#MAKI PLEASEEEEE | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

another-dr-another · 7 months

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maeda. maeda can you please act. can you make an action. please. please. for now just advance but pleaseeeee -iris

Maeda, narrating - I should’ve asked Tsurugi if anybody needs to bring anything…

Maeda - I wasn’t thinking about it when I left his room, but everyone asked me if they should get changed, if they should bring a pillow or a blanket or-

Maeda - It’s whatever, though- they can ask Tsurugi themselves!

Maeda - Even if they do have to stop and go to their dorms to grab things, I bet they’re all done by now, I’ve spent so long searching.

Maeda - Well, except Tomori- I couldn’t find her, so who knows what she’s up to…

Maeda - …Honestly, she’s probably already there-

Maeda - …Also, I didn’t see Higa, but…

~*~

//Maeda gets back to Tsurugi’s dorm- he’s given up on finding Tomori, and never really tried to look for Higa. As soon as he goes through the already opened door, his assorted suspicions are all confirmed. Everyone he sees has gotten changed into sleeping clothes- Tomori included, and Maeda himself painfully excluded.

Maeda - …

Taira - Oh, Maeda’s back.

Tsurugi - Ah? Hiya, Maeda!

Tomori - That should be everyone now, right?

Maeda - …Tomori where were you?

Tomori - …Because you were looking for everyone, right?

Maeda - Yeah, I couldn’t- well, obviously you’re aware- I couldn’t find you.

Tomori - Ah, yeah. I was in my dorm.

Maeda - …Of course.

Tsurugi - Hm… is it lucky that there wasn’t anyone else in their dorms, or unlucky?

Tsurugi - Like, would you have spent more time searching if more people were missing, or would you have figured they were in their dorms sooner?

Maeda - Uh…

Maeda - …I think, if more people were missing, I would think there was a room I had forgotten to check, and taken longer.

Tsurugi - Hooray, then, that it was only Tomori!

Tomori - Hooray!

Uehara - …

//Tsurugi is sitting on a mattress near his bed- Maeda realizes it’s likely the mattress off his bed, as his bed frame is now rather barren- with Uehara by his side. Uehara had been leaning against the wall, sitting adjacent to Tsurugi (who has been facing the door), but now, slowly tilts over, ending up sprawled across Tsurugi’s legs. His back is facing Maeda now- so he shifts, doing his best to turn at least his upper body.

Uehara - Hi, Maeda.

//Maeda waves at him- he isn’t quite sure if Uehara can actually see him waving, as Uehara is currently attempting to shield his eyes against the ceiling light in Tsurugi’s room- but it’s the thought that counts. And either way, Uehara seems to be satisfied with the interaction; he gives up on straining to face Maeda, and simply settles in the odd position he’s gotten himself into.

Maeda - Oh, I wonder what sleeping arrangement Tsurugi settled on…

Maeda - …Mostly curious because I want to sit down, but would rather not get yelled at for being in someone’s sleeping spot.

//Maeda glances at Tsurugi, who’s grabbed one of Uehara’s hands- the one he was using to shield his eyes, which had fallen limply to his side- and is inspecting it.

Tsurugi - Your nail polish is all chipped…

Tsurugi - Hm… where would I have put the black nail polish- do you have it?

Uehara - …Nah, I don’t.

Uehara - Make Tomori find it, she probably knows…

Tsurugi - Mmmm… it’s been awhile since she was really over, like, she visits, but not-

Tsurugi - …Wait, no? I’m not going to make her go find it, irregardless of whether she knows where it is or not.

Uehara - Tomori has no issue with being helpful, make her find it.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi, loudly - Tomori, do you see a bottle of black nail polish anywhere?

//Uehara laughs to himself.

Tomori - I’m busy!

//Uehara's laughter stops abruptly.

Tsurugi - She’s busy.

//Maeda glances at Tomori- she’s braiding Maki’s hair. One half is still entirely undone, but on the other side, Maki’s hair has been twisted and tugged into a braid, currently reaching only to the nape of Maki’s neck.

Uehara - …Ughhh whatever… I’ll find it later.

Tomori, overlapping - …Wait, Makiii… I’m just gonna tie it off here, I think it’ll be cute- lemme do the other side like it, and tell me what you think.

Uehara - I’ve been wanting to redo my nails for some time now…

Tsurugi - Why didn’t you redo them?

Uehara - Cuz you had the black nail polish, and you’re scary. I didn’t want to go into your room.

Tsurugi - But I apologized for growling and gnashing my teeth…

Uehara - Yeah, but I’m still scared you’re going to bite me again.

Tsurugi - Get over it? It’s simple and easy and fun and free. Just stop worrying. Don’t give a care.

Uehara - …Goodnight.

//Uehara turns, shifting a bit closer to Tsurugi- presumably, feigning sleep.

Taira - …Maeda.

Maeda - !

//Maeda jerks around, a bit startled- he’d turned his back to Taira, who’s sitting on the floor opposite of Tsurugi and Uehara.

Taira - Come sit with me?

Maeda - …Okay.

//Maeda finally sits, and uses this as an opportunity to take in the room a bit. Upon entering the room, Kobashikawa and Ōtori are to the left, both sitting on the floor- now covered with Tatami mats. The mats continue past the door, to the other side of the room, where Maki and Tomori are currently sitting. Maeda sits a small distance away from them, with Taira by his side. On the other side of the room, between where Tsurugi and Uehara are sitting, and where Kobashikawa and Ōtori are, is Hatano and Iranami, both sitting against the wall Uehara was leaning against earlier.

Maeda - …But where’s…

//Finally, Maeda spots him- Higa is sitting by the footboard of Tsurugi’s bed, near the door to Tsurugi’s bathroom.

