PCs for room 11!

[shortforever]

Because there's going to be a lot of these lol

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[it isn't so much a "secret" as it is. . . Akira isn't sure how to talk about it. but he flashes Chuuya a smile, a clear indication that he appreciates him not pushing the topic right now]

[but the smile fades quickly when Chuuya starts talking about his life before the mansion. as he continues, his brows furrow, and once Chuuya is finished. . .]

. . . you must've been terrified after you "woke up."

[he can't imagine it, honestly. he can't imagine not knowing anything until the moment consciousness bursts into being with him lying in the middle of a large crater caused by an explosion]

[shortforever]

You'd think that, but it was actually more peaceful than anything. It was so quiet. And 'quiet' isn't something you normally hear in a busy city like Yokohama. It was sort of like..."oh hey, I'm awake now, cool," I guess.

[But that's only half the story, and that's probably why Akira doesn't quite get it.

...

Chuuya tucks his arms under the back of his head before he continues talking.]

Where that crater is, there used to be a research facility. Top secret and all that. See, having abilities like mine is really rare where I'm from, and they wanted to find a way to give people abilities. So those dumbasses thought it'd be a good idea to try and take powers away from spirits and gods and stuff and give them to humans instead. That's so stupid, right?

[survivaltricks]

[that is definitely why Akira doesn't get it, but he'll take Chuuya's word for it anyway. even if he can't quite understand]

So. . .

[his mind is clicking together, gears turning as he works to put together the pieces]

So your powers were forced upon you by researchers in a facility?

[wow, saying it aloud really does make his gaze narrow and his jaw tighten, doesn't it?]

[shortforever]

[Hearing it said like that makes it sound pretty bad, he realizes. So he just shrugs.]

I wouldn't know. Like I said, I don't remember any of that. But if it's true it's pretty fucked up, huh?

[survivaltricks]

It's extremely fucked up.

[Akira says honestly and bluntly. IT'S SUPER FUCKED UP. CHUUYA DIDN'T DESERVE TO BE A RESEARCH RAT!!!]

[but he thinks of something else, and he can't help but ask. . .]

Where did you go after you woke up?

[shortforever]

[HE SURE DOESN'T but it's actually refreshing to see someone agree with that sentiment. So much so that he actually pauses for a moment and gives Akira a thoughtful look before answering.]

I stayed there for a while, just watching the moon. Then I ended up behind some store, looking for a way to sneak in and steal some food. Or something like that. It's been like eight years, it's hard to remember that far back. But I do remember the moon that night.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . mmmmm]

[his heart aches with sympathy as he listens to that story]

Did you ever find a place to stay?

[a place to live. a place to belong]

[shortforever]

Yeah. There was a group of kids called 'The Sheep'. They tried to claim they were a gang, but really it was a bunch of orphans trying to survive in the slums. They took me in, and I grew up with them.

[Unfortunately those previously-happy memories are no longer happy, for reasons Akira will find out with memory share lolololol]

[survivaltricks]

[LOLOLOL]

[but for now, he smiles a little bit, mouth quirking slightly at the corners]

I'm glad you managed to find a place to belong, after all of that.

[shortforever]

...yeah. It was nice.

[The look on his face is a rather lonely one.]

[survivaltricks]

[. . . hmmmm]

[there is something else here, but Akira doesn't push. if Chuuya wants to talk to him, then he will]

Either way, it sounds like things weren't easy for you growing up.

It does explain a few things.

[like why Chuuya didn't know what a pillow fort was!!]

[shortforever]

Yeah, I bet it does.

[Not having parents will do that to a person.]

Yours just leaves me with even more questions though. Is that something you wanna talk about, or are you gonna give me the run-around about it?

[If Akira doesn't want to talk about it, then he won't ask. But he is curious.]

[survivaltricks]

[hmmm. . . you know what?]

You can ask.

[at this point, Akira doesn't have anything to hide about his identity as a phantom thief]

I promise I won't be coy.

[EXCEPT ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO AKECHI]

[shortforever]

[It's fine he can avoid Akechi-talk.]

Why was that prosecutor trying to help you? I thought all cops were shitty.

[survivaltricks]

[ah. . .]

Niijima-san?

[Akira's mouth twitches, a bit fond. it took him a while to get there, considering how distorted Sae used to be, but. . . he trusts his Judgment Confidant to do the right thing now. after all, she did so much for him after he was arrested]

There are exceptions to every rule.

[shortforever]

Really? And here I thought all adults were either useless or assholes.

[But it's good to hear that Akira had someone on his side.]

You got out of that mess, right? You're too young to be rotting in prison.

[survivaltricks]

Not all of them.

[most of them. but not all]

That prosecutor was the one who helped me escape, actually. I spent some time undercover after that.

[. . .]

Though I had to turn myself in again later.

[for Reasons]

[shortforever]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You've got a goody-two-shoes heart, of course you'd turn yourself in.