MEPHISTO'S MANIFESTO

S.H.S.L. Class President : Kenneth H. Campbell

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Rat Trap (OPEN)

Five days.

It had been five full days since Kenneth had left his dorm.

And with good reason.

He'd been hiding out, all bunkered up in his little room ever since the end of the last trial. He knew what was coming, he wasn't stupid. The looks he got said it all. One toe out of line, and you're dead.

He was, as it were, Public Enemy #1.

He had skittered out of the court room like some sort of vermin, and barricaded his door. He new he was at the top of everyone's shit list right now, he couldn't afford to pretend otherwise. His plan was to wait it out till the end; stay out of sight, stay out of mind.

What he hadn't allotted for in this oh-so-brilliant plan of his though, was the crushing humility of it all. When you're licking the crumbs out of your last pack of saltines, and got your head in the bathroom sink cause the bubbler's two corridors too far, you start to get real familiar with Shame.

Let's just say these sweats of his were starting to feel real 'lived in.'

But he couldn't keep it up. He was in such a rush when he was grabbing food from the mess hall, he'd only snagged enough for maybe a week (and that was stretching it, he was losing weight fast,) and he was already scraping the bottom of the barrel. 

It was looking like he was going to have to make a quick run for supplies... shit.

Tentatively, Kenneth opened his door. It was late in the evening, maybe no one was up? He hoped so at least. It'd be a real fucking bad time to make a guest appearance right now, after hiding out for the week.

Just as it looked like he was clear, he heard foot steps. Shit, shit!

He spun around on his would-be assailant, eyes wide with a 'caught-in-the-act' kind of fear in them. He couldn't even bring himself to stutter out a hello.

[shslstuntgal]

A little sore in all the right places (Kenneth, Suzu and later, Souda thread)

[shslstuntgal]

"Please, you can just call me Suzu." She said with a nod. “Maybe later on, we’ll be able to find some kind of infirmary…" She said after a moment. Well, it was the best they could hope for at least, right? Until then, Suzu planned to watch out for Kenneth, and keep an eye out for an infirmary. It was the least she could do, after messing up his shoulder. 

"He’s been so nice to me. In fact, he was my first friend here…" Yes, Kouta was the one who spoke to her first when others thought she was off her rocker for seeming so calm around dead bodies. She cared about all of her friend, Kenneth included, but the bond with Kouta came quickly, as it did with Elizabeth.  "Bully me…?" She never thought of it like that before. Sure, her treatment was unfair, but she just went along with it all this time. After all, he was her guardian. When it all boiled down to it, didn’t an adolescents words count less than an adults? But as he showed her such conviction, Suzu wondered if her friend was right. Was it really so unfair? Did she rightfully deserve that which her parents left behind? …yes, she most certainly did. She deserved to be happy, and live alone if she choose to. "You…really don’t have to go that far for me. Are you sure, Ken-kun?" She looked the boy curiously in the eyes as he brought the message across. The eyes of a lonely girl were no longer there. It was now certain that she definitely had friends who cared so much about her. "…Only if you’re sure then." 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Kenneth breathed out his words in a huff. "I'd rather tough it out, if it's all the same to you. We don't get new floors unless there's... a loss, y'know." Well, it was true even if it was dark.

"It would be nothing, honest." He said, evenly. With a wry smirk and a wink of his eye, he added, "Would it really be so hard for a politician's son to find a decent attorney?"

"Anyway, Miss- ah. Suzu. Just Suzu." he prattled, making of show of their new familiarity. "I insist. On the behalf of both you and Kouta." Another charming smile. "You're not the only one with a soft spot for him."

Kenneth was beaming inside and out. Perfect. Perfect execution (as expected. And he had doubted himself! Feh. A Campbell always delivers.)

Now, for a gentle nudge in the right direction...

A snap of the bottle said they were through tending their sunburns. The foreplay (essentially) had gone on long enough. Kenneth had matters to attend to.

"You know, Miss Suzu... we never did decide on a leader, did we? I mean, it's really none of my concern but, can the Enforcers really go unattended for so long?" 

[shslstuntgal]

A little sore in all the right places (Kenneth, Suzu and later, Souda thread)

[shslstuntgal]

Suzu shrugged calmly as Kenneth continued to rub aloe on her. “But like me, if that hadn’t happened to you, then you wouldn’t have made friends with us. Friends who will…get you out of this place alive." Perhaps friends he could make lasting memories with. The boy seemed to have pretty awful memories if he didn’t talk about his past all that much.

