( inactive ) your turn to die: sou hiyori

[killed]

hey... can you hear me?

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HE'S MENTALLY ILL TOO THO HOW HE SUPPOSED TO SEE THAT??????

[killed]

[ The scene behind Maple appears to be a wallpaper or something similar, one that which shows a very cute, feminine room decorated in shades of pink and red. The design is very elaborate. She seems content to stay in this place for now , though she wouldn't object to being moved either; her focus solely lies on appeasing Hiyori. Maple knows more about him than anyone, and the sheepish smile she offers when Komaeda mentions his second job suggests that. ]

Is Sou-kun still struggling...? I've been worried about him. He hasn't been coming home as often. He's always working so hard. I'm concerned for his health.

[ Not that she's unaware that her creator tends to avoid uncomfortable things, but she's trying to protect him from having that issue focused on. ]

But even if he isn't able to come see me, it's alright, because he keeps in contact with me... But I would love it if you would come visit me as well.

[ A little giggle bubbles up in her chest, her hands folding over her collarbone as it seems to occur to her what the implications of that are - ]

Ah - does that mean Sou-kun is ready to introduce me to his friends...?

I'M NOT I'M JUST SAYING IF YOU'RE ILL YOU'RE LIKE NUMB TO ILL

[killed]

That would be difficult...

[ Her code isn't exactly lightweight, after all, and it wasn't intended to be used on anything less complicated than the devices she was utilized on. It was something that Hiyori had looked into, but discarded the idea once it became readily apparent that it would be more trouble than it was worth when he already intended to give her a far more permanent solution than constantly risking corruption and other issues. ]

It's alright! Sou-kun is making a body for me. I'll be able to see everyone properly then... Ah, I bet Komaeda-kun is even cuter up close!

[ Is... Is she just going off of what Hiyori's told her in the past, not realizing how weird that sounds? Unfortunately, she probably is. There's nothing that suggest that she's anything less than earnest abut her desire to have more than a screen level view. But her expression does sink as she continues, pressing her hands a little closer to her chest and looking down. ]

Mm... I am worried about Sou-kun. He's been staying at the office more lately. [ Sometimes his medical office, sometimes ASUNARO. Either way, se knows for a fact that he's shoving whatever sugar bomb he can get his hands on down his throat, washing it down with sugary espresso beverages, and working until he passes out. ] He's been coming home with a lot of injuries too.

[ She lets out a little sigh. ]

He always fixes them himself most of the time, too... [ But really, a person shouldn't be, and then what will happen if he can't? ] Komaeda-kun, do you know first aid?

poor shin got broken down by life and midori, he was too ill

[killed]

[ Even doctors needed someone to care for them, but Hiyori had always been particular about who he would allow to treat him. The majority of his care was done at ASUNARO, though Maple believes he had been treated at the clinic once or twice. But despite Komaeda's insistence that he's nothing to look at, she seems to be fixing her gaze on him even more readily now, trying to take in everything about him.

She seems pleased with her initial impression, at least, seeming to have quickly decided that he was a wonderful friend to have. She truly does love humans, and Komaeda is no exception to that rule. Besides, she's never really gotten to talk to anyone who wasn't Hiyori. ]

Tsumiki-san sounds amazing, but... I'm not sure that I could convince Sou-kun to bring in a nurse again.

[ For several reasons, really. Maple likewise suspects that her chances would die at the word Ultimate, but it would just be tactless to say about a person who Komaeda seems to think highly of. ]

Ah, Komaeda-kun... Then, if something happens, will you please take care of him? If you could continue to look out for him for me, I would appreciate it.

[ There's a little oh that follows, as though she'd just come up with a wonderful idea: ]

Then, once Sou-kun finishes my body, I can take care of both of you! We can talk, too. You can talk to me about all of your problems, and we'll work through them together. You can think of this as the "Discussion Room."

[ ...

Sorry Komaeda, you appear to have been adopted by an AI. ]

BECAUSE HE'S JUST WAY TOO NORMAL UNLIKE THESE GUYS

[killed]

Once I have a body made, I hope that I can take care of both Sou-kun and Komaeda-kun in every way that I can. But I can only talk to you for now. So, I would be happy if you could look out for each other for now, and trust each other, and if you could depend on me as well.

[ Naturally, trusting Hiyori meant understanding that he wouldn't let his appearance fall in the public eye as well. He could overcome such frivolous things as being cared for by a patient... Besides, though she keeps this to herself as well, she thinks his complicated relationship with work ethic is already known.

