>>38674616
Even after she makes herself comfortable underneath the heavy blanket, she doesn't greet you, as you keep expecting her to. Instead, she quietly stares at the ceiling.

Naoko being untalkative is nothing unusual, and this time, you can't really blame her as much. It's quite easy to tell that she must be feeling awful, even if judging only by her sickly pale skin and reddish eyes.

When you force her into the small pleasantries, she responds with only as much as is necessary. Trying to make it go past that is a chore that doesn't work out after several attempts.

The conversation constantly dies out and turns into a relentless silence.

...

>Bring up something casual, keep trying to get her to talk. "You like music? I've, uh, got some stuff on my phone we could probably listen to..."
>Keep her company, but don't force her to give you any kind of answers. Tell her about your day, or something. "So... Ren and Aiko were being pretty hard on me today..."
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.

>>38674626
>keep her company, but don't force her to give you any kind of answers. Tell her about your day, or something. "So... Ren and Aiko were being pretty hard on me today..."

>>38674626
>Keep her company, but don't force her to give you any kind of answers. Tell her about your day, or something. "So... Ren and Aiko were being pretty hard on me today..."

If she seems agitated it's probably best to just revert to silence.

Maybe we shouldn't have contacted her family?

>>38674626
Awww yisss
>Keep her company, but don't force her to give you any kind of answers. Tell her about your day, or something. "So... Ren and Aiko were being pretty hard on me today..."

>>38674626
>Bring up something casual, keep trying to get her to talk. "You like music? I've, uh, got some stuff on my phone we could probably listen to..."

>>38674694
They seem nice though, hopefully that's not it.

>>38674626
>Keep her company, but don't force her to give you any kind of answers. Tell her about your day, or something. "So... Ren and Aiko were being pretty hard on me today..."
If that doesn't work,
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.

>>38674720
Nice could be a surface value thing. Also considering how Naoko tends to be quiet they could be barraging her with conversation constantly. Or other trivial things grandparents do that while not openly hostile are annoying as fuck.

>>38674789
That's true, but we have to hope.
Even if she doesn't like them, I wouldn't regret not leaving her alone really. But we should probably try and help her get rid of them again or something if that's the case.

>>38674626
Voting over, writing!

>tfw no fun with Yuuko
Justice for Yuuko!
That said I'm glad we came here too, seems like Naoko could use some company despite/because (take your pick) her demeanor.

>>38674936
the Yuuko thing will bite us in the butt later.

Watch. Either she and her bf are Full bringers trying to recruit as Substitute Shinigami. or she just goes full Yandere.

>>38674970
But we were nothing but nice!
I do want to find out what that whole deal was about. The big issue is, if she actually had ulterior motives i.e. a connection to the spirit world, and didn't just want to fool around, why would she sabotage herself by admitting the boyfriend? And she seemed pretty into it too.
Hopefully she doesn't hate us now, maybe we can be her friend.

I'm looking forward to hanging out with our friends later, just hope Naoko is doing well enough to manage on her own. I mean, physically she'll be fine, but mentally...

>>38675099
I'm sure a firm "I'm here for you," will be a stepping stone in the right direction.

Though I wonder, is she a distant relation to the main quincy lines whose latent powers were awakened by contact with the cross or is she a fullbringer who is mimicing quincy power by fullbringing the cross?

>>38675134
It's an interesting question, but at the moment I don't see any good way of finding out, not it being terribly important (yet).

>>38674687
>>38674694
"Well... today was a pretty rough day, you know..." You say, beginning a recount of today. You tell her about this morning, you tell her about how close you were from getting into trouble for skipping a class, you tell her about how a teacher did stupid things and got laughed at by the class, you complain to her about how tired you've been feeling all day long... you try to mention everything you can remember. You don't have much of a choice, as Naoko stubbornly keeps quiet.

At the very least, she's turned to face you a little bit into your tale, though she never came off as being terribly interested or even paying much attention. You can't really tell if she's feeling too sick to focus or if she's really not interested in what you have to say. No matter how funny of a joke you crack, she doesn't smile.

You keep going, though. You don't want her to feel lonely. You'll keep her company. She needs your help.

"Aiko?" Naoko finally speaks up as you talk in further detail about how mean and annoying Ren and Aiko were for trying to make fun of you.

"Uh... I mean, not Aiko. Kimiko. Well, that's who she is at school, so it doesn't really matter..." You say, though Naoko keeps looking at you questionably. "...It's complicated. Aiko died, and that Shinigami needed help, and... that's how she wanted me to help her."

