003 // ACCIDENTAL VIDEO

[obfuscate]

[Judging from the camera angle, the Dreamberry is lying flat on Minami's bed, showing a shot of her sitting and hugging a pillow to her chest. She seems to be oblivious to her actions being recorded as she stares vacantly into nowhere with a very depressed expression on her face. This continues for several minutes, until she momentarily glances down and notices the red light blinking on her phone.]

...

[She sighs, followed by a short string of barely audible mild profanities, and buries her face into the pillow. Not even a second after, without looking back up, her hand reaches out to click the video feed off.]

Comments

[caesar]

[Managing to take a moment off from his work, Akihiko checks what's going on over the network. This is where he spots Minami on her bed. The sight at first is almost enough to make him turn his communicator off out of politeness, its rude to disturb a girl while she's in her room - especially like this. However, her body language and the inaudible words she murmurs tell him something's wrong back home.]

Hey... Arisato. What's the matter?

[letalis-anima.livejournal.com]

[She didn't actually expect to get a call from Akihiko while she was at work. Still, it was harder to hide her problems from people she knew, as opposed to total strangers. Even if the people she knew actually didn't know her that well.

She sullenly looks up at the camera and nods slightly in acknowledgment.]

... Shinjiro-senpai's not here anymore.

[caesar]

[There's a long pause on Akihiko's end before he finally speaks again.]

You mean...?

[letalis-anima.livejournal.com]

[Minami just nods solemnly, knowing full-well what Akihiko meant. She forces a weak smile]

... I'm sorry. I ended up having to break the news to you during work.

[caesar]

It's... [He sighs, it's hard to fight the sense of loss he's feeling right now. After so long, to finally be able to see Shinji again and suddenly he's gone. It isn't the most pleasant feeling in the world. It's crushing.] It's alright, Arisato.

I'll be home in a few hours.

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

Um...

[Really, he's horrible at this comforting thing, so he's not sure why he even bothers to try anymore. Still, this is Minato's sister.]

Are you all right?

[letalis-anima.livejournal.com]

[Oh crap. Minami forces a fake smile, trying to keep her voice as perky as possible.]

I-I'm totally fine, Dominic-san! Please don't worry about me!

[She blinks. How to change the subject...]

Ah, that, um, reminds me...! How about you? Are you adjusting well to living with us?

[Please work. Please work.]

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

[Blink. Dominic isn't convinced at all and it shows on his face, but he'll let her change the subject.]

... Yeah. It's a nice change, after living alone.

[Well, living alone + periods of time w/ Anemone, anyway.]

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

What is wrong child?

[letalis-anima.livejournal.com]

[Oh, who is this person on the screen? An angel? A fairy? In any case, Minami couldn't help but be a bit comforted at its presence. She forces a weak smile.]

Someone... very important me isn't here anymore. He wasn't here for a very long time, but still...

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I am sorry to hear that. Will you be alright?

[action]

[carpo-vita.livejournal.com]

[There will be thee soft knocks on your door.

You can probably guess who, if you narrow it down to 1. the number of people who actually WOULD knock, and 2. how it's not as loudly done as it could be.

Respond/ignore?]

[action]

[letalis-anima.livejournal.com]

[> You can barely hear a knock at your door. From you deduction skills, you can already guess who it is...

[Respond.]
Ignore.
Yell at him angrily.]

... It's open, bro.

[carpo-vita.livejournal.com]

[He comes in.

With a tray that's got a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. It totally doesn't look weird okay.]

I just made some cookies this morning. They're nowhere near as good as yours, but would you still like some?