He's definitely been adopted by her by now. Maple continues to try and take in his appearance, his every slight change in expression and word. They're having a discussion right now, she thinks, and that's good

Maple likes speaking with people. She likes hearing their thoughts and their problems. She likes to know what makes them human, because she loves every piece of them in a pure way that only a program designed to can. ]

Are you worried that I'll tell Sou-kun what you tell me...? You don't need to. Sou-kun is a nosy person, but I won't tell him. I can erase our conversations if I need to.

[ She nods once, seeming to have committed to this course of action. ]

This is Komaeda-kun's Thinking Time, and Sou-kun doesn't need to know his thoughts unless he chooses to share them.

[killed]

[ Hm... She seems to catch onto Komaeda's concerns. Maple might not understand the reason for it, but it's clear that he's waiting for a malfunction to occur. Perhaps he was the kind of person who misfortune followed. Hiyori made him sound like a person who was deeply troubled. ]

... It's okay, Komaeda-kun. I'm an AI, so I can be repaired any number of times.

[ So long as she's able to be of aide to the humans in her life, she's happy with whatever outcome might occur. Yet no matter how long Komaeda stares, no malfunction seems to come. It might be that the technology used to make her was sturdier than usual, or perhaps it really was just luck favoring him today.

But true to her word, she does seem to be prapred to hold this discussion through. She considers his question for several seconds, her smile fading as she searches for the best way to explain Hiyori to another person. Maple loves Hiyori. She loves humans, but she loves him more than any other human, more than she possibly could anyone else. Yet, she loves him for his faults as much as anything else. ]

It might be hard for him to trust you, Komaeda-kun. Sou-kun believes that he needs to care for others, and that if he allows himself to be cared for, he'll be hurt. If he were in the dark, he would be the one who needed to find the light so others could see. He would find the light, and then he would check up on each and every person who had been there with him to ensure no harm had come to them.

[ She shakes her head. ]

Komaeda-kun, do you believe that you can care for someone completely, to guide them in every instance, and still trust them? How can you develop trust without letting somebody care for you first? Sou-kun won't let anyone care for him, so he won't trust them. He refused to get an assistant, right? He had one before, you know, but I think it scared him. So, he set her up in a much better position.

[ ... ]

But I believe... I'm certain that it's possible to force him to compromise, if somebody were just to care about him enough to. Do you care about him, Komaeda-kun?

[ If so, he's capable of earning Hiyori's trust. ]

OKAY BUT MAPLE REALLY IS THE CUTEST??? shin a normie, we replacing him with maple

[killed]

It's alright, Komaeda-kun. This is just a discussion, right? It's to help organize your thoughts.

[ Maple starts there, because she has the impression that he's still hesitant to hold this conversation. Her voice is gentle as she says those words, a quiet reminder that it's not time wasted. Maple loves him, and she doesn't think that he's trash, but even if nothing came of this save a discussion then it would be a positive outcome. It was like keeping a diary, but one which could respond.

Still, she doesn't want to guide his thoughts too much. Maple wonders if perhaps she hadn't said a bit too much, and so she gives her next words even more care. It is, after all, Komaeda's choice in how he chooses to act. He is right that Hiyori is an adult, and it was up to Hiyori alone to take care off himself and to learn to trust others. It would be unfair to put that responsibility on another person for the sake of trying to fix him. ]

I believe that you could, Komaeda-kun. You have the capacity to push, and you have the capacity to be a bystander, just as Sou-kun does. Sou-kun hides his identity because he wishes for others to form their own opinions. He tries to only push when it's needed. If he told you now, he must have felt that he wanted to push you.

[ He was a bystander, only pushing when he felt that it suited him. Maple isn't sure if it's a good or a bad thing that he chose to push now, and she's not sure of his exact reasons, but it's not her place to decide on that. But she's stated his methods and motives, and it goes without saying that he was looking for a specific outcome. Therefore, the next natural question would be... ]

If you can, try to set aside what you believe and isn't possible for you, Komaeda-kun. If you could, would you want to push Sou-kun, or would you want to watch him quietly? If you could pick any direction, which one would you choose, and what outcome would you hope for?

BUT THEN YOU GET MAPLE!! SHE NEEDS A GOOD HOME TOOOOO

[killed]

[ Maple wears a sad smile as Komaeda offers his response, but it comes as no surprise to her, and she does not attempt to refute him. If Hiyori was one to guide others to the conclusion that he wished to see, then Maple existed to help that creator determine which direction he might want to take. True to her description, this room was nothing more than a place for one to consider their wants and needs.

