A pseudo-pseudo Suzu route (completed)

[Oddball]

...Life's a beach, and then you die?


...


GODDAMMIT, now you people have gotten me doing this as well.

One of us! One of us! Gooble-gobble, gooble-gobble!

[griffon8]

...Life's a beach, and then you die?


...


GODDAMMIT, now you people have gotten me doing this as well.

One of us! One of us! Gooble-gobble, gooble-gobble!

Fixed.

[Scissorlips]

things

Fixed and fixed, thanks for letting me know.

...we get a little glimpse at something like a good memory in Suzu's past in this somewhere, which is something this story has been sorely lacking, especially of late.

Has it really? You people need to tell me these things.

As for the pacing, I know that only a few things happened in this chapter. To be honest, it would have been better for the story in the short run if I had waited to post this and the next one together, so that it would be easier to see where it was going, but I simply don't have time for that with my current schedule. I will say though that it's act 4, and this is neither the time nor the place for a beach episode.
Well, maybe it's the place. Being the beach and all. But still.

[Mirage_GSM]

"Eachother" is not a word.
Happened two times in the most recent chapter, so I thought I'd let you know.
Other than that - nice to see a chapter without so much gloom for a change!

[Helbereth]

...we get a little glimpse at something like a good memory in Suzu's past in this somewhere, which is something this story has been sorely lacking, especially of late.

Has it really? You people need to tell me these things.

It might be residual depression from reading the bad end making us think that, but there are fewer laughs in recent chapters. Apart from that, Suzu seems to have a lot of bad memories coupled with a few bright spots. I'm not sure whether you intended it that way or not, but that's how it seems.

[Scissorlips]

"Eachother" is not a word.
Happened two times in the most recent chapter, so I thought I'd let you know.

I am aware, but thank you.

It might be residual depression from reading the bad end making us think that, but there are fewer laughs in recent chapters. Apart from that, Suzu seems to have a lot of bad memories coupled with a few bright spots. I'm not sure whether you intended it that way or not, but that's how it seems.

Hmm. I don't know if I would say that's specifically intended, she's always had a bit of a morbid imagination at times but even then usually looks on the bright side of things--"it could be worse", "it's not so bad", etc. While I guess I haven't spent too much time specifically delving into her memories, the reason the bad ones come to the forefront is because they're the most pertinent to the plot. I just hope that the doom and gloom felt organic to the story and properly built up and not a sudden "all aboard the sadness express".
The thing is that the whole summer vacation stress was something that I broadcasted a while back, and if I want to stay true to the original narrative and pacing style of the original game (which I do), there isn't much more time for laid back, slice of life style happiness. That's not to say everything needs to be tears and grimdark, because it won't. But there are issues that need to be dealt with, there are challenges that need to be met (or not). There will still be laughs, because laughs are fun and I like having fun. But look at any of the act 4's in the original game and you'll see that, even in the more comedic routes like Emi's, there aren't a whole lot of laughs to be found there either.

[Total Destruction]

Oh, hey.

phone sexin'

Suzu's my type of girl. I like my broads like I like my water. WET.

surf's up

Lookin' pretty good there, girls.

You know, the more I think about it, the more this particular fiction tells me I've got an awful lot to learn about pacing and whatnot. Sure, things slow down now and again, but man, does slow and steady win the race. Hah, doesn't help that I've been trying to write myself outta this stupid corner for a month and lost all form of steam I had going, but neither here nor there.

This chapter is good and you are good. I'm a bit too overcaffeinated to really elaborate on this at the mo, hahah.

[Scissorlips]

You know, the more I think about it, the more this particular fiction tells me I've got an awful lot to learn about pacing and whatnot. Sure, things slow down now and again, but man, does slow and steady win the race. Hah, doesn't help that I've been trying to write myself outta this stupid corner for a month and lost all form of steam I had going, but neither here nor there.

This chapter is good and you are good. I'm a bit too overcaffeinated to really elaborate on this at the mo, hahah.

Thanks, and glad to see you back around these parts. I'm sure you'll find a way to move forward with your story soon, and I certainly hope so, because I'm looking forward to reading it!


I can't think of anything to say here. Hi. This story has been going on for a long time now. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel now and it's a very strange feeling. Thanks to everyone who's stuck around all this time.
Oh, and thanks a lot, like, a lot to Skrats for providing the artwork in the second chapter of this update.

[Scissorlips]

Solamente


“It's to your left!” Hisao calls. Okay, so, that would be over--

“Your other left!” Miki chimes in. Is she lying? Is he? What if they both are?

Unable to choose between left or left, or left-left, or... whatever, I take a few more hesitant steps forward. Maybe this is like a trust exercise, and instead of falling and having someone catch you--I'm pretty sure they're all used to that by now anyway--there's just a blindfold, a stick, and a watermelon that's about to get it in the shorts. Or it will, if I can find the damn thing.

“Use the hypotenuse!”

“Hisao, I will end you!” I reply, waving my stick in the direction that I'm pretty sure he's in. I hear his laugh, but it's coming from behind me now, I swear he's cheating.

But I can deal with him later. For now, where is that watermelon?

“Turn to your right.” My dad grunts. I comply, and can almost sense a presence in front of me. In my imagination, it's hard on the outside and fruity on the inside and now is my chance to strike!

“Time for you to go!” I cry, heaving my stick above my head.

“Suzu, wai--”

“Hyaa!” I swing with all my might, which admittedly isn't a lot. We've been at the beach for a few hours now and I'm starting to get tired. But I put everything I have into my attack, take this!

The stick connects with something firm and, judging from the elevation, probably not a watermelon. I raise my blindfold with one hand to see Miki sitting down, her wrist brought up to block my strike. She's glaring at me.

“You're fired.” She mutters.

“B-but who will side your kicks?” I protest, turning to look around. “Besides, he said it was...”

I'm not even close to the watermelon in question, it's about ten whole feet away. I haven't moved that far and, and I could swear that it was only a little bit from the umbrella when we first started so...

“Why is it over there.” I mumble, straightening up. I glance back at the others, they're exchanging guilty looks, even my dad!

“We... may have been moving it.” Hisao confesses. Miki is grinning now.

“You're the one who's fired!” I pout, crossing my arms. It turns out to be a little more difficult while still holding my stick, but I think I'll keep it for a little longer.

“Come on, all we did was postpone its execution a bit.” Hisao spreads his hands in a peacemaking gesture. He steps forward, smiling at me.

“Don't worry, that watermelon will pay for its crimes.” He says.

