Katawa Shoujo- Nocturne
It turned out that Toby Kimura seemed to be on a shopping list when it came to what was needed for the stand. Paint was the biggest thing that he had to seek out. The next morning seemed to be the same old same old as the previous mornings. Chat with his classmates and figure out what exactly to do. He seemed to be more focused on what was coming up on Sunday, what could this mean for him and Nina. Tanimoto only told them about the upcoming festival today, for a class that seemed to not have any homework, this seemed to only put more pressure on getting Sunday's project done. There were still a few things that needed to be found.
Lunch time rolled around and this left Toby with many questions in his mind, where he was sitting down with Nina as they began to discuss the progress of their stall.
"It turns out that we managed to get some of the stalls done, there are still things we need. Fabric, paper and paint is stuff we still need. We still have three days to do this, no need to rush." Nina explained that there was progress being made but some stuff was still missing.
"Do you know where some of the stuff can be found?" Toby asked Nina if there was any clue on where they could get the stuff when it came to making the stall.
"We can try the art room. All of the creative stuff is in there. Haruhiko told me all the stuff we need is in the art room that Mr. Nomiya is in. After class we can pick this stuff up and bring it back to the boys. The boys are most likely still deciding on what to make their stall. Into. I heard they managed to get the skeleton of the stall done and now it needs to be dressed up and painted." Nina explained that all the stuff they needed was going to be in the art room and with the inside pretty much done, all that was needed was to dress it up.
"Sure, I can check there after class for the stuff." Toby told Nina that he was more than happy to do that. Nina seemed to give a smile with her innocent, dark blue eyes.
"You're the best. I know I can count on you." Nina told Toby that he seemed to be reliable when it came to getting stuff done. "I'll tell the boys after class and we can get the stuff. Hopefully we don't have any kind of trouble on the way there."
The afternoon class had passed as it turned out that it wasn't much of a hassle, explaining what the intentions of what the plan was. They were going to split up as Toby was going to be bringing the supplies to Haruhiko and Nina was going to help out Haruhiko when it came to his work. Toby went off to get the supplies from the art room. The classrooms closest to Toby are designated belonging to classes 3-1 and 3-2 on the right side, and 3-4 on the left side, each door looking exactly the same. Further down the corridor, still with identical doors, are rooms that Toby didn't think were used for classes. If he could guess the art room is not a classroom as such. Toby carefully pushes open the furthest door, and takes a peek in. It's a classroom, but it seems rather badly kept or not in use. Was Toby in the right place? Desks and chairs are all around the room, a thin layer of dust settled on them. There are some easels in the corner so at least this looks like the right place. The room is flushed in sunlight from the big windows, shadows creeping all over the desks. Specks of dust are dancing in the stagnant air, making the beams of light almost visible. Jokingly, Toby had to call into the empty room.
"Anybody ho-" Toby called out to see who was inside. Something catches his eye, and Toby stops mid-sentence like a car slamming on the brakes and coming to a screeching halt.
Katawa Shoujo- Parity
Sitting on a desk is a short-haired girl, curiously wearing a boy's uniform, with a fork between her toes, a morsel of food stuck firmly on the end. This odd way of dining seems to be caused by her apparent lack of hands, but her presence here is what takes Toby aback even more. How did he miss her before? She's sitting in a corner very still, but Toby could still somehow take her as a part of the furnishing or a statue at first glance. He's not being too observant today, as a whole. The girl seems to be frozen in place, staring at Toby with her huge eyes like a rabbit in headlights. She's staring at him, her mouth wide open, ready to accept the fork. Toby was staring at her, his mouth wide open, suddenly remembering he didn't finish his sentence and trying to think if he should. This weird stalemate keeps them both stunned into silence, punctuated only by the wall clock ticking rhythmically.
"Hello." The strange girl told Toby. Toby was still more or less curious about what was going on and who she was. She seemed friendly though a bit awkward about it. The girl stuffs the forkful in her mouth, and is now staring at Toby expectantly while chewing. This is a bit awkward.
"Umm... hello. I was told to pick up some supplies from here. For some festival stalls I think. I didn't think there would be someone here." Toby softly explained why he was here in the room. The strange girl turned her head to Toby and tried to speak to him.
"There isn't. That's why I came here, too. Someone told me about the same thing during lunch and I never got the chance to finish it." The strange girl explained to Toby about what was going on. She picks up another forkful, placing it into her mouth and she continues to eat.
"Doesn't that mean you're here, then?" Toby asked curiously while making a few hand gestures to the strange girl. The strange girl doesn't pick them up at all. She didn't understand him. She raises her eyebrows as if she was suspecting Toby's observation was false.
"You are pretty observant. I guess it does. But who are you?" The strange girl asked Toby. Toby began to think about her. This girl is pretty straightforward, isn't she?
"I'm Kimura, Toby Kimura. I just transferred in on Monday." Toby introduced himself to Rin. Rin looked at Toby, still curious about him. The Strange girl decided to introduce herself.
"I'm Rin. Tezuka Rin. Rin Tezuka. I won't shake hands with you, but at least we know who we are now. That's very nice." Rin introduced herself to Toby. Her deadpan manner of talking makes it hard to determine whether she's joking about shaking hands or not. It kinda bothers Toby a bit, joking about these matters doesn't feel appropriate at all. While he's trying to figure out what's appropriate and whether this girl is, she seems to have lost interest in him and is now gazing yearningly back at her food. "Can I continue my lunch? If you don't mind me, I won't mind you. If you need to get your stuff, the supplies are at the back."