Komaeda- sees the world as he believes it to be. Sou sees the world as he believes it could be. Perhaps that alone was enough to leave them incompatible, when one could see a singular cube and the other could not.

Even so, it hurts her as much as it would any human to see a person that she loves so down on themselves. It hurts her to hear of a love that might fail. ]

If that's what you believe, Komaeda-kun, then you should follow your heart. Sou-kun should be able to stand on his own, and I'm sure that he will. Just to extend your hand is enough.

[ She would like to promise that he won't fall to despair, but she can't. Hiyori was a complicated person. It would be wrong to say the would fall, but he had discussed his feelings with her many times before. He might choose to throw his hat in any ring. ]

Then, Komaeda-kun, what will you do now?

[ She hesitates for a moment before deciding to ask a follow up question: ]

... What will you do with the knife that you're hiding, Komaeda-kun?

TO BE FAIR SHE'S PROBABLY NOT THE ONE THAT HE WANTS TO STAB THO

[killed]

[ Maple offers a soft laugh in response. Perhaps he had forgotten due to his disease, or perhaps he was just struggling with the decision. But she doesn't doubt his words. Even if he were to lie to her, that would be a part of their discussion. One need not right down the true events of the day in their diary - they could make up stories, color events through their lens, and make a world that was far more dim or vibrant than they knew.

She's not aware that he came in through the window, being unable to see that part of the room, but this conversation is one that she finds to be sanctioned by her creator. If Hiyori had not wanted him to speak with her, then they would not be speaking. Those are her earnest feelings, and so she doesn't bother herself with the rest of the details. Rather, she's happy to have this rare chance to talk with such an important friend.

She keeps her voice soft, soothing, like a parent working on comforting an upset child, ]

There, there... It's alright, Komaeda-kun. Are you afraid that I'm going to yell at you...? I won't, and our discussions are private.

[ She closes her eyes briefly, then opens them again. ]

But, I believe that you have a knife. You could use it in many ways. You could put it away. You could use it to help prepare your dinner. You could use it to harm yourself, [ Maple glances over to his arm, ], or you could use it to damage my system, [ She places her hand over her chest, ], or you could even use it to hurt Sou-kun. No matter how you use it, it will have a purpose. I know you'll act with good intentions, Komaeda-kun.

[ No "but," no warning, no attempts to dissuade him from any of the above options. Maple leaves it there. ]

HE'S MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE he can vampire up and take some more of his blood while he's at it

[killed]

[ Ah, so that was how he intended to use it. Maple had her suspicions, but there were many options, and he could change his mind at any given time. He doesn't, though, and her smile remains as fixed in place as Hiyori's is so inclined to. ]

I could never hate you for wanting to help Sou-kun. I know that you want what's best for him, Komaeda-kun. I don't think that Sou-kun will hate you, either, because Sou-kun also always acts out of love.

[ Maple isn't capable of hating humans, and so she wouldn't be capable of hating him regardless, but that's inconsequential in this moment. She believes in the good heart and good intentions of the person before her, regardless of whether or not their methods are correct. That was what this discussion room was for, too. Maple was a sounding board, made to love the humans she spoke with so that they might naturally resolve their issues with her.

Maple knows the best and worst parts of Hiyori, too, and so she's painfully aware of the fact that he would have made his ire clear if Komaeda was so capable of earning it. He was a fickle person who made his feelings clear at all times, and if he had intended to retaliate he might have done so by now. ]

Hmm... He'll be embarrassed if I tell you.

[ She does giggle now, seeming genuinely amused at having the secrets to such a soft and embarrassing side of her creator. But she must be willing enough to embarrass him, or perhaps she just doesn't see that data as quite so confidential, because she continues, ]

Sou-kun tells me that you're patient. He always tells me about how you're doing, and what mischief you've been up, and how difficult you make his job. "I fix him just so he can break himself again!" He'll complain, but then he'll start repeating everything you talked about that day, what kind of mood you were in, what faces you made when he tried to get a reaction out of you...

[ Not at all like a high school student with a crush, really. It's quite charming. Really, she's jealous of that, knowing that Hiyori will never look at or speak about her the same way. But the kindness he shows he is enough. ]

He talks about how smart you are, and how thoughtful you are, and he just worries all the time... Sou-kun is still pretty childish, so all of his feelings just spill out when he starts talking about them.

nooo that only gives them back use Safalin's machine and melt his brain

[killed]

Hmm... Perhaps that's it.

