[4th Wall: Action for Goldenrod]
[SNOW. For Mamoru, it means wearing boots and a heavy coat to the store. For Shiro the Togepi, it means walking to the store is more fun than ever. Every few feet he has to stop and play. Then Mamoru passes him so he has to dash ahead again so he can play some more. The entire path between their home and their current place on the road has this
( Read more... )
She was busy looking around when a little...
Was that a Togepi? Ouka didn't play a whole lot of games, but being well-off and Japanese meant that she at least knew Pokemon. Except... this was a real live Togepi. And it was running toward her. ]
... Hi... there...
[ Despite wearing only her school uniform, Ouka kneels down to be at the level of the Togepi and holds out a hand. Now this... this is just strange. ]
Reply
Mamoru, meanwhile, has stopped in his tracks. Had Shiro not just landed on her, he'd have questioned if he were hallucinating. Certainly, it was always possible for people who had died to come to the world before the point of their deaths, but they should arrive in New Bark Town. Why was she already in Goldenrod? Here, of all places...?
He slowly turns and approaches her.]
Shiro.
[The Togepi chirps with the intonation of a question-- what, is there something wrong with hopping on a stranger's shoulder? Mamoru turns his attention to Ouka with a sad smile.]
I'm sorry for him.
Reply
She barely noticed his owner, until the man spoke. Looking up, she pauses for a brief moment. He looked... familiar. For just a second, Ouka could've sworn that he was Omi.
But, no. Omi was far younger. And something was most definitely un-Omi about this man, though she couldn't quite place what exactly that was. It may even just be that Omi had been on her mind so much, that she was beginning to see him in other people.
Even still, Ouka was having a hard time hiding her disappointment.
She smiles back, and quickly shifts her gaze back to the creature on her shoulder. ]
It's nothing to apologize for. It's very cute.
Reply
[Mamoru spends a few moments gazing sadly at her. He certainly can't leave her on her own here, especially with such bitterly cold weather and nowhere for her to stay. But she would likely have to learn who he was to do that. That could be a blow to her, although hopefully not as bad of one as before. He did at least know who his real father was now.
Either way, it can't be avoided. He won't allow her to have to fend for herself with no resources to speak of.]
Ouka... It's me.
Reply
Me?
[ No... he may resemble Omi a little bit, but... he isn't anyone she knows.
... But he knows her name. ]
I'm sorry... do I... know you?
Reply
I go by the name Mamoru now, but the person you know me as... is Omi.
Reply
[ That... can't be right. ]
How...?
Reply
[He's already in the process of shedding his long, heavy coat for her.]
Reply
How can I trust you? Do you have any proof?
Reply
I used to work at a flower shop on a street corner named Koneko no Sumu Ie. I worked with three others: Aya Fujimiya, Ken Hidaka, and Youji Kudou. You're one of our best customers; unlike most of the girls who come in and swoon, you make purchases. Many of them were intended for me.
Many people think of you as a snob but it isn't true. Ouka is a very nice person who often thinks of others and won't let a dangerous situation stop her from trying to help someone else in need. You're also a very good dancer, having taken lessons since you were very young.
...Is that enough? I'll supply more.
Reply
All she could do was stare. ... And resist the urge to reach out and touch his face, just to make sure this wasn't some strange play of her imagination. ]
Reply
He hesitates, but then puts on a broad, if somewhat shy, smile for her with a duck of his head.]
Ah-- Ouka-san, is it? What can I help you with today? We have a special on carnations right now. It's a good time to buy-- the blossoms are just opening, so they'll be in peak bloom for you.
I'm sorry; I've changed a lot in these years, haven't I? It's understandable you're confused, but I hope you'll let me take you inside. I'm sharing a house with Aya-kun and the others not far from here. We're all here, although this time paradox is strange for everyone. Youji-kun at least should be as you remember him. I'm sure he'll be glad to reassure you what I've said is true.
Okay?
Reply
She nods slowly, still staring at him. She believes him, she really does. But... how is this possible?
But still, she just nods. ]
Okay.
[ A slight hesitation. And then, she reaches out and slips her hand into his, as if it was exactly what anyone would do in this type of situation. ]
Take me there. [ A pause, and slight hesitation. Then, in a slightly smaller voice: ] Please, Omi-kun.
Reply
Yes: I'll take you there.
[Turning back towards the trail of footprints, he starts guiding Ouka back to the house.]
There are two others you should know about that stay in this home. One of them is a friend of Aya-kun and Ken-kun named Chloe. The other is Aya-kun's younger sister. Her name is also Aya.
It's a complicated story, I'm sure. I don't think it's our place to ask.
Reply
She nods at his words. Honestly, despite having known the others at the flower shop, Ouka had never really cared that much for them, or their lives. So even though she'd been visiting the shop for years, she didn't know a thing about the others.
And she wasn't really planning on starting. So she just nods along. This is a lot to take in all at once. ]
Reply
Everyone must be out. Make yourself comfortable; I'll start some tea.
[The main level has an open floor plan with the living room area by the door, dining room table half-hidden behind the staircase on the left, and the kitchen in the back. There's a hallway entrance on the right between living room and kitchen.]
Reply
Leave a comment