It’s not often that you see a tall, muscular model sneaking out of the school pantry with a tub of cookie dough and a bag of apples in his arms. Most unusual of all was the crestfallen expression on the model’s normally chipper face.
Telltale signs of stress eating, by the looks of it. On top of that, he’d definitely grabbed a few too many things to carry in his arms. By the time he reached the next door he had to open, the model fumbled and sent a number of his apples scattering across the floor.
“Ah-- er.....crud....”
He looked up to the nearest person and smiled, only slightly embarrassed.
Who was he kidding? Ren wasn’t hungry in the slightest. His stomach felt like it was full of lead, his palms were sweaty, and his mind could hardly finish one thought before another one came zooming in.
He must have looked pretty out of place, sitting in the lunch room without so much as a single apple sitting in front of him. He hadn’t even grabbed a tray. Once in a while he’d look toward the line and contemplate grabbing something, but he always seemed to stop himself short of standing up.
He pulled the card out of his pocket and turned it over in his hands, trying his best to seem outwardly calm and collected. Knowing him it was probably only half-successful, but at least he didn’t look like complete hell.
Somehow, even when you think you’ve finally started to do okay, things have a way of catching up to you. And it always happens when someone least expects it.
This was going to be one such day for Ren Kurokawa.
The model was out for a walk on the town, his hands in his jacket pockets and his shoulders lightly swaying with his steps. He hummed a slightly off-key tune, letting his eyes travel around the street casually as he walked. Passing by a sweets shop, Ren paused and allowed himself a few moments to stare at the treats through a window. As the model indulged on the visual treats, he felt a presence approaching him from behind.
“Ren-kun?” A horrifyingly familiar voice sounded out, one that made his heart and stomach do somersaults and cartwheels as if they were in a circus act. He didn’t need to turn around to know who it was, and as the sounds of the man’s voice bounced around in his head, all he could hear was the same myriad of words echoing over and over: Perfect. Mistake. Secret. Perfect.
Whirling around, Ren froze at the sight of the man, the sight of his familiar face causing Ren to stumble for a second before saving face and blurting out his name with a dopey smile. That smile came on instinct, he wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to be smiling or not.
“Shin-- er, Kimura-san...! What, uh, what are you doing here?”
The artist smiled widely, his eyes looking Ren up and down a few times before letting out a gentle laugh.
“I’ve been traveling around the country for some time, searching for inspiration and a place where I can work on my art for now. My career has started to expand, so I’m expected to keep making art, you see. But...enough about me, Ren-kun, you’ve grown quite well.”
Those words sent a slight chill down the model’s spine, and there was no describing how it felt to have this man’s eyes looking over him once more. It felt as if he’d been pulled back in time, somehow. Once again, everything felt equally wrong and...somehow still welcoming. Maybe too welcoming.
“Oh-- uh, thanks. Well it’s good that your career’s been going well, Kimura-san...”
“I even heard you’ve begun attending Hope’s Peak! Why, I knew you had potential from the moment I met you.”
Somehow, the compliment made Ren feel sick for a moment. But soon enough, he felt himself rationalizing his every word. Surely he had no ill intent....it was friendly conversation. It was awful of Ren to assume anything different based on past mistakes....people could change, after all...
“Yeah, I’ve been going there for a little while now. It’s, uh, it’s really nice there.”
“I can imagine. But look at you now, Ren-kun, you’re nearly an adult. It hardly seems like chance that we’d meet again like this, perhaps since I am here for a time for my art....you’d like to join me for some tea at my current apartment? My studio, even. It would allow me to show you the work I’ve been doing-- I’ve certainly improved since you last saw.”
Ren felt his knees go weak for a moment as his stomach did a triple back flip. Shin wanted to see him again? It all seemed too good to be true....but at the same time, it seemed wrong. It seemed so wrong and dangerous, just like before, but...there came the rationalizing thoughts again. Two sides were fighting fiercely in his head, one telling him to accept him and feel happy about this, the other side screaming for Ren to run as far as he could and find comfort in his friends. But....maybe he did just want to have tea and show him his art. Maybe Ren had this man wrong somehow, maybe he’d changed, maybe...