“But you're the guilty one!” I reply, brandishing my stick. Still smiling, Hisao gently pries it from my grasp, depositing it on the ground where it can threaten watermelons and boys with arrhythmia no more. He's... he's lucky that I'm tired. And that, unlike him, I don't carry grudges. It's usually too hard to remember them after the next unscheduled downtime anyway.

I try to keep up my pouting expression, but it's impossible in the face of that smile. I'm not even that hungry for watermelon, it just seemed like a shame to lug it all the way here and then not give it a proper send off. Although I guess if I was a watermelon, um, I wouldn't really enjoy the idea of people strapping on blindfolds and trying to find me and snuff out my short, fruity existence. I would probably be grateful to have people like these guys, who would move me around so that I wouldn't get smashed and--

Miki has produced a beach ball from our pile of supplies and gone about the task of inflating it. Holding it to her chest as if escorting a bomb or something, she strides in between us, breaking the spell. I realize that Hisao has just been watching me, a look of patient amusement on his face.

“Come on.” Miki says, raising an eyebrow at us. “Last one in the water is a rotten egg.”

I guess we can go over who is and isn't fired later, I feel up to a swim. I hear the rustling of a newspaper behind us and turn to see my father sitting back down in the shade of the umbrella, already obscured from vision by black and white print. It's an improvement over the sight of him in those shorts and terrible Hawaiian shirt, with a thick layer of sunscreen still coating his nose.

“Taking one for the team, old man?” Miki calls.

“You're walking home.” He replies. The three of us exchange grins, although Miki looks like she's actually considering it, she hasn't gone running all week.

Maybe there will be time for that later, though. Pulling my blindfold all the way off, I toss it towards my dad and then steal the ball from Miki, running towards the water and hoping that I don't trip or pass out because if I did it would it would be really embarrassing.

“Cheater!” Miki cries, I hit the water and can hear her splashing after me only a moment later.

I turn my head to shout back, “You're one to tal--”

Something in the corner of my eye grabs my attention. I stop, Miki catches up to me in an instant and snatches the ball back.

“Too slow, Suzu.” She chides, scampering out of reach.

“You're totally still fired!” I retort, tearing my gaze away. I brace myself to withstand an oncoming wave and then move to return the ball as Miki hits it to me, focusing on the game. Move here, catch it, hit it back!

There's Hisao, see if he can catch this one. Pound it, or, or spike it? Is that what it's called?

He's bad at this. Here, he's about to hit it back, look at him. Keep your eyes on him. Don't look at the beach.

Miki's turn now. Don't look at the pair of small children, a brother and a sister, walking hand in hand towards waiting parents.

Don't remember how that used to be you. Hit the ball.

Don't think about how it will never be like that again. It's your turn.

Play the game, Suki.

“...ey!”

“...ake up!”

There's a noise, what is... someone's calling me? I turn my head towards the source, what was--

A beach ball is suddenly flying at my face, I raise my hands just in time to prevent direct impact. The soft plastic bounces off me with a thud, landing in the water at my waist.

Well that explains things. I look up, look in the direction that the projectile had come from and see a brown girl in a bikini frowning at me.

“Attention space cadet!” She huffs, striding through the waves towards me. She reaches down to grab the ball, lifting it up to--to bop me on the head with, ugh.

Miki's annoyed expression fades in an instant. “Are you falling asleep on us?” She asks.

I shake my head, although, although it is suddenly a little heavy. My head, I mean.

“No, I'm here.” I am starting to get tired, we've been here for a few hours now. But I'm awake, I just...

Knowing I'll regret it, I glance back at the beach. That family is gone. Hisao is standing not too far away from us, he's wearing that familiar, patient look he gets when I start to space out. But he says he doesn't mind. He's said that a lot by now, and maybe I'm even starting to believe him.

Behind him and spread along the coast are small groups of other people, some of them are friends or classmates from the local schools, some are... there are more families, they're laughing and playing. Children are chasing eachother or getting into splashing contests.

No, that's right, I... I'm not falling asleep. It's just that I can't shake this feeling, this nagging notion that won't stop tugging at me. It's been there all day, really, I've just been distracted, I've just been busy. But there's something bothering me, it's been lurking in the back of my mind.

It keeps telling me that something is missing. That... that someone is missing.

Now that I think about it, this is the first time I've been here, since last year.

“If you need to take a break, just say so.” Miki says, tilting her head, I refocus my gaze on her. “We don't need you faceplanting in the ocean.”

I laugh, but that's... that's probably a given. I mean, it's like a fact of life. Rain falls. Trees grow. And if there's something really big and I'm near it, I'm eventually going to try my hand at sleeping on it.

It doesn't really bother me, though. I won't be around to worry about the splash and, and as long as someone, Miki or Hisao or my dad, as long as they're here to grab me if I go forwards instead of backwards, then it's not really that big a deal. Worse things have--

No.

No, I... I want to give Miki a bright smile, tell her that I'm fine and continue playing. I want to be fine, I do, but... I really am very tired now. I think I'm due for a nap, maybe I'm lucky that I haven't already passed out before.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, I don't know, but all I end up doing is pitching sideways. Miki catches me, pushing against me with her weight to make up for her only having one hand, and in a few moments I feel a second set of hands supporting me. Well... a full set now. That... that makes three total.

“Looks like it's time for a break after all.” Miki says quietly, although she doesn't sound upset. I don't know if I want a break, I... I suddenly don't find the idea of sleep very attractive, I don't know what I'll dream about. But I guess I don't really have a choice, I feel like a rag doll. The last things I see before my eyes close and refuse to open again are the faces of my best friend and my boyfriend, their features obscured by the glare of the sun.

It's all going dark now. Don't... don't think about what he looks like, with just the silhouette of that messy hair. Don't think about who it could be instead, because... because it's not.

It's not.


I don't know if I dream good things or bad things or any things at all, the next thing I know for sure is that Miki is gently shaking me.

“Hey.” She says, her tone hushed. “Suzu, wake up.”

“What. What? Is the beach on fire?” I groan, blinking up at her. There's... there's a towel underneath me and a sky over top of me and something's next to me. What is?

Miki raises a finger to her lips, a mischievous look on her face. My head is still heavy, but I turn to see a body lying next to mine on the towel. Not just any body though, it's... it's Hisao's body. I mean, it's Hisao. He's completely passed out, resting on his side with his head against the ground. The sight brings a smile to my lips right away, I mean, maybe if I didn't have bad dreams, now I know why. Maybe.

I move to scoot closer to him but Miki clucks her tongue. “Hey, hey.” She calls, still keeping her voice low.

