[Video]

[forgetbeam]

Alright, everyone! There has been a lot of talk about statues beneath the school and this recent infestation, so listen to this! I believe the two are connected!

[That's presumptuous...]

After that small earthquake the other week, Hajime Tanaka and I both fell into underground caverns, and we saw those same strange bugs bring a statue to life! It attacked us, but we made it out in one piece! But now the bugs are up here... they seem harmless on their own, but don't let your guard down!

There you have it. Is that information useful to anybody at all?

[Useful for making it clear who pissed the bugs off enough for them to come to the surface, maybe.]

Comments

[thereyouare]

[ Vivian pops in. ]

Taka. [ She smiles. ]

You've met my friends?

[ oh jesus here we go ]

[forgetbeam]

Vivi! You... befriended them?

[thereyouare]

Sometimes they would light my way in my old room. Uhm, and I sing them to sleep sometimes. They're nice.

[forgetbeam]

They weren't nice when I met them!

[Maybe they were just mad about the intrusion, whoops.]

Do you know why they would come up here now? Was anything else down there?

OKAY I GOT ANSWERS

[thereyouare]

Maybe they're hungry.

[ She has to think for a moment, though. ] Mmm. Some more friends.

EXCELLENT...

[forgetbeam]

Just who are these friends?

Re: EXCELLENT...

[thereyouare]

[ She tilts her head. Oh, you got her. ]

I don't know. Friends. They never talk. I'm sorry.

[forgetbeam]

That's fine, their names aren't important. What do they look like?

[thereyouare]

[ YOU'RE STRESSING HER OUT, TAKA. ]

Uhm... Oh. Yes. One was a big bullet, Taka! I like him. [ of course you do ] And, uhm, a chicken.

[forgetbeam]

[HE'S... TRYING... Look, he's speaking at an okayish volume and everything!]

A big bullet...? Do you think any of the small bugs would be afraid of any of the others?

[thereyouare]

I don't know. [ Aware she's being unhelpful, she tries to think harder. ] Maybe... I sing them to sleep when they can't sleep. Is that the same?

[forgetbeam]

That has nothing to do with what they might be afraid of!

[Just a sec here-]

...But knowing they can be lulled to sleep through song is still useful. Good work, Vivi!

[thereyouare]

[ She beams a smile. ]

Thank you, Taka!

[ However... ]

I don't think there's anything to be afraid of, Taka.

[forgetbeam]

Let's hope you're right about that. But we need to be prepared.

...Will you teach me a song?

BELATEDLY

[thereyouare]

[ She nods, pauses, then looks a little... embarrassed? ]

I can teach you...?

[ OH NO. SHE CAN OFFER SOMETHING? AAAA. ]

I can teach you...!

[forgetbeam]

So? Will you?

[thereyouare]

Ah! Yes. Of course.

[ Vivian giggles, just... so happy. ]

Uhm... I don't know what to sing! [ She's kind of humming away, though. Happy!!!! ]

[forgetbeam]

You teach me your favourite, and I will teach you mine! How does that sound?

You're in for it now; 1/2

[thereyouare]

Okay!

[ She clears her throat, thinking for a moment... and then sings. ]

spared for now

[thereyouare]

[ and she sings this to him.

When she finishes, she smiles. ]

It's nice. I want to go to the beach, Taka.

What's your song? [ She looks thrilled for this LET'S GO ]

[forgetbeam]

[He listens closely, knowing there's no way he'll memorize the whole thing in one go but appreciating the sounds nonetheless.]

That was very nice. Ha ha ha! We'll go to the beach together this summer!

[And he means it. It's such a spur of the moment decision, but he hasn't seen the ocean in a good while either. Has Vivian even been in her short life? He doesn't think so.

There... has to be some way to get there. He'll figure it out.]

Alright, now it's my turn!

[ALL RISE FOR THE JAPANESE NATIONAL ANTHEM Okay no. Although that is up there on his short, short list of songs he actually knows.

No, this one is a Japanese folk song his mother used to sing to him, and he can't help but feel a little melancholy as he sings it again for the first time in years. At least even without the practice he has THE MAGIC VOICE that clashes so much with his usual loud, forceful speaking voice. Thank you Voice Actor Gods.]

[thereyouare]

[ Vivian listens patiently and focuses on remembering as much as she can of what he's singing. It struck all the right chords and his charming voice made her want to take a nap, but she stayed awake in desperation to hear more.

Her cheeks are painted with approval, a slight embarrassment to be given something so precious without a concrete understanding of her feelings toward it. She just sighs through her nose, a dreamy look on her young face. ]

That made me happy, Taka. I hope we can share songs every day.

[forgetbeam]

[He looks a little embarrassed himself when he finishes, considering he's never been that into singing to begin with. But knowing that he's made her happy does make his heart flutter a little.]

I don't know about every day, but it won't hurt to do it sometimes.

...In that case, I should learn some more of them!

[thereyouare]

Ah! Me too. I will learn so many songs that we will always be able to share one.

[ Yes. Enough for the rest of their lives, she thought. How many songs would that be? Ah, the math was going to be difficult but she could sort it out, surely! ]