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Outside of his friends door, Tsukigata hesitated before lightly knocking. "Miss Ogura, would you like to join me for breakfast?... Miss Ogura?"
No response came from the other side. He cant help but frown, deflating.
However, down the hall, one of the doors slowly opened opened. Isoda sluggishly stepped out, letting out a long squeaky yawn.
"Ah! Good morning miss- er..." Tsukigata paused, "uhm, excuse me, I-Isoda?"
The redhead bobbed to attention, wiping the sleep from their eyes. "Oh hey. What's up?"
"Nothing really. I just wanted to say hello! But, um, I wasn't sure what to call you."
I
"My name would do just fine."
"Well, I mean— we call you by anything, like he or she or they, but I wanted to know if you were anything specific today."
"Oh! Gotcha. I don't super mind what you use for me regardless of how I'm feeling, but since you asked, I'm more girl at the moment."
"I see! Good to know."
Isoda glanced at the door Tsukigata was parked at as they strolled closer. "Are you trying to get her out?"
"Yes, I am... I'm worried."
"I bet. I don't think she's taking all of this too well. She did... yeah." Isoda thinned their lip, hesitating as if wondering if they should try knocking too. "Maybe she's still sleeping? It's pretty early."
"Maybe." Tsukigata agreed, crossing his arms.
"... Just give her some time. This is a lot for anyone to deal with. Sleeping helps."
"I suppose you're right, I just..." Tsukigata hummed and edged away from the door. He wanted nothing more than to keep knocking, to get her out, frightened at the idea that she could be sleeping far deeper than anyone should. They just lost Akiba... Tsukigata can't afford to lose her too. "I'm not sure what to do..."
Isoda shrugged, "that's all you can do. If you push too hard, it might make her shut down even more. Trust me."
"Really? Is... have you experienced that?" He asks gently.
Isoda looked away. "..."
"... S-Sorry, my mistake. I-I was- er-"
"No, no... You're fine." Isoda mumbled, "I... guess you can say that. I'd rather not get into it."
Tsukigata bobbed his head. "Right! Right. Well..." he peered over to the door and lightly tapped his knuckles against it one last time. "Miss Ogura, I'm going to get us some food to eat. I'll be back soon, okay?"
As he stepped back, he politely waved to Isoda, smiling awkwardly still. "Thanks for talking to me, Isoda! I'll see you later?"
"Later."
With that, Tsukigata turned, but he didn't get two steps in before Isoda suddenly perked up.
"Oh, wait— Tsukigata, mind if a bug you for just a sec? I wanted to ask you something. It'll be fast, promise."
"Mm? Sure thing! I don't have a problem with it."
"Cool, so..." Isoda's looked thoughtfully at the girls door. "It really isn't any of my business, but Ninomiya has mentioned that Ogura makes you a girl, is that right?"
Tsukigata tilted their head, nodding. "Thats right."
"Do you like it?"
Tsukigata paused, his mouth instinctively opening with an affirmative... but nothing comes out. "I'm... not sure what you mean."
"Being a girl," Isoda clarified. "I was just wondering if you like—want— to be a girl, or if you're just... playing along for her sake--?"
Isoda abruptly grimaced. "Uh, shoot, that sounds really bad. Sorry. Uh-..." They trailed off, averting their gaze to the floor as they kicked themself.
Tsukigata chuckled. "Maybe. Its okay though, take your time."
"Thanks! Just to be clear, I'm not judging either way. I just noticed that everyone else calls you by your name, while Ogura calls you Hidemi. What I meant to ask is if you'd prefer to be seen as a girl, if you feel more like a girl."
Tsukigata's eyes widen slightly. "Oh... I think I understand what you're saying. You're asking if I'm like you? If I feel more like a girl than a boy."
"Pretty much. Don't feel you have to tell me the specifics if you'd rather not. Being a girl isn't limited to just different pronouns, but it's important for some. So... I wanted to check. Only fair since you gave me that courtesy."
