2025-09-09: Where Does It Stop
- Log: Where Does It Stop
- Cast: Shinobu Shimizu, Myunghon Yeo
- Where: Shinobu's Apartment, Hirasaka Ward, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: September 09, 2025
- IC Date: July 08, 2012
- Summary: Myunghon stays over with Shinobu's apartment for the night. The two converse about palaces and childhood for a bit, but Myunghon confesses something that's been on their mind for a while...
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
The apartment complex Shinobu lives in is old just by looking at it. One might say 'run down', but it's clear that effort has gone into at least trying to maintain it. The rent's a little higher than she'd like... but the old couple that own it aren't the type to ask questions. That's invaluable, for someone like her who often stays out late at night.
The inside of Shinobu's apartment itself is, perhaps, equally deceptive - though one might not think it just looking at her, she's actually kept it pretty tidy. It's... 'cozy', to put it politely, but she's made the most of it.
There's one main room split into kitchen and living room sections and doors leading off to the bathroom(no personal shower, though there's a public bath a block over) and Shinobu's bedroom.
A table and chairs are shoved into one corner of the living room near the kitchen to leave them out of the way, a box fan currently propped up at full blast on the table to provide some airflow, and on the far end of the room a couch with a guitar propped up next to it faces a TV, underneath which are some old consoles including a chunky Baestation II, which doubles as her DVD player. Next to it is a cabinet, presumably where her games and DVDs are stored...
...and on top of that are pictures of Shinobu and her sisters, at various ages. She's smiling, even if she's pretending not to in some of them. Mixed in with these are small wooden figures, the uneven carving suggesting that they're hand-made. They take on all manner of forms, but one is potentially recognizable as Shinobu's Persona, Lachesis.
"Here we are." Shinobu announces, as she enters the apartment, then looks toward her guest. "Make yourself at home, take the couch or grab one of the chairs."
She pauses for a moment and figures it would be at least polite to offer,
"Want something to drink? I've got tea, water, and..." She pauses. "...Think that's it, actually."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon, of course, doesn't mind old in the slightest. Their living space is one Shinobu has seen and it's a nightmare that hasn't been repaired since the late 70's... save for that one window she boarded up on their behest. And arguably one probably should do more than board up a window. Myunghon isn't certain how they're going to survive the winter, which arguably puts them more in line with the authors from the turn of last century that they love so much.
But they wonder how Shinobu might live -- contrary to their expectation, they might not be that surprised to see it tidy; after all, Shinobu's someone who's been able to manage many gigs and keep them in order. She's handy about a lot of things, and that speaks a lot to how accomplished she is.
Myunghon's had a bit of a difficult day -- they arranged for their laundry to be picked up by Inaba Dry Cleaning, but even the act of having to tidy all the laundry together became an issue because of their pointedly nonfunctional right arm at the moment, which is in a sling. They have a small bag that's been packed by So-young that's mercifully not too heavy, and with their clothes in the laundry...
They're wearing So-young's gifted sweater instead, which is a little bit too large and the sleeves a bit too long, with leggings and another pair of shoes underneath, as well as a nice collared shirt underneath. Their coat is still present, though, clinging onto them like a protective layer. They haven't budged about it.
But the apartment itself, as they enter and take their shoes off... it's really charming. Cozy, in the best way. They're drawn to the pictures, and they can pick out Ayame and Reiko there as well. It's really endearing to see someone actually... attach value to their family such that they have pictures at various ages. It feels like something that they've missed out on.
"Oh..." Myunghon smiles a bit more gently, as Shinobu offers them a drink. "Tea... tea would be nice." They sit down gently on the couch. "Thank you for inviting me over. It's very kind of you."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu's seen the third floor, and she hasn't said a word of judgment... but she has been considering the problem of how cold it'll get, too, and what they can do about it.
She's not certain yet, either - but she's thinking about it.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
It isn't even just the draftiness. There's the leak and damage on one corner of the third floor, which isn't really easily fixed; it's caused dampness and mold to invade the whole place, which has undoubtedly had an adverse effect on Myunghon's already spotty health. Not to mention that it wasn't meant to be a residential space in the first place, and is lacking a lot of the basic needs... at least there's extra bathroom stalls and a urinal. Hooray!