Maeda - …

Taira - You didn’t bring anything?

//Taira has shifted since Maeda last looked at her- she’s now laying on her stomach, resting her head on her arms, which in turn, are on her pillow. She’s turned to face Maeda.

Taira - You aren’t even in your pajamas…-

Taira - Or, maybe you sleep in the same clothes you wear all day- who knows?

Maeda - I was busy… I was looking for everyone, then came here to see if anyone was missing, and got sucked in…

Taira - Hm…

//They sit in silence for a moment. Maeda continues to scan the room, watching his classmates interacting- just to shift his gaze, and lock eyes with Tsurugi.

Tsurugi - Maeda, do you want to play cards with me?

Tsurugi - We got a lot of card games, cuz the decks don’t take up any space.

Maeda - Yeah, sure-

Tsurugi - Oh! Taira, do you want to play cards with us?

Taira - …

//She shifts again, now looking at Tsurugi.

Taira - I don’t want to get up.

//Maeda stands back up, and begins looking around the room, trying to locate some playing cards.

Tsurugi - That sounds like something that someone who’s being absorbed into the floor by the floor spirits would say.

Tsurugi - Anyways, Maeda, if you want to grab some cards, you’re gonna have to duel Kobashikawa for them.

Maeda - …Huh?

//Maeda glances around, and finds Kobashikawa, sitting near the door.

Tsurugi - I asked him to keep them safe, but I think I awoke some primal instinct he has from the faint traces of dragon blood that’s still contributing to his family’s genetic pool.

Tsurugi - So, now he’s hoarding them.

Tsurugi - Good luck!

//When Tsurugi stops talking, Kobashikawa looks up, and over at Maeda.

Maeda - …Kobashikawa, do you actually have the cards, or…?

//Kobashikawa nods, and grins.

Maeda - …May I see them-

Maeda - Hey- Kobashikawa. No.

//Kobashikawa had been listening- and is now in on the bit. Much to Maeda’s dismay, when he requested to see the cards, Kobashikawa raised one hand in a fist, and placed it on top of his other hand's splayed palm. In a cumulation of centuries of humans evolving the ability to communicate non-verbally, Kobashikawa has effectively ruined Maeda’s night. Put simply- Kobashikawa is challenging Maeda to a game of rock, paper, scissors.

Maeda - No! Just- give me the cards!

//Kobashikawa hits his fist against his palm.

Maeda - Give them!

Kobashikawa, stubborn - …

//Kobashikawa begins rapidly whacking his fist against his palm.

Maeda - …Fiiine…

//Maeda copies Kobashikawa, and-

Maeda - Rock, paper, scissors-

//Kobashikawa slows, now moving in proper time to actually play, mirroring Maeda.

Maeda - Shoot!

//They both play scissors.

Maeda - …

//Kobashikawa grins, visibly full of glee. He keeps his hands out, offering another round, which Maeda takes him up on.

Maeda - Rock, paper, scissors- shoot!

//Maeda plays scissors again, and watches as Kobashikawa’s hand twitches- but only briefly, before it settles on paper.

Maeda - Hah!

Maeda - Luck works in mysterious ways…

Maeda - Okay, that’s one for me-

//Kobashikawa, still smiling, has started to retrieve decks of cards from what Maeda now recognizes as an oddly successful hiding spot- they were tucked under a blanket near Kobashikawa. But, when Maeda speaks, Kobashikawa immediately jerks his head back towards him- play again, you mean?

Maeda - Oh! No, no, nevermind-

Kobashikawa - Best of three?

Maeda - Wow, you know, that is such a kind offer- but, I do have an issue with one little aspect of it.

Maeda - Namely, I don’t like the fact it exists. Fuck out of here with that, Kobashikawa.

Kobashikawa - …

//Kobashikawa grabs one of the card decks, and throws it at Maeda.

Maeda - Gah!

//Despite Maeda’s cries, there really wasn’t force behind the toss- only enough for it to hit its target. Kobashikawa has returned to retrieving the cards, and now offers them all to Maeda. There’s too many for him to hold, so rather, he does his best to lay them out on the floor between them, and “reveals” them to Maeda, dramatically waving his hands around, before leaning back.

Maeda - …Hey, Tsurugi? What do you wanna play?

Tsurugi - I don’t care! Pick whatever.

Maeda - …

//Suddenly, Ōtori, who has been sitting by Kobashikawa, leans over.

Ōtori - Hey Maeda, know how to play Blackjack?

Maeda - No?

Ōtori - Well, it’s easy to learn- I’ll teach you.

//Ōtori sits up, stretches, and stands.

Ōtori - Just get a standard deck- this doesn’t use any specialized cards.

Ōtori - Tsurugi, you know how to play Blackjack?

Tsurugi - …Maybe? I forget the names of the card games I know.

Tsurugi - I have more important things to keep in my head! Where else would I put my heart, on my sleeve?

//Kobashikawa passes a card deck to Maeda, who thanks him before going over to join Tsurugi and Ōtori- the latter of which has already made the short journey across the room, and is sitting back down.

Ōtori - Alright- I’ll deal, Maeda, Tsurugi, you’re both playing…

Ōtori - …Uehara?

Uehara - I’ll watch… ugh…

//Uehara finally gets up- at some point, Tsurugi had moved back in order to lean against his bed frame, and Uehara follows along, sitting next to Tsurugi, keeping their legs tangled together.

Ōtori - Alright.

Ōtori, loudly - …Hey, we’re playing Blackjack, anyone want in?

Hatano - I’ll watch, I don’t want to play that.

Tomori - Busy still!

