[ open ]

[finethanks]

who: Eichi & You! (Some closed prompts in here, too)
what: Catch-all for the AU event!
when: FORWARD DATED 6-14 through 6-24
where: Various places in the quarantine
warnings: Uhhh health talk that's about it

[The most difficult thing to deal with in regards to Eichi's ambition is probably his health. He's been feeling mostly good for the past month, taking it easy, so why was it that now that he wanted to really get things done, even taking a walk was making his chest ache? Each beat of his heart was throbbing, irregular, and something as simple as taking in oxygen was painful in a way that's hard to put to words.

Despite that, he's really determined to get to where he wants to be. He could be on any of the crowded streets of the city, stumbling a little too much if anyone bumps into his shoulder. This is an issue that goes on for days— he walks, his body strains, and a coughing fit turns into something worse.

You could run into him:
A. Literally fainting on you, sorry
B. Coughing up blood as he supports himself against the wall of some building
C. Looking paler than ever and asking for directions
D. He's not watching where he's going and runs into someone

He's a mess. Hopefully he doesn't get sick on anyone.]

(OOC: I just thought I'd throw up an open post too for anyone who wants new CR and didn't plot with me! If you can't work with this prompt, just hit me up and I'll write us something closed that works better.)

Comments

[finethanks]

[Tsumugi is leaving him sooner than he had planned for, and all he can think is it's because he's not worth as much money here. After all, what can he do for Tsumugi? He can't do a thing like this, with this ill body of his and only so much cash to his name. He coughs, covering his mouth with one hand as the other reaches into his pocket and pulls out the key to offer it over.]

I suppose you have a point.

[He doesn't sound very happy about it, but now he's thinking. Thinking and delusional, it seems.] They should be in my dresser by the bed. You'll know which it is, I think.

[His bed is the one not covered in trash.]

[exfine]

I'll be right back. Please do try to eat a little while I'm gone.

[ And with that, out he goes. Still pondering over what's been happening to Eichi today, he takes the elevator and closes his eyes.

Looks like his job as Eichi's organizer isn't done yet, but only because Eichi apparently doesn't remember. Shouldn't they move on from all that? What was the point of ending a contract when Eichi's going to request for his help again? Does... he still think that Tsumugi's only doing it for the money? Eichi may not be rich in this world anymore, but he can get more cash if he performs more and more, rising up the ranks as an idol. Maybe that's why?

This is making his head hurt and his heart weak. He stops at the 4th floor and goes straight to Eichi's room as indicated. And... yep, it's like it hasn't lived in for months. Just who the hell is Eichi's roommate, and why are they being so inconsiderate of him? What nerve.

But he's not here to get angry at the disastrous state of this room, nor to clean some of it. He sees the dresser left untouched and grabs every bottle of medication he can get his hands on (and boy there's a lot), and carries them all up back to his room. ]

[finethanks]

[While Tsumugi is gone, Eichi is left stuck in his own mind. He remembers most things clearly; the space ship, meeting the people he knows there, appearing in Riverview instead, that shift in scenes. He remembers meeting a few people here and there who were useful, and feeling bothered that he was missing school. And from home... he remembers it being his first year back from the hospital. Wasn't that right?

But now Tsumugi is acting oddly and Eichi didn't calculate for it in his plans. Wasn't he an agreeable boy that would do anything to please him? It doesn't make any sense, and he certainly didn't expect it to hurt his chest as much as it does.

He's still not feeling great, but he'll reach forward and tear off a piece of bread to nibble on until Tsumugi returns. Once he does, he'll thank him, indicating that he can set the medicine down on the table and he'll take it in just a second.]

[exfine]

[ A nod, and he places all the bottles on the table as indicate. Hang on, he's going back to the kitchen to get a glass of water for him. ]

Here you go. At least you're eating now. That's good.

[ Taking a seat next to Eichi, Tsumugi presses the back of his hand at the other male's forehead, checking his temperature once more. He uh, still can't really tell, but he thinks the color has come back to Eichi's cheeks, so maybe he's finally feeling a bit better? ]

[finethanks]

[Eichi still goes on nibbling, even as Tsumugi checks his temperature. He's an ice cube like always, but this time he's more of the normal variety of ice rather than on death's door. He's improving, for sure. Still, his eyes are a little distant, and he speaks up soon after.]

You know, Tsumugi... I was thinking, and there are portions of our conversations in this place that I can't recall at all, even if they were only days ago. Isn't that strange?

[He has no idea what is going on to cause Tsumugi to want to leave Fine so badly, but it does feel like this might have to do with it.] Memory loss has never been an issue of mine.

[exfine]

Maybe you're just very exhausted? We are in an entirely different world, so you've probably contracted some sort of temporary amnesia...

It also doesn't explain the age regression either. Do you really think you're still a second year?