“What.” I glance at her groggily, Hisao is... he's right here and, and it's been weeks since I've woken up next to him and. Um. I want to cuddle. But Miki's eyes are gleaming.

“You two can be gaylords all you want for a whole week, but tomorrow, I'm going to be on a train headed home, remember?”

“Oh.” I mumble, looking from her to Hisao and then back again. What... what does she want to do? I think I'm awake by now, but...

Miki gets to her knees, leaning forward and carefully prodding the slumbering boy next to me. He doesn't even come close to stirring, has he been getting enough sleep? Is it my fault, did he used to do this before he started staying up all night or napping along with me and messing up his sleep schedule?

Maybe I'll ask Hisao when he wakes up, if I can remember. But until then, I get the feeling that Miki has something sinister in store for him. She moves to whisper in my ear and so help me, a grin spreads across my face and I feel so guilty about it but. Yeah, this is happening.


“So Hisao.” I take a seat on the soft sand, glancing down at him. “Is it safe to say you've been staying up too late these days?”

He frowns, choosing to stare straight ahead instead of looking over at me. “Maybe.” He mutters.

I remember that I wanted to ask him if it might be my fault. But I guess I already know the answer, what with our talking over the phone since the start of the break, and all the times before that when he would wait until I was up again before doing things together.

“Has anyone ever told you that you're a fairly heavy sleeper at times?” I do my best to look completely innocent. Hisao grimaces at me.

“This is because of the watermelon, isn't it?” He gripes. “It was Miki's idea.”

“Nope.”

“Then is it because of that day with the markers? Because that was Miki's idea too, I told you that.”

“But you went along with it. And no, it's not because of that.” If I had 100 yen for every time someone has doodled on my face when I passed out, I would have enough money to hire someone to beat people up if they tried to doodle on my face when I passed out.

I glance over at his head, the only part of him that isn't currently buried in the sand. It hadn't been easy, digging a Hisao-sized hole, sliding his sleeping body into it and then sealing him up, but me and Miki had managed to pull it off. It was all worth it to see the expression on his face when he finally woke up. And I guess he did kind of deserve it, that marker had taken forever to wash off. Not that I'm really the kind to carry a grudge, it's just, I don't know. Well, maybe I am. But when Miki had suggested we put my sleeping boyfriend to good use, I guess I got kind of carried away with her scheme.

It was her idea, after all. And it was nice to have something to do. To take my mind off things.

It's a little before sunset now, our time at the beach is coming to an end. It really has been a fun day, we all went for a swim, Hisao's splashing technique was woefully underdeveloped and left him with little defense against me and Miki's combined onslaught. Then we tracked down some food, and just relaxed on the beach again for a bit, letting our stomachs settle before taking on the waves again. Then... the watermelon. But it won't be able to escape justice forever.

It's been a good day so far, a great one. And it's not quite over yet, I should still--

“I'm sorry, okay? Will you dig me out now?”

“No.”

I should still have time to build a sand castle. If I want to. If I need to?

I stare out at the ocean, watching the sunlight reflect off the water. Today really has been a lot of fun, I... I do feel a lot better. Summer vacation is almost over, I... made it. I survived. And even though I probably would have lived through it either way, I know it would have been much, much more miserable if I didn't have my friends. If I didn't have Miki and Hisao. Oh, right, Hisao!

He's still staring at me with pursed lips. We were careful not to pack the sand around him too tight, I should be able to get him out of there by myself. Miki had apparently thought to bring her athletic shoes with her, she stuck around just long enough to watch Hisao's reaction and then went for a run. She claims that nothing beats running with the ocean at your side, I think I'll just take her word on that instead putting it to the test.

“You'd probably like to get out of there, huh?” I ask, smiling at him. He nods, which only has the effect of bumping his chin into the sand, I can't stop from grinning at the sight.

“Before the tide comes in, please.” He says.

“Fine, fine.” I move to crouch in front of him, beginning to scrape away the sand surrounding what appears to be his severed head. “Hold still.”


About five minutes of digging and a dip in the water to get the last bits of sand off later, Hisao is sitting next to me on the shore, watching the setting sun begin to dye the sky a golden color.

“That's the last time I let my guard down around you.” He mutters, frowning at me.

“You're just lucky we didn't pack any markers.” I reply, his frown melts away. He shakes his head, we both look back at the water as a warm breeze blows past us.

“Thank you for today, Hisao. Thank you for...” I steal a glance at him. “For coming.”

“Hey, you don't have to thank me for anything. I wanted to see you too.” He says, smiling at me for a moment before looking back to the waves.

“Plus, I haven't really been to the beach since I was a little kid.” He says. He looks like he's holding warm memories in his mind, I lean closer, intrigued.

“That's right, you're one of them city-folk, aren't you?” I tease.

“And you're a slack-jawed yokel, I forget sometimes.”

“Who are you calling--” I begin, but he whirls towards me and moves in for a kiss before I can react. I almost want to resist just to spite him, but... moments later I realize that's a stupid idea and I'm glad I didn't go through with it. One peck, two, I giggle as he puts a hand to my head and leans up to kiss my forehead. Then he sits back down again, warm orange sunlight washing over him as he stares back at me.

“Not... not a lot of slack there.” I mumble, feeling my face grow warm. But I can't wipe this stupid smile from my lips, and he's doing everything he can not to mirror my expression.

“I couldn't really tell you what a yokel is anyway.” He replies, tearing his gaze away. I laugh.

After a few moments of silence, I decide to continue the conversation we were having, before he... he did something that was nice and was fine by me and, maybe later, more of that.

“So you only went to the beach when you were little?” I ask.

“Well...” He shrugs. “It was never too far away, you know? I guess that was kind of why.”

He inhales deeply, looking like he's savoring the scent of ocean air. “It was always there.” He says. “So it was easy to get carried away with things that seemed more important.”

“Yeah, I guess I can understand that.” I reply, digging at the sand with my foot. It was kind of the opposite for me, I've lived in this area pretty much my entire life, but when I was little, I... I loved day trips into the city, as long as my family was there. As long as we were all together.

I suppose I like sturdy things, like the ocean. Hisao is right, it's always there and it's not going to just dry up one day. I guess I like things that are always there and... and will probably still be there, when I wake up.

But some of the most important things aren't... they aren't like that.

“What about you?” He asks, bursting my bubble of thoughts before it can get too big. And that's, that's fine with me, except...

“Well as you can see, I don't live too far away.” I reply, still watching the way the sunlight paints the beach in a thick orange glow. “I used to come here a lot. And...”

I falter for a second, it's been on my mind, but does Hisao... does he need to know? Does even want to know? I glance at him, he's watching me curiously.

