[This is familiar, in a sense. Not the setting that ViViD has conjured up this time, but the fact that Sano finds himself in such a strange situation altogether. Again.
How long has it been since he was last in this place? It feels like no time at all, but at the same time, it's a little hazy. But there's no time to truly dwell on the details because even though everything starts off seemingly innocent, Sano knows better than to take it all at face value.
(This...dating profile, however, is something he can easily push aside as complete rubbish. Pay no attention to it, please.)
So while he hangs back against the wall somewhat stiffly - he's had experience with more western fashion during his last stay in the city, but a tuxedo is hardly comfortable - Sano still keeps an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Or familiar faces. It's not like Sano can't function on his own, but this sort of place is easier with friends at his side, or a certain one at his back.
And then the man presumably throwing this party speaks.
And all hell breaks loose.
Suddenly Sano is all action, fighting his way into the fray toward the weapon pile, throwing punches when he needs to and quickly acquiring a spear. Finally, he feels comfortable. But since the goal is to leave the ballroom, he begins to rush toward the nearest exit. And if someone is in need of a quick tug to get going, as well, Sano provides.]
Time to go.
[Or perhaps you're just viewing this all along with Sano and not necessarily in need of rescuing.]
[Phase III]
[Sano is hungry. He'd been poor before, back when he and the others stayed at the Shieikan with Kondou, but at least then they hadn't had to do their own hunting. They had some revenue, however small.
But failed hunting attempt after failed hunting attempt have left Sano not just hungry, but aggravated. Honestly, how can he call himself a man if he can't even secure food for himself? Okay, so a few times that disembodied voice had spooked his prey, so that hadn't been entirely his fault, but the rare times when he had been left blissfully alone? Inexcusable.
Clearly the better option is thievery. No, he couldn't stoop that low. Negotiations, then. Surely someone in this place would be kind enough to spare even a bite of something.
So when he comes across a camp that night, he doesn't sneak inside, but instead sits outside of one of the dwellings, his spear at his side, but not held offensively, and waits until someone discovers him or that voice - ]
What is this strategy? Does Harada hope to get into his fellow competitors' good graces?
[He sighs, not quietly, and looks to the sky, or wherever that narration is coming from.]
How is this actually happening?
[Phase IV]
Maybe he can blame it on his lack of sleep, or heightened caution. Maybe the constant threat of monsters and others trying to take him out is the real reason.
But regardless of the cause, the effect is very much clear.
Because the body at his feet was defeated by him. Because that body is...]
...Ch...Chizuru.
[In any other circumstances, Sano is sure this would never happen. He could never hurt her. Except this isn't any other circumstance and he did.
Or is all fake? It wouldn't be the first time this place has toyed with his mind and he's confident it won't be the last. Hell, if he looks at her body - though he tries not to, just the idea of Chizuru dead is too much for his heart - he can convince himself it's not real. He didn't stab this person, this fake through the heart. That's the only way to kill a demon, right? Yeah. He got this thing just a little too far to the left. Ha, they can't fool him.
And yet...try as he might to convince himself that it's not real, he glances back at the body, at that face he knows so well, the face he's come to treasure, and he can't hold back a sob.
He falls to his knees beside her.]
No. No, it's not...it's not real...
[But it looks real. It feels real. Everything hurts.]
no subject
[This is familiar, in a sense. Not the setting that ViViD has conjured up this time, but the fact that Sano finds himself in such a strange situation altogether. Again.
How long has it been since he was last in this place? It feels like no time at all, but at the same time, it's a little hazy. But there's no time to truly dwell on the details because even though everything starts off seemingly innocent, Sano knows better than to take it all at face value.
(This...dating profile, however, is something he can easily push aside as complete rubbish. Pay no attention to it, please.)
So while he hangs back against the wall somewhat stiffly - he's had experience with more western fashion during his last stay in the city, but a tuxedo is hardly comfortable - Sano still keeps an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Or familiar faces. It's not like Sano can't function on his own, but this sort of place is easier with friends at his side, or a certain one at his back.
And then the man presumably throwing this party speaks.
And all hell breaks loose.
Suddenly Sano is all action, fighting his way into the fray toward the weapon pile, throwing punches when he needs to and quickly acquiring a spear. Finally, he feels comfortable. But since the goal is to leave the ballroom, he begins to rush toward the nearest exit. And if someone is in need of a quick tug to get going, as well, Sano provides.]
Time to go.
[Or perhaps you're just viewing this all along with Sano and not necessarily in need of rescuing.]
[Phase III]
[Sano is hungry. He'd been poor before, back when he and the others stayed at the Shieikan with Kondou, but at least then they hadn't had to do their own hunting. They had some revenue, however small.
But failed hunting attempt after failed hunting attempt have left Sano not just hungry, but aggravated. Honestly, how can he call himself a man if he can't even secure food for himself? Okay, so a few times that disembodied voice had spooked his prey, so that hadn't been entirely his fault, but the rare times when he had been left blissfully alone? Inexcusable.
Clearly the better option is thievery. No, he couldn't stoop that low. Negotiations, then. Surely someone in this place would be kind enough to spare even a bite of something.
So when he comes across a camp that night, he doesn't sneak inside, but instead sits outside of one of the dwellings, his spear at his side, but not held offensively, and waits until someone discovers him or that voice - ]
What is this strategy? Does Harada hope to get into his fellow competitors' good graces?
[He sighs, not quietly, and looks to the sky, or wherever that narration is coming from.]
How is this actually happening?
[Phase IV]
Maybe he can blame it on his lack of sleep, or heightened caution. Maybe the constant threat of monsters and others trying to take him out is the real reason.
But regardless of the cause, the effect is very much clear.
Because the body at his feet was defeated by him. Because that body is...]
...Ch...Chizuru.
[In any other circumstances, Sano is sure this would never happen. He could never hurt her. Except this isn't any other circumstance and he did.
Or is all fake? It wouldn't be the first time this place has toyed with his mind and he's confident it won't be the last. Hell, if he looks at her body - though he tries not to, just the idea of Chizuru dead is too much for his heart - he can convince himself it's not real. He didn't stab this person, this fake through the heart. That's the only way to kill a demon, right? Yeah. He got this thing just a little too far to the left. Ha, they can't fool him.
And yet...try as he might to convince himself that it's not real, he glances back at the body, at that face he knows so well, the face he's come to treasure, and he can't hold back a sob.
He falls to his knees beside her.]
No. No, it's not...it's not real...
[But it looks real. It feels real. Everything hurts.]
No...please.
[The rain falls, but he doesn't notice.]