Maki - So, of course, that goes for both of us…

//Maeda looks around, watching his classmates reply. Higa doesn’t seem interested, though Maeda can only barely see him, and he watches as Kobashikawa signs something to Ōtori, who rapidly disregards Kobashikawa, which Maeda takes to mean Kobashikawa saying he won’t play. Iranami gently shakes her head no, and true to their words, both Tomori and Maki are still busy with Maki’s hair.

Tsurugi - Oh, wait! Taira, do you want to play?

//Maeda looks over at Taira, still lying down.

Taira - …

Taira - I broke the curse… beat the, uh…

Tsurugi - The floor spirits?

Taira - Yeah, the floor spirits.

//She shifts closer to where Ōtori, Tsurugi, Maeda, and Uehara are sitting, placing her elbows on her pillow, then using them to prop herself up.

Taira - Deal me in.

//Ōtori nods, and moves to form a circle that better accommodates the new player.

Ōtori - Okay, so, three players, one dealer, and…

//He turns back briefly.

Ōtori - Three observers. Got it…

Ōtori - Okay. Blackjack is one of those games that never made sense to me in a multiplayer way, but we’ll work it out.

Ōtori - I do know what I’m doing, mostly, it’s just the multiplayer specific rules that we may struggle with.

Ōtori - However, it’s not like any of you know any better, so…

Ōtori - Alright. I’m going to deal each of you a card- go ahead and look at it, but don’t show it to everyone else.

//Ōtori begins to shuffle the deck.

Ōtori - The way it’ll go is each of you, individually, against me. This isn’t a teaming-up game, and other people’s hands have no impact on your own hand.

Ōtori - …Okay.

//He passes a card, face down, to Taira, Maeda, and Tsurugi, then takes one for himself.

Ōtori - So, I’m going to flip over one card from the deck- this’ll just be a practice round, a demonstration.

//He takes the card from the top of the deck, and places it down- two of hearts.

Ōtori - What you’re going to do, is you’re going to add the value of the card I draw, to the card you have in your hand-

Ōtori - So, if you have a four, then four, plus two, gets you to six. The goal of Blackjack is to get as close as you can to a value of 21, without going over.

Tsurugi - Oh! I have played this one before!

Tsurugi - Just preemptively- are aces equal to one, or?

Ōtori - Yeah, we’ll have aces one, Jacks eleven, etc.

Ōtori - Do you know the vocabulary to keep playing, Tsurugi?

Tsurugi - …In Japanese, uh…

Tsurugi - Hit to keep drawing, I think, but that’s all.

Ōtori - Yeah, that’s right.

Ōtori - So, what Tsurugi and I were on about- once you have the value of your hand worked out, I’ll ask each of you if you want to “hit”, or “stand”.

Ōtori - You’ll say hit if you want me to draw another card, and stand if you don’t want to risk it.

Ōtori - Once I have everyone’s answer, I’ll draw another card. If you said hit, then add it to your ongoing value- if it’s a five, then you’ll add that to your theoretical six, for eleven.

Ōtori - If you go over 21, you immediately lose. Whoever comes in first place will be the person who got closest to 21- or manages to hit 21 perfectly.

Ōtori - If you stand, and the next card shown wouldn’t have put you over 21, then you’ll place higher than someone who hit and went over,

Ōtori - But under anyone who couldn’t have kept playing, and chose to stand at the right moment-

Ōtori - Does that scoring system make sense? It isn’t a points system, unless we have multiple people who chose to stand at the right time, at which point yeah, I guess, it is about values-

Ōtori - But, hopefully you get the point. Everyone understand?-

Ōtori - And, actually, since you all are playing against each other, I’ll put my card back.

Ōtori - In single person, it’s about getting closer to 21 than the house, and usually, you’re betting, so even in a multiplayer, the house wants in to try and win all bets-

Ōtori - But we aren’t gambling, so…

Ōtori - Anyways, ready to play?

Maeda - …It sounded like a lot, but I think I get it all.

Maeda - I’m ready, I think I’ve got it.

Taira - Yeah, same.

//Maeda glances at his card- a eight.

Ōtori - Got it. Tsurugi, we’ll start with you- hit, or stand?

Tsurugi - Hit.

//Ōtori turns to Maeda.

Maeda - Hit.

Taira - Hit.

//Ōtori nods, and deals another card- a seven.

Maeda - !

Ōtori - Can everyone see?

Tsurugi - Not really… is it a five?

Ōtori - Seven.

Tsurugi - Ahhh, okay… hit.

Ōtori - Maeda?

Maeda - …Stand?

//Ōtori nods.

Taira - Stand.

Ōtori - Alright- two standing, one hit.

Ōtori - So, when I flip this over, Tsurugi, tell me if you’re going to hit, or going to stand.

Ōtori - Then, Maeda and Taira, tell me if you could’ve taken the card, or if it would’ve put you over 21- we’ll use that to determine who came in first between the two of you.

Ōtori - Got it?

//Ōtori deals another card- a six. He briefly holds it in between Maeda and Taira, before silently turning, and holding it up for Tsurugi to see.

Tsurugi - …

//Maeda can’t see Tsurugi, not with Ōtori turned the way he is- but he can see Uehara, and watches as Uehara casually looks at Tsurugi’s hand.

Uehara - !

//Uehara’s eyes go wide, and he makes an odd mix between a hum and a coughing sound.

Tsurugi - …Okay. Stand.

//Ōtori turns back around.

Maeda - I would’ve been over.

Taira - …I would’ve been over as well.

Ōtori - Alright- you both made the right call, so when Tsurugi chooses to stand, you’ll all compare how close you got.

Taira - This system is flawed if Blackjack is meant to be a strategy game. Making the correct strategic choice doesn’t guarantee a win.

