[Don't mind him stepping forward to take Mao's wrist and rush off to his room. He does realize how weird this is and how sudden it must be for Mao, but he has a problem on his hands, okay! Izumi's never been good at getting his thoughts out properly when he's panicked.]
[ Aaaand they're off before Mao even has a chance to finish speaking. 'It's Retrospec,' says plenty but he's still confused. Izumi looks all right, so maybe it's a memory? But that's something he could've just told him about rather than all this, so Mao's still kind of concerned. ]
Yeah, sure, as long as you're OK you can show me anything. You are OK, right?
[ Mao's reply is soft, mostly under his breath because Izumi just keeps going. He's concerned again for a moment when Izumi takes his shirt off, but then the reason is obvious and while it's not an injury, it's definitely a problem. ]
Whoa. That is a lot of tattoos. They just showed up like that?
[There clearly aren't any injuries, and while the tattoos don't look worn or old, they also aren't red around the edges or raised like they're freshly inked. Weird....]
My parents are going to kill me! [And he pauses and runs his fingers over his side, a little quieter when he speaks up again.] But they're also ridiculously cool!
[ Mao's trying to take in as many details as he can. They look clean and healthy, at least, but he's seen Izumi with his shirt off enough times to know they're still brand new. Thanks, Retrospec. For now, he's taking his cues in his reaction from Izumi, since Mao's not sure what to think. ]
Well, it's a good thing you like them at least because I'm pretty sure that's too much to laser off. Looks like you do get to be a rebel--Retrospec must've heard you at the concert.
[ He sighs a little and drums his fingers on his arm thoughtfully. ]
No chance you could just never let them see you shirtless, huh? ... Do you think you can explain the app to them? Would they get it? They've got to realize you didn't do this on purpose.
I'm not going to get kicked out of school, right? The one on my arm is high enough to be covered by most short sleeved shirts, but you can see everything through white. I tried a few different shirts when I realized that they couldn't be washed off, but then I ran straight over because I knew I had to show you, and--!
[He's rambling, but this is kind of a big deal?! His poor, virgin skin.... At least there wasn't any pain involved.]
Yeah, no kidding! I wanted to be a rebel, not a badass. But they're too cool for me to really get mad about! Look at how intricate and balanced the design is! It goes down to my thigh, too!
[Despite having no shame about being shirtless, he obviously isn't about to pull his pants off. But just to show that the pattern does indeed continue, he turns to the side and pulls his waistband down just a few inches there.]
Explaining the app has been totally useless so far. Uh.... You think I can convince them by saying that this is an art project? [Except he can't lie for his life, as Mao surely knows by now.]
I don't think they can kick you out over this. There are teachers on Retrospec, they've got to understand even if not everybody does, so they'll be able to help you if there's any trouble but I don't think it'll be a big deal.
[ At least he hopes not. The last thing Izumi's going to want is to suddenly be a delinquent who got kicked out of school over something he couldn't control. ]
Maybe just wear darker colors for a while? At least it's winter so you can get away with heavier fabrics and stuff. And yeah, you kind of jumped ahead a little, but they are really nice. [ Mao's a little bit hesitant when Izumi mentions his thigh but then everything's fine, except-- ] That must've hurt like hell when it got done before. Do you... do you think you did these yourself?
[ The idea makes Mao incredibly concerned, because what if these tattoos spark memories of Izumi's life was like then? What kind of situation could've made him escalate from piercing himself to all this? He doesn't seem to have remembered it yet, but Mao's going to have to keep an eye on him going forward. In the meantime, there are more immediate concerns. ]
Oh, no way. They'll want to know how you got them done without their permission, if nothing else. I hate to say it but I really think hiding them is your best bet, for as long as you can.
You have a point. There have to be other people with tattoos at school, right? Even though I think you usually have to be 18 to get them legally. But yeah, I'll just wear things you can't see them through.
[Strangely enough, despite the fact that he couldn't control this, having Mao's approval is comforting. He'd be in real trouble if Mao hated these tattoos, so hearing that he thinks they're cool is almost enough to make him grin.... But then the reaction that follows is a little more concerned than he anticipated.]
