[ Jun struggles to comprehend living amidst clutter and mess, having blocked out memories of the wine and beer bottles littering his childhood home. This likely fuels his current dislike for messes, not that Leo's place is overall messy. He usually tends to the cleaning anyway, so it's fine. ]
You're welcome, Tsukinaga-senpai. And just for me?
[ People often refer to him as a "good boy," but why does he seem to enjoy this so much? He's never escaping the dog allegations. ]
Heh, thanks ♪ I appreciate hearin' that, y'know? It's not every day I hear something so nice from my senpai's.
[ she understands what Hiyori meant when Leo greets her and she can peek into his suite. He has all the energy of an eccentric genius. He's also friendly and not malicious, so as strange as the catchphrase is, she returns it, gesture and all: ]
Uchuu~! ☆
I'm just human, even though humans from my world live on planets all across the galaxy.
[Rinne's hiatus has not gone unnoticed. His disappearance isn't exactly top of the priority list, but now that they're three days into it, it's worth asking about!]
✨~Oh Leo-kun~✨
Have you seen Rinne-senpai? He's not returning my texts and I haven't seen him around lately, so I thought I'd ask since you said that thing about letting him stay overnight sometimes. Though if you want my opinion, you'd be much better off with me in your bed!
[............... wait a second.]
Sorry, ignore that last part. I don't know where that came from. It must be another malfunction.
[Actually, it's a belated curse taking effect, but he doesn't realize that.]
THIS REMINDS ME I WANTED TO ASK IF EVERYONE WANTED A GROUP CHAT POST...
you can crash at my place whenever you want i don't care!
[ Fails to ignore it, casually. He doesn't see the big deal, although he gets the feeling that's some kind of insult to Rinne mostly? ]
anyway i've been working on a new piece ever since that dumb effect from last month wore off and i can focus...i'm pretty sure i saw rinne when i started working on it?
[ Has Leo eaten in the past 2 days? Stay tuned to find out (no). ]
[ It's fine, Leo can't escape the cat allegations so Jun is in good company? Sometimes you're just very animal coded and the cards you get back it up. ]
Well, I'm a nice senpai~? Just ask Suou! [ Do not. Suou will not back him up on this, Leo is the worst when it comes to being a senpai...he'll praise you and all but he's the least responsible guy in Knights. Someone save his entire unit from him specifically. ]
Though I guess Hiyo and Gusa are pretty sharp-tongued? They seem like nice guys despite it, so I mostly ignore half of what they say!
[ Oh, he LOVES people who play along! Leo brightens up since she's like the first person to do so here which...earns her his undying affection, probably? He's really fucking easy when it comes to liking people, so. ]
That still sounds way more fun than just one planet! I'd like to see the sights someday~! Although this casino is an even smaller world than one planet. But composing on another planet, huh...I bet I could make some really good songs like that~! Hey, hey, what's your favorite planet, then?
There's a lot of planets that're beautiful in their own way. [ and some that are definitely not, but that's not a good conversation. ] Vonwacq is my favorite, hands down.
The humans and native Wacqwacq races are long gone, but it's full of all kind of plants and critters. Everything from polar bears to teeny lizards fall from fruit on a giant tree. [ she grows even more enthusiastic and excited, face bright with joy as she talks quickly. ]
Just recently, I got three baby lizards! They're suuuuuuuuuuuper-duper cute! Like, all of my critters are, but the smaller an animal is, the more adorable they are, you know?
EXCELLENT BOUND TO BE THE MOST OBNOXIOUS CHAT EVER
[ Leo 🤝 Jun. Both being animal coded, and never beating the allegations. ]
I'll ask him 'bout it if we're ever back home. I'm pretty interested in what he'll say.
[ Apart from disputing Leo's quality as a senpai, surely it's inevitable for them to have good senpais when they are the good kouhai! It probably not going to be good news. Unsure of what to make of that, Jun will start heating the pans after receiving the head pat.