"Oh, Ken-kun…!" Suzu turned sharply for a moment, a concerned look on her face. "…I’m so sorry for that. Are you alright?" Truth be told, Suzu felt terrible about earlier. While she felt as if she knew what she was doing, in truth, the Crash Test Dummy was far from a doctor. Her method of ‘fixing up Ken’ was an attempt. A bad one, really, to help based on what she’d seen. “I doesn’t matter if it’s legal or not…” Suzu said with a sad sigh. “At the end of the day, he’s my uncle. Besides…many people have tried to report it, but…” She simply shook her head with a sad smile. “Anyway, I’m far away from all of that now. So it’s…not a big issue for the time being. And Kouta-kun wants me to live with him as his big sister when we leave. So for now, that’s good enough.”

[votecampbell2016-blog]

"I'm fine, Miss Suzuki." He said, wince coming through his smile despite his best efforts. Sure, he could take the pity-play route with her, but did he really want to look weak? "It's just a little sore. Like a said before, it's nothing I can't handle."

 Something about that bond of theirs almost... resonated with him. He never had anything like that in the orphanage. "Really? That'ts... very sweet of you Suzu. Kouta really deserves a guardian like you..."

He leaned back on his haunches, and tucked his chin into a contemplative hand. "But are you sure you can keep afloat, just on your own like that?"

Then, in a grand show of conviction he pounded a fist into his open palm. With a look of sheer deliberateness, he vowed to her, "No, Miss Suzuki. As your friend, there's no way I can just sit by and let him bully you out of your inheritance. "

Daring to place a hand onto hers, he looked her in the eyes. Reel her in, Campbell. This might be your ticket into the inner circle. Into the Lead Enforcer's seat...

"When we get out of here, I swear to you; I will get my father's best lawyers on your case. You'll see every penny- er, yen -of your parent's fortune. Understand?"

[magicalboykouta]

*pssst* Guys...Guys!!

[magicalboykouta]

Ehh! You really think that’ll work!?

I mean, it’s easy for you, Campbell-san! You’re really cool and lots of people like you! But…would it really be that easy for someone like me?

*ahem* Hypothetically.

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Oh, yes of course; purely hypothetically speaking.

Yes, I know. I make it all look so easy... but really, anybody can do it Kouta. I mean, take Souda for instance. Even he can get a date! (Allegedly.)

I say give it a try. If it doesn't work out, then maybe she's not worth your time.

[magicalboykouta]

*pssst* Guys...Guys!!

It’s a little embarrassing, but…say I wanted to ask a girl on a date to a festival!! Hypothetically! Not real or applicable in any situation at all here. Just…hypothetical. Hypothesis…es. Hypo…theoretically.

How would I do that in a super cool and impressive way!? Please help. Hypothetically. 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Well, "hypothetically," I think your best bet is wooing her. Do something special. Be smooth, cool, charming (like a certain someone you know.)

Tch, I know! Slip a note under her door. It's straight out of a romance novel; she'll love it. 

[shslstuntgal]

A little sore in all the right places (Kenneth, Suzu and later, Souda thread)

[shslstuntgal]

Maybe Suzu didn’t believe they could truly be best friends. Did she wish it instead? In any case, the girl wasn’t entirely sure, but she knew that she cared about both of them very much. Whatever either of them did, or were about to do, she cared too much about both of them. God, when had things changed this much? When had she begun to care like this? 

As Ken rubbed the gel on Suzu’s back, the girl shivered a bit at the touch. The sensation felt nice, but at the same time, very weird. Still, she’d say nothing for now. Doing so would only make the redhead question her further, right? Was this a bad thing then? A good thing? "So your adopted family was wealthy then. I suppose…that’s quite fortunate." She said with a shrug. Even so, she should have guessed that from the way he carried himself. “Except for the school filled with snobs, that is." She offered a slight chuckle at this before going on. “Actually, my family is pretty well off also. In fact, we have a large library at home. Even so, once my uncle took over the Suzuki family and company, I wasn’t allowed to see even a cent of the money. I suppose that’s why I didn’t go to a large scale school, like yourself."  She pondered after a moment, only to add “Not that I mind really. I feel that, if things turned out how I would have liked, I wouldn’t be here. The situation itself is a bad one, but…I’ve made friends with all of you, so I’m grateful." Must have seemed ironic really, to be the crash tester of her parent’s own company.