But today isn't about the cursed third floor. "Ah-- no, no, thank you," Myunghon shakes their head, answering a little bit too late. There's a mild confusion, though, since they probably expected hot tea -- but they take a sip at it nonetheless; cold tea doesn't trigger the ash-sensations as much. They should keep that in mind.
Shinobu seems very cool and relaxed tonight; she asks how they've been holding up. "Healing..." A pause. "That doctor you brought in was helpful. Thank you." They probably had to redo a bunch of the stuff that came loose in their ill-advised leap off the hospital third floor and their subsequent jaunt into Mementos. "I've been tended to by others as well, but..." A frown. "My head is fuzzy a lot of the times. Sometimes I'll just not really register someone's talking to me, or I get confused about what they say..."
There is a hesitation. "Everyone says it'll be temporary. That I'll heal." They cling onto that glass cup a bit harder. "I really hope so." A tremble and shiver, before they say, "Thank you for-- protecting me, the other day. I promised Ichika I'd help her friend... and--" A pause, as they get a bit more flustered. "Facing that Shadow was unpleasant for the both of us, was it not..."
Wow, they think, they're already running circles around themself, unable to find one topic and stay with it.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu realises a moment later that that's probably what they expected... but the cold tea seems to work out just fine, so she doesn't worry too much about it.
She nods, as they say they're healing.
"No problem. I'm just glad we were able to get a hold of one." Shinobu replies with a shake of her head. She owes that doctor a favor, with such short notice... but, that's just part of doing business. She nods again as they explain, and a slow frown crosses her face as she considers it - which softens sympathetically, as they voice their hope.
"...Head injuries can be pretty rough. I guess it's not too surprising... Just try to take it easy. Rest up and try not to do anything else strenuous if you can help it. You need anything, I'm sure me, Aragaki, or Ariel can handle it." Shinobu replies. They thank her for protecting them, then, and she nods. "Of course. I could tell you were determined, so..."
She shrugs, and then she frowns as she recounts the encounter with that Shadow.
"...It was awful. Twisted bastard. I still get riled up just thinking about him." She downs some more of her tea, as if to chase away the frustration.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"It is... unpleasant, to know that we still know so little of Palaces," The Demons -- Shadows -- there were of much more power; is it because they'd drawn the ire of the Palace Ruler, and that cognitively affected the strength of the security? "I knew even before Kaneshiro the importance of avoiding attention... the mind becomes much more defensive when it knows intruders are in its space..."
Now they're just talking about work again. Shinobu seems to have some experience with head injuries, and Myunghon nods in turn -- biting their lip. "Inaba-san helped me with the laundry... I feel like I made work for him, though. But he is helping me with a side project for the Cardboard Dragon. If it comes to fruition, it may help all of us."
She calls them determined, and something swims in them at that compliment. But Shinobu's ruefully recounting the Shadow of Eiji, and that momentary feeling flees in favour of that fear again. Are they cursed to just have that kind of reaction forever? "Y-yes..."
There's an awkward pause as Shinobu sips her tea, and they have a bit of theirs too. "What were you thinking of for dinner, Shinobu-ssi? Shinjiro-ssi packed some protein with me, so all I need is some water, but..."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Palaces... Shinobu nods.
"Yeah. We're lucky we were all able to get out. That could've gone real bad real quick." She replies, massaging the back of her neck. "It guess it just highlights how much we're flying blind with all of this... Not that we have much choice, but we're messing with some serious stuff."
She shakes her head, then, as they recount how Masao helped them with the laundry.
"He did, yeah? ...It's fine, I think. I don't think he would've if it was too much trouble. He's probably used to it." She assures. She's run into him a few times, and while she's never had the chance to speak with him outside of a supernatural situation, he comes across as alright to her. A curious look crosses her face, then, as they mention a side project. "Oh yeah? Now I'm interested."
She nods... and there's an awkward pause, which is eventually cleared up with the question of dinner.
"I was thinking curry, probably, but I'm open for suggestions..." Shinobu considers. Shinjiro packed them some protein, so they just need water... "Alright, that shouldn't be a problem. Is that going to be enough for you?"
She should just be glad they're eating something at all, she supposes - she's not aware yet as to the why.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"The larger the group, the harder it is to coordinate too... of course, this is always true in reality, but when dealing with something as dangerous as a Palace, I loathe to imagine even one person left behind," Myunghon shivers quietly. "I have been giving it active thought, as to how to best support everyone when we next venture in there. There are others that have more experience as Navigators I can learn from... if I can combine that with the planning I am used to..."
