come out of hiding, i'm right here beside you

[barehands]

[A while after the execution has ended, everyone will find a simple note slipped under their door.]

If you don't want to be alone after everything that's happening, some of us will be in the dining room. Even if you decide not to come, please remember that you aren't alone here.

[The note isn't signed, but the handwriting is feminine and neat.

For anyone who decides to come, there's a good array of food laid out on the table. There are some small and simple cakes, cookies, and pastries, a healthy amount of okonomiyaki, okayu, and other Japanese dishes (with a focus on rice and eggs), along with curry. In addition, there are pancakes, and a large pot of soup. It looks like a few people collaborated to make enough food for everyone here.

Just like the meal they shared together earlier in the week, the candles from the storage room lend a more peaceful light than the fluorescent lights above.]

Comments

[cadmiums]

I did! There's some with berries too, if you'd rather have that. [ He had to make up for slaughtering the berries in the name of an art project Thursday.]

[imaginex]

[Oh, fruit. Another plus. She straightens up a little, and good on him, even manages a smile]

That sounds delicious. Maybe one day you could give me the recipe?

[cadmiums]

I'd love to, but I wouldn't have been able to make them without Rose-chan teaching me. [ He gets her a plate, and puts a few of the berry ones on it before handing it to her.]

Do you cook Sakura-chan?

[imaginex]

Aa, Rose-san. [An acknowledging nod. Her teaching Ryoji makes sense] She's a wonderful cook, isn't she?

And yes, I've done so since I was young. Usually for Nii-san, but I cook for my upperclassman, too.

[She takes the plate with another small smile, fork gathered in her hand before she digs up a bite. Her eyes widen slightly at the taste]

It's good. Rose-san taught you well.

[cadmiums]

She is, and a good teacher too. [ Ah this would be weird just having her eat, so he'll take a pancake for himself too.]

Thank you! I never really got the chance to cook much at home. [ Suddenly he has a thought.] Hmm...do you think you could teach me how to cook too?

[imaginex]

M-me?

[Looking caught off-guard by the request. Listen, very few people talk to her, let alone ask something of her outside of school tasks]

If you'd like. But I'm not as good as Rose-san, I'm sure...

[cadmiums]

Great! Ahh, I'm so lucky to have two beautiful girls teach me how to cook. [ For being a murder hospital this place has not treated him bad.[

[imaginex]

U-um--

[YEP TIME TO CHANGE THAT SUBJECT]

I-is there anything you'd want to learn in particular, Ryoji-san?

[cadmiums]

[ Got her to blush, that's a prize in itself.]

Hmm let's see... Do you know how to make sukiyaki?

[imaginex]

I have, yes.

It's a fairly big meal, though... you might want to think of a few people to eat it with you, once we make it.

[cadmiums]

We should make it for the next party we have. [ Cause there will be another one, there's no question in his mind.]

Ah, I'd love to bring some to Mita-chan too but that's impossible...

[imaginex]

Is she your girlfriend?

[cadmiums]

[ There might just be a slight blush to his cheeks.]

No, it's not like that. I've taken her out on a date though, and we have another one soon.

[imaginex]

[Oh no, that's sweet. Her lips stretch into a smile as she folds her arms behind her back.]

Aaah, so you're trying to impress her. In that case, we'll have to make sure your sukiyaki is perfect.

[cadmiums]

Yeah, I am. [ A good handful of trees also died for this cause.]

I could show her, but I'm not sure that would mean much considering it's food.

[imaginex]

No, I think she'd be very impressed!

Trust me, all girls secretly love food, and it's even better when the guy can cook for them sometimes.

[cadmiums]

Even if she can't eat it?

[imaginex]

[Wait wait back up a sec--]

She can't eat it...?

Is she on a diet?

[cadmiums]

I don't think so. She can't eat it because the Risen don't think it's a good idea to accept gifts from us. [...yup.]

[imaginex]

...

Are you... talking about Transmitter-san?

[cadmiums]

Yeah, but I call her Mita-chan because I think that sounds better.

[imaginex]

...

You went on a date with Transmitter-san.

[cadmiums]

I did, and we're going on a second one this weekend. [ He is happy about this, and it shows in his voice.]

But because it's over the phone I can't really give her anything.

[imaginex]

[... Right okay.

First? Sakura is going to stuff a huge, honking piece of pancake in her mouth while she thinks. Sugar, please give her strength to do what she needs to today.

But once she finishes:]

She must really appreciate your company to agree to a second date.

Though I can see why sukiyaki wouldn't be a fitting gift.

[cadmiums]

I think so, and I like hers too. [ As if this is completely normal, and there's nothing strange about this situation in the slightest.]

I'll have to ask her what she likes to eat.