T O U C H - M E - N O T

"W—Wait, fer real? That was…?" Souda blinked, slightly confused now. Was that his… eye power? But that—

He cut off his own train of thought, giving a nod as the other signaled for them to try it again. Once again, he focused, trying harder this time, but… nothing. There was absolutely nothing. Letting out a groan, the pinkette leaned back a bit, running a hand through his hair.

"Dammit! I jacked somethin’ up this time, didn’t I…!"

#enginehaze #wow im back #hi!!!!

You watch his face change from confusion to disappointment, and struggle to reassure him-- you're sure that his inability to read that thought was a limit of his eye ability, and you don't want him to freak out about anything else today.

"No. Shh. You didn't screw it up. Hm... it must be, you can only understand things. That relate to yourself?" Pausing, and then sighing, you nod. "Yeah. I think that's it. If I think of anyone else you can't read it. It has to be about you."

"Y—ya do?" Souda quirked an eyebrow, somehow feeling a little less original, but— then again, that might be something a lot of people wanted. He had a good reason for wanting it, at least.

Giving a nod, he hunched down a bit, focusing his gaze on the other, feeling awkward but knowing it was necessary. There was nothing, at first. Maybe because his mind was still wandering about, questions like what is this place and why did I have to die floating through his mind, until—

Nice hair.

The words filtered through his mind, hearing them loudly echo in his thoughts and seeing them in a way. Like the way people see things in their imagination.

"L—Loud!” He whined, prodding at his own ear a little bit, before piping up with, “but… ”nice hair’…?”

You laugh a little at his reaction. "Well," you say, in blunt surprise, "I think you've got it."

"But I... wonder if it's only thoughts having to do... hm," you mumble to yourself, and then have an idea. "Okay, let's try this again. Look at me and tell me what you hear."

Kano is an idiot Kano is an idiot Kano is an idiot Kano is an idiot Kano is an idiot

#enginehaze #HI IM BACK

At her words, his smile instantly lit up. If Kido had interpreted the motion as a mask, he had no idea, because in all honesty, Kano himself wasn’t entirely sure.

Of course, he was overjoyed at such a phrase, that Kido had uttered so naturally, and though he was astonished at the careless way she held out her hand, it was taken in a heartbeat. His smile grew with each word she spoke, and he used her hand to hoist himself up to his feet.

His free hand was slipped carelessly into his pocket as he kept his easy grin. “Danchou had a good idea, I’m glad!" He chuckled naturally, casting his gaze in one direction, then the next. It took a moment before the youth realized his hand had lingered in hers a couple moments too long. Pausing, —in what was it, embarrassment?—Kano pulled both his arms up behind his head as casually as he could appear.

“If that’s what we need to do, where should we start looking?”

#deceitfulpuppeteer #aaa sorry for the delay ;;

You feel a strange warmth in the center of your chest when Kano smiles, and it almost alarms you. It alarms you. Because this one seemed real. As much as Kano can lie, you hadn't seen that kind of smile on his face in a long time. The last memory you had of that was... was...

"Shuuya, Kousuke-- where did Tsubomi go, has anyone seen Tsubomi? Gosh, I lost her again..." "Aya-nee Aya-nee Aya-nee!" "Oh, there she is, did you find anything red for our collection?" "Shuuya gave me a flower, it's red, does that count?" And he smiles wide, almost as if he's proud.

"I think," you say, a little color coming to your cheeks at the memory, "we should walk through the apartments and see if there's anyone we know."

When you start off walking, your hand brushes his.

((ooc

sorry guys i wasn't online yesterday bc reasons. i probably won't be online most of today bc other reasons. i'll get back to you all when i can!! i have a draft goin for kano right now and i'll make sure to get around to cute lil momo and souda at some point!!!

#udsooc #thank

"That’s…" Souda bit his lip, deciding against trying to ask anything further. Yes, now was the time to figure out that eye ability of his. The thing he’d been hearing so much about.

"My… wish?" His brow furrowed, and he lowered his gaze to stare down at his now clenched fists. He had a lot of wishes. To not be bullied, beaten so much. To not be laughed at, the point of ridicule for all his classmates. To understand why people treated him the way they did, what was going through their minds— wait.

"…There’s somethin’… there’s one thing I can think of that… would kinda make sense, I guess," He ventured after mulling over the choices for a moment. "I kinda… wished I could understand what the hell people were… what was goin’ through people’s minds, I guess. I—I had my reasons."

"I know someone who had that."

You blink a couple of times, and then look straight at him again, filling your mind with just one thought. Just to test. Nothing serious yet, you think. Um. He has nice hair.

"It reminds me-- alright, look at me, and tell me what you see."

Nice hair nice hair nice hair nice hair nice hair nice hair

#enginehaze #kido please

"…A—Ah."

Souda lowered his gaze a little at that point, now feeling guilty for being so demanding before. Had he known what this kid had been through, he wouldn’t have been so… harsh? Was that the right word for his previous behaviour? But then again, he’d been scared. Terrified, even. Waking up in a strange place, after knowing he just died. Still, losing one’s parents… and someone important to you. The only person he himself could recall ever ‘losing’ was someone he barely knew in the first place.