"Go right ahead. But... lunch? School's already over for the day." Toby explained. He went to go find the stuff that he needed but it seemed to be that Rin seemed to be eating her food to notice.
"What word would you use then? There is no word for a meal you eat after lunch but before dinner, right? It bothers me very much too, but I don't really know what I should say." Rin asked Toby if he had a word for that. Toby didn't know exactly what Rin was trying to say to him when trying to come up with the word for it.
"I don't think you are supposed to eat a meal between lunch and dinner to begin with." Toby asked while trying to rummage through the closet looking for individual paint canisters, the stall didn't need buckets of paint. He was trying to remember the colors they needed.
"But I'm hungry now and my delicious boxed lunch would go to waste otherwise. I have curry. It's very delicious." Rin tried to explain to Toby. With much decisiveness, Rin once again picks up the fork between her toes and with at least as much impoliteness, she points it straight at Toby. Toby finally fished out the colors and spare paint brushes he was going to need. "So, Kimura, what brings you to this place?" Rin asked Toby why he was here at Yamaku. Toby paused when he heard the question, why was he here at Yamaku.
"I've been nearly deaf ever since I was a kid and my hearing hasn't come back." Toby explained to Rin.
"No, the school. From outside you look fine. Is your problem inside?" Rin asked Toby while Toby was trying to process what was happening. Toby dropped the stuff before looking at Rin, like a deer in the headlights, he was unable to process what Rin had said. Toby had come to a full stop, opening his mouth but not getting a word out.
"I..." Toby tried to explain to Rin that he didn't know exactly what he wanted to say. Rin shuffled her shoulders while looking at Toby
"I can guess. I am good at guessing. Better than most people." Rin told Toby, cutting him off before he could answer her question or skirt around it somehow. Toby doesn't know which he would've done. He stood there frozen in front of this issue again. He hasn't even told anyone here about his condition except for Rin maybe, or maybe it's only because it hasn't really come up. Toby does get the feeling that not making issues of this is a part of the social code here, as the teacher said. Toby began to wonder if the people here could relate? Probably not any better than any normal person could. Toby still couldn't relate to Shizune's circumstances, or Nina's, either. Naturally, while Toby goes through this in his head, Rin keeps considering what my condition could be, with an overtly contemplative look on her face. She puts her fork between her lips and leans back, looking at the ceiling as if the answer was written up there. A beam of light illuminates her face from the window side, creating a mask of dark shadow on the other side. "I don't think it's anything in your head, and something in your guts would be boringly ordinary, like this lunch of mine. And less delicious. The problem must be in your pants!" Rin slyly told Toby about it. The last sentence had Toby freeze in place, what kind of messed-up Sherlock Holmes kind of statement and the sheer lack of tact it was delivered with catches Toby completely off guard. Toby thought he might've reeled back even physically as Rin's eyes widen in revelation and astonishment. "So I was right! There's something wrong with your tackle, isn't there?" Rin asked Toby, almost as if she was playing with the poor boy. Toby was still partially in shock but recognizing the need to reply something, he had to spit out the first thing that he could think of.
"No! Nothing like that. I said I was deaf." Toby explained. "Well completely deaf in the left ear and I can still hear a bit in the right ear but almost can't." Toby awkwardly explained to Rin about his condition. Toby said it. More like blurted it out, but he said it. The girl in front of him purses her lips together and glowers at him, looking very disappointed.
"How boring. Trouble in the pants would have been much more scandalous." Rin told Toby that she thought his conversation was turning into something that he wasn't comfortable with. It clearly meant Toby had done something he clearly shouldn't do. What's with this reaction on Rin's end?
"I'm sorry to let you down." Toby told Rin about it. It seemed that he wanted to speak of something that clearly wasn't his fault for.
"I forgive you. Just, I collect people and a person with, you know, that kind of problem would've been really great." Rin explained, her mouth forming into a smile. Toby seemed a little puzzled by what Rin had said.
"Collect people?" Toby asked Rin if she was to collect him for his disability? Rin smiled before she began explaining.
"People with different problems." Rin explained to Toby, she was more or less borderline flirting with him. Toby didn't know what to do but with Rin being straightforward, he thought it would be wise to take a couple steps back.
"Huh, so you just... like, go around asking people what's wrong with them?" Toby asked Rin if this was what she did to get to know people.
"Pretty much." Rin shrugged with a sigh. She wanted to see what Tucker's next reaction was.
I see." Toby explained to Rin. He leaned down as if the mess of what he needed was still there. After picking his stuff up and having little left to say, Rin resumes her lunch and the conversation dies away, but Toby keeps thinking about what was said. It's not the first time he told anyone else about his condition. All the other people have either known about it already, or heard about it from someone else. Or didn't need to know about it, like every other student here, so far. Should Toby have told it as a natural part of introductions? Is it expected of him? 'Hi, I'm Toby. I'm almost completely deaf.' Is that how he was supposed to go around introducing himself from now on? As if their disabilities would define us. What a disgusting thought. Or maybe this Tezuka girl just has an unnatural interest in such things.
Katawa Shoujo- Raindrops and Puddles
As Toby walks out of the room with items on Haruhiko's list, a chance opens to study Rin from the corner of his eye. Her hair is a burnt auburn, almost orange, and cropped short. Long hair would probably be impossible with no arms. The boy's uniform and the lack of arms make her look very thin, almost scrawny. She is not particularly pretty except for her murky green eyes which flicker restlessly from below her short bangs, even when she eats. The distance and the shadows make it seem like they don't reflect sunlight at all, but instead absorb all of it within them like deep wells. She moves her feet almost as deftly as a normal person would use their arms. However, Toby could see how this sight could discomfort people, especially while eating. It makes Toby feel a bit uncomfortable at least. He began to hesitate, to think about the word 'unnatural' but it's too late now, isn't it? Toby bumps into Haruhiko, but after enough time passes the silence grows too uncomfortable, so Toby tries to force some conversation out of Haruhiko who had entered the scene.
