"Hey, is that another one of your tricks?" Haruko seems confused.
"Which one?"
"That glowing door."
We turn around, and are confronted with a glowing blue door suspended in mid-air.
I am Itsukuma Masami. I've almost given up on trying to save Asai from being a massive weirdo monster.
Almost. I'm still scheming on ways to save him.
I'll do it, someday!
I succeeded in stopping his rampage which was destroying the city and everything in it that I hold dear.
This was accomplished by trapping him inside of a prison and attempting to talk some sense into him.
Well, 'him' being a descriptive term. Asai was actually made of two parts, a monster part and.. a part of him which looked like a big armored guy. Our group-therapy session went.. less than optimal. The two parts hated each other, and Asai took the opportunity to absorb the other half back into himself.
According to Mom, this made him far more powerful. I'm skeptical, to say the least.
So now, we just left him inside his prison and are now sulking before heading back home.
Before something strange happened.
"Did you make that door?" The blue door hovers in mid-air.
"Nope."
Mom looks toward me, "Did you make that door?"
"Of course not, why would I make a door into nothing?"
The knob starts to turn, and the barrier swings open.
Out steps..
"Honey, I'm home." A big smiling grin greets me. Behind him is clearly the interior of the card as he steps out of imaginary space and into reality as effortlessly as a fish swims through water.
Asai.
I-
I think I'm going to be sick.
>"HOW?! WHY?!"
>Try not to panic!
>Hide behind Mom
>Get mad and try to suck him back into the card
>TIME TO RUN!
>Other?
>>46254248
>"HOW?! WHY?!"
>Get mad and try to suck him back into the card
>>46254248
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/QM_CardHeart
Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/E9ZihSBV
>>46254248
>Try not to panic!
>Get mad and try to suck him back into the card
>>46254248
>>"HOW?! WHY?!"
>>46254248
>Try not to panic!
>Hide behind Mom
>Get mad and try to suck him back into the card
First and last vote before sleep.
>>46254735
Have a nice night!
>Try not to panic!
>HOW?! WHY?!
>Get mad and try to suck him back into the card!
Writing!
bump?
we're on pg.9 already
But-
BUT!
THE CARD!
ASAI!
WHAT IS HE DOING OUT HERE?!
No, no, don't panic. Don't panic.
I reach into my pocket and look at the card. Slowly, I concentrate on the ripping surface.
..It's empty.
The CARD IS EMPTY!
"W-w-ha -wh" I stammer.
Then I remember that Asai is standing right there.
"HOW?!" Is the first question that springs to mind. "WHY?!"
"Hiya Masami." Asai waves in my direction. I scowl in his direction.
"Okay! Enough of that!" I take the card back out and hold it toward him. "Your time-out hasn't ended yet!"
I concentrate on the card, and the space contained inside of it.
With a whoosh of wind, Asai is sucked back into the card before he can even come up with a witty retort!
"What the heck was that?!" Julie asks, clinging onto Mom's leg.
"I'm not sure, maybe he followed us out?" Mom speculates.
Either way, I'm sick of him messing with us like that. If he really was so powerful, he-
That door is back again.
I hear a voice from the other side.
"Knock knock."
>W-who's there?
>Get even more frustrated and try it again!
>This isn't working! What is going on?!
>Forget it! Put Belle on, it's time to battle!
>Try to reason with him?
>Use a card
>Other?
Apologies for that delay, I had a power outage.
>>46256759
>W-who's there?
>Get even more frustrated and try it again!
>>46256759
>Get even more frustrated and try it again!
>>46256759
>>This isn't working! What is going on?!
>>Get even more frustrated and try it again!
>>46256759
>Forget it! Put Belle on, it's time to battle!
what if we
>>46256948
sorry,
what if we try to break the door?
>>46256987
Can't hurt to try.
>>46256987
Then it would no longer need to be opened? Seems counterproductive.
>>46257180
Ah, but we'd DEFINITELY know who's there!
>>46256759
>Forget it! Put Belle on, it's time to battle!
>Put Belle On
>BREAK THE DOOR
>>Get even more frustrated and try it again!
Writing!
Rolled 16 (1d100)
>>46257767
ufufu, is someone having trouble?
Oh.
Oh no, he's not playing this game with me.
I know exactly who's there! He's not fooling me!
"I said, 'Knock knock'."
As if by instinct; I grab Belle from my pocket and make a rush for the door!
Belle's heavy armor makes itself at home on my shoulders. Most importantly, her shield makes itself at home in my hands.
With a charge; I fly straight at the door!
CRASH!
SLAM!
My armored body flies straight through it!
Asai's form tumbles and spills head-over-heels as the barrier between us flies open!
He hits the ground HARD! With a very audible thud!
And.. He's not moving!
I think I just knocked him out cold!
Yes! Surprise attacks! Thank you for never failing me!
But- wait.
What if this is another one of his tricks, too?
I shouldn't get too close. I don't want a hand grabbing me or something.
Slowly, I step out of the door and observe his motionless form.
He's currently laying inside of the card-house. Sucking him back in won't do much good.
I have.. other cards though.
What should I try?
>Put him in another one of your cards (Which one, though?)
>Try putting him back in the same card, but tying him up with something!
>Surprise attack, again!
>Give the card to Mom, tell her to destroy it immediately!
