[SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM FOR SCHOOL.]

No one can say you aren't dedicated, I guess.

[He's vaguely impressed that she's managing to hold on to her dreams in the face of all the general Recolle Madness, honestly.]

But yeah, that sounds fine. Is it a long one? We can head back to my place for snacks.

I'd be shocked if someone said I wasn't putting enough effort in school.

[She can't try any harder than this. Akane nods and smiles at that.]

It's not a long story, no! We can still drop by your place and relax for a bit. Let's go!

[They're just going next door. ]

[IT'S JUST A DOOR OVER BUT HERE THEY GO--

His apartment is about as neat and tidy as usual, which means "only passably so". It also looks weird considering everything inside is either red, blue, or purple because of Yasusada and Kashuu's combined color decorating BUT STILL.]

Lemme get some food. You can go sit on the couch, if you want.

[Their cute cat Poppy is already on it!]

I'll go do that!

[ Akane moves over and sits on the couch with the cute kitty. She smiles at them and offers her hand so they can sniff it. ]

Cute cat. They're so fluffy, Kashuu!

Ah, right? Isn't she the cutest? Her name's Poppy!

[Poppy sniffs at Akane's hand and then meows, immediately rolling over to expose her fluffy kitty tummy. Unlike 99% of cats, it's not even a trap! Poppy is just a very sociable kitty...]

I can't believe I forgot to introduce you. I guess things got a little too hectic there for a little while.

Poppy is such an adorable name!

[ Akane waves to the kitty and smiles back at Kashuu. ]

You can say that again. The city's in such a sad state, isn't it? Just looking at it would make you feel depressed. [ It makes her feel depressed at least.]

Things are way too hectic.

Isn't it?

[He came up with it on the fly while looking at a poppyseed muffin but NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW.

In any case, he'll trot back to the table with snacks in hand.]

Things've been pretty hectic around here for a while, so maybe it'll just become the new norm eventually and we won't notice it anymore.

[ GOD KASHUU WHY...it's a cute name, but the truth isn't cute at all. ]

I hope it doesn't reach that point. I kind of missed having the old normal around.

All we had to do was worry about paying the bills, getting good grades and making end's meet. Retrospec is complicated.

[She laughs at Poppy hanging around them...what a good cat.]

[That's why he hides the truth so NO ONE ELSE WILL KNOW...]

Yeah, I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be like "wow! I sure would rather be paying bills right now", y'know? Goes to show how much can change in just a little bit of time, I guess.

[A sigh!! But with the snacks obtained:] What's that story you wanted to tell?

I wanted to tell you a story I wrote myself!!

[ Akane sits down next to the table and leaves Poppy be. ]

It's about a little boy who wanted to go to the moon. It's a cute story, I promise.

[All of the stories he knows involving the moon are TRAGIC but he'll take her word for it, pushing some snacks and drinks over to her side of the table that's set before the couch.]

Okay, hit me with it.

There was a little boy who wanted to go to the moon. He said "Mommy! Mommy!! Can we go to the moon?"

His mommy shook her head and said "No, son. I need you right here with me. "

The little boy frowned. He couldn't possibly imagine why his mother wouldn't want to go to the moon. It's beautiful.

Do you know what the boy did next?

Hm... I'm guessing either took her up to the moon with him or brought the moon down to her?

[Or maybe he was a rude shit and just left to follow his own dreams.]

Nope, he didn't do either of those things. He stayed home with his mother and never saw his dream come true.

[HAAHHA RIP.]

His mother was happy in the end though. The little boy grew up and realized that his dream was too unrealistic.

[THIS IS THE MOST BRUTAL FUCKING STORY OH MY GOD.]

...Wait, was this supposed to be a kid's story? Did you make this for kids?

[One concern.]

It's not a story for kids, no. It's a story for teens.

[ Does that make it any better? Probably not. ]

[It doesn't, but she says it in such an earnest way that he can't even be exasperated...]

You might find that it's a pretty hard sale, y'know.

It's a bit of tough love, I guess. You can't have everything in the world, but just having family is enough.

[THE BOY MADE HIS MOM HAPPY she thought it was cute that way. Not weird at all.]

Oh... Hm. Well, if you go at it from that angle, I guess it's pretty good.

[Is it... Is it really.]

You don't sound entirely convinced. Is there something else on your mind?


[BE HONEST WITH HER.]

Eh? ...Nah, not really. I mean, nothing outside of the usual stuff which- [waves a hand!!] -doesn't have anything to do with your story or what I think about it.

Oh really? Okay then.

If you want to talk about something else I can listen.

[BECAUSE YOU LISTENED TO HER STORY so she can do the same for you, friend.]

[AKANE IS A GOOD COMRADE WHO DOES HER BEST. Kashuu will fight anyone who disagrees.]

I mean, it really is just the usual stuff. Stuff we don't have any say in, stuff that happens without any warning... [A little shrug. He reaches out for one of the snacks.] S'just annoying.