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Kenneth stiffened. "Yeah... fortunate. I guess you could say that." Despite how often he used his father to get his way, Kenneth honestly hated talking about his family history. It was... a sore spot.

Speaking of which... He rolled his shoulder, wincing at the tightness. He guessed Suzu's borderline shiatsu had agitated it. Not really her fault, though. Probably had some problems with pressure sensitivity or whatever. As he shook out another gob of gel, he contemplated asking her if she had any Bengay. 

While he slathered the aloe onto her back though, he focused less on his shoulder and more on her story. Kenneth was a little taken aback by her own home situation. "You're not serious, are you? That's hardly legal!" He said, with a little indigence. 

He couldn't imagine being swindled like that by his Godfather. (Maybe by his biological dad, but that was another story.) 

[shslstuntgal]

What is love? (Open)

[shslstuntgal]

"Even if I did think of those things, I was always told that I was trash. Since…they died." Her smile was sad, but there nonetheless. “I didn’t want to believe it,  but I suppose it couldn’t be helped at the time." She looked down for a moment, only to look Kenneth in the eyes once again. 

All these things he listed were things she had to learn to be like. Things she had to work on in order to ensure her own survival whilst living with her uncle. There was no ‘sympathy’ from him. She had to clean for herself, cook and clothe herself. There were no happy times or presents. There were never even any school field trips that she could attend. Those were times when her uncle would force her to be in the driving seat for ‘extra time’. "You’re…too kind." Even to someone like her, Kenneth was far too kind. He was trying to convince her that she deserved the kindness, the bragging rights. That she was a worthwhile person who others appreciated. And certainly she was appreciated in this place at least. But she was far too humble. Or was this ‘humble’ attitude more than just being that?  "…Thank you, Ken-kun." She smiled at him now, as the childish contract was formed. With this, they could probably protect Kouta with his thoughts of saving the others a little longer. The boy needed as much protection as he could get, really. In fact, she would have gone as far as to ask for another promise, but this was enough.  "Maybe…I will borrow something from her sometime. I think her clothes might fit me." She considered it, only to scratch her chin. “If I did that…would you go out with me like this again one day? If we get out of here, that is? I think I’d like…to go on a trip with you and a few of the others."

[votecampbell2016-blog]

"It's no problem," Kenneth said, "I'm pretty used to making contracts."  He usually wasn't the one signing them, though, but that was a different matter. If this little pinky swear was enough to gain her trust, he was going to have it made from here on out.

But, the mention of getting out of there... it took him aback. He honestly hadn't even considered that possibility yet. Had he really been so pessimistic? Maybe he was so caught up in this dog-eat-dog situation, he hadn't the time to really think of his 401k, post Insanity. Shit, this place was getting to him...

He broke into a haphazard smile, and said to her, "Y-yes. I would. I would like that very much." 

"In fact, I-" He was cut off at the sight of someone approaching the table. Honestly, it was about time her date got here. But, lo and behold, that familiar shit-eating grin graced them with it's presence. Souda Goichi, all dressed to the teeth. Insan probably had her work cut out for her, trying to stuff him into some respectable clothes for a change.

He had to bite back a particularly nasty laugh when the other caught his eye (with his date.) If looks could kill...

He whispered wrlyly to Suzu,"Looks like that's my cue to skedaddle." 

Then, urged on by his competitive nature, he had the audacity to actually peck Suzu on the cheek before skirting away with a loud "It was nice talking with you, Miss Suzu! Let's do it again sometime.~"

He snickered to himself as he strode off, briefly shouldering Goichi on the way.

Sometimes, he just couldn't resist.

[shslstuntgal]

A little sore in all the right places (Kenneth, Suzu and later, Souda thread)

[shslstuntgal]

"You are forgiven. Just…please work on it." Suzu nodded at the boy as she turned her back to him. She sat with her legs in a butterfly stretch position as she waited for him to apply the aloe to her exposed back. Perhaps it was a good thing for Suzu to be wearing the white tank top in this situation. 