>Try something else?!
>Other?
>>46258177
>Give the card to Mom, tell her to destroy it immediately!
bye bye Asai, we never loved you
>>46258177
>Try putting him back in the same card, but tying him up with something!
>>46258177
>Surprise attack, again!
I bet he's faking!
>>46258177
>Try putting him back in the same card, but tying him up with something!
>>46258177
>Give the card to Mom, tell her to destroy it immediately!
>>46258177
>>Try putting him back in the same card, but tying him up with something!
>Try putting him back in the same card, but tying him up with something!
Okay!
Writing!
Rolled 40 (1d100)
I can't leave him here! I have to follow up with something.
Something.
Something.
OH! I KNOW!
I hop back inside of the floating doorway just before it disappears into the ether. Asai is starting to slowly twitch on the ground he finds himself flat on.
With my shield, I slam right down on top of him! Conjuring up some VERY powerful cable, I start to wrap his prone form. Every step of the way I'm certain to make sure he's pinned under my shield.
There. Maybe it's not enough to hold him forever, but at the very least he'll have great difficulty moving!
I hop off of him and try to think of a place I can put him where he won't just break out again.
Wait, the monster couldn't break out of the guest bedroom.
That's a good place to start!
With a heave, I throw him over my shoulders and run upstairs. The massive hunk of monster goes sailing into the room, and the door clicks behind him!
Okay, okay. Time to catch my breath for a few minutes. Just a few minutes.
Just a few minutes.
Darn it, Mom. Don't call me now.
"Hello."
"WHAT WAS THAT?! ARE YOU OKAY?!"
"Mom, mom, please. Calm down. I knocked Asai out, and locked him in the guest bedroom."
"Don't ever run off like that again! Asai is a very dangerous monster right now! You could have been hurt! Or worse!"
Somehow, I don't feel like he's a very formidable opponent after being defeated by the power of door.
"Hold on, Mom. I'll be right back out. Okay?"
"J-Just make it fast."
She hangs up, and I pick my shield from the floor. I start to walk toward the front door when I hear a light tapping sound.
"Masami? Sweetie."
...
"Let's.. chat a minute. I want to make a deal."
>No.
>If it involves leaving that room, you can forget about it.
>Mock him.
>You were not very threatening, Asai.
>Emillion, the sword monster, was a tougher fight than you are.
>Okay, what kind of deal?
>Other?
>>46258930
>No.
>If it involves leaving that room, you can forget about it.
>>46258930
>Ignore him.
he's either trying to buy some time or to mess with us, don't give him the chance
>>46258930
>No.
>>46258930
>>No.
>No
Writing!
I look back toward the door, the one that Asai is no doubt cowering behind.
Or, he would be if he could move.
"No." I say, plainly and simply.
I have nothing else to tell that man.
He has had so many chances to redeem himself to me, but he hasn't taken a single one of them.
It's funny, it feels as if I could sit here and complain at him through this door for days. Especially now, that I seem to have some kind of power over him.
I would tell him about how, even from day one, he missed the point of the whole 'father' thing. How he tried to make me 'replace' Mom in his sick operation. How he tried to test his creations on other people. How he made other people, and then abused them. How he used everyone, all of his life. With the only goal in mind being this nebulous thing that I'm not even sure he, himself, understood.
Even though I have what could be my only chance to do this; I can't find the words to say it. It feels like I'm missing the things that I want to tell him.
In a way, now that it has come down to him being tied up in a room maybe forever, I can only feel a sense of pity.
Or not, maybe I'm just hungry and can't tell the difference between the two.
I hope all of this hasn't warped me in some way, as a person. I feel as if I'm being.. callous. Not just to him, but to everything that he helped create. As if they should have a say as to what happens to him, as well.
Maybe I'm wrong, and I'm overthinking things. He's evil, and I'm good. That's how it should be, and that's how I'm going to leave it.
I open the door, and firmly lock it behind me as I leave.
>Cont.
The streetlights are flickering on now. We've been out a very long time.
The sirens that were once howling in the distance have subsided.
Leaving me with a fairly non-eventful walk home. With my family, and friends.
Everyone seems to be chattering about what happened today. The big building, the monsters, the concrete, the statues, all of it.
The mood seems cheery among those.
Not among the three who are staying to the back of the group. Mom, Kaori, and I. We feel lost in thought.
Aside from the children, who seem to have forgotten already; we have not told anyone yet about Asai being trapped in the card.
Or that he found a way to escape once.
It clearly has Mom worried, and then I started to worry because Mom was worrying. Kaori seems to have a sense about these things, maybe she can read our thoughts and isn't telling us? I don't know.
>Everyone, I have something to say.
>I think everyone should have a say in what happens to Asai
>Keep it secret, it's not a problem at this moment and everyone is happy.
>Let's discuss this with Mom later in private.
>I'm still not sure what to do.
>Maybe I'm not thinking outside the box?
>(Write-in, what should be done about Asai?)
>Other?
>>46259840
>Let's discuss this with Mom later in private.
>>46259840
>>Let's discuss this with Mom later in private.
>>46259840
>Keep it secret, it's not a problem at this moment and everyone is happy.
>I'm still not sure what to do.
>>46259840
>Let's discuss this with Mom later in private.
this is way too easy
>>Let's discuss this with Mom later in private.