"I see, I see." He tapped his fingers together, keeping his head down as he thought it over, "Honestly, I havent thought much about it. I don't mind being a girl! But I still feel like a boy. I think... maybe." Tsukigata's eyebrows furrowed, before bashfully asking, "Is it supposed to feel like anything?"
"That's... a good question actually." Isoda admitted, "I don't actually know if being a boy or a girl is supposed to feel like anything specific. Its sorta intuitive, and complicated. Different for everyone."
Tsukigata deflated. "I... see."
Suddenly awkward, Isoda glanced away, their shoulders raising. "Okay, well- um... for me, its sorta like... a mindset?" They offered lamely, "I don't usually... present as one or the other, appearance wise. Some people really enjoy dressing up to suit their gender identity. I just like looking cool. I guess you can say that its androgenous, but thats besides the point. The way I view myself changes depending on how I feel in the moment, so I don't need to change my appearance to reflect it."
Tsukigata nodded, paying close attention.
"When I say mindset, I mean... um... its like a comfort thing. I don't usually get dysphoria anymore -"
Tsukigatas face suddenly scrunched. "Um, whats that?"
"Dysphoria? Right, I guess you wouldnt know what that is, huh?" they murmur. "Well, dysphoria means that the way you present or feel clashes with..."
Isoda trailed off, something catching their attention
Just down the hall, Denden had turned the corner, a clipboard in hand. Except something was off, she didn't seem to be her usually bubbly self as she lingered there, almost dazed as she stared off into space.
Tsukigata tilted his head at Isoda's silence, following their gaze before peering over his shoulder and spotting her as well. "...Miss Denden?"
The tall woman jolted to attention, her eyes wide and owlish before she noticed them. Immediately, a wide sweet smile graced her face, her hands fluttering at her sides.
"Miocchi! Tsukigata! Hi!" She bound down the hall in a skip, a stark contrast to the listless air she had moments prior.
"Um," Isoda cleared their throat, turning back to Tsukigata and lowering their voice, "mind if I go into it later? I want to check in with her, if thats okay."
"Um, sure! I dont mind." Tsukigata shook off their earlier dissapointment with ease.
"Perfect. Lets talk later." Isoda readjusted, shifting their feet so they faced both Tsukigata and the girl excitedly taking her place with them.
"Hello hello~ i'm so glad to have run into you both." Denden slowed to a stop just a few paces away, twiddling with her hair. Immediately, Isoda is put at ease. Denden's very presence lighting up the rather desolate lab. Even the cold florecents felt warmer. "I-- hope I didn't interupt."
"Dont worry! You didn't." Tsukigata reassured.
"We were just hanging, and saw you come around the corner. Welcome to the club."
Tsukigata looks over at them. "We're a club?"
"It's a figure of speech," Isoda clarified, "but we can be, if you want."
Denden bobbed her head. "I'd be honored to join then! What's it for? There isnt much to do here, but im sure we can figure something out."
"Mm... Not sure." Tsukigata tapped his chin, "Isoda?"
Isoda shrugged with a smirk, "we can the cool kids club, and we can do anything we want."
Tsukigata gasped. "Thats so clever! Because you and Denden are both so cool."
"Precisely~"
"Oo, could we invite Ninomiya? He's really cool too—" Tsukigata explains, stars in his eyes, "—and he sang for me the other day! It was amazing, the best concert I could have gone to."
"I wouldn't be opposed. Denden?" Isoda craned her neck to look up at her, watching as Denden lit up and clapped.
"Fine by me!" She gasped, "Oh, what if we formed a band? Then we can have a concert together."
"Oh yeah?" Isoda hummed as they thought, "you know any instruments?"
Denden faltered, "Um, well, no I don't... But! I'd love to learn if I could. I've always been a big fan of those drums that are played during traditional ceremonies. Where you can feel the beat through your whole body!"
Tsukigata nodded, "I can see you doing well with a flute too. But really, I'd love to hear you both sing. I bet it'd be wonderful."
"Aw shucks! The same goes for you, Tsuki!" Denden giggled, "I bet youre secretly super talented, like Miocchi!"
