nah, i already know your good points! i'm just refusing to fuel your ego any further 😉
and it's like i said, i don't really care what you do with your chips. if you wanna use them on products or whatever, cuz it makes *you* feel comfortable, do that.
but the perfume here's safe, are you sure?
[ Actually, it seems he's starting to feel some concern about Hiyori's spending habits. Is he becoming more attentive to his partner's actions, or because he knows Hiyori can't buy all the things he might like to? Really, he can't quite figure out why he cares so much.
First things first, Hiyori mentions how this went down, and he's sure he remembers otherwise. Or rather, how wolf-like he acted! Still, there's no rest for the wicked, or, in this case, no rest for those who stay deep in denial! (And it's Jun, the one in denial.) No one will ever be able to coax out from him the extent of his clingy and needy behaviour during the time he was a cat. (Maybe they'll have to buy him that headband after all! And buy one for Hiyori, considering Jun wasn't able to touch his ears :( ) ]
now you're just deflecting, ohii-san. i'm not about to say stuff that's gonna make you even more annoying. and you did but how's what i said encouraging you? anyway, you're the one who wanted to lick me like some damn animal! what sorta wolf wants to do that~? 🐺🐺🐺
[ Just to be extra annoying, he's leaving those emojis because a) he's pretending as if he didn't read the last point about his ears; b) what the hell is the cat with heart eyes anyway? and c) he can throw back some of how Hiyori acted during the week, too! (And he also remembers vividly and in great detail of not only his own behaviour but also his partner's behaviour as if it were yesterday.)
Actually, more as if Hiyori's playing with fire, which he's not about to let him get away with. ]
i'm not a damn animal, really glad you finally realised the truth! but they're gonna come up again cuz you're always saying whatever you want.
nah, you look nothing like sleeping beauty, ohii-san. you steal the blankets most of the time, and the only good thing about how you sleep is that you don't snore. so i guess you've gotta revalue what "sleeping beauty" means. and you wake up with real bad bedhead, but you look kinda cute ♪
[ Oops, he'd forgotten that he was supposed to highlight the negative points of Hiyori's sleeping habits. However, towards the end, he couldn't help but admit that he does look incredibly cute in the mornings with bedhead. In contrast, Jun's hair tends to stick up in random directions, and he rarely bothers to fix it.
But not all the memories here have been ones worth erasing and he wants to emphasise this. Jun could never forget what transpired between him and his partner, and he has no intention of doing so. In fact, he earnestly hopes that Hiyori also cherishes and remembers the memories they share together. Which he'll also try to affirm, so they'll be on the same page. ]
well, there are things from here i'm not gonna forget! but they involve you, ohii-san, so that'll be why i'll want to remember the good things. yep, and we're gonna be real busy when we get home, but we gotta remember to make time for ourselves.
[ Meaning he does very much want to hold Hiyori back home, away from the game, with nothing to worry about. ]
[That's... actually not a bad point about the perfume.]
It should be safe!
[But is it really? After a moment he admits,]
I *did* see some where the boxes said things like "Bound to drive your partner wild with excitement." I assumed they didn't mean that literally. But just in case they *did* include some sort of shady drug, I've been avoiding the ones with that sort of advertising.
[If only someone would make an exhaustive list of every single spiked product in the resort so they could be done with it. But with 90-something different floors' worth of stuff and so many hidden drugs everywhere, that's a near-impossible task.
As is getting Jun to admit to his own neediness during the Springtime game, apparently!! Hiyori frowns down at the screen, his cheeks coloring pink and his lips pursing. Yes, he definitely did some licking during that week, especially on the sixth day, but it's crude to talk about it! And anyway, he still refuses to accept all the responsibility here!!!]
N~ope! 👿 Wrong again! ❌ Jun-kun's the one deflecting! He's completely ignoring 3 things here!
1. In the first place, the one who brought up licking was Jun-kun! It wasn't my idea, it was his! Jun-kun's neediness is what prompted it!
2. Because Jun-kun was so needy, and because I'm caring and kind, I followed along with his wishes! *That's* what happened!
3. Jun-kun enjoyed himself lots while it was happening, and never once said "that's weird!" or "that's un-wolf-like!"
And actually, there's also a 4th thing you've ignored, which is this: I wasn't trying to be wolf-like, because I wasn't really a wolf! The end! Case closed!
[Maybe in another universe they're happily sexting, as opposed to arguing about the sex they already had. Sadly they aren't in that universe, they're in this one. The one where Jun feels entitled to insult him left and right, for some reason, saying he wakes up with "bedhair" and complaining about how he sleeps! The absolute nerve of him!
Though he also called him cute. So it isn't all bad.]
Jun-kun's still being rude to me, I see. Fine, see if I ever show you my sleeping face again!
Though I will remember you called me cute. Or my "bed hair," rather. In which case, perhaps all that other stuff was just your clumsy way of trying to pay me a compliment? Very well, I'll accept it!
[He tries to turn the tables, teasing Jun repeatedly. But when he gets to the end... well, honestly, he just feels like melting. "There are things from here I'm not gonna forget, but they all involve you?" Well... good. Unless he just means he's not going to forget the embarrassing stuff, like the wolf ears. Jun can forget those!
... but in all honesty, he's glad to hear it. Relieved, even. It feels like they might be on the same page, even before considering what "time for ourselves" might mean. So he smiles to himself again at the end, his cheeks still faintly pink.]
Right. I want to spend time with the others, but we'll have those other plans to get to, too. Like spending a day outdoors, out in the sunlight. Or perhaps we could even go to a real resort someday - a tropical one, where you actually get what you pay for and we both make lovely memories. The world is full of fun things like that, so let's make sure to return home safely so we can do them all. Alright?
[ He's... still not convinced the perfume is safe, though nothing bad has seemed to happen so far. Perhaps something might happen if you buy an entire bottle? Who knows! ]
look, i might be dumb, but you realise how that sounds? in a shady place like this, of course, they'd mean excitement, *literally*. well, it's a good thing you've been avoiding those perfumes, i guess.
[ Really, those names on the perfumes have to mean literally! With the many stores, it may be difficult to know which product to stay away from, which is why Jun has been staying away from them, if not all, only to be certain.
Nope, not about to acknowledge his neediness that week! He can, however, make light of Hiyori's behaviour because, well, he found it endearing. However, his own neediness? Nope! Time to never acknowledge that. But something Jun can acknowledge is how much he liked the things Hiyori did to him! ]
how am i deflecting? i'm being honest with how *you* acted. besides, you're the one who put the idea in my head, but i liked it when you did all that stuff, alright?
ugh, cuz the way you acted wasn't weird and even if you were or weren't "wolf-like," i still would've enjoyed it. i'm not the only one who enjoyed what we did together, so why are you acting like that?
[ Maybe this is the way genuine sexting unfolds? But surprisingly, amidst their heated debate about the sex they've already had, it brings a sense of satisfaction. Still refusing to believe he has been insulting Ohii-san! Besides, he does look cute when he's asleep and when he first wakes up! But it's much easier to poke fun rather than say it outright.
.. or he thinks so. ]
so you're just gonna stay awake all the time, ohii-san?
seriously, how'd you think that? man, sometimes i wanna figure out what the hell goes on in your brain.
[ He can't turn the tables himself, but he's already called Hiyori cute—or his hair, at least. Still, he also meant Hiyori looks cute the moment he wakes up!
It's almost whiplash how different their texts go each time, but who's to say they can't playfully argue and say nice things within the same wall of text? And Jun means every word, even if he's a little afraid to admit he wouldn't mind spending "alone time" with Hiyori after this ends. ]
yeah, i wanna spend time with them, too. i wasn't trying to say i didn't want to.. but i'm pretty positive about who i'd wanna spend time with instead. and all day we're gonna spend out in the sun, going to another garden and spending time at a real resort sounds fun and like a good time. so yeah, we'll do everything once we return home and make more serious memories like the ones you're talking about. i really want that with you, ohii-san.
[As always, the "..." hovers immediately, showing that Hiyori is typing up a storm!
... Or is he? It keeps disappearing and reappearing as he types and retypes his response. He's still red-cheeked on his end, tempted to continue the argument.
No, YOU put the idea in MY head!
Why am I acting like WHAT?
Why would I have to stay awake all the time? I could just sleep somewhere away from you, since it sounds like you don't like my sleeping habits, anyway!
He types all those things and more. But in the end, he deletes them all. Too much of what Jun's saying gives him pause. Admitting that he liked what they did together, for one thing, and calling him out on the fact he's acting like Jun's the only one who enjoyed it. That's not true, of course. But when it comes to that particular act, well... it's embarrassing to admit he liked doing something like that. He's very prideful. But Jun is more honest than he is.
And that "stay awake all the time" thing, well—that must mean Jun plans for them to sleep together more often, doesn't it? They're not roommates at home anymore, or even at the resort (not at this moment, anyway), but Jun still expects to see his sleeping face regularly.
It's just too much for him to keep acting pissy. Much of what Jun's saying makes his heart flutter. And then he gets to the end (which really is a whiplash), and the rest of his defensiveness just melts away. Jun-kun is saying he wants to spend time with him, saying he'll go to a resort or wherever with him, saying they'll do "everything" once they get home. Jun-kun, in other words...
is totally in love with him!!
Or he might be on that track, anyway. At the very least, Jun cares about him. And he's saying some very romantic-sounding things.
Hiyori ignores his watch for a second and flops down on his bed, reaching for one of the pillows. This isn't the first time he's hugged his pillow while thinking about Jun here, and it will not be the last! He'll spend a good hour doing that again when he discovers that Network thread where Jun talked about "taking a shot" with him!
He doesn't spend an hour this time. But he does bury his face in it and give it a good squeeze. Sometimes when he's overcome with emotion, he just wants to hug something or someone! Sort of like he'll eventually do onstage in America, when he's so moved by what Nagisa is saying that he grabs onto Jun and hugs him tight! ... if they ever get to that point in the timeline, that is.
It's a couple of minutes later that he sits up in bed, releasing the pillow and reaching for his watch screen. Alright, no more arguments! He'll try to return... some of Jun's honesty.]
Sounds like I don't need to wear perfume to drive Jun-kun wild with excitement! 😘
[... yep. That's how he chooses to open it: with teasing!
But the rest is more sincere.]
I found your "cat" side endearing, to be honest. But I don't need you to act like a cat, a hyena, or anything else. It's perfectly fine for you to just be yourself. Or, actually, it's more than fine. That's the "you" our fans grew to love, after all.
And that's the "you" I call my partner, and the one I love waking up next to.
[He shoots off that last one before he can overthink it, though writing it makes the tips of his ears burn. It's an awkward attempt to tie in their conversation about sleeping habits. And, of course, it's a confession that isn't quite a confession, but he's used to giving those.]
And the one I want to do those fun things with! Like go to different places, bask in the sunlight together, and so on. There's still fun to be had here, I'm sure. But I just can't wait to see what the future has in store for us at home.
[...]
I'm sure it'll be something even more beautiful than what we've experienced so far. That's my hope, anyway.
[ That sure is a long time of '...' hovering across the screen. He isn't quite sure what to think as he waits for Hiyori to finally send some sort of message. It's not like he's glued to his watch or anything, just casually waiting for a response.
Even if he's blushing like crazy behind the screen, he knows deep down he wouldn't have reacted like that if he didn't enjoy what Hiyori did. And when he reflects on it, he remembers how Hiyori didn't flinch or complain. And about the future, Jun's secretly hoping they'll get to sleep next to each other again soon. But he's a bit hesitant about another sleepover, not wanting Hiyori to get the wrong idea. Though he figures it's obvious what he's thinking, maybe he doesn't even need to explain it too much.
But he still finds himself yearning for everything he mentioned, plus more—everything Hiyori's hinting at and beyond. He wonders if things would have unfolded differently if they were back home. Would they have eventually crossed the line into something more intimate, or would they have remained at the same point they were before coming here? He's well aware of the golden rule that idols can't date, and it's stirring up conflicting emotions in him now. Despite that rule, most of what they do together back home feels pretty "date-like.".
And those really are romantic things he's texting back, eager for those things just as much as Hiyori seems to be. Just as he's about to let the conversation go, wondering if something came up or if Hiyori got busy picking out outfits he might like, he almost shuts off his watch and stops pacing around the room. But just before he does, the next batch of texts arrives, keeping him on edge.
Jun's heart clenches as he reads the next flurry of words, almost as if it's stopped in his chest, and a smile spreads across his face. Those words feel undeniably romantic to him, stirring up a warmth he can't ignore despite the teasing. ]
you've just gotta be your annoying self, ohii-san. that's enough to "drive me seriously crazy" with or without excitement ~
[ In both ways, really? ]
jeez, what the hell do i say to that? and i'm gonna make sure the way i'm acting right now stays or you've got my permission to knock me back down ♪
where do i begin? i'm gonna preface by saying, i'm glad you're my partner, ohii-san. even if you're gonna keep saying it was just a whim, i'm happy i became your whim. think i'm slowly understanding what you've been trying to say.
[ His cheeks feel like they're on fire as he paces around his room, almost tempted to touch them just to gauge the heat. With Hiyori typing that he "loves waking up next to him," how can he possibly handle those words with any semblance of normalcy? ]
hey, ohii-san, remember those words i said during ss? turns out they weren't just about singing, but i dunno if you caught on.
[ It's that almost-confession again, a step closer to openness than he's ever been before, just as Hiyori playfully teased him about "love." ]
so i want everything you want! we're gonna go home and things'll be good between us. and better than ever, cuz we're partners and nothing's gonna get us down. we'll sort it out, ohii-san, together.
[ His words brim with passion, a stark contrast to his former self, who struggled with such conversations. It was Hiyori who guided him through it all, teaching him not only how to navigate through the dirty alleyways but also how to embrace love itself. While everything isn't crystal clear yet, whatever this is, he knows it's something he'll yearn for back home. ]
[Dating as an idol is actually fine, just as long as you date the same unit member your fans ship you with anyway!
... or not. He knows it isn't that simple. Most of their fans don't really think they're dating; they assume Eve's fanservice is simply that. And some of them would probably have mixed feelings at best. But that's something to worry about later, he figures. For now, he wants to keep nurturing the budding flower they've planted. It's fragile and delicate, but holds the promise of something truly beautiful.
He thought he'd be fine with never dating Jun. He'd been willing to give up on things like dating in order to pursue their shared dream. But how can he go back now that he's gotten a taste of what he wanted? How could he go back when Jun's sending him messages like that? Sounding so affectionate and cute, saying he was glad he was chosen, reminding him of what he said before at SS—
........... ah.
His heart hammers against his ribcage. All at once, he's transported back to that moment from over a year ago, except his flustered feelings from back then don't hold a candle to how he feels now. Now Jun is talking about more than just singing. And that's the bottom line here, really: their partnership has come to mean something different, something other than just stage partners. Something more like life partners. How does Hiyori feel about that? "Extremely flustered," for starters.
But also glad. Deeply, fiercely glad.]
No, I've caught on. I'm a genius with excellent social skills, remember?
[His fingers feel a little shaky. Somehow he still manages to type on the small screen.]
You'll stay by my side as long as I wish you there, whether it's to sing or not - isn't that right? If that's the case, then I accept. I want Jun-kun by my side as my partner for more than just singing.
[The "..." hovers for a while again. He feels hot, and he might even be starting to sweat under his collar (ugh.) Should he come right out and say what sort of "partnership" they're both obviously talking about? He seriously considers it.
But, in the end, stops just short. Maybe there's no need to, since it is so obvious. And if there is a need to, well, it'd be better to confess that sort of thing in-person. They'll have lots of opportunities for that, won't they?]
I also want him there so we can go do all those things we just talked about! And lots of other things we haven't talked about, or even thought about before. We're still young, and the world's our oyster! So, I'm glad we're on the same page.
Though Jun is well-versed in the protocol, thanks to his father's strict teachings, he has never seriously considered dating before. More mindful of the potential consequences a relationship could have on their careers if word were to ever leak out. Yet, despite the risks, Jun finds himself drawn to the idea of watching something beautiful blossom, experiencing these "newfound" feelings. Coming to understand these feelings are normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
What weighs heavily on Jun's heart is the realisation that he has only begun to acknowledge these feelings in this unfamiliar setting. Back home, it was far easier to dismiss them, attributing any affection he felt to gratitude due to being stage partners. Now, however, he finds himself allowing his fondness for Hiyori to permeate his everyday life.
... "Life partners" seems a more fitting term, carrying a romantic undertone while avoiding the complexities of an undefined relationship. Having witnessed plenty of each other's flaws and vulnerabilities, Jun realises that if he truly objected to Hiyori's treatment of him, he could voice his concerns, and the matter would conclude there. Yet the most unnerving part would currently be the lack of resistance to the idea of a lifelong commitment with Hiyori.
How was he ever going to doubt Hiyori's "genius with excellent social skills"? ]
so you've caught on, huh~? and you're pretty good at reading between the lines, ohii-san. but that's right, you've got it. and you will accept? good! i want that too, ohii-san, more than anything.
[ His own hands feel shaky while typing, but he is still trying to stay calm, even while his entire body feels hot. He'd been dressed in a t-shirt and pants, but now it's as if he's trapped in a furnace.
But, it's obvious now, isn't it? The "partnership" they'll have going forward seems crystal clear, with the two of them on the same page, especially with Hiyori's last text. ]
i'll be right there with you, ohii-san, nothing would make me happier. whatever we wanna do when it comes to mind, we'll do! do what we want together, go to all the places we don't know the names of, and go anywhere we wanna go.
and we're on the same page, ohii-san. makes sense~ we're partners who're gonna stay together ♪
[Exactly. Dating Hiyori doesn't count as breaking the "no dating" rule, and sleeping with Hiyori doesn't count as playing Game 52. However, dating someone other than Hiyori would be a violation of the "no dating rule," and having sex with someone other than Hiyori would count as playing Game 52. Which means Jun mustn't do it, since they already promised they wouldn't play that thing. Glad we've cleared that up!
He's glad they've cleared the air between them, too, of course. No more arguing, just heartfelt affirmations of love. Which really is exactly what this is. And Jun just keeps going, reaffirming his commitment, saying even more unspeakably wonderful things to him. ... or typing them, anyway. This would be harder if it was in-person. There'd be no hiding his luminescent blush. Or the expression on his face, which he's sure is deeply embarrassing.
He'd been worried this place would ruin them. Their career as idols. Maybe even their souls. Instead, they'll emerge from here closer than ever before.
First they need to get out, of course. But for now, he'll allow himself a moment to bask in his feelings being returned.]
Yep. We'll always be partners. Through thick and thin, no matter what comes our way.
[At Reimei, at ES, in a sex casino.]
Jun-kun's become that sort of irreplaceable existence to me. And that's something that won't ever change.
So it's wonderful to know the feeling is mutual. I already knew how important I was, of course. But it's good to have it confirmed!
[ Which begs the question of whether it counts once they return home? It's not as if much will change, though would it be breaking the "no dating" rule back home? Maybe dating Hiyori in general bypasses the rule! Well, they might figure it out once they return if they can bypass this mess, having their "relationship" last through it.
He's never really committed to anyone before, though with the air being cleared between them, it only makes sense to affirm those feelings. His feelings for Hiyori are real, they've always been real, and it's not because of some sex casino that he has them. And Hiyori has been affirming that he feels the same, both with as few words as possible.
It's not as if they need big, fancy words to convey how they feel for one another, either. So he'll allow himself a moment for his heartrate to drop, knowing his feelings are being returned as well. And knowing Hiyori's become that sort of person to him as well, no one could come close to replacing his partner in his heart. ]
nothings gonna stop us, no matter how hard it will be.
[ They've already done half of those things. And boy, his cheeks hurt from grinning too much, but it's all worth it to hear those sweet words.
Well, until Hiyori types the last part! Which only causes him to laugh under his breath, his cheeks flaring with burning heat while remaining glad no one, especially not HIyori, can see how flushed his cheeks are. ]
yeah, yeah. good thing that's also not gonna change for me. and even if you wanna claim you already know!
[He hasn't thought too much about what their relationship will look like at home. There's such a thing as getting ahead of oneself. Not that he thinks their feelings will fade once they've left the casino—he knows his own feelings won't, and he has faith in Jun-kun's. But first they need to get out.
Still, he's had stray thoughts here and there. And if he had to guess what dating Jun at home might be like, well... it won't be too big an adjustment, will it? They already go places together. He figures it'll be similar to what they already have, and what they already have planned: they'll go to an outdoor garden, on a trip to a real resort, and to all sorts of different locales, except now those excursions will officially be "dates." They'll touch each other suggestively for their fans while knowing inside their hearts that it's more than just "fanservice." And on nights when they're sharing a hotel room for an overnight job, or when their roommates are out, he'll invite Jun-kun to hold him tight.
That's the sort of thing he imagines, when he dares to imagine at all. Despite the uncertainty that lies ahead, it makes him happy to have all these future plans. He hopes their partnership will always remain as strong as it is right now.]
Yes, yes of course I do! As Jun-kun's one and only partner, it makes sense that I'd know his heart best of all 💙
[And now for a pause.]
I'm glad we could have this heart to heart talk. It's funny to think this whole thing started because of that idol lesson Monika-chan wants. Which means that I have her to thank! But she wouldn't know what I was talking about if I did thank her, so I'll just say thanks silently inside my heart.
We'll have to part ways with her and the others soon, of course. Once we find the way out of here, that is. But until then, let's continue to do what we do best and spread love for idols! 😊🎵🎶🎤❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💖✨ That should bring us both a great deal of joy.
[ Personally, Jun doesn't mind how this goes, as long as they stick together through it all. Those proper thoughts on how relationships and the like work will come, so whichever route they decide suits him fine.
Already, their partnership seemed different from normal—different from what someone might have called a normal one to be. But he doesn't mind now; all those times of denying anything was going on seemed long ago, but most of all, he wants to go on all these wonderful trips together. Not just for a job! There is nothing between them which can change; it'll be the same as it ever was, except now they can kiss and hold hands whenever they'd like! And then find time to spend alone together. It's just... Jun isn't too picky; he wants to do all those things and more, but most of all, wanting to spend time on official dates sounds as if it's going to be amazing.
Really, he can't wait to imagine all these things together. ]
yep, seems like you do, ohii-san ♪ good thing my heart is just filled with you, huh~!
[ Just like he'd said in his dream that one time! And the blue heart, especially in his image colour, makes him smile. ]
it pretty much turned out how i'd hoped it might. but i started thinking about stuff too much and the words somehow wrote themselves. monika-san's not gonna really know what you're going on about, so might be good for her to figure it out on her own.
guess we will.. haven't thought about it too much. sides, this place needs *something* cheerful in it, so that'd be us, right~ give this place a performance worth remembering before we're outta here! so i wanna do it.
[ Thinking about leaving is a lot, but it's the right way. Sure, leaving behind all this is what he wants to do, as is wanting to be reunited with Ibara and Nagi-senpai! But most of all, he's ready for the next chapter in their life together. ]
[Hiyori would be touched if he knew what Jun said to Jin Genie.
Though he's touched right now, too, actually. As a matter of fact, he's overwhelmed. All the air in his lungs seems to leave him at once, and his heart does a somersault. My heart is just filled with you. My heart is just filled with you. My heart is just filled with you—
Honestly, Jun-kun's going to be the death of him one of these days. Jun's heart is full?! What about his heart? His heart is overflowing! Alright, that does it! He just has to hug something!
So, time for a brief intermission where he squeezes his pillow for another minute or so. Actually, he might need two minutes.
But then he's back!!]
You're right about that. The credit is all yours, despite what I said about Monika-chan. It's Jun-kun who's been so wonderfully honest. I know can be hard to do sometimes, so I truly am grateful. You've gotten wonderfully good at expressing yourself.
I'm glad to receive the bulk of Jun-kun's heartfelt feelings. Or rather, that's how it should be: I don't want Jun-kun's heart to be full of anyone but me!
But we still have plenty of love left leftover for our fans, of course. And we both love being idols, so that's exactly how I'd like to end our time here: with a dazzling show that's sure to raise everyone's spirits up! ✨🎵✨🎵
Even those brainwashed shop clerks need a bit of joy in their lives. Perhaps if they see us onstage, it'll unlock something within them! A memory, or a buried emotion or something like that.
Alright, now I'm really excited! I'm ready to sing, dance, and keep being Jun-kun's dazzling partner forever and ever! 💚♾️💙
[ Nope, what he said to Jin-genie is just too embarrassing! (Apparently not embarrassing enough to tell Sakura-kun about it.)
What he typed seems awfully close, and it's not wrong in the least. His heart is often full, filled with thoughts of Hiyori, the same as right now. How can anyone quell the beating of their heart when it's this intense?
Never had he thought he could say (or write) these things, not without a little help, or rather, he was fine going to the grave with these unsurpressed feelings. But now he's had a taste of what they could be, those conflicting feelings have increased ten-fold.
Which, at this point, Ibara will just have to deal with! ]
not just mine, but also yours! and i really mean every word, ohii-san. i've been really trying, you know! but i'm glad you've noticed, cuz you're right, expressing these feelings has been hard! so i'll keep getting better at the trying thing! course no one else'll worm their way in, so don't worry ~
and we'll do that! i'll never forget our fans, or wouldn't wanna give them the love they give us in return~ just means they'll remember our songs, which will be good for anyone here to remember us by. if we can help them, then we'll do it!
[ Instead, the brainwashed workers will be brainwashed by Eve instead! Sounds like the perfect plan. ]
and there's nothing more i'd wanna do with you, ohii-san. and don't forget about getting to do all those things we said together, too.
[ The word forever has many meanings, but ultimately, it's exactly what Jun means by this. If it's forever, even better! ]
["Of course no one else will worm their way in." Ah... that truly is the best way to put it, isn't it? Monika-chan is trying to slither in between them, kind of like a worm. But there's no room for worms, caterpillars, or houseflies in Jun's heart. Glad we've cleared that up!]
Well, yes, I do deserve credit too. I just assumed that went without saying! I'm the one who helped Jun-kun get better at self-expression. And I have quite a way with words, myself, of course.
Yep! Helping ourselves takes top priority, but I do want to help whoever we can. I want everyone to get home safely and for all the brainwashed people to revert back to normal. And for us to get back to our fans, and for Monika-chan to get back to her "Player," and for Eden to conquer the world! Or at least the industry.
[Brainwashing the staff and the career residents into Eve/Eden fans is absolutely fine. It's not morally dubious at all, it's just natural! ~Our music, only our music~]
Yes, yes, I won't forget! I still have some paper and pens leftover from when I bought all that stuff for my case file, so perhaps I'll make a to-do list! Or, actually, I'll make two lists! One list for things we want to do before leaving this place, and one list for things to do at home! And I can use rhinestones in place of bullet points, since I still have some of those left over, too. How does that sound?
[ Even if Jun doesn't see it quite yet, that's definitely something close. He also doesn't have time or energy to let someone else in, so that's how it's going to stay! ]
you sure you're feeling fine? it's not like you to not wanna take credit. well, i'm not gonna lie and say you didn't, ohii-san. pretty obvious you helped, so thanks for that.
[ Most of the anger inside his heart had been quelled or "bleached" out, given Hiyori's sunny disposition. It's a stark contrast how different Jun used to act to now, though. ]
the thing is, i dunno who "needs help" here. but we'll try our best to help unbrainwash those sorta people. and we'll just keep conquering the industry, ohii-san! i still wanna perform overseas in a big arena, so let's make our way home soon!
[ But Hiyori, are you sure you're not the one with an obsession for Monika? He's sure mentioning her a lot! ]
yeah, sure! if you wanna keep all the stuff we wanna do in a file, that'd be good. maybe if our moods get low, we'll look at the list, and it'll give us more motivation! and sounds good to me, ohii-san. we'll just do as much as we can and leave the rest until later.
Yes, yes I am sure! In fact, I feel better than ever right now.
[Now that he knows Jun-kun wants to be with him forever and ever, as more than just his singing partner.]
Me too, of course. I'm sure the others feel the same. Especially Ibara, who just loooves "conquests." Perhaps we'll start with that American festival he told us about. The one he took us overseas for! "Absolute," I think it was called.
And then, once we've toured one country, it'll be onto the next one! 🗺️🌎🎶✨ And we'll get to do some sightseeing that way, too!
[Ah, travel is so much fun when it's voluntary. When it's not voluntary, it's just kidnapping!
As for Monika-chan, how could he ever pass up the opportunity to remind Jun that she ~already has a lover~ and is ~happily spoken for~?? (By her own admission, mind you. He didn't make this up!!)]
Now I'm really pumped up! I'll get started on that list just as soon as I'm done with some other stuff.
[A pause. Then he adds, with finality:]
But I think I'd be happy doing just about anything as long as it's with Jun-kun. Almost anything, anyway.
[And then:]
But I still have lots of fun ideas I wouldn't want to miss out on, so it's good that we're on the same page!
[ And now that Hiyori's accepted, life couldn't be any better. Jun might not be squeezing his pillow tight, he feels optimistic about their future. ]
i'm pretty confident nagi-senpai will keep ibara away from conquests, or just this one. but i know we'll make it over there once we get outta here! and your english was pretty good last time, so i'm gonna keep trusting in your skills ♪
i dunno what other countries we'll go to, but all of them! i hope we'll see all the colosseums one day, and the water city thing!
[ Venice, he's talking about Venice! And thinking about the places they'll go to or even perform at is a lot of fun. But first, they'll need to break out of this silly sex casino and then bug Ibara until Eden's allowed to perform overseas! Sounds like a plan.
Besides, he knows that, and Monika's not the person Jun wants to be with forever and ever! It would never work out, especially when they go their separate ways and live very different lives. (However, he is quite curious who this "player" person is!)]
no rush, ohii-san! i'll look forward to whenever you get started on it.
and on top of that, our circumstances are pretty shitty right now, but i'm gonna be happy with all of it, too.
[ Although uncertain what those things might involve, the future does seem promising. ]
my minds racing with all the things i wanna do with you by my side. guess we're really "two bodies, one soul," or the thing you always say about us.
"Water city"? Ah, you mean the Grand Canal in Venice? Now that *would* be fun! It'd be lovely to go on one of those boat rides with all 4 of us. That would also make for a great photoshoot! Since we both like that idea, I'll add it to our to-do list! Or our "To-See" list. Or maybe our "To-Go" list? I'm not sure what to call it yet.
And I'm sure Nagisa-kun would love to see the Collosseum! If he hasn't already. I think he might've gone there once before. Back when we were at Yumenosaki, he'd jet off whenever he felt like it. He'd just disappear and then reappear some days later with souvenirs from abroad and some new story to tell about historic sites or archaeological digs. But these days he doesn't really have time in his schedule for that, plus Ibara wouldn't allow it, so we'll just have to travel together!
Then if we're feeling extra ambitious, we could not only consider touring the world, but also other universes! Topaz-chan said that her company manufactures airplanes which can travel between dimensions, so something like that might just be possible. We could become the world's first truly "cosmic" idols!
Though, there's already plenty to see in our world. And the thought of getting stuck between dimensions is a bit disconcerting. So I think I'd be fine without that, too.
[There's a lull between bursts of text as Jun manages to articulate something he's also felt. "Our circumstances are shitty, but I'm happy with all of it" really isn't too far from his own feelings. Of course he isn't happy with everything that's going on, or even most of it. But he's finding himself feeling happy more and more often lately, and he knows it's all because of Jun. It's because he has Jun at his side. He meant it when he said he'd be happy doing almost anything with Jun. And it's the same for Jun, isn't it?
Nothing, not Rinne's disappearance or the forced tattoos or the Springtime game or anything, can completely kill the simple joy of being with his partner. Or the still-more-exhilarating joy of having his secret feelings returned. Some of his usual worries will return later, but right now, he's over the moon. So over the moon, he doesn't even mind when Jun messes up that motto he came up with during Eve's formation!]
Silly Jun-kun. It's one body, two souls! 💚💙 Because we move together onstage as one!
But the way you said it isn't completely wrong. Since it seems our innermost thoughts and feelings are in-sync today, too. Almost like we *are* sharing a soul.
yep, those boat rides were what i was thinking about. well, yeah, but it'd be sorta dangerous, so we've gotta make sure no one falls in. so adding it to our list works!
[ Thinking about one of them falling in would be hilariously funny. And regardless of the name Hiyori chooses, the list will be for them alone. ]
well, nagi-senpai can give us a tour! i knew he'd been overseas, but not over there, so that's pretty cool. that's gotta be where he got all those rocks from ♪
i dunno if i'm feeling *that* ambitious, ohii-san. touring other planets and being in space sounds pretty scary. d'you think we'll see topaz-san again?
[ If so, then it would help. Out of most people he's met here, he enjoys talking to Topaz; she's pretty much the only "normal" person. Well, besides her worth ethic being eerily similar to Ibara's... ]
huh, why'd you go and say that? being stuck in space has gotta be the last thing we should be doing.
[ He's pretty happy touring Earth for now! Even if Ibara might applaud Hiyori's ideas, he's going to staunchly refuse. (Nagi-senpai, please agree space is no place for idols!!!) Despite the freakout of Eden being lost in space, he waits for the next feeling to set in. It's crappy circumstances this happened, but he's happy that they've come to an understanding.
Hiyori's contagious happiness is exactly how he feels, unable to stop the constant smile he's been wearing lately. Having Hiyori by his side has made a few realisations come to fruition, showing just how fortunate he's been, not just in this place, but always with Hiyori around. And without a doubt, the most obvious one has to be how attached Jun's grown. He meant it, too, just how his fondness has grown, blossoming into his feelings having been returned. It may not stay this way forever, but once they get out, perhaps nothing will stop them. No fans, no Ibara, no silly no-dating rule!
The colourful hearts constantly seem to catch him off guard, tugging at his heart for no "apparent" reason other than being their image colours. And he was not a big fan of emojis before meeting Hiyori, but hearts now seem to represent a variety of emotions for them. Don't they?
Phew! He's not been called out on messing up the motto, even though he's heard it numerous times before. ]
close enough~ one body, two souls 💚💙
i'm gonna agree we've been pretty in-sync today, like we're on stage, 'cept we're not! and being honest, i wanna keep being in-sync with you, ohii-san, cuz nothing's gonna make me happier.
[ With each passing day, he's getting closer and closer to understanding how this feels a lot like love. Being open, trying to articulate these feelings will come and go as the realisation eventually settles in. ]
Not to worry! I'm always graceful, so there's not a chance I'll fall in. And Nagisa-kun was really into snorkeling for 1 week last year, so I'm sure he'd be just fine even if he did! And Ibara *should* be able to swim given his military background. I'm also sure that even if I did fall in, Jun-kun would immediately dive to my rescue! But that does sound like a hassle, so it's best to just avoid it!
As for the photoshoot part, I figure we can have a camera crew photographing us from another boat or else from one of the bridges. And then we can also take photographs at all the other sightseeing locations. That should be fun for us and for our fans!
It's definitely considered theft to take parts of the Colosseum home. But I do know he's been on excavations in other countries before. Perhaps one day he'll have a shiny stone from every country on Earth! 💎
Will we see her outside the resort, you mean? Honestly, she sounds rather busy, just like Anzu-chan or Ibara. And it also sounds as though she lives in a completely different dimension from us. But if we do find a way to travel between worlds, then perhaps!
I do agree with you about space, though. I don't like dark, cold and lonely places, so on second thought, let's scratch that.
... it really is a silly thing. Feeling his heart soar because of some emojis. But he has the softest smile on his face when he sees Jun return them. He couldn't be happier with how things have turned out.]
But even if we did travel to space, we'd still be "one body, two souls." In this world, in another world, in the next life, wherever!
Or at least that's what I'll choose to believe, since that's what would make me happiest, too.
[He knows he's only reiterating Jun's words. And his own. But he'll keep saying shmoopy things like that, revealing his heart bit by bit, until the day he feels he's found the right moment to come right out and state his feelings upfront.
He will be thinking them in his heart, though. "I love Jun-kun."]
but you're just assuming i'd jump in! well, you're pretty much right. i'd not even take my shoes off just to save you, y'know?! but you've got me thinking maybe we should use some sorta rope, just to be on the safe side.
yeah, i'm liking the idea of the photoshoot! now we've not had one for months, i kinda miss getting all sorts of new clothes and posing for the camera. i know it'd be something new, not many idols can say they've done!
[ Heading off to Venice with Eden sounds wonderful, and with a photoshoot to boot? Even more wonderful! Talking about all about the fun and silly things they might do once they leave has felt comforting. ]
huh, how'd you know that? well, here's hoping nagi-senpai didn't take anything! yeah, i think he's gotta be close, cuz he's already got a buncha cool rocks.
hmm, yeah, i guess it'd be tricky with different dimensions. maybe we'll be the first to figure it out! and that's what i'm thinking. i'm pretty sure space ships have got heating, but you're right about the lonely part.
[ Rip Ibara and CosPro!
The emojis feel as if it's their thing, whatever that means! He's filled with warmth, causing a broad grin to spread across his face. It's the kind of feeling that would make you want to relax on the bed, grinning at your phone (or, in this instance, watch), and scream into a pillow. This is exactly how Jun feels at the moment, as if he were some lovestruck teenager!
Having Hiyori reiterate the same fills him with excitement. He's never, ever felt this way about someone, but here those words are in text! And if Jun's ever having a bad day, he'll open his watch and re-read the shmoopy texts the two have been sending, and all will be right in the world. ]
it's good we want the same thing, ohii-san. we've sorta reached another understanding, haven't we? i mean, about us!
and i'm really happy, ohii-san.
[ He doesn't quite remember how this conversation started, nor does it matter by this point. Something about Monika. But he feels closer than ever to Ohii-san, allowing him into his heart and realising with each passing day how the feeling of having your love returned changes you for the better. ]
["You're pretty much right," Jun says. And that's why he assumes!]
Yep, of course Jun-kun would prioritize me over getting water in his shoes! That's how things are, and that's how they should be!
I know I've already suggested different this, but we can always try on clothes and take some photos here, by the way. It won't be nearly the same as a real photoshoot, but we'll want to do that anyway so we can figure out what to wear for our shuffle performance!
[Whenever... that happens.]
It's just obvious, since that's a historical landmark. It'd be sort of like trying to take ancient artwork home from a museum. Though I wonder if that's what our captors have done, since some of the art pieces in the elevators look eerily similar to famous works. If they're just reproductions, then they're rather skilled ones.
Someone suggested that we could be in space here, for all we know. They've cut off any way to view the outside world, after all. I didn't really buy that, though, since I don't feel the slightest bit weightless here.
Also, the last part might just be a lie. Because every time Jun reaffirms his feelings for him, he does feel like he's floating on up to cloud nine. Like now, for instance.
There's a lot weighing on him in this place. A constant heaviness sitting in his chest, threatening to sink his heart like a stone. But that feeling is gone now. As long as he has Jun-kun...]
I don't feel too heavy anymore, either, though. And that's because of you, I'm sure. And because of that understanding that we reached.
[ Well, he'd be a terrible partner if he left Hiyori to drown! ]
yeah, i'd probably not think about it and dive right in. can't really have anything happen to my partner ~
and i wanna do that, so we just gotta find time! good thing my schedules pretty open these days. but looking for our shuffle outfits would be a good start, but i'd been sorta hoping maybe we could still look for some outfits. y'know, just for us...?
[ But it's just, well, he wants to see Hiyori in cute clothes! And not just cute clothes for their shuffle unit. Also his vague ass answer, wishing he could come right out and say exactly what he wants. ]
how'd i know that? i don't know much about the world, ohii-san, or paintings. but, hmm, you think those're the real deal? maybe next time we're in one, i'll take a better look.
well, it sorta makes sense cuz we've got no fresh air or sunlight. and there's gotta be none of that out in space, just darkness and stars. feeling weightless could be a myth, couldn't it?? maybe that's what they want you to think.
[ We need mythbusters out here!! Wow, Atsushi seems to be filled with knowledge.
Personally, he's not too sure about feeling weightless. Here, in this place, there's often an uneasiness weighing in the air, mostly from the Game 52 nonsense. But the feeling subsides whenever he's near Hiyori, whenever he's talking to Hiyori, and whenever he's thinking about Hiyori.
Needless to say, Jun's in Deep.
And deeper in, whenever Hiyori's transparent with him, talking about their feelings, his heart flips again at the green heart. ]
you were feeling heavy, ohii-san? if you're ever feeling heavy again, just let me know! cuz i'd do anything to take away the feeling, y'know? ♪ i'm gonna make sure there's never any confusion between us again.
I've trained you well, I see~ 🏊 I still don't intend to fall in, but I'm sure your fans would be impressed if they saw you dive heroically to my rescue. Perhaps you'll get to do a similar scene in a drama someday.
[Though they'd probably just use a stunt double.]
Just for us, hmm?
[He's not sure whether Jun is talking about new stage costumes, or about their plans to try on cute dresses at some point, or what. But either way:]
That sounds wonderful to me! You already know this, but I love shopping, so I don't mind if we go on multiple trips. One trip for shuffle unit costumes, one trip for cute outfits, and a third trip for more matching clothes! 👯🛍️
[They'll be shopping for matching outfits for Weiss's party next month, anyway. And he and Weiss will also be looking at shuffle costumes.]
Perhaps we can investigate the brushstrokes with a magnifying glass. I'm sort of like a detective here, so it's probably time I got one of those. I do try to avoid riding the elevators with others, since there are those weird talking portraits in there, but I suppose it's fine if it's just with Jun-kun.
I don't think the laws of gravity are a myth... But this place seems to run on magic, so anything is possible, I guess. For example
[He pauses.
Does he really want to say that? But they've already said so much, Jun included. So it should be fine.]