"…’M sorry… b—bout the losses, I mean." He reached up to tug at his beanie, only to remember he’d taken it off in the blazing heat. "At… at least ya found other people, though! Made a little family of yer own…" It made him jealous, though he wouldn’t admit it out loud.

#enginehaze #im back tobi

"It's... past. We came here to get them back, and now we're trapped. That's all there is to it. Now," you sigh, looking Souda straight in the eye, "we need to at least figure out what your eye ability is."

You scoot over to face him, your red eyes level with his, and focus on him for a while.

"Okay, first we need to find out how it activates. Souda, what was your greatest wish when you were... were alive?"

“Kido says it like she thinks I’m a pervert! Kido is so mean.”

He smiled up at her so innocently, tilting his head a fraction as though his own false grin could warm the already boiling chill of the Kagerou Daze. It’ll be alright Kido, we’ll be okay. Without a second thought, Kano released a laugh, leaning back onto the hot pavement and ignoring the searing feeling of hot asphalt on his skin. He didn’t flinch, at least, not outwardly. He was used to such pain in various was, and as the very thought entered his mind, his eyes flickered to the jade-haired girl currently in the process of calling him stupid.

In guilt for his own train of thoughts, Kano glanced away just as quickly, laying back on the ground for a second time. “We’re in this together now, so I think Kido shouldn’t be so cruel." His eyes met the sky, almost distantly.

Kano was certain Kido knew of the things he hid. He was certain she could see through those inviting velvet curtain’s of the tragic comedy’s theater, see the boy shifting between the masks of drama with ease. It was so lonely. So why did she continue to play the supporting lead role in his little drama?

#deceitfulpuppeteer #continues sobbing

"We've been in this together for a long time, dummy."

As Kano looks up distantly you can tell he's thinking about something, and you can't help but wonder which masks he's playing around with in his head. He's put on the innocent joker since you woke up, but you can tell that at least half of his smile is fake. You grit your teeth, with one thought on your mind-- his shadow is starting to fall, as is the burning sun.

"Get up, idiot," you huff, realizing that the already blood-red sky is beginning to darken further. "We need to find the others."

And then you hold out your hand.

firebowwowwow

komyu

#me #stupid kano #it's okay now i'm here

whataheartthrob-deactivated2014

headphoned-phantasm? honestly, people you knew were popping up everywhere!

It was about time that Momo get off her lazy bottom and actually go do something productive. After all, she had all the time in the world now! She was taking a break from her idol career and her life as a high school student. Life was great.

But, of course, she didn’t know what to do with it at the moment, so why not go check up on some random neighbors? Yeah, that sounds about right! Stepping out into the hallway, Momo stared at the doors in front of her, thinking about which one she should knock on first.

Nah, that didn’t matter. Pick the door farthest left! Knock knock. Staring at her red converse as she waited for the occupant to answer, she began to twiddle her fingers as well.

#whataheartthrob #hi there momo dear!

You crack open the door with a curious look, and just by the glimpse of orange-yellow hair you know who it is. Swinging the heavy apartment door open, you greet Momo with a relieved sigh and a quiet smile.

"You're back!" you exclaim, louder than usual, before catching yourself and lowering your voice. God, Danchou, calm down. "Glad you're here too. I've barely found anyone yet, just your brother and Kano."

She looks enthusiastic and optimistic as usual, and you find yourself resisting the urge to pat her head.

not-nina-rd

by 秋月ぶらんこ

※Permission to upload this was given by the artist…..※

#don't cry idiot #me #stupid kano

His reaction was a startled one. With eyes wide, his ability activated the moment he pulled himself away from her. Deep crimson rested in that gaze as he allowed a too-natural laugh to slip through his lips. He smirked and pulled his hands into his lap, sitting crosslegged next to her.

“What? Is Kido dreaming? Using silly nicknames like that~" He couldn’t meet her gaze, but his mask did a good job of holding his smile, ironically described, true. "Shee~sh, isn’t Danchou supposed to be tough?" His laugh carried effortlessly, as if were actually amused by his first name on her tongue.

It made him feel weak and vulnerable, had the liar shared his lonely truth. Why? Well, because he wasn’t “Shuuya” as long as he lied, was he?

It’s hurtful to say so, but oh, Kido, wouldn’t you know the innocent boy known as Shuuya was here no longer?

#deceitfulpuppeteer #quietly cries bc kanokido

"Huh...? Mmnn..."

And then you're rocketed forward out of sleep, because the hand that had been gently combing your hair had abruptly disappeared, and it startled you so much that now you open your eyes and sit up. Next to you is Kano, with a typical grin on his face, but in the haze of unconsciousness you can somehow recognize his smile as just another mask.

"Kano-- what the-- Idiot, were you just sitting there staring at me?!" Your gaze turns into a squint, and the squint turns into a glare. "Just... looking at me while I was sleeping! Creepy."

