Voice ♊ 010 -- [Failed Filter, Public]

[rise_to_caesar]

[Akihiko doesn't quite sound like his usual self today. There's a certain lackluster quality to his voice, lacking in the exuberance it usually holds. He's trying to hide whatever is bothering him but he's not doing a very good job at it - just like he failed at filtering this message to Mitsuru, Minato and Minami.]Huh. It's the 4th already...?

Comments

[icyexecutioner]

[ Mitsuru doesn't need a reminder of the events that occurred on the 4th ( nor the 4th of any given month for that matter ) to be able to pinpoint the reasoning behind Akihiko's unusual tone of voice. Honestly, she had anticipated that reaction days in advance - after all, none of them could forget or overlook such a memorable date. ]

Naturally. I suppose it is to be expected.

[ . . . But, Mitsuru being Mitsuru, she isn't the most outwardly emotional, consoling individual. ]

[rise_to_caesar]

It's... Different this year, Mitsuru.

[Akihiko lets out a short sigh, shaking his head. He doesn't even try to hide it in front of her - Mitsuru remains the one person who has seen him at his weakest - it's time to let this out.]

Before you arrived... Shinji was here.

[icyexecutioner]

I see.

[ No, she doesn't - not entirely, but it's more of a cue for him to continue. ]

I presume this place is fond of pulling that trick.

[rise_to_caesar]

It was the first time I'd seen Shinji since I arrived here. I didn't know how to react - and before I knew it, he was gone again. I couldn't tell him anything...

[Akihiko trails off a little, looking away from the screen. He feels a bit foolish doing this, speaking to what amounts to nothing more than a video of Mitsuru when she's likely nearby. He feels foolish about still being so torn up about Shinjiro's death as well - it's technically been nearly two years for him at this point.

Two years and the memory still stings as much as it did the night Shinji died.]

I don't even know what I'm trying to say right now...

[playsdoctor]

Is something special about the 4th?

[rise_to_caesar]

[Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, Akihiko immediately realizes that he had been too distracted by his own thoughts to properly filter this message. Strangely, he doesn't seem too upset about it; he didn't say anything particularly damning, after all. All he can do is put on his brave face.]

It's just an important date for me. Don't worry about it.

[playsdoctor]

It's an important one for me too.

[OOC: If you're not familiar with him, Muraki's birthday is December 4]

[rise_to_caesar]

Yeah? Is that so?

[he's not fully interested in what Muraki has to say but he's attempting to be polite. The conversation would serve to take his mind off his own thoughts, at least.]

[memory_fugue]

[there's something strange in Akihiko's tone... Otonashi had tried to understand what that sentence meant, but all he can make is that Akihiko probably stayed far too long in this place. or is something special about this date?]

... Is something wrong?

[rise_to_caesar]

[Hearing Otonashi's voice comes as a vague comfort. He's only talked to the other teen a few times before but he seems genuininely concerned. All Akihiko can do is force a bit of a smile, shaking his head.]

Don't worry about it... It's just a day that reminds me of something back home.

[memory_fugue]

[that forced smile... Otonashi watched Ahikiko's reaction, then just smiled a little bit in return]

I see. [he looked down a little, he wouldn't want to pry if it's anything personal] I won't ask, but if you need anyone to hear you out, I'm here.

[highwarlockmb]

Does it?

Sometimes, I think it crawls at a snail's pace just to annoy me.

[rise_to_caesar]

It just reminds me of something back home, where I come from. [And that's all he's really going to say on the matter.] It's hard to believe I've been here in Somarium for so long.

[highwarlockmb]

Rejoicing or regretting that fact?

[rise_to_caesar]

Can't say I'm entirely sure. On one hand, this place is granting me opportunities I never would've experienced back home. On the other... It just isn't home here.

Do you know what I mean?

[notjust_risette]

[Even if Rise recalls the dream Akihiko had the year prior, she isn't able to connect the date to the event immediately. Instead, she couldn't help but be worried about the troubled sound of his voice.]

Is everything all right, Akihiko-kun?

[rise_to_caesar]

[Akihiko's quiet a moment. Part of him wants to just tell Rise everything, to confide in her his darkest secrets and deepest fears. At the same time though, he realizes this impulse is nothing short of stupidity. Rise isn't interested in that sort of thing - it would be awkward, it would chase her away. There was no need for that.

He'll just have to put on a brave face and a smile, just like he does every day.]

It's... It's alright, Rise. Don't worry about me.

[notjust_risette]

[As much as she notices the pause, she doesn't want to push him too hard for an answer just to satisfy her curiosity. If Akihiko wanted to tell her, he would've just done so instead of making some excuse.

The only problem was that Rise was never one to give up so easily. Maybe a little more prying be of some help.]

Are you sure? You don't sound all right to me.

[rise_to_caesar]

[No, he really isn't alright but he isn't fully prepared to admit that to her. She doesn't need his emotional baggage - nobody does. Just like last year, this is something more to bottle up inside himself.

...But maybe it would be good to get out of the hotel for a bit.]

I'll be okay. I'm going to head into the village in a little while... Are you busy today? I could probably use a bit of company. [If he's alone, he's just going to spend the time moping and being depressed. If he wants to move beyond this, he needs to press on. He doesn't want to dwell on this any longer.]