"So, does she always eat alone and this late? Or does she get the occasional visitor?" Haruhiko asked Toby if he knew a thing or two about Rin.
"Visitors... maybe I am her first occasional visitor. But I bet she doesn't always eat alone either. Sometimes she can eat with certain people but I don't know who." Toby tries to explain this to Haruhiko about the whole conversation he had with Rin.
"As in?" Haruhiko asked Toby if she knew the certain people she hung out with. Toby tries to explain this to Haruhiko. Toby turned his head back to the room and heard the door closed. Someone else had entered the art room.
"I really don't know much about her, we never really said much about anything." Toby explained to Haruhiko, was there something that the three of them didn't know about and the fact that they were trying to find out about the conversation.
"Oh. So, she's blank like a book?" Haruhiko asked, did this girl have no personality?
"She's strange, I can say that." Toby explained to Haruhiko, and that's all he can think of to say. Both of them fell silent again as Haruhiko began to think of what he was going to say. Toby takes a look down at his haul and double checks the list. It seems Toby has everything he needed to finish the stall. "Umm... so, I think I have all the things now. I got the paint that you needed."
"That's very nice for you. Don't feel obliged to stay. I was about to finish the stall anyway. You need to do whatever you are going to do with that stuff anyway, right? Or perhaps you can take the book back to Yuuko since we're pretty much finished with it?" Haruhiko seemed to explain to Toby, he began to take the supplies off of Toby and placed it in a bag to take back to the area they were building the stall in.
"Ehh..." Toby asked. He wasn't sure what to make of this, but Toby looked serious, he looked down to hear his phone buzzing. "Even if I did, I think I have to go. I... I'll catch you around, Haruhiko."
"Take care." Haruhiko explained to Toby. Haruhiko turned and left the scene. Toby fished his phone out to hear the buzzing. Opening the phone, he opened it to see who it was.
"Hello?" Toby asked on the phone, it was met with someone cheery and very excited.
"WAHAHA! Toby we managed to find your number and we decided to call you. Where are you?" The voice sounded like Misha and she seemed to want to know Toby's whereabouts.
"I'm at the art room, I had to run some errands for a friend so he can finish his stall for the festival." Toby explained to Misha where he was.
"So you heard about it." Misha asked. She was very excited to hear about it. "Fried food, games and the Sunday all to yourself. I guess you had your reasons about it. Shicchan is wondering if you wanted to spend the afternoon with us."
"Sure… I got nothing else to do. Is there a reason you wanted me to join you two?" Toby asked Misha if she had any ideas with their afternoon.
"We're planning on spending it at The Shanghai. Yuuko left at lunchtime so she wasn't able to speak to you so we decided to find you and she can tell you about what she wanted to tell us. It's kind of important." Misha explained what the plan was. Toby seemed to realize he was being invited out.
"Sure, if it's important, I can spend the night with you. Haruhiko and his friends are almost done with their stall for Sunday." Toby explained to Misha.
"Okay we're on our way. We'll explain everything once we get there." Misha explained. She hung up without saying a word. Toby slipped his phone back into his pocket as he turned his head back around the corner to find someone who had entered the art room exiting with the supplies he needed. He wasn't going to flag him down or anything. He spotted Misha and Shizune at the doorway and they seem to be talking to the strange boy. Toby poked his head around the conversation between Shizune, Misha and the strange kid that was just in the art room.
Katawa Shoujo- Generic Happy Music
"What did she hear?" Misha asked the strange kid. Toby was looking at who was there that Misha was talking to. Toby watched as the strange kid jumped at the sudden appearance of Misha, who he had not heard approaching despite the completely empty hallway. Somehow she had gotten within jumping distance of him without making a sound. Creepy. It briefly reminds Toby of Kenji's nutty theory about a global feminist conspiracy, but Toby had to push that thought aside. Shizune, standing slightly behind Misha, looks aloof as she couldn't have heard the remark that drew Misha's attention, but Misha is visibly excited. "No wait, more importantly, who is in there? There's no club meetings today." Misha excitedly told the strange kid. Toby watches as Misha tries to curiously peek past the strange kid, even though the door prevents her from seeing anyway.
"What are you doing here?" The strange kid asked Misha and Shizune.
"You took so long that we had to come check what's wrong. That's no good, Hicchan." Misha explained to the strange kid that he was taking his merry time when it came to this. Toby wondered who this kid was anyway. She wags her finger at the strange kid scoldingly. "I found plywood, but everything else is still missing because you are tardy."
"Oh, sorry. Err... I got the things here, I was just going to bring them." The strange kid tried to explain to Misha about where he was. Toby watched from a distance, how come this strange kid had a nickname and not him?