“I can’t-- uh, not....today, anyway.” Ren responded quickly, some part of his mind screaming at him for even considering it and the other part screaming at him for saying no. Despite all of his rationalizing thoughts, part of Ren still wanted to say no. He wanted to turn around and leave and pretend none of this ever happened, but....he couldn’t say no. Not to Shin. He never, ever could. “I’m on lunch break from school, I only have a little while before I need to be back...”
“Oh, of course. But here, Ren-kun, have my card. You can give me a call when you’re free, hm?”
The artist held out a business card and Ren took took it to slip into his pocket. The way Shin held it almost forced Ren to graze his fingers against his hand, causing the model to go almost numb suddenly. With a stiff nod and smile, he bid Shin farewell and felt that familiar chill in his spine when the artist lightly patted his arm in his departure. Ren was left walking briskly, shakily back to school, his mind a whirlwind of uncertainty
Cake and Ice Cream (Closed RP with innocencewarriors)
@innocencewarriors
This time of the year always somehow felt a bit sadder than the rest of the year. The cold weather, being all cooped up indoors (it being harder to find good ice cream shops that are open), the list went on. Ren sighed and laid back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling for a time.
Eventually, his mind wandered over to his friends-- especially the ones he hadn’t seen in some amount of time. How was Aki doing? This time of year must have been busy for him, he could imagine a lot of people wanted special cakes or something for their significant others around this time anyway.
Maybe he’d wanna hang out. It’s been a little while....
Ren pulled out his phone and typed a quick message to his friend, hoping for a positive response.
[text to: nina with the pretty hair and tall legs] i found pancakes for breakfast!!!
[text to: Momiji Ishihara] Would you care to accompany me to the cafeteria this morning?
[text to: Armand Quincy] hey uh do you have the notes for class this afternoon? I missed yesterday and need to see them before class if thats okay with you. uh if not then I’ll see you in class
[text to: Kaida Grimm] Good morning. I happened to notice that they had strawberry pancakes at breakfast. Would you like me to bring you some?
Send “✉” for a text that WASN’T SENT.
[text to: Rowan!!!]
[text to: fuckin nerd] holy shit your little sister is a pain in the ass
[text to: nina with the pretty hair and tall legs] am i really going to be a giant???
[text to: Momiji Ishihara] I am sorry for
[text to: Armand Quincy] so are you and Ro doing alright? I worry about you two a lot
[text to: Kaida Grimm] If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?
Send “@” for a SCARED text.
[text to: Rowan!!!]
[text to: fuckin nerd] some asshole brought a dog to school. fuck this noise
[text to: nina with the pretty hair and tall legs] suits are scary!! can you come walk with me???
[text to: Momiji Ishihara] I feel as if I should not be leaving campus.
[text to: Armand Quincy] i just had to go get something from a supply closet for the teacher. that place was way too cramped
[text to: Kaida Grimm] Could you please come to my room? I am....unwell.
Send “&” for a LOVING text.
[text to: Rowan!!!]
[text to: fuckin nerd] youre a nerd
[text to: nina with the pretty hair and tall legs] nina your really cool! i wanna be cool too!!!
[text to: Momiji Ishihara] Thank you for being considerate. It is appreciated.
[text to: Armand Quincy] man you’re a really good piano player. still cant wrap my head around it honestly.
[text to: Kaida Grimm] I want you to know that you are very important, Miss Kaida.
Send “%” for a CURIOUS text.
[text to: Rowan!!!]
[text to: fuckin nerd] how the fuck do i code this kind of a mod? this shit makes no sense.
[text to: nina with the pretty hair and tall legs] whats your favorite animal? whats your favorite color? whats your favorite food?
[text to: Momiji Ishihara]
[text to: Armand Quincy] so what’s your opinion on ice cream?
[text to: Kaida Grimm] Did you happen to see two younger girls in the hallways earlier? They seemed familiar...
Send “ツ” for an EXCITED text.
[text to: Rowan!!!]
[text to: fuckin nerd] so I just made a mod that turns every npc in this game into a seagull. no reason why really
[text to: nina with the pretty hair and tall legs] i found a GIANT dog today and i got to pet it!!!!