More than just being painful, I'm wondering how I got these done in the first place. Tattoos can't be easy to get in Japan as a high schooler, but unless I was a tattoo artist or something, there's no way I could have done it on my own. It looks professionally done, with all the small details and clean lines.
[Big surprise, his parents will definitely kill him. Amazing.]
Yeah, I think you're right. I'll tell Hinata, since he has the app, but I'll probably have to keep them hidden from the rest of my family.
Probably? I've never seen any but I don't really look for them. Even so, though, it's not like doing something illegal automatically gets you kicked out of school. It's your body, you know?
[ Sure, Izumi didn't choose these, but it's no different from his piercings in the end. It's there, it's not going away, so who benefits from denying him an education? Seems a bit short sighted.
Mao's not about to flip on his best friend for something like this, especially knowing he can't control it. If Izumi suddenly showed up with a tattoo he'd chosen, that might be kind of weird. This is just Retrospec being Retrospec. He nods as Izumi explains. ]
Maybe you were, though? But some of those would be really hard to do that nicely on your own even with a mirror or something. You must've had help. A badass with badass friends. And as long as you're sure Hinata's going to keep your secret it should be fine. ... Do you think you could use makeup on it?
Even if I'll be okay at school, you don't think I could be arrested, right? Calling it illegal makes it sound way too scary! I'll just have to hide them really well....
[He sighs just a little, but there's still a significant part of him that finds these tattoos fascinating. It makes sense, given that his other self obviously liked them enough to get them done, and it's not like he's never thought about tattoos.... He'd just never taken it seriously. Until now, that is.]
I really seem like a normal high schooler in my memories, but maybe I was a secret badass with like.... an underground society of rebel tattoo artist friends. [But his tone gives away that he doesn't actually believe that at all.] I'll probably remember something about them eventually, but they're definitely real and not temporary or washable. And Hinata had better keep quiet about it!
[Reaching down, he runs his fingers over the pattern on his arm.]
I think it's only this one that would show sometimes, unless I went swimming or-- [Hold on, he has to grimace.] Does this mean I have to sleep with a shirt on from now on? This is going to suck....
Oh, dude, no, I meant it's illegal for the person who did it, probably. It's not like you stole something and you can give it back, those aren't going anywhere.
[ Besides, it's not Izumi's fault, and while most cops might not care about something like that, Mao's sure he'd be able to find one who understood Retrospec if it came to that. ]
When you do, you gotta tell me. And hopefully it doesn't come with more tattoos. ... Why would he tell anybody? He has to realize that'd only cause you trouble.
[ Hinata seems like a lowkey troublemaker to Mao but this is way more disruptive than a prank, Izumi could end up in serious trouble over this. Mao hopes Izumi's worrying over nothing on that front. ]
If your mom's the kind that still comes into your room to wake you up, you better. That does suck, though. Is there some not suspicious way you can ask them to not come in without knocking?
[ Parents aren't likely to take well to a sock on the door but Izumi doesn't have a ton of options. ]
It probably says something that I'm not upset about it. My memory self is just more of a rebel than I am, I guess. I'm actually kind of excited to remember how I got them!
[His expression turns sheepish the moment Mao mentions Hinata once more, and Izumi can't help but laugh just a bit. His younger cousin is definitely mischievous and a little too cheerful, but he's also a good kid who Izumi would trust with his life.]
I'm kidding, I'm kidding. He'd never spill something like that, not even to his own siblings. Or my parents, who.... My mom would probably stop coming in to wake me up if I actually got up on time.
[What a novel thought. But of nowhere, Izumi's expression lights up in a way it usually doesn't, and he claps his hands together.]
Oh, but speaking of memories! You wouldn't believe what I remembered yesterday! Any guesses? [He's awfully happy for still being shirtless, and quickly runs over to retrieve his sketchbook from his bag before returning to Mao's side.]
If nothing else it says you're already used to Retrospec's weirdness, but this is a pretty big change to not be freaked out about.
[ Mao's impressed, really, but it's good to see Izumi starting to relax and laugh about this. It's not like there's much else to be done, after all. Izumi's comment does earn a soft snort, though. ]
Do you need me to start coming by in the mornings to wake you up and run interference? I don't think I'd be allowed to stay over every night...
