figure out if Takiguchi was truly trustworthy or not.
"I know," Mayumi told him when he spoke of guns going off by mistake, "and I haven't made that mistake yet."
Mayumi stepped a bit closer, keeping the gun on Takiguchi.
"And I know I should trust you. You were a good guy back home. But even nice people can change here. And I've made it through the first day by being careful around nice guys like you. It's why I'm still alive, and it's why Kuninobu-kun and Hatagami-kun were able to walk away from me."
"So, I'm sorry, Takiguchi-kun," Mayumi said. "But I need more convincing. So permit me to keep this at you. But if it helps..."
Mayumi adjusted her arm, shifting her fingers.
"...my finger is off the trigger. Please don't make me move it back."
"I know," Mayumi told him when he spoke of guns going off by mistake, "and I haven't made that mistake yet."
Mayumi stepped a bit closer, keeping the gun on Takiguchi.
"And I know I should trust you. You were a good guy back home. But even nice people can change here. And I've made it through the first day by being careful around nice guys like you. It's why I'm still alive, and it's why Kuninobu-kun and Hatagami-kun were able to walk away from me."
"So, I'm sorry, Takiguchi-kun," Mayumi said. "But I need more convincing. So permit me to keep this at you. But if it helps..."
Mayumi adjusted her arm, shifting her fingers.
"...my finger is off the trigger. Please don't make me move it back."
G014: Mayumi Tendou
“Well, yeah, thanks Tendou-san, I appreciate that much,” he replied, his polite expression threatening signs of frustration as the weapon continued to point at him. “but really, it doesn’t matter what your finger is doing. It can fire really unexpectedly, even if you don't think it will.”
He wasn’t sure what his next move should have been. This wasn’t the first time he had had to prove to someone he wasn’t trying to kill them in the last twenty four hours, but that didn’t mean he had mastered the art. Even then, he had screwed up with Hirono badly enough that she had jumped him with a knife, and it probably came just down to luck that he hadn’t wound up as Yuichiro-yakitori.
Searching for something he could work off of to make Mayumi trust him, as he paid no mind to his own gun still slung over his shoulder, he quickly replayed the explanation she had just offered him. It was kind, if inaccurate, that she thought he was a nice guy, but that clearly wasn’t enough to meet her standards. The poor girl was no doubt terrified with everything going on, even under her cool-as-ice gaze. If even nicer guys than him, like Kuninobu-san, or Hataga-
“Wait, Katsu-kun was here?!” he shouted the moment his best friend’s face flashed across his mind, neurons firing in recognition of his last name. In his moment of shock and excitement, he found himself lurching towards Mayumi, oblivious to the barrel of the gun he was still staring down.
He wasn’t sure what his next move should have been. This wasn’t the first time he had had to prove to someone he wasn’t trying to kill them in the last twenty four hours, but that didn’t mean he had mastered the art. Even then, he had screwed up with Hirono badly enough that she had jumped him with a knife, and it probably came just down to luck that he hadn’t wound up as Yuichiro-yakitori.
Searching for something he could work off of to make Mayumi trust him, as he paid no mind to his own gun still slung over his shoulder, he quickly replayed the explanation she had just offered him. It was kind, if inaccurate, that she thought he was a nice guy, but that clearly wasn’t enough to meet her standards. The poor girl was no doubt terrified with everything going on, even under her cool-as-ice gaze. If even nicer guys than him, like Kuninobu-san, or Hataga-
“Wait, Katsu-kun was here?!” he shouted the moment his best friend’s face flashed across his mind, neurons firing in recognition of his last name. In his moment of shock and excitement, he found himself lurching towards Mayumi, oblivious to the barrel of the gun he was still staring down.
Takiguchi had perked up at the mention of Hatagami. That shouldn't have surprised Mayumi, as she had intentionally said his name. She wanted to see how Takiguchi would react to hearing about his friend.
"Not here," Mayumi clarified. "It was yesterday, about a few hours after we had left the school."
Takiguchi had gotten closer to Mayumi. He wasn't touching the gun slung over his shoulder, but he could still probably use it against her if she didn't keep her gun trained on him. He was very insistent about gun safety, which made Mayumi start to feel concerned about his demand for it.
