花 — He listens because he has no other choice right now. His head his pounding and the slightest movement sends him reeling. The ringing grows louder with each word and Jin just wants his medication at this point. Four? No, five tablets will probably solve this affliction.
Hands press into the counter-top to maintain his balance. Jin wants to sit down, to rest but there’s no time for it. Instead, he pushes himself up to stand against every nerve crying out in protest.
“Do what you want. You all will do something regardless of what I say. Just do not get in my way. I do not wish for a repeat of the last case.”
Jin doesn’t spare a glance back before making his way towards his dormitory room to fetch his medicine. “Thank you again for the coffee and water.”
Rebecca respectfully bowed, one of her most ingrained habits from back home.
“I will do my best to not get in your way. And you’re welcome.”
Her response was soft before she started off in the opposite direction as quietly as she could. She understood how upset and angry he likely was right now, so she didn’t disturb him further.
花 — Eyeing the cup warily, Jin takes it after a brief pause. He observes the liquid and its contents, clarity and viscosity. After determining its safety, Jin allows himself a small sip. His gaze never wavering from the woman.
“Thank you.” A low tone lingering with need of reprieve.
He sighs and looks her over, taking in minuscule details despite his blurring sight. He’s fine. He’s alright. A reminder to appear strong when weak, lest the enemies attack now.
“Why do you want to help? Is this for your self-satisfaction? If that is the case then I will not be requiring your assistance.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her response had been as soft as the rest of her speech. She wasn’t going to comfort him like she would have done with Nanako or her boyfriend back home, but she hoped that helped somewhat.
“No, it’s not for self-satisfaction. I want to help because of a couple of reasons. First and foremost is that a child’s life is on the line. Second of all, I have combat training with the strength to back it up. If nothing else, I can be a guard. You don’t…”
She let out a near-silent breath before continuing.
“You don’t deserve to lose someone you clearly care for. No one does. I know it sounds cliche, but that’s how I feel about it.”
花 — He finds himself leaning against the counter in the student lounge. Though he hasn’t exerted himself by any means, Jin feels exhaustion taking hold of his body. And as though his limbs are encased in agar, he feels lethargic.
Sleep. He wants to sleep but not yet. He hasn’t seen Narukami yet so he can’t rest. The clattering of utensils breaks Jin from his thoughts.
“Oh, it is you. Coffee-Woman.” He sighs, muscles relaxing ever so slightly. She isn’t a threat.
@deafenedchampion
“Here, this’ll help.”
Quietly, she carefully offers him a glass of water, looking very clearly worried for both him and Narukami.
“Rebecca Bardot, you can call me what you like though.”
Her voice was soft, not intending to raise above a certain volume as she could see he was exhausted. Accidentally giving the guy a headache was the last thing on her mind. She softly spoke again though.
“…I would like to request to help you with Narukami.”
花 — He looks over to the woman seated close by. Jin vaguely recognizes her as the other senior who offered him coffee the other night. Seeing as there is no one else around them, he assumes that she is speaking to him.
“They will reap what they sow. There are those who attend Westridge simply because they have the monetary means to do so. It does not say much for their mental aptitude.”
He leans back into the cushions behind him. Jin’s avoiding his dorm room; avoiding his roommates, lest they ask him more questions.
“They will feel the weight of their procrastination and laziness once they are faced with exams.”
“Once that happens, we’re the ones who’ll have to deal with their fallout from their parents or from themselves. Either way, it’s gonna be loud as shit and disrupt the people who are actually working or studying.”
She very softly sighed, rather annoyed at the prospect of having to babysit a bunch of spoiled brats. A sip before she quietly spoke again, pushing aside a side braid that had swung into her face.
“I’m honestly wondering how any of them even got into college in the first place, even the East ones. Isn’t there a screening process or did they all just get blindly accepted?”
Rebecca was one of the few at Westridge that had gotten in on her own merits, and partially from money. She had to work incredibly hard to keep her grades up, even in the courses she was taking for fun.
“They’re not going to last until they graduate, I can see it now.”
“It’s like these kids never been in an actual college before, even the ones supposedly from West. I almost feel bad for ‘em once they start their midterms and finals when all they do is party and get drunk.”
Rebecca had a long-suffering expression on her face, absently sipping at her coffee-filled thermos.
Back in the Game 