Maeda - Aren’t all card games a mix of strategy and luck?

Taira - 52-card pickup isn’t.

Maeda - …

Ōtori - Alright, so, I’ll flip over this next card, and we’ll see what it means for your hand, Tsurugi.

Ōtori - Maeda, Taira, if you haven’t worked out how many points away from 21 you were, now’s a good time to do that.

Maeda - Two, seven, nine, that’s eightteen- I was three away from 21 when I chose to stand.

//Ōtori draws another card, this one a Queen, and immediately shows it to Tsurugi.

Tsurugi - Would’ve put me over.

Ōtori - Got it. I’ll give you a second to work out how far you were from 21, if you haven’t yet-

Ōtori - Maeda? You can go ahead and set your card down, if you’d like.

//Maeda places his card on the floor, and pushes it towards Ōtori.

Maeda - I was three away from 21.

Taira - ..Five away.

Ōtori - Which puts Maeda closer-

Ōtori - Closer to 21 than you were, Tsurugi?

Tsurugi - Nope…

//Tsurugi leans forward, and shows his card to everyone- a five.

Tsurugi - A two, a eight, a six, and a five, comes out to twenty-one, even.

Ōtori - …Huh.

Maeda - …Tsurugi, that doesn’t count, cuz this was just a demo game. So, that doesn’t mean anything, okay?

Taira - Seconded.

Tsurugi - Oh… I don’t think I like democracy very much.

Ōtori - Does anyone want to play again?

Maeda - I will.

Taira - Yeah, same, deal me in.

Ōtori - Tsurugi?

Tsurugi - I’m good- gonna quit while I’m ahead-

Tsurugi - I mean huh-wait-what? I’m totally not ahead, I didn’t hit 21 on my first go, nuh-uh…

Ōtori - Anyone else?

//Uehara shakes his head- watching the practice round didn’t entice him towards playing. Hatano shifts forward, though, and Kobashikawa moves to sit next to Maeda.

Hatano - So… there’s nothing Maeda or Taira could’ve done to win?

Ōtori - Winning comes down to how the others play, and how lucky you get with the card you’re dealt. It isn’t dissimilar to most card games.

Hatano - Huh…

Ōtori - If you’d like, we can try out some different rules.

Ōtori - …Y’know what, yeah, let’s do that.

Ōtori - Hatano, come play, I’m going to deal you in.

Hatano - Alright!

//Ōtori passes a card to everyone who’s playing- Maeda and Taira, still, and now Kobashikawa and Hatano.

Ōtori - Alright… so, instead of everyone deciding if they want to hit or stand, and getting the same card, what if I just keep dealing to you all?

Ōtori - So, everyone will hit or stand, then get a second card, then decide again-

Ōtori - Once everyone has chosen to stand, then I’ll draw a card from the deck, and that card will apply to everyone.

Ōtori - Sound good, make sense?

//All players seem to agree.

Ōtori - Great. Then, Taira- hit, or stand?

Taira - Hit.

//Ōtori deals her another card, and-

Ōtori - Maeda?

//Maeda looks at his card- a two.

Maeda - Hit.

//Just as Maeda looks up, Ōtori looks at him, and nods, passing him a second card- a queen.

Ōtori - …Oh, Kobashi-

//Kobashikawa holds out one hand, and makes a grabbing motion. Ōtori nods, and gives him another card.

Hatano - Hit me!

//Ōtori deals a card to Hatano as well.

Maeda - If Jack is worth eleven, then a queen should be worth twelve, giving me fourteen already, so I have seven points left-

Maeda - If a King is the highest, then that’s thirteen, so I could get anywhere between one and thirteen on this next card- the odds are skewed in my favor, but only barely.

Taira - Hit.

//Ōtori deals her a card, then, before he can ask Maeda-

Maeda - Hit, please.

//Maeda gets a four.

Maeda - Eighteen…

//Kobashikawa gets another card.

Maeda - Odds are definitely against me now, but…

Maeda - I feel like the next card would be good for my hand.

//Hatano gets another card.

Maeda - …

Maeda - But…

//Taira gets another card- and shifts slightly to look at Maeda.

Maeda - …I think I’m okay holding off.

Maeda - Uh, I’ll stand.

Ōtori - Got it- again, we’re changing things, so… just wait until everyone else is done.

//Kobashikawa gets another card, while Hatano stands as well.

Maeda - …

Taira - Hit.

Kobashikawa - Hit.

Taira - Stand.

Kobashikawa - …Hit.

Maeda - …

Kobashikawa - …

Kobashikawa - Damn it.

Ōtori - Bust?

Kobashikawa - Bust…

Ōtori - Well, everyone’s done, then.

Ōtori - I’ll draw this last card- if anyone could’ve gone for it, they’re under anyone who couldn’t have, but above Kobashikawa.

//Ōtori draws a final card, and shows it to each player- starting with Hatano, then turning, and ending with Taira. It’s an eight of diamonds.

Ōtori - …I can’t imagine any of you would stand at 13 or under- but, could any of you have-

//Hatano, Taira, and Maeda all give varying forms of “no”.

Ōtori - No? Got it.

Ōtori - Then, what was everyone’s final count?

//Kobashikawa tosses his cards down.

Maeda - Eighteen.

Taira - …Nineteen.

//Maeda looks at Kobashikawa’s cards- he has a four, two fives, a three, and a ten.

Hatano - Ha! Twenty!

Taira - The points go up perfectly…

Maeda - Oh, that’s right…

Taira - Hm…

//Maeda hums along in agreement- though, he’s not quite sure that there’s a statement for him to agree to.

Maeda - …

//A gentle heat flows through Maeda, waving through his bones and settling in his fingertips. He feels as though he’d been tense, hadn’t realized it, and just lost all the stress he’d been carrying.