"We met at the overlook," she explained. "He had stumbled into the overlook, kind of like you just did now. I sent him away though, but I don't know where he went after that."
Mayumi glanced over the boy again.
"By the way, you seem really concerned about guns misfiring. Can you explain why?"
"Not here," Mayumi clarified. "It was yesterday, about a few hours after we had left the school."
Takiguchi had gotten closer to Mayumi. He wasn't touching the gun slung over his shoulder, but he could still probably use it against her if she didn't keep her gun trained on him. He was very insistent about gun safety, which made Mayumi start to feel concerned about his demand for it.
"We met at the overlook," she explained. "He had stumbled into the overlook, kind of like you just did now. I sent him away though, but I don't know where he went after that."
Mayumi glanced over the boy again.
"By the way, you seem really concerned about guns misfiring. Can you explain why?"
G014: Mayumi Tendou
“Oh…” Yuichiro replied, distancing himself from Mayumi again as he looked at the floor. Figures. He had spent so long holed up in the lighthouse, waiting for people to find him, that he had missed his best friend. Stupid Yuichiro! Of course, It wasn’t like he would’ve picked the overlook as his go-to destination yesterday, so reasonably there was no reason to kick himself over it. But also of course, why should that stop him?
Mayumi shook him out of his flagellation with her follow-up question. His mouth hung open in response, words stumbling over themselves in his head as he tried to think of a good explanation.
‘Because I blew Niida-san’s testicles off by mistake.’ was the truthful response, and Yuichiro hated saying anything but the truth. He had already told Hirono as much, and she hadn’t tried to kill him for it. What harm was there in telling Mayumi as well?
Besides the fact that more people would know he wasn’t just a screw up, but a lethal screw up? That not everyone might be as forgiving as Hirono was, and some people might rightfully call him out on his crime? It was an accident, but that didn’t matter. It didn’t bring Niida-san back to life. Tendou-san would have every right to condemn him for killing her classmate and friend. Everyone did.
But he still hated saying anything but the truth, so what choice did he have?
“Well, Niida-san, I…” he gulped “I accidentally shot him.”
The words tasted bitter in his mouth, even if it wasn't the first time saying them. He stared harder at the floor in his shame, not wanting to look Mayumi in the eye with his own disgraced gaze.
Mayumi shook him out of his flagellation with her follow-up question. His mouth hung open in response, words stumbling over themselves in his head as he tried to think of a good explanation.
‘Because I blew Niida-san’s testicles off by mistake.’ was the truthful response, and Yuichiro hated saying anything but the truth. He had already told Hirono as much, and she hadn’t tried to kill him for it. What harm was there in telling Mayumi as well?
Besides the fact that more people would know he wasn’t just a screw up, but a lethal screw up? That not everyone might be as forgiving as Hirono was, and some people might rightfully call him out on his crime? It was an accident, but that didn’t matter. It didn’t bring Niida-san back to life. Tendou-san would have every right to condemn him for killing her classmate and friend. Everyone did.
But he still hated saying anything but the truth, so what choice did he have?
“Well, Niida-san, I…” he gulped “I accidentally shot him.”
The words tasted bitter in his mouth, even if it wasn't the first time saying them. He stared harder at the floor in his shame, not wanting to look Mayumi in the eye with his own disgraced gaze.
Well, there was the answer. Takiguchi was a killer. He had killed Niida. Mayumi had to quickly figure out what to do here. More than Hatagami and Kuninobu, it was probably imperative to get Takiguchi out of there since he could be playing and could just as easily turn that gun on Mayumi if she wasn't careful.
But on the other hand, the boy seemed quite guilty about what happened. He probably was trying to be more careful and redeem himself.
Either way, Mayumi needed to ascertain his direction and if that could benefit her or if she would need to remove him from the situation.
"...so...you killed Niida-kun?" she asked.
Mayumi breathed in and out.
"Was there a reason you were aiming a gun at him? Was he threatening you?"
She waited for Takiguchi's response. She was offering Takiguchi the chance to justify what happened, and how he rationalized it would surely give Mayumi a clue.