I sometimes feel like I'm floating in zero gravity when I'm talking to Jun-kun!
Or when you touch me.
Anyway, talk to you later! 💚
[And then he tabs out of the conversation before he can see Jun's reply, flopping his head down on his pillow again.
... he'll check again in a minute. Or a few minutes. But for now, he'll just lie down and wait for his heart to return to normal, a smile still lingering on his lips after all the sweet things Jun said to him.]
[ Hiyori's texts are a joy to read, bringing a smile to his face. Despite the risks, he'd rather insist on performing all his own stunts, refusing to use a stunt double. However, the offer still stands - where he would happily jump in to save Hiyori.
Honestly, most of the texts read innocuous enough, with Jun suspecting nothing until reaching the last line.
Hiyori feels like he's floating in zero gravity, not only when they talk, but also when he touches him.
The text has his cheeks flushing, re-reading the words over and over for a good couple of minutes before finding a proper response. Also with a few backspaces, the '...' lingering for another couple of minutes as he's crafting his response. ]
hey, you can't go running off after telling me that, y'know?
cuz i'm telling you right now i feel the same way! when you touch me, it's overwhelming, like you've only got eyes for me. but sometimes my heart pounds hard i seriously think it's gonna burst outta my chest.
and on top of that, you're always in my head! so i just wanna let you know you're someone i think about. a lot.
so whenever you read my text, just know it's sorta embarrassing admitting how you're always there. always on my mind and just there, right where you belong. 💚💙
[ He'll also tab out for the time being, needing to calm his racing heart. There are plenty more words he could sum up, how he feels most of the time and more! But a point has been made, Hiyori does occupy his mind (and heart) nearly all the time. ]
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and it's like i said, i don't really care what you do with your chips. if you wanna use them on products or whatever, cuz it makes *you* feel comfortable, do that.
but the perfume here's safe, are you sure?
[ Actually, it seems he's starting to feel some concern about Hiyori's spending habits. Is he becoming more attentive to his partner's actions, or because he knows Hiyori can't buy all the things he might like to? Really, he can't quite figure out why he cares so much.
First things first, Hiyori mentions how this went down, and he's sure he remembers otherwise. Or rather, how wolf-like he acted! Still, there's no rest for the wicked, or, in this case, no rest for those who stay deep in denial! (And it's Jun, the one in denial.) No one will ever be able to coax out from him the extent of his clingy and needy behaviour during the time he was a cat. (Maybe they'll have to buy him that headband after all! And buy one for Hiyori, considering Jun wasn't able to touch his ears :( ) ]
now you're just deflecting, ohii-san. i'm not about to say stuff that's gonna make you even more annoying. and you did but how's what i said encouraging you? anyway, you're the one who wanted to lick me like some damn animal! what sorta wolf wants to do that~? 🐺🐺🐺
[ Just to be extra annoying, he's leaving those emojis because a) he's pretending as if he didn't read the last point about his ears; b) what the hell is the cat with heart eyes anyway? and c) he can throw back some of how Hiyori acted during the week, too! (And he also remembers vividly and in great detail of not only his own behaviour but also his partner's behaviour as if it were yesterday.)
Actually, more as if Hiyori's playing with fire, which he's not about to let him get away with. ]
i'm not a damn animal, really glad you finally realised the truth! but they're gonna come up again cuz you're always saying whatever you want.
nah, you look nothing like sleeping beauty, ohii-san. you steal the blankets most of the time, and the only good thing about how you sleep is that you don't snore. so i guess you've gotta revalue what "sleeping beauty" means. and you wake up with real bad bedhead, but you look kinda cute ♪
[ Oops, he'd forgotten that he was supposed to highlight the negative points of Hiyori's sleeping habits. However, towards the end, he couldn't help but admit that he does look incredibly cute in the mornings with bedhead. In contrast, Jun's hair tends to stick up in random directions, and he rarely bothers to fix it.
But not all the memories here have been ones worth erasing and he wants to emphasise this. Jun could never forget what transpired between him and his partner, and he has no intention of doing so. In fact, he earnestly hopes that Hiyori also cherishes and remembers the memories they share together. Which he'll also try to affirm, so they'll be on the same page. ]
well, there are things from here i'm not gonna forget! but they involve you, ohii-san, so that'll be why i'll want to remember the good things. yep, and we're gonna be real busy when we get home, but we gotta remember to make time for ourselves.
[ Meaning he does very much want to hold Hiyori back home, away from the game, with nothing to worry about. ]
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It should be safe!
[But is it really? After a moment he admits,]
I *did* see some where the boxes said things like "Bound to drive your partner wild with excitement." I assumed they didn't mean that literally. But just in case they *did* include some sort of shady drug, I've been avoiding the ones with that sort of advertising.
[If only someone would make an exhaustive list of every single spiked product in the resort so they could be done with it. But with 90-something different floors' worth of stuff and so many hidden drugs everywhere, that's a near-impossible task.
As is getting Jun to admit to his own neediness during the Springtime game, apparently!! Hiyori frowns down at the screen, his cheeks coloring pink and his lips pursing. Yes, he definitely did some licking during that week, especially on the sixth day, but it's crude to talk about it! And anyway, he still refuses to accept all the responsibility here!!!]
N~ope! 👿 Wrong again! ❌ Jun-kun's the one deflecting! He's completely ignoring 3 things here!
1. In the first place, the one who brought up licking was Jun-kun! It wasn't my idea, it was his! Jun-kun's neediness is what prompted it!
2. Because Jun-kun was so needy, and because I'm caring and kind, I followed along with his wishes! *That's* what happened!
3. Jun-kun enjoyed himself lots while it was happening, and never once said "that's weird!" or "that's un-wolf-like!"
And actually, there's also a 4th thing you've ignored, which is this: I wasn't trying to be wolf-like, because I wasn't really a wolf! The end! Case closed!
[Maybe in another universe they're happily sexting, as opposed to arguing about the sex they already had. Sadly they aren't in that universe, they're in this one. The one where Jun feels entitled to insult him left and right, for some reason, saying he wakes up with "bedhair" and complaining about how he sleeps! The absolute nerve of him!
Though he also called him cute. So it isn't all bad.]
Jun-kun's still being rude to me, I see. Fine, see if I ever show you my sleeping face again!
Though I will remember you called me cute. Or my "bed hair," rather. In which case, perhaps all that other stuff was just your clumsy way of trying to pay me a compliment? Very well, I'll accept it!
[He tries to turn the tables, teasing Jun repeatedly. But when he gets to the end... well, honestly, he just feels like melting. "There are things from here I'm not gonna forget, but they all involve you?" Well... good. Unless he just means he's not going to forget the embarrassing stuff, like the wolf ears. Jun can forget those!
... but in all honesty, he's glad to hear it. Relieved, even. It feels like they might be on the same page, even before considering what "time for ourselves" might mean. So he smiles to himself again at the end, his cheeks still faintly pink.]
Right. I want to spend time with the others, but we'll have those other plans to get to, too. Like spending a day outdoors, out in the sunlight. Or perhaps we could even go to a real resort someday - a tropical one, where you actually get what you pay for and we both make lovely memories. The world is full of fun things like that, so let's make sure to return home safely so we can do them all. Alright?
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[ He's... still not convinced the perfume is safe, though nothing bad has seemed to happen so far. Perhaps something might happen if you buy an entire bottle? Who knows! ]
look, i might be dumb, but you realise how that sounds? in a shady place like this, of course, they'd mean excitement, *literally*. well, it's a good thing you've been avoiding those perfumes, i guess.
[ Really, those names on the perfumes have to mean literally! With the many stores, it may be difficult to know which product to stay away from, which is why Jun has been staying away from them, if not all, only to be certain.
Nope, not about to acknowledge his neediness that week! He can, however, make light of Hiyori's behaviour because, well, he found it endearing. However, his own neediness? Nope! Time to never acknowledge that. But something Jun can acknowledge is how much he liked the things Hiyori did to him! ]
how am i deflecting? i'm being honest with how *you* acted. besides, you're the one who put the idea in my head, but i liked it when you did all that stuff, alright?
ugh, cuz the way you acted wasn't weird and even if you were or weren't "wolf-like," i still would've enjoyed it. i'm not the only one who enjoyed what we did together, so why are you acting like that?
[ Maybe this is the way genuine sexting unfolds? But surprisingly, amidst their heated debate about the sex they've already had, it brings a sense of satisfaction. Still refusing to believe he has been insulting Ohii-san! Besides, he does look cute when he's asleep and when he first wakes up! But it's much easier to poke fun rather than say it outright.
.. or he thinks so. ]
so you're just gonna stay awake all the time, ohii-san?
seriously, how'd you think that? man, sometimes i wanna figure out what the hell goes on in your brain.
[ He can't turn the tables himself, but he's already called Hiyori cute—or his hair, at least. Still, he also meant Hiyori looks cute the moment he wakes up!
It's almost whiplash how different their texts go each time, but who's to say they can't playfully argue and say nice things within the same wall of text? And Jun means every word, even if he's a little afraid to admit he wouldn't mind spending "alone time" with Hiyori after this ends. ]
yeah, i wanna spend time with them, too. i wasn't trying to say i didn't want to.. but i'm pretty positive about who i'd wanna spend time with instead. and all day we're gonna spend out in the sun, going to another garden and spending time at a real resort sounds fun and like a good time. so yeah, we'll do everything once we return home and make more serious memories like the ones you're talking about. i really want that with you, ohii-san.
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... Or is he? It keeps disappearing and reappearing as he types and retypes his response. He's still red-cheeked on his end, tempted to continue the argument.
No, YOU put the idea in MY head!
Why am I acting like WHAT?
Why would I have to stay awake all the time? I could just sleep somewhere away from you, since it sounds like you don't like my sleeping habits, anyway!
He types all those things and more. But in the end, he deletes them all. Too much of what Jun's saying gives him pause. Admitting that he liked what they did together, for one thing, and calling him out on the fact he's acting like Jun's the only one who enjoyed it. That's not true, of course. But when it comes to that particular act, well... it's embarrassing to admit he liked doing something like that. He's very prideful. But Jun is more honest than he is.
And that "stay awake all the time" thing, well—that must mean Jun plans for them to sleep together more often, doesn't it? They're not roommates at home anymore, or even at the resort (not at this moment, anyway), but Jun still expects to see his sleeping face regularly.
It's just too much for him to keep acting pissy. Much of what Jun's saying makes his heart flutter. And then he gets to the end (which really is a whiplash), and the rest of his defensiveness just melts away. Jun-kun is saying he wants to spend time with him, saying he'll go to a resort or wherever with him, saying they'll do "everything" once they get home. Jun-kun, in other words...
is totally in love with him!!
