I'll do my best!

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

Everything is perfectly normal here! || kouta || chapter 1 body reaction

Against his better judgement, Kouta followed the commotion to the kitchen--hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

Of course, even his worst expectations hadn’t prepared him for what would meet him by the door. Two people. Two people? Lying on the floor. Had they passed out from the smoke in the room? They’d made it in time, right?! Who was...

“Ha...ko...?”

Kouta has to stop himself, even if no one would hear him. Box-chan was really secretive about that, wasn’t she? She’ll be upset. He doesn’t want to let her down. They’re friends. That’s...what they are, right? She’ll be...upset...

Of course, she looks pretty upset now, covered in blood like that. ...Blood? What? A knife... Not just her...the waitress girl. too... Why are they...

No, that’s not possible. It’s obviously some kind of prank, right? People have been pulling tricks on Kouta ever since they’d arrived here--he was always so gullible. His imagination gets away from him. Just like now. Just like now. Just like now, he’s just imagining these awful things. I mean, just the other day, they were working on their poems together! Things got kind of awkward, sure, but everything was perfectly normal! Everything was perfectly normal!  Everything was perfectly normal!  Everything was perfectly normal!  Everything was perfectly normal!  Everything was perfectly normal!  Everything was perfectly normal!  Eve̼r̘̙͈͔̻̼ỵ̸͈ͅt͙̪̣̹̘̫̘hiǹ҉n̢͑̾̒̑n̒͠n̈́̈́ͧ͋͐͑g was p◻◻◻҉͘͜ ect;y n%;;@!! This isn’t rii͜͏i͟͡i̷͟҉ ȉ̔́̓̎̃ͣ҉͈͚͍i̭͍̞̤̼͂͂̒́ͮ̎ͦ̈́͜i̧̛̝͓ͦ̇ͬ̄̂i̢͍̘̻͓̘̩͇̊͗̈́͞͡ĭ̢ͮ̍ͦ̽ͯ̓ͨ́́́ͯ̚҉̧̛̝̟̥̠͘į̵̛̩̜̠̺͚̫̫̩̝͍̳ͤ́̌̑ͬ̅̇́́͆̿̋ͭ̅͑ͤ͊͡g̰̮̝̭̞̣̣̞͚͖̪̠̩̦͙̓ͦ͊͛ͧ̂ͧ̉ͦͭͥ͆̒̄̓ͪͤ́͘͡ͅhͤ͑̈́ͬ̋̏̿̓́ͭ̽҉͟͏̨̘̩͔̯̻̟̝̲̞̱͞ͅ◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻◻

“...Ha...Haaaa...”

Kouta has to...sit down. He has to breathe. He has to breathe. He has to breathe...but she’s not breathing, and that feels so unfair. God, why aren’t they breathing?! Kouta’s breathing, right? He’s...breathing. It’s easy. If even he can do it, then surely...

Kouta moved to sit down, only to realize he couldn’t. Or rather, he already was. His legs had already surrendered. When did that happen? He’s blocking the doorway. He’s in the way. He needs to move--but he doesn’t want to do or be anything right now. Everything is so blurry. Why didn’t he spend more time with her? Why did he...avoid her...after she told him... Why didn’t he try to talk to her sooner? It all felt like...so long ago now....

“..rry...I'm so sorry...”

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

eenie meenie miney....mouu || Kouta || Chapter 1 [Club Event Open]

It’s a little awkward, isn’t it? Everyone has so much to offer, it’s hard to say who he would vote for when it came down to it. Was there any way to narrow things down? Maybe getting to know some of his clubmates a little better would help... 

He hadn’t even gotten to know his roommates very well yet, after all. The only people he’d spent a lot of time with so far were Box-chan and Junpei... It’s high time he’d made friends with his clubmates!

With the thought of meeting new people branded in his heart, he approached no one in particular. He tried not to be too awkward in his approach--but this is Kouta, so he failed. Nervous face hidden behind a curtain of unruly hair, he tries to brush some aside before speaking. Ah, this is embarrassing, he really needs to do something about his hair now that he’ll be out and about in club meetings and such...