Kobashikawa - Again?

Maeda - Gonna be more careful this time?

Kobashikawa - No. I like to live life on the wild side. In fact, I think we should start gambling-

Kobashikawa - If I win, you all give me one hundred million yen. If I don’t win, then there’s no consequences for me, and no reward for whoever wins.

Maeda - And if I can’t pay right away?

Kobashikawa - 200% interest, compounded daily.

Maeda - …I don’t even know what compounded daily means.

//All players have given their cards back to Ōtori, who has shuffled the deck once more.

Ōtori - Anyone want to leave, or anyone want to come in?

Hatano - I’m playing again.

Taira - Same.

Ōtori - Tsurugi?

Tsurugi - Huh?- Oh, wait, no- Sorry, I had to play the tapes back and listen to what you’d said.

Tsurugi - I’m good, I still feel like sitting out.

//At some point, Tsurugi shifted out of the circle, and everyone (bar Maeda, who didn’t notice, and Taira, still laying down) moved to accommodate his absence. He’s lying down with Uehara- they’re still on the mattress they’ve been on, but they’re now taking up most of the space that isn’t being used by the Blackjack circle.

Ōtori - Alright, then.

Uehara - Ain’t gonna ask me?

Ōtori - You aren’t invited.

Uehara - Damn…

Uehara - Tsu, go get some cards, we’ll start our own game of Blackjack.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi - Now I’m thinking about political situations where problems start because of one group wanting to be better than another similar group,

Tsurugi - And I’m thinking about how to solve said problems, and now I want to talk to you about it.

Uehara - …Okay.

Tsurugi - …

Tsurugi - I can't actually think of any examples.

Tsurugi - Imma go get some cards-

//Uehara snorts, and Ōtori deals a card to Taira, then turns to pass one to Maeda.

Maeda - !

//Maeda takes his card, and looks at it. He has a five of spades

Maeda - Alright…

//Kobashikawa and Hatano both get a card, and Ōtori returns to Taira.

Taira - Hit.

//Ōtori passes her a card.

Maeda - Hit.

//Ōtori passes him a card- an eight of clubs.

Maeda - Bringing me to thirteen…

//Once again, both Kobashikawa and Hatano get another card-

Hatano - Damn!

Ōtori - Bust?

Hatano - Yeah… got a queen, which, what are the odds of that? Fucking… second-highest card, yeah?

Taira - …If your second card was a twelve, and high enough to bust, then whatever you had was a ten or higher, right?

Hatano - Yeah, I’ve just got face cards right now-

//Hatano shows her cards to everyone- she has a Queen, and a Jack, both from the hearts suite.

Maeda - Oh, wow… really shitty luck there, Hatano.

Hatano - …

//Her eyes narrow.

Hatano - …Is that some talent joke?

Maeda - No! Just a comment.

//Hatano hums, and looks away, toying with her cards.

Taira - …Ōtori, hit.

Ōtori - On it.

//Ōtori passes another card to Taira. Maeda glances at his cards- and once more, feels that heat, now pooling around his legs.

Maeda - …I think it’s alright for me to hit again.

Maeda - Hit.

//Maeda receives another card- a seven, bringing him to twenty.

Kobashikawa - Hit.

//Ōtori passes him another card.

Taira - Hit.

Ōtori - Really?

Ōtori - This round’s going longer than the others…

//Ōtori passes her another card.

Maeda - …

//Maeda doesn’t spend a second trying to process what he’s sensing, now settled in his spine.

Maeda - Hit.

//Ōtori passes him a card-

Maeda - !

//Ace of hearts, bringing Maeda to twenty one.

Maeda - …Holy shit.

Kobashikawa - Hit.

Ōtori - Jesus…

//Ōtori passes him another card- then, on Taira’s insistence, gives her her fifth card.

Ōtori - Maeda?

Maeda - Uh- stand.

//Ōtori nods, and turns to Kobashikawa.

Kobashikawa - Hit.

//Ōtori passes him a card.

Taira - Hit.

Ōtori - Again?!

//Nonetheless, Ōtori gives her another card.

Kobashikawa - …Gonna stand.

Ōtori - Down to one, then- Taira?

Taira - …I’ll stand.

Ōtori - Alright, then, rounds over.

Ōtori - Again, I’ll draw one more card, and see if anyone could’ve kept hitting.

//Ōtori grabs a card from the deck, and shows it- he moves a bit too fast for Maeda to see it, but it doesn’t matter.

Maeda - Couldn’t have added it.

Hatano - …Isn’t this a bit flawed too? Like… wouldn’t it be better to show someone the next card in the deck after they chose to stand, since that’s the one they’d actually be getting?

Ōtori - …

Ōtori, over it - I mean… no matter what, it’s a card game. It’s literally gambling, it’s a gamble, it’s making a bet and seeing if it’ll pay off.

Hatano - Mmm, true…

Ōtori - …

//Ōtori turns to face Hatano a bit more.

Ōtori - And, besides-

//Kobashikawa rolls his eyes and shifts slightly, now angled towards Taira, letting Maeda see him better as well.

Kobashikawa - …

//He deliberates for a moment, then points to himself-

Kobashikawa - I…

//-Raises all ten of his fingers-

Kobashikawa - Got…

//-Then pointedly lowers one, dropping the number down to nine.

Kobashikawa - Nineteen.

//Meanwhile…

Ōtori - Couldn’t you argue that it’s more fair to show everyone the same final card?

Ōtori - Otherwise, you could argue that luck is reincorporated, but if everyone sees the same card,

Taira - …

Taira, mouthing - Fifteen.