[ What's getting up a little bit earlier if it helps Izumi fly under the radar a bit longer? That's for debating later, though, as Mao moves over to make sure Izumi has enough room when he comes back. ]
Well since super powers are off the table for now, what if... you were the captain of some sports team? Or even a professional even though you were in high school?
Hey, I never said I wasn't freaked out! Just not upset. And as fun as it would be to have stupid sleepovers every night, I'll be fine. I just have to start getting up on time, I guess....
[Which sucks, but there isn't much he can do. As he speaks, though, he grins and flips through his sketchbook until he reaches a specific page.]
As if! I'm pretty sure I was just a normal high schooler, but.... [And he turns the page around the show Mao a sketch of a pretty girl. On the bottom of the page, he's also doodled himself with shorter hair.] Even if I was, I was a normal high schooler with a beautiful girlfriend! Hard to believe, right?
... I think I get it. Very zen of you. I can still swing by if it'll help, though. I guess I used to do it for someone else, so why not you too?
[ Thanks for that snippet of info, Retrospec, good to know some things stay consistent. It's not that important, though, so Mao leans in to see what Izumi's showing him. ]
Whoa. She was your girlfriend? Nice, dude, she's cute. And you got her with all these tattoos, so you can't have gotten them in any scary kind of way. Do you know her name?
[Sure, Izumi hasn't known Mao since they were children, but this is the first time he's heard something like this. It's probably Retrospec.... As usual.]
Yeah, I think so! I still don't know how, because she's super pretty and smart and popular. But I guess it happened one way or another....
[He laughs just a little, still not really connecting the Izumi in his memories to himself the way he probably should.]
I didn't even think of that part! You're a genius! So I wasn't in the yakuza or something after all! [Listen, let him worry about stupid things. This is Izumi. It's what he does.] Her name is Kyouko! Kyouko Hori. [And he leans in just a little.] You haven't remembered any cute girls, have you? If you do, you have to tell me all about it!
Yeah. For my friend Ritsu. He's here too but I'm definitely not going to do it for him here, he's on his own.
[ He's in college, he can get his own self up for class, but for Izumi, Mao'd absolutely take the time. ]
... Wait, did you really think they might be yakuza tattoos? Get real. [ Mao shoves him a little with his shoulder and laughs. Izumi, in the yakuza? Not even in another life can he imagine that. ]
Kyouko Hori... well, congratulations on your other self's girlfriend, she seems really great! And, uh. I remembered I had a little sister but even if she was cute she's my sister, but there was another girl, too. We all called her Anzu but I'm not sure if that was a nickname or her real name, but I think-- [ He pauses because that doesn't seem to make sense, but it's what his memory's telling him. ] I think she was the only girl in the entire school. She must've been really tough.
You do seem like the type to do something like that.... [Mao's mentioned Ritsu a couple of times before, but Izumi has yet to connect the dots.] I mean, I wouldn't mind if you wanted to, but you have a lot on your shoulders already. I should be able to get up myself!
[Between sleeping with a shirt on, waking up on time, and inconveniencing Mao, he'd prefer one of the first two.]
Come on, you know I didn't actually think that! [The shoulder nudge just makes him laugh more, though.]
I'll tell you when I learn more about her, but she seems like it. [The idea of Mao with a sister is cute, as his grin gives away, but then his brow furrows just a touch.] Isn't that like a story straight out of one of those dating sim games?
If you change your mind, let me know, OK? It's seriously no big deal.
[ What's another twenty minutes or so on his morning? He might get up a little earlier anyway just in case... He wouldn't want to let Izumi down if he needed him after all. ]
Dude, you're the one who brought it up! And I'm looking forward to hearing about her--can I help you remember somehow? Probably not since you don't know that much yet, huh...
[ Mao's gotten used the idea of having a little sister, even if he prefers his big brother since he's actually here. The dating sim comment makes him laugh, though. ]
Kinda but that'd make me the NPC side route who gives her a tour of the school and cheers her on, I'm pretty sure.
