Yumeno Yuuto, who had been homeschooled for most of his life, couldn't fully process the way that made him feel. He'd never gone to a school with a proper uniform, never mind one with so many people. There were more teens his age in his new classroom than he saw most months!
But he managed to avoid shaking with fear as he wrote the strange kanji for his name on the whiteboard.
"夢乃 , 優糖."
What did make the task difficult was the white creature that balanced on his shoulder as he wrote. More difficult still was writing each character while a Grief Seed stuck out of the pocket on his uniform shirt. Smiling shyly, Yuuto turned from the whiteboard to his classmates as he bowed deeply.]
My name is Yumeno, Yuuto! It's written with 'kindness' and 'sweetness!' I'm very excited to meet you all. If you need anything at all, please let me know! [While the homeroom teacher quietly wonder "Isn't that what we're supposed to say to you..?" Yuuto went to take his new seat.]
[ While most of the other students seemed to be amiable to this introduction, as strange as it was, Inaba herself found herself immediately frowning, tapping her nails on the desk.
Of course, she couldn't say why she was terse, but most people just shrugged her off, saying things like:
"Uh oh, looks like the ice queen's unhappy!"
"Does she know that new transfer student...?"
"Or maybe she's just cranky..."
It's probably fine, though. But as the time ticked by, eventually it was time for lunch and Inaba wasn't exactly in the best of moods, sounding more than just a bit annoyed as she speaks up: ]
Meet me on the rooftop. Alone.
[ And then she turns on her heel and leaves; not even bothering to explain herself or speak on the matter any further than she already has. ]
[It was for the best, really. Yuuto was already becoming overwhelmed by the attention from his classmates. Try as he might to pretend he was just as outgoing and social, he could feel the cracks already forming in his mask. Kyuubey brushed against his cheek, encouraging him to take the offer. So, with only a quick apology to the group that had gathered around his desk, Yuuto grabbed his lunch and hurried after Inaba.
Finding the roof easily, Yuuto was only a minute or so behind.]
Good afternoon. Inaba-san, I think..? [He bows, with a hand on his shoulder to stabilize Kyuubey.] Can I help you?
What the hell are you doing with that rat bastard with you?
[ She knows that Kyuubey would never perch on someone who wasn't a potential candidate. And even though Inaba could take out a gun that she had hidden in her school bag, the point of that would be absolutely useless. ]
Eh? N-No... That can't be true. Kyuubey-san is my best friend after all...
[Yuuto helps Kyuubey get back on his shoulder. From this moment on, Kyuubey definitely won't be leaving the human shield called 'Yuuto.'
"It's true that I have been by Yumeno Yuuto's side since he was very young. He's a very interesting human."]
Mm. I'm sorry if you don't get along well with him, Inaba-san... Hey, Kyuubey-san. If you've hurt Inaba-san, you should apologize. And um. Inaba-san... You can ask Kyuubey-san for an apology? Can you both make-up?
[But he suddenly feels a bit anxious around Inaba. It isn't as if he has much choice in this matter, does he? Kyuubey is the only 'family' that he has left, so he should take Kyuubey's side in this matter. Just like he should have been sticking up for his sisters...
Yuuto gasps softly, as if remembering something, and takes the Grief Seed from his shirt pocket.]
Please excuse my friend, then, Inaba-san. You don't need to deal with him. But um. I was wondering! Are you the magical girl who defends this city?
[ She lets out a sigh as she rocks on her heels; even though she doesn't mean to be so off putting, she's also very much aware that it's probably earnestly better this way. ]
[Yuuto holds out the Grief Seed as an offering,] Would you please let me into the labyrinth of a Witch this evening after school? I can handle myself from there, but I need a Soul Gem to gain entry.
I'll trade you this in exchange! Oh uh. I have more in my bag, if you need more...
My family went missing a few weeks ago... Kyuubey-san told me that they might be in one of those mazes that Witches make. And they might need my help to clear their Soul Gems enough for them to get out...
[He pushes his hand a bit closer, insistent with his offer.]
I know how to navigate them on my own. And Kyuubey-san will be with me. I just need help getting in, so... Please.
[ How long has it been since she's actually spoken to other people? She had isolated herself after finding out the truth about magi, and it looked like Yuuto didn't have any clue about it, either.
If he did, then she's not so sure he would be carrying all of those grief seeds like that...
And more importantly, the implications with his words were simple. His family were probably magi, too. Either one of them turned and killed the rest or they all died to a witch. Regardless, she doesn't really have much in the way of hope. But she's benefitting out of this arrangement, so once her club activities were over, she starts to head by the school gate, seeing if he really would be there. ]
[Yuuto waits patiently at the gate from the moment that classes end until Inaba's arrival. His first day has already been exhausting, but he's still trying his best to appear extroverted; Cheerful waves, big smiles, and an abundance of energy as he helps his classmates. Yuuto's already made a name for himself as being exceptionally good at math and science. He doesn't want to explain what kinds of at-home experiments have led to these skills.