Ōtori - Then it’s more about strategy, and how close you got beforehand.

//Kobashikawa holds up one finger on his left hand, and five on the right, making sure he understood Taira; she nods in confirmation.

Maeda - !

//Maeda grins, and lays his cards down in front of himself, fanned out. He then holds up two fingers on one hand, and one on the other.

Maeda - Twenty one!

Ōtori - That way, everyone is faced with the same value to add to their score.

//Kobashikawas eyes widen, and he claps as softly as possible, fingers barely ghosting his palm, but getting the point across.

Hatano - I mean yeah, that’s fair…

Ōtori - Mhm…

//Ōtori turns back.

Ōtori - Anyways, did you all work out-

//Maeda, Taira, and Kobashikawa have already placed all their cards in a collective pile.

Ōtori - …

//Ōtori stands up and stretches.

Ōtori - I’m done dealing for now.

Hatano - Awww!

Taira - Maeda got 21.

Ōtori - Wow. Good job, Maeda.

Kobashikawa - …Maeda, can I bring you with me to Vegas someday?

Maeda - Have you ever actually been?

Kobashikawa - Oh, I was joking- I don’t like the thought of gambling- but yeah, lots.

Kobashikawa - I fly there… mmm, semi-often, relative to my U.S. flights- it isn’t somewhere I’m always flying to, but I’ve flown to Vegas multiple times, which is more than I can say for a lot of airports there.

Kobashikawa - I’m not really in the Americas too often for work…

Maeda - Makes sense… have to cross an ocean flying either way.

Kobashikawa - Mhm. I don’t mind it, but it’s not really great legally, so the airlines I work with don’t love me flying those routes.

Kobashikawa - Then, I’ve been… once, maybe twice, with family?

Kobashikawa - But, it kinda sucks… there’s more to do there than just gamble, but there isn’t really enough for a trip to be worth it, not with my work factored in….

//Ōtori begins to walk off-

Hatano - …Oh my god, you can’t even remember how often you’ve gone to Vegas with your family…

//-And tosses Kobashikawa his whiteboard.

Kobashikawa - I mean… it’s just hard to tell if the memories are all from one trip, or not…

Kobashikawa - I don’t like to go if the trip is just to Vegas, because Vegas is lame-

Kobashikawa - And this isn’t helping my case, but, y’know…

Kobashikawa - Honesty is the best policy, and I just figured I’d explain myself.

Maeda - …Take me to Vegas, I wanna win money.

Kobashikawa - No- I mean, if you want to gamble, then, I guess…

Kobashikawa - But, if it’s just about having money, I’ll just give you money.

Maeda - Really?

Kobashikawa - Mhm. I have a well-paying job, I can handle giving you my allowance.

Kobashikawa - …Allowance being the money my grandparents give me when I’m a good grandkid, and play piano for them, and tell them I’m going to therapy to work towards “~using my voice~”.

Maeda - …Mm…

Kobashikawa - I say that, like, so you know that you deserve their money more than they do.

Maeda - Yeah, that sounds good- not that paying you to perform isn’t worth however much they’re giving you.

Kobashikawa - …Oh, you mean the piano thing?

Kobashikawa - I’m really not good at it- I can pass at playing it, like… I can read sheet music fine, and I can play more simple stuff,

Kobashikawa - But it’s really just a weird power-trip for them…

Kobashikawa - That’s, like… a whole other thing, though.

Maeda - Hm.

Maeda - …Kobashikawa, do you want to play Sorry again? Like last night?

Kobashikawa - Oh shit, is it here?

Kobashikawa - Sounds fun! Let’s play.

Maeda - ‘Kay, cool…

//Maeda gets up, and goes to look for the box he swears he saw earlier.

Maeda - Where…- Oh!

//There’s a small stack of board games on one of Tsurugi’s shelves.

Maeda - Knew it…

//…And light as a whisper, the warm feeling leaves. Maeda doesn’t necessarily feel cold now- it isn’t an absence, something left empty… he’s back to neutral, rather than being left with anything negative.

Maeda - I’m not seeing Clue, or Twister…

Maeda - Trouble made the cut though, despite the fact nobody touched it yesterday.

//Maeda grabs the box he needs, and begins to look for Kobashikawa. Maeda finds him quickly- it’s still a rather small space, and Kobashikawa has only moved slightly. He’s now closer to Maki and Tomori, so Maeda goes to sit back where he first sat down earlier.

Kobashikawa - I invited Maki and Tomori to play with us, Maeda-

Kobashikawa - I figured that’s alright?

Maeda - Yeah! Of course- it’ll be fun.

Maeda - …We can play teams again, if more people want to play.

Kobashikawa - …

//Kobashikawa makes a show of hiding his whiteboard as he writes- constantly looking at Maeda to make sure he isn’t trying to see it, then showing it to Maki and Tomori without letting Maeda see it.

Maki - … “He thinks someone wants to be on a team with him, LOLLLLL”...

Kobashikawa - You fucking snitch.

Maeda - I want to be on a team with Tomori, we’ll use our talents in tandem and-

Kobashikawa - That’s not fair!

Tomori - No?

Kobashikawa - I already said I want to use Maeda’s talent for my own benefit…

Tomori - …You called dibs on him?

Kobashikawa - Yeah…

Tomori - Ah, well, in that case, I couldn’t be on a team with Maeda-

Tomori - If dibs isn’t holy anymore, what is?! Society needs some sort of structure…

//Maeda notices that Maki's hair is completely down.

Maeda - …Oh, Maki, did the thing with your hair not work out?

Maeda - Sorry! I just remembered that was something that was happening earlier.

Maki - !

Maki - Yeah- just didn’t really like the look of anything we tried.

