Track 2: Well, this is awkward.

[princeofjunes]

ACTION: THAT CAFE WHERE RURI WORKS

[Ever since waking up in his bed safe and sound, Yosuke has been more than confused. How can death really not matter? What can they do, when the town can turn people against each other so easily? Did he really take a bullet for Chie?

Wracked by confusion and uncertainty, Yosuke isn't sure where to turn. Souji is the obvious choice, but with Chie involved... he needs a little time before he seeks out his partner. Ultimately, he decides that the best course of action is to try and take his mind off of things for a while.

So, making good on his promise, he wanders the city until he finds what he thinks is the cafe Ruri told him about and walks in the door.]

Lets see, I think this is the place...

Comments

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[Peering from behind the counter with a hose Ruri is standing there, looking less than thrilled with the universe]

"No killing in here."

[princeofjunes]

[Yosuke's first thought is "thank god I don't have my headphones."

His second thought is that he'd recognize that voice anywhere.]

Relax, Ruri. I just came for the cute girls, the maid outfits, and the videogames.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I'm the only one here right now so you'll have to come back tomorrow for cute girls."

[princeofjunes]

[He throws her a grin and a wink.]

Don't worry, I think today will work fine.

[She is cute, and it's another welcome distraction from everything.]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"We are having a no killing anyone rule today. Or I am at least. If you are okay with that I'll put the hose away and we can order."

[princeofjunes]

I don't kill people.

[It's as blunt as he ever gets and he sighs a bit.]

So, where can I sit?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Nobody else has come by today. So anywhere is fine."

[princeofjunes]

[He plops himself down at a chair when a sudden thought strikes him.]

... crap, I don't think I exactly brought any money with me. I just wanted to get out of my head for a bit.

You won't kick me out, right?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I'll set you up a tab. You just owe me a nice tip next time."

[princeofjunes]

Ruri, you're the best.

So... [It's not like he'll get it out of his system unless he talks about it.]

Have you been alright? The last few days, I mean.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I wasn't on the kill lists. I tried to help the people who were but weren't killing, but... I'm just a young girl, not a magical girl or anything."

[princeofjunes]

[He breathes a sigh of relief.]

I'm just glad you're safe.

I don't care if death doesn't matter here, I've already seen too many people I like die.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Did you die?"

[princeofjunes]

[He's taken back by her bluntness, but he's glad she brought it up - it's good to have a chance to talk about it.]

... yeah. I took a bullet meant for a friend of mine. And then she got shot anyway.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[She sets a cup of tea in front of him and sits down]

"I'm sorry."

[princeofjunes]

[He's not quite sure why it's so easy to talk to Ruri. Maybe because she was the first one he really talked to here? It doesn't really matter the reason - just something about her is making him spill his guts.]

It's alright. I mean, I came back, so I'm sure she did.

I just... everything is... ugh, I feel so damn... argh!

How the hell could people do this crap to each other?!

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Is she your girlfriend?"

[She peers at him a bit]

"People do it because they're idiots. But not the kind of idiots that are fun, the kind that are just... Stupid."

[princeofjunes]

[And just like that, Yosuke is blown completely off guard.]

W-what?! Chie, my girlfriend? No, no, it's not like that! She and I fight all the time! I mean yeah, she's a friend - even a good friend, but it's not like that!

[At least there's the fun kind of idiot in front of you, Ruri.]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[She just stares at him]

"Really. I see. Taking a bullet for someone is a big deal. Akito would have done that for Yurika back home, but, whatever you say."

[princeofjunes]

Hey, I'd take a bullet for any of my friends! The eight of us went through a lot back home. I mean yeah, I might not be that close to Kanji or Naoto... but still. I'd do it for all of them.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Nobody from my home is here, which I kind of think is a good thing, but, back home I was fairly solitary. People die too easily."

[princeofjunes]

... yeah. I never realized how quickly you can lose someone.

But, I don't think I could live a solitary life because of that. I have too much fun with my friends.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Then you are a very lucky person."

[princeofjunes]

[He can't help but laugh a little.]

Yeah, I must be. Only I'd be lucky enough to get stuck in this place, shot and killed, and get the one cute waitress nice enough to let me get away with setting up a tab.

[Speaking of tabs, that tea looks awfully nice, so he takes a few sips.]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"We're all stuck in this place, but you have close friends to support and support you. The town probably just knew that I'd have nothing to do with its game and there isn't much to make me go any crazier if I didn't."