no. 3 | Video [backdated to the day after the blackouts start]

[drawitagain]

Hello from the hospital. [A more weary smile than usual shows on Haruka's lips. He looks very, very tired.]

Before anyone gets worried, it's nothing big. I lost consciousness yesterday and they took me in for monitoring. My health is pretty bad in the first place, so they were worried...I always have to be really careful. We can't risk not getting me checked out. 

I feel okay, though. It didn't happen like my normal attacks, so I don't think it's anything serious. It just--the lights when out, and I thought I heard somebody talking. My balance went, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground. But I'm used to being here, anyway. Every few months things like this happen, so please don't worry about me! I'm an expert at hospitals, and I get free ice cream. 

[Haruka tries to look as reassuring as he can, while tugging slightly at the collar of his hospital gown. As much as he's smiling, he still comes off as extremely uncomfortable, no matter how much he's trying not to show it through his expression.]

What I really wanted to talk to you guys about was to ask for advice. What do you do when you get an item from one of those pulses and it's something you don't want? I don't know why the other me would have head it, but I don't feel comfortable holding onto it. But it's too dangerous to throw away or give to somebody else. I could try to...break it or destroy it, I guess. But is that such a good idea? I'm worried. If anyone has any ideas, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you and take care, everyone!

Comments

[tatatarata]

[Holy shit not again.]

Hey um...do you want me to come down there?

[drawitagain]

[A great big doofy smile.]

I'd love a visitor! But...I know the hospital is a bit out of the way from our neighborhood though, so you don't have to inconvenience yourself if it's gonna be a long walk or anything...

[tatatarata]

I can walk just fine. Don't worry about that.

[drawitagain]

Okay! It's not like I plan on going anywhere, so take your time, at least!

[He rattles off directions and his room number.]

I'll let them know I have a friend coming. Feel free to bring one of your games in case you want to stick around for a while or something!

[tatatarata]

Alright. See you.

[BYE

and she'll walk in awkwardly in a little while...]

[drawitagain]

[When she finally makes her way into his room, he gives her a big, excited wave.]

Takane! [Definitely not the expression befitting someone stuck in a hospital.]

I've been so bored! They stopped giving me Ice Cream after the second time...

[tatatarata]

You should probably work on finding ways to entertain yourself that aren't eating. Especially when you're in here as often as you are.

[She takes a seat next to his bed, refusing to look him in the face.]

[drawitagain]

Well! I can draw, can't I?

...When my wrist isn't cramping up, ehehehe. [He waves his wrist around a bit, indicating the injury to her.] It's a little harder when I'm in this position...

[A kind of bored sigh.]

Maybe I really should've taken Octavia up on her offer...

[tatatarata]

...What offer?

[She sounds...very suspicious of this.]

[drawitagain]

Ah! I met a girl named Octavia, and we talked for a bit about my health and my parents. She was really nice!

She even offered to give me her spare 3DS! I turned it down because I was worried about my parents finding it and getting mad, but now I think I'm regretting it a little. Especially after I played that fun video game with you!

[tatatarata]

Oh...that's really nice of her.

I'm sure with a little practice you wouldn't be quite as hopeless, too.

[Said playfully.]

[drawitagain]

[He smiles, scratching his cheek bashfully.]

To tell you the truth, I've been thinking about it a lot, lately. Do you think we could play it some more once I get out of here? Oh! Or maybe you could show me another game you like?

[tatatarata]

[She smiles. Funny how much nicer she is when he's in here, huh...]

Sure, if you'd really like to.

[drawitagain]

Awesome! We're gonna have so much fun!

Oh, um, we probably still shouldn't let me parents know, though. So if they ask what we're doing or what we did, we can just pretend like I was helping you study in your room! [He has a goofy smile where a devious smirk would be on any other boy.]

I guess this is what living on the edge is like!

[tatatarata]

...When you put it like that I think they might worry a little bit.

[Is she blushing? You bet. Too busy being flustered to even consider how much of a loser he's being.]

[drawitagain]

[Tilts his head.]

Why would they worry?

They take school stuff pretty seriously, they'd probably love that I was helping you with your studies!

Ah...Not that I, actually would be, but I'm sure they wouldn't ask questions!

[tatatarata]

[SHE'S NOT EXPLAINING THIS TO HIM OH GOD.]

Just don't say it was in my room!

[drawitagain]

Um...Okay! I'll say we did it on your couch or something. Problem solved!

[Gringrin. People must be so amazed when they find out how book smart this kid is.]

I wonder if I could ever actually convince them that video games are okay for me...I was totally fine when we were playing together, and that came was even bloody, too! I bet there's not much my body wouldn't be able to handle, so...

[tatatarata]

[BURIES FACE IN HANDS.]

Please just be very, very careful of what you say, okay?!

[drawitagain]

[An incredibly naive laugh.]

Yes ma'am!

Speaking of your place, though. You're alright, right? I've been hearing that weird stuff happened to other people during the blackouts, so...

[tatatarata]

Oh, yeah...of course. You don't have to worry about me right now.

[drawitagain]

Takane, it's okay! I just like knowing what's going on with you. We're both in this situation together, so we need to make sure we tell each other everything!

Nothing happened during the blackouts for you? Nothing weird? I thought I had just passed out randomly, but it's starting to sound like the blackout was the reason why...

[tatatarata]

[Everything, huh...]

Nope, nothing. So you don't have to worry.

But um, you were worried about something related to this stuff earlier, weren't you?

[drawitagain]

Oh, that...

[He looks quite nervous and uncomfortable as she brings it up.]

When I woke up on the ground after I passed out, there was something that wasn't there before. I got it back from one of those things...

It was a um, it was a...gun...

[tatatarata]

You had a gun?

[What the fuck.]