3rd Chapter | Video/Action

[the_heroine]

[When Mikoshiba turns on the screen, he looks pleased with himself. His hair blows gently over his face in the wind, while he looks out to where the Bay used to be.] I've finally gotten sick of hearing everyone complain about the Bay missing, so I can explain what's going on. Just this once, so don't make me repeat myself!

This is what you would call a challenge event. You wouldn't collect just one ball in sports, so why would you bother to catch one star? [Because sports are normal. He's not comparing it to something to happen in a video game, not at all.]

Just like you'd get extra points at the end of a...sports...thing, if you manage to collect all the stars, or at least a certain amount of them, you'll probably get something cool. Like a sword or something. I was already here so I might as well try. [He shrugs, trying not to look nearly as excited as he actually is. This is his chance to get a legendary weapon! Which he will then keep in his room and never use.]

[That hole looks unsettling though. He stays away from it while he tries catching one of the lights. He has his sights set on one, but when it keeps evading him, he finally gets frustrated and puts his hands to his face to think. There's one nearby, so he runs after it, splashing through the water and trying to look as cool about it as he can. He finally manages to catch one, letting out a victorious shriek. But his excitement is short-lived when this memory (up to 2:26) plays. He falls down and seems to stare at nothing in particular, overcome with an elated feeling once it's over. Slowly, the euphoria fades, returning him to the present. He tilts his head down to look at his phone, otherwise still and mortified. It wasn't a bad memory, but it had been so real, enough to make him lose his composure in public. Realizing this, his eyes wide, and his face pales before brushing brightly. He scrambles to turn off his phone, his words equally rushed and panicked.]

Never...nevermind! Just stay away, it's a waste of time to try it!

Comments

action;

[graduations]

[ Yui was nearby when he was making his post and ended up watching it about 10 feet from him right as it posted. (Was this kind of coincidence of being right about to approach Mikoshiba when he posts or sends out texts becoming some sort of gag?) Then she looked up and stared at him. She had her socks and shoes off and placed at the edge of the water since she was curious about the stars, but didn't want to ruin them. ]

You sounded so excited about it, what did it do?

[ She's reaching down into the water curiously, Mikorin, stop her..! ]

action;

[the_heroine]

[He finally manages to shut off his phone for the time being, his head snapping up in surprise. Oh good, now Yui can comfort him!

Wait. Yui. Yui what are you doing.

Stop that.]

Kusanagi-san, get away from them--!

[Horrified, instinct takes over as he rushes over to try and stop her. He doesn't want her going through what he just did!]

action;

[graduations]

[ IT'S TOO LATE, MIKOSHIBA! SHE'S GOT ONE! SHE'S GOT-

After she's through Mikoto's little twin star, she looks over at Mikorin a little uncertainly.

How does she even respond to that without being rude? It's okay that he plays them but she kind of feels a little lied to if that was what he meant by "10 soulmates" and his previous loves... ]

action;

[the_heroine]

[Unable to stop it, he looks concerned and begins to approach her.]

Did you want to talk about it? My friend saw a sad memory, so it's okay if you did too. I know it feels real, but they're just memories, it didn't actually happen again.

action;

[gullwingsgunner]

[Yuna had started to feel confident about jumping into the hole. She had the rope, she had things she felt like she needed to be able to jump into the hole. She was ready. She felt confident. However as she reached the place where the Bay use to be she hadn't expected someone she knew to be there. Well that was a surprise really.]

Oh! Are you investigating the hole too?

action;

[the_heroine]

["Too"? Mikoshiba glances at her equipment. He thought only someone with no sense of self-preservation would want to go near the hole, but maybe this was normal for people from worlds like hers. When he thinks back to his games, and all the side-quests, this probably is pretty normal. Why else would she be so casual about it?

He's too frightened to go near the hole, but the thought of embarrassing himself and looking bad is even more terrifying. He blurts out what first comes to mind, without even hesitating.]

That little thing? I didn't even need any equipment.

[He grins, gesturing at himself.]

But if you're scared to go alone, we don't have to. We could just stay here, surrounded by the stars.

action;

[gullwingsgunner]

Oh really? I kept getting told I would need a few things, plus I'm unsure if there is a bottom to this, thus why the rope.