"Pft. Talented? Nah. I've been working hard for years, my voice is all me." Isoda causally held their hand under their chin to emphasize their humble brag.
"Still! It's super impressive and cool, I really want to learn how to sing like you."
"What if we did karaoke then?" Tsukigata suggested.
"Ooh! That'd be fun, but—do we have a radio here or somerhing? Or disc's?" Denden looked hopefully between the two.
Isoda ducked their head bashfully, "I- have some stuff in my room? Its nothing too fancy; a few microphones, an audio interface, a speaker and some stuff for my guitar. Like I said, nothing too crazy, but... we could set something up sometime." They chuckled softly before offering, "I could even provide the instrumentals with Ninomiya. As long as I know the song, that is."
Tsukigata audibly sqee's, bouncing on his heels, "I look forward to it!"
Tsukigata glanced back to Denden, prepared to ask her about her potentional song choice, only to notice Denden pressing her nails into the clipboard. She seemed to be doing it without noticing. He gestured to it. "By the way, what are you doing with that?"
Denden straightened in surprise before holding it up. "This? I'm happy you asked! I'm doing a survey to see what everyones rewards are. Just in case!"
Her tone dropped as she continued, the severity bleeding through. "Doctor and I wanted to check and see if anyone else got a weapon like Akiba. So, if you don't mind, can you tell me about yours? Miocchi got their guitar, but what about you, Tsukigata?"
Tsukigata tensed for a brief second before hesitently answering, not looking at either of them as he confessed: "I received my dressage uniform... An older one. Its pretty small, so I can't wear it, unfortunately..."
It's all he can share. His eyes dart up, checking their reactions for any sort of lingering suspicion. Much to his relief, neither seemed to care.
Denden nodded, lifting her clipboard and clicking her pen. "I see, I see! Let me jot that down." She hummed as she did just that, punctuating her penmanship with a flourish of the pen. "And do you know what Ogura's reward is?"
He tensed again, doubly so, but for entirely different reasons. His nervousness suddenly dialed up to eleven as rubbed his arms, face warming. Denden and Isoda both straighten at the reaction, sharing a glance as Tsukigata stammered.
"Miss Oguras-?" He laughed awkwardly, "W-Well, I-I'm... it's..."
"Woah. You're really red." Isoda commented, much to Tsukigata's dismay. "I mean, she was really freaked out when Maekawa opened it. Is it ... bad?"
"No! No, not at all." Tsukigata shook his head before clapping, his smile becoming geniune as he continunued. "It's actually really really pretty! It's these big books full of beautiful illustrations about girls in lov-"
Whilst they spoke, no one noticed the slight footsteps coming from within Ogura's bedroom, nor did they notice the light weight pressing against the door, and they especially didn't notice the sharp, dramatic gasp from the other side at the mention of said beautiful illustrations.
Not until said door suddenly slammed open and the Diety herself—dressed in only her wrinkled pajamas—launched from the darkness and into the fray. All three leap back in surprise, Tsukigata nearly jumping out of his skin while Denden hopped back. None of them had a moment to register what had happened as Ogura frantically cried— "ShhHhhhh-- SILENCE!!"
"M-Miss Ogura! You're awake!"
"Khehehe-! That I am!" Ogura declared, her hands on her hips as she squared her shoulders. Its only slightly dampened by her unruly, unkempt hair and her pink face. She took a dramatic breath, "I have awoken from a truly transcendent slumber! Summoned by the mention of the sacred text. Hidemi!"
Ogura spun around and closed in on Tsukigata in an instant, standings on her toes and cupping his cheeks. She frantically spoke in a conspiratorial tone, "You mustn't share our scriptures!! It is for only our eyes, for only our ears. A collection of ancient tombs brimming with enough pink power to decimate cities! The mere mention is enough to obliterate every molucule of the untrained."
"R-really? I'm so sorry! I don't want them obliterated."