Will this hurt too? Does it hurt now? Yes, yes it does. But I hold on to the feeling of his kiss, inside and out, I try to take strength from the fact that he's right here next to me. He's been open with me. He deserves the same. I guess.

“I came here a lot.” I say, giving him a smile that I don't know if I believe myself. “I really like it here, it's...”

“It's kind of nice and simple.” I continue, turning again to stare at the waves that gently lap at the shore before us. “No surprises, no mysteries. It's not scary at all.”

“Unless there's a shark attack.” Hisao raises an eyebrow.

“I hope you get eaten first.” I pout, but he grins.

“Go on.” He urges. “Please.”

Fine then. “I like swimming, but it's not very easy because... you know. So a lot of the time, I would sit on the shore,” I blink, recalling for the second time today all the kingdoms I had raised, “and build sand castles.”

Hisao smiles, waiting for me to continue and I do, at the first mention of my brother he perks up. He watches me intently, laughs when I describe Seiji as a lumbering monstrosity, he gets this gentle look when I talk about the entire worlds we would build. I'm so caught up in telling him about the methods to our madness that I forget to even feel guilt or pain as I talk about the days we spent, the suns that set, that time we found a crab and made it king of the cas--

“Excuse me.” A young voice cuts in. It's so unexpected that I immediately lose track of where I was in my story, I look over and see the... the two kids from earlier. The siblings, a...

A big brother, and a little sister.

“Excuse me.” The older boy repeats. He's still holding the girl's hand like the first time I had caught sight of them, she peers at us shyly, almost trying to disappear behind him.

“H-hi.” I say numbly.

“Have you seen our parents anywhere?” He asks, biting his lip and looking nervous for a second. But then, then he glances down at his sister before looking back at me, his face hardening in determination.

I smile, suddenly feeling so old and mature and responsible and I would trade it all, I would trade everything in the world if the hole suddenly opening up inside of me would just go away. If I could just stop feeling like I want to go somewhere dark and safe and hide, and maybe never come out, I just--

Hisao gives me a gentle prod, I glance over at him a little too quickly, he's looking me straight in the eyes. I'm still smiling but it's fake, it's so fake, and I think he knows it. But, that's right.

I run a lot. And he knows that too.

“What do they look like?” I ask, turning back to them, trying to make sure my voice doesn't quiver. The boy has to think a little too hard about it, but he gives the description of a man and woman that I remember seeing before, and again, not too long ago.

“That way.” I point, both their faces light up. I wish I could say that made me feel better. The brother nods his thanks and even the sister gives me a nervous smile, they turn and begin to walk, I know I'm staring at them as they go. I can feel Hisao's eyes on me, his hand is gently touching my shoulder--

“Wait!”

They stop, glancing back at us curiously, at me. I look at the boy, I look at the girl. And I...

I clench my jaw, standing up and taking a few steps towards them.

I turn to the boy. “You're the oldest, right?”

He looks perplexed by the question, but he nods. “Yup! I'm the big brother.” He replies with a grin.

I put everything I have into smiling back at him. “And that means you watch out for your little sister, right?”

“Huh? Well, yeah. Of course.”

Of course. My smile widens, fake, real, I don't know.

“But you!” I point at the small girl. She almost jumps back in surprise, staring at me with wide eyes.

“You have to watch out for him too!” I can still feel Hisao watching me, but that's all he's doing for now, even as I have to try harder and harder to keep my words, keep my lips from trembling.

“Big brothers take care of their sisters, but they aren't perfect!” I continue, my eyes beginning to burn.

“They make mistakes. They get hurt too, and when, when that happens, their sister has to be there!”

I don't really expect them to have any idea what I'm talking about. But I just don't want... I don't want anyone to ever have to...

...I'm sorry, Seiji.

I'm so, so sorry.

“When he gets into trouble.” I force the words out, I'm staring at the sand now, I can't look up any longer. “You have to be there for him. You have to take care of him, just like he takes care of you.”

“Can you do that?” I risk a glance up at them, at her, knowing that my brave front is beginning to crack. The little girl looks confused, of course, she's far too young to understand, but... but she's staring at me with something akin to wonder. She nods, gripping her brother's hand tightly.

“Good.” I give them both a wide smile, I... I need to send them off. I need to sit down.

I need the boy who sits a few feet away from me.

“Now go home.” I mumble, unable to come up with anything else that doesn't sound cliched. The brother gives me a long, curious look, but they turn to go, their speed increasing as they catch sight of their parents further down the beach. I look away as the father scoops the little girl up in his arms, the mother hugs her son, they're, they're all together and everything’s all right for them.

My fingernails are digging into my palms as I walk back over to Hisao and sit down beside him. A horse, a horse.

My kingdom for a horse. But, but right now, I think he'll do. I hope he'll do. He looks like he's willing to wrap his arms around me if I want, but I feel too numb even for that. I just scoot closer until our shoulders are touching, I take his arm in both of mine, holding his hand tightly. He doesn't say anything for a long time, I just close my eyes.

Now I know for sure, I don't want to build a sand castle. It will be dark soon and, and even if I had time, it's not fair. It's not right.

And it's not the same, without him.

“Suzu...” Hisao finally speaks up. I open my eyes, he's looking at me, his expression melancholy this time.

Again, I don't think he knows quite what to say. What are you supposed to say at a time like this? To things like this? How does anyone--

“I can't pretend that it's anything close to what you've been through. What you're going through.” Hisao frowns, chewing on his words carefully. “But I have lost someone before.”

I... I stare back at him, now I'm the one who doesn't really know what to say. Go on, Hisao. Please?

“Like I said, I know it's not the same. But I had an uncle. My father's brother, a couple of times a month he would come to visit.” Hisao gives me a tiny smile.

He looks back at the ocean, the sun has almost completely set by now. “Every time he did, he would take me out to eat noodles at the same place. I was pretty young, but I remember him being nice, he was loud and brash and he laughed at almost everything.”

A real, genuine smile flickers across his lips, but he grows somber again.

“Then, one day, a month had gone by without him visiting.” He glances at me for a moment, then looks away. “My parents came home wearing all black. I wanted to know why, they said that my uncle was gone. That he had died in a car accident.”

“Hisao...”

But he's not done. “After that, my parents took me to the same restaurant that I always went to with him. But...”

He frowns. “I don't know. It was like it didn't taste the same, somehow, everything was different.” He looks back at me, now my lips are trembling again.