Hey! This is a lot to deal with out of nowhere, okay! [Considering that he kind of booked it over to Mao's house as soon as he realized that these tattoos were 1) there at all, and 2) wouldn't wash off.] But if you were the side character route, wouldn't that mean you'd get a bonus story in the sequel game? You're the guy everyone wants to date while playing, so they have to make a route for you!
[Which is a hilarious thought to him. He's never played any of those games himself, but being online exposes you to that kind of thing.]
Trying to trigger memories might be a good idea, though. I can help you too! Uh, let's see....
[He hums just a bit, retracing the "steps" of the memories in his head.]
I don't know that much, but we were classmates. I went to her house once and she didn't recognize me with my piercings and hair up, but I accidentally found out she's pretty normal and plain at home. So since we knew about sides of each other no one else did, we started hanging out.... I think? It kind of feels like there are a ton of gaps there, though.
No, no, I meant it's not a big deal to me to come wake you up, that's all. Sudden tattoos with no origin story is a huge deal. [ Mao knows he wouldn't know how to deal if it happened to him, anyway. ]
Everybody except the protag! It's OK, though, I'm smarter than any of the other routes anyway.
[ Mao... may have played a game or two like that at some point but he's not going to admit much more than that to Izumi. Moving on, though, he listens and nods as Izumi talks about his memory. ]
So you did the same kind of thing there that you do here with changing your appearance, but she did the same thing too? That makes sense, like you're keeping each other's secrets or something but not so... secretive? If anything you were both more honest with each other and that's pretty cool.
No kidding! My head is still spinning. But if you want to show up and drag me out of bed one morning, I won't stop you.
[Listen, Mao would be a great dating sim route, okay. But hearing Mao seriously consider the situation has him grinning, and Izumi takes a seat wherever he can without bothering to ask. This is Mao's room, after all.]
Yeah, more or less. It seems like I was always able to be honest around her, and I hung out at her house all the time, so I think I must have trusted her a lot. I had another guy friend named Ishikawa, too! But I told you how my hair is short in some of my memories, right? I saw it in a mirror once.
[Still humming, he takes the mechanical pencil hooked in the spiral of his sketchbook and begins sketching himself on a new page.]
Why did I cut it so short? There's really no hiding my piercings after that, even if I took them out in school. I stopped wearing glasses, and now I know I had tattoos, too. Hori-san always looks the same in my memories, so I can't figure out what made me decide to change.
Well now when you least expect it, that's when I'm gonna turn up.
[ It is Mao's room, which means he doesn't mind, as long as Izumi doesn't mind if he drops down next to him once he starts sketching. ]
Well, maybe you changed because you trusted her? Like you didn't need to be that other version of yourself there anymore or something? I hope it wasn't something she made you do but it doesn't seem like that if you trusted her.
[ Watching Izumi draw is fascinating but even more so when it's something that's not there, that's just inside his friend's mind. It's like magic. ]
[All too used to this, Izumi shifts just a little to make room for Mao to lean in and watch him sketch, just like he has many times before. Even though the image is in his head, he's awfully quick, creating a rather neat sketch with fluid movements of his pencil as he speaks.]
Mmmm.... You know, you might not be too far off. I can't say for sure, but from what I can tell, I was pretty comfortable around her from the start. So maybe I really did want to change.
[Halfway through his sketch, he pauses to erase the eyebrows and mouth he'd drawn, replacing them to give his short-haired self a happier expression than before.]
I pierced my ears the same way in my memories, you know. So I probably went through some similar struggles. But even though I don't know much, going off of context clues, I think I was happy in those memories where my hair's short. Maybe she was part of the reason for that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Don't mind him stepping forward to take Mao's wrist and rush off to his room. He does realize how weird this is and how sudden it must be for Mao, but he has a problem on his hands, okay! Izumi's never been good at getting his thoughts out properly when he's panicked.]
I have to show you something!
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[ Aaaand they're off before Mao even has a chance to finish speaking. 'It's Retrospec,' says plenty but he's still confused. Izumi looks all right, so maybe it's a memory? But that's something he could've just told him about rather than all this, so Mao's still kind of concerned. ]
Yeah, sure, as long as you're OK you can show me anything. You are OK, right?
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[Upon reaching Mao's room, Izumi closes the door behind them and immediately yanks off his shirt to reveal a large number of tattoos along his left side.]