"I will admit that much." She said with a sigh. “But I feel like he’s changed since he came here, if only a bit. I also think that you helped with his change, Campbell-san." She nodded over at him politely as she offered the compliment. “I know that…you both clash now, but I feel like you will both turn out to be the best of friends one day. I don’t know how I know, but I do."  Suzu felt small compared to the ginger as she sat there in front of him on the bed. It was natural though, with her build. Of course, she never much cared for or noticed body type and the like. Why should it matter to her, really? “Yes, I would appreciate it very much." She replied simply. Leaning towards the dresser, Suzu managed to grab the aloe from where she sat. Even so, had she inched a little further, the crash test doll might have crashed into the dressed instead.  "What was your old school like, Campbell-san?" She asked after awhile. Perhaps a subject change was nice. 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

He suppressed a scoff deep in his chest. Best of friends? Alright, sure. That'll happen, right after Kouta swore in as his VP (i.e. never.)

He sighed, deciding to drop it. She seemed a little touchy right now when it came to Goichi. He could try that route again any time, but right now he had brownie points to score.

"Heh, in a word? Prestigious." He warmed the gel between his palms, thinking back on his old school. Old kingdom, practically.

"It was an all-boys boarding school. Mostly kids of the wealthy, some others who had scholarships." He slathered a thick glob of aloe onto her upper back, trying to focus more on St.Vincent's and less on her skin. "That is to say, snobs and know-it-alls. I wouldn't really recommend it."

[shslstuntgal]

Volleyball (S,K, E, Ken, Sou)

[shslghostchatter]

Elizabeth patted Ken on the head gently, making sure that he was alright. She had to admit she felt something was going on between the Kendo Master and Transfer Student, but she didn’t really expect them to show their affection in public! Perhaps she would have to consider just who was ‘in charge’ between them, just in case.

As she pouted, she listened to Suzu earnestly. “Hmmmm~ Well, Why not Senpai? You seem to be the more collected one in the group!" She took a lick from her popsicle and smiled at the rest of the enforcers. “O-Oh! R-Right, I’m not an enforcer yet, am I?" Elizabeth only came because she was invited, but the Peace Enforcers looked like a fun group to hang around with. 

[magicalboykouta]

"Elizabeth-chan is right!" Kouta added enthusiastically. He turned to give the girl a reassuring smile. Elizabeth would be a good enforcer too, he thought—maybe he would ask her about it later. Surely Suzu wouldn’t be opposed to letting the medium join, as long as Elizabeth wanted to.

"You’re kind of already the leader, aren’t you, Suzu-chan? You set up this meeting for us, after all…" Kouta added thoughtfully, wiping a stray bit of watermelon off of his face. He had just sort of assumed that Suzu was their new leader, so making it official couldn’t be a bad thing.

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Kenneth sat pouting by Suzu, cradling his arm so as not to disturb his shoulder. This was great. Just peachy. This situation they were in was the perfect place to nurse a busted back, after all.

He scoffed a bit at Elizabeth’s nomination. Collected, sure. Leadership material? Not exactly. But he couldn’t be so brash, his footing was already loose enough now that he was incapacitated. 

His eyebrow twitched, and he had to keep himself from glowering over at Kouta. "Well, Kouta, is it really fair to just assume leadership like that, without our say? I mean, that's not very democratic, is it?" 

He gave a small, soft laugh. "But yes, why not? You are the picture of composure, Miss Suzu; a fine candidate."

He paused, trying to look contemplative. In reality, he knew exactly what he was going say. He rehearsed for such an occasion.

Tapping a finger to his chin, he spoke with concern, “But, do you really want to take on that responsibility? It’s quite the burden after all; I speak from experience."

[shslstuntgal]

Volleyball (S,K, E, Ken, Sou)

[shslkendostar-deactivated201503]

That did it, ‘oompf’ huh? He should show him ‘oompf’. Oompf his damn face in. As it sailed back over the net, he forgot Elizabeth was with him…just a little. Damn team sports. 

So he ended up stepping forwards and hitting the ball back. And jumping in front like that every time it got hit back over, but once it got to the fourth time he finally lost his cool looking at Ken’s smug face, doing another jumping shot like at the start, aimed straight at Ken.

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Kenneth noticed his spike much too late, and when he actually had the mind to react his feet were both caught in the thick of the sand. The ball hit him square in the chest, and with his feet tripping up beneath him he went sailing back.