[text to: Momiji Ishihara]
[text to: Armand Quincy] they have ice cream in the cafeteria! new flavors!
A thought about them that they’d never share: ”Nothin’ I wouldn’t share, t’ be honest.”First impression of them: “This nerd’s got a good sense of humor.”Favorite thing about them: “He’s jus’ a good guy...”Least favorite thing about them: “Stop fallin’ down the goddamn stairs so much, nerd.”Hopes for their future relationship: “Hopin’ he’s not goin’ anywhere anytime soon...”
Pierce/Rowan:
A thought about them that they’d never share: “She looked really legit in that Poison Ivy costume--”First impression of them: “Oh man...this girl’s tough.”Favorite thing about them: “How can I pick a favorite? Literally almost everything about her is just so cool!!”Least favorite thing about them: “I wanna see her smile sometime...”Hopes for their future relationship: “I wanna see her smile and hold her hand and just...yeah, let’s keep this going for a bit...!”
Kaida/Tsubasa:
A thought about them that they’d never share: Tsubasa stares in cold silence. It looks like he isn’t going to share it.First impression of them: “......she is...kind....”Favorite thing about them: “Her selfless nature....she is kind to...everyone. Without hesitation. She makes the world...brighter.”Least favorite thing about them: “..............there is nothing.”Hopes for their future relationship: “.....I simply hope she does not leave.....”
Akemi/Momiji:
A thought about them that they’d never share: “She is far more intelligent and profound than she pretends to be. Nonetheless...she is admirable.”First impression of them: “.....an utter fool with few boundaries.”Favorite thing about them: “......she is stubbornly compassionate. And she...is able to offer rather useful advice.”Least favorite thing about them: “I do not see why she chooses to hide her abilities...or why she continues to treat me as a...friend...”Hopes for their future relationship: “..............”
Nobu/Nina:
A thought about them that they’d never share: “????? Why wouldn’t I share??”First impression of them: “Tall! She said I could be tall too!!”Favorite thing about them: “She’s so tall and pretty!!”Least favorite thing about them: “???????”Hopes for their future relationship: “I want to ride on her shoulders!”
Ren/Armand:
A thought about them that they’d never share: “....he really should go see Ro. I wonder what happened there...”First impression of them: “Real nice guy...!”Favorite thing about them: “Well, he plays the piano really well! But my favorite thing’s probably just how kind he is...”Least favorite thing about them: “Can’t say I can think of one yet....well, unless there’s something going on with him and Ro, but I don’t know enough about that to really say.”Hopes for their future relationship: “Well hey, maybe we can be friends...!”
Ren tossed and turned in his bead, his blankets getting thrown to and fro in his panic. Beads of sweat clung to his brow and he whimpered in discomfort as he fought the nightmare.
‘Rennie-kun! Rennie-kun...! Please....help--! Help me--! It hurts--!’
Within his dream, Ren stood at the end of a long, narrow hallway with seemingly countless doors lining the walls. He knew these floors....the scratched, creaky floors, the chipped paint on the walls, the low ceiling, the glaring yellow lights....he remembered this whole hallway, and it was a place he hoped he would never have to see again.
Where was she? Where were they keeping her? Ren had to get to her. He had to help. He tried in vain to run down the hall, feeling as if his legs were attached to lead weights. He’d check every single door, if he had to.
He threw one door open, but it led only to a small, darkened closet. He flung open the next one, and the next one, but each door only yielded the same result. The voice was closer...she had to be through one of these doors. She had to. Her cries were getting louder, more pained...he had to hurry before it was too late. He opened another door, revealing yet another closet. Before he could turn around, however, he felt a sharp push on his back, followed by the sound of the door slamming behind him.
All he could hear was the sound of screaming. His own and....hers. He threw his entire weight against the door, unable to discern any details in the darkness of the closet. The walls were closing in, he knew they were, but the door wouldn’t budge. No matter how hard he hit the door, he wouldn’t be able to break out in time.
The screaming stopped--
And just in time, Ren shot up from his bed with a scream still caught in his throat. He’d need to get out of this room for a while....sleep wasn’t going to come back for quite a while.