Shinobu has interest in the side project, though. "Well..." they place a finger to their lips. "You are aware of how I have to Negotiate for all my Skill Cards. It takes considerable time, energy, and no small amount of chance and danger. Inaba-san is a skilled artist, and I have a feeling he has significant experience with the cognitive too... so I commissioned him to see if we cannot make duplicates."
A pause, as they tilt their head. "No luck yet. But I feel that it is challenging his artist spirit, so I have hopes."
Shinobu's thinking of curry! And... they have protein. They realise they haven't expressed the challenges they have with food. Is that just going to make it more awkward? "Ah..." Myunghon hesitates. "Well, I have been experimenting with protein, since..." Waffling, waffling, Waffle House.
"To tell you the truth, Shinobu-ssi, I've had... difficulties with food all this time. ... I don't possess a sense of taste or smell." Twiddling, fingers nervous. Is this minus points? "A lot of food just has a bad ash-taste in my mouth... b-but!" They stammer. "I've made progress. Yuarin and Shinjiro-ssi has been helping. I know it worries them. I know it worries you."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"No kidding." Shinobu agrees with a nod. It was still a surprise that they ended up getting separated going into Kaneshiro's Palace - she's glad they were able to group back up. "That's probably a good idea... never hurts to consolidate information, anyway."
Myunghon explains their side project, then. Shinobu leans back as she listens.
"Yeah, I'm familiar." She confirms. She's probably had to help them out of a Negotiation gone south before. Duplicating spellcards, though... "Really? ...Huh. You know, I never thought about that, but I don't see any reason why it couldn't work..."
No luck yet, though. Shinobu nods.
"Guess it's the kind of thing that'd take a while... I sure wouldn't know where to start." She replies thoughtfully. "Not like you can just write 'Agi' on a card and suddenly it lets you throw fire."
The topic turns to food, then, and she can see Myunghon waffling... and then, they explain their difficulties with food. A self-effacing grimace crosses Shinobu's face.
"That's- Shit, I'm sorry, I should've noticed something sooner..." She massages the back of her neck awkwardly. It's not like she hadn't noticed something was up... but she hadn't given it any greater thought. They assure her that they've progress, though, with Yua and Shinjiro's help. She relaxes, just a little.
"Oh yeah...? That's good. I'm glad they've got your back on that." She replies. "Wish I could help somehow, but... I dunno much about food except what I can make for myself, so probably better to leave it to the experts."
It's true, though, she has been worried about that.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"Right now, they simply are... cards," Myunghon admits. "I think that it is because we cognitively believe them to just be copies... so copies they will remain, with no power. I think to create Skill Cards requires a belief that they are the real deal... Inaba-san has a few ideas on that front, so I am hoping for good news."
There's a faint chuckle as Shinobu says it's not as easy as to write 'Agi'. Perhaps for some people, but it would require a powerful belief, perhaps...
But the topic of their food difficulties has her massaging her neck -- which Myunghon has noted several times as a tic now. "Ah... well, Yuarin helped frame it in a better way for me, which I appreciate. A picky eater... it feels better to say than an eating disorder. But I know it has been worrying you too, so... so far I've found that anything really bland helps... though carbs are still difficult. Texture helps too."
More hesitation. They glance towards the pictures on the frames again. "Those are Ayame-san and Reiko-san with you in your youth, is it not? It's nice... to be able to have something like that, at various ages. ... we never had personal family pictures, except for various media publications. I wonder what it would have been like if I knew So-young existed."
The anticipation is ruining them. They should've rehearsed this! Perhaps they should wait until they get better? Perhaps when they're not awkwardly jumping from topic to topic? What would the perfect set of circumstances be? Aha! That's the brilliant strategy of indeterminately kicking the problem down the road forever!
"S-Shinobu... if I said-- I've said I was interested in getting to know you better, would you think-- it was because I wanted to be better friends?" What was THAT?? That was vague as hell! An entire immaculate brain that can ruin financial empires and predict tactical outcomes in battle and that's all you can come up with?!
KOALA MARCH -- We are disappointed too.