“Uhm, sorry, were you planning to run for something?”

[yoekisachi]

Voice of No Return | Open

[yoekisachi]

“Sad…” Sad. Yeah, he got that part right. Arisa can’t help but break eye contact at that remark, the acknowledgment of the tone reminding the girl of who she was writing to. 

Its strange, actually, seeing Kouta so worked up to say such nice things about Arisa’s own writing. The boy standing in front of her is a mangaka, the closest to a literary critique the students have. Well, if you count manga as literature. Manga isn’t literature. 

“….” Ahhh, but the compliments…? That’s…that wasn’t expected. Aw hell. How is she supposed to respond? “….You…” She didn’t finish what she was about to say. No, now isn’t really the time for that. 

“Thank you for the kind words.  I really don’t deserve them.” She doesn’t, and this is perpetuated by her arms quickly crossing themselves. B-baka…

“Do you have a poem for me to read, mangaka? I’m sure it will be very good.” Now would be a good time for the occasional reminder that Arisa’s voice is as cold and European as ever. The phrase spoken almost sounds like a threat.

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

Kouta started to defend Arisa against her own self-deprecation, but somehow managed to keep his mouth shut for once. She already seemed kind of flustered about all of this as is, and he didn’t want to take his praises too far and make her uncomfortable. She already knew he really liked her poem, and that was enough, right? 

Her timely transition back to the Siberian Tundra offered Kouta some relief, but also froze him firmly in place. 

Right. That’s right, he didn’t even think about this part! Arisa was nice enough to share her poem with him, even though she obviously wasn’t the most comfortable with it. There’s no way he could keep his from her, even if he wasn’t the most comfortable with it either. 

Monika wanted everyone to share their poems for a reason, and he has to get used to this kind of thing if he wants to be a more successful mangaka! If he ever wanted to progress, he would have to try to show at least a fraction of Arisa’s bravery. Even if it takes him a lifetime. 

It starts with baby steps like this, so just be brave! Like Arisa!

Kouta had been so wrapped up in his secret little pep talk that he almost forgot to give her a response. In a feeble attempt to hide his embarrassment, he turned to rummage through his messenger bag. Gee, he hid that thing straight away, huh?

“Uhm, I do, but it’s ah, a little embarrassing... It’s not as good as yours, so ah, please don’t expect much!”

“...I uhm...tried to do something a little experimental, but it was probably too much for a novice like me, ahah... Uhm, that’s, I mean, it’s probably better to master the basics before trying to break them...they say... I don’t know much about poetry at all, so it probably would have been better to stick to something simple, I guess?”

He just wants to show that he’s aware of his shortcomings, but it's like Kouta is trying to beat any criticism he can think of to the punch. Come on, Murakami, being a writer means learning to take a few punches to the ego every now and then! Looks like it will be awhile before he’s on Arisa’s level after all.

[jeremie-herve]

Pass | Jérémie | Open

[jeremie-herve]

mangaxisxlit:

Share his poem with somebody, huh… Kouta didn’t really want to, but it was probably for the best if Monika suggested it. He needed to grow more confident in his actually writing if he ever wanted to be a successful mangaka! He couldn’t stay in his comfort zone forever, or else he would never grow. So he hesitantly looked around the room at the others–some of which already seemed to be pairing up.

It was hard not to notice the extremely reluctant looking boy toward the back of the room, no matter how small he was.

Birds of a feather flock together, perhaps…?

“Uhm, Dasios-san…?”

Kouta hesitantly reaches out a hand to catch his attention, but is quick to retract it. Don’t do anything weird!

“Sorry, uhm, I didn’t mean to get into your business… I was just a little worried.  Uhm, if you’re not feeling well, Jones-senpai would surely let you go to the Nurse’s office or something?”

Kouta was kind of tempted to look for an out himself, but alas. At least someone else looked as uncomfortable with this as he did.

Oh, no. As soon as Jérémie heard his name from someone else, he knew that this would be even harder to get out of. He remains still at first before he turns to face the other who had approached him.

He didn’t seem to have any bad intentions, just genuine concern. That was fine. Despite this, Jérémie still looked down as if he were trying not to look at Kouta. 

“I… I don’t– I don’t feel… Comfortable… Reading my– my poem.”

That took longer to get out than it should have. But he said it, and so he was satisfied with himself. Kind of.

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

“Ah, right--I’m...honestly really nervous about sharing mine too, ahah...”

Seeing how intent that bespectacled boy seemed on avoiding his gaze, Kouta couldn’t help but let his own eyes wander away to grant him some privacy. Ah, geeze, he should probably just leave this poor guy alone. Kouta always got nervous when people pressured him into talking when he was feeling anxious--but the words seemed to just spill out on impulse.

“That’s, I mean, sharing your writing is kind of like letting people see a part of yourself, right? It’s--it feels like a little much for people you don’t really know yet... I’m, uhm, it’s silly, but I’m afraid that people will think less of me, I guess... Since I’m supposed to have a creative talent...”

Wait, that’s not going to make this poor guy feel any better about this at all! , It felt important to let Jérémie know that he wasn’t alone in this feeling, but...

“Uhm, if you want, we can just...pretend to share our poems with one another? Until you feel comfortable enough with your writing to share, so no one else tries to approach you with theirs...?”

Mm, even just saying that makes him feel like some kind of criminal! Monika seemed really invested in having everyone share their poems, and he didn’t want to let her down when she’s been so nice to everybody. Kouta didn’t want to have to share his poem either, though... What a dilemma. Maybe he could ask Monika for advice later.

[haplesshikikomori]

Sharing Is Not Caring | Open | Beth

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

“Uhm, are you sure...?” 

Kouta can’t help but smile. A consequence of embarrassment, or happiness? Maybe both? He had been really nervous about sharing poems with people, so having someone offer theirs first was a big relief somehow. He probably should have resisted a little more for the sake of being polite, but he’d already taken the poem in his hands. Nice going, Murakami. You’ll have to apologize later somehow...!

For now, he’ll read. It looks like he may have gone over it a second time.

“It’s something that takes a little bit to sink in...”

A pause. Did Kouta say that out loud, or was he still in his head? He should probably say something else, just to be sure.

“I guess maybe...deceptively complex is a good word for it? You seem the type to spend a lot of time in your inner world, Esda-san, so I guess it’s not surprising that your writing would be something profound and kind of mystical! Uhm, I mean, you’d have to be really smart and creative to do what you do, so, of course you’d be good at something like this, hahah... I feel like it’s worded in a way that a lot of people can relate to in their own way! That’s amazing. That’s something that comes from experience, right?”

Yeesh, this guy suddenly doesn’t seem to have much problem talking when it comes to talking about someone else. It’s hard to keep himself from rambling on when it comes to stuff like this. His classmates are all really amazing and talented, so it should be expected! Still, Kouta always finds himself amazed by the situation he’s found himself in. Getting to work alongside such amazing people...

Ah, right. It’s probably rude to just read her poem without offering the same in return, isn’t it...?

“I’m a little embarrassed though, uhm, my poem isn’t on the same level as yours at all. That’s, I expected that much from the beginning, but I hope it isn’t too disappointing... Writing isn’t really my strong suit, and uhm...”

Please just shut up and give her the paper. The boy does so, eventually, with rigid hands and an averted gaze. There. The hard part is over! There’s no turning back now.

As she reads, Kouta fidgets with the strap of his messenger bag, silently fighting off his flight response with everything he’s got! If he’s going to be in a club like this, he has to get used to his peers reviewing his work. No--he should be doing that whether he’s in a club or not! Even if he already knows it’s garbage. Surely some people would give anything for some direct feedback from someone like Bethany Esda, right? He should be grateful. It’s not like he isn’t, but--!

[yoekisachi]

Voice of No Return | Open

Well, Arisa tried. She ended up making the thing more of a diary entry than an actual piece of poetry, but at least it uses some nice words? Who really cares, besides Monika, of course.

The tracker girl had already woken up feeling pretty tired already, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up as if to pull her back to bed. She’s rarely felt this lethargic in a while, but its probably due to the tense situation. Why is it tense, though? As far as she knows, this whole situation just feels like an endless purgatory of wandering the pseudo-empty halls of an after-hours school. Is there even a reason to worry at this point? Everything appears safe.

Regardless of her slight anxieties, Arisa reports to, and listens in on Monika guiding the rest of the class later in the day. Sharing poetry, if anything, just seems a little fun. Exploring the mindsets of others through an artistic lens in an interesting time-waster, and surely an opportunity to learn more about the inner-workings of her fellow students. 

She approaches one, or, well, one approaches her. Either way, with a paper in hand, Arisa already seems to be…slightly flustered. She’s never made something like this…now the nerves are kind of getting to her.

“You would like to see my poetry? Here it is.”

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

Heh? Him? Is that...really okay? Kouta takes a quick look around the immediate area to make sure that he’s for sure the one being spoken to right now. Probably? He blinks.

“Uhm, are you sure...?”

Of course she’s sure, idiot! Arisa hardly seems like the type to mince her words--and if she already looks kind of nervous about it, wouldn’t questioning it just make things more awkward for her? Just take the paper, you absolute fool. You mindless buffoon.

Kouta does so, with hesitation and gentle hands.

He...tried his best not to squint at the paper too much while reading over it. He didn’t want to turn away from her with her paper in his hands or anything, either. He should try to face her when reading something she was nice enough to show him, but he didn’t want her to see him struggling to read it, either! That feels really rude! What should he do? Ah, in the end, he ended up holding the paper up pretty close to his face anyway. Hopefully she wouldn’t take too much offense to it...

Arisa really is a mysterious kind of person, huh. Her handwriting is so small, it’s as if the words themselves were meant to stay a secret. The type that doesn’t speak much, but has a rich inner world? Maybe a club like this would be a good way for her to get her feelings out!

No,he’s just letting his imagination run away with him again. He really has to try to keep that under control and stop assuming things about people he doesn’t know. He should really be focusing on his own shortcomings anyway. Don’t judge a book by its cover, Murakami! Uhm, or even its tiny contents, apparently.

“It’s really poignant...”

Ah, he’d spoken aloud without realizing! Those gentle hands turn rigid at the realization, passing the paper back with this gentle fluidity of a creaky old bulldozer. There’s no use in hiding the flush of pink invading his face, so Kouta’s just going to...stare down at the floor for awhile.

“That’s, I mean, it feels really deep with meaning! Uhm, it’s like the shimmering surface of the ocean! It draws you in with pretty words, but it feels like something dark could be swirling underneath... It’s really pretty, but it feels sad.”

The boy scratches at his cheek, allowing his head to rise but still forcing his eyes wander as far away from Arisa’s as they would let him. He doesn’t want to embarrass himself in front of something so capable...! Too bad that ship’s already sailed.

“Uhm... That probably isn’t very helpful feedback, sorry. I’m not really good with the technical stuff, so I can only really go off of feeling, hahah... It’s hard to make sad things sound so inviting, though. I kind of want to stand under that void blue sky myself now...!”

[jeremie-herve]

Pass | Jérémie | Open

Jérémie glances down at the poem in his hands. He definitely has no confidence in sharing this with anyone. He was never a literature person to begin with, only science and math. This was probably some hot garbage compared to everyone else’s.

“…”

He lowers his head in shame and tries to back away from the others. Anything in hopes of avoiding attention.

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

Share his poem with somebody, huh... Kouta didn’t really want to, but it was probably for the best if Monika suggested it. He needed to grow more confident in his actually writing if he ever wanted to be a successful mangaka! He couldn’t stay in his comfort zone forever, or else he would never grow. So he hesitantly looked around the room at the others--some of which already seemed to be pairing up.

It was hard not to notice the extremely reluctant looking boy toward the back of the room, no matter how small he was.

Birds of a feather flock together, perhaps...?

“Uhm, Dasios-san...?”

Kouta hesitantly reaches out a hand to catch his attention, but is quick to retract it. Don’t do anything weird!

“Sorry, uhm, I didn’t mean to get into your business... I was just a little worried.  Uhm, if you’re not feeling well, Jones-senpai would surely let you go to the Nurse’s office or something?”

