[nope] Killing Night #1 - Shuichi

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi has cleaned up since his misguided morning antics, though it's plainly obvious from his bruised up face and faintly singed hair. Still, his demeanor is no more threatening than before. Actually, he's almost a little bashful.]

Saihara-kun, are you busy tonight? I could use some company...

[Should you spend time with Akechi?]

Comments

[truthstranger]

I mean that, as a part of the game, my memories were... altered. Overwritten. I'm not completely sure how much, but a lot of the things I remember as real are definitely false.

[afailedmurder]

[he's surprised, but he's more intrigued]

...I see. I'm sorry. I can't imagine how disorienting that must be.

[truthstranger]

Yeah.

...Not that I think it's particularly likely I've forgotten anthropomorphic hyenas, but there are other options... she could be some kind of construct, with memories that convince her she has a real past. It's hard to pin down anything for sure.

I... don't want to be alarming, though...

[afailedmurder]

Your story is no less far-fetched than mine, you know. But I'm open to entertaining the possibility. Do you believe that the rest of us are the same as you? Created, reprogrammed, however you'd like to classify it?

[truthstranger]

Well, the racoon more or less said they didn't do that this time. And I don't think my memories have been changed since I came here, even though it would make more sense for them to have been. So, I want to believe they haven't changed yours either. But I can't entirely eliminate the possibility.

[afailedmurder]

The very fact that you're aware of this must mean that there were signs of your memories being inconsistent, correct? As nice as it would be, I haven't noticed anything that would lead me to believe my own are fabricated. Kurusu is consistent with my memories of him as well, and presumably vice versa. I'd think coordinating two sets of fraudulent memories in such a way would be more difficult.

[truthstranger]

Eventually there were inconsistencies, yes. The mastermind was giving us all new memories over the course of the game, and piled on too much.

...It's true that none of us knew each other before the game, though. A joint history like that seems like it would be hard to match in the details... Harukawa-san is here, too, and she also seems like I remember.

[afailedmurder]

And perhaps neither one of our experiences are relevant. This could be a whole new mystery to solve.

[truthstranger]

That seems most likely, really.

[afailedmurder]

At least it won't be boring.

[truthstranger]

Ah, at this point I really wouldn't mind a boring mystery or two.

[afailedmurder]

Fair enough.

[shifts in place and winces a little]

...Say. I know I said I'd be up for exploration, but... would you be terribly disappointed if I lied down for a bit?

[only 74 comments for him to admit what he actually wants to do tonight]

[truthstranger]

...I already told you that's fine. Would you like help getting...?

[somewhere that's not just a hallway]

[afailedmurder]

Anyone would say that, but most people hate it when you waste their time.

[looks a little guilty]

But unfortunately, I must. I can walk, but I don't think I'd be able to defend myself. Would you accompany me back to my room?

[truthstranger]

Of course. And it's really fine. I would rather make sure you're okay. Exploring can wait.

[afailedmurder]

Thanks. I'll make it up to you later.

[prrrobably not worth trying to convince him that human interaction can be non-transactional]

I did enjoy speaking with you, though.

[truthstranger]

Yes, it's good to have someone to talk to.

[Even if he's not sure he would say that was strictly an enjoyable conversation. He's not setting his bar that high here.]

[afailedmurder]

Maybe next time we'll have something nice to talk about.

[Chuckles because it's a joke because there is absolutely no way they will. You would not believe how low the bar is on this end.]

[truthstranger]

Mm, maybe so.

[He sounds at least a LITTLE more optimistic about that. They did at least have some fun times in the last game.]

[afailedmurder]

[soon enough, they reach his door]

Thank you for escorting me. I'd invite you inside, but I should probably get some rest.

[truthstranger]

Yes, of course. Please get some sleep and try to recover a bit. We can talk more tomorrow.

[afailedmurder]

All right. Good night, Saihara-kun.

[Akechi seems less restless now.]

[Would you like to give Akechi a present?]

[truthstranger]

[Definitely!]

Ah, before you go...

[He takes an onigiri out of his pocket and offers it.]

For later, if you want...?

[afailedmurder]

It occurs to me I haven't actually eaten much today...

[takes it]

Thank you, that was very considerate.