He hit the wet sand with a dense thud, and almost instantaneously he felt pain flood through his right shoulder. He could've sworn it sounded like something in there cracked.

"SHI-SHIT." he grunted, head bowed down in pain. 

There wasn't much else to say.

[shslstuntgal]

What is love? (Open)

[shslstuntgal]

"My own definition…alright." Suzu scratched her head slightly as she thought of what to say next. “While the rest of you have important titles here, for example, I’m just good at being used as a target. Because that is my title." She said simply, a sad smile on her face. 

"I am a decent student and I love reading…just about anything, but that’s all people recognize me for at the end of the day. So that’s why…" She nodded at him. “One day, I think I’d like to stop being a Crash Test Dummy though. Maybe take care of injured animals for a living." She blushed slightly at the idea of this. Taking care of someone’s loved one like that. Just the idea of saving someone who was held dear was enough to make her want to achieve that dream.  She nodded as Kenneth offered to protect her. Both he and Kouta were trying so hard to protect her. It was sweet, such a thought really. Suzu never really felt as if she deserved protection, but she wouldn’t really say that. “I really wish I met you back at my old school… We’re a lot alike, Ken-kun." She admitted. “Even down to…our parents. I never thought I’d meet someone else like that." Then again, she never figured to meet anyone else period. This opportunity, no matter how deadly it became, was still an opportunity for her. One of which she cherished. "As for my parents, that’s no trouble. I just…wish I could remember them, but the doctor’s who have treated me on various occasions feel like that is…impossible." She said with a weak smile. “Because all those crash tests have done a lot of damage to the memory portion of my brain." She sighed at this.  "They say I’m lucky that I can still make memories, both short term and long term now, however…if I continue these crash tests for too long, I might one day lose even that." She looked over at the red head who was trying his best to flatter her. “Actually, I’ve never told anyone that. So can…you perhaps keep that a secret between the two of us?" She put up her hand, her pinky extended. “So this way, you can protect my secret as well as me…if that’s not too much trouble."  Suzu was glad that Kenneth changed the subject. The boy really was the first she’d opened up to about her memories. Even with Kouta, she hadn’t told him about her brain damage. The boy didn’t need to know about something so sad. After all, he’d promised to help her ‘recover’ those memories. She’d made no such promise to Kenneth, however. “Maybe you’re right. I think I would actually love to wear more cute things. Even if Elizabeth-chan would look cuter in them then I would."

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Kenneth was struck a little dumb at her self-image. Disposable? How could anyone view their self so lowly...

"That's a pretty dark way of putting it, in my opinion." Kenneth said. "Have you ever considered how gracious you are? And so level-headed! Not to mention independent, polite and strong-willed- The list goes on! And I've only known you these past few weeks."

He ducked his head toward her, deliberating making eye-contact. "If you think you're nothing special, Suzu, I'm afraid for once you're very, very wrong."

He felt a wide smile set in, happy to hear he had such a good reception with her. It would make things a little smoother down the road, for sure. "Me too. Its hard to come across such a genuine person these days."

He frowned. It seemed like this girl had quite the burdens to carry. At least she seemed like she was fine with shouldering them. "I guess I'm pretty lucky then. I was put up for adoption, so my bio-parents are still kicking I'm afraid. I even got a chance to meet my real father..." He shuddered at the memory. No, it was time to switch topics now for sure.

He smirked at such a childish little contract. A 'pinky promise.' He hadn't made one of those since elementary. Nonetheless, he linked his little finger with hers. He placed a flat hand against his breast, and spoke in a very humble tone, (the kind one might use when being sworn into office.) "On my word as an elected official, I promise Miss Suzu."

"And I think Elizabeth should lend you more. Like I said, clothes make the man." He tittered, taking another swig from his punch. "Or, heh, lady in this case."

[shslstuntgal]

A little sore in all the right places (Kenneth, Suzu and later, Souda thread)

[shslstuntgal]

Suzu sighed as Souda left, but nodded as well. She would take the apology for now, but she really needed some time to cool off. All this was just getting insane. Couldn’t the two get along? For once during their time together? It was now time for Kenneth to hear what she had to say to him as well! 