When Inaba catches up, he's quietly watching the clouds and recovering mentally from the day. He quickly looks ahead when he hears her approach.]
Inaba-san! You really came!? [He hops forward. Kyuubey is at his feet, but climbs back to his shoulder as Inaba gets closer.] Thank you so very much! Ah, club club club... [He reaches into his bag and offers her a bottle of green tea. It's cold, as if he recently got it from a vending machine.] G, good work today!
I keep my word. I'm not a liar. Besides, this is the only way out of the school.
[ To put it a bit bluntly. She holds her hand out in refusal, shaking her head. ]
You really don't need to thank me just yet. Anyway, you wouldn't happen to know what kind of witch or labyrinth we're looking for would you? This isn't exactly a small city.
I didn't mean to imply you were untrustworthy. I'm sorry. [He begins putting the tea bottle back in his back, switching it out for a plastic bag. There's a girl's sandal zipped into the bag.]
Yesterday I was in a labyrinth and the Witch got away... The girl I was with dropped this. Would you be able to trace the magic on it to the Witch or..?
Really, any Witch we can find will do... ["As long as it isn't a familiar this time."]
Maybe so, if you're conserving your magic... But I have no magic to conserve, so it's okay for me to fight them!
[But he seems to understand her point. At least enough that he doesn't argue against it. Inaba needs to take care of herself, after all!
Yuuto opens the bag so that she can trace the sandal's lingering magic.]
Soul Gems can track these things, right? It's so amazing how much you can do with one... ["You could have a Soul Gem if you wanted." Kyuubey is, of course, blunt in pointing out.]
[He giggles, though hides it behind his hand to be polite.]
It's really fine. If someone like me takes care of familiars, then you don't want to spend your precious magic on it... And like Kyuubey-san said: I could make a contract if I got into a pinch.
["You should make a contract now! Then you won't need to ask for help all of the time."]
Even if I did, I don't think I'd be half as good at finding Witches as Inaba-san. So, if you could please, Inaba-san. I'll be out of your hair as soon as possible!
But more importantly: don't make a contract with that thing, unless you want your life to become hell.
[ There's an implied 'trust me', but she knows that someone like her, who is known in the school as the 'ice princess' is difficult for someone to trust for most people. ]
You put yourself in danger too... I don't mind helping out if you magical girls can take some time to yourself. Since I know about it, I don't get to look away anymore.
[He does cast Kyuubey a look before nodding and walking closer.]
Yes, I will. Thank you, Inaba-san. May I ask how your power works?
My survivability is much higher than yours, however. I've been a magi for over three years, after all--I know what I'm doing.
[ ... ]
It's nothing too overly complex. [ She makes her soul gem appear from her ring, a dark purple color. It's not all that muddied up at the moment, as someone who's an active magical girl. ] I just hover my soul gem over the object, focus, and then I can see the magic leads to.
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Yumeno Yuuto, who had been homeschooled for most of his life, couldn't fully process the way that made him feel. He'd never gone to a school with a proper uniform, never mind one with so many people. There were more teens his age in his new classroom than he saw most months!
But he managed to avoid shaking with fear as he wrote the strange kanji for his name on the whiteboard.
"夢乃 , 優糖."
What did make the task difficult was the white creature that balanced on his shoulder as he wrote. More difficult still was writing each character while a Grief Seed stuck out of the pocket on his uniform shirt. Smiling shyly, Yuuto turned from the whiteboard to his classmates as he bowed deeply.]
My name is Yumeno, Yuuto! It's written with 'kindness' and 'sweetness!' I'm very excited to meet you all. If you need anything at all, please let me know! [While the homeroom teacher quietly wonder "Isn't that what we're supposed to say to you..?" Yuuto went to take his new seat.]
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Of course, she couldn't say why she was terse, but most people just shrugged her off, saying things like:
"Uh oh, looks like the ice queen's unhappy!"
"Does she know that new transfer student...?"
"Or maybe she's just cranky..."
It's probably fine, though. But as the time ticked by, eventually it was time for lunch and Inaba wasn't exactly in the best of moods, sounding more than just a bit annoyed as she speaks up: ]
Meet me on the rooftop. Alone.
[ And then she turns on her heel and leaves; not even bothering to explain herself or speak on the matter any further than she already has. ]
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Finding the roof easily, Yuuto was only a minute or so behind.]
Good afternoon. Inaba-san, I think..? [He bows, with a hand on his shoulder to stabilize Kyuubey.] Can I help you?
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[ She knows that Kyuubey would never perch on someone who wasn't a potential candidate. And even though Inaba could take out a gun that she had hidden in her school bag, the point of that would be absolutely useless. ]
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[Oh. Oh wait, she means Kyuubey... Wait. She means Kyuubey???
Yuuto lets Kyuubey slip into his arms and holds him not unlike a stuffed toy.]
You can see him? Ah- Sorry! This is Kyuubey-san. He's um... like a family member. He's been with me since I was born!
[Kyuubey tilts his head to Inaba, playing innocent. "Ah. Inaba Himeko. So this is where you're going to school now?"
