shortforever | Not Again! With Akira

[Chuuya knows he's there, but he doesn't talk at first. He's too busy being mad and throwing rocks.

But when he does speak up, he just says one thing:]

It wasn't me.

[He knows Akira will believe him, but he still has to say it.]

But everyone's gonna think it was me, I know it.

I know it wasn't.

[. . . and to prove it, he rocks to the side, bumping his shoulder with Chuuya]

. . . I'm starting to think our suspect list was really, really off.

[Ah. Time to bump shoulders, then.]

You never know, it still could be Escha. Lili's cunning enough to do it but she was injured, so I don't think it was her.

I don't think it was Lili, either. And even though I voted for-- for Escha, I'm not sure I was right.

[a small exhale]

I just. . . I don't know.

[he's at a loss. they had focused on the footprints because they seemed to be the only real solid clue they had, but. . .]

I just wanna know why. We're not being blackmailed into attacking anyone, so why do it?

[mmmm]

Technically we are, aren't we?

[looking over at Chuuya with a blank expression]

Our happy endings are supposedly on the line.

...you think they killed for that? To- to eliminate a team?

[It didn't escape his notice that both of the victims so far have been on purple team.]

[he shakes his head, giving a helpless little shrug as he does so. he wishes he had answers, but. . . he doesn't]

[and that sucks]

[It does. A lot. Especially since they don't know Evan and Ogata's teams and thus don't know any team sizes.]

...say, Akira. I heard a rumor that the team that got the most points last week got a prize. Something with a special effect.

Obviously my team didn't win it, and I just found out about it today. Did you know about it?

[THEY DO KNOW EVAN'S TEAM, or at least Akira does thanks to the bulletin board, since Evan's power was doxxed on it. but they sure don't know Ogata's]

I wouldn't say I knew about it, but I can say I suspected it.

. . . it's the reason why I don't think we should share the items we get at the end of the week. I'm pretty sure every team gets the same thing, depending on their performance.

[I fukken forgot he got doxxed, rip me. What team is Evan on?]

Which would lead to people figuring out what team someone is on.

[So yeah, he can see why it would be kept a secret.]

Except it's unbalanced now. Purple team is gonna have a hard time keeping up. I wouldn't be surprised if they never win an item.

[Shadows!!]

Mmm, exactly.

[giving Chuuya a very curious look]

Are you worried about Heart?

Of course I am. They said they could protect themselves, but who knows at this point.

...the other 'team leaders' have to be eliminated too. They're a part of this. And I think someone might target them eventually.

[. . .]

[well. now he's studying Chuuya carefully, expression neutral. he opens his mouth, then closes it again. then opens it, then closes it again]

[. . .]

[CHUUYA CAN PROBABLY TELL WHAT QUESTION HE WANTS TO ASK BUT ISN'T ASKING]

[He can guess, but his guess might be wrong.]

I'm not going to attack anybody, especially not any team leaders.

[oh my god]

[A BREATHLESS LAUGH]

No, no. That wasn't my question.

What was your question then, huh?

[huffs a little. . . then shakes his head]

One that isn't fair for me to ask when I still wouldn't be able to answer you in return.

Then ask another question, idiot! Or at least give me something of value in return.

[he pauses thoughtfully at that, before letting out a hum]

I think Shadows' team won this past week.

This gives me absolutely no new information about the situation, Akira.

[Because Akira already told Chuuya that he's not on grey team.]

Sure it does. If you see anyone carting around an item that's the same as the one you got, or an item that looks equally as useless and not available at the store, then you know they're either on Heart or Winter's teams.

You've been paying attention, right?

Yeah. My cabin showed off those fluffy things we got this week, but not the prizes or useless items. Everyone's keeping that stuff secret.

[Except Escha, apparently.]

Though I guess they'll slip up eventually. Or I could just start breaking into cabins and looking through people's boxes.

Some people slipped up today when they emptied their pockets. For what it's worth.

[still studying Chuuya carefully to see if he also noticed]

[I actually had to go back and look at it, I'm crying.]

Several people had bandages. A couple had gems.

...think the gems are the 'winning item'?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject