Jaydor

Aika

Even after sending that text, you don't receive a response even after a few minutes, so Takeshi must have really meant it when he said to talk later.

Joan

"..So you don't know after all."

There's something in her tone of voice there. Disappointment? Pity?

"If you're really curious about that or other topics, then meet me with an oblivion seed and ask me then."

Joan

"Are you an idiot?"

The girl is quick to retort this time, almost snapping at you.

"You're willing to cope with it if it means getting your wish? It's alright as long as you can bring someone back to life? That's nonsense. There's no point in a goal like that if you're not also inc-.."

She stops herself mid-sentence. After about a second, you hear her clicking her tongue.

"Never mind. But if that's all you know.. if you assume it's only your problem to deal with, then you don't know how bad things can actually get."

Joan

You can hear a bitter sigh.

"If you really want a concrete example, then how about the side effects from releasing leftover magic?"

Joan

"Is that right? I guess if you want to stay in the dark and self-destruct like an idiot, you really would be stupid. If that's your decision, it's fine with me. I can always find other ways to get oblivion seeds."

Yukari

"Eh? Ah.. it's mostly the usual. People who get in accidents or take their rides in for tune-ups. Though recently there was this one guy who wanted a paintjob for his car for.. that one popular idol group? Ikebukuro something-or-others."

Joan

"You recently killed a youma. If it dropped an oblivion seed, I'll exchange information for it. If it didn't, any seed will do, I don't care where or how you get it."

The terms are laid out for you in a straightfoward, though blunt, fashion.

Joan

There's a brief pause on the other end of the line.

"..You don't have to trust me. Either way, I'm sure you have questions that I can answer, if you're willing to make a trade."

Yukari

"Hey, Fujiwara. Just fixing up this scoot right now."

From a brief glance, it seems that he's pumping the tires at the moment.

Joan

"I see. Then, have they lied to you yet? Forget to tell you anything?"

She doesn't bother to defend herself regarding stealing the phone.

Sen

The train is fairly crowded in the afternoon, but you manage to find yourself a seat.

The scenery quickly zips past as it leaves the station.

Joan

She doesn't seem to be fazed by your skepticism, though your answer is followed by a brief and impatient sounding sigh.

"I guess that's the expected answer. But then again.. how much do you really know about magic? I think it'd be a lot easier to wish back that dead boy you mentioned if you had a few hints to work with, right?"

If she's bringing that up, she probably read through Sen's texts.

"After all, from the sound of it, you're probably a new magical girl."

Yukari

You catch the noise of power tools as you step up to the garage.

Looking inside, Takeshi actually seems to be working on not a car, but a vespa. He looks up at you as you approach.

[Around 1 PM or so, give or take]

Joan

"A magical girl. The one I'm sure your friend told you she met earlier today. Or has she kept that from you?"

The bandaged girl?

You pick up a slight hint of derision in her words toward the end, but it's mostly just cold indifference that you're getting overall. She's being informal about it, but it's as if the girl is speaking like she's in a business negotiation.

"Well, not like it really matters either way."

Joan

"Nonohara Joan, I presume?"

An unfamiliar voice replies. From the sound of it, it belongs to a girl about your age.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in a meeting," she continues.

Yukari

Having no reason to stick around, you head off.

As you follow the path home, you absentmindedly recall that the garage where your mechanic friend Takeshi works will be coming up soon on this route.

Aika

"Well, whatever. I'm not the type to go out of my way and interact with someone without a reason, so you won't have anything to worry about."

He gets up from his spot on the floor and stretches, before walking off while fading into invisibility.

"If you want anything from me, I'll be around," Nekomoto mutters as he disappears.

Your phone chimes with a notification in the meantime, announcing a reply to your text.

"In the first place, where did you disappear to? You weren't around after we saw you leave the music club's room."

Just as you're reading through that one, another text shows up.

"On second thought, the rest of us are actually still in class now, so maybe we can talk later."

Joan

With those parting words, you briskly make your exit from the apartment building and start on the way home.

Not long afterwards, you arrive at the streets of your familiar neighborhood, surrounded on both sides by various houses. Yours isn't far from here, but before you can proceed any further, your phone starts ringing.

The number doesn't seem to be one that you recognize.

Hisako

With a pouting expression, you cut into the shortcake and lift a piece up to your mouth.

As expected from the cream, strawberries, and peaches sandwiched between layers of sponge cake, it's very sweet, but not in an unpleasant manner.

Tami

You quickly set up the cloth napkin on your lap before stabbing into one of the glazed meatballs.

The meat is actually rather soft and fluffy, being a mix of ground chicken and tofu.