A tense silence rises. You're not sure whether you should talk about it more or not. If you don't, you fear that she'll ask you about it anyway. Maybe it's best that you just redirect it while you have the chance-...

"Was that what she really wanted?" Her question comes just as you're about to speak up. For some reason, it makes you feel uneasy. You expect her to continue talking after that, to elaborate on what she meant. She keeps quiet. This isn't the question you were expecting.

(1/2)

>>38675353
Naoko pls

>>38675353
"...Yeah. She still needs it for a few more days to recover. She's leaving after that, though." You say, trying to close the subject. Naoko's curious glance turns into an accusatory glare. It's weak and unintimidating because of her condition, but it clearly gets the intention across.

You're really glad that those eyes aren't as threatening as you once saw them be.

She stares you down for several seconds and then turns back towards the ceiling.

Another silence. If nothing else, this might be your chance to redirect the conversation elsewhere.

But somehow... this is irritating. The question is hanging in the air, lying in impatient wait on the tip of her tongue. Or... maybe you should try not to burden her with yourself?

...

>"What are you going to do when you get better, Naoko? I'm talking about the spirit stuff."
>"...You know. If you want to ask about Aiko, you can do that."
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.

>>38675383
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.
This is pretty stifling...

>>38675383
>"...You know. If you want to ask about Aiko, you can do that."

>>38675383
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.
If she asks spill. Spill hard.

>>38675383
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.
Man, this ice-front is tense and uncomfortable.

>>38675383
>stay quiet and wait for her to say something

When Kimiko goes...Aiko will really be gone.

...unless we...

no, chappy is a bad plan...pyon. We can't trust her.

Now if Kon were around...

>>38675383
>Stay quiet and wait for her to say something.
>"...You know. If you want to ask about Aiko, you can do that."

>>38675529
>putting Kon in Aiko
Wow anon, haven't we defiled her enough already?

>>38675573
At this point I think its less about defiling her intentionally and more grasping at straws to keep the illusion that things are fine.

That maybe we can forget that we killed her if she's always there.

>>38675620
I honestly think Kimiko (and other replacement souls) acting so differently in her guise makes that impossible. But I also think if she DID act like Aiko it would be even worse.

>>38675383
Voting over, writing!

Can we get back to being concerned about the accelerated rate of hollowfication in this town?

>>38675675
Well we could but since we're not yet recovered enough to do anything about it, and have no means to research it (that's Kimiko's job), it seems kinda like pointless worrying.

>>38675692
True, lets enjoy these school days shenanigans

>>38675410
>>38675443
You don't push her into bringing it up. This results in a continuation of the silence. Only the sound of your and Naoko's breathing ever disturbs it, as well as the occasional sound of clattering plates and footsteps from beyond the closed bedroom. You're growing more and more irritated, but you can't bring yourself to ask her.

Naoko turns further away from you, towards the window. She looks outside, though the only things that she can see are towering apartment complexes. The resulting silence lasts for several minutes.

But she finally asks something. It's not the question you were waiting for, though.

"Could you bring me that cross?"

You nod, walk over to the wooden chair Kimiko dropped it on, and give it to her. Her hand grasps the bauble by its silver chain, and she lifts it up. For a few moments more, she quietly looks at it.

"Nothing good has ever come out of this thing." She states. The arm with which she raised the cross shakes weakly. "And yet... it's the last memento from my father."

She trails off again.

"What will you do with it, Naoko?"

"I don't know. I can't exactly throw it away, and... I don't know if even I want to." She palms the chain, and cups her hand into a fist.

"Kimiko said that she can figure out what the cross is if you let her borrow it." You explain, leaning a bit closer to Naoko in your seat. The girl shakes her head, though.

"If I give it away then I won't take it back."

"What? Why?" You ask, though she stubbornly refuses to answer. After a sigh, you continue. "Well, what good is that thing if you don't even know what it is?"

"I know how to use it. That's more than enough. I... I can still be helpful."

(1/2)

>>38676283
That determination is pretty cute.

>>38676283
That much is true. If she wanted to kill you, she could probably pull it off quite easily. Regular Hollows are obviously no match for her. Compared to you, she's a force to be reckoned with in the spiritual world. If there's anyone who can keep Karakura's citizens safe, it'd be her. Of course, it would come at a price, but does that price really mean anything if it means that innocents will get to live on for another day?

"If you don't want to, then you don't have to. I can take care of Hollows myself." You shrug and lean back in your chair.

"...I do want to help. Even if I can't kill them, I can still keep them from hurting people." She looks at you with eyes that appear both hopeful and deranged. She doesn't actually need it, but she seems to be expecting your answer.

...