"I think you were up to some mischief, Hicchan! Who was in there with you, I wonder..." Misha told the strange kid as if she wondered who was in the abandoned art room during this time of the day. Misha signs something quickly to Shizune, pointing at her own ear a couple of times. Shizune immediately pushes her way past the strange kid and opens the door into the classroom he just left from. Toby can only watch and imagine the shock she is experiencing. With Shizune's diligence and attitude, the insolence of daring to deface school property by sleeping on top of it must be too much to bear. And indeed, she stares at Rin, frozen in place apart from the slight but noticeable trembling of her shoulders, from suppressed rage Toby was sure to see. Instead of blowing up, Shizune just takes a few deep breaths, adjusts her glasses and slams the door shut, turning to sign furiously at Misha. Maybe she did blow up but neither of the boys could understand it. She shoots a very loaded stare at the strange kid too, as if it was somehow his fault that Rin is sleeping on one of the tables. Toby could only hope she's not getting any funny ideas about the reason for this strange kid's tardiness.
"Hello." Rin began speaking to the crowd. She seemed to be awoken by her nap and was disturbed. Rin's voice comes from the other side of the door and it takes a few eyeblinks to realize she might have trouble opening it. The strange kid opens the door to find Rin directly behind it, looking at them with a half-interested, half-sleepy face. "Hello." Rin said again. Shizune seemed to make a few signs at Misha who turned to Rin.
"Miss Tezuka, what do you think you were doing? You absolutely are not permitted to use school property for such... err, disgraceful? Activity!" Misha seemed to give Rin the rundown on how things were handled at Yamaku.
"It sure is suddenly very crowded in here. I didn't know I was this popular." Rin explained to the crowd, she didn't know she liked all of this attention. Toby watched them as he waited for his chance to come. It's hard to say whether she's happy or unhappy about this turn of events. At any rate she ignores Shizune and Misha's scolding so they have no choice but to drop the issue. Shizune taps Misha's shoulder, points at Rin and makes some quick signs.
"Popularity aside, please don't do that any more." Misha told Rin that she didn't want her to be like this. Shizune decided to make a few quick signs, reminding Misha about the project that was going on. "Anyway, how is your project going? Will it be done for the festival?" Rin looks at them blankly, apparently at ease under the pressure Shizune's cold stare is putting on her.
"I keep wondering about that myself too." Rin replied in a rather blank manner to Shizune and Misha. Shizune made a few hand gestures while trying to speak to Misha.
"And...?" Misha asked Rin if she had an answer of when the project would be done for the festival.
"Will think about it harder." Rin told them. Misha turned to Shizune and made a few hand gestures to her. It seemed that Misha was more or less wanting a decisive answer to Rin's question. As Misha signs her reply to Shizune her face turns into an unsatisfied frown. Misha turned back to Rin and began speaking to her "Miss Tezuka, please try to take this seriously. It'll be a disaster if the wall looks like someone threw up their lunch onto it." Misha tried to explain to Rin about getting something as important as this finished on time. Rin nods assertively.
"Will think more seriously." Rin sighed, this wasn't what she wanted to do, perhaps she could have used her imagination to think about it more and it would do the work for her. Misha actually giggles at that, but Shizune doesn't, not even after translation. She just shakes her head, takes the materials from me and takes off with Misha in tow. Rin frowns thoughtfully as she looks after the retreating student council duo. Even with something as serious as this, Misha couldn't help but laugh. Rin didn't like this a bit. "How rude. It's true though, I must finish my project before the weekend. There will be dire consequences if I don't. The end of the world as we know it. Like weekends usually are, but more dire. Much more dire. Maybe I'll postpone my nap. To unforeseen future." Watching her walk in front of the group, Toby notices that she walks very quickly, taking long, heavy, determined strides. Maybe if they were traveling through a snowstorm it would make sense to walk like that, but it's a perfectly clear day. Anyway, it's making the strange kid feel exhausted just watching her. Misha decided to take the supplies to where it needed to go but she winked at Toby, it was her signal that the coast was clear and they needed him to follow her.
It was only a little later when Toby was standing outside as Shizune and Misha pulled up. They had some news for Toby.
Katawa Shoujo- Afternoon
"Well, everything is done, and we decided to take you out on a little treat. We promise you that we will." Misha told Toby on her behalf. Toby seemed to give a nod about it as he seemed to be curious.
"Do you know the way there?" Toby asked Shizune and Misha if they knew where this location was.
"Of course we do, we've been there plenty of times." Misha told Toby on her behalf. Shizune adjusted her glasses before she took Toby by the hand and dragged them off in what seemed to be a fast speed with Misha following behind. They arrive at the teahouse in what Misha says is "record time," likely because of Shizune's blazing pace. Toby felt a little let down seeing that it's not a huge feudal-era building with mats on the floor and women in kimonos pouring the tea. It actually is more like a café, as he thought. Not that it's a bad thing. It looks very nice. Toby would walk through the doors, someone zooms in front of them, as if they had been lying in wait the entire time.
"Welcome! Thank you for patronizing this establishment!" Yuuko greeted the group. She seemed to be excited to see those who had entered. For Toby, this was going to be something new, he wasn't expecting Yuuko to be there at the front entrance to greet them. The top half of her body drops forward in a bow that looks like an axe chopping through wood. Toby was even more surprised to see it's none other than Yuuko, the librarian.
"Hey, I didn't know you worked here." Toby began speaking to Yuuko about it.
"Oh... Yes, I do. I'm a waitress... I've been working here for one year, six months, and two weeks now... Thank you for choosing to come here, is there anything I can do for you?" Yuuko explained to Toby. She had trouble figuring out how long she had been working at The Shanghai for.
"Hi, Yuu-chan!" Misha greeted Yuuko with a more than happy grin.
"Hello." Yuuko replied softly. Toby looked at Misha and Shizune, he didn't know how to respond to this.
"Misha, you both know her too?" Toby asked Misha if she knew Yuuko. Misha smiled before she began to explain to Toby.