What am I supposed to do about these?!
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[ Mao's reply is soft, mostly under his breath because Izumi just keeps going. He's concerned again for a moment when Izumi takes his shirt off, but then the reason is obvious and while it's not an injury, it's definitely a problem. ]
Whoa. That is a lot of tattoos. They just showed up like that?
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[There clearly aren't any injuries, and while the tattoos don't look worn or old, they also aren't red around the edges or raised like they're freshly inked. Weird....]
My parents are going to kill me! [And he pauses and runs his fingers over his side, a little quieter when he speaks up again.] But they're also ridiculously cool!
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Well, it's a good thing you like them at least because I'm pretty sure that's too much to laser off. Looks like you do get to be a rebel--Retrospec must've heard you at the concert.
[ He sighs a little and drums his fingers on his arm thoughtfully. ]
No chance you could just never let them see you shirtless, huh? ... Do you think you can explain the app to them? Would they get it? They've got to realize you didn't do this on purpose.
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[He's rambling, but this is kind of a big deal?! His poor, virgin skin.... At least there wasn't any pain involved.]
Yeah, no kidding! I wanted to be a rebel, not a badass. But they're too cool for me to really get mad about! Look at how intricate and balanced the design is! It goes down to my thigh, too!
[Despite having no shame about being shirtless, he obviously isn't about to pull his pants off. But just to show that the pattern does indeed continue, he turns to the side and pulls his waistband down just a few inches there.]
Explaining the app has been totally useless so far. Uh.... You think I can convince them by saying that this is an art project? [Except he can't lie for his life, as Mao surely knows by now.]
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[ At least he hopes not. The last thing Izumi's going to want is to suddenly be a delinquent who got kicked out of school over something he couldn't control. ]
Maybe just wear darker colors for a while? At least it's winter so you can get away with heavier fabrics and stuff. And yeah, you kind of jumped ahead a little, but they are really nice. [ Mao's a little bit hesitant when Izumi mentions his thigh but then everything's fine, except-- ] That must've hurt like hell when it got done before. Do you... do you think you did these yourself?
[ The idea makes Mao incredibly concerned, because what if these tattoos spark memories of Izumi's life was like then? What kind of situation could've made him escalate from piercing himself to all this? He doesn't seem to have remembered it yet, but Mao's going to have to keep an eye on him going forward. In the meantime, there are more immediate concerns. ]
Oh, no way. They'll want to know how you got them done without their permission, if nothing else. I hate to say it but I really think hiding them is your best bet, for as long as you can.
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[Strangely enough, despite the fact that he couldn't control this, having Mao's approval is comforting. He'd be in real trouble if Mao hated these tattoos, so hearing that he thinks they're cool is almost enough to make him grin.... But then the reaction that follows is a little more concerned than he anticipated.]
More than just being painful, I'm wondering how I got these done in the first place. Tattoos can't be easy to get in Japan as a high schooler, but unless I was a tattoo artist or something, there's no way I could have done it on my own. It looks professionally done, with all the small details and clean lines.
[Big surprise, his parents will definitely kill him. Amazing.]
Yeah, I think you're right. I'll tell Hinata, since he has the app, but I'll probably have to keep them hidden from the rest of my family.
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[ Sure, Izumi didn't choose these, but it's no different from his piercings in the end. It's there, it's not going away, so who benefits from denying him an education? Seems a bit short sighted.
Mao's not about to flip on his best friend for something like this, especially knowing he can't control it. If Izumi suddenly showed up with a tattoo he'd chosen, that might be kind of weird. This is just Retrospec being Retrospec. He nods as Izumi explains. ]
Maybe you were, though? But some of those would be really hard to do that nicely on your own even with a mirror or something. You must've had help. A badass with badass friends. And as long as you're sure Hinata's going to keep your secret it should be fine. ... Do you think you could use makeup on it?
[ He's not really sure. Makeup on an arm...? ]
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[He sighs just a little, but there's still a significant part of him that finds these tattoos fascinating. It makes sense, given that his other self obviously liked them enough to get them done, and it's not like he's never thought about tattoos.... He'd just never taken it seriously. Until now, that is.]