Kouta was kind of tempted to look for an out himself, but alas. At least someone else looked as uncomfortable with this as he did.

[haplesshikikomori]

Sharing Is Not Caring | Open | Beth

Bethany was not satisfied with her work whatsoever. She was a venerable wordsmith, proud of her craft and able to structure compelling narratives for her games, but poetry? What a laugh. An absolute joke. She didn’t like putting out sub-par work, but she figured nobody would know the difference. It wasn’t like there were any English majors in the crowd. Although considering that her poem wasn’t even written in English, that line of thought was ultimately pointless. Her worst writing would look stellar next to that of some of her classmates, she was certain of it.

Even if she hated it, it wasn’t like she was going to try and write anything better. What she had was what she had.

The pale moon reflects upon a serene pool of water, Resplendent, beautiful, tangible and yet so fragile Like the wings of a butterfly that conjure calamitous storms, One slight disturbance shatters the fragile illusion Ripples are sent dancing across the surface As you reach out for what you sought after Thinking for but a moment that which captivated you so Was remotely within reach, tangible, accessible Yet so unattainable, so impossible, so far away As you find nothing but a broken mockery, Where the image of what you desired once lay Wondering if it you could have ever reached it at all

What a joke. A gaff. An utter disgrace to the sort of writing she normally put out. But whatever, it was just some stupid poem. As long as she didn’t show it to any of the guys, she’d probably be able to retain some of her credibility with them. They had to share poems, and maybe if she showed how much better she was at this than some of the other girls (you know, because she’s not like those other girls) they would understand to back off if there was to be any competition for certain affections. Gazing down at her paper with tired eyes and fidgeting idly with her pen, Beth sighed.

The literature club could be so exhausting sometimes.

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

Their situations seemed kind of similar to him. The two are both storytellers by craft, after all. They’re both storytellers, but not like this. Limiting himself to telling a story with only a few words feels like a completely different world from the one he’s used to. Maybe that’s why Kouta found himself seeking Beth out.

He ended up seeking her out, but... This girl looks so tired that maybe he shouldn’t bother her after all. The blond fidgeted behind her in silence for a moment before eventually deciding to speak up--it’d definitely be weirder to just stand behind her without saying anything! What if everyone starts to think he’s some kind of creep? Hovering behind a girl like this without saying anything...!

Kouta forces the words out without thought, before the silence could drag him down into a hole he can’t climb out of.

“Did you have any luck with your poem, Esda-san?” 

Of course, thought would inevitably catch up to him--and thought is a relentless beast. Why wasn’t he thinking? Kouta shouldn’t just go assuming that just because Beth doesn’t have a strictly literary talent like him that they would approach writing the same way! For all he knew, Beth could have loved to write poetry in her spare time. Stop imagining things about people you don’t know anything about.

“Uhm, that’s...not that I think you wouldn’t! Your games are always so creative, I’m sure anything you wrote is amazing! That’s, I admire your work, so...!”

Oh, this is embarrassing. So much for not digging himself a hole. 

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

poetry is hard and so are titles || Kouta || Chapter 1 Club Event [ Open ]

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

shslbellydancing:

She was a little embarrassed to get caught. Because…well, she really was hoping for a little sneak peek. It was definitely invasive, but since writing this poem didn’t feel optional, she wanted some inspiration from the guy who seemed the most artistic. Still, her own embarrassment meant that she didn’t even register Murakami’s actions as impolite.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I know this is a little awkward, but I really did just want to take a little peek. I know it can be difficult for others to see your art before it’s done, but I’m really no good at this kind of thing.”

She sat next to him, awkwardly twiddling her fingers.

“It’s nice to meet you, by the way. I know this is a strange first meeting. But I’m looking forward to being in a club with you! And when you’re ready, I’m excited to see your poem!”

Despite this being, you know, Zeycan, she did actually mean it. He seemed like a nice and normal kind of guy, even if he was being a little weird right now on the desk. Still miles ahead of the rest of them.

Normally, if someone who looked this intimidating approached him, Kouta would be an absolute human disaster--but Zeycan seems so nonchalant, almost timid, that he can’t help but be put at ease.