"Kenneth, you really shouldn’t get a…rise out of him like that." She said after awhile. She looked concerned, her sunburnt cheeks giving off the impression that she was blushing even if she wasn’t. “I understand that he was the one who almost broke my door down, but…you two really need to learn to get along. After all, you’re both enforcers." She bit her lower lip as she said this.  "Still, I’m sure you can both really do it if you tried. You’re both great people. …I suppose that I wish Souda-kun saw things that way." Yes, she knew that Kenneth felt positive about himself. As a contrast, Souda did not, and it showed, despite his facade. Suzu never thought she’d have an emotional outburst like that, much less lecture them both, and yet, here she was, doing just that. 

"Can you look at my back to see how badly it’s burnt? I wasn’t kidding when I said I can’t feel it.." Well, she could feel a weird ‘peel-ey’ feeling, but the girl never received a sunburn in her life. After all, she usually spent her time indoors, indulging upon books. She received burns from car accidents, sure, but that was a completely different ballgame entirely. 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

He ceased his snickering as soon as Suzu turned to him. "Ah, y-yes. My apologies." Was their rivalry really so obvious? And this whole time he thought the both of them had been hiding it so well. "I didn't mean to be unprofessional." He felt his chest puff a bit at the mention of his status. Yes, he was an enforcer now, wasn't he? And who knows what next. "I won't let anything personal affect my work ethic, I assure you."

He said though, a little snidely, "But, you must admit Mr. Goichi is a little... difficult. To say the least." 

"Yes, of course," he muttered, giving a quick nod. Kenneth turned her a bit by her arm, and got a good view of her neck and shoulders. She was pretty slender, wasn't she... Her burn wasn't awful, but still, any sunburn was a bad sunburn. 

He eyed the aloe on the dresser. "Do you, um... Do you want me to help you with that?" he said, thickly.

[shslstuntgal]

Volleyball (S,K, E, Ken, Sou)

[shslkendostar-deactivated201503]

Souda felt himself get flustered, damn he should be more careful. He hung his head and gave a sorry look, “I erm…I guess it slipped my mind. I’m sorry Ken, it was an honest mistake. Still friends buddy?" He gave ken a sharp hard grin, more a show of teeth as he finished speaking.

With Ken’s serve, Souda was a little more careful this time, hitting the ball back over more carefully and a little lazily, if only to avoid further scrutiny. He could bide his time.

[shslghostchatter]

Elizabeth smiled worriedly at Souda. She had expected him to be good but not be that good to bring a foul. Maybe he could use that as a finishing blow sooner or later, but never mind that, now it was game time! Elizabeth watched her teammate hit the ball, “Don’t hit it like that, Goichi-san! Use more energy!" She said to him enthusiastically, bouncing up and down with every step she made. Volleyball was fun, even though she didn’t hit anything yet.

[votecampbell2016-blog]

"Oh, it's no problem!" He said, leaning on his knees, "Like I said, I'm a little rusty myself." Yeah, that was more like it, Goichi. Kenneth Campbell was King of the Beach. 

As the ball swooped overhead, Kenneth set it with a solid smack. If it hadn't been for the annoying bums back at the beach, he almost would've missed this. The surf, the sand, and the perfect chance to show  off. Nearly paradise.

"That's the spirit, Elizabeth!" He called, bouncing on the balls of his feet, "You should listen to your teammate, Souda! Put in some of that oompf of yours!" 

[shslstuntgal]

What is love? (Open)

[shslstuntgal]

"It’s quite alright. Still…I don’t think I understand what you mean by…lucky." Suzu looked at the boy curiously, hoping to get an explanation. Still, she supposed she ought to explain first. “I hope I don’t seem to be…vying for attention. I merely meant that I’ve grown under the idea that I’m…nothing special." She would’ve said disposable, but she figured it might upset someone she was good friends with. 

"Pity? That’s…not what I meant at all." Suzu replid earnestly. She looked a little guilty as he said that, only to gaze at the tie he wore. Was it crooked? Taking a closer look at it, Suzu adjusted it. “It looked a little lopsided. You’d think the bear knew how to tie a tie." She said with a shrug. "Mr. or Mrs. right…I don’t think that exists. Not for me, anyway." She paused, trying to find the right words to say. “I know it may seem weird, but I never thought about dating anyone before I got here. I came across to others as a selfish person who looked out for herself. …The reality was much harsher than that…" Yes, she remembered trying to make friends on several occasions, but her uncle wouldn’t even let her invite her friends to the home. “I’m just grateful for what I have right now…I suppose. Although, if I ‘hit things off’ with someone as you suggest, then I suppose it isn’t…completely out of the question. So long as they understand my boundaries."  "It looks fine to me, in any case. I haven’t been to a formal occasion like this. Not unless you count the outings I attended back when my parents were alive. Only I don’t remember them very much." She admitted. The girl had shared plenty with Kenneth, but this was a first to talk about her life at home. “If you have nicer suits, than maybe you can wear them in front of me next time. As for me, I don’t normally wear things like this." She smiled again as she looked at the redhead. 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

