Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

[carnivorously]

[Well, that was one hell of a trial. Kogami’s tired and hungry. He’ll get his staple hamburgers, but maybe he’ll be nice enough to help make some for everyone.

So there’s a note that goes out:]

Food in the dining hall – K, P, Q, & R

[It’s quickly written and straightforward.

And indeed there is food. There’s a shitton of hamburgers made by Kogami and Rose, the sliced cheese prepared by Pizzaz, and cake by QQ. Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other such condiments are set out as well as an assortment of buns.

There’s not lighted candles this time, so it’s clear that the usual preparers didn’t help with this ‘buffet’. (Well, if it wasn’t clear with the note).

So rest, relax, and well, you’re probably going to have to get your own drinks this time, sorry…]

Comments

[gymasstics]

...Do you really think so?

[She's not saying whether or not she agrees right off the bat, of course, but Kashima-san's generally full of wisdom...]

[crywiththesaints]

Of course. But then, sometimes one needs to do the wrong thing. Like how we vote so we can live to the next day.

[gymasstics]

I don't know if I'd say it's the wrong thing to do. There's no right option with the voting, but it would be a lot more wrong to get everyone killed because you couldn't bring yourself to vote correctly.

[Surviving isn't wrong. Looking out for others isn't wrong. The executions certainly are, but... That isn't the part they're doing, either.]

[crywiththesaints]

Optimistic as always. You're a dedicated sort, aren't you?

[gymasstics]

To make it through a place like this, I'm gonna need all the optimism I can get.

[crywiththesaints]

Does that mean you're taking it seriously?

[gymasstics]

[...?]

Did you think I wasn't before?

[Nozomi. Look at you. Just stop and look for one damn second.]

[crywiththesaints]

You don't particularly act it, no.

[gymasstics]

Well, I mean... If we were all serious all the time, things would get pretty depressing in here pretty quickly, wouldn't they? It's good to be able to joke around, even in hard times. If anything, that's the most important time to be able to turn around and pull out a smile.

[It's a leftover habit, really, but there's no reason to bring that up. Tonight's somber enough.]

[crywiththesaints]

So you and your friends playing around is as much a survival tactic as anything. I suspected something like that, but it doesn't make sense to me. Not long-term.

[gymasstics]

[Calling it a survival tactic sounds so clinical... But Kashima-san is sort of just like that, so she won't dwell on it for too long.]

With all due respect, it's a little tough to worry about the long-term here.

[crywiththesaints]

Because there's a new death threat every week?

[gymasstics]

It goes beyond that. Sure, the motives are the worst part of it, and that seems to dwell on everyone's minds for a few days before we find someone dead, but...

[...God, she doesn't like talking about this. She shakes her head a little bit before continuing.]

The first week, we didn't need a motive. I recently got a weapon out of that vending machine. This situation's terrifying, and the longer we're in here, the more it's going to get to everyone. Even Hanekawa-chan snapped from the stress. I'm not good at looking at bodies, but if I can support people- my friends- and lighten the burden, even if it's only for a few minutes or a night, that's good, isn't it?

I want to savor all of those precious moments for as long as possible.

[Before she loses someone she really cares about.]

[crywiththesaints]

So you cling to love. Because you believe it's your only hope in here.

[gymasstics]

It's like I told Wesker. I want to get out of here with compassion. That's just who I am.

But what about you, Kashima-san? Are you taking a more tactical approach?

[crywiththesaints]

I didn't last this long doing otherwise. I want to see everything and learn everything, and then base what I do on logic.

[gymasstics]

Is that what you're doing right now? Learning?

[crywiththesaints]

One should always be learning, Kaminashi. No matter what you're doing.

[gymasstics]

I feel like I'm learning plenty already.

[Kashima-san's definitely going to make it out of here, that's for sure.]

[crywiththesaints]

If you wish to survive, make sure that you do. I understand you've got things to return to.