Yuuto flinches in surprise.]
You know her..? Wait- Your hand! You're...
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[ Inaba laughs in a way that seems almost mocking before planting a hand on her hip, her frown deepening. ]
Please. That thing would sooner throw you under the bus rather than actually care about you.
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[Yuuto helps Kyuubey get back on his shoulder. From this moment on, Kyuubey definitely won't be leaving the human shield called 'Yuuto.'
"It's true that I have been by Yumeno Yuuto's side since he was very young. He's a very interesting human."]
Mm. I'm sorry if you don't get along well with him, Inaba-san... Hey, Kyuubey-san. If you've hurt Inaba-san, you should apologize. And um. Inaba-san... You can ask Kyuubey-san for an apology? Can you both make-up?
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[ Her words come from someone who's spoken from experience. ]
Any apology that comes from that thing will be superficial. The Incubator doesn't truly understand human emotions, after all. Making up is impossible.
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[But he suddenly feels a bit anxious around Inaba. It isn't as if he has much choice in this matter, does he? Kyuubey is the only 'family' that he has left, so he should take Kyuubey's side in this matter. Just like he should have been sticking up for his sisters...
Yuuto gasps softly, as if remembering something, and takes the Grief Seed from his shirt pocket.]
Please excuse my friend, then, Inaba-san. You don't need to deal with him. But um. I was wondering! Are you the magical girl who defends this city?
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I am. Did you need me specifically for something?
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[Yuuto holds out the Grief Seed as an offering,] Would you please let me into the labyrinth of a Witch this evening after school? I can handle myself from there, but I need a Soul Gem to gain entry.
I'll trade you this in exchange! Oh uh. I have more in my bag, if you need more...
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[ Her answer is immediate, it's clipped, and there's no real emotion there. ]
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[He pushes his hand a bit closer, insistent with his offer.]
I know how to navigate them on my own. And Kyuubey-san will be with me. I just need help getting in, so... Please.
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after school witch hunt!!
If he did, then she's not so sure he would be carrying all of those grief seeds like that...
And more importantly, the implications with his words were simple. His family were probably magi, too. Either one of them turned and killed the rest or they all died to a witch. Regardless, she doesn't really have much in the way of hope. But she's benefitting out of this arrangement, so once her club activities were over, she starts to head by the school gate, seeing if he really would be there. ]
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When Inaba catches up, he's quietly watching the clouds and recovering mentally from the day. He quickly looks ahead when he hears her approach.]
Inaba-san! You really came!? [He hops forward. Kyuubey is at his feet, but climbs back to his shoulder as Inaba gets closer.] Thank you so very much! Ah, club club club... [He reaches into his bag and offers her a bottle of green tea. It's cold, as if he recently got it from a vending machine.] G, good work today!
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[ To put it a bit bluntly. She holds her hand out in refusal, shaking her head. ]
You really don't need to thank me just yet. Anyway, you wouldn't happen to know what kind of witch or labyrinth we're looking for would you? This isn't exactly a small city.
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Yesterday I was in a labyrinth and the Witch got away... The girl I was with dropped this. Would you be able to trace the magic on it to the Witch or..?
Really, any Witch we can find will do... ["As long as it isn't a familiar this time."]
I mean... I don't mind fighting familiars...
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[ That shouldn't be any problem for her, as someone who made a wish for connections. ]
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[But he seems to understand her point. At least enough that he doesn't argue against it. Inaba needs to take care of herself, after all!
Yuuto opens the bag so that she can trace the sandal's lingering magic.]
Soul Gems can track these things, right? It's so amazing how much you can do with one... ["You could have a Soul Gem if you wanted." Kyuubey is, of course, blunt in pointing out.]
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[ Ah.
The kind personality of hers that wants to protect people came out for a second there. She soon slams it back down with a cough. ]
Anyway, that is true, but my personal abilities makes it that my ability to track magic down is a bit more... efficient than some other magi.
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It's really fine. If someone like me takes care of familiars, then you don't want to spend your precious magic on it... And like Kyuubey-san said: I could make a contract if I got into a pinch.
["You should make a contract now! Then you won't need to ask for help all of the time."]
Even if I did, I don't think I'd be half as good at finding Witches as Inaba-san. So, if you could please, Inaba-san. I'll be out of your hair as soon as possible!
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[ It's a strict warning. ]
But more importantly: don't make a contract with that thing, unless you want your life to become hell.
[ There's an implied 'trust me', but she knows that someone like her, who is known in the school as the 'ice princess' is difficult for someone to trust for most people. ]
...but alright - just follow me. And stay close.
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[He does cast Kyuubey a look before nodding and walking closer.]
Yes, I will. Thank you, Inaba-san. May I ask how your power works?
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[ ... ]
It's nothing too overly complex. [ She makes her soul gem appear from her ring, a dark purple color. It's not all that muddied up at the moment, as someone who's an active magical girl. ] I just hover my soul gem over the object, focus, and then I can see the magic leads to.
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[Yuuto clasps his hands together.]
Pleeeeeease show us the waaaay.
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