“Oh, no, I definitely understand...! Honestly, I’m no good at this kind of thing either... I always have a lot of ideas, but I never know how to execute them in a poetic way. I guess that’s why I rely on art in my work so much? Even then, I’m always look for inspiration from the work of my seniors...”

Kouta absentmindedly scratched at his cheek before catching himself. Oh, hey, he’s going on about things that no one care about again. Good work!

“Mm, uhm, sorry, I ended up rambling a little... That’s, maybe flipping through a poetry book or something would help us both out? I uh, looked through those cupboards earlier, and it looks like they have books of all kinds in there... One of them is bound to have some inspiring poetry in it.”

Flipping his paper over, the boy turns to face Zeycan a little more directly and offer a small bow. He probably should have done that about five sentences ago, but better late than never? Probably?!

“It’s nice to meet you as well! I guess everyone’s already looked through the student directory, but it feels weird to not properly introduce myself...I’m Murakami! Uhm, Kouta Murakami, the Super High School Level Mangaka. I’ll look forward to reading your poem as well, so let’s do our best...!”

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

poetry is hard and so are titles || Kouta || Chapter 1 Club Event [ Open ]

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

tiny-paper-crane:

Yua wasn’t exactly coming over to look at Kouta’s work. It wasn’t like she had anything to show in return. However, she wasn’t prepared for him to cover it so quickly. Yua’s eyes widened in panic.

“S-sorry! I d-didn’t m-mean to l-look!”

She turned her eyes down when Kouta turned to face her. She wasn’t exactly good with eye contact. Or talking to people. Or people.

“N-no… N-not that m-much… I’ve t-tried to write h-haikus, b-but it ends up t-too long…”

All Yua really wanted to do was fold the paper she was writing on, but this was the literature club, not origami club. She was here to write. 

“H-have you had any b-better luck, M-Murakami-sama?”

Kouta unconsciously waves his hands in front of him when Yua apologizes. No, no--if anything, he should be apologizing for overreacting! Those are the thoughts that raced through his mind, but he couldn’t be sure if he’d actually said them aloud or not. That’s the problem with spending so much time in your own head, I suppose.

In any case, the moment passes when Yua seemed to relax a little. It looks like he didn’t completely scare her off, so that’s good? He tries not to let himself feel too relieved--not when Yua is speaking, he needs to listen and respond like a normal human being if he can help it, after all.

“Haikus...? Wow, that’s really impressive!”

“That’s, you’d think that writing a haiku would be easier, but it’s really hard to boil an idea down to it’s barest essentials like that... That’s way beyond me, hahah. That’s amazing, Miyabe-san! ...uhm, sama?” 

Oh geeze, he’s not used to being addressed this formally at all. He should probably try to do the same in return, right? She must come from a really proper family. Kouta had studied everyone’s names on the student directory of his ID pretty well, so hopefully he’d addressed her by the proper name...

“I’ve just, uhm, wrote down a few vague concepts to work with, and I haven’t really gotten anywhere beyond that... I’m not really the best at putting my ideas into words in a concise way, so I guess that’s why I’m a manga artist?”

He fiddles with the pen in his hands, averting his gaze to some nondescript corner of the room.

“...That’s uhm, they say a picture tells a thousand words, right? And I can’t seem to...shut up... Sorry, Miyabe...sama? I guess I’m not used to working with other people. If I ah, get annoying, you’re more than welcome to say so, okay? I’ll try to uhm...”

Assuming she hasn’t already wandered away from whatever trainwreck this is! Can you try to have a normal conversation for two minutes, Murakami? The pen Kouta held in his hands now seems very interesting, because his gaze is refuses to leave it to meet her. Suddenly he feels a thousand feet shorter, and somehow Yua is miles above him.

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

poetry is hard and so are titles || Kouta || Chapter 1 Club Event [ Open ]

Kouta had been jotting down some vague concepts for a poem when he heard some shuffling behind him. Someone coming over? To ask a question? To read over his non-existent poem?

“Uhm--!”

