AUDIENCE: ALEX

[retellers]

Comments

[chanteuser]

[ looks at the day and laughs fearfully ]

Maybe. I'd be happy if no one else had to deal with it, though. It wasn't the nicest experience.

[ ... ]

But, um... the other topic. Nova splintering? You said that'd take longer to explain?

[retellers]

Right... Okay, what have you heard first?

[chanteuser]

Only really what was mentioned after the trial on Saturday -- the things Shima said.

[retellers]

[ ... ] Well, it's true. Um, people's nova are breaking, basically. It... nothing will be left of you, and it spreads from person to person.

[chanteuser]

[ .... hewwo? ]

And... that's why some people are being asked to kill?

[retellers]

Leaders... can't do it themselves. We can't seriously harm you, even if someone tries to attack us. So they have to ask someone from their team to do it.

[chanteuser]

[ ... ]

...

Bunny, have you asked anyone from our team to do this?

[retellers]

[ there's a long pause. ] The second week. [ ... ] I'm sorry, I can't say who it was. They went through a lot.

[chanteuser]

[ ...




she gets up and gives her a big hug ]

[retellers]

[ ah she hugs her back, tightly. ] I'm so sorry. None of this was supposed to happen.

[chanteuser]

It's not your fault.

[ she is stroking! her hair! as well. ]

Did it all happen because of when Hajime died?

[retellers]

Mmhm. We don't know the exact details since none of us were awake when it happened, but... I don't know if it's just that death happening in this place caused something to break, or if there's some other reason. But it just made everything so complicated.

[chanteuser]

You said it spreads between people. Is there a way to counteract it, put it back together again without someone having to die?

[retellers]

The problem is... the, um, I guess we can call them symptoms? We aren't noticing the symptoms until it's too late. Once it gets to a certain point, it's irreversible, and the window between it hitting that point is very, very small. If you miss it, then there's absolutely nothing that can be done. ... but removing them before that still gives them a chance.

[chanteuser]

What are the symptoms? Is it something we could monitor just being around a person?

[ ... killing them to keep them safe. It sounds horrible, but she can see why the leaders would see it as the only option. ]

[retellers]

Well, when I first noticed, there wasn't anything you guys would be able to see. But after, there were more severe memory issues. I'm not sure if it was the same with last week.

[chanteuser]

So we just have to hope it isn't us that week and... go from there? [ talk about russian roulette ]

... Have you found anyone else who is starting to splinter?

[retellers]

I haven't, no. But I don't think if I might find someone later in the week or not. [ since it's still early. ]

[chanteuser]

... Will you tell me, if you have to ask someone to kill again? I'm not going to judge, but I want to know when you need some extra support.

[ because it can't be easy. ]

I won't ask who, but just if you do.

[retellers]

[ ... she nods. ] I'll let you know.

[chanteuser]

[ she's probably still hugging her, but she steps back so she's just holding her hands. ]

Thank you. Don't deal with everything on your own, okay?

[retellers]

[ she looks like she's about to cry, but it's not an entirely sad expression. ] I'll try. I... thank you.

[chanteuser]

[ she leans in and gives bunny a kiss on the top of her head. ]

Good.

[ squeezey hands!! ]

... Should we talk about something a little more light hearted?

[retellers]

... mm. [ she squeezes back. ] Tell me about your friends.

[chanteuser]

... You mean my roommates? Back home?