"Oh psh," Ken tutted, waving her off. "Miss Suzu, if you don't think you're anything special, then I'd love to hear your own definition." He took a small sip from his cup, trying to hide his slight blush. She made ass-kissing pretty difficult, didn't she? "I'm afraid your dictionary might be a little out-dated."

Suzu was a huge departure from any of the other girls Ken had fooled around with back in the states. He couldn't think of the word- Aloof? Cold? No, no. She didn't seem to be so... removed, on purpose. There just seemed to be this barrier between her and everyone else. Some kind of distance he couldn't seem to cross.

She'd be a tough one to crack, for sure. Smooth talk and white lies wouldn't cut it this time. 

And speaking of barriers...

"Oh, they'd better understand." Kenneth gave a mock flex of his arm, tucking his suit sleeve up to show the slight muscle. "Or they'd have to answer to a higher authority." 

As he relaxed, his smiled waned a little though. "But seriously, Suzu. If anyone bothers you, I can take care of it. That is, if you will let me." He sighed. "I won't stand any imbecile treating a fine girl like you with anything but respect."

Kenneth blinked. "Oh, I'm so sorry." She brought up such serious things so freely... But with her condition, and the apparent death of her parents,  maybe her social skills weren't so surprising. Poor thing.

"If it's any consolation, I lost my birth parents as well." He made move to place his hand on hers, but thought better of it. 

He tried to make a quick change of subject, not wanting to dwell on his own family history as well as hers. "I'd like'd that. And really? You should do it more often." He patted down his lapels as he chirped, "A fine wardrobe can do wonders for the self-esteem."

[shslstuntgal]

What is love? (Open)

[shslstuntgal]

“Who says I have some…lucky guy that I’m waiting for?” Suzu asked with a confused look. “Then again, who is to say it’s a boy in the first place.” She couldn’t help but smile a bit as Kenneth sat next to her. Somehow, they always seemed to have some wonderful conversations, but he seemed lonely. Perhaps as if she wouldn’t waste time on him by speed dating?  Of course, this thought barely crossed her mind. Kenneth seemed like a nice person who deserved a chance here, date number or no. “Honestly, I was hoping I could enjoy this speed date thing with you as well, Kenneth. Because…I’ve never experienced anything like it, and you seem like someone who might have experience there.” She scratched her nose a bit as she said this.  “So until then, why don’t we have a ‘speed date’ of our own? Whatever…that means.” She tried to look as inviting as possible as he acted a little ‘small’. “Besides: You’re dressed up really nice too. Wouldn’t it be a waste or…something?” 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

Ken raised an eyebrow, Dixie cup hovering at his mouth. "Forgive me, I merely assumed." Funny, usually he was the one making cracks like that. "Lucky sir, lucky lady; whichever you prefer."

He waved his hands about (making a rather sour face) almost as soon as she suggested it. "Oh, Miss Suzuki! I wouldn't dream of making you do that. I'm a strong, independent young man." He gave a playful, sarcastic little sniff, "I don't need your pity!"

As they laughed, he paused and sobered a bit. "And who knows? I don't think Mr. or Mrs. Right would be very happy if I stole you away for the evening," he said, voice low. "...no matter how much I'd enjoy that. I just don't want to get my ass kicked, pardonnez mon français." 

He mulled over the idea of spending the night with Suzu. In that dress, it wasn't such a dismal prospect. But, he couldn't put the delicate balance of things out of whack yet. He had to make sure things with Suzu were stable before he tired anything thing else.

He chuckled in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? This is the cheapest suit I've ever been in." Grabbing one of the lapels of his jacket, he tugged it out on display. "You'd think that if that cat would go to the trouble of setting all this up, it'd at least try to find something a little classier than polyester," he spat, playing up his show of disgust.