Or he might be on that track, anyway. At the very least, Jun cares about him. And he's saying some very romantic-sounding things.
Hiyori ignores his watch for a second and flops down on his bed, reaching for one of the pillows. This isn't the first time he's hugged his pillow while thinking about Jun here, and it will not be the last! He'll spend a good hour doing that again when he discovers that Network thread where Jun talked about "taking a shot" with him!
He doesn't spend an hour this time. But he does bury his face in it and give it a good squeeze. Sometimes when he's overcome with emotion, he just wants to hug something or someone! Sort of like he'll eventually do onstage in America, when he's so moved by what Nagisa is saying that he grabs onto Jun and hugs him tight! ... if they ever get to that point in the timeline, that is.
It's a couple of minutes later that he sits up in bed, releasing the pillow and reaching for his watch screen. Alright, no more arguments! He'll try to return... some of Jun's honesty.]
Sounds like I don't need to wear perfume to drive Jun-kun wild with excitement! 😘
[... yep. That's how he chooses to open it: with teasing!
But the rest is more sincere.]
I found your "cat" side endearing, to be honest. But I don't need you to act like a cat, a hyena, or anything else. It's perfectly fine for you to just be yourself. Or, actually, it's more than fine. That's the "you" our fans grew to love, after all.
And that's the "you" I call my partner, and the one I love waking up next to.
[He shoots off that last one before he can overthink it, though writing it makes the tips of his ears burn. It's an awkward attempt to tie in their conversation about sleeping habits. And, of course, it's a confession that isn't quite a confession, but he's used to giving those.]
And the one I want to do those fun things with! Like go to different places, bask in the sunlight together, and so on. There's still fun to be had here, I'm sure. But I just can't wait to see what the future has in store for us at home.
[...]
I'm sure it'll be something even more beautiful than what we've experienced so far. That's my hope, anyway.
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Even if he's blushing like crazy behind the screen, he knows deep down he wouldn't have reacted like that if he didn't enjoy what Hiyori did. And when he reflects on it, he remembers how Hiyori didn't flinch or complain. And about the future, Jun's secretly hoping they'll get to sleep next to each other again soon. But he's a bit hesitant about another sleepover, not wanting Hiyori to get the wrong idea. Though he figures it's obvious what he's thinking, maybe he doesn't even need to explain it too much.
But he still finds himself yearning for everything he mentioned, plus more—everything Hiyori's hinting at and beyond. He wonders if things would have unfolded differently if they were back home. Would they have eventually crossed the line into something more intimate, or would they have remained at the same point they were before coming here? He's well aware of the golden rule that idols can't date, and it's stirring up conflicting emotions in him now. Despite that rule, most of what they do together back home feels pretty "date-like.".
And those really are romantic things he's texting back, eager for those things just as much as Hiyori seems to be. Just as he's about to let the conversation go, wondering if something came up or if Hiyori got busy picking out outfits he might like, he almost shuts off his watch and stops pacing around the room. But just before he does, the next batch of texts arrives, keeping him on edge.
Jun's heart clenches as he reads the next flurry of words, almost as if it's stopped in his chest, and a smile spreads across his face. Those words feel undeniably romantic to him, stirring up a warmth he can't ignore despite the teasing. ]
you've just gotta be your annoying self, ohii-san. that's enough to "drive me seriously crazy" with or without excitement ~
[ In both ways, really? ]
jeez, what the hell do i say to that? and i'm gonna make sure the way i'm acting right now stays or you've got my permission to knock me back down ♪
where do i begin? i'm gonna preface by saying, i'm glad you're my partner, ohii-san. even if you're gonna keep saying it was just a whim, i'm happy i became your whim. think i'm slowly understanding what you've been trying to say.
[ His cheeks feel like they're on fire as he paces around his room, almost tempted to touch them just to gauge the heat. With Hiyori typing that he "loves waking up next to him," how can he possibly handle those words with any semblance of normalcy? ]
hey, ohii-san, remember those words i said during ss? turns out they weren't just about singing, but i dunno if you caught on.
[ It's that almost-confession again, a step closer to openness than he's ever been before, just as Hiyori playfully teased him about "love." ]
so i want everything you want! we're gonna go home and things'll be good between us. and better than ever, cuz we're partners and nothing's gonna get us down. we'll sort it out, ohii-san, together.
[ His words brim with passion, a stark contrast to his former self, who struggled with such conversations. It was Hiyori who guided him through it all, teaching him not only how to navigate through the dirty alleyways but also how to embrace love itself. While everything isn't crystal clear yet, whatever this is, he knows it's something he'll yearn for back home. ]
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... or not. He knows it isn't that simple. Most of their fans don't really think they're dating; they assume Eve's fanservice is simply that. And some of them would probably have mixed feelings at best. But that's something to worry about later, he figures. For now, he wants to keep nurturing the budding flower they've planted. It's fragile and delicate, but holds the promise of something truly beautiful.
He thought he'd be fine with never dating Jun. He'd been willing to give up on things like dating in order to pursue their shared dream. But how can he go back now that he's gotten a taste of what he wanted? How could he go back when Jun's sending him messages like that? Sounding so affectionate and cute, saying he was glad he was chosen, reminding him of what he said before at SS—
........... ah.
His heart hammers against his ribcage. All at once, he's transported back to that moment from over a year ago, except his flustered feelings from back then don't hold a candle to how he feels now. Now Jun is talking about more than just singing. And that's the bottom line here, really: their partnership has come to mean something different, something other than just stage partners. Something more like life partners. How does Hiyori feel about that? "Extremely flustered," for starters.
But also glad. Deeply, fiercely glad.]
No, I've caught on. I'm a genius with excellent social skills, remember?
[His fingers feel a little shaky. Somehow he still manages to type on the small screen.]
You'll stay by my side as long as I wish you there, whether it's to sing or not - isn't that right? If that's the case, then I accept. I want Jun-kun by my side as my partner for more than just singing.
[The "..." hovers for a while again. He feels hot, and he might even be starting to sweat under his collar (ugh.) Should he come right out and say what sort of "partnership" they're both obviously talking about? He seriously considers it.
But, in the end, stops just short. Maybe there's no need to, since it is so obvious. And if there is a need to, well, it'd be better to confess that sort of thing in-person. They'll have lots of opportunities for that, won't they?]
I also want him there so we can go do all those things we just talked about! And lots of other things we haven't talked about, or even thought about before. We're still young, and the world's our oyster! So, I'm glad we're on the same page.
About wanting to stay together, that is.
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Though Jun is well-versed in the protocol, thanks to his father's strict teachings, he has never seriously considered dating before. More mindful of the potential consequences a relationship could have on their careers if word were to ever leak out. Yet, despite the risks, Jun finds himself drawn to the idea of watching something beautiful blossom, experiencing these "newfound" feelings. Coming to understand these feelings are normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
What weighs heavily on Jun's heart is the realisation that he has only begun to acknowledge these feelings in this unfamiliar setting. Back home, it was far easier to dismiss them, attributing any affection he felt to gratitude due to being stage partners. Now, however, he finds himself allowing his fondness for Hiyori to permeate his everyday life.
... "Life partners" seems a more fitting term, carrying a romantic undertone while avoiding the complexities of an undefined relationship. Having witnessed plenty of each other's flaws and vulnerabilities, Jun realises that if he truly objected to Hiyori's treatment of him, he could voice his concerns, and the matter would conclude there. Yet the most unnerving part would currently be the lack of resistance to the idea of a lifelong commitment with Hiyori.
How was he ever going to doubt Hiyori's "genius with excellent social skills"? ]
so you've caught on, huh~? and you're pretty good at reading between the lines, ohii-san. but that's right, you've got it. and you will accept? good! i want that too, ohii-san, more than anything.
[ His own hands feel shaky while typing, but he is still trying to stay calm, even while his entire body feels hot. He'd been dressed in a t-shirt and pants, but now it's as if he's trapped in a furnace.
But, it's obvious now, isn't it? The "partnership" they'll have going forward seems crystal clear, with the two of them on the same page, especially with Hiyori's last text. ]
i'll be right there with you, ohii-san, nothing would make me happier. whatever we wanna do when it comes to mind, we'll do! do what we want together, go to all the places we don't know the names of, and go anywhere we wanna go.
and we're on the same page, ohii-san. makes sense~ we're partners who're gonna stay together ♪
[ Really, he does hope forever. ]
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He's glad they've cleared the air between them, too, of course. No more arguing, just heartfelt affirmations of love. Which really is exactly what this is. And Jun just keeps going, reaffirming his commitment, saying even more unspeakably wonderful things to him. ... or typing them, anyway. This would be harder if it was in-person. There'd be no hiding his luminescent blush. Or the expression on his face, which he's sure is deeply embarrassing.
He'd been worried this place would ruin them. Their career as idols. Maybe even their souls. Instead, they'll emerge from here closer than ever before.
First they need to get out, of course. But for now, he'll allow himself a moment to bask in his feelings being returned.]
Yep. We'll always be partners. Through thick and thin, no matter what comes our way.
[At Reimei, at ES, in a sex casino.]
Jun-kun's become that sort of irreplaceable existence to me. And that's something that won't ever change.
So it's wonderful to know the feeling is mutual. I already knew how important I was, of course. But it's good to have it confirmed!
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He's never really committed to anyone before, though with the air being cleared between them, it only makes sense to affirm those feelings. His feelings for Hiyori are real, they've always been real, and it's not because of some sex casino that he has them. And Hiyori has been affirming that he feels the same, both with as few words as possible.
It's not as if they need big, fancy words to convey how they feel for one another, either. So he'll allow himself a moment for his heartrate to drop, knowing his feelings are being returned as well. And knowing Hiyori's become that sort of person to him as well, no one could come close to replacing his partner in his heart. ]
nothings gonna stop us, no matter how hard it will be.
[ They've already done half of those things. And boy, his cheeks hurt from grinning too much, but it's all worth it to hear those sweet words.
Well, until Hiyori types the last part! Which only causes him to laugh under his breath, his cheeks flaring with burning heat while remaining glad no one, especially not HIyori, can see how flushed his cheeks are. ]
yeah, yeah. good thing that's also not gonna change for me. and even if you wanna claim you already know!