Except the nickname 'Gusa' stumps him for a few moments, before thinking, maybe Leo means Ibara?? ]
Don't you even know it!? Ohii-san's usually going on 'bout something or wanting something. He ends up all pouty if he doesn't get his way. But you mean Ibara, right? Well, I'd say he's different. Ibara can be scary when he wants to be, but he's easy to get along with once you know him. Just don't ever say that to his face! But I'd say they're nice guys. Ohii-san's easier to crack 'cause he talks too much.
[ So you can have conversations with him easier, is what Jun means! Ibara's usually on his laptop, doing CosPro work, and dealing with Gatekeeper??? All Jun knows is that he works nonstop. ]
I wish I could talk to you guys in Knights more. I dunno what you're like over there, 'sides you and Narukami-san. She's always been really nice to me, so I appreciate being 'round her.
["No, that's alright, thanks." All he needs to do is type that. But that is not what his hands produce!]
No, that's alright. I don't want to crash there. I'd rather keep you up all night!
[Gahhhhhhh.]
Ignore that too!
[If this was a real phone he'd be tempted to fling it across the room right now. What gives?!
And Leo's mention of the "effect from last month" also gives him pause. His fingers hover above the screen for a moment; should the four of them compare their experiences with that whole thing?
Nope. Definitely not. Whatever happened between him and Jun behind the closed door of his suite isn't anyone else's business.]
Ah, so you have seen him within the past 3 days or so? That's good. I was worried he'd gotten drunk and fallen in a gutter somewhere! Which wouldn't be my responsibility, but it'd still be worrisome. I'm sure Ibara wouldn't be pleased if I said I'd lost track of one of the CosPro idols.
But if he is around, it's inexcusable that he won't even respond to my messages! He's just awful! But anyway, how's the new piece coming along?
[ Oooh, the last question! Very unfortunate Hiyori asked. @ knights has added @ eve to isekai shuffle and that means he gets way too many text notifications in a short time after.
He does at least get music as well? ]
we can stay up if you want! anyway i don't know the exact date? it's kinda weird he isn't replying though, he's usually pretty quick!
also hey, wait
i just realized i'm pretty outnumbered here?? wahahaha, at least i don't care about that!
Yeah, Naru's probably the nicest one of us~? Wahahaha, unless she's getting serious, but even then she's a pretty kind person. I love her! [ He loves everyone. But he especially loves Knights! Let Knights do a fusion with Eden! It would be so fun!
Leo, who is rarely scared by anyone just kind of thinks the whole tyrant thing Adam has going on is pretty funny. Go figured. ]
As to what we're like, though~? Well, Sena's a bit like Hiyo, but not really? Like, he's got a sharp tongue and a cute face, but mostly he fusses about everyone and doesn't actually like it when he upsets people. He nags a lot! All the time! And he gets happier the naggier he is even when he's saying we're a pain for needing nagging! Then Rittsu's pretty easygoing as long as you don't poke him with a stick~ or I guess if you're not Rei? Well, they're better about things these days...kinda? Anyway, he pretty much goes at his own pace, but he's probably the smartest guy in our unit. Then Suou~ is really bossy! Well, I can't complain too much now since he's the King? He talks a lot and has the shiniest ideals you can think of. A selfish kid who hasn't seen war, but I like that about him!
[ That's Leo's take on things, anyway...since Jun knows Naru, he's not covering her. ]
Aw! I wanna see pictures, but I bet there aren't any?! [ How cruel... ] I'll just have to use my imagination, but I'm going to imagine them as pinchably cute! Lizards with cheeks you wanna pinch!
[ Do lizards really have cheeks like that...? Well, whatever makes him happy. Leo waves Topaz over to a sitting area, flopping himself on his couch. ]
Oh, reall~y? I guess I've never seen her stern before, but it's got to be pretty interesting to see her like that.
[ He finds joy in hearing about the other Knights members, particularly since he's not very familiar with them and is discovering new views about his fellow idols. Discovering more about Sena does bring to mind Ohii-san, minus the nagging, as Hiyori showers him with affection that can be bothersome at times, yet endearing to others. This often leads others to mistakenly assume they are in a relationship, which isn't the case at all!!