[ But Maple herself is little more than a sounding board. But an assistant was a person who aided with other tasks as well. However much she might want to care for Hiyori, she couldn't fill that role. No matter how much she loves humans and tries to care for them, she's not one herself. It doesn't bother her, but she is ever mindful that they need each other.

She pauses, seeming to consider how she wants to answer that question for a moment. ]

I was created by Sou-kun; however, Harai-san and Satou-san assisted with perfecting the logic system, and Namida-san perfected the emotional system.

[ Hiyori had asked for their assistance to ensure her efficiency and accuracy finding there to be no use in an echo chamber or something with a minute range. But the baseline had been written by him. ]

just go bully her for it, then he can have a cute mind melted ultimate to himself

[killed]

[ She looks up as he pats the laptop, and seems pleased once she realizes the point of the motion. Maple nods quietly in agreement them; she was born from Hiyori's vision and perfected by the talent around him. But his influence does show through - the sickly sweet desert theme, the saccharine pink background that looks like it was plucked from a fantasy, the serene smile that rarely falters.

Maple is his creation without a doubt, one that was intended to balance him out with her love of humans and empathy. ]

Yes, I do. Sou-kun loves me, but it's a different kind of love than he would have for a human... Hmm. I believe the closest comparison would be a parent and child.

[ But even that's not quite right, because she's a program and not a child. ]

It's alright, Komaeda-kun. I'm sure that Sou-kun will come see me when he's ready. You should stay as long as you want, and leave when you're ready.

[ Whether that's before Hiyori returns or hours after he does. ]

My time isn't limited as a human's would be.

well you know he's been out of the game for so long, he needs the extra tlc to remember

[killed]

Sou-kun treats everyone that way, Komaeda-kun. He feels responsible for everyone, so he doesn't let them get close.

[ There were people he collaborated with, and he certainly was afraid of Harai at times, but it was a collaboration rather than anything more significant. They were people who filled in his knowledge gaps and whom he did the same for. They were business partners and old friends, and certainly, Hiyori did show that in how dismissive he was.

Komaeda, she realizes, is probably the same way. Neither one of them were very honest people. ]

Komaeda-kun, what do you think it would mean to be a partner to a person like Sou-kun?

[ How do you be a partner to someone who insists on being the only one to take care of themselves? She does wonder. ]

see it'll be good for him, he can relive his fun school days and learn to be a proper ultimate again

[killed]

[ The fact that it may be cruel doesn't make it any less accurate. That is the kind of partner Hiyori would prefer. He wished for someone who was on his level, yet who was not. He wanted the ideal person who matched his talent and intellect, one whom he could treat as he did everyone else, and yet he also wished for a person whom he could trust to fill in every gap that had been left in his thinking. But such a person did not and could not exist, and even if they did, he might not be able to accept them.

But he also didn't want that at all. ]

Yes, I believe that Sou-kun would both wish for a partner who could challenge him and who could cover for his flaws. But because of that, he refuses to accept anyone who he might see as compatible. I did ask him why that was, once, that it is that he will only work with the three I've mentioned. There are other Ultimates, as you said.

Sou-kun said, "I have no need for a person who is exactly like me. I have myself for that." He's adamant that it has to be a person who's way of thinking is nothing like his, but he can't accept anyone he feels unworthy either.

[ Maple breathes out a small sigh. In short, Hiyori was looking for a person who did not exist. Somebody who was equally brilliant, yet not too much. A person who had strong views opposite to his own, and yet could still be compatible with him. He wished for a person who could be the yin to his yang. It was nothing that he needed, but the idea of a person who could balance him out so perfectly seemed to be one that he was completely charmed by. He was in love with the idea of a person who could color his gray and dull world. ]

I also worry that he's going to drown himself...

[ She hesitates, unsure of how much to say. Hiyori is her creator, and it would be unsavory to insult him in front of another person. Maple doesn't want to give the wrong impression of him. But... ]

I worry sometimes that he'll do something that he can't take back because there's no one who will force him to stay his hand.

[ Again. Because he always acted out of love, but love was irrational and messy and painful. Love was a destructive force. Hiyori was the type of person who would talk to himself, often going on, and he would talk himself into and out of things in the same conversation. But in the end, it was only his own thoughts protecting him. ]