Video [005] �

[protagonized]

[When the video feed clicks on that morning, it's clear Alice? is distressed, and perhaps a little distraught. He can't sit still; he shifts uncomfortably even as he looks at the screen.

The mask is gone; he runs a hand through his hair distractedly, letting out a short breath, a not-quite-sigh.]I can't be the only one who...who forgot who they

Comments

[girlpowertouka]

Hey, Alice-san. And no, I think everyone did. You okay?

[protagonized]

[Sigh.]

Fine. I'm fine.

What about you? You're alright, right?

[girlpowertouka]

[She doesn't believe you. But she nods.]

I'm fine. It was scary, though, you know?

[protagonized]

[He nods.]

I know...

But it's over now, so...it probably won't happen again.

[I hope.]

[girlpowertouka]

Yeah. That's true. Although this place is weird.

[Pause.]

But oh well! We just have to make the best of it. I think we should all do something. To celebrate getting our memories back.

[protagonized]

You're right, it is.

[Blink. Blink.]

Like...another party?

[girlpowertouka]

Not......a party, really. More like a casual get-together. With friends. With people you know. Very low-key. No strangers.

[protagonized]

[...oh.]

That sounds nice.

[He sounds a little...surprised. But it does sound pleasant.]

[girlpowertouka]

Great! Who do you want to invite?

[protagonized]

Well, Neku.

And, um...you can invite all of your friends too, of course.

And...I don't know. Who do you normally invite...?

[girlpowertouka]

Well...your friends. The people you feel comfortable around. The people you want around you.

[protagonized]

[...That includes a very small number of people, Touka.]

...

[In fact, that silence is very telling.

Um.

Clearly he needs to be more social.]

...Well. Um.

[girlpowertouka]

[She can help with that. She has an anti-social older brother, after all. Little steps. She understands. She makes a mental note to make Alice-san and Onii-chan talk to each other at the not-party. They have a lot in common.]

I mean like, do you want Mr. Hanekoma-san and Aziraphale-san there and stuff? And Neku-san will probably want Shiki-san there, I would think. Have you met her yet? I can ask him who he wants to invite.

[protagonized]

[He nods.]

Yeah, them, but...

Shiki...? No, I haven't met her. She's a friend of Neku's?

[girlpowertouka]

Yeah. She's from his world. She seems really nice.

[protagonized]

Well, that's good. I'm glad he's got some friends from home here.