[ And you know, it's not as if Tsumugi had wanted to leave in the first place. He remembers the contract that he'd thought was a piece of paper and his eyes glazes over. ]

You need to rest for now. And then maybe we can get you checked at the hospital later.

[ He doesn't like sending Eichi to the hospital either, but Tsumugi's all out of ideas. He's so useless with this, isn't he? ]

[finethanks]

You really believe this is some sort of regression of mine? I don't remember a single thing from beyond second year, you know. We're still in the middle of it all, and I have so many dreams... I don't have time to think that far ahead without seeing how the pieces land.

[It doesn't make sense? None of this makes sense, and he reaches for the water and takes some medicine.]

I'd rather not go back to that place. Maybe there's someone else who we can ask about this sort of thing.

[exfine]

[ And of course he's not budging. Tsumugi has completely forgotten how ultra-stubborn Eichi was in his second year, and now here he is, not wanting to go to the one place that would help him feel physically better. Sigh. ]

I mean, I've grown out my hair since then, right? Even added in some highlights, too. See? [ just swishes his hair back and forth a bit ] This just proves that time has passed since then, Eichi-kun. I don't know how else to make you believe me.

But I'll go ask around the network just in case. Maybe it's not just you who's experiencing this. In the meantime, you should stay in my room till then. I've seen yours and... I'm sorry, but it looks too unlivable for someone like you. Who's your roommate anyway?

[finethanks]

...You're right. Why didn't I notice something like that...?

[Eichi mumbles this as he thinks, pressing his fingers to his temples as he leans forward. His medicine taken, the water is back on the table, and he has time to pose like this, stressed and confused. It's because he'd met Tsumugi looking like that in Riverview before this little incident, not that he would know that.

Anyway, the roommate talk distracts him.]

Hm? Oh, that would be Noct-kun. We do have a cleaning service, but Noct-kun can create garbage at an incredible speed...

[exfine]

A cleaning service? Wow... [ THESE RICH BASTARDS, Tsumugi can never relate to the bourgeoisie life ]

But yes. I know that the age-regression probably doesn't make sense to you at the moment, but please bear with me! I shall try to look for a solution as fast as possible. Maybe the library has something about the subject...?

[ His go-to place for extensive research. Don't mind him, he's just rambling on right now. ]

I'll make preparations for you to stay here for the meantime too. You can take my room! The couch will be just fine for me.

[finethanks]

That's not necessary.

[He's not going to make Tsumugi sleep on a couch!! Gosh. Well, he may end up staying here one night if his health is particularly bad anyway, but he's stubborn.]

If you do happen to find anything about this, I'd be grateful to hear it. You're so useful, Tsumugi, being so willing to run out and shuffle through all of that for me. Thank you for that.

[exfine]

It's fine, really! It's not as if you're going to stay here for more than a few days. Your well-being is way more important right now!

[ And he's not about to make Eichi sleep on the couch either??? That's not being hospitable at all. ]

But it's no problem. I'm glad to be of help to you, Eichi-kun, since it's pretty much the only thing I'm good for.

[ And there he goes again. How can anyone say such self-hate with a bright smile like that, nobody knows. ]

[finethanks]

[He coughs a few times after that, tearing off another piece of bread for himself. Absolutely zero reaction to Tsumugi talking down on himself right now, since he's too busy with his own thoughts.]

By the way, Tsumugi, it's just us who are here from Yumenosaki Academy, correct? You haven't seen any others?

[exfine]

Not that I know of... If there are any, I would've met them by now. We're all bound by destiny, after all. ♪

[finethanks]

Or at the very least, you have this ability to find people and become friends with them. If they were here, they'd sooner speak to you than me. [Any of them, he's sure.]

Anyway, if it's only the two of us, are you against trying one performance with me again? If it's not Fine that we are anymore, then at the very least, as friends, shouldn't we combine our talents to show this place what it means to be an idol?

[exfine]

[ Tsumugi lowers his eyes onto his lap, not sure how to answer that. As friends... That should be good enough for him, but even so, didn't Tsumugi took up the job as fine's organizer of sorts out of friendship as well? It's not as if he doesn't trust Eichi-kun this time around - he's definitely changed in his third year - but striking up another deal with his second-year self is like going back in time all over again. ]

...Let me think about it first.

[ And yet he finds it hard to say no to him. Right, he has to support Eichi. No matter what. ]

I'll let you know once you feel better. For now, you should rest.

[finethanks]

[It's a strange experience, to have Tsumugi of all people saying anything that goes against what he wants. He thinks he sort of likes it, behind the initial sting of it. He's hurt, but he also can appreciate it. It creates a complicated expression that he focuses on his bread before setting it back on the side of the plate, barely touched.]

Then I'll try my best to rest, so this doesn't persist further. I have a lot to do, after all. [He can't run himself exhausted... He shifts, like he intends to use the couch despite what Tsumugi said.]