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Still, he's had stray thoughts here and there. And if he had to guess what dating Jun at home might be like, well... it won't be too big an adjustment, will it? They already go places together. He figures it'll be similar to what they already have, and what they already have planned: they'll go to an outdoor garden, on a trip to a real resort, and to all sorts of different locales, except now those excursions will officially be "dates." They'll touch each other suggestively for their fans while knowing inside their hearts that it's more than just "fanservice." And on nights when they're sharing a hotel room for an overnight job, or when their roommates are out, he'll invite Jun-kun to hold him tight.
That's the sort of thing he imagines, when he dares to imagine at all. Despite the uncertainty that lies ahead, it makes him happy to have all these future plans. He hopes their partnership will always remain as strong as it is right now.]
Yes, yes of course I do! As Jun-kun's one and only partner, it makes sense that I'd know his heart best of all 💙
[And now for a pause.]
I'm glad we could have this heart to heart talk. It's funny to think this whole thing started because of that idol lesson Monika-chan wants. Which means that I have her to thank! But she wouldn't know what I was talking about if I did thank her, so I'll just say thanks silently inside my heart.
We'll have to part ways with her and the others soon, of course. Once we find the way out of here, that is. But until then, let's continue to do what we do best and spread love for idols! 😊🎵🎶🎤❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💖✨ That should bring us both a great deal of joy.
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Already, their partnership seemed different from normal—different from what someone might have called a normal one to be. But he doesn't mind now; all those times of denying anything was going on seemed long ago, but most of all, he wants to go on all these wonderful trips together. Not just for a job! There is nothing between them which can change; it'll be the same as it ever was, except now they can kiss and hold hands whenever they'd like! And then find time to spend alone together. It's just... Jun isn't too picky; he wants to do all those things and more, but most of all, wanting to spend time on official dates sounds as if it's going to be amazing.
Really, he can't wait to imagine all these things together. ]
yep, seems like you do, ohii-san ♪ good thing my heart is just filled with you, huh~!
[ Just like he'd said in his dream that one time! And the blue heart, especially in his image colour, makes him smile. ]
it pretty much turned out how i'd hoped it might. but i started thinking about stuff too much and the words somehow wrote themselves. monika-san's not gonna really know what you're going on about, so might be good for her to figure it out on her own.
guess we will.. haven't thought about it too much. sides, this place needs *something* cheerful in it, so that'd be us, right~ give this place a performance worth remembering before we're outta here! so i wanna do it.
[ Thinking about leaving is a lot, but it's the right way. Sure, leaving behind all this is what he wants to do, as is wanting to be reunited with Ibara and Nagi-senpai! But most of all, he's ready for the next chapter in their life together. ]
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Though he's touched right now, too, actually. As a matter of fact, he's overwhelmed. All the air in his lungs seems to leave him at once, and his heart does a somersault. My heart is just filled with you. My heart is just filled with you. My heart is just filled with you—
Honestly, Jun-kun's going to be the death of him one of these days. Jun's heart is full?! What about his heart? His heart is overflowing! Alright, that does it! He just has to hug something!
So, time for a brief intermission where he squeezes his pillow for another minute or so. Actually, he might need two minutes.
But then he's back!!]
You're right about that. The credit is all yours, despite what I said about Monika-chan. It's Jun-kun who's been so wonderfully honest. I know can be hard to do sometimes, so I truly am grateful. You've gotten wonderfully good at expressing yourself.
I'm glad to receive the bulk of Jun-kun's heartfelt feelings. Or rather, that's how it should be: I don't want Jun-kun's heart to be full of anyone but me!
But we still have plenty of love left leftover for our fans, of course. And we both love being idols, so that's exactly how I'd like to end our time here: with a dazzling show that's sure to raise everyone's spirits up! ✨🎵✨🎵
Even those brainwashed shop clerks need a bit of joy in their lives. Perhaps if they see us onstage, it'll unlock something within them! A memory, or a buried emotion or something like that.
Alright, now I'm really excited! I'm ready to sing, dance, and keep being Jun-kun's dazzling partner forever and ever! 💚♾️💙
[Really. Forever. He means it, he's sure of it!]
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What he typed seems awfully close, and it's not wrong in the least. His heart is often full, filled with thoughts of Hiyori, the same as right now. How can anyone quell the beating of their heart when it's this intense?
Never had he thought he could say (or write) these things, not without a little help, or rather, he was fine going to the grave with these unsurpressed feelings. But now he's had a taste of what they could be, those conflicting feelings have increased ten-fold.
Which, at this point, Ibara will just have to deal with! ]
not just mine, but also yours! and i really mean every word, ohii-san. i've been really trying, you know! but i'm glad you've noticed, cuz you're right, expressing these feelings has been hard! so i'll keep getting better at the trying thing! course no one else'll worm their way in, so don't worry ~
and we'll do that! i'll never forget our fans, or wouldn't wanna give them the love they give us in return~ just means they'll remember our songs, which will be good for anyone here to remember us by. if we can help them, then we'll do it!
[ Instead, the brainwashed workers will be brainwashed by Eve instead! Sounds like the perfect plan. ]
and there's nothing more i'd wanna do with you, ohii-san. and don't forget about getting to do all those things we said together, too.
[ The word forever has many meanings, but ultimately, it's exactly what Jun means by this. If it's forever, even better! ]
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Well, yes, I do deserve credit too. I just assumed that went without saying! I'm the one who helped Jun-kun get better at self-expression. And I have quite a way with words, myself, of course.
Yep! Helping ourselves takes top priority, but I do want to help whoever we can. I want everyone to get home safely and for all the brainwashed people to revert back to normal. And for us to get back to our fans, and for Monika-chan to get back to her "Player," and for Eden to conquer the world! Or at least the industry.
[Brainwashing the staff and the career residents into Eve/Eden fans is absolutely fine. It's not morally dubious at all, it's just natural! ~Our music, only our music~]
Yes, yes, I won't forget! I still have some paper and pens leftover from when I bought all that stuff for my case file, so perhaps I'll make a to-do list! Or, actually, I'll make two lists! One list for things we want to do before leaving this place, and one list for things to do at home! And I can use rhinestones in place of bullet points, since I still have some of those left over, too. How does that sound?
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you sure you're feeling fine? it's not like you to not wanna take credit. well, i'm not gonna lie and say you didn't, ohii-san. pretty obvious you helped, so thanks for that.
[ Most of the anger inside his heart had been quelled or "bleached" out, given Hiyori's sunny disposition. It's a stark contrast how different Jun used to act to now, though. ]
the thing is, i dunno who "needs help" here. but we'll try our best to help unbrainwash those sorta people. and we'll just keep conquering the industry, ohii-san! i still wanna perform overseas in a big arena, so let's make our way home soon!
[ But Hiyori, are you sure you're not the one with an obsession for Monika? He's sure mentioning her a lot! ]
yeah, sure! if you wanna keep all the stuff we wanna do in a file, that'd be good. maybe if our moods get low, we'll look at the list, and it'll give us more motivation! and sounds good to me, ohii-san. we'll just do as much as we can and leave the rest until later.
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[Now that he knows Jun-kun wants to be with him forever and ever, as more than just his singing partner.]
Me too, of course. I'm sure the others feel the same. Especially Ibara, who just loooves "conquests." Perhaps we'll start with that American festival he told us about. The one he took us overseas for! "Absolute," I think it was called.
And then, once we've toured one country, it'll be onto the next one! 🗺️🌎🎶✨ And we'll get to do some sightseeing that way, too!
[Ah, travel is so much fun when it's voluntary. When it's not voluntary, it's just kidnapping!
As for Monika-chan, how could he ever pass up the opportunity to remind Jun that she ~already has a lover~ and is ~happily spoken for~?? (By her own admission, mind you. He didn't make this up!!)]
Now I'm really pumped up! I'll get started on that list just as soon as I'm done with some other stuff.
[A pause. Then he adds, with finality:]
But I think I'd be happy doing just about anything as long as it's with Jun-kun. Almost anything, anyway.
[And then:]
But I still have lots of fun ideas I wouldn't want to miss out on, so it's good that we're on the same page!
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[ And now that Hiyori's accepted, life couldn't be any better. Jun might not be squeezing his pillow tight, he feels optimistic about their future. ]
i'm pretty confident nagi-senpai will keep ibara away from conquests, or just this one. but i know we'll make it over there once we get outta here! and your english was pretty good last time, so i'm gonna keep trusting in your skills ♪
i dunno what other countries we'll go to, but all of them! i hope we'll see all the colosseums one day, and the water city thing!
[ Venice, he's talking about Venice! And thinking about the places they'll go to or even perform at is a lot of fun. But first, they'll need to break out of this silly sex casino and then bug Ibara until Eden's allowed to perform overseas! Sounds like a plan.
Besides, he knows that, and Monika's not the person Jun wants to be with forever and ever! It would never work out, especially when they go their separate ways and live very different lives. (However, he is quite curious who this "player" person is!)]
no rush, ohii-san! i'll look forward to whenever you get started on it.
and on top of that, our circumstances are pretty shitty right now, but i'm gonna be happy with all of it, too.
[ Although uncertain what those things might involve, the future does seem promising. ]
my minds racing with all the things i wanna do with you by my side. guess we're really "two bodies, one soul," or the thing you always say about us.
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And I'm sure Nagisa-kun would love to see the Collosseum! If he hasn't already. I think he might've gone there once before. Back when we were at Yumenosaki, he'd jet off whenever he felt like it. He'd just disappear and then reappear some days later with souvenirs from abroad and some new story to tell about historic sites or archaeological digs. But these days he doesn't really have time in his schedule for that, plus Ibara wouldn't allow it, so we'll just have to travel together!
Then if we're feeling extra ambitious, we could not only consider touring the world, but also other universes! Topaz-chan said that her company manufactures airplanes which can travel between dimensions, so something like that might just be possible. We could become the world's first truly "cosmic" idols!
Though, there's already plenty to see in our world. And the thought of getting stuck between dimensions is a bit disconcerting. So I think I'd be fine without that, too.
[There's a lull between bursts of text as Jun manages to articulate something he's also felt. "Our circumstances are shitty, but I'm happy with all of it" really isn't too far from his own feelings. Of course he isn't happy with everything that's going on, or even most of it. But he's finding himself feeling happy more and more often lately, and he knows it's all because of Jun. It's because he has Jun at his side. He meant it when he said he'd be happy doing almost anything with Jun. And it's the same for Jun, isn't it?
Nothing, not Rinne's disappearance or the forced tattoos or the Springtime game or anything, can completely kill the simple joy of being with his partner. Or the still-more-exhilarating joy of having his secret feelings returned. Some of his usual worries will return later, but right now, he's over the moon. So over the moon, he doesn't even mind when Jun messes up that motto he came up with during Eve's formation!]