"Of course, Toby! Yuu-chan works in the library, after all! I don't go there often myself, but Shicchan knows her! And, we both come here a lot, so it's like we see her all the time!" Misha explained to Toby that Yuuko worked two jobs and this was the job
"Um... Yes... Should I get you your usuals? And... if there is anything you would want, please feel free to tell me at any time." Yuuko told the three of them that if there was anything else that they wanted, be sure to let her know. With that Yuuko walked off to get another patron's orders while Toby sat there thinking before he opened his mouth to say:
"You don't have to be so formal, we all know each other." Toby told Misha. He felt like he was kind of rude to Misha by telling her that. Toby turned his head away from them and decided to get a scope of his surroundings. It was pretty empty today, so she can afford to take it easy. Toby was hoping she would stop looking so nervous, but his words have the opposite effect.
"No... I'm a waitress, this is my job, I have to... do it properly." Yuuko told Toby while she walked over to them to take their orders, did she hear that? Shizune made a few signs with her hands before turning to Misha to translate that to Yuuko.
"Okay, okay! That works for Shicchan! Yuu-chan, please get Shicchan what she usually gets, and I'll have some green tea with milk and honey." Misha told Yuuko that is what they usually wanted. Toby looked at Yuuko with a nod.
"No pressure." Toby politely told Yuuko that there was no pressure on her end.
"Um, yes... but... this is my job, and... there is always pressure. I'm sorry, I'm arguing with a customer... Sorry! Sorry, sorry!" Yuuko told Toby that there was some pressure on her end even though Toby was giving Yuuko a compliment to ease her tension. Yuuko takes another hundred-mile-per-hour bow. Toby decided to give up and join Shizune and Misha at a table. As soon as he sits down, Yuuko comes by, looking even more upset than before.
"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry, I forgot to take your order... I'm... not attentive to customers, that's not right... I'm sorry... If there is anything I can do to make up for it, please tell me..." Yuuko tried her best to explain to the group that if there was anything she could do to make it up for them. Shizune looked at Toby then back to Yuuko as she began to sign to her.
"It's okay, Yuu-chan, Toby didn't order anything, so it's not your fault, don't be upset." Misha told Yuuko to not get so upset over spilt milk and that Toby didn't order anything. It's true. Toby guessed he should order now, but he doesn't really know what this place serves, and there doesn't seem to be a menu.
"Yeah, she's right. I'll have some black tea with caramel and milk, and... a sandwich, if you have one. Whichever sandwich you think is the best tasting one here, because Shizune is paying for my meal." Toby told Yuuko that was what he wanted. He wanted something a little simple though black tea didn't seem to be the best option. Shizune frowns and gives Toby alternating looks of surprise, indignation, and bemusement, unable to decide between the three. Shizune began signing to Misha to let her know what she wanted to get.
"Toby, just how much money do you have in your wallet? It can't be that little, right?, right? We should split the cost three ways, to make it fair! Yeah, I won't accept anything else!" Misha asked Toby how much he had on him. Toby signed that he had about ten thousand yen on him in two thousand yen bills. Misha turns to Yuuko thinking Shizune had made up her mind. "Yuu-chan, Shicchan says she wants three of whatever is the most expensive item on the menu." Misha declared to Yuuko in a playful manner to get Yuuko to laugh.
"No!" Toby shouted as if he had a feeling that Misha was going to push a button that she wasn't supposed to. Misha and Yuuko laughed, it seemed that they had caught Toby where they wanted him to be.
"Hahaha~! Just kidding, Toby..." Misha told Toby while they were still laughing. Once the laughter died down, Yuuko began to speak.
"Um... okay, I think that the turkey club sandwich is the most delicious sandwich. It has turkey, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo... And it comes with free soup... A good employee would try to recommend the item that there is the most of, though... or the most expensive item... Am I bad at my job?" Yuuko tried to explain to Toby about the sandwich.
"No! That sounds good, I'll have that. And some black tea with caramel and milk." Toby told Yuuko.
"Okay." Yuuko told Toby before taking his order. She had calmed down a bit before walking off. Yuuko comes back a few minutes later with their drinks and his sandwich. Shizune seems to be fine with just her tea, while Misha also ordered a parfait. Toby doesn't know why, because he can't imagine many other things that would go worse with tea. Oh well. Toby takes a bite out of his sandwich. It's very good. Shizune made a few hand gestures before turning to Toby.
"Toby, have you thought about joining the Student Council?" Misha asked. Toby was taken off guard by the question.
"Huh?" Toby asked. He was thinking more about Stephanie and if she was free to spend time with them.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Toby..." Misha told Toby to not talk with his mouth full of food. Toby washes his food down with a sip of tea, which is also surprisingly good, as the flavors weren't overwhelmed by the tea itself. But now's not the time to remark on how this place has good food.
Katawa Shoujo- Generic Happy Music
"You said you understood it was too early to expect me to make a decision this quickly! That was like three hours ago!" Toby told Shizune and Misha while trying to play with them. Shizune made a few hand gestures to Misha as Misha began speaking to Toby.
"A man should be decisive, Toby!" Misha told Toby that he had to come to a decision. "You really should join the Student Council, Hicchan. Come on, it'll be fun!" Misha told Toby about this that he should definitely join the team if he could get the chance. Toby felt like he had a lot on his plate, Tanimoto's expectations, the stand for Sunday's event, Nina and Stephanie.