Maeda - Mmm… did you just try different double braids?

//Kobashikawa starts setting the board up.

Tomori - Yeah… I was willing to try other stuff, but there’s only so much tugging on the scalp that a person can take in one sitting, y’know?

Maeda - Mhm…

Kobashikawa - Maki, what color do you want? You get to pick because…

Kobashikawa - …To make up for the fact your salon trip didn’t go well.

Maki - Oh! Uh… I’ll take red?

//Kobashikawa moves the board accordingly, and begins to place everyone’s pieces down.

Maeda - What was it you didn’t like about the braids?

Maki - Uh, I don’t know… I don’t really tie my hair back, so it didn’t look right, I guess.

Maeda - Huh…

Maeda - If you want to get your hair done, maybe you’d like clips, then?

Tomori - Do you tend to do hair for people, Maeda- you have siblings, right?

Maeda - Uhm… yeah, I’ve got siblings, but, I think it’s been some time since I’ve done anyone’s hair.

Maeda - I know how to braid- I can do normal braids, and French, but my skills with French braids are, uh… lacking…

Maeda - Like, it’s passable, but…

Tomori - Oh, that’s good though! A lot of people with short hair like yours struggle to do a ponytail, so…

Kobashikawa - …

//For some reason, Kobashikawa’s silence feels pronounced.

Maeda - …Everything okay?

Kobashikawa - …My sisters make me help with their hair…

Tomori - …Scary memories?

Kobashikawa - Very much so.

Maki - …Wait, should we actually ask other people to play?

Tomori - Uhm? Who isn’t doing anything…

//Maeda looks around- it seems that Tsurugi did end up getting a deck of cards, as he’s playing something or other with Uehara now. Hatano is watching them play, and Taira has finally been truly released from the floor spirits clutches, as she’s now moved to sit with Ōtori where he and Kobashikawa were earlier. Higa is playing something single-player with a deck of cards, leaving…

Tomori - Iranami!

Iranami - !

Iranami - Yes?

Tomori - Do you want to come play Sorry with us? You can team up with any of us, or play on your own, and two others can form a team.

Iranami - I’m good… I think I’m a bit over it after playing so long yesterday.

Tomori - Ahh, alright! Just let us know if you change your mind!

//Iranami nods, and goes back to-

Maeda - Oh, I didn’t notice there was any art supplies…

//Iranami is doodling something- she has a set of gel pens by her side, and a drawing pad lying on her legs, which she’s propped up to get a better angle to draw.

Maeda - Well, I’m glad she’s doing something she enjoys.

//Maeda looks at the board- he’s wound up playing as yellow this time. He struggles to remember which color he played for the most last night.

Tomori - Who’s starting?

Kobashikawa - Uh… you can, Tomori.

Maeda - Did you shuffle the cards, Kobashikawa?

Kobashikawa - ! No, I forgot…

Kobashikawa - …

Maeda - …Do you know how to shuffle cards?

Kobashikawa - I’ve tried, I can’t get it to work…

Kobashikawa - Like, I know what to do, it just doesn’t… happen.

//Tomori grabs the deck of cards from the board.

Tomori - I’ve got it~

//She quickly shuffles them, then draws a card-

Tomori - Oh, what are the odds!

//She flips it around, showing it to Maeda and Kobashikawa. She drew a one.

Tomori - One or a two to move a piece from start, right?

Kobashikawa - Yeah, that’s right.

Maki - Damn…

//Tomori happily moves her first pawn.

Maeda - Who goes next?

Tomori - Uh… we can just go in the direction of the gameplay, I think that’s right.

Tomori - So, Maki next.

Maeda - …

Tomori - …And Maeda last, yeah.

//Maki snorts, and draws a card.

Maki - Four.

//She sets it down on top of Tomori’s discarded card, and Kobashikawa draws.

Kobashikawa - …

//He glances at Maki’s card, then his own- and sets his in the discard pile without moving a pawn.

Kobashikawa - Same…

Maki - How many cards are in the deck?

Kobashikawa - …I think it’s four decks?

//Maeda reaches for a card.

Kobashikawa - Some numbers are missing though, so it’s only forty-something cards.

//It’s a seven. Maeda silently places his card down.

Tomori - …

Tomori - Hehe…

//Tomori draws a card.

Tomori - Eight!

//She moves her pawn.

Maki - …Tomori, are you sure you shuffled these right?

Tomori - Hm?

//Maki shows her card- it’s an eight.

Maki - Second time that the same card has been drawn twice in a row…

Tomori - Oh, weird…

//Kobashikawa jumps a bit, then slams his card onto the discard pile, and moves a piece from start- he drew a one.

Tomori - Get off the board, Kobashikawa! I’m the only one allowed on it…

//Kobashikawa grins, and Maeda takes a card, drawing a ten.

Tomori - God…

//Tomori draws, and moves her pawn seven places.

~*~

//They continue playing for some time; eventually, everyone’s gotten a few pawns out of start, and some have begun to work their pieces home. Tomori’s initial advantage has served her well- she has a pawn all the way home, one in the safety zone, and two which she’s almost gotten around the board.

Maeda - This’s been going on for awhile… I think we’re just going to play until one person get’s all their pieces home, and then, at least, we’ll be done with this round…

//Maeda draws a card, and gets an eleven- allowing him to move forward eleven places, or… switch one of his pieces with another players.

Maeda - …

//Maeda looks at one of Tomori’s pieces, just in front of his safety zone.

Maeda - …

Maeda - …Bye, Tomori…

Tomori - …?

//Maeda places his card on the discard player- and switches Tomori’s piece with one of his own, effectively throwing her right back to start.

Tomori - No!

