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[chocolaterazor]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, candy-crusher. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 018.07.154.55 *** candy-crusher has joined 018.07.154.55 <candy-crusher> Sure, you can leave a message here if you need to reach me.

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[chocolaterazor]

[Indeed, but such a thing would usually be the case. A certain robot strolls up and leans against the counter, flicking their own arcade keycard between mechanical yet still deft fingers covered in false flesh.]

It's not really an exclusive club if he just hands these out whenever someone asks to join, is it?

[Sora's lion face is down, no kaomoji for you.]

[soft_focus]

[Hoo boy.] ....Anyone can come in, but you can't stay very long if you don't have a key. ...And if you don't prove he can trust you, you don't get to see a lot from him, [she response, rather obviously still unsure about him.]

[chocolaterazor]

All those people initially brought here... they turned into things that fed on the memories of monsters.

[And staring with the soulless-looking eyes of the cat face.]

Of course he wouldn't have recognized me, but I was attacked by Kurosaki during that time actually.

[soft_focus]

Ummmm.... [Hoooo. That.] ...I don't think he expected it to end up worse than eating people, but...

....He didn't apologize really well, when he said sorry to everyone. [She hasn't pieced together what Sora's actually getting at-she assumes it's this though.] ...But... ...I really do think he was trying to help, at least.

...At least he sent everyone back instead of keeping them here like if the fog was still able to bring them here like she wanted...

[chocolaterazor]

But the Fourth did want them to save monsters from the fog. That's why he was communicating with them through their heads. Or at least it's what Kurosaki's sister told me.

[It's fine, Reira's a younger child. This is a complicated subject that Sora's calm enough to walk through.]

So what a coincidental and happy accident for this specific case... that the memories I lost included why I didn't trust the Fourth.

[Past tense. But is that a lie on Sora's part?]

[soft_focus]

[She just frowns. Immediately. Let's not even touch the matter of saving or anything-after all.] I didn't even know that, you were acting weird all night..!

And I asked why you didn't hate him all of a sudden. You just kept eating candy instead..! [ALSO.] If you still hate him, why didn't you break the key?

[chocolaterazor]

You're right.

[What.]

I did consider that. I won't deny it. I really did.

[And knowing that even after all this time that he can't keep a lid on his external emotions, surely flipping the cat face back up to show his screen gives off a sense of Sora trusting the girl. Who knows if that's just a lie as well though.]

(￣◡￣) But then I thought about how he didn't bother to revoke this thing even after putting the lost memories back. I shouldn't waste my time fuming and hating him right? That doesn't help anybody.

[soft_focus]

[Sora..........................................]

....You're planning something... [....She knows you a bit too well for this.]

[chocolaterazor]

[His screen emotes a face vaguely between surprise or stretch the meaning to shock at being caught red-handed before he's even started, but just because it's easier to read the very expressive screen doesn't mean the robot can't adapt. This isn't a group of easily distracted friends and something cutting too close to Shingo's choice of demeanor would never fly.]

You made me promise once to make more friends, I haven't forgotten.

[So now emotionally hurt is another meaning of the face to consider.]

We've all make mistakes we can't make up for, but people still give us second chances.

[soft_focus]

[He definitely, DEFINITELY had a squint-worthy face for a moment.... ....but.

....She crosses her arms, deciding to try a different tactic.] ...Then..

...If you're keeping the key, you have to prove it..! I know how you thought-and how Tsukikage thought..! ...And how he still thinks, [She adds, grimacing.] ...Even though E...The Fourth still gives him protection, and brings him back faster than most come back...

...So you have to prove it! ...Maybe not right now...but even though I said to make friends, that won't mean I stop protecting my other ones.

[chocolaterazor]

Don't worry, I understand.

[A hesitant pat on Reira's arm since well... she's tall and Sora's not typically touchy-feely. As much as he doesn't fight hugs.]

Showing loyalty takes time. But my Academia days don't count as a reference.

[soft_focus]

....I wasn't thinking about that time, [she says quietly.] ....I was thinking about Synchro.

[Ninja soldier power hour was a. Thing, huh.]

[chocolaterazor]

[Oh yeah, that thing.

.... He's not pursuing the topic though. Takes more than one conversation to earn someone's trust back on this particular issue.]

Well, you can hold me to that promise.

[And if that's all, he's satisfied with the Fourth's hospitality for one day.]

[soft_focus]

.....

....Okay.

....so.... ....did you see what you have here now...?

[chocolaterazor]

It's nothing special, but that's to be expected.

[soft_focus]

....the arcade..?

...Or your room?

[chocolaterazor]

I just mean my room here, of course.

[soft_focus]

Ummm...y...eah, they aren't that big at first... ...but...

[She tries brightening a bit.] ...Does that mean you like the rest?

[chocolaterazor]

It doesn't look any different from when you first showed me. But it's impressive enough that he made all this.

[soft_focus]

I didn't think you were paying attention...

[chocolaterazor]

Since when have I ever not been aware of my surroundings?

[...... Reira has no way of answering that.]

[soft_focus]

[Indeed she does not.

Except to just frown at him because obviously having no way of knowing is an answer in itself. Gee Sora, how is she supposed to 'agree' with you if she doesn't know.]

[chocolaterazor]

You know if you keep frowning at people in that way, your face is going to get stuck like that.

[There are also things called rhetorical questions.]

[soft_focus]

You're the one who's making me frown, not everyone else, [she counters with a slight huff. Honestly.]

[chocolaterazor]

I think you should know me well enough by now to not be so judgemental.