[magicalboykouta]

Cosmo Tip #21943 {Souda, Kenneth, Suzu}

[shslkendostar-deactivated201503]

Souda bristled at the implied jabs from Ken, but resisted punching him. Clapping Kouta soundly on the shoulder Souda sneered, “Maybe you’re right Kenneth if that works for you. But then, real men like me and kouta don’t need to pay women to come off the street and be with us!” He laughed loudly, head thrown back almost like Yukan did.

Looking down at Kouta he got down on his level too, took Koutas hands away from his nose and grasped them firmly, eyes ablaze with conviction as he looked Kouta in the eye. “Kouta! Never be ashamed of the wounds of your body! Let them be proof of your life! If girls don’t like it, then they’re too shallow to be worth your time!” Thats what he went with anyway. Not like he could change the scars on his own body now.

[shslstuntgal]

As Suzu finished up her speed dates, she looked around to look for a few of her friends. Sighing, she saw Kouta cornered by Souda and Kenneth. What the hell were the up to? Were they corrupting her poor little brother? If they planned to, they it was not their lucky day! Suzu would put a stop to this if she could help it. Of course, it was Souda’s laugh that made her speed up walking up to him. It sounded much too devious to be sincere.  “What are we fighting about now? You wouldn’t be harming Kouta-kun, am I right?” She looked up at Kenneth and Souda with a suspicious expression, her hands on her hips. She never expected to offer this expression, but here she was. This seemed much too suspicious to ignore. 

[votecampbell2016-blog]

"Ah, Miss Suzuki." Kenneth said, pleased at her arrival. She always seemed to show up at the best of times. 

Holding up his hands in a show of innocence, he explained, "It's nothing, really. Souda and I were just giving Kouta a little dating advice. Ah, in fact-!" He snapped his fingers, as if hit by a sudden realization.

"-Why don't you settle something for us? You are a fine, young woman after all."

He was all smiles as he asked her, "Now, give us your honest opinion. Which do you prefer in a man? Brain, or brawn?"

He might've put extra emphasis on the former, but only a little he'd assure you.

[shslstuntgal]

What is love? (Open)

Suzu walked into the classroom, quiet as usual. She looked very different compared to how she usually looked. Perhaps it was nice, considering the fact that this was a speed dating event, but she was a little worried that some people might not even recognize her. However, the thought was quickly dismissed when she remembered the bandages all over her upper extremities. Surely that would be telling enough that it was her, right? It was a long time since Suzu Suzuki wore her hair down like this. Truthfully, she preferred wearing her hair down, but it just wasn’t a good idea when it came to being a crash test dummy. Her hair could be ripped out of her head or something if it was too loose. It could even catch fire (something which did happen during her first crash test. THAT certainly took awhile to grow back!) if she wasn’t careful.  Sitting quietly in her seat, Suzu didn’t know what number she was, nor did she care. According to a card however, someone might visit her first. Honestly, she was fine with that. Perhaps this would be the best time to raise a question. One she’d been curious about whenever she encountered the idea of ‘love’ in this place. As someone sat down next to her, she looked at them seriously before stating the following “What do you think…love feels like? Moreover…how would you describe ‘love’?” Yeah, that was probably a bad question.

[votecampbell2016-blog]

"Well, I'm not exactly the guy to be asking," Kenneth laughed, always amused by how forward this girl could be. "You should save that one for Mr. Right tonight."

He hopped in the chair beside her, planning on waiting till her actual date arrived. Unfortunately, it looked as though Kenneth was going to be doing a lot of third-wheeling tonight. Perhaps it was because he was a late admission, or just wholly incompatible with the rest of the student body (less likely, he hoped,) but Kenneth hadn't been assigned a date. No card, no number, not a thing.

Nonetheless, it was still a social opportunity something Kenneth never gave up on no matter what the circumstances. He'd be the life of the party tonight if it killed him.

He sipped idly on his punch as he looked Suzu over. She looked... nice. Really nice, he had to admit. It was a bit of a trip to see her out of all those bandages, but she cleaned up well.

He glanced at the empty seat beside her with a smidgen of envy. 

"Lucky guy, whoever he is." He said, toasting at her mystery date's empty chair. "I'm afraid I'm going stag tonight, Miss Suzuki; I'll be here as your chaperon, making sure you kids don't get too frisky."