>"Keep it. I might actually be needing your help once you're up."
>"I'll take it. I don't want you to keep getting involved in this."
>"Just... think it over, give it some time. Kimiko will be around until the end of the week, so you have at least that long."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>38676322
>"Just... think it over, give it some time. Kimiko will be around until the end of the week, so you have at least that long."

>>38676322
>"Just... think it over, give it some time. Kimiko will be around until the end of the week, so you have at least that long."
>"I don't want you to feel like you have to be a part of this world any more, Naoko. If you really want to help out of your own volition then I won't stop you, but..."

>>38676322
>Keep it, I might actually be needing your help once you're up

>>38676322
>"Keep it. I might actually be needing your help once you're up."

>>38676322
>"If you're sure, Naoko."

Ugh, none of the options seem actually good. This sucks.
>"Just... think it over, give it some time. Kimiko will be around until the end of the week, so you have at least that long."

>>38676322
Voting over, writing!

Naoko seems in pretty bad shape.

>>38676322
>"Keep it. I might actually be needing your help once you're up."

Last thing we need is a hllow going after her and her being powerless.

How long until we were planning to meet our friends anyway?

>>38676343
>>38676357
"Just... think it over, give it some time. Kimiko will be around until the end of the week, so you have at least that long." You say. Naoko frowns, apparently unhappy with your choice, or perhaps the lack of one. She sighs, turning back towards the ceiling. She was probably unsure and wanted you to make the choice for her.

She reluctantly nods, though, leaving it at that. Naoko looks tired, perhaps even worse than when you first came. Her eyelids struggle to keep open, and she slowly drifts off into another feverish sleep.

You're tired as well. You came here hoping to relax a little bit, but, well... you were hoping, not expecting. Naoko's obviously not in any shape to entertain guests.

This has been a very stressful day so far. Nothing seems to go your way, even when it feels like it does. A constant bait-and-switch.

She still hasn't asked the question you were expecting. You're irritated as if you wanted her to ask, though you're not sure what you would say if she did. But you're not going to bother her about it now. You can't wake her up just for this. She looks peaceful for once, so you should leave her be.

You stand up from your chair and stretch with a sigh. Maybe if you go and have some fun with Ren and the others, some of the stress will go away. Or maybe you could bunker down at home and just sleep for like 15 hours... or at least until the patrol, if you're actually going on one in your crappy condition.

This whole 'Substitute Shinigami' thing is really getting to you, isn't it? And it's been like, what, three or four days? They were probably the longest days in your entire life, and the thing is, you're barely halfway through. And there's that possibility of it going on for longer than a week because Kimiko had to help you out with Clay Bone.

...You just want to take a break.

...

>Go hang out with your friends.
>Go hang out with your friends and invite 'Aiko' as well.
>Go home and rest.

>>38677218
>Go hang out with your friends.
Maybe getting away from this whole thing WILL help.

>>38677218
>Go hang out with your friends and invite 'Aiko' as well.

>>38677218
>Go hang out with your friends and invite 'Aiko' as well.

She's apparently leaving soon. She'd probably enjoy the socialization while it lasts.

>>38677218
>Go home and rest.

>>38677218
>Go hang out with your friends

>>38677218
>Go hang out with your friends and invite 'Aiko' as well.
WOOO PARTY
no sad no sad no sad no sad no

>>38677218
Voting over, writing!

Time for friends!

>>38678354
Yaaaay friends!

>>38677288
>>38677291
You ring Ren and the two of you figure out a meeting place for everyone. She chews you out a bit for not delivering on paying for everything, but you really can't be bothered to mess around with Paul right now. You're in no mood to be on the receiving end of Kimiko-tier jokes, either, so your replies don't end up being particularly nice or polite. In hindsight, you could have done it better, but it seems that Ren at least got the hint and laid off, for better or worse.

You call Akemi and Moriko afterwards, and you've agreed with Ren that she'll be the one to call Tomoko. Akemi's cheery voice grates your nerves with its overactiveness, and Moriko's voice frustrates you with its dullness and sluggishness.

And you decide to make an extra call. Kimiko agrees without the slightest hesitation, and, judging by her voice, seems to be pretty happy about taking part in this. It's kind of cute, really. She even asked you if you're serious.

After making all of the calls, you head out towards the designated meeting spot, not really caring that you'll be the first one arriving, and way too early at that. You sit around in the small café until it's time.

...

The crew is there before you know it. Actually, you dozed off, and they woke you up.

"Wow," Ren puts her hands on her sides, and grimaces at you with irritation. "You haven't even changed out of your school uniform."