Cautious!
Writing!
Oh I'm getting tired. Maybe the next two posts will be the last before the pause.
>>46259840
>I think everyone should have a say in what happens to Asai
>>46260211
I may add this in but only in passing.
I had ANOTHER power surge for about thirty minutes, wow.
Next post almost done, thank you autosave. I think I'll pause after this one because a thunderstorm is rolling in.
No, this isn't something to drag everyone else into.
This is a family problem, and you're going to deal with it as a family.
"Hey!" Daichi, Maeda's father, slaps the principal's shoulder. "So you are Marie are gettin' back together again, right?"
This is immediately followed up with Marie, who is only a few steps behind him, smacking him so hard in the back of the head that he almost falls over .
Maeda's mother, Adele, doesn't try to stop her in the least.
There's more buzzing and chatting. None of which seems to cure me of my moping.
Slowly, the group says their goodbyes for the night. Marie says she wants Aiko to come home for tonight.
Aiko, naturally, decides that she isn't ready for that just yet. She's instead going to sleep at my house.
I don't blame her. Marie's a jerk.
We part ways with everyone and continue the journey back to our house. This time with yet another sister in tow.
Looks like Mom is going to have to do those planned expansions to the house sooner rather than later.
Naturally, the clown adds a certain chaotic element to the living room which was not present before. She's confrontational, rude, loud, and very stubborn.
Kaori said that she sees a lot of me in her. I don't know why, that's not what I'm like at all.
After all the children have been washed up and put to bed, we all gather in Mom's room for a very important discussion.
About the man, in the card.
>Cont.
"What do we even do with him?" I say, nervousness in my voice. "He got out once, right? I tied him up pretty tight, but I don't think it will keep him in forever."
Or, if it's even ethical to keep him there forever.
"So you're asking what you think we should do with him?"
"Yes."
"I say destroy him and the card." Mom says, plainly. "I'm through trying to reform him."
"I think that's not fair to the people that Asai helped create. They should get a say in what happens to him, too." Kaori crosses her arms.
Great, I ask for expert help and get two different opinions in return.
>I agree with Mom.
>I agree with Kaori.
>I don't agree with either, I think there is still hope.
>He tried to reason with me when I was leaving earlier. He's only doing that because he's trapped.
>Maybe he just doesn't even know what to do anymore.
>We should ask other people?
>Other?
Everyone I am beat and power is continuing to surge. I will pick up in the morning but only if the thread exists until then.
If not, I'll re-make tomorrow as a part 2. Thank you for participating.
>>46261410
>I agree with Kaori.
>He tried to reason with me when I was leaving earlier. He's only doing that because he's trapped.
>>46261410
>>I agree with Kaori.
>>46261410
>I don't agree with either, I think there is still hope.
But you know, just not as an immediate thing. Might be a good idea to keep him imprisoned while still enabling us to establish a dialogue.
>Maybe he just doesn't even know what to do anymore.
>>46261410
>I agree with Kaori.
let's at least listen to what they have to say
>>46261410
>I agree with Kaori.
Even if it's risky.
More bump
"I.."
I think about this question for what feels like a lifetime. Though, I know only a couple minutes have passed.
"..agree with Kaori."
Kaori beams with happiness, but Mom seems to pout just a little.
Mom, please don't be like that.
"I think-" I try to gather what my thoughts are with clarity, "that the ones who should be present to judge Asai should be the ones he helped create."
"If that's what you want to do, Masami." Mom smiles warmly. "Don't wait too long to make this decision. We don't want him escaping again."
"No, no. First thing in the morning." I think about everyone who will be there. "We're going to do this after breakfast."
"In the meantime." Mom stands up, "I think you two should sleep in here tonight."
"Why?"
"Because someone has to keep watch just in case Asai escapes overnight."
"I'll do it." I say, without a hint of hesitation about missing my bedtime.
"No, I'm going to keep watch." Mom crosses her arms. "You two get a good night sleep, and I'll be on the lookout for any mysterious doors popping up overnight.
"Fine." Kaori and I say in unison.
Was she thinking of all-night slumber party, like I was?!
Hmph.
--
I feel a slight shaking sensation.
Ugh, is it time to wake up already?
I sit up in bed and notice that the entire bed is FLOATING IN SPACE!
OH NO!
"Masami." A pair of hands put themselves on my shoulders. "Masami, calm down. We need to talk." Kaori is sitting next to me. She's wearing her typical almost-nothing for bedwear.
"What?! Why here?! Why in space?!"
"Masami." Kaori remains firm, "I know Mom colors your decisions a lot. So while she cannot hear us; I want you to tell me. Is this really what you want to do with Asai?"
>Yes.
>No.
>I really don't know.
>I want to heal him, but I don't know how.
>I wish we could just get through to him.
>I don't care as long as life goes back to normal.
>Other?
>>46269023
>I don't care as long as life goes back to normal.
>>46269023
>CAN I PLEASE RETURN TO EARTH NOW?
>>46269023
>I don't care as long as life goes back to normal.
>>46269023
>I really don't know.
>I want to heal him, but I don't know how.
>>46269023
>I really don't know.
>But he just won't leave us alone!
>>46269023
>I want to heal him, but I don't know how.
>I wish we could just get through to him.