I really seem like a normal high schooler in my memories, but maybe I was a secret badass with like.... an underground society of rebel tattoo artist friends. [But his tone gives away that he doesn't actually believe that at all.] I'll probably remember something about them eventually, but they're definitely real and not temporary or washable. And Hinata had better keep quiet about it!
[Reaching down, he runs his fingers over the pattern on his arm.]
I think it's only this one that would show sometimes, unless I went swimming or-- [Hold on, he has to grimace.] Does this mean I have to sleep with a shirt on from now on? This is going to suck....
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[ Besides, it's not Izumi's fault, and while most cops might not care about something like that, Mao's sure he'd be able to find one who understood Retrospec if it came to that. ]
When you do, you gotta tell me. And hopefully it doesn't come with more tattoos. ... Why would he tell anybody? He has to realize that'd only cause you trouble.
[ Hinata seems like a lowkey troublemaker to Mao but this is way more disruptive than a prank, Izumi could end up in serious trouble over this. Mao hopes Izumi's worrying over nothing on that front. ]
If your mom's the kind that still comes into your room to wake you up, you better. That does suck, though. Is there some not suspicious way you can ask them to not come in without knocking?
[ Parents aren't likely to take well to a sock on the door but Izumi doesn't have a ton of options. ]
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[His expression turns sheepish the moment Mao mentions Hinata once more, and Izumi can't help but laugh just a bit. His younger cousin is definitely mischievous and a little too cheerful, but he's also a good kid who Izumi would trust with his life.]
I'm kidding, I'm kidding. He'd never spill something like that, not even to his own siblings. Or my parents, who.... My mom would probably stop coming in to wake me up if I actually got up on time.
[What a novel thought. But of nowhere, Izumi's expression lights up in a way it usually doesn't, and he claps his hands together.]
Oh, but speaking of memories! You wouldn't believe what I remembered yesterday! Any guesses? [He's awfully happy for still being shirtless, and quickly runs over to retrieve his sketchbook from his bag before returning to Mao's side.]
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[ Mao's impressed, really, but it's good to see Izumi starting to relax and laugh about this. It's not like there's much else to be done, after all. Izumi's comment does earn a soft snort, though. ]
Do you need me to start coming by in the mornings to wake you up and run interference? I don't think I'd be allowed to stay over every night...
[ What's getting up a little bit earlier if it helps Izumi fly under the radar a bit longer? That's for debating later, though, as Mao moves over to make sure Izumi has enough room when he comes back. ]
Well since super powers are off the table for now, what if... you were the captain of some sports team? Or even a professional even though you were in high school?
[ Just like in Mao's mangas! ]
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[Which sucks, but there isn't much he can do. As he speaks, though, he grins and flips through his sketchbook until he reaches a specific page.]
As if! I'm pretty sure I was just a normal high schooler, but.... [And he turns the page around the show Mao a sketch of a pretty girl. On the bottom of the page, he's also doodled himself with shorter hair.] Even if I was, I was a normal high schooler with a beautiful girlfriend! Hard to believe, right?
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[ Thanks for that snippet of info, Retrospec, good to know some things stay consistent. It's not that important, though, so Mao leans in to see what Izumi's showing him. ]
Whoa. She was your girlfriend? Nice, dude, she's cute. And you got her with all these tattoos, so you can't have gotten them in any scary kind of way. Do you know her name?
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[Sure, Izumi hasn't known Mao since they were children, but this is the first time he's heard something like this. It's probably Retrospec.... As usual.]
Yeah, I think so! I still don't know how, because she's super pretty and smart and popular. But I guess it happened one way or another....
[He laughs just a little, still not really connecting the Izumi in his memories to himself the way he probably should.]
I didn't even think of that part! You're a genius! So I wasn't in the yakuza or something after all! [Listen, let him worry about stupid things. This is Izumi. It's what he does.] Her name is Kyouko! Kyouko Hori. [And he leans in just a little.] You haven't remembered any cute girls, have you? If you do, you have to tell me all about it!