"Reiko-san and Ayame-san already said the same thing... haha..."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
One has to believe that the card is the real deal... Shinobu frowns to herself, thinking that over.
"...Yeah, makes sense." She decides after a moment. "There's a whole... thing tied up in the idea of something being the original or not. Even if it's not true, people are going to assume being a copy means it's inherently worse somehow. So he's kind of fighting uphill... but if you think he's got it, then I'll believe in him, too."
Shinobu listens as Myunghon explains how Yua helped frame it. A picky eater, huh...?
"That's a good way to think about it." Shinobu replies with a small smile. "And, yeah, it has, a bit..."
Anything bland, and texture helps, too... Shinobu nods.
"Alright. I'll keep that in mind."
She follows Myunghon's glance over to the pictures, then, as they look at her with her sisters.
"Yup, that's then. ...I was kind of a pain in the ass back then, but... somehow, they still decided to stick with me." She says with a small laugh. She listens though, as they wonder what it would've been like if they knew about So-young. "...Who knows. Maybe you would've gotten along... maybe not. You've got each other now, at least."
Does she feel that hesitation in the air? Maybe, maybe not, but Myunghon does, eventually, ask a question of her...
"Uh..." Shinobu starts, looking unsure for moment. "...Probably, yeah...?"
And that's three-for-three.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"The analogy I used was how if I did not believe this coat would protect me, it would not be able to do the things the Cognitive Coat does," Myunghon explains. It also doesn't need to be a coat. But it has to have significance. It's why the hospital gown was such a miserable experience. "But yes... he said he would try with a spell he's familiar with. He reasoned, perhaps a spell he already knows the power of will have more belief to stand on."
Myunghon lets the topic of food go for now, as Shinobu regales the story about how she was the pain in the ass... "I can scarce imagine it. You're so -- independent, and brave, and reliable," Myunghon feels themself melting a little more with each compliment, like somewhere there's some sort of secret emotion judge that's going to spring up with his chocobo and red card them. "But we do grow up different... I certainly know that much."
But... Shinobu says... she'd probably do so... oh no...
From the one who spins the thread, to the one who measures it, to the one who cuts it...
The thread of fate... is one of 'Best Friends'!!!
Norns help Myunghon, who plants their sweater sleeve to their face in a manner that looks like defeat. "Oh... um-- yes, that would... make perfect sense." Shinobu's look of uncertainty isn't helping because they're reading it as discomfort like they just stepped on some eggshells and they should backpedal the HELL away from this conversation. What if she gets so discomforted she kicks you out?! Ruined forever, ruined forever!
The sleeve slides down to reveal their eye again. "Er, that is..."
"To phrase it in another manner... what sort of person would you be attracted to, Shinobu-ssi?"
COMMUNAUTE -- This is good. This is safe. This is a tactical repositioning that doesn't overextend you or risk the bridge you're on collapsing entirely. This is--
JIRAI-KEI -- This is CHICKEN SHIT is what it is!
NO LONGER HUMAN -- I'm so embarrassed for you. The nearest river from this apartment block is 786 meters away, south by southwest.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Makes sense..." Shinobu considers, nodding along. So much seems shaped by thought - having a strong belief in something would definitely make all the difference. And at the same time... "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Probably easier with something he's more familiar with - he can judge it right away."
Independent, brave, and reliable... That gets a small, good-natured laugh out of Shinobu and she massages the back of her neck.
"Yeah, well... Those are good traits in an adult, but you put 'em together in a kid growing up without enough sense to use 'em properly, and, well... I was always messing with Reiko-chan, or staying out late and getting into fights... I was a menace." She explains. ...She had her reasons for that, of course, but she doesn't go into it.
Myunghon covers their face with their sleeve. Shinobu wonders if she said something wrong - but then they rephrase the question. What sort of person would she be attracted to...?
"Uh... Huh. I don't think I've had to actually think about that for a while..." Shinobu considers, leaning back and folding her arms in front of her. "I guess... the opposite of me, kind of? Gentle. Nice. ...And smart, where I'm not."