>>46269023
>I really don't know.
>But he just won't leave us alone!
>I wish we could just get through to him.
>>46269023
>I want to heal him, but don't know how
>I wish we could just get through to him
>I really don't know
>I wish we could get through to him
>But he just won't leave us alone!
>I don't care as long as life goes back to normal.
Writing
>>46269687
It seems like healing has more support than not leaving us alone, but I guess it has less synergy?
>>46269806
That is a good point that I will take into consideration
Next post almost done.
>>46269968
I was more just wondering why you didn't count it, but okay if that works.
>>46270005
Oh ,I forgot it in that 'writing' post. I definitely included it in the post that's almost done, though.
"I don't know." I admit to my sister, "I really don't know."
She sighs and pulls me close. "I knew you didn't, Masami."
"It's just-" I keep trying to express my conflicted thoughts, "I want to heal him, but I just don't know how."
Kaori squeezes me tighter into her chest.
"How do I heal someone like that?" I gently pull away from Kaori. "How do I get through to him? What haven't I tried yet? What needs to be done? Why won't he just leave us alone?!"
"Masami, I know it's hard."
"Mmph, it feels like it shouldn't be." I cross my arms. Kaori gently lays down next to me with her hands behind her head.
"Asai has always lived his life this way, never committing to anything. Is it any surprise that he acts this way even in the face of what could be his last days?"
"..I guess. But-"
Maybe Kaori knows something that I don't.
"Kaori, how would you heal Asai?"
Kaori thinks about this question for a few moments.
"Would 'healing him' count for 'starting over from scratch'?"
"I wouldn't think so."
Now she seems puzzled.
"T-tell me about that, anyway." I try to at least be open-minded.
"Asai's currently a monster, right? That means there's a card inside of him."
I stare at her as if I'm not sure where she's going with this.
"Like with the other monsters, get the card and just hope it becomes a sister some day."
"That would kill Asai as we know him, wouldn't it?"
"I'm not sure,."
"A-any other ideas?"
"Well, you could try turning him into a human again. He's a monster, he's in that house, he's not turning human."
"So what does that mean? What do I do?"
"It means he is missing something. Some kind of emotion, or feeling. If you can find that, maybe there is still hope for him."
>How? how do I make him feel an emotion?
>Well, thanks Kaori. I'll keep that in mind.
>Good night.
>Any other ideas? These are pretty good.
>Would someone specific have to make him feel that emotion?
>Would another card work on fulfilling that?
>Other?
>>46270164
>Well, thanks Kaori. I'll keep that in mind.
>Any other ideas? These are pretty good.
>>46270164
>How? how do I make him feel an emotion?
>Would another card work on fulfilling that?
>>46270164
>Any other ideas? These are pretty good.
>>46270164
>Would another card work on fulfilling that?
>Would someone specific have to make him feel that emotion?
>Namely, someone who isn't me?
Like maybe try and work out our own feelings on the subject since we're really muddled.
>>46270164
>How? how do I make him feel an emotion?
>Would someone specific have to make him feel that emotion?
>Would another card work on fulfilling that?
>>46270227
Our feelings seem pretty clear, we want him gone out of our life. We just don't know how to do that, and even if we hate the jerk, we aren't quite okay with just outright killing him.
>>46270282
I don't know,
>>46259821
>It feels like I'm missing the things that I want to tell him.
Makes me think that both him and us are missing something, and finding that something is the key, even if it sucks.
>>46270164
>Well, thanks Kaori. I'll keep that in mind.
>Any other ideas? These are pretty good.
>Would another card work on fulfilling that?
>>46270164
>Well, thanks Kaori. I'll keep that in mind.
>Good night.
>>46270304
Well, I mean its really transparent for a while now where this is supposed to go narratively.
>>46270330
Where do you think it's supposed to go?
>>46270748
Not him, but it seems fairly obvious there is supposed to be some sort of reconciling with Azai.
>>46270781
The trick is how we could do that without also giving him what he wants? Like how to make it clear that as he is now, we don't want anything to do with him, but maybe if he stops being that person (either symbolically or literally as necessary) then maybe?
>>46270828
Yeah but we haven't gotten any real opportunities to so far - our options have basically been 'kill him' and 'I dunno just hope he gets better'. It kinda evokes uncomfortable parallels with how battered wives and husbands rationalize staying with abusers so they can change them. That's not how it works, when they get to scumbag territory like Asai you cut contact completely.
>>46270828
Optimally we find a way to banish him and make it stick, and he can come back if he ever learns to be a decent human being.
But how to do that we seem low on options, and currently the solution is being heavily implied to be just "forgiving him" which I'm absolutely unwilling to do without major genuine change on his part.
>>46270900
If only cutting contact was enough.
>>46270960
That's the problem. Ain't no magical police to call here!
>>46270971
And murder is still too extreme kind of.
>>46270948
Unfortunately we're dealing with magic bullshit here. It's entirely possible forgiveness -would- change him, even if it doesn't make sense on paper.
>>46271059
>It's entirely possible forgiveness -would- change him
But that wouldn't be Asai changing, that would be us changing Asai, a wholly different thing.
>>46271079
That is true, but I think that at minimum we need to provide incentive for him to change. Like don't go crazy with saying we'll see him as our dad, but more just maybe imply that despite our better judgment he hasn't burnt all his bridges with us if he just stops being such an asshole all the goddamn time?
