the_campus | [MINGLE]

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[MINGLE]

[Thanks to your friendly neighborhood Vocaloid, a helpful IC FAQ is now written on the whiteboard ~~in the first classroom of the West Wing~~ which has been moved to the Nurse's Clinic.

Gather round and be amazed... and you better not erase anything or she will find you. Or just rewrite it, depending on how long her attention span is.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Half a year...

[The thought is chilling. If people have been trapped here that long... no, that just means they have to try harder to find a way out, right? There's always a way. There's always a solution. Maybe he should try to duel the intercom... No, it's not going to be that easy.]

It seems like, maybe, you can return back to where you came from if you somehow get released from this place. So it's probably okay for your friends.

[Not that it matters for her either way.]

No, that's not my concern. It's true that I'm worried for them, but I'm sure they'll be alright.

But for people to be trapped this long... does nobody ever leave?

Not unless whoever runs this place chooses to let them leave. When people do, they just... disappear, with no trace. But people who are trying to leave and have been for even longer than I've been here are still here.

[This is troubling. He was close to unlocking the truth... after finally deciding to do it, after everything they'd been through in Battle City, and now this had happened. He has to bite back the urge to grit his teeth in irritation.]

I suppose worrying about it is pointless. If there's a way out at all, we'll find it.

That's right. There's a lot of people here trying, so it can't stay hidden forever.

[...She almost sounds sad about that.]

You don't seem happy about it. Is something wrong?

Ah...

[Well, it's not like he's asking for anything complicated. She never made much of a secret of it.]

...I don't have anything really to go back to. That's all. For me... this place was a blessing, even restricted as it is.

...I see.

[In a way, he can't blame her. Back then, before he'd made the decision to go on and seek his memories, he'd been on the verge on leaving them behind to stay with Yugi and the others. Would it have been a bad decision? Most likely... as good as it would be, it would be little more than cowardice.]

But, Karasu... could you really be happy here forever?

Forever? No, not at all. I know that.

[She freely admits that much.]

But I'm happy here now, and if I went back, I'd be unhappy there. That's what I know, too.

I know it can't last. And... truthfully, I don't want it to. So many people want to go home, back to their friends or family or whatever it was they left behind... it makes me hope that it's found for them.

I'm just... the odd one out.

This isn't where you're meant to be. But there's no shame in being happy here until you leave. If nothing else, you'll always have your memories. And happy memories are worth more than a lot of things.

But the world outside doesn't need to be an unhappy place. If it's unhappy now, then you should try to make it a happier place for you.

...I don't even know if I'll have those.

[Make the world a happier place for her, huh... If only it were that easy.]

And... I don't think I'm the kind of person who can do that.

It's not a matter of what kind of person you are. In the end, it comes down to what kind of person you want to be. It's not easy, but it's always possible, if you're willing to work at it.

Maybe that's true, but... I haven't had much luck alone so far.

You're not alone now.

[He smiles at her.]

Even if your memories fade, as long as you have people supporting you, even from afar... That will give you strength.

[...It's hard to feel gloomy with him smiling at her like that. That's right, isn't it? The friends she made here... Bakura-kun, and Kai-kun... and even Saft...]

Yugi-kun... do you live in Domino City?

Yeah, I do. That was a good guess.

[Who knows? Maybe she's seen him around before and that was why she was so confused at first.]

I remembered recently that I live there too. You're trying hard to encourage me, so I have to ask...

Maybe we could be friends. Both here, and not here.

I'd be happy to be your friend, Karasu.

Then it's official!

[Bakura lives in Domino too... so that makes two people she could turn to, if the timelines lined up.

...she'll assume they do, and not worry about that.]

Thank you, Yugi-kun. Really.

[He gives her a firm nod, a smile twitching at his lips. Things have truly come a long way in what feels like a short time.]

It isn't any trouble.

That's good.

[Huh... she really has changed, coming to this place. She could at least thank the intercom lady for that.

Not that she actually would. ~~Bitch needs to get smacked.~~]

If you need anything, you can always come find me and ask!

Yeah, I'll definitely take you up on that.

[Though he doubts she can answer most of his questions. The only person that could do that most likely wouldn't... As if sensing his concerns, a familiar voice piped up.

At least we're not alone here, right? Even if everyone's waiting back at home, there's still people here that are on our side.
Yes, I agree... And we're going to need all the help we can get. It'll be best to try to build what bonds we can.]

Thank you, Karasu. You've made what could have been a far more jarring experience that much more tolerable.

I'm happy to help! After all, we all have to work together. Or at least live together!

[Though she'd probably help out regardless.]

You can usually find me on the roof, or in the lounge. If you're having trouble, Bakura-kun or Kai-kun probably can find me easily.

Bakura...?

[Bakura-kun's here too?! Yugi's voice exclaims, and he pauses. Well, since she used the honorific and she doesn't seem crazy, it's probably the one they know. Though that does mean the spirit is likely here too. He'll have to keep an eye out.]

I know Bakura. I'll keep an eye out for him. If any of the rest of our group are here, he'll probably know.

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