...A frown crosses her face as she wrestles with whether she should continue voicing it before adding,
"...Tall's good, too."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Shinobu speaks of how those traits are good for adults, but... in a kid, that might just be seen as rebellious, Myunghon thinks. But still, children often come onto the age where they feel like they need to assert themselves in the world and bristle at being told it's too early for them. "I--I see..." Well, Myunghon isn't gonna call it out, but having seen -- and felt -- Shinobu go into a blood-rage, they wonder what kind of things set them off. "Well. I think your sisters are both very fond of you, and that you have their pictures speaks volumes of what you think of them too, I feel."
But... what kind of person is Shinobu interested in?
The opposite of me, kind of? Gentle.
Myunghon's eyebrow raises slightly.
SUPERLUMINARY -- Warm.
Nice.
A FOOL'S LIFE -- Warmer!
... And smart, where I'm not.
FIN DE SIECLE -- Who's stupid now when I TOLD you all Berlin Alexanderplatz facts would come in useful and you didn't believe me!
Shinobu's wrestling whether to continue or not. But then--
...Tall's good, too.
I AM A CAT -- whoooo's loooooooooooooooooooooooong--
Myunghon decides to mute all their internal thoughts, raucous and useless as they're being at present, feeling an indescribable roil of emotion wash over them as their brain makes correlations -- and then instantly fears that they're talking about someone else and that, much like best friends, they were making entirely false assumptions. They feel like they're having an out of body experience right now with how wired their nerves are. What was it Remi said-- it's up to Shinobu to decide whether she's interested or not, and all they can do is let them know how they feel.
"W-well, as someone who meets some of these criteria--"
SUPERLUMINARY -- We are smart, surely?? A thousand wrong deductions still leads to truth in the end!
Ohhhh shut up brain you don't feel smart at all right now. This is the domain of fools and emotions. Logic has no hold or sway here.
Two seconds of silence. Then they cover their mouth with their sweater sleeves again as something in their brain tips over, and then:
"... I may have become attracted to you."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"...Yeah. I owe 'em a lot." Shinobu replies, a small, fond smile crossing her face.
Shinobu explains what she's attracted to, and Myunghon listens. Gentle, nice, smart... and tall.
Myunghon says they meet some of this criteria - and that's enough to get Shinobu to get around to what they've been trying to get at. It's her turn to hesitate, and then they say it straight out - they may have become attracted to her.
That...
...It's been a while since she's had anyone say anything of the sort to her. Usually she can accept it just fine...
...Why does it scare her, this time? Shinobu massages the back of her neck. She goes to take a sip of her tea - but that's the last of it, so she won't be able to hide behind it again.
"You are...? I'm, uh... flattered. I didn't realize..." Shinobu starts. "...How long?"
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon has retreated behind their tea again, and it might be somewhat goofy, the way they bumble the glass of tea with their overlong sleeves. Did So-young understand the cuteness principle behind overlong sweater sleeves? (Yes. Yes, she absolutely did.) They're absolutely not certain what comes after the moment of no return, though -- they expected something like blind, torrential rage (??) or abject confusion (???) or perhaps the defence of Best Friends (the Shimizu special!), but...
Now it feels as if they're in a liminal state. How long?
"The... past month or so, perhaps?" Myunghon tries their best to recount. "I myself did not recognise it at first. I am not... experienced with these matters." Wait, what if Shinobu's somehow experienced on this? What if they get laughed at, like what happened with Tsumugi? Wait, what does THAT mean in relation to this, when that encounter made them realise that, oh yes, intimacy is still on the table, you aren't a dead corpse, you silly mummy??
They can't make eye contact. They're convinced eye contact will melt them like Shinobu's a photon powered super robot with the eyes of god. Flattered is good, right? "A-a-anyway, I apologise for-- this is not the best time nor place for such a confession, is it, I must have made it awkward, w-we can sort curry out, allow let me treat you since you are putting me up for the night-- or-- um, I can arrange for Yuarin to pick me up too--"
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
They are pretty cute. There's an undeniable charm that comes from those long sleeves matched with their usual demeanor.
The past month or so... Shinobu nods, thinking back. So was all of that...
...And she missed it, somehow, even though she is a little more experienced. Shinobu feels just a little bit embarrassed, herself. She sees the way they avert their eyes, though, and that hurts a little more than the fear. Maybe that's what she was afraid of in the first place.
"No, it's alright, you didn't." Shinobu assures quickly with a shake of her head. "...You don't have to leave, and you don't have to go through that trouble, either. I didn't do this expecting to get repaid, you know?"