“So if that's anything like what you--”

“Hisao.” I'm, I'm going to start crying again. Hisao, I'm going to start crying. He's learned the signs by now, he turns his body and I plant my face in his shoulder. He stops holding my hand only so he can bring his own hand up to gently stroke my hair.

“Today was really fun.” I say into his skin, clamping my eyes shut as salt water begins to leak from them. “I had a good time and I'm glad you're here and, and thank you for coming.”

“B-but Hisao, I...” I suck in a breath, my voice is trembling. He reaches forward with his other arm to hold mine, pulling me closer.

“I don't think I ever loved the ocean.” I choke, tears beginning to run down my face. Hisao just continues to hold me close, he leans his head down against mine.

I've run out of words, but, but he hasn't run out of... of patience, or warmth, or just being there. That's all I want, right now. That's enough for me.

We stay like that for what feels like a long time. When I open my eyes again to look up at him, I want to meet his gentle gaze. But I'm too distracted by the fact that the sun has set, the very first stars can be seen twinkling in the sky above.


Next I Previous I First

[Scissorlips]

Take The Sun Away


With Hisao's help, I manage to pull myself together a little before Miki gets back from her run. I think my eyes are still kind of red and... and I really don't want to let go of Hisao's hand, but maybe it's too dark for Miki to notice anything. My dad has fallen asleep with his newspaper covering his face, luckily for him, it's too late to dig another hole in the sand. And he's not quite as heavy a sleeper as Hisao.

We pile our stuff back in the car and then climb inside, Miki rests her head on my shoulder and I rest mine on Hisao's. He gets the window to lean on, but that's fine because... because he's a boy and he can deal with that. By the time we finally make it home, it's well past dark. We stumble out of the car, taking only the essentials with us and promising to unload the rest tomorrow. My dad leads the charge and Miki follows him inside, but I'm, I'm moving a little more slowly.

Hisao is a few steps ahead of me, he turns and glances back. Neither of us have forgotten earlier, I feel wiped out and I'm glad to be home, but at the same time... here I am in the driveway, and is the beach really so different from my house?

I'm suddenly unable to keep walking because there's someone in front of me. Hisao, right, he stopped. He's still looking down at me, is, is he trying to make sure I'm all right?

Am I all right?

I'm tired. I know that for sure. I'm tired and--

“Still here?”

Huh. “Huh? Wait, yes. Are you?”

Hisao smiles. He nods. “Yup.”

“Then I am too.” I say, managing to return his smile, even though mine is tired and shaky.

I think I'm more okay than I was before. Definitely more than I was before Miki got here, and even though she's leaving tomorrow, he's not. Not yet. So I should be okay. Maybe tomorrow I'll be rested enough to think that I am.

Hisao glances up at the stars. “It's beautiful out here at night.” He remarks. I can tell he's not just saying that, he means it, but his eyes are heavy with fatigue too.

“Yeah.” I mumble, but I don't even look up. It really is pretty, just far enough away from the city to have a clear view of the night's sky. But I don't want to see the stars, I stare down at the ground.

Before he can suggest something about going stargazing this week, I slip my hand in his and begin trudging towards the house, because no. I don't look up until we hit the door, and when I do, I can just make out the shape of my father, watching us from the end of the hall. My eyelids are heavy and not all the lights in the house are on right now, but I think he's... is he smiling? Is he--he's gone, now.

Not wanting to stop again for fear that I might be unable to keep walking if I do, we stumble through the front door, greeted by the smell of my mother's cooking. Apparently she must have enjoyed having a quiet house all to herself today, because she always makes the best food after a productive day. I'm so worn out that even though I guess I need as much fuel as I can get, it's an impossible battle to make it through dinner without falling asleep. Luckily, Hisao and Miki are both sitting close enough to either catch me or move my plate in time, so I don't have to worry about wearing any of my food.

Afterwards, I sit on the floor of the shower for a long time, just blinking groggily at nothing in particular as the warm water rains down from above. I am... I am far too tired to risk a bath tonight, but... salt water, and bits of sand, and... has anyone ever drowned in a shower? Would... would I get a place in a book of records somewhere if I was the first one, and would it be--noo, no, it would not be worth it. I force myself to wake up, I don't... I don't want to find out.

After we've all had time to take a shower and recover from dinner, my father rounds us up and directs us back to the dining room. His face is the picture of seriousness, arms stiff at his sides as he walks over to the refrigerator. I'm leaning on the table and cradling my head on top of my arms by now. It's... it's been a long day, what is... why. Why is this a thing that is happening right now.

As tired as I am, I still jump when my dad slams something down on the table, I look up to see green. Striped green, or, you know. Whatever color a watermelon is. Because that's, that's what it is. It's totally a watermelo---

Waaait.

“Miki never told you what happened to your father.” My father cups one hand in front of his mouth, distorting his voice dramatically. His eyes are completely serious.

“She...” No, wait, I remember this. And I... come on, wake up. Today, we end this. I glare at the fruit in front of me. “She told me you killed him.”

“No, Suzu.” My dad moves the watermelon a little with every word. “I am your father.”

“That's not true. That's impossible!” I muster all my strength to look shocked, sitting up. My mother rolls her eyes, retrieving a cutting board and a knife from the kitchen, Hisao and Miki are both grinning. Hisao almost looks a little wistful, maybe... maybe he hasn't seen this one. That would be a, a shame, or a crime, or both. A shameful crime.

“The fruit is strong with you.” My dad continues, tilting the food as if it were leaning forward to taunt me. “But you are not a watermelon yet.”

“I don't think that's how the--”

“If you only knew the power of the melon side.”

“Dad, that's not--”

“So. A sister.” Now Miki is the one rolling her eyes, but she bursts out laughing when my dad inclines the fruit towards Hisao instead of her. “You have a twin sister.”

Hisao is grinning right along with us, although whether he actually means it or it's all an act and he's still afraid of the whole being poisoned thing remains a mystery. My mother deposits the knife and cutting board in front of me, ooh.

“Miki was wise to hide her from me.”

“That doesn't even make--”

“Just cut the thing so he'll shut up, Suzu.” My mother says bluntly. His reply is an offended noise, which he repeats after realizing that he forgot to do it in his impression voice.

I pluck the watermelon from his grasp and then set it on the cutting board before carefully reaching for the knife, I don't usually cut things. Or cook things, or do anything like that to things.

“Let this be our final battle.” My dad calls.

“That's not even in the--” I begin, but my mother coughs. Fine, fine.

Sorry, watermelon. I guess it's you or me. And I also guess you had this coming. I turn the knife sideways and slice the fruit in two, making halfhearted action sounds to accompany the violence. Hyaa. Argh. Urgh. When I'm done, my dad pulls the board and the vanquished melon towards him, lifting up the top half and moving it up and down as if it suddenly had a mouth.

