For notsogrimreaper.

[chasescenes]

[Going to Chiyo's school is refreshingly normal. Yonaka had never actually liked school, but she's learning to like it. It's not home, it's not Koriko, so it's fine. The routine is nice.

Go to school, take your classes, leave school, spot someone familiar on school campus as you start to head home-

Wait.]

Mushi?

[That can't possibly be him, but she calls out to him anyway.]

Comments

[notsogrimreaper]

[Routines are very nice. So nice Ryoji hadn’t really bothered to leave his behind for quite a while. Koriko had become a home of sorts. His friends were there, he was alive and couldn’t do damage to the world around him, he was making money, and hey, maybe if he was a proper employee long enough, he could actually get his wish granted after all.

But every employee needs a vacation, and Ryoji had earned one. He wouldn’t - couldn’t - go home, so he chose a random world that seemed close enough to modern times, and wandered. He wasn’t expecting to find anything particularly interesting, and certainly wasn’t expecting to hear that name.

After a moment, he turns his head, seeking out the voice, and his eyes widen when he sees someone he hasn’t seen for… god knows how long.]

A-Amaya-chan?

[chasescenes]

Mushi!

[I hope Mushi likes being barreled into, because the moment he says her work name, she's running toward him at full speed, ending up crashing into him in what is intended to be a hug.

She also could just knock him over, that's possible too.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Luckily, Mushi is strong enough that he can hold his own even against a rampaging teenage girl. She barrels into him, but he grabs her by the waist, only letting out a small ‘oof’ as she makes impact with him. When he catches his breath, he manages a laugh.]

You know, most girls chasing after me that fast would be wanting to punch me in the gut, not give me a hug… [That said, the only girl he’s really comparing her speed to is Aigis.]

[chasescenes]

Most girls have bad taste.

[Somewhat muffled into his chest. She's never pulling away from him.]

I missed you, I missed you so much...

[notsogrimreaper]

Nah, they just know me for the trouble I am.

[But he squeezes her tight.]

I missed you too… I was thinking of you, you know.

[chasescenes]

They are wrong because you are the best.

[Return squeeze.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Aw, but if I'm the best, what does that make you?

[He beams down at her.]

[chasescenes]

...Not an option for straight girls?

[She's just saying.]

We can share 'best' status.

[notsogrimreaper]

You don't think someone as cute as you could change their minds?

[Ryoji: always pleased about lesbians.]

But sure. I'm willing to share.

[chasescenes]

[Ryoji, no.]

Great, glad that's settled. We're the best. And also the cutest.

[notsogrimreaper]

Heh, I can agree with that. What is the cutest girl in the world doing here, anyways?

[He’s… pretty sure this isn’t her world, not that he expected her to go back.]

[chasescenes]

It's Chiyo's world. She was one of my best friends in Koriko, and her world's super normal and peaceful. Nothing magical or monstrous at all. I can live a normal teenager's life.

[She can actually be an average high school girl for the first time.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Right! I know Chiyo-chan. She was a nice girl. I’m glad you found a world like hers where you can be safe.

[He had considered doing the same, but he would have felt too guilty.]

[chasescenes]

I still miss my friends, but... it's nice. Way easier than anywhere else I've lived.

[Even what she used to call 'home'.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Of course you do. I miss my friends too. So... I'm lucky I found you here.

[chasescenes]

[He's getting an even tighter hug.]

I'm here. You can stay here as long as you want to. If the Witch comes for you I'll fight her off.