But on the other hand, the boy seemed quite guilty about what happened. He probably was trying to be more careful and redeem himself.
Either way, Mayumi needed to ascertain his direction and if that could benefit her or if she would need to remove him from the situation.
"...so...you killed Niida-kun?" she asked.
Mayumi breathed in and out.
"Was there a reason you were aiming a gun at him? Was he threatening you?"
She waited for Takiguchi's response. She was offering Takiguchi the chance to justify what happened, and how he rationalized it would surely give Mayumi a clue.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
“What? No, of course not.”
The idea that Niida-san would’ve been trying to hurt him was still a difficult thing to process for Yuichiro, even as the sea of dead classmates rose around him, but Yuichiro had examined the scene enough times to know that Niida-san was innocent. He hadn’t threatened Yuichiro, or said anything to imply otherwise. He had just been looking for girls to help protect, same as Yuichiro. Only deader.
Yuichiro wasn’t Tendou-san though; her experiences had no doubt shaped her differently. She was still pointing a gun at him, after all. Maybe Katsu-kun had gotten too excited and scared her, or something? Bless his heart, Katsu-kun didn’t always think straight when his emotions were running high, Yuichiro thought as the hypocrisy sailed over his head and out the shrine door like some giggling Kami.
“Niida-san was talking about how he wanted to find and protect the girls, you see? So he was showing me his gun- this gun,” Yuichiro indicated the weapon slung over his shoulder with a tap of the barrel, still taking all the diligence to keep it pointed away from Mayumi. “and I had my own gun, so I wanted to show him too, and…
“Well, I don’t know what happened. It fired while I was taking it out of my pocket, and it got him in the-”
‘Dick’ got caught in his mouth, transforming into a flush across his cheeks. Tendou-san was a girl; she didn't want to hear about that sort of stuff! Heck, Yuichiro didn’t want to talk about it. Not when it was one of his friend’s cause of death at least.
“Um, well, it got him. I tried to stop him bleeding out, honest, but I failed...”
The idea that Niida-san would’ve been trying to hurt him was still a difficult thing to process for Yuichiro, even as the sea of dead classmates rose around him, but Yuichiro had examined the scene enough times to know that Niida-san was innocent. He hadn’t threatened Yuichiro, or said anything to imply otherwise. He had just been looking for girls to help protect, same as Yuichiro. Only deader.
Yuichiro wasn’t Tendou-san though; her experiences had no doubt shaped her differently. She was still pointing a gun at him, after all. Maybe Katsu-kun had gotten too excited and scared her, or something? Bless his heart, Katsu-kun didn’t always think straight when his emotions were running high, Yuichiro thought as the hypocrisy sailed over his head and out the shrine door like some giggling Kami.
“Niida-san was talking about how he wanted to find and protect the girls, you see? So he was showing me his gun- this gun,” Yuichiro indicated the weapon slung over his shoulder with a tap of the barrel, still taking all the diligence to keep it pointed away from Mayumi. “and I had my own gun, so I wanted to show him too, and…
“Well, I don’t know what happened. It fired while I was taking it out of my pocket, and it got him in the-”
‘Dick’ got caught in his mouth, transforming into a flush across his cheeks. Tendou-san was a girl; she didn't want to hear about that sort of stuff! Heck, Yuichiro didn’t want to talk about it. Not when it was one of his friend’s cause of death at least.
“Um, well, it got him. I tried to stop him bleeding out, honest, but I failed...”
Mayumi listened closely to Takiguchi as he spoke about why he killed Niida. She wasn't too paranoid to believe that people couldn't be killed by accident, especially in the early part of the game. Heck, Mayumi hadn't used her gun yet, so even with her finger off the trigger, she couldn't be sure that she wouldn't do the same. That basically proved Takiguchi's earlier point, but that wasn't what mattered right now.
Takiguchi seemed guilty about what happened with Niida, so he was either expecting to die right here or gain sympathy and allyship from Mayumi. Mayumi had to think about which would be better for her in the long term. She couldn't wait too long, but an idea came to her.
"Takiguchi-kun..." she began.
Mayumi lowered her gun a bit. He had to think he was becoming more sympathetic to her.