As they went back and forth, Isoda's nose crinkled, their face scrunching as the smell of Akiba suddenly got stronger. They inch back, glancing at Oguras open door.
"Wait... illustrations of girls in love?" Denden thought aloud, "Is it yuri manga?"
"Ah, that tracks." Isoda nodded.
Ogura screeched to a halt. It's an innocent enough question. One that immediately illuminated why Ogura was so gung-ho about keeping it hidden, but by the way Ogura froze, it was like she had been shot.
She whipped around, her face burning red as she looked at Denden with a powerful intensity. Stars in her eyes.
"Wh- don't tell me... Miss Denden Misao—are you too a purveyer of this pure energy?" Ogura asked, her voice squeaking with barely concealed excitement.
"Ehehe, I am!" Denden giggled behind her hand. "I used to read them whenever I could get to the library. Even if the library didnt have many, I still had a good time! Plus, I think the figures of those girls are so pretty. I really want to start collecting someday."
"You could always nab the ones from downstairs." Isoda points out, "i'm sure the owner won't mind."
Tsukigata nodded. "I almost forgot about those. You totally could take some if you wanted. They weren't nailed down like the bedframes."
"I can't do that! I-Im fine with just looking." Denden objected with a firm shake of her head, "I'd hate to take their things... and they're so expensive. It'd be really mean." She turned her attention back to the awestruck Ogura.
"I don't think i've read nearly as much as you have, but if you don't mind, could... we read together some time?"
".... I ... I..." Ogura swallowed hard and nodded, her entire body practically vibrating. "I would be honored, Miss Denden! I accept your proposal."
"Wonderful!" Denden clapped, "then can I-"
"NOT RIGHT NOW!" Ogura slammed herself against the open door frame, blocking it with her whole body and nearly falling through it in an attempt to block it. To say she recovers is a bit of a stretch, as she holds onto the hinges awkwardly. Her grip clearly shaky and slipping, "I-I-! Soon! I swear to thee! We will indulge in the fine arts, but not... now. Khehe..."
Ogura shoots Tsukigata a desperate look, who didn't hesitate to help her up.
"Th-thank you, Hidemi." Ogura murmured miserably.
"...Oh." Denden slowly nodded, stuck between fretting and leaving her be to recover her dignity. Finally, Denden nodded enthusiastically. "T-thats okay! I don,t mind waiting."
Tsukigata cleared his throat shyly, dusting the girl off. "Miss Ogura, could I join too?"
"But of course! You are always welcome, my dear Hidemi! ... If it is alright with Denden."
"For sure! The more the merrier. Miocchi! How about you?"
"Me? Sure. I won't say no to that. It's not really my bread and butter, but I think it sounds fun. Do you have enough to go around?"
"But of course! My work staton is well equiped, an alter overflowing with boundless divine energy."
"Then I look forward to it."
"It's sorta like a book club!" Denden gasped, "Oh this is great. I haven't been in a book club forever!"
"Then it is settled!!" Ogura proudly announced, "I can never withhold such knowledge from great scholars such as yourselves. As of this day forward—I will take you all on as my diciples!"
Isoda wasn't paying attention at this point, looking around to find the source of the rotten stench. They grimaced. Why'd it suddenly get worse...?
Tsukigata noticed. "Isoda, is something the matter?"
"Mmn, no? I've got a little bit of a headache though."
Ogura leaned closer, "Allow me to cast a healing prayer upon you."
Which is quickly met with a shake of Isoda's hand, "appreciate the thought, but I think I'm just gonna lay down for a bit." They murmur, taking a step back to signify that they were done with the conversation. Leaving the three to stand awkwardly.
"Sleep well, Miocchi!" Denden waved her off. She settled back on her heels, and all at once, the three took each other in.
Ogura visibly deflated, lowering her head as she figeted with her sleeves. "I... I didn't scare them off, did I...?"
"Ah-! No, no. I'm sure that isn't the case." Denden rushed to reassure, leaning down as if to scoop her up in a hug, but Denden knew better, and just hovered. Ogura didn't seem to mind, but she didn't lift her head. Tsukigata gently touched her shoulder.