Oh, right. That's actually true. You should have put on something else, but, well...

You wave her off and tell them to sit down. Since you don't have money on you, you'll have to freeload. Your condition of being poor is accepted, though with an almost mutual groan. Well, at the very least, coffee should help you feel a bit more energetic, or something.

"Wait, whose idea was it to drink coffee in the evening? How are we going to sleep?" Akemi perks up, acting as a somewhat sensible voice of reason.

(1/2)

>>38678465
"I... I like coffee." Ren says, shrugging. "Clarissa said she's fine with it, too, so... well, let me just buy you some sweets, I guess..."

You just went with Ren's first suggestion. You didn't really think about it.

"There's no need for that. Akemi has her own funds, unlike a certain foreigner." Tomoko interjects. The energetic girl nods and takes out her wallet, proudly showing it off for all to see. Everyone then orders something.

...

Time quickly passes by. You can barely focus on the conversation, and the coffee isn't helping. One thing you've noticed is that Ren and Aiko seem to be getting along, occasionally looking your way and giggling.

But you're not having much fun, and it's not something you can hide. To make things even worse, Kimiko's phone lets out a distinct beep. Your drowsiness fades, even if for a moment, and you look at the girl. To your surprise, she simply puts it away after a single glance, and continues on chatting to Akemi about something. And... is she avoiding eye contact?

...

>"Aiko, come to the bathroom with me for a sec."
>Let it slide. You're in no shape to do anything about it, either way.

>>38678465
>sleep
No need!

>>38678505
>"Aiko, come to the bathroom with me for a sec."

>>38678505
>Let it slide. You're in no shape to do anything about it, either way.
Not having fun? Awww...

>>38678505
>"Aiko, come to the bathroom with me for a sec."

>>38678505
>"Aiko, come to the bathroom with me for a sec."

>>38678505
>>"Aiko, come to the bathroom with me for a sec."

>>38678505
>"Aiko, come to the bathroom with me for a sec."
Well, shit.

>>38678505
Voting over, writing!

>>38678513
>>38678607
Everyone looks a bit surprised at your sudden request. The girl in question does stand up and follows you, though. Fortunately, the bathroom is completely empty, so you can talk about whatever you need to. Kimiko scratches the back of her head, and looks at you with slight confusion, like she's waiting for you to explain yourself.

"Don't look at me like that. It's a Hollow, right? Let's go take care of it." You say, returning the mildly confused look. Kimiko shakes her head.

"There is no Hollow. Don't worry about it and enjoy yourself. You deserve it." She tells you, and turns to walk out of the bathroom. You stop her by grasping her shoulder.

"Then what was your phone doing? Malfunctioning?" You ask, pulling her back to where she was standing initially. "I can't really enjoy myself if there's a monster running around killing people," She keeps quiet, looking like she simply doesn't have anything to add. "Alright. Give me the phone, then. I'd like to see the lack of Hollows on the radar for myself."

"Even if there was a Hollow, what would you do, Clarissa?" She asks when you reach out with your hand. "Trust me when I say this - your life is way more important than any normal human's. If you were to die, things would get really bad, and they wouldn't improve. You can barely even stay awake, and yet you're planning to fight? The way you are now, you're just a Hollow's dinner. Rest up and eat as much as you can, and you'll recover. But until then, don't even try."

...

>"Give me the phone."
>"...Fine. I'll do as you say."

>>38679244
>"Give me the phone."
Souls are on the line. Having a bit of fun isn't as important as literally saving souls.

>>38679244
>"So then what happens if they show up after all?"

>>38679244
>"...Fine. I'll do as you say."
Just go with it.

>>38679244
>>"...Fine. I'll do as you say."

>>38679244
>"Give me the phone."

>>38679244
>"So, if I'm not dealing with them, who is?"

>>38679244
>"...Fine. I'll do as you say."
But I'm not going to be happy about it.

>>38679244
>"Give me the phone."

>>38679244
>"Give me the phone."
Did she really just say that?

Well this is a bit of a stand-still. I think at least we can't leave it at this, as even if we agreed with her point it doesn't tell us what's actually going on, or what's keeping Hollows from destroying everything right now.

>>38679244
Voting over, writing!

Wonder why she's avoiding the topic so much anyway. She doesn't seem like she'd let a Hollow go to town as it were, and if she had outside help to keep them down why not tell us?

>>38680088
If she doesn't have help. She might feel both she and Cassandra are not in fighting shape and will just die in the process.

If she's got back up... I don't know.

>>38680149
You mean Clarissa?
IF that's the case, we need to make sure she's called for help. That's part of the deal - if we can't protect people then she's gonna have to live with that.