>>46271079
That's not a different thing at all, that's just cause and effect.
>>46271166
>but I think that at minimum we need to provide incentive for him to change
No, I don't see it that way. He can go a long walk of a short pier for all I care.
We owe Asai nothing.
So many emotions!
>Any other ideas? These are pretty good.
>Would another card work on fulfilling that?
>How would I make him feel an emotion?
>Would someone specific make him feel that emotion?
>Well, Thanks Kaori, I'll keep that in mind.
Writing!
>>46271166
It's not our responsibility to provide incentive for him to do anything. We've already made it pretty clear that all he has had to do to get a chance is just not be an asshole for a bit and frankly that's already more than generous considering all the problems he's caused and people he's threatened and harmed, but he can't even do that. Any actual therapist or social worker would have advised restraining order and no contact about 100 threads ago if only it was an option.
I don't see how I could be satisfied with a good end that kept Masami and the family in contact with Asai at all.
>>46271394
>I don't see how I could be satisfied with a good end that kept Masami and the family in contact with Asai at all.
I mean, it would be very "magical girl" ending, where Masmai gets through to her "dad" and "frees" him from the evil that clouded his heart etc.
But that would have required at least a few moments of showing a actually good side of Asai, which frankly we didn't have.
>>46271464
The other half of him wasn't that bad.
>>46271550
That's true, but it's hard to see them as the same person really.
>>46271616
Well, they weren't really, and Asai is still in control.
"Any other ideas then?" I plead with Kaori. "These are all pretty good, but I feel none of them really fit Asai."
Kaori thinks about the question for a few moments.
"The 'other' side of him you told me about, I want to know more about that."
I explain to her how he seemed to be a massive coward, and was the parts of Asai that he didn't like and therefore split from his body. With assistance from the chairman of course.
"Huh." Kaori seems dumbstruck.
"I know, right?"
"So, that good part is still in there, with Asai."
"Yeah!"
"It's just, he's suppressing it?"
"Or that's how Asai was all along. And that half of him was the odd one out the whole time."
"I'm not sure I buy that." Kaori huffs, "If that was true, Asai would have changed to be more like the monster. I think he took him back in, but is actively keeping those parts inactive or dormant."
Something else comes to mind, that I'm not sure how to answer.
"Kaori, how would I make someone feel an emotion?"
"Well, there are a lot of reasons. People feel emotions from watching movies, being with friends and family, listening to sad music-"
"But I'm not sure Asai does any of that."
Silence.
"Would someone specific make him feel an emotion?"
"Mom was making him feel some kind of distant sense of love, right?" Kaori tilts her head.
"No."
"Well, he said he wanted to marry her, so-"
"No, that is absolutely out."
"What I mean is-" Kaori puts her hand over my mouth, "It's clear he must be feeling some emotions, and other people are making him feel things that I'm not sure he's felt before."
I let all those facts pile up in my mind. Though, I'm not sure which ones are important or not.
"Hey Masami?"
"Hmm?"
"Want to go get my father and see if he has any ideas? I mean, he split Asai up in the first place."
>Your father? you mean- the chairman?
>No NO NO NO NONONONONONO
>He can rot.
>I trust him less than I trust Asai!
>I guess there's no harm in asking?
>We could give it a try.
>Other?
>>46271958
>Your father? you mean- the chairman?
>I trust him less than I trust Asai!
....
>sigh
>We could give it a try.
>>46271958
>Your father? you mean- the chairman?
>We could give it a try.
he's probably still scared of us, maybe we could use that to our adventage
>>46271958
>Why would he help?
>>46271958
>Your father? you mean- the chairman?
>We could give it a try.
>>46271958
>Your father? you mean- the chairman?
>We could give it a try.
>>46271958
You still alive Heart?
>>46272574
Slight pause for about an hour, I've been called away.
Think about what you want to do in regards with Asai while I'm gone.
>>46272649
Well if he cut himself off from his "weakness" and that's why he is the way he is, then I feel like forcing him to become unified might be the best and only way to change him. I can't really see it as making him stronger.
I think that even if we do give him another try, we'd like him to leave us alone for at least a little while first?
>>46272725
Like I don't know, even if we don't owe him anything I feel like it's worth the cost to give him one last chance. Even a halfhearted one would do. Though who knows, maybe his creations would be more willing to put up with him and we would not.
>Your father? you mean- the chairman?
>We could give it a try.
Writing!
"Your father, you mean-"
The gears in my mind turn. Much more slowly than they usually do.
"THE CHAIRMAN?!"
"Masami, shh, you'll wake yourself up."
Oh right, this is a dream and all. I'm not actually floating through space on a magic bed.
"The chairman? Why?! He's probably scared of me, or completely hates me!"
"It's true, I'm sure he has some animosity toward you."
"He's eating through a straw because of me."
"-Granted, but at the same time: he hates Asai more than he hates you."
"Do you know that for a fact?"
"Well, I mean- he has to. Asai is the reason he's like that at the end of the day; not you."
".. I don't believe that's true for a second."
"In any case." Kaori sits upright, "It might be a good idea to at least ask him. He knows far more about Asai than we do, and he knows why he split him up in the first place."
