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destage
[Winding up in a world full of animal people who wanted nothing more than to decorate their houses and make friends was kind of surreal at first. Okay, maybe "kind of" isn't really the best way to describe it. It was really surreal. Mondo hadn't handled it very well at first and he'd been stuck working for a raccoon named Tom Nook for more time than he really cares to recall. In fact, he should still be working for the raccoon, since he showed up in town without a single Bell to his name and Tom Nook not only gave him a (really cramped) house, he also taught Mondo how to work to earn Bells. This didn't answer any of Mondo's questions, like why Bells were currency or how he'd gotten here, but he'd settled in as best he could.
Mondo's not the sort of person to handle being in one place for too long, and after awhile the friendly villagers just started to piss him off. So he hopped on the last train of the night and didn't look back. He's spent some time chatting with a cat, but when the train pulls into the next station, Mondo gets off. He doesn't look any different than he did in Prayer's Pass, with his pompadour still perfectly maintained and long dark coat thrown over loose-fitting clothes. His hands are shoved in his pockets and when he steps out of the station and gets a look around, he balls his fists.]
Shit, it looks exactly the same...
[Well, to the town's credit it does have different fruit in the trees and the houses are in different places, but it looks almost identical to the town he just left. Part of him is tempted just to hop back on the train, but he spent the last of his Bells getting that ticket, so it looks like he's stuck here for now. With a groan, Mondo begins to walk, looking for the town hall or whatever (he never bothered learning what it was called), so that he can hopefully find a way to get out of here quickly.]
Mondo's not the sort of person to handle being in one place for too long, and after awhile the friendly villagers just started to piss him off. So he hopped on the last train of the night and didn't look back. He's spent some time chatting with a cat, but when the train pulls into the next station, Mondo gets off. He doesn't look any different than he did in Prayer's Pass, with his pompadour still perfectly maintained and long dark coat thrown over loose-fitting clothes. His hands are shoved in his pockets and when he steps out of the station and gets a look around, he balls his fists.]
Shit, it looks exactly the same...
[Well, to the town's credit it does have different fruit in the trees and the houses are in different places, but it looks almost identical to the town he just left. Part of him is tempted just to hop back on the train, but he spent the last of his Bells getting that ticket, so it looks like he's stuck here for now. With a groan, Mondo begins to walk, looking for the town hall or whatever (he never bothered learning what it was called), so that he can hopefully find a way to get out of here quickly.]
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...So uh... thanks for telling me that the other day. I really do appreciate it since I'm... kinda dense about these things. In case that wasn't obvious.
[Alright, that seems to be a good start. Now what?]
I... shit, I'm really honored that you'd be interested in a guy like me. I mean, you're incredible. You're friendly, smart, caring... and you're really dedicated.
[He can't forget what happened in Hope's Peak, after all. It still sends chills down his spine, but Hope's Peak and Prayer's Pass were different place and very different situations. Sayaka wouldn't do something like that here. He's sure of it.]
So it's... it's amazing that you'd even be interested in me in the first place. I'm not exactly someone the girls are lining up to date, y'know?
[He laughs, though the sound is hollow.]
Shit, sorry. I don't really know what to say. I thought I had a whole speech planned out but... I guess I've forgotten it.
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...Oowada-kun, please let me be clear about something; I'm not nearly as perfect as you might think I am. I...I'm human, too.
[After that, it's back down to the ground again.]
That's why I like you...because you're not afraid to be who you are, even if others might not approve. I really...really admire that.
[It's a luxury that she never had. Her voice starts to break as she goes on.]
You...you treated me like I was a person worth caring for. You honestly seemed to care about me, more than...more than anyone ever did. [Her father, the producers, her fellow idols.] You treated me like I was human and not some statue that w-was meant to be stared at from afar and...a-and...
[Dammit, why is she tearing up--why can't she stop it. Why are all of these memories deciding to rear their ugly heads now?]
Y-you helped me really, really realize that there's something more out there than what I had fought so long and hard for, that...that there was something better out there. That I could actually be myself and that I could still feel like I was worth something, and--
[...Welp, the floodgate are breaking now. You're gonna have to give her a bit.]