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[ He's in college, he can get his own self up for class, but for Izumi, Mao'd absolutely take the time. ]
... Wait, did you really think they might be yakuza tattoos? Get real. [ Mao shoves him a little with his shoulder and laughs. Izumi, in the yakuza? Not even in another life can he imagine that. ]
Kyouko Hori... well, congratulations on your other self's girlfriend, she seems really great! And, uh. I remembered I had a little sister but even if she was cute she's my sister, but there was another girl, too. We all called her Anzu but I'm not sure if that was a nickname or her real name, but I think-- [ He pauses because that doesn't seem to make sense, but it's what his memory's telling him. ] I think she was the only girl in the entire school. She must've been really tough.
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[Between sleeping with a shirt on, waking up on time, and inconveniencing Mao, he'd prefer one of the first two.]
Come on, you know I didn't actually think that! [The shoulder nudge just makes him laugh more, though.]
I'll tell you when I learn more about her, but she seems like it. [The idea of Mao with a sister is cute, as his grin gives away, but then his brow furrows just a touch.] Isn't that like a story straight out of one of those dating sim games?
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[ What's another twenty minutes or so on his morning? He might get up a little earlier anyway just in case... He wouldn't want to let Izumi down if he needed him after all. ]
Dude, you're the one who brought it up! And I'm looking forward to hearing about her--can I help you remember somehow? Probably not since you don't know that much yet, huh...
[ Mao's gotten used the idea of having a little sister, even if he prefers his big brother since he's actually here. The dating sim comment makes him laugh, though. ]
Kinda but that'd make me the NPC side route who gives her a tour of the school and cheers her on, I'm pretty sure.
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[Which is a hilarious thought to him. He's never played any of those games himself, but being online exposes you to that kind of thing.]
Trying to trigger memories might be a good idea, though. I can help you too! Uh, let's see....
[He hums just a bit, retracing the "steps" of the memories in his head.]
I don't know that much, but we were classmates. I went to her house once and she didn't recognize me with my piercings and hair up, but I accidentally found out she's pretty normal and plain at home. So since we knew about sides of each other no one else did, we started hanging out.... I think? It kind of feels like there are a ton of gaps there, though.
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Everybody except the protag! It's OK, though, I'm smarter than any of the other routes anyway.
[ Mao... may have played a game or two like that at some point but he's not going to admit much more than that to Izumi. Moving on, though, he listens and nods as Izumi talks about his memory. ]
So you did the same kind of thing there that you do here with changing your appearance, but she did the same thing too? That makes sense, like you're keeping each other's secrets or something but not so... secretive? If anything you were both more honest with each other and that's pretty cool.
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[Listen, Mao would be a great dating sim route, okay. But hearing Mao seriously consider the situation has him grinning, and Izumi takes a seat wherever he can without bothering to ask. This is Mao's room, after all.]
Yeah, more or less. It seems like I was always able to be honest around her, and I hung out at her house all the time, so I think I must have trusted her a lot. I had another guy friend named Ishikawa, too! But I told you how my hair is short in some of my memories, right? I saw it in a mirror once.
[Still humming, he takes the mechanical pencil hooked in the spiral of his sketchbook and begins sketching himself on a new page.]
Why did I cut it so short? There's really no hiding my piercings after that, even if I took them out in school. I stopped wearing glasses, and now I know I had tattoos, too. Hori-san always looks the same in my memories, so I can't figure out what made me decide to change.
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[ It is Mao's room, which means he doesn't mind, as long as Izumi doesn't mind if he drops down next to him once he starts sketching. ]
Well, maybe you changed because you trusted her? Like you didn't need to be that other version of yourself there anymore or something? I hope it wasn't something she made you do but it doesn't seem like that if you trusted her.
[ Watching Izumi draw is fascinating but even more so when it's something that's not there, that's just inside his friend's mind. It's like magic. ]
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Mmmm.... You know, you might not be too far off. I can't say for sure, but from what I can tell, I was pretty comfortable around her from the start. So maybe I really did want to change.
[Halfway through his sketch, he pauses to erase the eyebrows and mouth he'd drawn, replacing them to give his short-haired self a happier expression than before.]
I pierced my ears the same way in my memories, you know. So I probably went through some similar struggles. But even though I don't know much, going off of context clues, I think I was happy in those memories where my hair's short. Maybe she was part of the reason for that.
[Just like Mao has been for him.]
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