"That seems like we could give it a try." I think about it for a second, "Where do we start?"
"Right now." Kaori places her hand on my shoulder, "We'll have to go right now, before Mom wakes up."
"Mom wakes up? But- I thought she was on lookout."
"Let's be honest, Masami." She smiles, "Mom doesn't have the willpower to stay up all night. She drank a glass of milk and fell asleep in the chair near her bed."
Oh no! Mom isn't reliable at all!
"So, what do you say? We go get him, and ask him his opinion."
"But how do we make him talk to me?"
"We don't, he talks to me instead." Kaori's smile lessens in intensity.
>Oh no, I don't trust him that much either.
>Can't we just call him?
>Okay, let's go
>No, let's wake up and see who we can find to go with us.
>Let's just stay asleep and if we need his help, we'll find it.
>Other?
>>46274472
>>Let's just stay asleep and if we need his help, we'll find it.
>>46274472
>Can't we just call him?
>Okay, let's go
>>46274472
Mom pls.
>Okay, let's go
>>46274472
>Can't we just call him?
>>46274472
>Okay, let's go
>>46274472
Okay but can we find someone else to watch Asai first?
>Can't we just call him?
>Okay, let's go.
"Rrrr." I mumble. "Why can't we just call him?"
"No problem, Masami." Kaori huffs, "Want to hold the phone for him? Because he can't sit up in bed."
Oh.
Well, that is a serious concern.
"Okay, let's go meet him before Mom wakes up."
"Good, we can teleport there. Let's just wake up, and then we'll just hop right over to-"
"Kaori." I find it baffling that I have to remind her of this.
"what?"
"Your clothes, you're just in your panties."
She blinks twice, as if she's confused.
"He's seen me naked before, let's go."
"No, Kaori. No. When you leave the house, you need to wear clothes. Let's do this properly."
"True, but we're just going to the hospital, there's naked people everywhere there."
Kaaaoooorriiiiii.
"No, put your uniform on, we'll leave when you're dressed."
"I think we're just wasting time." Kaori pouts, "But okay."
--
A short hop later, two schoolgirls miraculously appear inside of a very private suite located deep within the upper floors of the local hospital. A place where only the richest of the rich find themselves when they are injured.
One of those rich people finds themselves here now. Surrounding the room, machines rhythmically beat and hum. One with an annoying beep continuously squeals in the corner of the room.
You can't imagine how this man sleeps.
In the center of the room is a bed, king-sized. Kaori casually starts to stroll toward it.
>Kaori! What are you doing? Use caution here!
>Check the room for any cameras or security systems
>No, it's probably fine.
>Ask Kaori if she knows what she's doing.
>Just let Kaori do everything, no suspicious stuff.
>Other?
>>46276011
>Kaori! What are you doing? Use caution here!
>Check the room for any cameras or security systems
We need to teach our sis some modesty! No walking around in pantsu!
>>46276011
>Check the room for any cameras or security systems
>>46276011
>Ask Kaori if she knows what she's doing.
>>46276011
>>Just let Kaori do everything, no suspicious stuff.
>>46276011
>Ask Kaori if she knows what she's doing.
I'm confused, how are
>Kaori! What are you doing? Use caution here!
and
>Ask Kaori if she knows what she's doing.
Different options?
>>46277466
They seem pretty different to me.
>>46277466
One is being big sister the other is being little sister
>Check the room for any cameras or security systems
>Ask Kaori if she knows what she's doing.
Writing!
Oh no, I DID just appear into existence in a highly-secure room. Likely buried within hundreds of walls of concrete, security doors, and mean policemen.
A room this protected probably has cameras or a security system!
I quickly take a card out of my pocket. Mir. The split card.
I can cover the room twice as fast this way!
The shadow-double of me quickly scours one side of the room while I inspect the other.
I search the walls, the corners, the floors.
Kaori just looks at me as if I'm insane.
I might be, because I don't find anything.
"Kaori." I turn around and say to her, "Do you know what you're doing?"
"Yes, I've visited here several times without telling you. I disarmed all the cameras already." She crosses her arms.
You could have told me this sooner!
"You've visited here before? Without me knowing?"
"Shh."
Kaori hangs over the bed, and I can tell she's peering at the figure in the bed.
"Daddy." She says, softly. "Dad, I'm back."
There's a low-pitch groan in the bed, as well as the figure shifting over.
"Mmhph."
"How have you been? Have they been treating you well?"
"The food is terrible." The figure says in the same stoic, emotionless drone that I've recognized before.
I almost shiver.
"What time is it, Magician?"
"4:00 am, in the morning."
"Surely something important has happened for you to be here this late."
"It's Asai, he's been captured. We don't know what to do with him. He made himself whole again. Do you have any ideas?"
There's silence, and some strange straining.
"Sit me upright." He orders, his bed starts to whirr.
>Hide!
>Face him, he needs to know you're here.
>Make amends with him?
>Just wait it out, see what Kaori has in mind
>"SHE'S YOUR DAUGHTER YOU FOOL!"
>Other?
>>46278824
>Face him, he needs to know you're here.
>>46278824
>Just wait it out, see what Kaori has in mind
>>46278824
So about how sorry are we for what we did to him?
>>46278990
Not very?
>>46278990
Except we aren't sorry, the guy is an ass. The guy is what created Asai and Fortune.