Amusing how some people find Nagisa and Ibara intimidating, although Jun, who was once awkward around Nagi-senpai, would never admit it! Jun's going to persistently bother Ibara until he gives in and agrees to let Knights and Eden perform a fusion song together!!! Time to give the people what they want! ]
Yuuki-san's mentioned something 'bout Sena-senpai before; funny, it turned out to be true. What happens if you poke Sakuma-kun with a stick? Do I just not want to find out? It's good Suou-kun hasn't seen war, 'cause that'd be pretty scary, right? [ Please, he still doesn't know about all that in Yumenosaki!! Just what is going on in that school, like Reimei's any better? ] Sounds as if you've got all sorts in Knights, a good mixture of all different personalities.
[That sure is a lot of notifs. So many notifs. Endless notifs. But he listens to the samples and is suitably impressed, telling Leo as much in the replies.
It's a hot minute before he replies to their other convo, but:]
Now that should fetch him!
I'm not sure what you mean by outnumbered. As far as numbers are concerned, you're the one with the highest rank. Not that I put ~any~ stock in what this resort tells us.
[He's not a spade, he's not a wolf, and he's not a mere eight out of ten (or eight out of fourteen, considering the Ace + Queen + Jack + King cards). He's Hiyori Tomoe, and that's the tea on that.]
I know I promised I'd find us a stage, but I got a bit sidetracked. I'll ask around until I find something, though. Then it'll be time to choreograph our new song!
I suppose we can rehearse in that recreational area if we can't rehearse on the stage we found. Unless they have private practice rooms here? You wouldn't happen to know if they do, would you?
he's here to be the obnoxious castmate, somehow, despite rinne also existing
Wahaha, guess she's had more reason to be stern with me off and on~? But, well, I like it when she gets like that! It's nice to see people let loose!
[ Meaning he needles her until she snaps once or twice...but he means well? Probably? He obviously loves everyone in Knights, Naru included. ]
Anyway, Rittsu when he's seriously angry can be a little scary! But he doesn't do it for nothing, so you probably don't have to worry 'bout that. He hasn't even scolded me all that much, and I've been a huge pain in the ass to him at times~?
[ Leo's...possibly the most annoying Knights member. He's at least the hardest one to manage even when he's up against all those other individualists. ]
[ Even if the lizards are super duper cute, they're not very punchable. It doesn't matter, she still loves them tons. She takes a seat while giving Leo enough space to roll around. ]
I've got something I have to get back first, but if I have chips left over to get my phone, I'd be happy to show you my cuties.
Mmm... Earth. If it existed in my world, that might have been a long long time ago. Is that your home planet?
leo's so cute though!! so it weighs out. jun, being surrounded by the most obnoxious castmates :"(
So you did a buncha stuff where she got really stern at you, then? I'm sure she had a good reason.
[ Jun never knew she could get like that, so he's learning something new! But the next thing Leo says gets a dead stare, taking his eyes off the pan. ]
You're just admitting you've been a pain in the ass? I could see why he's gonna scold you a lil' if you're admitting something like that freely. I'd say it's pretty lucky you've not got someone sterner in Knights, like Ibara. He'd really let you have it.
[ Though, it's pretty funny hearing Leo admit that he's a pain in the ass. Now if the louder members of ES would follow suit! ]
i mean i'm the only newdi rep, right? why's everyone else cospro? what's up with that? am i being poached?
[ He doesn't care that much he just didn't notice it until Hiyori mentioned being in the same agency for Rinne... ]
anyway, there's plenty of private rooms. lots of them have wall to wall mirrors! we can just move the bed in one of those to the side or something. or i think there's ones without beds. if we just kinda imply we wanna use the room it's easy to get them to do whatever even if it's not what they want you to use it for!
