<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=331796.msg15979456#msg15979456">Quote from: Raku on 13-09-2021, 04:09:44</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Rakutsu winched as he watched his grandfather fall over. ”Where...are we exactly, Grandpa?” Why did he take him to a mineshaft, all the way out in the snow? It felt like it’s been abandoned for decades.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>“We’re where ninjas ought to be,” Shuji answered, his voice beginning to trail away. “In the dark!”<br/><br/>Straining to hear where he went, Rakutsu’s other senses honed in on the remaining sounds: the dripping of water, the distant howling winds from outside, echoing so that it was hard to judge their distance. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hudo-LXQv_A)<br/><br/>And then, a piercing screech. A lone bat, startled by the presence of unknown humans, flapped its wings and flew past Rakutsu. Its screech could be heard, echoing all the way back down the tunnel.<br/><br/>“I was going to explain it to you eventually,” Shuji said, his voice now a bit closer. “But it looks like our furry friend decided to start things early. Rakutsu, your test tonight is to catch a bat!”<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">”I always do.” He put his phone away so they couldn’t try leaning over to see the messages. ”A classmate is just going through something with a friend of her’s. I can’t exactly offer anything in advice, so giving her some space seems like a good option.” He explained in very little detail. ”Said classmate is also coming over right now.”</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>“Now?” Teruko asked. “That’s a bit sudden!”<br/><br/>“Well, even if you can’t do much, the fact that you’re there for her means a lot,” Ryoko said, apparently unconcerned. “If she’s staying over we’ll be down one bed. Does she know that?”<br/><br/>“No matter what, we’ll do our best to be good guests!” Teruko exclaimed. “So, anything about her you want to tell us?”<br/><br/><hr/><br/>It didn’t take long for Amrita to arrive. She came by a black minivan, and Rakutsu could get a good look at the driver as she was dropped off: a young dark-skinned woman with glasses, most likely an older sister, in a red jacket with a lollipop in her mouth. (https://i.imgur.com/ygbQig7.png) Amrita turned back to her as she left, briefly engaged in conversation, before waving goodbye and walking over to the house as she shook her head.<br/><br/>“Hi Rakutsu!” Amrita said upon arriving at the front door. “I hope it’s not too sudden, but there were some things better talked about in person than by text.”<br/><br/>She glanced over at the two women behind him.<br/><br/>“Welcome!” Ryoko greeted with a wave. “Don’t mind us, we’re his cousins staying over while his Mom recovers. I’m Ryoko Hisakawa, this is Teruko Hisakawa. Personal names are first, for American convenience.”<br/><br/>“Good to meet you both,” Amrita said as she shook their hands. “I heard about Ms. Hayasa. My Dad works in the hospital, he’s been there a lot lately. I’m sorry, I hope she gets well soon.”<br/><br/>“We appreciate that,” Teruko responded. “We just had dinner, are you hungry or need anything while you’re here?”<br/><br/>Amrita shook her head. “Nah, I’m fine. So uh, can I talk with Rakutsu? I needed to ask him for some advice on stuff.”<br/><br/>The sisters nodded.<br/><br/>“We understand,” Ryoko said. “If you need some privacy, we’ll just be here in the living room and text if you need anything.”<br/><br/>Amrita blushed. “I uh...not that kind of advice! But we’ll probably...gotorakutsusroomnowthanks!”<br/><br/><em>Take me to your room, please!</em><br/><br/>…<br/><br/>Amrita took a deep breath, slapping herself on the forehead once the two were in his room. “I’m sorry Rakutsu, that was so cringe! I don’t know why I went there thinking they meant that! My head’s just one big mess today!”<br/><br/>She looked around Rakutsu’s room, taking in the scenery. Her eyes went over to the video game consoles, but also to the bookshelf. “So...reading or playing anything cool? I have a PS4 at home; would’ve have a PS5, but Mom nearly got cheated by a scalper who sold her a broken-down console. Now<em>that</em>was a nightmare!”<br/><br/>Amrita laughed nervously.<br/><br/>“Ah, sorry, I must be wasting your time. So about Amy...I asked some other friends, without telling them about you-know-what, and they said I should give her some space for a few days. And that next time we meet, to focus on the positive and not dig up the old stuff. But, we still gotta train and do all that stuff, we can’t take days off for that. But I don’t want to make it seem like I’m ignoring her in case she’s given up.”<br/><br/>She motioned to the bed. “Can I um, take a seat?”<br/><br/><em>If answered no, then she sits on the floor cross-legged.</em><br/><br/>“We’ve been good friends for years. Even during that time that asshole tricked her with that GoFundMe scam in 9th grade, I knew her heart was in the right place. Ever since then, she’s been kind of lonely. Her Instagram’s still on Private Account, and I don’t know if any of her Steam friends are still gaming with her.”<br/><br/>Amrita sighed, tears coming to her eyes. “What we’re doing now, it’s important. But...I have to look out for Amy, too. I know what you said made sense back there, but I still feel bad about it. I’m scared, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s being locked out, tossed aside like her former friends did like last time.”<br/>