Entry 001

[chippedsoul]

Sender: Kazuma Asogi
To: Everyone
Subject: Apology

A few days ago, a coward led some people uninvolved in the situation to confront me in the forest, despite being aware of how dangerous that was. I would like to take this moment to apologize to those that I've caused harm to. It was not my intent and that outburst won't happen again.

Locked To: Castmates Only
If you're worried I will come after the Prosecutor again, don't be. I have questions that need answers, not from that man.

Locked To: Soldier: 76
76. How are you doing? And are you available to meet?

Comments

[judicialassistant]

[ When he leans back, so does she. She finally drinks some of the tea he originally offered her as well, but still listens intently, even though she was wrong there.

... Maybe especially because she was wrong. ]

What kinds of situations?

[chippedsoul]

. . .It put me in a nightmare, relive memories, made me see things that weren't there. [It put him a nightmare with nothing but chickens, but we're not going to bring that up.]

This world has a way of finding what makes you vulnerable.

[judicialassistant]

[ Chickens...... can be scary (just ask Link.) But the last part catches her attention. She asks softly: ]

...Then... have you ever had nightmares of your father? Or the Professor?

[chippedsoul]

. . .Since the day I received that letter. [Lately it's been reoccurring nightmares of murdering people, but she doesn't need to know that part. He takes in some air, waving a hand.]

But that's all they were, nightmares. They can't hurt me if I don't let them, even in this place.

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato really flippin' needs to know that part. It doesn't even matter that she could barely breach the subject of his father dying without tears before... She can sense him leaving something out. She frowns. ]

...But, isn't it like you say? Sometimes, it isn't your choice.

[chippedsoul]

[Little sister does not need to know he killed some people!!]

Yes. There are forces at play here beyond our understanding. Even if I do everything to repel them, it may not be enough. [He shakes his head.] I won't be the first or the last to be go through a change in this world.

[judicialassistant]

[ Little sister has her eye on you. ]

...I meant the nightmares. Even though you say can choose not to let them hurt you, that's not really true, is it? They can affect you quite a lot.

[chippedsoul]

...It hasn't reach that point, but yes.

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato stares at him, even leaning in to do so as she continues studying his expressions. ]

And if they had? Would you tell me?

[chippedsoul]

[He sees examining his reaction, but all she gets is a pensive look. He's quiet, considering her question for a long moment while pouring himself another cup of tea. She isn't going to like his response, but it is what he feels is right. Some things are best left not mentioned.]

If I found it necessary to do so, and had no where else to turn, yes. [That may as well be a no with Kazuma.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato does know a “no” when she hears one, yes—but at least he was honest. There was a time when she could always count on him for that.

She would be lying if she said she didn’t feel a slight knot in her stomach at the words, but she doesn’t know why that would be. How soon this place makes her forget: Kazuma was no longer her charge. ]

…You wouldn’t find it necessary. [ She chuckles, as if it were a laughable thought. ] You still have plenty of room to turn, correct?

[ Her joking tone turns into something a little more serious. ]

Have you made a lot of friends here, Kazuma?

[chippedsoul]

[He tilts his head, puzzled by her laughter. Either way, he hadn't expected her to take it as well as she did.]

I've made some acquaintances. [Some unfortunately aren't here anymore or don't remember their time in Realm of Stories.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Well, it's nice to know she can still surprise big brother--though his reaction makes her feel self-conscious. She tilts her head too and gives a quick look behind her, just to make sure she wasn't missing something.

She did not. ]

Hm? ...Just acquaintances?

[chippedsoul]

. . .Well, not all the people I knew in the other world made it here, and there are those who don't even remember that place. [He shakes his head.]

Either way, I suppose I've made some new friends, but I wouldn't say we share the same bonds as I have with you or Ryunosuke. [. . .] All except for one.

[judicialassistant]

[ Her lips twitch at the acknowledgement. She can't deny it feels good, even though it sounds like he lost some friends along the way, which is sad, but a part of life, here more than most.

Either way, she's very interested in this one person. She thinks back to the conversation she had with van Zieks and her father; she has ideas. ]

Ah. Who might that be?

[chippedsoul]

[He hums quietly, a small mischievous smile on his face.]

I think you may already know. [There's no way she wouldn't have noticed, with how nosy thorough she is. She's not called the best legal aide without reason.]

[judicialassistant]

[ It is so very stupid how much that smile brings her comfort. She tries not to smile further. He is teasing her, after all. Again!!! But she is smiling anyway.

Darn it, she is supposed to be mad at you. ]

...Hmm, how mysterious. Does he start with a 7 and end in a 6?

[chippedsoul]

[His charm is just irresistible. A nod of approval,]

As I expected. [Brother is always very proud of sis.] 76 was someone I met in the previous world, and just as stubborn as I am.

[judicialassistant]

[ She is happy for him. Honestly, she is glad he found someone as stubborn as him, scary a thought as that is. Even so, she's not strong enough to ignore what he said. She tried. ]

I see. Then perhaps you will at least find it within yourself to confide in him, if not me.

[chippedsoul]

. . . [He bows his head to her, almost to apologize.] I thank you for understanding. [He feels bad, truly, but there are some things he feels Susato shouldn't hear. At least not right now.]

1/2

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato's eyes widen at the gesure, and she has to fight every urge to tell him to stop, to stand straight.

...But no. No, he can just stay there for a second. ]

[judicialassistant]

[ She hesitates at first, reaching forward to run a hand through his hair... but after a few strokes, she sighs and just pulls him in for a hug outright. ]

...I forgive you.

[ Did he actually apologize? Maybe not. But she heard one. ]

I do have another question, however.

[ Of course she does. ]

[chippedsoul]

. . . [He's not sure what he did to deserve another hug like this, but he isn't going to fight it, just quietly embracing it. He rest his head on her shoulder, not realizing how tired he actually was.]

What is it?

[judicialassistant]

[ ...Susato closes her eyes, as if to heighten her other senses to get the answers she seeks. It also happens to be very, very comfortable indeed. ]

...It is about your injuries. [ Or lack thereof. ] When I saw Lord van Zieks, I feared the worst for you, but it doesn't seem like you've retained any wounds from your other form...

I wasn't sure if I've missed something, or whether they might have manifested in... another way.

[chippedsoul]

. . .That power was dangerous, but it had some other unique properties. [He lifts his head, leaning back.]

It kept me from being harmed, healed any wounds I sustain. [Don't ask him how it works, because he doesn't know. He lets out some air, with a light shrug.] The only thing that manifested from it all was feeling a little under the weather and very tired. A minor inconvenience that a few days of rest will fix. [He did put out a lot of energy. And at this point in time, he truly believes this will pass.]

Were his injuries that bad? [Is it out of concern or perhaps curiosity of how badly he damaged him? Or maybe a mix of both.]