early deathday post, open to his cr from anywhere, game or psl

[goatsongs]

[Starting around the 15th of October, until the 22nd, Chuuya starts acting weirdly.

He doesn't want to be alone, ever. He won't go as far as physically clinging to you, but he'll make up excuses for joining you in whatever you're doing, even if it's as boring as watching grass grow. He's not as argumentative or bristly as he usually is.

He overeats, to the point of being bloated, and if he's questioned on it he gives a pained expression and changes the subject.

He doesn't drink alcohol. Not even one drop.

Whether you're in the National Library, or the City, or Yokohama, or anywhere - this is all alarming behavior for Chuuya. It might be time to ask him if something's going on.

Or you could just yell at him for bothering you for the third time in as many days, that's fine too, but don't be too surprised if you bring him to extremely uncharacteristic tears.]

Comments

[aquaticrush]

[Retasu sniffles. Of course she knows what he's worried about. His real family isn't something he talks about, but it's easy to find in a history textbook. Now he doesn't have any of them, and from how he's speaking, he thinks it's his fault. Just like she'd always thought it was her fault when she didn't have friends, but he's always had it much worse.

Maybe this weird, lonely genetic freak child who only knows he's alive because the wait staff at a restaurant messed up is the closest thing to family he's got now.

She shakes her head and stays there, terrified they'll be yelled at, because he should have his real child instead of her and he can't.]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I won't.

[goatsongs]

[He can't have his child. And he can't call Retasu a replacement either - she's nothing like his sons. She's about ten years older, for one thing.

Right now, though, he just needs someone to lean on.]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Retasu.

[For everything he's done to her, no matter how little of it was with cruel intentions.]

[aquaticrush]

[She stands there, shaking, looks around the library in fear that someone will come and yell. Doesn't move. This is scaring her, too, but it's someone who needs her, because he can't have anyone better with him right now.]

It's... It'll be okay. Sometimes you scare me, but I know you're trying to do good things.

[goatsongs]

You deserve better. You shouldn't have to-

[He's crying. How long has he been crying? He raises a shaky hand to wipe tears from his face.]

You shouldn't have to.

[aquaticrush]

But...

[But if she didn't have to, she'd be too scared, and he needs help. She needs to be there to help even when it terrifies her. That applies to the planet, to making new friends, and to helping the scary yelling man when he's sad and needs a hug.]

I need to. I need to help you.

[goatsongs]

You don't. I don't even treat you well, how could you need to help someone like me?

[Someone who pushes people away because he doesn't know how to do anything else.]

[aquaticrush]

[sniff] Because it's the right thing to do, and, um... well, I used to hang around with people who picked on me all the time because I was trying to be useful to them. So, um, I'm used to it. Being yelled at.

[goatsongs]

That doesn't mean you have to be the one to put up with me! Hell, you should have a break from assholes who yell at you for no reason!

[aquaticrush]

[Retasu flinches. She pulls back a little, but is still hugging small angry man.]

I'm sorry! I really am! But you deserve to be happy for once.

[goatsongs]

[Yelling at people that they shouldn't let people yell at them is a bad idea? Huh.]

Not more than you do.

[aquaticrush]

[sniff]

I'm sorry. I just wanted to be useful.

[goatsongs]

You don't have to make everything perfect to be useful.

[...After a moment, he pats her gently on the head.]

[aquaticrush]

[Retasu sniffles and blinks a few times.]

Is... is it okay if I still want to be your friend? Or, um, I suppose that's a little strange since you're an adult and a ghost, but at least someone who helps you.

[goatsongs]

We can be friends.

[As much as he's friends with Kenji or Niimi, children younger than Retasu.]

[aquaticrush]

[Retasu slowly smiles, fearful but hoping.]

I-I'll do my best, Nakahara-san! Thank you!

[goatsongs]

Chuuya. Hardly anybody calls me by my family name.

[aquaticrush]

But, but that's, that's way too familiar!

[goatsongs]

People who've never even met me call me Chuuya, it's fine.

[aquaticrush]

But they don't know you're a ghost, do they?

[goatsongs]

Does that even matter?

[aquaticrush]

Probably? It would make sense...

[goatsongs]

I'm saying you can call me by my first name.

[What else does he have to say to convince her it's fine?]

[aquaticrush]

Ch-Chu... Ican'tdoitI'msorry!

[Retasu lets go and bows repeatedly.]

[goatsongs]

[Oh, no, child.

Chuuya sighs and just pats her on the head.]

It was a good try.

[aquaticrush]

[sulk] I'm sorry. I'll try if it makes you happy.