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[He could continue about that, but Sayaka continues. He doesn't interrupt as she speaks, even when her voice wavers and she stutters. It's only when she cuts herself off that Mondo can finally speak, but he's got something else on his mind.]
Shit, I don't have any tissues, um... Do you want me to go get some or something? Fuck, sorry, I didn't think...
[He had been hoping that this conversation wouldn't end in tears, whoops.]
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[The answer is sharp and immediate--it takes a few seconds before she's able to clarify.]
N-no, please...please, don't leave...
[She's at least going to try and wipe up her tears with her sleeves, just...trying to compose herself. He won't leave if she does, right?]
...I...I don't understand...
[...]
...Why did you bother with me? If...if you knew...
[She's never been able to get those comments from their first day in Prayer's Pass; she's never been able to accept it, really, that they might have known all along.
She only wishes she could convince them now, after all of that, she'd never dream of doing it. She could never live with the guilt.]
...you must know how...stupid, hideous, ugly I really am, so...why...? Why...?! Why do you bother?!
[...She might actually be matching Mondo's usual tone here, good lord.]
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You said it yourself - you're human. You're just like everyone else in that respect. I think every single one of us in Hope's Peak considered - even if it was just for a moment - killing someone to escape. I mean, maybe someone like Fujisaki or Ishimaru didn't consider it, but everyone else... yeah. I think everyone thought about it at least. What happened there was different though - it was an extreme situation. It was the sort of shit most people never go through.
[He pauses for a moment, once again directing his gaze downwards.]
...Besides, you're not the only one who's done something like that. I'm even worse than you are, Maizono.
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[She says that softly, but when he speaks up again, that...causes her to snap up. Wait, did he just say what she thought he did what?]
I-I beg your pardon? [There's definite disbelief in her tone--she's not honestly sure if he's trying to say that to make her feel better (...if he was, that'd be kinda fucked up), or...what, even.
She's definitely got her attention totally on him now, though.]
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A while before I was selected to go to Hope's Peak I was the second-in-command for the Crazy Diamonds. My brother, Daiya, ran and created the gang. He was going to leave the gang to me, but a lot of the guys didn't think I could handle it. So I challenged Daiya to a race.
[Mondo's voice has been even and soft the entire time, but it becomes almost monotone as he keeps going, still staring at the floor.]
So we raced. Daiya always told me to be careful, but I had to win to get everyone's approval, so I was reckless. I ended up killing him that night. He died before the paramedics showed up. I watched it happen.
[Mondo shakes himself as if coming out of a trance. He still doesn't look at Sayaka but at least he seems a bit less dead.]
...So, yeah. You're not the only one who's done some awful things. I... dunno if that means we're not human anymore or whatever, but you're not alone.
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...But then she gets up and goes toward him slowly, and, if he'll allow it, she'll hug him. She doesn't know if she can say anything--she can't say it'll be fine, because clearly it won't. She can't say she understands, because she never had a sibling to lose in the first place. She couldn't tell him it wasn't his fault, because he did say he challenged him to a race.
And she couldn't get mad and storm off because she was about to do something very, very similar. Not that she would have wanted to, anyway; she was more than willing to look beyond that. So at the very least, she figured she could give him some sort of assurance physically.]
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Still, she gently move her head so she can speak into his ear, softly.]
You aren't alone either. Even if our feelings aren't the same...I'll stand by you. I promise.
[...she means feelings in the case of him not having a crush on her while she does; she really, really hopes this doesn't become another mistranslation...]
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Ah, shit, no, hang on. What I was trying to say before I managed to get distracted was that I definitely like you too! I mean, it took awhile to work out my feelings 'cause I didn't want to say that and then have it turn out that it was only 'cause of the shitty situation we were in or 'cause we're the only uh, humans here or something dumb like that, but I really like you, Maizono!
[...wait a minute.]
Oh fuck, now's the worst possible way to admit that, after everything I just said-- shit, I'm really fucking bad at this...