"People always say "come on, it'll be fun" about things that are never, ever fun. I'm having trouble coming to a decision as there is a lot going on. Your offer sounds nice and I've given it some thought but I couldn't bring myself to make any commitment." Toby explained to Shizune and Misha that he definitely thought about the offer but there was nothing he could come up with. Shizune felt a bit down before she began signing to Misha.
"Don't you believe me, Toby?" Misha asked. Is it Shizune saying that or Misha? What a cute expression; but the effect is somewhat jarring, like she has split personalities.
"Uh..." Toby asked Misha if he had any output. Shizune signed some gestures to Toby as if she wanted to say something to him.
"Toby, that's depressing. We just want to spend time with you..." Misha told Toby as she was speaking on Shizune's behalf. Shizune made a few hand gestures before Misha began to translate them."That's right, Shicchan! Yeah, that's a good point too!" Shizune smiled before continuing. "Yup, this is beneficial to everyone, it solves all our problems~." Shizune finished as they both felt deflated. "Yeah, I also thought Toby would appreciate it... That makes me sad." Suddenly Toby felt really left out.
"It's rude to talk about someone without letting them in the conversation." Toby said while signing to Shizune and Misha. Shizune adjusts her glasses, laughing to herself. Laughing in a way that didn't involve sound.
"Aw, but it's true, Toby! And you would be helping us out, membership has been really low this year." Misha translated on Shizune's behalf. Toby felt bad that he didn't get to help them out whenever he could.
"How low?" Toby asked while making a few gestures of his own with his own hands.
"Ah, that's a secret, Toby." Misha told Toby. Toby was curious and made some gestures while speaking.
"No, I want to know how low it was. How low is "low"?" Toby asked them if they had an answer. Misha seemed to laugh at Toby's question when the former was being serious about this.
"Ahaha..." Misha laughed to Toby about this.
"Five?" Toby asked, holding up his right hand. Shizune nodded her head no. "Lower?" Toby asked if there were less than that.
"Well…" Misha began. Toby needed to find a decisive answer to that question.
"Zero?" Toby asked. He had taken his fingers out of this equation. Shizune said nothing and kept her hands still.
"Wahaha! Toby, that isn't important. What matters is that the number is low, and that is why we would appreciate you giving us a hand, especially with the festival coming up this weekend, and it looks like we're finishing off a busy year in general." Misha explained to Toby what exactly was going to happen. Toby was still eating when he heard about the news.
"So you're not going to answer my question?" Toby asked them curiously.
"No." Misha replied, she waved her hands to Toby that this was her message, they had answered his question though Toby must've read it the wrong way. Toby lets out a sigh and straightens up in his chair, trying to look as defiant as possible, because this seems like a big issue and that he does not want to let it go that easily. Toby began to feel silly about himself, like a blowfish.
"Fine, at least tell me this: How many people are in the Student Council? Total?" Toby told Shizune and Misha how many members were in the Student Council. Shizune stood there silent before putting up her fingers, they were in the shape of a scissor which counted the number of members in the Student Council.
"Um, well, Toby we're definitely undermanned, but we have enough members to get the job done. Yup, yup!" Misha explained to Toby thinking that it was just them in this group. Toby wanted to make sure they weren't hiding anything
"It's not just the two of you, is it?" Toby asked curiously. He takes a sip of his tea and waits for Misha to answer.
"Hahaha! Toby, that's funny!"Misha told Toby that the question he asked was funny. Shizune prodded Misha in the shoulder and began making some signs with her hands. "But! It's definitely not just us."
"Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?" Toby asked Misha if this was true.
"Yup!" Misha told Toby. Toby seemed to be confused about this. Were they sure that there was more than just the two of them? Toby stares at them both, trying to see if they will slip up and confirm my worst fears. Misha frowns, looking uncomfortable, but that is probably because he's staring at her. Shizune, on the other hand, returns his gaze with one of her own. Maybe she is challenging Toby, peering at him over the rims of her glasses like that. So teasing; and surprisingly immature, like a little girl beckoning someone to play with her. Shizune made some signs with her hands to tell Toby about it.
"Toby, your two cute student council representatives have been trying to make you feel welcome and are even treating you to lunch. You should show your gratitude by joining the council so you can at least help them out. Yeah, it would be great if you could just file some papers for us, and... the festival is coming up, and we have to build some stalls for the games and food, just a few, so if you were there, it would be a lot easier for us... Please, Toby?" Misha explained to Toby. Misha was kind of being serious this time around. Was this an interesting good cop-bad cop routine? Toby supposed he'll give it a shot. Why not? Just a shot.
"Okay, I'll give it a trial run. It doesn't mean I'm joining, or anything definite, just that I'll help out a little, and then I'll see. And this makes us even for lunch, I'm not doing this because I want to." Toby explained to Misha, what's the worst that can happen with this? He was still weighing his options on what exactly he wanted to do. Shizune's face lit up a bit as she began to sign, Shizune wanted to talk to Stephanie about it first before letting Toby have the trial with the Student Council. Toby finishes off the last of his sandwich, and this makes Misha notice for the first time in a while that she has a parfait. She starts digging in, much to Shizune's chagrin, because Toby can tell from the way she plays with her fingers that she had a lot to say. Every time Toby takes a look at Shizune, she looks back with such focus and intensity. This time is no exception. Her face is expressionless; maybe she is thinking. Eventually, it gives way to a smile. She signs something, and obviously, Toby could understand it. She has to know that. Then, she does it again, a childish playfulness showing through in the speed and energy of her gestures.