Wahaha, I'm a bad kid sometimes. ♪ Though I haven't broken the law like Sena and Suou~? Anyway, Naru keeps Knights' atmosphere all nice and pleasant...I really admire that about her. I could never set the mood in the same way, but it's my preferred tone.
[ Also yes, at least Leo knows he's a pain in the ass...? But he doesn't do much to change it, so does that work...? ]
As to that, it's the truth so what's the big deal? Sena likes taking care of people, so I'm halfway doing him a favor!
It's the one I grew up on, anyway~! [ So...yes. Although weird magical shit is happening in Ensemble Girls so maybe other people can actually be aliens. We just don't know. Leo tends to like to let his imagination run wild and free so he likes to think that it's a possibility? ]
And if you can show them to me, I'd owe you one! [ One what? Who knows. If she wants his card he's easy to sleep with? Help? But also he's now considering the phone thing... ] Maybe I should ask for something from home~? I don't keep a lot of pictures on my phone, though.
[ Sometimes the Necronomicon shows up in some catacombs under Kimisaki, it's fine, aliens are probably possible too.
Topaz's adoration for her pets is way more important than trading cards for the Game, and even the potential for use of his kitchen, which is what prompted her to reach out in the first place. ]
Owe me for that? Nah, I'd show off my fur babies for free. They're suuuuper-duper adorbs!
[ Leo went to the wrong school, Ruka definitely doesn't appreciate the insanity the same way he would!! Also...he's fine with people using his kitchen. Have Rinne and Jun been talking...? ]
Hm~! ♪ That's a hard question, 'cause it's pretty big! I'm from Japan, so maybe I should talk about that? It's an island nation, and we have a lot of rain. ♪ You see tons of umbrellas out and about even when you think it's gonna be a dry day!
The more I learn, the more I'm surprised you guys haven't been locked up. Whaddya mean they broke the law...? [ Yeah, no, it's good they aren't part of CosPro, but NewDi has to deal with that stress instead. Good luck, Tsumugi. ] And the more you tell me, it sounds like Narukami-san's the only one with her head on right.
[ Turning away from Leo again, he scoops the freshly cooked fried rice onto a plate. Now he returns to cracking eggs into a bowl, adding a dash of milk, and mixing them together before pouring the egg mixture into the now clean pan. ]
I dunno, I've just never heard anyone admit that so freely, is all. Halfway doing him a favour? Does he think that way!?
[ All that sounds stressful, as if looking after Ohii-san wasn't stressful enough. Jun's glad that's the only person he has to care for. Sena-senpai really sounds as if he's made of something sterner; that's the conclusion he's come to. ]
Ah, so that's what you meant. I'm not sure your unit would fit too well in our agency, honestly. Though I'm sure the higher-ups would love to add another of the Big Three to their crown. But there's also another similarity between us: all four of us were supposed to be White Team members in SS! And Jun-kun and I were snatched right before the main competition was scheduled to begin. Kind of an odd coincidence, don't you think?
[Almost like it's not, in fact, a coincidence. Though he can acknowledge that sabotaging SS is likely a very small part of the broader conspiracy here, which definitely involves magic, apparently involves ghosts, and might even involve gods...
But back to matters at hand. First of all:]
You mean love hotel rooms?
[That's definitely what those are. He wrinkles his nose at his watch screen, but can't exactly argue with the idea. Alright, time to be adaptable!]
I guess those are fine for our purposes. Idols shouldn't be seen entering those places, but if all four of us go there with music sheets in-hand, it should be obvious what we're there for. Jun-kun and Rinne-senpai can move the bed out of the way, you'll start the music, and then we'll bang each other's brains out!
i hadn't thought about it much? but i guess it's kinda funny since there's a 50/50 chance if we were white or red. but in that case i'll think of it like that so i'm not outnumbered!
[ Guess who uses love hotel rooms to practice whenever he wants...go on, guess. ]
wahahaha, i hope so! if not, we may as well keep the bed? that's like the third or fourth time you've hit on me today, what's up? are you feeling lonely or something?
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