He's STILL an ass. He's STILL treating the one person who visits him as a tool despite clearly being intelligent enough to recognize him as a father figure.
>>46279046
I forget, we don't have any magic lying around that can help his situation to provide incentive for him not to screw with us, do we?
>>46279075
That's about what I thought so no point now.
>>46279124
I mean he doesn't really deserve it because he's an asshole but still.
>>46279124
We COULD get Haruko to heal him.
>>46278824
>Face him, he needs to know you're here.
>Other
>"Her name is Kaori."
>>46279124
Not really, but he doesn't seem to have any reason to screw with us, and he can't do much.
Looks like only one thing takes it
>Face him, he needs to know you're there
>"Her name is Kaori."
Writing!
Slowly, his bed slowly starts to sit upright. Kaori gradually helps him stretch and bend every inch of the way.
The tope of his chrome-dome head is the first thing I see. Then slowly I start to see his cast. There's one around his neck, another which encompasses his chest, and the top of one which I can only assume is part of his torso.
He blinks twice at seeing me standing before him.
"First off." I begin, arms still crossed. "Her name is 'Kaori'. Get it right."
"Priestess." He groans. "I should have known, how else would she get in here in the dead of night?"
"We have some questions, about a very important matter."
He's silent, his unblinking eyes not moving from my own.
"And I suppose you'll torture me if I'm not cooperative?"
"No." I frown, "Because your lovely daughter here would keep me from doing it."
It's a staring contest, all of the sudden. Does he ever blink? It's unnerving.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Mister Chairman."
"It wouldn't matter, there's not much you could do to me anymore."
"I'm here because I need to know what to do with Asai. He said you were the person who split him initially."
"I was." He very uneasily lifts his right hand to glare at it, but then drops it from the strain. "I remember the day I did it. I was hoping to craft an unendingly loyal soldier who both had the charisma I lacked, and the fortitude I desired."
He's silent for yet another awkward moment.
"Thinking back on it. I was extremely successful."
"Dad." Kaori hugs his shoulder, much to his obvious pain. "Asai has absorbed the half that you took away, but he's done it weirdly somehow. Like he only kept the parts he wanted. What are those parts, and how do we fix him?!"
He continues to stare into space, it's really kind of confusing why he does that.
>Cont.
"The part I took from him. He was such a charismatic, and strong-willed person. The only thing I wanted him not to have was the magic abilities of tower. I separated those to where he had to call upon tower in order to use magic."
"Did that work?"
"For a time. His other half contained elements such as his happiness, and his scruples. It knew best when it was time to use magic. After some time, it became second nature to simply approve of what Asai was doing."
"Did you ever think to stop him?"
"Yes. Which is why I'm like this today."
>I don't believe you.
>Okay, makes sense. How do we stop him?
>How do we redeem him?
>What was the emotion he was missing?
>I don't get it at all
>Other?
>>46280492
>What was the emotion he was missing?
>>46280492
>>How do we redeem him?
>>What was the emotion he was missing?
>>46280492
>I don't get it at all
>What was the emotion he was missing?
>>46280492
>How do we redeem him?
Or rather "How do we give him back his scruples" since that's what'll stop him from doing shitty things.
>What was the emotion he was missing?
>I don't get it at all
>How do we redeem him?
>What was the emotion he was missing?
>I don't get it at all
Writing!
"How then, How do we redeem someone like that?!"
"Masami, please, calm down." Kaori seems worried.
"Redemption isn't possible for everyone."
"What?!"
"I'll repeat myself, redemption isn't possible for everyone." The chairman blinks.
"No, I refuse to believe that."
"Even for me?"
Oh, damn him for using logic on me!
"M-maybe, eventually. You could become a nice person."
"Bodycasts are very humbling." He murmurs. "I can assure you of that."
Well, good. I think.
"You have two choices to reason with him. One is to hope the dormant part of him which he rejected eventually becomes active, and overpowers Asai."
"How long would that take?"
"Unknown, it never happened for as long as I knew Asai."
That's bad.
"The other, is to forcibly separate Asai, and then put him back together again using your own power, and not his."
"How do I do that? I was stuck last time I tried to put him together!"
He glares at me.
"Gemini."
"Huh?"
"That card, you were using it to inspect the room. The lovers. It can split things, and reunite them. Asai is one of those things which it has power over."
..Is he telling me I had the power to fix this the whole time and I didn't know?!
"..How do I use it on him?"
"Overpower him, and take one half of him to the magical realm. Reunite him using the same method."
>Thanks, bye.
>I AM sorry about putting you here, just a little
>I'm not sorry about putting you here. Think about what you've done.
>Anything else?
>Anything you want to say, Kaori?
>Other?
>>46281830
>>Anything you want to say, Kaori?
>>46281830
>Anything else?
>>46281830
>I'm not sorry about putting you here. Think about what you've done.
>Anything you want to say, Kaori?
>>46281830
>Thanks, bye.
>Hope you get better both in terms of being a better person and otherwise
>>46281830
>Anything you want to say, Kaori?
>Hope you get better both in terms of being a better person and otherwise
>Anything you want to say, Kaori?
>Hope you get better both in terms of being a better person and otherwise
Writing!
I sigh, seeing him like this does make me feel just a teensy bit sick.
