Boom Boom Boom Boomba

[freshprints]

Who: Kyouko Kirigiri (freshprints) and Kiyotaka Ishimaru (ardent)
Where: The Violet City Pokemon Center!
When: August 29
Summary: In which two super solvin' teenage crimebusters attempt to figure out what a Moomba is. Now contains SPOILERS for Dangan Ronpa.
Rating: G
Log:

[There is a Moomba in her PC.

That's the gist of the situation that Kirigiri's in right now, but while it's certainly the most significant detail of her current circumstances, it's also of course far from the only one. Some of those others include things like the fact that she's standing in the Violet City Pokemon Center at the moment — having finally made it to the city where her friends classmates friends have been waiting for her — or the fact that it's a rather nice day outside (albeit hot), or the fact that the tied-off end of her braid is brushing lightly against her leg as she unconsciously leans forward to examine this strange phenomenon she's been presented with. There's the chatter of the surrounding NPCs and other trainers filling the air, and the white noise of it all is doing its part to drown out the exhausting repetitiveness of the background music, which is assuredly appreciated by now. There's the faint beeping of machines, the clicking and clattering of shoes on flooring, and she is aware of all these things but it's not stopping her from fixating on the enigma that is the PC screen in front of her.

Or rather, the contents of her box that the PC screen is so helpfully indicating.

You see, it seems there is a Moomba in her PC. She is reasonably certain she did not put it there. She is likewise reasonably certain she has no idea what a Moomba is. Her PokeDex has been surprisingly unhelpful; presumably a Moomba would fall neatly between Monferno and Mothim, alphabetically speaking, and yet there is no sign of such a creature in the Dex at all.

Yet here in front of her, the PC is indicating that there is a Moomba inside.

She does not know what a Moomba is.

She does not know how it got there.

And therefore, this assuredly is a mystery, all right.

(Realistically speaking, it's one she might well stand there contemplating all day, should a timely intervention not arrive.) ]

Comments

[ardent]

[Don't worry, he can.]

...Consider it appreciated, Kirigiri-kun.

[freshprints]

I won't say the same for Celes-san. But provided exposing her never becomes a necessity, that's not something I intend to concern myself with, either.

[ardent]

That's how I intend to handle it as well.

[...]

We discussed the...incident; there isn't any animosity between us, and I would prefer it not be held over her head.

[freshprints]

It's not out of concern for you that I might hold that incident against her, Ishimaru-kun.

[Blunt as always, Kirigiri.]

You and Yamada-kun were her successful victims, but you weren't her only intended ones.

[ardent]

I understand that. However, from your current point on the timeline, you know how it ends - she's punished to the fullest extent that a human being can be.

[freshprints]

I don't want to see her punished further for that incident. I want to be sure that her capacity to commit subsequent ones has been mitigated.

[ardent]

She has no reason to commit such crimes here in the first place - her actions were situational, not personal!

[freshprints]

She sold us out for money, Ishimaru-kun. She would've seen all of us dead for money. Escape from the school was a factor, undoubtedly, but the riches were the incentive she needed to act. Did someone tell you that part?

[Her mouth flattens into a terse line, just for a moment.]

To consider the circumstances she's in now — the same as myself and Togami-kun and the others, with so few resources at our disposal — you don't think that's a choice she might be willing to make again, for the right price?

[ardent]

I don't!

[No hesitation whatsoever.]

I was told about the motive, yes, and she all but flat-out told me that much herself when I spoke to her later! But the fact remains that the circumstances here are completely different; surely you can see that!

[freshprints]

It's my obligation to consider the alternatives, Ishimaru-kun. That's my responsibility.

There's no doubt that these circumstances are different from the ones we left. However, having seen what Celes-san is capable of, don't think that I won't be cautious. It's the same for Kuwata-kun, and would be the same for Maizono-san if she were here as well. If it's the thought of mistrusting Celes-san that bothers you, then I'll say that it's the circumstances I mistrust — that I don't want to see them align again in such a way that she might have reason to act that way again.

[ardent]

[Mnnnngh.]

We're in agreement, then - just as considering the alternatives is your responsibility, ensuring everyone's continued safety and well-being is mine. I just want to make sure it's understood that that extends to all of our classmates.

[freshprints]

I understand. That's why you went to collect her in the first place, isn't it?

She's no less our classmate. She's simply one worthy of more concern than others.

[ardent]

...Something like that.

Do you believe my brother is also worthy of scrutiny like that?

[freshprints]

Not the same variety. I'll certainly watch him with respect to the topic of strength and his ability to maintain control when agitated by it. There's no doubt of that.

But Oowada Mondo-kun never schemed to graduate at our expense, either.

[ardent]

He wouldn't. And you don't have to watch him - he's my brother, and I know how much this has affected him. I've taken the responsibility of watching him myself, both for his sake and for everyone else.

[freshprints]

I watch everyone, Ishimaru-kun.

[Sometimes when you sleep. Just ask Naegi.]

[ardent]

That doesn't mean you should.

[freshprints]

And what I should do is my concern.

[ardent]

No. I think you understand why I have to find that line of thinking unacceptable.

[...because if you really expect the SHSL Hall Monitor to not SORE WA CHIGAU YO you for that...]

Lines have already been drawn, Kirigiri-kun, whether you like them or not; if I find you crossing those lines, you're going to face interference at best.

[freshprints]

You're establishing school rules for me to follow?

[She arguably didn't have to throw that adjective "school" in there in order to get the same point across but you know what, there it is, all right.]

Then I have to obey, don't I?

[ardent]

[...wait. Wait, are you -

...

... ... ...

It's never this easy, are you messing with him somehow - ]

Yes, of course!

[Despite the confidence behind his words, though, he's still kind of looking like the most skeptical thing because no really are you fucking with him, what is this.]

[freshprints]

And the rule is that I should follow the lines you've drawn without crossing them, and one of those lines is that I should not watch Oowada Mondo-kun. That's correct?

[Of course she is but you know, there's that deadpan drywall thing again.]

[ardent]

[...okay, what is he not understanding here - he imagines there must be something, because this doesn't feel...right, but at the same time...]

I'm not asking much of you overall. Just that you leave my brother as my responsibility.

[freshprints]

Then I agree to let you handle the matter if there's a problem, and I agree not to be the one watching him.

[How effortlessly she agrees. Or seems to.]

Does that content you?

[ardent]

[...]

Violations of the spirit of it, not just the letter, are still violations.