"Dont be sad, Miss Ogura. I think they just like their alone time. We hardly see them outside of their room."
"Right! It's nothing against you, Im sure."
"R...right. Right." Ogura took a deep, shuddery breath, "sorry, I'm... tired."
Tsukigata frowned, rubbing his palm against her shoulder, allowing Ogura to sink into his side. "Did you just wake up?"
"Mmm... no, I've been awake for a while... But my power reserved are depleted, so I've just been laying down."
Denden hummed sadly. "Im so sorry to hear that. Do you know what's making you stay awake? Are you hungry? Thirsty? I-I can run to the med bay to get you something! I'll be back in a jiffy."
The mention of food made Ogura stiffen.
"You are hungry, aren't you?" Tsukigata pressed. "Do you want to get breakfast with me? I can make you something really good."
"No thank you... the smell is..." Ogura shuddered, and Denden and Tsukigata exchanged a worried, understanding glance.
It's hard to ignore the stench clinging to the walls. The cafeteria was especially bad. No one wanted to cook or eat there. Not even their resident cooks.
"I understand..." Tsukigata chewed on his cheek before an idea struck. "Why don't we go down the elevator then? There's a kitchen on the lower floor, so I'm sure the smell wont be so bad there."
"... You raise an excellent point. The depths of your mind are as radiant as the cosmic rays raining down upon us." Ogura attempted to enunicate as she always did, but theres no energy in her words.
Still, Tsukigata was glad, his eyes lightly crinkling. "Thank you, Miss Ogura."
"Um," Denden clasped her hands together and smoothed over her knuckles anxiously, "were you able to sleep well when you could?"
Ogura took a moment to respond, her mouth hanging open. She lets out a short sigh and shook her head. "Not really... I'm... I've been having trouble sleeping a-alone."
"You too?" Tsukigata asked, before he admitted, "It's a little weird sleeping alone now. I don't really like it."
Denden bobbed her head. "Right, it is hard, especially after... especially after what happened." Denden took a shuddery breath, before she put on a brave face and suggested; "Soooo, why dont we have a sleep over?"
Tsukigata bobbed to attention, while Ogura slowly lifted her head.
Pleased that her hook worked, Denden continued enthusiastically. "I have a lot of soft pillows and plushies in my room. So why dont we gather all of our sheets and pillows and blankets and have a sleepover in my room! That way, we won't be alone, and we can feel safer that way."
"A-Are you sure? Would... I be allowed to come?" Tsukigata asked quietly, ducking his head.
"Of course you can, silly! You're a girl too, right?"
Tsukigata stiffened, stunned to silence.
Lowering her gaze to Ogura, Denden lightly pat Ogura's head. "... I couldn't sleep for a long, long time after I lost someone close to me. I could only sleep if my mom and I slept in the same bed. You don't have to, but... maybe it could help."
Ogura cautiously tilted her head back to look up at Denden with wide, hopeful eyes. She sniffled and nodded. "O... Okay. I'd like that."
Denden silently cheered, "Yay! I'll set something up then. Oh- would you be alright with inviting others to join? We can make a big nest of the floor and cuddle." She smile and sighed thoughtfully, "I sorta miss sleeping with Kumada! She was so cuddly."
Ogura jolted, shooting a disbeliefing look at Tsukigata before eyeing Denden in awe. "Was she?"
"She was! It was adorable." As she trailed off, Denden lowered her head by a fraction, her smiling fading for one singluar moment, until—she gaspsed. "I should go check on her! Ogura, Tsuki, do you want to join me? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
Ogura laughed awkwardly, "I-Im afraid I must decline for now. I hibernated far too long! And I should probably get dressed at this point..."
"M-me too," Tsukigata nodded, shuffling in his spot, "but thank you for the invitation. That is very kind of you."
"Sure. Then—I'll talk to you later?"
"I'd love to! Goodbye, Denden."
"Farewell, dear Denden. May Ohara give you strentgh."
"Thank you~"