"...did you agree with Niida-kun? I mean, were you also committed to protecting the girls here?"
Mayumi looked at Takiguchi with a bit of concern and sympathy on her face. She was a scared girl hiding in a shrine jumping at shadows and boys who came out of them. Could Takiguchi be the light she needed?
She hoped he would. It would help her greatly.
Takiguchi seemed guilty about what happened with Niida, so he was either expecting to die right here or gain sympathy and allyship from Mayumi. Mayumi had to think about which would be better for her in the long term. She couldn't wait too long, but an idea came to her.
"Takiguchi-kun..." she began.
Mayumi lowered her gun a bit. He had to think he was becoming more sympathetic to her.
"...did you agree with Niida-kun? I mean, were you also committed to protecting the girls here?"
Mayumi looked at Takiguchi with a bit of concern and sympathy on her face. She was a scared girl hiding in a shrine jumping at shadows and boys who came out of them. Could Takiguchi be the light she needed?
She hoped he would. It would help her greatly.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
“Yeah! Of course! The girls, the guys, everyone!"
Yuichiro replied to Mayumi's question with a determined gaze. The little fire in his heart lit behind his eyes, underneath his shounen neck-tie headband.
“I know I’m not good at much besides knowing anime, and there’s loads of people in our class way more suited to protecting everyone than me. Heck, I’ve only managed to kill Niida-san and scare off Yahagi-san. Shimizu-san didn’t trust me enough to stick around, either…
“But still. I don’t want any of- any more of our friends to die. I can’t do much, but I want to try to do something, even if it doesn’t amount to anything.”
There was a moment of the word hanging in the air, followed by his hand moving to the top of his head again. He rubbed at his hair as he realised how much nonsense was pouring out of his mouth. It was how he felt, but he knew how dumb he sounded. Tendou-san was probably rolling her eyes, or getting ready to ditch him too.
But it was still what he wanted to do.
Yuichiro replied to Mayumi's question with a determined gaze. The little fire in his heart lit behind his eyes, underneath his shounen neck-tie headband.
“I know I’m not good at much besides knowing anime, and there’s loads of people in our class way more suited to protecting everyone than me. Heck, I’ve only managed to kill Niida-san and scare off Yahagi-san. Shimizu-san didn’t trust me enough to stick around, either…
“But still. I don’t want any of- any more of our friends to die. I can’t do much, but I want to try to do something, even if it doesn’t amount to anything.”
There was a moment of the word hanging in the air, followed by his hand moving to the top of his head again. He rubbed at his hair as he realised how much nonsense was pouring out of his mouth. It was how he felt, but he knew how dumb he sounded. Tendou-san was probably rolling her eyes, or getting ready to ditch him too.
But it was still what he wanted to do.
Okay, Takiguchi was exactly what she needed right now. He was willing to protect her/anyone not against him, and he was in need of redemption from killing Niida. Mayumi could use that. Takiguchi was a chance to increase her lifespan, even if it meant having to make sure she was never facing the barrel of his gun.
Mayumi let out a long exhale.
"Oh thank god," she said. "So we're both on the same page."
Mayumi lowered her gun and smiled at the boy.
"I thought it was right to drive away people like Hatagami-kun and Kuninobu-kun, but I think I'm tired of being alone. That's not living."
Mayumi reached out her hand to the boy on the ground.
"If you'll protect me, I'll protect you," she offered. "Let's survive this, Takiguchi-kun"
She really hoped he was amenable to that. She had gotten a lot of mileage out of acting grateful to men in their moments of desire, and she hoped this would be another case.
Mayumi let out a long exhale.
"Oh thank god," she said. "So we're both on the same page."
Mayumi lowered her gun and smiled at the boy.
"I thought it was right to drive away people like Hatagami-kun and Kuninobu-kun, but I think I'm tired of being alone. That's not living."
Mayumi reached out her hand to the boy on the ground.
"If you'll protect me, I'll protect you," she offered. "Let's survive this, Takiguchi-kun"
She really hoped he was amenable to that. She had gotten a lot of mileage out of acting grateful to men in their moments of desire, and she hoped this would be another case.
G014: Mayumi Tendou