She's quiet for a moment longer.
"I just..." She hesitates, unsure how to put it into words. "I don't think... I'm in a great position to return those feelings."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"O-oh."
Myunghon's tachyonic brain, concussed as it is, is operating on full steam at this point, despite another part of it yelling 'don't make it about you!!'. They can rattle off a myriad of reasons why they're a terrible fit! I don't think the mummified look's great for dating prospects, weatherman!! Or how about the disinfectant obsession? Total turn-off! Where'd you even take people out on dates, the river?! Ha ha! Good one--
There've been lingering looks, slight embarrassments and hiccups, compliments... that time they became unconsolably sad and begged her to take them out and it ended up being the arcade and Taro happened and then it became work anyway... they could excuse it behind it being a gig, but they're pretty generous with their pay too. And repairing windows? They could've brought in a professional, but perhaps there was something comforting about getting someone you trust and like...
Shinbou reassures them. They still want to cry right now. Is this that fabled emotional state of DUMPED? No, wait, that's for if you actually make it into a relationship -- what criteria defines a relationship?! They haven't done their due research on that, the hypothesis lacks a control group! Ayame is not a comparable contrast! Miho and Yua? Wildly different social strata!
"Ah... no, I understand," Myunghon's voice is very light at this point. "I... probably would say the same thing, if I had been positioned similarly. There are-- many reasons that I can reason out loud."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
'O-oh.'
...The silence hangs awkwardly in the air for a moment. Shinobu tries not to look away, because that might only make it worse, at this point. She doesn't want them to think she's about to abandon them. It isn't a crime, to confess.
Myunghon says they understand, they'd probably say the same thing. Shinobu thinks about that for a moment, rolls it around in her head. She can see why they'd think that.
"Maybe, yeah..." She replies, hesitatingly... before adding... "Just... don't give up, alright?"
She looks toward Myunghon, trying to catch their eye.
"Even if it's not me, you said it yourself..." She hesitates for a second. ...They probably don't want to be reminded of this right now, especially by her - but it's a little too late to stop herself when she's already rolling. "You filled my criteria, right? You'll find someone."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Oh, you fool! You absolute fool, you again made it about yourself! You didn't even let her list her reasons out! They're still too terrified to look at her directly, even though Shinobu's being much braver about it than they are. They've pulled their legs up in an incredibly familiar position at this point -- yep, there go their knees, up to their face. "I-- I still..."
Still what? "When you said you don't believe you're in a great position to return those feelings..." Myunghon trembles again and shivers. "It's rude of me to assume... so what are... some of the things you feel make you..." Unsuited? That sounds like a terrible choice. They can't find the word. Words are failing them. Language is failing them. Is it the concussion? A concussion is a terrible time to have a confession.
Shinobu tells them to not give up, and they're unable to explain WHY, but that prompts them to start sobbing -- as she coaxes them to look at her. At her really beautiful green eyes, her handsome short hair, the bangs brushed out from her eyes.
Even if it's not her... they filled her criteria, right? They'll find someone.
Why does that hurt a lot more right now?? Isn't that supportive? That's a logical thing to say!! Don't cry, don't wail, Shinobu'll think she hurt you, and then it'll be more awkward! This is exactly the thing you were frightened about -- that things are going to be awkward, and it'll affect EVERYTHING -- daily life at the Cardboard Dragon, Palace explorations, supernatural investigations, everything!! This is what they warned you about office romances!! Foool!!
You don't even get a Wild Card out of it.
"M-mm," Myunghon nods, giving their best smile. Oh, their jaws hurt doing that. "That's right..."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
<poem>Myunghon asks the obvious question. What are some of the things that make her - They leave the question unfinished... She considers how to word it for a moment.
"So... You know I bounce from job to job a lot." Shinobu starts. "I can't stick with anything for long. After a certain point, I just... kind of lose interest, and want to do anything else. And it makes me think... Where does it stop?"
She frowns.
"It's fine if it's just a job, but... a relationship? With another person? ...I don't want to hurt anyone like that." She says.
They meet her eyes - and they start sobbing.
...She still hurt them in the end, though.
Myunghon puts on their best smile. ...It's not convincing, but Shinobu forces a smile on, herself. ...It doesn't last long.
"...Yeah." She agrees, uncertainly.