"You want to speak to Stephanie tomorrow after class?" Toby asked Shizune while making some signs of his own. Misha paused before looking up from her parfait, torn between wanting to help out and going back to eating. Her face was covered in melted ice cream. Shizune nodded yes to Toby's question before making some signs of her own. "You also want to pay me a visit tomorrow?" Shizune's smile widened, Toby was coming to understand her. To Toby, communicating with Shizune was pretty easy. He was more or less used to speaking her language and by the looks of things, he was getting the hang of what she wanted to say. Imagine doing this all day, as your only means of communication.
"Hmm... Sorry, Toby, I can't tell you." Misha explained as she seemed to be too preoccupied with her ice cream.
"Why not? Is it an insult?" Toby asked Misha if that was her answer.
"No, Toby, I can't tell you because!, it means something nice." Misha tried her best to explain to Toby about this. Toby tilted his head to the left when he got curious about what Misha was trying to say. Something nice, huh? Well, they've gone back to their tea and food, so Toby guesses this conversation is over for now. Toby kind of doesn't really understand. But this makes him wish that he could. Maybe he could even try expanding his sign language which he started when he was little. This school might have courses for it. Would he really do that? Toby thinks about it as he finishes the rest of his tea and by it, he's talking about the student council. Toby began to wonder why he'd even be motivated to think about it. He's enjoying himself so much that he doesn't even notice that they were supposed to be back in the school ten minutes ago. Even if he were to start heading back to school right now, it would take at least... thirty minutes? Maybe. Toby didn't want to risk running fast without tripping on his own shoes, so it would take at least that long to get there. Well, ten minutes late already as he was, it wouldn't matter even if he could teleport.
Katawa Shoujo- Hokabi
"Something wrong, Toby?" Misha asked Toby if there was something wrong. Toby looked at the clock of his phone before he began speaking.
"I just realized we've been here for three hours. It's only my third day, and I'm already going to not have time to do my homework." Toby explained to them. Shizune made some motions with her hands and was talking to Misha.
"Yup! You are already late." Misha told Toby, they decided to gather their belongings, finish up, and head back to Yamaku.
"Hey, that's not funny, so are you! And, aren't you two in the Student Council? You're setting a bad example." Toby asked. He was more or less teasing them as Misha began speaking, she wasn't laughing this time.
"Toby is so moral..." Misha began speaking. Shizune made some signs with her hands and began to speak on Shizune's behalf.
"But! Toby is right, he wants to get his homework done, and~ it looks like we're cutting too when we should be getting those stalls done, Toby, because you're not making an effort to go. As your student council representatives, we're going to have to do something about this and make sure you're punished for it!" Misha explained. Toby wanted to keep playing with them but rules were rules and he needed to be back.
"But you two dragged me out here, this is all your fault. Take responsibility!" Toby playfully told the girls. Shizune made some hand gestures before Misha began to translate them.
"Toby, we were just taking a prospective student council member out to try and recruit him. It's business, business! But! You're not a member of the council, so there's no excuse!" Misha told Toby about this that there needed to be a perspective when it came to the student council. Toby, Shizune and Misha got out their money to begin paying for the food they ate.
"Yes, there is. That prospective student council member is clearly me." Toby explained. Shizune made some signs with her hands while Misha translated them for Misha.
"Yes! Are you going to join the Student Council, Toby?" Misha asked Toby as they were pushing him into the student council. Shizune raises her teacup haughtily and wags her outstretched pinky finger up and down. Shizune finished her tea and began signing for Misha to translate to Toby. "Toby, if only you were a member of the Student Council... But! You can still join now, Toby! If you join now, you won't be in any trouble at all, and we'll be able to take many more nice excursions like this all the time! It'll be fun!" Misha called out. Shizune made some signs with her hands and patted Misha on the shoulder, now wasn't a good time to be inviting him out. Some things she still needed to get sorted before a decision was made. "Oh." Misha told herself she felt a bit deflated when Shizune decided to pull the brakes on her. Toby starts to think that, maybe, this was all an elaborate set-up leading up to this moment. Maybe Shizune lured him out here, banking on the possibility that he'd lose track of time and be forced into this situation. Diabolical. ...Well, considering what Toby knows of her, he should have been more on his guard. But to admit that he got himself into this, even slightly, would be unforgivable. Toby was trying to read Shizune's intentions in her eyes, but she just returned his stare blankly. Innocently. She takes a sip of tea, like she is mocking him. Shizune began making some signs for Toby as Misha began to translate them "By the way, Toby, I didn't plan this at all, things just happened to work out this way!" Misha explained to Toby that she didn't plan any of this out. Toby was almost about to drop his theory as paranoia, but this puts a new spin on things. Toby almost falls over in awe. So it really was an elaborate set up, from the very beginning, all just to burn him and force him to join the Student Council. Shizune began making a few signs to Misha as she looked at Toby, he seemed to be nervous about something. "Ahahahaha! You look so nervous, Toby! Did you really think we were tricking you this whole time?"
"You're not?" Toby asked, he still seemed skeptical about all of this, trying to piece together what was happening.