>>38680170
Yeah sorry. I make that mistake in MGL as well. Not sure why.

>>38680205
It's not a big deal.
Just gotta see how next update goes, really.

>>38679294
>>38679370
"Give me the phone." Is your answer to her selfish argument. Kimiko turns away in dejection, but does give you the device. You flip the phone open, and its radar shows a single blinking dot. The girl resembles a child caught doing something bad, though rather than looking like she regrets doing it, she regrets it failing. You ask for Chappy next, and she hands you the candy dispenser.

"If I won't do this crap, then who will?" You ask and receive no answer. Once out of your real body, you're only several walls away from getting out of the café. Kimiko walks out of the bathroom, Chappy obediently and energetically following her.

You run out, using the phone as your guide. Your speed is terrible compared to what it should be, and trying to keep up a sprint is very exhausting. The sword you've obtained just earlier today is still sheathed on your side, ready to be used at any time. Its 'steel' feels as weightless as always.

It takes about ten minutes to finally find it. During that time, the Hollow has managed to change its position several times, so there's no telling what it was up to. The monster in question is standing about 60 feet up in the air, quite far above the ever-present common folk. It neither attacks nor shows any obvious signs of aggression, quite unlike the beasts you've fought before.

In fact, it doesn't look like a beast at all.

(1/3)

File: Pestarzt.jpg (109 KB, 450x600)

109 KB JPG

>>38681210
It is a humanoid of average height covered in a cloak like flickering black flames. Its pale mask, if it could be called that, is simply a human skull. The yellow eyes that should be hiding there are missing. You get the feeling that this thing isn't a Hollow at all, but the radar states otherwise. Even without eyes to glare at you, you can feel it hungrily ogling you. You expect it to attack, and you ready yourself for it, but to your surprise, not only does it continue to remain passive, it also speaks.

"Greetings, Shinigami. And... goodbye. Unfortunately, this is where our meeting must end. But perhaps we will meet again tonight, should you wish to die." While its appearance remains anything but, its voice is human, its pronunciation fluid and educated, and its tone composed.

"You can talk?" You ask, your sword already out of its sheathe. You stare down the bizarre creature from below, not placing enough confidence in your spiritual skills to rise up to the thing's level.

"Why, I am one of the few. It's what makes me a valuable asset, this presence of the mind. Though, I wonder why he doesn't just kill you. You're so fragile and yet so awfully delicious. I don't know how my master manages to resist the urge to just have you. I don't know if you would understand what it's like to be on the verge of committing a crime you would regret but oh enjoy so unbelievably much, but that's what standing before you feels like to me," The Hollow pauses. "Well, from what I've heard, you can probably relate, actually."

It scoffs at you with a comment that makes you want to pry its throat out with your bare hands. You keep something resembling composure, and ask a question that’s probably more important right now.

"You said 'master'. What the fuck did you mean by that? Who are you talking about? Is there another Hollow out there?" You bark out several questions, sword constantly pointed at the thing.

(2/3)

>>38681261
Unfortunately, he's not willing to provide any answers.

"I'm just running my mouth. You shouldn't have heard anything about it at all, but it seems like I gave a bit of a leak," It chuckles. "Unfortunate, but nothing serious. I can't say anything else, I'm afraid, or I'll die again."

A skeletal arm reaches out from underneath the cloak, coming out of an angle too low to be the shoulder. Its sharpened, bare-boned fingers then claw reality apart.

"The question isn't whether we'll meet again tonight, but whether you wish to live or die." With one last taunt, it begins to depart into its own world, covering itself with the fabric of your world as if it was merely a curtain.

The signal fades with it.

"Frankly, I hope you'll choose the latter."

...

>>38681326
What?

File: e-rank speed.png (319 KB, 817x817)

319 KB PNG

>>38681326
Ending thread for tonight, it's getting late for me!

Next thread's tomorrow!

If you have any questions or feedback, please shoot them my way!

Thanks for reading!

>>38681390
Uhhhhh

...fuck.


Good thread

>>38681390
Thanks for running dude.

Is that thing a hollow or what? Because the rest of them have straight up tried to eat us.

>>38681456
If it pops up on Kimiko's radar, it's most likely a Hollow!

>>38681390
Thanks for running.

>>38681390
Thanks for running!
Also what a spooky cliffhanger to end it on!

>>38681390
It was a good thread! Definitely interesting end too.

>>38681456
Hollows that eat other hollows can eventually become so strong that they progress down the hollow level tree enough to not be hungry while becoming more humanoid and strong that they develop shinigami type powers