[His voice is a little on the loud side, but at least he's not yelling!]
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...And then came that last bit and she couldn't even attempt to hide a cheeky grin.]
Oh, shush. Do you think I'd honestly want it any other way? I think your honesty is one of your best points.
[...One of her hands are gonna sneak around to try and find one of his and intertwine their fingers together.]
I'm...really, really glad you feel the same way, though. That makes me happier than words can even say...
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Y-Yeah, well I really picked an awful time. Fuck I wouldn't have blamed you for storming out after something like that!
[But Sayaka doesn't seem upset and Mondo is touched when she laces their fingers together. Her hand seems so small in comparison to his own.]
I... yeah. I'm so glad you're here, Maizono. I... I'm really bad at this...
[He's trying so hard.]
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I wouldn't do that! I mean, if I was really upset, I would've told you. I promise you that.
[...hmm. Well, she doesn't want to be too bold, admittedly, but...]
...I've never done anything like this before, so...I guess I'm bad at it too. [She giggles, softly.] We can learn though, right? And just...follow what we feel is right.
[...She might be taking a slightly bold approach here, moving her face a little closer to his before stopping, biting her lip.]
Is...it okay, if I...you know, do that..?
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He's also surprised to hear that Sayaka hasn't dated before. He supposes that makes sense, since idols are supposed to be "pure" or whatever, but it still comes as a shock.]
Yeah. We'll figure it out together!
[Then she leans forward and Mondo manages to turn a shade of red that would rival the ripest tomato.]
A-Ah, you really want to-- do that? Now? With me?
[He's really bad at this.]
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[Look, if you're bad at this, she is bad times infinity. ...And going kind of red herself and looking away.]
I'm so sorry, I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to do that..!
[She'll just. Shrink a bit, don't mind her.]
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[Mondo really doesn't know how to respond and it's obvious. He's having difficulty finding the words he needs, and after a moment he gives up with a sigh. Instead he reaches out to take Sayaka's hand cautiously, to make sure that she won't pull away.]
Maizono, I... I'm okay with it. I was just surprised, that's all.
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A-ah--really?
[She had looked to him when she did that, but now she just turns away again, a bit of a nervous smile on her face.]
I...I wasn't sure--I just didn't want to mess up, because this is my first time...well, doing this, and...
[...She doesn't want to trail off anymore. Taking in a breath, she'll go back up and take the wheel, pressing her lips against his.]
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Once again he fumbles over his words a bit.]
I-- Shit, I'm... I'm really glad that you're um... interested? I... fuck, I'm really bad at this. That was really nice.
[...To understate it horribly.]
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Ehehe...I'm glad that you're...well, okay with this too. You aren't bad at this at all...I...
[...you can practically see the shoujo hearts rising from her, dear god.]
...Hee hee...I...I'd really like if this...were, um, a regular...arrangement. Could we...well...?
[She's not really nervous admittedly, but she's having a hard time finding words for some reason. She's having a really stupid moment, hang on.]
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A regular arrangement? You mean like, dating?
[...]
Of course-- of course I'd like that! I'd like nothing more, actually!! It'd be... That'd be fucking amazing, holy shit.
[His voice is a little on the loud side again, but Mondo looks genuinely thrilled with the idea.]
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I...oh my gosh, thank you! This makes me so happy, I could just--
[...you know what, screw everything--she's gonna untwine her hands and promptly just hug around him like a goddamn leech, giggling like a schoolgirl who got her senpai to notice her. It's a surprisingly firm hug! ...But she's still a stick, so...]
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Shit, Maizono, you're making me so happy, I don't... I don't even know what to say!
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[...she was about to say 'well you started it' but then again, uh. She was the one who started it. That was just her inner child trying to be obstinate.
Still, she honestly doesn't know what to say either. It's...not like she's honestly ever had a boyfriend before. Though, if there's one thing she's good at, it's going on her instincts...
Well. Have another quick little kiss, Mondo. ...She has very little idea of what to do here, but she's trying, dammit.]