Silly Jun-kun. It's one body, two souls! 💚💙 Because we move together onstage as one!
But the way you said it isn't completely wrong. Since it seems our innermost thoughts and feelings are in-sync today, too. Almost like we *are* sharing a soul.
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[ Thinking about one of them falling in would be hilariously funny. And regardless of the name Hiyori chooses, the list will be for them alone. ]
well, nagi-senpai can give us a tour! i knew he'd been overseas, but not over there, so that's pretty cool. that's gotta be where he got all those rocks from ♪
i dunno if i'm feeling *that* ambitious, ohii-san. touring other planets and being in space sounds pretty scary. d'you think we'll see topaz-san again?
[ If so, then it would help. Out of most people he's met here, he enjoys talking to Topaz; she's pretty much the only "normal" person. Well, besides her worth ethic being eerily similar to Ibara's... ]
huh, why'd you go and say that? being stuck in space has gotta be the last thing we should be doing.
[ He's pretty happy touring Earth for now! Even if Ibara might applaud Hiyori's ideas, he's going to staunchly refuse. (Nagi-senpai, please agree space is no place for idols!!!) Despite the freakout of Eden being lost in space, he waits for the next feeling to set in. It's crappy circumstances this happened, but he's happy that they've come to an understanding.
Hiyori's contagious happiness is exactly how he feels, unable to stop the constant smile he's been wearing lately. Having Hiyori by his side has made a few realisations come to fruition, showing just how fortunate he's been, not just in this place, but always with Hiyori around. And without a doubt, the most obvious one has to be how attached Jun's grown. He meant it, too, just how his fondness has grown, blossoming into his feelings having been returned. It may not stay this way forever, but once they get out, perhaps nothing will stop them. No fans, no Ibara, no silly no-dating rule!
The colourful hearts constantly seem to catch him off guard, tugging at his heart for no "apparent" reason other than being their image colours. And he was not a big fan of emojis before meeting Hiyori, but hearts now seem to represent a variety of emotions for them. Don't they?
Phew! He's not been called out on messing up the motto, even though he's heard it numerous times before. ]
close enough~ one body, two souls 💚💙
i'm gonna agree we've been pretty in-sync today, like we're on stage, 'cept we're not! and being honest, i wanna keep being in-sync with you, ohii-san, cuz nothing's gonna make me happier.
[ With each passing day, he's getting closer and closer to understanding how this feels a lot like love. Being open, trying to articulate these feelings will come and go as the realisation eventually settles in. ]
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As for the photoshoot part, I figure we can have a camera crew photographing us from another boat or else from one of the bridges. And then we can also take photographs at all the other sightseeing locations. That should be fun for us and for our fans!
It's definitely considered theft to take parts of the Colosseum home. But I do know he's been on excavations in other countries before. Perhaps one day he'll have a shiny stone from every country on Earth! 💎
Will we see her outside the resort, you mean? Honestly, she sounds rather busy, just like Anzu-chan or Ibara. And it also sounds as though she lives in a completely different dimension from us. But if we do find a way to travel between worlds, then perhaps!
I do agree with you about space, though. I don't like dark, cold and lonely places, so on second thought, let's scratch that.
[Sorry, Ibara. Sorry, CosPro.
... it really is a silly thing. Feeling his heart soar because of some emojis. But he has the softest smile on his face when he sees Jun return them. He couldn't be happier with how things have turned out.]
But even if we did travel to space, we'd still be "one body, two souls." In this world, in another world, in the next life, wherever!
Or at least that's what I'll choose to believe, since that's what would make me happiest, too.
[He knows he's only reiterating Jun's words. And his own. But he'll keep saying shmoopy things like that, revealing his heart bit by bit, until the day he feels he's found the right moment to come right out and state his feelings upfront.
He will be thinking them in his heart, though. "I love Jun-kun."]
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yeah, i'm liking the idea of the photoshoot! now we've not had one for months, i kinda miss getting all sorts of new clothes and posing for the camera. i know it'd be something new, not many idols can say they've done!
[ Heading off to Venice with Eden sounds wonderful, and with a photoshoot to boot? Even more wonderful! Talking about all about the fun and silly things they might do once they leave has felt comforting. ]
huh, how'd you know that? well, here's hoping nagi-senpai didn't take anything! yeah, i think he's gotta be close, cuz he's already got a buncha cool rocks.
hmm, yeah, i guess it'd be tricky with different dimensions. maybe we'll be the first to figure it out! and that's what i'm thinking. i'm pretty sure space ships have got heating, but you're right about the lonely part.
[ Rip Ibara and CosPro!
The emojis feel as if it's their thing, whatever that means! He's filled with warmth, causing a broad grin to spread across his face. It's the kind of feeling that would make you want to relax on the bed, grinning at your phone (or, in this instance, watch), and scream into a pillow. This is exactly how Jun feels at the moment, as if he were some lovestruck teenager!
Having Hiyori reiterate the same fills him with excitement. He's never, ever felt this way about someone, but here those words are in text! And if Jun's ever having a bad day, he'll open his watch and re-read the shmoopy texts the two have been sending, and all will be right in the world. ]
it's good we want the same thing, ohii-san. we've sorta reached another understanding, haven't we? i mean, about us!
and i'm really happy, ohii-san.
[ He doesn't quite remember how this conversation started, nor does it matter by this point.
Something about Monika.But he feels closer than ever to Ohii-san, allowing him into his heart and realising with each passing day how the feeling of having your love returned changes you for the better. ]no subject
Yep, of course Jun-kun would prioritize me over getting water in his shoes! That's how things are, and that's how they should be!
I know I've already suggested different this, but we can always try on clothes and take some photos here, by the way. It won't be nearly the same as a real photoshoot, but we'll want to do that anyway so we can figure out what to wear for our shuffle performance!
[Whenever... that happens.]
It's just obvious, since that's a historical landmark. It'd be sort of like trying to take ancient artwork home from a museum. Though I wonder if that's what our captors have done, since some of the art pieces in the elevators look eerily similar to famous works. If they're just reproductions, then they're rather skilled ones.
Someone suggested that we could be in space here, for all we know. They've cut off any way to view the outside world, after all. I didn't really buy that, though, since I don't feel the slightest bit weightless here.
[It was Atsushi who shared that idea.
Also, the last part might just be a lie. Because every time Jun reaffirms his feelings for him, he does feel like he's floating on up to cloud nine. Like now, for instance.
There's a lot weighing on him in this place. A constant heaviness sitting in his chest, threatening to sink his heart like a stone. But that feeling is gone now. As long as he has Jun-kun...]
I don't feel too heavy anymore, either, though. And that's because of you, I'm sure. And because of that understanding that we reached.
Thanks, Jun-kun.
💚
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yeah, i'd probably not think about it and dive right in. can't really have anything happen to my partner ~
and i wanna do that, so we just gotta find time! good thing my schedules pretty open these days. but looking for our shuffle outfits would be a good start, but i'd been sorta hoping maybe we could still look for some outfits. y'know, just for us...?
[ But it's just, well, he wants to see Hiyori in cute clothes! And not just cute clothes for their shuffle unit. Also his vague ass answer, wishing he could come right out and say exactly what he wants. ]
how'd i know that? i don't know much about the world, ohii-san, or paintings. but, hmm, you think those're the real deal? maybe next time we're in one, i'll take a better look.
well, it sorta makes sense cuz we've got no fresh air or sunlight. and there's gotta be none of that out in space, just darkness and stars. feeling weightless could be a myth, couldn't it?? maybe that's what they want you to think.
[ We need mythbusters out here!! Wow, Atsushi seems to be filled with knowledge.
Personally, he's not too sure about feeling weightless. Here, in this place, there's often an uneasiness weighing in the air, mostly from the Game 52 nonsense. But the feeling subsides whenever he's near Hiyori, whenever he's talking to Hiyori, and whenever he's thinking about Hiyori.
Needless to say, Jun's in Deep.
And deeper in, whenever Hiyori's transparent with him, talking about their feelings, his heart flips again at the green heart. ]
you were feeling heavy, ohii-san? if you're ever feeling heavy again, just let me know! cuz i'd do anything to take away the feeling, y'know? ♪ i'm gonna make sure there's never any confusion between us again.
and you're welcome, ohii-san.
💙
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[Though they'd probably just use a stunt double.]
Just for us, hmm?
[He's not sure whether Jun is talking about new stage costumes, or about their plans to try on cute dresses at some point, or what. But either way:]
That sounds wonderful to me! You already know this, but I love shopping, so I don't mind if we go on multiple trips. One trip for shuffle unit costumes, one trip for cute outfits, and a third trip for more matching clothes! 👯🛍️
[They'll be shopping for matching outfits for Weiss's party next month, anyway. And he and Weiss will also be looking at shuffle costumes.]
Perhaps we can investigate the brushstrokes with a magnifying glass. I'm sort of like a detective here, so it's probably time I got one of those. I do try to avoid riding the elevators with others, since there are those weird talking portraits in there, but I suppose it's fine if it's just with Jun-kun.
I don't think the laws of gravity are a myth... But this place seems to run on magic, so anything is possible, I guess. For example
[He pauses.
Does he really want to say that? But they've already said so much, Jun included. So it should be fine.]
I sometimes feel like I'm floating in zero gravity when I'm talking to Jun-kun!
Or when you touch me.
Anyway, talk to you later! 💚
[And then he tabs out of the conversation before he can see Jun's reply, flopping his head down on his pillow again.
... he'll check again in a minute. Or a few minutes. But for now, he'll just lie down and wait for his heart to return to normal, a smile still lingering on his lips after all the sweet things Jun said to him.]
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Honestly, most of the texts read innocuous enough, with Jun suspecting nothing until reaching the last line.
Hiyori feels like he's floating in zero gravity, not only when they talk, but also when he touches him.
The text has his cheeks flushing, re-reading the words over and over for a good couple of minutes before finding a proper response. Also with a few backspaces, the '...' lingering for another couple of minutes as he's crafting his response. ]
hey, you can't go running off after telling me that, y'know?
cuz i'm telling you right now i feel the same way! when you touch me, it's overwhelming, like you've only got eyes for me. but sometimes my heart pounds hard i seriously think it's gonna burst outta my chest.
and on top of that, you're always in my head! so i just wanna let you know you're someone i think about. a lot.
so whenever you read my text, just know it's sorta embarrassing admitting how you're always there. always on my mind and just there, right where you belong. 💚💙
[ He'll also tab out for the time being, needing to calm his racing heart. There are plenty more words he could sum up, how he feels most of the time and more! But a point has been made, Hiyori does occupy his mind (and heart) nearly all the time. ]
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