“I am defeated. I don't remember how this scene goes, so...” He frowns for a moment, but then nods to himself.

“Rosebud...” He croaks, laying the watermelon down. I pass him the knife and he begins cutting it into smaller pieces.

“And now to feast upon his corpse.” Miki frowns.

“That wasn't in the movie either.” I mutter, taking a slice and then a bite, in that order.


After smoting our foe's ruin upon the dinner table... or, or something... everyone begins preparing for bed. It really has been a long day, and I know I won't be able to hold on much longer. I bump into Hisao in the hallway outside my room. Well, I don't bump into him. I did that... was that today? It feels like last month or something. I don't know. But, but he's there. And I'm there and then we say hello.

“Hello.” He says, I give him a tired smile.

“Hey. All set? Pills taken?”

He nods, his expression neutral. “All five thousand of them.”

I can't help but laugh, even though... even though that's not really funny. By the time he got done taking all of his morning pills, he would need to start taking his evening ones and that's, how horrifying.

Hisao leans against the wall. “Your dad really does care a lot about you.”

“Huh?”

“I get the feeling that he hates to see you sad.” Hisao smiles gently. Does he? Er, did he? I... I didn't think I looked too bad. Have I just been really obvious? Or...

“He does.” I say softly, looking down at the thick carpet on the floor. Both my parents care about me a lot, and I do feel... cheered up but still so very, very tired.

Today was... well. I don't know anymore. So much happened. But I'm ready for it to end, I'm, I'm ready to--oh, huh, why is Hisao holding me all of the sudden? Did I...?

“Suzu. Hey, wake up.” He's saying, I guess I should... should try to do that. So I can walk about another five feet and then go to sleep again.

“Let's get you to bed.” Hisao gives me a gentle shake. I nod, right, okay.

He smells nice. Is that, did he bring his own shower stuff or is it my dad's? Is that weird? Maybe... maybe I'll ask him later.

I yawn, can't help it. “You too.” I reply, disentangling myself from him and taking his hand as I begin to move towards my room.

“But I'm staying in the guest room, right?”

“That's dumb. You're dumb.” I mumble, pulling him along. Hisao's steps are hesitant, but he follows obediently. We're... we're at my door, stop, before we run into it.

I turn my heavy head to look at Hisao, he's frowning.

...Sort of.

“Don't you want to come in?”

“I do, I do.” He replies. “It's just... it's not too late for your dad to poison me.”

Haa. I... I knew it. I shake my head, although I can't do it very fast.

“You don't have to worry about that.” And if you'll just, if you'll just come inside, you'll see why. I open the door, giving him a final tug before letting go of his hand and stepping through.

A dark skinned body is already lounging in my bed, dressed in a form-fitting white t-shirt and boyshorts. Miki sits up, crawling forward a few steps and leaving her, um, her... her ample bosom I guess, she leaves that kind of hanging.

“There you are, sleepyhead.” She smirks. I flash Hisao an exhausted grin before scampering forward to jump into the bed next to her. I think I used up the last of my strength right there, but I manage to raise myself up and turn back to look at him.

“Come to bed, Hisao...” Miki purrs, beckoning him forward with one finger. Hisao visibly swallows. He glances from her to me, I stare back, then look at Miki. I try to imitate her sultry expression, doing my best to put on a seductive face as I turn back to Hisao. I might just look really tired though.

Miki stretches her toned form, letting out a husky sigh. Hisao bites his lip, I bet he's glad he took his pills already. He takes a tentative step forward, only to be stopped in his tracks by a pillow to the face.

“Not with us, you gaylord! You may be a lucky guy, but you aren't nearly that lucky.” Miki laughs, giving me a wink. We're both grinning by now but I'm blushing, and maybe she is too?

“Don't worry though Hisao, we have someone to keep you company tonight.” She says lightly, pointing towards the mound of blankets and borrowed pillows that sits on the floor next to my bed. Resting on top is none other than my oversized T-rex, its mouth open in a roar that probably says “little crippled boy, come, let us cuddle” in the dinosaur tongue.

Hisao nods, right, he knew that the whole time. “I'm keeping this.” He says, clutching the pillow that Miki had thrown. She shrugs.

“Don't need it.” She replies, squirming closer and wrapping her arms around me. I let out a laugh, turning onto my side as Hisao flips the light off and then lays down on the floor. He pretends to look snobbish as he makes do with only the T-rex to sleep with. Miki holds on to me tightly, resting her head against the back of my neck and letting out a contented sigh, and I agree. This is the best thing.

I'm fading fast, I'm, whoa, it's dark and suddenly it's hard to think or do anything. But there's only one way this could get any better, I reach with one hand towards the space beside my bed. I have to wave my hand back and forth for a few seconds before Hisao notices, but then I feel him gently grab it. I smile widely, okay, now it's the best.

“Goodnight.” I mumble, to both of them. Miki just makes a happy noise in her throat in response.

“Roar.” Hisao says flatly. I laugh, I grin, and then sleep becomes me.



The next morning, I wake up, and something is a little weird, it's a little different. My bed feels strange and, and it's empty, the pulling behind my forehead tells me that I haven't gotten near enough rest. And the air smells odd too, is Miki trying to cook something?

I slowly open my eyes and the answer is actually pretty simple. This isn't my bed, and it isn't my room.

It's been a while since I've been here, since I've seen these walls. This bed is fairly large, it's just as comfy as mine, but it could be bigger and better than any in the whole world and I would never want to sleep in it again.

Everything remains the way it was, when this room still belonged to someone. Or, it still does, I guess. But he's not here to use it anymore, he's not here to sleep or wake up or, I... damn it, damn it. I must be sleepwalking again.

No matter how many obstacles I would wedge between me and my door, in the months after... after back then, and sometimes when I came home for holidays, I still managed to wind up here, in his room, in his bed. I would come here a lot, when we were little. My room was his room, his room... his room was mine. And we both had troubles, we both had night terrors and sleep paralysis, mine have gotten better since those years but they still happen, and they're just more symptoms of my condition. Looking back now, he never seemed to have them as bad as I did, but I think... I think he might have just been trying to be strong. His could have been even worse than mine, but no matter what, he had to... he had to put on a brave face for...

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and plant my feet in the thick carpet. My body complains as I rise and my head is pounding from standing up too fast, but I need to get out, I need to get out of here. I have no right to be here. I turn to go, breathing in the stale air of a room unused, but the door opens just before I can take a single step. Standing there, staring at me in complete surprise, is my mother.