[She gets it out, using one end to tie around her waist for the moment before she starts to look around, trying to figure out what to tie the other end to.]

I'm not scared though, I just need to find something to tie this end to.

action;

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[Minako was currently going around as her Sailor form; Sailor Venus and had been spending a lot of time either at Nova City where the new Bay was or in Genessia where the hole and water was. She had been currently trying her hardest to catch one of those stars in a jar.]

Oh, hey there. Trying to catch the sparkle and seeing what happens?

action;

[the_heroine]

[Love Goddess! Mikoshiba immediately stands up, wiping his eyes and tries to distract her by bringing one hand to his forehead and the other to his hip, looking smug.]

If I sparkle anymore I'd probably blind people. [He blushes at his own words and seems to freeze in horror.]

action;

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[She wasn't quite sure what they were trying to do, but she wasn't going to question it as she went to sit at the waters edge, getting out the jar a small laugh coming from her lips.]

I wonder that myself sometimes, but sadly, it's not something that will happen. [She carefully dips the jar into the water to see what will happen, but so far no star like things are willing to get it.]

Okay, so this isn't going to be as easy as I had hoped. [She looked at the other with a smile.] Oh! Did you manage to get one before?

video

[nrgsvr]

That actually makes sense. This place does seem to operate on game logic. Including respawns.

[ Good going, Mamiko-san. Otaku knowledge has a use.]

Chasing stars is too much work.

video

[the_heroine]

[Mayu noticed him?! Mamiko-san brightens at the acknowledgement. And of course, the heroine blushes.]

That's exactly right! If I level up enough, I'll be able to take on anything! You won't have to worry, MayuMayu!

Did you want me to chase one for you? We could keep it in a jar.

video

[nrgsvr]

You're not a PC class, Mamiko-san.

[ Mikoto is a shoujo manga heroine, not an action hero.]

Should I bring a jar?

video

[filchedfruit]

Like when I collected arrows for Cupid? Was that a ...uh challenge event? I got chocolate, a rose and a charm for that.

[ He never had chocolate or seen roses before arriving in Genessia.]

Looks fun!

video

[the_heroine]

[What? Someone's asking him questions? He's excited, but more apprehensive. He pauses, looking down at his hands when he speaks.]

Probably something better than chocolate. Unless it was magic chocolate... Did the charm do anything?

[He frowns uncertainly.]

What's that supposed to mean?

video

[filchedfruit]

Chocolate's great, though. I can't get it where I come from.

I heard you could make a wish if you collect four charms.

[ He doesn't actually care about that.]

Catching stars looks like a fun game.

[Video]

[notsoholyspirit]

...you know, sometimes you do just collect one ball in sports.

In a lot of sports, actually.

[Video]

[the_heroine]

Sports have changed since forty years ago. You would know if you kept up with them. Like I do.

[Video]

[notsoholyspirit]

You did not just call me forty.

[Mikoshiba now would be a great time to recant that statement and try not to be offensive. This guy can turn into a big and pointy weapon--literally. So offending him is poetically not a good life decision.]

[ video ]

[secretshoujoart]

...I wish I had told you before you touched those not to touch them. They will bring back sad memories and you will become a villain.

Have you figured out your super power yet? If it's laser beams, we can cut screentones in half the time.

[ video ]

[the_heroine]

...If anything, I'm the protagonist and you're my antagonist now. Unless Mayu's going to become the protagonist, and you're the evil brother. Would that make me the knight? [No, it would make him the damsel in distress.]

Wouldn't that just destroy the paper? [He stares at his hands. He wants a super power!]

[ video ]

[secretshoujoart]

Mayu is the love interest. I think he might be the protagonist and you're the princess that he has to save. That makes me the antagonist, so yes, I am the villain still.

[ blinkblink ] Not if it's a low power laser.

voice; this is so late sob.

[inquisitoring]

I would think you'd realize it was a waste of time before even trying it...

voice; i'm always up for backtagging \o/

[the_heroine]

Going by that logic, I could have missed out. The plain, quiet girl might be on the run and ask me to stay with her in some exotic location. While the girl who seems sweet and cute might threaten me with a knife later on. At least now we know for sure that it was a waste of time!

voice;

[inquisitoring]

What does dating girls have to do with grabbing things that shouldn't be touched?