Aika

Nekomoto makes a motion that almost seems like the cat equivalent of chuckling. You're certain that if he could move his lips like a human being, he'd be smirking.

"You middle schoolers are so much less trusting than little kids. I wonder if that's just a part of growing up."

Joan, Yukari, Sen

The three of you make your way out the door. Aika's magic seems to have stopped.

Hisako, Tami

Egusa-san puts her hands together and smiles as a display of approval.

"Good, then that's settled. Oh, and just in time for our food to get here!"

The waitress from earlier appears with a tray, quickly offloading the group's various orders. Chicken salad, teriyaki meatballs, and strawberry shortcake are placed in front of their respective owners, and Egusa-san's eyes light up in response, clearly hungry.

[Hisapon clearly has the greatest potential

But if Tami plays up her indecisiveness more she'd be a real contender]

Aika, Joan, Yukari, Sen

Nekomoto looks up at the group.

"Why don't you all take a day or two to think about it, then? There's no shame in making sure about what you want to do."

Tami, Hisako

Egusa-san waves her hands as if to dismiss any concerns.

"Ah, that's probably fine. Right, Kazuaki-san?"

She turns to Hisako for approval.

Aika, Joan, Yukari, Sen

Seemingly not having much to say, Nekomoto proceeds over to the rug in front of the couch and lies down.

Tami, Hisako

The waitress from earlier returns with glasses of water, along with Tami's cola.

Egusa-san swirls the water and ice around with her straw before taking a sip. She then looks back at Tami.

"It's just Kazuaki-san, really. She, well.. It would probably be easier this way, since you made a contract with her tsukaima and all. I mean, you're otherwise on your own, right?"

[wow RUDE]

[But I never said it was a booth]

[Most nips don't torrent shows though

Also Yuu-kei is a better nickname anyways]

Aika

(Aika) Rolled 2, 1 = 12 <2d6+9>

Success. Aika gains +1 heart overcharge.

You quickly whip up a spell that'll play to anyone who comes close to the room. You must have really fumbled when it came down to it though, since you only barely succeed at casting.

Joan, Yukari, Sen

Joan knocks on the door before promptly swinging it open regardless.

"Aah, w-we shouldn't be doing this here.. someone might see."

"What are you worrying about? Don't pay attention to anything but me."

"I-I'm not ready for this yet!"

"Just relax, and I'll take you on a trip to paradise."

..Curiously, approaching the door from the outside results in you all catching a rather unwholesome verbal exchange. Since this is probably the work of Aika messing with magic, the question of her having a taste for boys love series suddenly comes to mind.

Speaking of which, she's curled up on the couch with a few blankets.

[Okay fine update in a few minutes]

Hisako, Tami

"I understand. I'll be back with your orders soon," the waitress says before collecting the menus and leaving.

Egusa-san has a curious expression on her face, as if surprised about Hisako ordering what is basically dessert for lunch, but she quickly shrugs and directs her attention to Tami.

"Hey, Fujiwaka-san. I know you called us over because you wanted to talk about something, but can I ask you something first? Um, do you mind if Kazuaki-san could stay at your place for a while?"

Aika

There aren't actually that many blankets in the apartment, so you're forced to grab them from Mai and yours beds. At least you don't actually have to use the medicine that Tsutsu-chan bought for you.

Checking the time, it should still be another hour or two before she comes home.

Joan, Sen, Yukari

The three of you arrive at Aika's apartment building again.

Joan, Yukari, Sen

"I wonder about that," Nekomoto mutters to himself while the three of you change course to Aika's apartment.

Tami, Hisako

"Oh, then I'll order the chicken salad."

A worker comes over and begins writing down your orders on a notepad.

"What about you, Kazuaki-san?"

Joan, Yukari, Sen

Joan's comment gives the cat pause.

"That sort of role doesn't fit you girls either. It just couldn't be helped at the time."

Joan, Yukari, Sen

Nekomoto chuckles while walking along with the three of you.

"It's for the best. Young ladies shouldn't be hiding and sneaking around like me."

Tami

"Oh, alright."

The clerk nods as you make your way over to the table.

"Yo, Fujiwaka-san. We were just thinking about our orders."

Tami, Hisako

Egusa-san motions a waitress over, who promptly hands Tami a menu.

Aika

You quickly open up a webpage on your phone and check the rankings.

Ikebukuro Angels and Sunset Tea Ceremony seem to have been on the rise lately. They're still below names like 33°C and Sugar☆Dreams though.

Joan, Sen, Yukari

The three of you begin making your way over to Joan's house, the shady surroundings quickly fading away into familiar neighborhood streets.

Along the way, Nekomoto asks "We're not going to meet back up with the young lady still in her apartment?"

Hisako

"Yeah, you remember, right? From the other night."