"Anything you want to add, Kaori?"
She nods, and then looks toward the Chairman.
"Dad. I know you haven't always been the kindest to me, or to anyone else. But, you'll always be my father."
His head turns very slightly, I can tell it's very painful for him.
"Even if you're not a good person now, or even think of me as your daughter. I want to let you know that I will always be there."
He's silent, for just a minute.
"Are you going to tell me that every time you see me?"
Kaori smiles, she's very pretty when she seems genuinely happy.
"Of course, Dad."
She kisses her 'father' (ugh) on the forehead and walks over to me.
"Hope you get better, in terms of being a better person and otherwise."
He blinks at me.
That's.. a weird contorsion on his face.
OH MY GOD IS HE SMILING AT ME?!
"I will take that into consideration, Masami."
Wow.
I feel, sort of dumbstruck right now.
"Bye Dad!" Kaori gives one last wave before we blink back out of the hospital room.
--
"So. What's the verdict?"
All of us who feel the need to comment have gathered around the dinner table. Emillion, The secretary (she really needs a real name!), Julie, Haruko, the friendly monster, Mom, and Kaori sit in a circle. Aiko is cautiously observing from behind me.
Cirrus is here, too. But I don't think she knows why we're having this meeting.
>Before we begin, let me tell you about this new idea I had.
>About splitting him and putting him back together.
>Keep it to yourself, ask what everyone thinks first.
>Want to go visit him, right now?
>Other?
>>46282970
>Before we begin, let me tell you about this new idea I had.
>About splitting him and putting him back together.
>>46282970
>Keep it to yourself, ask what everyone thinks first.
>>46282970
>>Keep it to yourself, ask what everyone thinks first.
>>46282970
>Before we begin, let me tell you about this new idea I had.
>About splitting him and putting him back together.
I don't know I feel like it's a valid option.
>>46282970
>Before we begin, let me tell you about this new idea I had.
>About splitting him and putting him back together.
>>46283067
Of course it is a valid option.
>>46283166
But I'm wondering what the reason is to keep it quiet first. Is it because we want to just do it anyway regardless of what they decide and don't want to directly disobey them?
Like if they're deciding what to do with him, then shouldn't they know all the things that can be done?
>>46283293
It's just to figure out what they think about the situation, before suggesting solutions.
>Before we begin, let me tell you about this new idea I had.
>About splitting him and putting him back together.
Writing last post of the night before I pass out.
Folks, we may not get to the end of this arc this thread. I'm sorry to say that. Though, I don't know why I thought we would.
We're extremely close, though. I would say after this thread, next thread may even be a bit short unless I'm really slow.
Writing last post before pause!
"Before we begin." I stand up, because this is important. "I would like to say that I had an idea that I want everyone to consider."
Everyone's eyes focus attentively on me. Suddenly, I feel nervous.
"Well-, It's about Asai. I was thinking, what if we split Asai in half again intentionally?"
Mom is about to say something, but I interrupt her.
"BUT! This time, we use that same power to bring him back together. Under our terms. He should return to being the being he was before Asai."
"That's really risky." Mom finishes her thought. "For one, there's no guarentee you'll even rip him in half in a way that won't make things worse. What if one of the halves is a complete psycho?"
Okay, that's a fair point.
"Still!" I continue, "I have a card that can do this. The Gemini card!"
"Oh, I didn't know you had that."
"Wow!" Julie gushes, "I don't get it."
"Great! So. Now that's out of the way. I want to hear what everyone has to say about Asai."
..
"Anyone?"
"If you're asking us what to do with him, your guess is as good as ours."
"No, no. I mean- What should his punishment be? Should we leave him locked in the card forever? Should we destroy him? Release him? Try to make him a better person? Every person at this table has had him affect their lives in some way or another. I felt it was only right to have you say what should be done with him."
"So, you're putting this off on us." The friendly monster is less than helpful right now.
"No! no no, not putting it off. I thought you would have insight as to what the proper punishment would be."
All of them sit and contemplate the meaning of that statement.
"Beats me."
"No idea."
"Bed without dinner."
"I still say destroy him."
Well, this was a better idea in my head than in practice.
>Thread Pause
Okay, as usual, thread is paused until morning.
We will not finish up this thread. It will probably be next thread. If thread doesn't last until morning, maybe that would be better for the pacing. I don't know. We'll find out.
Thanks for playing everyone, have a nice night.
>>46284152
Thanks for running.
>>46284141
>All of them sit and contemplate the meaning of that statement.
>"Beats me."
>"No idea."
>"Bed without dinner."
>"I still say destroy him."
Pft. Our family is the worst.
>>46284152
Thanks for running, happy easter Heart.
>>46284320
You have a happy easter, as well! Thanks for putting up with my insane story for so long!
>>46284376
Its a delight to read. Thanks for not having abandoned it and seeing it all the way through.
bump again
Everyone, I have to travel today. Through the pouring rain. Hopefully not in the dark.
Which means I have to leave soon. Very soon.
Because of this, I probably won't be able to continue the thread unless it lasts for another five hours until I get home.
Sorry about that.
If the thread doesn't last until then, my sincere apologies. I just have to leave soon and I won't even get another post up.
Thank you again.
one should be enough
>>46292981
The QM did say that a new thread might be better for pacing though.
