[ while nanami is relieved to her from him, since komaeda had clearly gone missing, the feeling is short-lived and replaced by another feeling. she can't seem to make out what it is yet. feelings are... complicated. all she knows is that it feels almost like her heart dropping into her stomach.
hinata didn't tell her the details of what exactly went down either so... she really didn't understand. this apology could mean anything. ]
... Did you go back too? Is that why... you left the camp?
I did. Even if I'm not sure how it worked... how I remember a longer time than I was actually gone. Mm. I remember now.
[And he meant to do things for hope and for right, but he's getting the feeling it didn't work out that way at all. He's getting the feeling that his luck tanked him again.]
It's why I left. I had to. I couldn't stay with... [Another pause.]
[ although firm with her words, she doesn't press on any further than this, only because she knows he will be able to find him. it doesn't seem safe at all even with his kind of luck, but for now being able to know that he's currently safe is still a relief in itself.
there's an unsettling silence on the line before she speaks up again, not wanting him to slip away from her so soon.
... ]
... Do you want to tell me what you're apologizing for? For me to draw conclusions even if I don't know anything... isn't something I want to do. [ although she doesn't really expect him to, to ask isn't a bad thing. ]
[Komaeda knows it's a cowardly move, but a worthless person like him, what else can be expected?]
For doing something that I don't think turned out how I meant it to. And if that's true, the one to suffer because of what would have been you.
[A pause, before he adds.] I know I never left here. But I was back on the island. And there... I couldn't remember this place at all. The things I'd learned here. I didn't know them there.
[Waking up without either of his two friends from his world is, without a doubt, disorienting and worrying. So, with that, Hinata's quick to call Nanami shortly after he wakes up in the new housing...
[ lucky you, hinata. she's awake! she's been captivated by a genius technician shortly after the rude buzz of the alarm, which is why she still hasn't left the room yet. i mean, can you blame her? there's a bed and a video game character. ]
... I'm in the new rooms. I wonder how they were able to separate us like this. [ but of course even with a vidya character to dazzle her, she was worried. so she's glad to hear from him. ] But more importantly... have you confirmed that Komaeda-kun is okay yet?
Whatever it is... I know that you aren't the only one to blame. [ with the circumstances they were put in, it wouldn't be right to blame it all on him. however, hinata-kun said they had saved everyone.
so... why doesn't komaeda know that? ]
... Could it be that you... died? [ ... and knowing komaeda. ]
[Oh good she's awake and all right, gauging by her voice. He sighs audibly in relief before right subject at hand.]
I'm not sure yet... I woke up in the same room as Ikusaba and some other people I know, though. [But mrrrph still not Komaeda and Nanami, so it isn't quite the same relief. There're a lot of options as to how, scrolling through his head as though on a marquee.] Ah, yeah, I've contacted Komaeda as well.
That's good. I don't know anyone here [ personally ] but I got to talk to Pascal-san... [ which reminds her. ] and I think there's something I should tell you. It's related to some of the people here. Do you want to know about it? I can't tell just anyone but I can tell you.
[ excitement fills her voice as she collects her things into her backpack. it's clear that she's moving at a faster pace than normal, even if it's still at her own pace. ]
Anyways... let's meet up after exploring a little. Then we can meet ASAP, okay?
Huh? [She sounds excited... Should he be worried about whatever she has to tell him about everybody here? It's Nanami, so he hopes it isn't anything bad, and it is really hard to believe that it is something bad.] Sure, if you want to tell me about it.
Anyway, be careful while you're exploring?
We don't know how much has changed around here yet.
[Not the only one, well maybe not. But certainly one to blame. He hesitates a moment. Since he didn't remember it all when he went home, it's probably okay to tell Nanami.]
[ so she lost one. she could have lost quite a few... but she's never asked. even if it's not a game, what happens in the stimulation are spoilers she's not sure if she wishes to have.
she doesn't know if she could forgive komaeda right now, but he's correct about something. he has changed and learned information he's lost when he went back into the stimulation. knowing the truth now, she wouldn't be able to understand if she does not experience it.
this is why people should avoid spoilers at all cost, y'know. ]
I'll give you my answer... when I go back then. Right now, we have to focus on Hinata-kun and our time together here. If I don't experience it myself then there will be misconceptions about how I view it, I think. And right now I want to make sure you're both okay. Even if you're not with us anymore... you're still alive here, and that's what matters.
[ 'because their time here is real'. a thought that's probably a bit ironic coming from nanami. ]
[ no pesky stairs getting in the way either! a miracle has happened. ]
Okay, I'll call you later.
[ and she hangs up.
so. time skip? time skip.
by now nanami had gone outside to explore the new surroundings, staying safe as she had been told to. and after she felt that she has the area somewhat mapped out, she heads back to her block, calling hinata in the process.
this should be around the afternoon and she's had a pretty good time talking about pyramid head with sonia so she's even more hyped up about all this. by the way, yeah sonia here!!? but she knows hinata already knows that. ]
Hinata-kun, I'm ready to meet up now. I'll be waiting for you so come quickly, okay? Hurry up!
[Dadadanaaaa time skip indeed-- Hinata goes fumbling his phone out when he's called, but is not quite prepared for her excitement. Dang but she must have something she really wants to share about the people here, huh??
Hinata will settle on cautious interest and go from there.]
R-right, I'm coming!
[AND HE WILL HANG UP and head on over posthaste! To a knock-knock-knock on her door...]
[ already on stand by, she opens the door rather quickly to greet hinata. deciding that this seemed quite familiar, nanami recalls the last time she had to tell him something important. it seems like such a long time ago already...
but, with another secret on hand, this time it's different. and it's one where they won't be staying in the rooms for. ]
... Let's go to the back of the building.
[ or just somewhere quiet. she can't afford anyone listening in on this, especially since it's such a big block! ]
[T-thump, what could it be...? What would be so important? Hinata nods at least, and moves to wander around the building in question. He peers left and right to see that no-one is hanging around before turning to Nanami.]
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