"Toby, you really thought...?" Misha asked, she didn't think that Toby was getting it. Misha frowns, looking heartbroken. Shizune quickly frowns as well, following her lead. How synchronized. Two of a perfect pair. They must be twins. Shizune made some gestures with her hands wanting to say something to Toby. "Shicchan says she's flattered, Toby, but doing that kind of thing would be a grossly inappropriate abuse of power, and imposing on your free will! And! It would be blackmail, too! Shicchan would never do anything like that, never!" Toby began to think, thinking about asking Misha, 'Are you sure?' but resist the urge to. Shizune made a few more signs with her hands. "Anyway, Toby, what Shicchan said is true. Since you're with us, and we're doing student council work, it's okay if we miss an hour or two." Shizune made more hands as she was now talking to Misha. "Not that this is a good excuse to do so..." Shizune paused next before signing again. "...Or one that should be used more than three times a month..." Shizune continued to sign. "Or something that can or should be abused…" Shizune finished the conversation with Misha saying: "So! We must definitely, definitely return to the school! Eventually! Wahaha!" Misha shouted. Well it was time to pay up. Shizune waves Yuuko over and points to her empty teacup, indicating that she wants another one, as Misha scrambles to finish her parfait so she can get herself packed. Maybe Toby should as well. Toby was satisfied, despite the portions here being a little on the small side. Most importantly, Shizune is paying for everything. With that in mind, Toby asks Yuuko when he could return the book he borrowed. By the time they leave the tea shop, Toby looks up at the sky, they missed out on a lot of time but there was still time left today right. Shizune and Misha seem content to let the whole day pass by, stalling for even more time by suggesting a tour of the town that turns out to cover a two block radius from where they start.
"So that's everything, you girls come out here other than the Shanghai?" Toby asked Shizune and Misha if there were any stores in the town they tended to visit.
"There is an abandoned shop behind the Shanghai that just got purchased recently, they want to cooperate with its owner to sell its antiques that they found. Shicchan says they can't wait for the day they open." Misha explained to Toby about the shop that was behind the tea house.
"An antique store? Sounds interesting, let me know when you two and Yuuko want to go exploring." Toby asked when they were up to take a look around it.
"We're not entirely sure, Yuuko will tell us when that day comes." Misha told Toby that they will go looking around inside some day. Eventually, they do go back to school, and the rest of the day is business as usual. Toby decided to prepare to head up to his dorm to practice his piano and geet his homework done. Come to think of it, this is the first time they've left him alone. It's strange, Toby felt like he almost missed them. Toby looked around in the lobby for Stephanie, Nina or any of his friends, no such luck. When he tried leaving the lobby, however, an arm lowered itself in front of him like a toll bridge gate, stopping Toby in his tracks.
"Oh, hi Shizune." Toby greeted him, he was actually smiling for once when he figured out who it was. A pair of hands from behind cover his eyes, followed by a sharp burst of laughter.
"Hi, Toby! Guess who!" Misha called out to Toby in laughter. Misha asks the question completely without sarcasm, meaning she doesn't think that Toby instantly knew it was her for many obvious reasons.
"I wonder who it could be? Well, it's definitely not Misha..." Toby told Misha as he was playing with her.
Katawa Shoujo- The Student Council
"Hahaha! It is!" Misha replied. Misha swings around to stand in front of Toby, beside Shizune. Shizune began signing to Toby as she wanted to ask him something. "Toby, are you busy right now?" Misha asked Toby.
"Busy going to my room, yeah. See you two tomorrow!" Toby told Shizune and Misha that he was going to get what he needed done. Toby tries to make a break for it, but Shizune is too agile to get past. As someone who would be quick on his feet, this is embarrassing. Not to mention that this behavior is drawing some odd looks. Toby figured that he should just quit while he's ahead.
"Toby, I need to get going, I have to monitor the stalls that are being built for Sunday. I'll see you tomorrow then?" Misha told them that she needed to be out and helping for Sunday's event.
"Well… see you." Toby told Misha.
"Hahaha! Shicchan thinks that we should discuss what the plans are and if you have come to a decision about the student council. I'd definitely want to know what your answer to this is." Misha told Toby about what was going on.
"I'll have an answer tomorrow night." Toby told Misha about the student council, he was relying on this for an answer and hopefully Shizune's conversation with Toby one on one would convince him into making a decision.
"Okay take care." Misha told Toby. With that she was out the door leaving Toby and Shizune alone. Shizune began signing to Toby directly as he picked up her signals.
"See you tomorrow night in your dorm 024. I will talk to Stephanie in the meantime and when we are ready we will bring this up to you personally. Are you okay with that?" Toby was able to read it out for himself. Shizune looked at Toby, smiling and nodding yes. He understood what she was saying. "Yeah I got it, I'm fine with that." Toby told Shizune that he was fine with these arrangements. Shizune began to sign once again. "Okay I'll see you. I need to get some work done." Toby nodded yes as Shizune's eyes lit up, she was getting into Toby pretty quickly. With that, Shizune got up and left with Toby heading to his dorm.
Once back at his dorm, he opened his book and decided to get his homework done. He was gone for a long while today and Shizune's invitation to his room tomorrow night seemed to be the one thing that was driving him to come to a decision. Toby really wanted to join the student council even if it was for a trial run. Maybe he would like it and he would want to stay around for Shizune and Misha. Toby sighed as after his homework was done, he had one final thing to do, pulling out the laptop he had, he hooked it up to his piano as it would be more of a practice to make up for the ground he had lost, Maybe he can compose something for the Student Council and Tanimoto. That would be nice.
"Keep me strong." Toby told himself. When he began to play his piano, he was going to need to think of something to get Shizune's attention as the music began to drift throughout the boy's dorm.
Toby had to come to a decision, and he had just the people to help him.
[A/N]: Sorry for being gone for so long, I haven't been feeling my best, the cough has returned and I haven't found the time to write. Hopefully the length of this chapter makes up for it.
Laptop parts came and now I'm getting my allergy shots meaning I can rid myself of these allergies and not feel down again. I can start enjoying life more now. Hooray! See you whenever I can.