We just look at eachother, completely frozen. The dim light that manages to make it through the closed curtains plays with her short hair, it makes the lines and creases around her dark green eyes only that much more noticable. I wrap my arms around myself, not really wanting to meet her gaze but unable to look away, I can't explain what I'm doing here. Why is she here?

Does she come to this room a lot? Every day? To remember what she's lost?

What I took away from her?

“Suzu,” my mother says carefully, her tone gentle, “good morning.”

The last thing I want is to stay and talk. I don't want to know why she's here and, and there's no reason for me to be here. I just nod, I start walking. I don't want to be in this room, I don't deserve to be here. I manage to tear my eyes away from my mother's troubled expression just before I pass her.

“Suzu, I--” She begins, but I'm in the hallway, and then I'm in the next room over. It's still early, too early, Hisao is sleeping like a rock, all cuddled up with my stuffed animal and Miki is lying on her back. She looks cold, and I guess, I guess that's a good thing, because I certainly feel cold too. Inside and out.

Stepping over Hisao carefully, I climb back into my bed, slipping under the covers next to Miki. She stirs at my arrival, opening her eyes and blinking at me groggily.

“Hey?” She moans, moving to close the gap between us.

“Bathroom.” I mumble quietly. She just makes an “ah” noise, and then she's asleep again. It's nowhere near the first time I've been envious of her, but I cling to her warmth as I force my eyes closed again and try my best to forget that I had ever left my bed.


When I finally wake up at a normal, proper time that is much later in the day, dark and cold things are retreating as Miki shakes me. Even if my best friend is leaving today, I'm happy to be in the waking world and not back... back there. And I'm happy to wake up in my own bed again.

After eating a big breakfast, we see Miki off at the train station. There aren't really any tearful goodbyes or anything, we have less than a week before school starts up again. I should probably be dreading that, but... okay, I'm dreading that.

It's not that I dislike Yamaku, it's not that at all. If it had really been an option, if my parents would have been okay with it and Hisao and Miki would have been there, maybe I would have even spent the entire break at school. At least that way I would have been eating prof... profiteroles... whatever. I would have been having cream puffs instead of... instead of nightmares.

One of those, I would like to have. Fairly often. The other I could do without, but... if the way things ramped up right after our three day weekend is any indication, they might just be moving too fast once we go back. If our classwork steps up too quickly and, and I keep falling asleep, who's to say it won't be anything like that college workshop? I still remember that panic, that sinking feeling in my gut, the voice that says “well, looks like we're not going to make it”.

I don't know. I don't know. And I guess that's even worse, but... the important thing is that it won't be like that day. Because, because Yamaku isn't the city, and I won't be by myself. I'm not by myself.

...For the immediate future, anyway.

For the even-more-immediate future though, or, no, the present, Hisao and I were sitting on the couch, just doing nothing, just watching TV, and then I fell asleep. But now I am awake... no, I'm, I'm awake... I just haven't opened my eyes yet. I can still hear the television, but I'm slumped sideways on the couch. I can feel Hisao's warmth nearby, he might even be sleeping too. Just when I'm about to sit up, a voice makes me change my mind.

“Oh, hello, Mrs. Suzuki.”

“Please, Hisao. I'm perfectly fine with you just calling me Sasami.” I hear the sound of my mother settling into one of the chairs in the living room.

I can just picture the uncomfortable look on Hisao's face at that. “I'd really rather stick with the first one, if that's all right with you.”

“That will work too.” My mom replies. Neither of them say anything for a little bit, this is getting kind of awkward.

“How has your stay been so far?” She asks, speaking up. She's her usual, composed self, she doesn't sound at all like she did this morning. Oh, right, this morning...

“It's been nice, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to come over.”

“Not at all.” My mother's tone begins to grow uncertain, I keep my eyes clamped shut. I feel bad for... I guess I'm spying on them, but I think sitting up now might be a bad idea, it might be the wrong thing to do.

“I'm glad that you're here, Hisao. Suzu seems to be doing much better now that you've arrived.”

There's a moment of silence as they're both probably turning to look at me, don't move, don't move. Just, breathe, slowly. I'm... I'm undetectable. You can't see me.

“That's actually why I wanted to talk to you, Hisao.” My mother continues.

He must be waiting for her to go on, and for once, she sounds like she's struggling to find the right words. Even though she has a joking side, she's always been the more straightforward, the more in-charge member of the duo that makes up my parents. To hear my mother hesitate is really troubling to me, I catch myself beginning to frown and quickly wipe any expression from my face.

“Hisao... my daughter isn't the best at opening up. And she might think she's sneaky, but both her father and I have seen that she's been struggling, since she came home from school.”

Silence. Hisao is probably nodding.

“So I wanted to ask you, as someone who she's able to talk to about these things. Because, for whatever reason, she refuses to come to us with her problems.”

She pauses, then picks up again.

“Hisao...” I can hear the frustration, the helplessness in her voice.

“Is my daughter okay?”

Seconds tick by, he doesn't respond for so long that the only thing I can hear is the beating of my heart. I can feel their eyes on me, now I really don't know if I should have sat up or not.

“I don't know.” Hisao says at last. He doesn't sound frustrated, but there's a hint of the same helplessness in his tone. “Sometimes she seems like she's fine, but then something will happen, and...”

“Actually, I wanted to ask you, Mrs. Suzuki.” I can tell that he had been looking at me before, but from the sound of things now, he's turned back to my mother.

“Yes?”

“What happened, the day of the college seminar? Suzu said that her nightmares had gotten worse after that, but she didn't tell me why.”

I--

“Her nightmares?”

Oh no.

“Well, yeah.” Hisao continues. I, maybe I should wake up now, maybe I should stop him. Stop them. It might be worth it now.

“It was the same, before my first visit. She told me that she had bad dreams, and they were getting worse because... well, because she knew she was coming home.”

Nothing. When my mother finally replies, she... she sounds broken. Defeated.

“I had no idea.” She says softly.

“What?” Hisao sounds like he doesn't know whether to be confused or appalled. “You mean she didn't tell you?”

Maybe my mom is shaking her head. “How long has she been... been like this? Still having the nightmares?”

“I don't know.” He says. I dare to open my eyes for just a fraction of a second and see him frowning deeply.

“I don't know. Maybe since before we met. Maybe since...” He pauses. Don't say it, Hisao, please don't. My parents don't need to worry about me, my parents need to know that I'm fine, that I'm okay. I want them to know that.

I want them to think that. Because I've already done enough.