Stupid, is what your head says.

He was looking after you and taking care of you making sure nothing hurt you while you slept and even though he can't even manage to care that much for himself he does this for you so much and that's stupid too, is what your heart says.

"Stupid," you say anyway.

Kano noticed in an instant the way her breathing had become smooth and even. Could even Danchou fall asleep in a place like this? She must have been exhausted, and he didn’t blame her in the slightest. Kido must have been worrying herself sick in the Kagerou Daze without sightings of many of their friends; it would be a lie if Kano were to say that he wasn’t worried as well. So, naturally, that was the air he produced with such a carefree manner. All he wanted was to see those confident smiles, and what better to bring them than a pierrot pulling at the lonely strings?

The grin slipped from the youth’s lips as he sat up, looking down at the sleeping countenance of their Leader. In any other circumstance, he’d awaken her without hesitation with claims of her being “So cruel” for falling asleep when he was talking to her. With the smallest of sighs, he tugged as gently as he could manage at her hood, brushing his fingers through her hair in silence.

#deceitfulpuppeteer #MY FAVORITE THING IS WHEN THEY USE EACH OTHERS FIRST NAMES WHEN CAUGHT OFF GUARD #DONT TALK TO ME ABOUT KANOKIDO

You don't dream-- it's too short of a nap and the oppressive heat seems to keep part of your brain conscious, but dear God are you tired. You've fretted over the rest of the Dan not turning up and the exhaustion from the anxiety has completely worn you out. Your toes flex lightly in your shoes, stretching in sleep.

And you recognize in the corner of your unconscious mind that someone is stroking your hair, the hand lean and fingers soft, and your dream self blinks a couple of times in confusion before you yawn,

"Sh...Shuuya?"

His laughter died down to a sort of continuous chuckle as his cat-like eyes met her own darker ones. Ah, don’t worry, Kido. He’s playing the pierrot just for you right now. Anything to see his friends smile and remain calm in their mission’s failure. Because they’ll surely get out when they work together. With the Mekakushi Dan alone, it seemed hopeless, didn’t it? But don’t worry, don’t worry, this idiot has been plotting behind everyone’s gaze. He’ll do whatever it takes.

"Danchou needs to consider what’s better for my feelings," the youth chuckled, glancing over to the side as she relocated to the ground next to him. In an instant, his smile grew as the words spilled from her lips.

"Kido is determined to be hurtful, it’s so cruel!" he laughed happily, eyes shifting to the sky the color of their monstrous eyes.

#deceitfulpuppeteer #ah yes kido falling asleep on kano #ah yes the otp

"Just making sure you get what you deserve, stupid."

You meet his cat-eyed gaze, fake-skeptically, looking at him through half-lidded eyes. It's so hot that you don't have the energy to keep them open, and quietly you start to doze off, yawning gently as your eyelids droop on their own. The pavement is hard but warm, just warm enough to sleep, and your head hits the ground before you know what's happening.

Kano teetered on his feet, his heels supporting his weight so tediously until the laughter started, and the boy fell over entirely. “Kido is blushing. Uwaaah!~ Is Kido blushing from the heat or could it be~” he fell over in his laughter, sprawling out on the hard ground without a care in the world. He must have looked ridiculous, which his arms pulled up to cushion his head, and his legs crossed as his gaze shifted toward the girl with jade colored hair.

"Mm~ I’ve only seen Shintaro around, no sign of Kisaragi-chan, or Seto for that matter." At that, his smile faltered, although it returned again in an instant. "Aya-nee should be around here somewhere…"

#deceitfulpuppeteer #kanokido is The OTP #i might cry

It just makes you go even redder in the face when he laughs like that. He looks unfairly carefree, but you know he's probably faking it, and it makes your chest feel heavy just knowing that he knows you can tell. You make a distressed face, pulling your cheeks inward to throw him off of the blush steadily creeping up towards your eyes.

"You complete idiot," you stutter, and then flop down next to him, shoving your hand into his face with a nearly dismissive motion. "You're ridiculous, you know that. You just..."

But it's hot, way too hot to make the effort to talk, and so you just lie next to him, looking up at the blood-red sky.

[ posting this here so i dont spam the UDS ML

but if we get more people, would anybody be interested in an OOC skype conf so we can all get to know each other? just a thought and i’d like to hear what you guys think!!

undying summer ♫Mod 2 ]

#i would totally

open

yakyuudaze

"Hm? Dense?" He feels hurt for a second, but then remembers that the girl is only role playing and doesn’t actually mean what she’s saying. Probably. "Well I mean, if the people who made this VR put so much work into the environment, I wouldn’t be surprised it they hooked us up to sensors and all the rest to make it feel more real! And survive? It’s a game, so if we die we’ll just be brought back to life, right?" He smiled, obviously satisfied with his reasoning.

After hearing the girls name, Yamamoto extended his hand for a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Kido!” He paused, and remembered more of what she had just said. “Hey…. how would you know how old I am? Do you remember anything from before we were in this game? Or are you guessing from how I look?”