//Maeda smiles, as Tomori flounders- despite her shock, she’s visibly still enjoying the game.

Tomori - Oh my god, Maeda…

//Tomori draws a card, and moves the piece in her safe zone to home.

Tomori - Damn…

//Maki draws a card.

Maki - …

Maki - …I honestly feel a bit bad…

Tomori - …No, Maki, don’t tell me-

//Maki reveals the card she drew- the titular “Sorry!” card, and takes her final piece that hadn’t left start, and switches it with the second piece Tomori had in play. Tomori gasps, hands flying to her mouth as she helplessly watches Maki grab her piece, and place it back in start.

Tomori - …

//She lowers her head slightly, and stares at the board.

Tomori, muffled - …Oh my goddd…

//Kobashikawa draws, and moves his pawn without victimizing Tomori.

Kobashikawa - I’m still nice to you Tomori- I like you, so I don’t do mean things to you.

Tomori - …I would thank you, but I don’t think I’m capable of processing that kindness with the state of shock I’m in.

//Maeda laughs, and draws another card- an eight, which he uses to move his piece all the way home.

Tomori - …

//Tomori sighs, and reaches for a card. She’s sitting cross-legged, so she places one elbow on her knee, and uses her hand to prop her head up as she looks at her card.

Tomori - …Oh!

//Tomori moves her pawn she has in play back four spaces, landing on the slider, which she uses to ultimately move her pawn further than it was before her turn.

Maki - Small progress is still progress…

Tomori - Mmm…

//Tomori continues to stare at the board, trying to plot things out as Maki plays her turn.

Hatano - …What are you four doing over there?

Maeda - Oh! Uh, we’re playing Sorry.

Hatano - Ah…

//Maeda draws a card, and plays accordingly.

Uehara - …

Uehara - Are people getting hungry? I could go start on dinner, have it done in twenty minutes.

Hatano - I mean, I could eat.

//Maeda looks up- it seems like most of the class has started to idle.

Iranami - Uehara, do you want help?

Uehara - I mean, I’ve got no reason to turn an offer down…

Uehara - I have the dough ready, and I checked to make sure there’s toppings…

Uehara - But I’m not really used to Japanese combinations, so maybe you can get that taken care of, and I’ll do some more traditional Italian toppings?

Tsurugi - Oh, I’ll come and help too!

//Maeda plays again- he has one piece at home, one in the safe zone, and his other two are more than halfway around the board. He draws a two, and moves his safe zone piece home, then draws again.

Uehara - Great-

Uehara - Not saying this to pressure anyone, but would anyone else be willing to come help?

Tomori - …Uh, gimme a sec- if someone will come play for me, I’ll help-

Ōtori - Nah, you stay and keep playing, I’ll help with dinner.

Tomori - Alright… thank you, Ōtori.

Uehara - Okay, then… I’m ready to go whenever you all are-

Ōtori - Mhm, same.

Iranami - …

Tsurugi - …Let us away!

//Maeda has another turn.

Tsurugi - Ōtori, you’ve been making meals, you know if anyone has any food issues, right?

Uehara - If anyone does, they can starve.

Tsurugi - Uehara has to eat pizza, or else- which reminds me, I’ll help Ue with “proper Italian toppings”, and you two can handle the Japanese flavors, yeah?

//All four have left Tsurugi’s dorm, and their conversation fades away. Maeda takes stock of everyone’s position on the game. Tomori has made a bit of progress, but is nowhere near as far along as she used to be. Upon checking Kobashikawa and Maki’s pieces, Maeda realizes he’s closest to winning. They continue to play in focused silence, until eventually-

Maeda - …Two, three, four-

//Maeda moves his final piece home.

Tomori - …

Tomori - I’m so tired of this game.

Maki - Do we keep playing?

Kobashikawa - I think there’s a way to score based off where different pieces are…

Tomori - I tease, but I’m good to keep going if you all are.

Kobashikawa - !

Kobashikawa - Absolutely fine by me.

Maki - Alright, let’s keep going then.

Maeda - …

//Tomori plays her turn.

Maeda - …

//Maeda stretches.

Kobashikawa - Oh! Good job, Maeda! Yayyyy!

Tomori - Yeah! Nice win, even if you got it by stealing my spot on the board, like a cheater, you cheater.

Maki - Woo, Maeda…

Maeda - …I think I’m going to head to my room for a second, actually.

Maki - Yeah?

Maeda - I need to get changed…

Kobashikawa - Oh, right… go do that!

Tomori - …Think we can wrap this up before Maeda gets back?

Maki - No?

Kobashikawa - Lightning round!

Tomori - Have fun getting changed, Maeda! Bye!

Maeda - See ya.

//Maeda stands, stretching once more, before leaving Tsurugi’s dorm, and entering his own.

~*~

Maeda, narrating - …I’m honestly having a great time…

Maeda - I think… after this, I’ll be a bit done with hanging out with everyone for hours on end-

Maeda - But that’s just me reflecting on myself, and I think I’d be ready for a mass hangout within like…

Maeda - Two days? It’s genuinely so nice… it’s all been going well, I have fun with everyone.

Maeda - But, anyways…

Maeda - Alright! I need to get changed, then I need to grab a pillow…

Maeda - I think some people brought blankets, but I also saw the ones from the rec room in Tsurugi’s dorm…

Maeda - Should I grab my blanket, and bring it back, or not?

[Bring the Blanket]

{Leave the Blanket}

#dra #danganronpa another #yuki maeda #kiyoka maki #mitsuhiro higa #kizuna tomori #ayame hatano #kinji uehara #haruhiko kobashikawa #satsuki iranami #akane taira #teruya ōtori #tsurugi kinjo #chapter 3 #daily life #daily life 3

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