week 3, saturday

[digestif]

That was Fortune-kun's handprint, wasn't it?

[ hello, Nonon. Everyone's tired after the trial, Mizuki included, but they don't seem as wiped as they were last week by a long shot - just mildly frustrated. Mostly because they don't have all the answers they want.

Nonon is now a person of interest, but they have their own suspicions, and she's not really a part of them. ]

And not yours, I mean.

Comments

[digestif]

[ they look marginally surprised that she makes the offer - and goes as far as saying she wants to trust them. They give her a sort of faint smile, almost apologetic. ]

You want to believe in me, Jakuzure-kun? That makes me happy. I'm in a sort of tricky situation, though... So I'll just tell you this much, okay? I follow a god that doesn't have many followers. If I put myself in the line of fire by telling too many people, I might end up leaving him alone, and I don't want that to happen.

[ a beat; their expression shifts a little to something more serious. ]

But I can tell you that I haven't hurt anyone here. If you want to believe in me, then believe in that, at least.

[symphonise]

[ She smiles and then laughs, nodding. It seems like she accepts all of that easily enough. ]

All right. I will. If I don't start trusting some people about some things, I figure I may not get anywhere.

[ She shrugs lightly. ]

You must like your god quite a bit.

[digestif]

[ they look just faintly sheepish at that - not so much because they're ashamed, but because they know it goes directly against everything they just talked about. ]

I do. There's no mistaking that he's as guilty as the others... But I feel like I can forgive him.

[ what he's told them - they want to believe it. Mizuki pauses then, eyeing her curiously. ]

And? What about you? [ they tap their finger against their chin. ] Hmmm... Ambition, maybe?

[symphonise]

[ She smiles at their guess. Whether or not it's a serious guess, it pleases her. ]

You know I can't confirm or deny that. I do always try to get what I want. It's why I'm here, but I'm not special for that alone.

[ After all, everyone who joined this competition wants something. ]

[digestif]

I know that. I was guessing based on your personality, not for wanting your wish granted. You've got pride in yourself and what you do. You don't have time for those without passion. And... you'll do whatever it takes, no matter what other people think. Something like that? Jakuzure-kun is a fearsome girl.

[ they smile, hooking their thumbs into their pockets. ]

But I like that. Just try not to get into trouble.

[symphonise]

You'll make me blush, Ioti-san. What a charmer you are.

[ She puts a hand up to her cheek, but there's zero hint of embarrassment. Her smile is wider and more genuine.

She's a little touched by their assessment of her. ]

I try my best not to get into too much trouble, but I like a little danger. Out of everyone here, you're one of the few I hope most I don't have a dream about Thursday night.

[digestif]

Really? Now that's an honor!

[ mizuki chuckles a little at that. ]

I'll do my best to make sure I only end up in your good dreams, then... that's the sort of line I should use here. Get some rest, Jakuzure-kun.

[symphonise]

[ She wrinkles her nose at them. ]

Ugh, that's a bad line, casanova. [ A new dumb nickname. ] I'm leaving!