menial | 4 ~ I have never believed in Santa, ever. [audio]

...So, it's getting close to the end of the month again, but nothing weird seems to be happening. Or am I missing something? Anyone know if we might just be getting a reprieve or something? Or maybe I just shouldn't look the gift horse in the mouth.

['Because I don't believe in the Malnosso being Santa Claus to us.'

However, that's not the main purpose for this post; instead, he goes on with a filter he worked for a while on. Ideally, Asakura won't suspect it at all.]

[filtered to Shiki, Minato, Winry, Rise, SOS Brigade members who have interacted with him before, and other close-enough CR (PM me if you're not sure) // 55%]

Yo. If you guys have seen a girl with blue hair who smiles a lot, by the name of Ryoko Asakura... Well, I guess I've got something to ask of you if you do attract her attention, but I'd rather not put it on the journal, so please talk to me if you've met her.

['So what if that makes it seem like I might have a crush on her? Better that than someone hacks it and realizes that I know what Asakura is.']

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...As far as an ad campaign, right?

['Because that was no longer what I was thinking, but anyway!']

Hm... The happy idol of the Welcome Center, always willing to provide conversation and cake to those in need, but she possesses a secret sadness...

I'd watch that show.

[And she's still laughing.]

That's a good way to start! Go on, go on, what happens?

Hmm... One day while she's preparing for a New Feather party, a mysterious and handsome stranger shows up at the door... They immediately butt heads, but over time, they learn to recognize each other's good qualities. And in the meantime she keeps her secret very quiet, but sometimes she wishes there were someone to know. Because she's got a secret identity... One that she can't tell anyone else about.

Ooh, is she some kind of superheroine?

Of course. She seems like the cutest girl on the outside, but in reality, she's a magical girl...

['...This sounds like something Haruhi would film.']

...whose ultimate goal is too secret to even describe out loud, naturally.

[But she's actually doubling over with laughter now.]

Maybe I should really make you my agent.

You would be honoring me far too much, Rise-chan.

[He smiles back.]

I only say like I see it. Besides, if you can spin a decent story, that's good enough for most things, don't you think?

Quite enough for most things. Sometimes it doesn't even have to be a decent story as long as someone accepts it.

People will swallow any story as long as they're interested in it, after all. It's easier that way.

Yes, that sounds about right. It's more of an unusual event when people refuse to accept the story that they're given than not.

Are you that kind of person, Kyon-kun?

Good question... Heh, it seems that sometimes even when I think I want to just be that kind of person, I manage to drag myself into looking for the truth.

['Like today. I really dragged myself in. Even if I vowed not to...']

So you're just really attracted to looking for the truth. That's commendable enough.

[And enough for an S. Link rank up, probably.]

['...!'

And all that jazz.]

Hah. Thanks, Rise-chan. And what would you say for yourself?

What, you mean about looking for truth and all that?

Yeah.

.............

[She drums her fingers lightly on the side of her glass.]

People have always spread all kinds of things about me. Rumours, gossip...you know.

I think I just got a little tired of that.

Ah... Right, being in the public eye. It sounds like the kind of "different life" that you want when you're a kid... But I guess it always comes with things that you don't really expect to be as problematic as they become.

...So, for you, that makes you want to look for the truth?

...yeah. I guess it sounds a little strange, huh?

Well, it sounds very different from my life... But it doesn't sound "strange" in the sense of, uh, not making sense. If anything, it's probably the best way to deal with that.

[That's because the stranger parts tend to be kept a secret.]

Well, I try not to be too strange.

Well, you seem remarkably well-adjusted for all of that. It's pretty impressive, actually.

['Because if anything, you deserve Haruhi's temperament and vice versa.']

Hmm...you could say I had some pretty good friends. I think they helped a lot with all that.

...Yes. There's really no substitute for having that.

4 ~ I have never believed in Santa, ever. [audio]

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