overflow.

[coastal]

EVENT 25
no top-level ➝ overflow

EVENT 26
original top-level ➝ overflow

EVENT 27
no top-level ➝ overflow

FESTIVAL
original top-level ➝ overflow

Comments

[coastal]

No, but when you're stuck with someone for years...

[Even Lili has to concede that it's hard not to grow attached.]

Is anything else possible?

[heartsandcrafts]

Right? That's how it can be with parents sometimes too. That might have been similar for you, it sounds.

[coastal]

Don't compare them to my father.

[Is immediate and.... probably not what Hajime was intending to do in the first place?!]

The two aren't alike at all.

[heartsandcrafts]

[She shakes her head, though her smile doesn't fade]

Mm-mm, not like that... I mean, those two might be more like parents for you than your parents!

[coastal]

No, that's impossible. [STUBBORN LILI. Except she admittedly looks away at that, frowning.] You can't cross that kind of boundary.

[heartsandcrafts]

Hmm, maybe not! Everyone's family is unique - whether it's people they share blood with or not.

[coastal]

You don't know my situation. Don't pretend to understand.

[Honestly....

Lili, open up your heart already.]

[heartsandcrafts]

I don't understand! But there's no reason I need to, if you don't want to talk about it. I guess I was just sort of curious since it sounds like it's not like most people's situation!

[coastal]

I imagine that people like you probably get to live far more simple lives.

[That's rude.

But also-]

Treasure them.

[heartsandcrafts]

Hmm, it's simple in some ways and complicated in others! But I do treasure it.

I think we all have a lot more in common now that we're here though.

[coastal]

Are you the kind of person that looks for the barest connections to make to people and latches onto them?

[heartsandcrafts]

Hmm, I don't know about latching onto them... but it's more interesting to connect that not to, right?

[coastal]

... Are you an airhead? Or have you just never known manipulation?

[heartsandcrafts]

There can definitely be negative connections, and ones you might have to cut off! But I'd rather know than not meet someone at all.

[coastal]

[ . . . . . is that a type of strength?]

... Hmph. Well, you and I are entirely different people.

[Though at least it's said more as a statement of fact, rather than a judgment.]

[heartsandcrafts]

It's true - but all the more reason I want to connect with you!

[She smiles, holding out her hand cheerfully]

[coastal]

[ . . . Ah Hajime.

You've gotten Lili to talk a little bit about home and otherwise not give her a Hideous Opinion of you - but hand holding is still terribly beyond her. So she looks down at the hand and then back up at Hajime, blinking.]

What do you want?

[FRIENDSHIP.]

[heartsandcrafts]

[Hajime doesn't retract the hand, but she doesn't push it forwards either, just giving her the option]

To be friends maybe! Or at least help out.

[coastal]

... We're not friends.

[A little dazedly, but then she's just going to shake her head.]

N-Nevermind. If you want to help out, then - [Lili reaches over to grab box of supplies, stuffed full with feathers and glitter glue, offering it out to her] - take this over to clubs that need it.

[And stop making her feel so embarrassed!]

[heartsandcrafts]

I know! We just met, after all.

[If Lili isn't going to take her hand, then Hajime will - shaking her own hand with her other hand, still smiling, before dropping them to take the box of supplies]

Roger!

[She one hands the box long enough to give a playful salute before heading out]