“...maybe since what happened last year.” He finishes. Every ounce of my willpower goes into not flinching, not standing up and telling them to stop. I don't want to hear this. I don't want them to talk about me like this.

My mother's voice is calm, quiet. Restrained, but not angry.

“She told you, then?”

Presumably, Hisao nods. “When I was here before.”

She pauses again. “I'm glad. Hisao,” she says, “I really am grateful that my daughter has met someone she trusts enough to share that with.”

He doesn't reply, I guess there's not much to say to that. She continues.

“Did she tell you what happened afterwards? In the months that followed, I mean.”

“No.” Hisao says quietly. “She... she didn't really make it that far.”

“I see.”

My mother's voice regains that helpless tone. “I don't know if it's my place to tell you, Hisao. But if she's been having nightmares this whole time, and she never came forward... if that trip into the city for the seminar hurt her that much..."

Her voice dwindles to a whisper, my mother, who's endured the business world for decades. Reduced to a tired, shaken old woman by one girl's dreams.

“...then I don't know what else to do.”

Mom, mom, I... please don't talk like that, please don't sound like that, I'm sorry. I just didn't want...

I hear her stand up.

“Can you follow me upstairs, Hisao? I'd rather not risk Suzu waking up now, and I'm sure she'll be fine here.”

“What about Mr. Suzuki?”

“Susumu... her father, he loves Suzu very much. But he cares about our daughter being happy in the here and now. As long as he can make his jokes and see a smile on her face, that's all that matters to him.”

“But I'm the one who's been pushing her to look forward, because... because I want her to be happy for longer than that. I want Suzu to have a future, Hisao. She needs to be happy for a lot longer than just a moment.”

I don't hear her approach because of the thick carpet, but I feel my mother lay a gentle hand on my head, beginning to delicately stroke my hair.

“Because she deserves it, after everything she's been through.”

I.

I didn't know if I wanted them to leave before, I didn't know if I wanted to hear their next conversation or not. But I know now, I need them to go. I need them out of sight.

Because I'm not strong enough to hold this in much longer.

Her touch retreats, I can barely make out the sound of them making their way up the stairs. I wait a full ten seconds before finally opening my eyes and sitting up.

I pull my legs closer, hugging my knees to my chest while I desperately try to think. What do I do? Do I wait here, wait for them to finish and come back? Will they sit me down for a talk, or, or a group hug? Do I go somewhere else, maybe go back to bed or try to take a walk outside?

I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what Hisao is going to say, what he's going to think, when he finds out how long I've been having my dreams. The things I did to escape them, the things my parents had to do to try to help.

I'm scared.

In the end it doesn't matter what I decide, it all becomes a moot point when I see the two of them coming back down from the second floor. Hisao doesn't look angry or troubled, he looks determined, and when he catches sight of me, he smiles. My mother just looks very, very tired, she smiles too, but she looks so old and worn out. The sinking sensation in my stomach gets a little bit worse, despite the reassuring smile Hisao is giving me.

I let go of my knees, trying to look calm and relaxed while bracing for something, anything, but nothing ends up happening. They both act like nothing is wrong, like nothing was ever wrong. But when my mother says something about getting dinner started and retreats to the kitchen, she and Hisao share a look. And then he sits down next to me, puts his arm around me, and just doesn't let go.


Artwork by Skrats, by request: If I only could make a deal with god, and get him to swap our places

Next I Previous I First

[Helbereth]

I'm trying hard to think of something to say, but I'm at a loss for words. Perhaps I'll come back later to add to this, but, for now, I'll just say I'm content with the new updates.

[Total Destruction]

This Skrats character just gave my my new desktop wallpaper.



Scizlips is playin' for keeps, too.

Weird introspective pseudo-psychoanalysis applied via Katawa Shoujo fanfiction time: Suzu's parents remind me a lot of my own, and this current exchange between Mrs. Suzuki and Hisao sort of indirectly makes me understand one of my siblings a bit better? Not a similar situation by a longshot, but there is a real heavy disconnect over something really... I dunno, I don't think "simple" is the right word, but kinda sorta.

Hmm. Deep, man.

Gaylord

Legit question: I don't remember seeing this in the VN at all. Did the KS community just collectively call it canon or what? Hahah. Not complaining in the slightest, just wondering where it all started.

I'm digging what's to come, if that piece of artwork is anything to go by.

[Mader Levap]

Gaylord

Legit question: I don't remember seeing this in the VN at all. ... Not complaining in the slightest, just wondering where it all started.

There was non-canonical fake screenshot with Miki saying "Math is for gaylords. I'd rather smoke weed." - this was for some unfathomable reason liked by KS fans. Here it is.

Did the KS community just collectively call it canon or what?

Proper name for this is fanon.

[BlackWaltzTheThird]

There's Hisao, see if he can catch this one. Pound it, or, or spike it? Is that what it's called?

Do I detect a reference to Tomorrow's Doom?

She moves to whisper in my ear and so help me, a grin spreads across my face and I feel so guilty about it but. Yeah, this is happening.

HNNNNNNNNNNNNNG. Oh wait. Damn. I mean, er, I wasn't expecting something dirty. No sir. By the way, the jump after that line confused me for a sec, I thought they were talking to him in his sleep. It's times like these I wish there were transitions in textual media.

The Empire Strikes Back shenanigans

Wahaha~! Love it.

A dark skinned body is already lounging in my bed, dressed in a form-fitting white t-shirt and boyshorts. Miki sits up, crawling forward a few steps and leaving her, um, her... her ample bosom I guess, she leaves that kind of hanging.

HNNNNNNNNNNNNNG.

Artwork by Skrats, by request:

Holy crap. What a picture. Not gonna be a desktop, cause it would disrupt my theme, but definitely saved. Props to Skrats for such a great artwork.

There were some more things I liked, but I didn't think were worth quoting. Such as, "Roar." But I also wanted to comment on that scene with the two kids. Powerful stuff I think. Well it seemed so in my head anyway. On the surface it seems like more "oh no Suzu is guilty and self-pitying again, Jesus Scizlips write moar darn you", but reading into it I think there's a deeper meaning to it. Like, it's less about Suzu telling this girl to look after her bro so she doesn't end up like Suzu herself, and more about Suzu facing her reality head on and accepting it or something... there was something more coherant in my head about ten seconds ago, I swear. I give up on trying to reconstruct it. Good stuff, Sir.
Cheers, BlackWaltz.

[Mirage_GSM]

...and then sleep becomes me.

So an anthropomorphic personification of Sleep takes on Suzu's identity? We're getting really surreal here...