With an impressive speed for someone so frail-looking, the blond lunged forward to cover the scratch paper with his entire body. You know. As one does. Almost instinctively, he lets out an awkward laugh. Yikes. He must look ridiculous right now!

“Ah--sorry...! Uhm, that’s--it’s a force of habit, I guess. My unfinished work is always really embarrrassing, hahah... Uhm, not that I really have much of anything done yet...”

Ack, why are you still talking, Murakami!? No one wants to listen to you blather on like that! He can’t help it, the words all just seem to tumble out at once. It seemed like there was an apology in there somewhere, but the kid isn’t making any moves to uncover his paper or anything...so it doesn’t really feel like much of an apology. Just a typical, instinctual act of politeness without much of a driving force or meaning behind it.

Hoping to at least drive some meaning home, Kouta turns to face the person who approached him more directly! Right! He should really...try his best to be involved with him clubmates however he can, right? 

“Have...you had any luck writing a poem yet?”

The question feels more sincere, at least. The boy waits patiently, fiddling with the pen in his hands.

[iamboxchan-deactivated20180802]

[ Comfort : Kouta ]

[ @mangaxisxlit ]

   Box-chan has been sitting in the back of the room, flipping through one of the only manga series in the club room; Parfait Girls.

   It isn’t really…good, nor does she like it, but, it’s one of the few things that reminds her of…

   “Ah, Kou-chan!” she immediately takes notice of the boy entering, and waves him down.

   “O-Over here! I…um…I have…some questions…if it’s okay…!”

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

“Ah, Box-chan...san?” 

Oh no, Kouta still wasn’t totally sure how to address her! Maybe Box-san was better after all? Or does it have to be Box-chan? Like, would changing up the honorifics like that be disregarding her title or something? Ahh, being called over like that without any time to think this over... Hopefully she wouldn’t be too offended by being addressed incorrectly. 

Well, he can overthink that later! Now it’s more important to try to face the matter at hand. He can at least try to address her question correctly! Plagued by seemingly endless questions himself, Kouta probably wouldn’t be able to answer much of anything about their current situation--but the least he could do was to try! Even someone like him can listen to a question and do his best to give some kind of answer, right?

So he hesitantly takes a seat nearby. He probably should have stayed standing--it’d be awkward to have to get up and leave after answering her, but it sounded like this Box-chan had a few things on her mind, so...

“Uhm, did you need something? I’m not sure there’s much I can help with, but...”

[mangaxisxlit-blog]

??????????? || Kouta || Prologue [ Open ]

What a terrible dream.

The feeling is still fresh in his mind--but these sort of things are very delicate, fleeting--so as soon as Kouta wakes up, he immediately reaches for his messenger bag. Put it to paper, give it a voice. Give it a name. Then he will understand it better. Kouta hadn’t quite noticed these unfamiliar surroundings yet. After all, something more immediate has his attention for now.

“Huh...? ...My...sketchbook... My--My manuscript...?”

What? They’re not here. That’s...kind of concerning. He had them with him, right? Kouta definitely, definitely made sure to keep his sketchbook with him...! Gosh, hopefully he’d just spaced out and left them at home--what would happen if someone had stolen it? What if they poured water over it or tossed it in the trash or something?! He has a deadline soon, too... Where...

After a bit more looking, it looks like none of his other things are here, ether. Wha-- Why? ...How? Kouta always kept his messenger bag stocked with things he needs! Well, maybe not need, but-- 

It wasn’t unheard of for one of his sisters to take a couple of things out of his bag without asking first, but... This is... Ah, the more he thinks about it, he really doesn’t remember anything about any of this! Going to school...or...his deadline? Did he have one coming up...?

Did he...pass out or something? That’s...not good, to say the least. Closing his messenger bag, the blond gives a wary glance around the room. He really doesn’t want to bother anyone or make a bad impression, but it’s probably best to tell an adult about this, right? 

So Kouta hesitantly approaches the first person he sees. A person he doesn’t recognize. This room is full of people he doesn’t recognize...

“Uhm, excuse me... Do you, uh... Do you know where the teacher is? I think I should go to the nurse’s office...or something...”