5th Key ♫ A Pure Form of Love ♫ Action / Open

[golden_gaytime]

[ Now that things are calm(er) Mugi has decided to take a chance on a trip to the library! She's heard many interesting things by now, including that this might be one way to tell if she's truly dreaming or not.

Her curiosity takes hold of her, her feet crossing the threshold to the back room without any fuss from the bears. She, honestly, forgot what was so "taboo" about this room in the first place.

—moments later, she emerges from that room with a manga tankoban or three clutched to her chest, cheeks bright red, and an odd dazzle in her eyes. It's a combination look of a girl with her hand caught in the cookie jar who also managed to win the jackpot lottery. Yeah. It's kind of like that.

You can find Mugi at a table, attempting to discretely read one of her comics by using a different, larger book to mask its presence, or with the volumes set beside her as she looks into a volume of incredibly sappy poetry. Her brain does need a break from time to time, so she won't be opposed to conversation, but you might have to try harder to get her attention... ]

Comments

[golden_gaytime]

[ Gasp! ] She was that prolific? Oh my! It must be so nice to be able to make a living off of one's own creativity like that. [ Mugi finds this encouraging. ]

[starofpleiades]

Yeah, my friends really are amazing. Umika's an author and Kaoru's a star soccer player in school! I'm just good at cooking...

[golden_gaytime]

"Just", nothing. Your cooking is amazing, Kazumi-san. You don't have to be making money to be able to enjoy it or have others enjoying it.

[starofpleiades]

Aww, shucks. Thanks Mugi... and yeah, I like cooking because other people can enjoy it!

1/2

[golden_gaytime]

[ Smiling wide. ] It's a good way to think about it! It's like ... even if my friends and I didn't go pro someday, that would be fine by me, so long as I was able to play music with them. If others want to listen, then that's even better, but it wouldn't define my happiness.

2/2

[golden_gaytime]

[ —the instant those words leave her mouth, Mugi freezes up, a downtrodden expression on her face. ]

[starofpleiades]

[Kazumi notices immediately, a look of concern on her face]

You miss them?

[golden_gaytime]

[ A slow nod, her eyes downcast. ] More than I can say.

It's not as if I don't have friends here — I have met many new and interesting people, and I genuinely enjoy it! But. [ But it's not home. ]

[starofpleiades]

Homesick... I know what you mean. Everyone's really nice, and there are friends here, but they can't replace your other friends.

[golden_gaytime]

Mmn. [ She nods again. ] There doesn't seem to be anything we can do about that, and I'm trying to think positive! Maybe they will arrive sometime, after all — though it would be better if I just made it home safely, I...

[ Fidgeting with her hands. ] I still can't believe that.... this isn't all some dream. [ Now that she's said it, out loud, she looks around as if expecting the whole world to collapse in that instant. ]

[starofpleiades]

Mm, I keep hoping some of my friends show up. Being here would... actually be better for them.

[She blinks a few times at that statement, then jumps a bit when she realizes what it means] Wait, you were talking about this place when you said that thing about dreams before!?

[golden_gaytime]

[ She was just about to ask what Kazumi meant about her friends, but the second question has her looking rather bashful instead. ] That's right. [ So now her post earlier would make more sense, in context. ]

[starofpleiades]

Ahaha... I guess it really does almost seem like a dream? But... that's a really long dream, Mugicha!

[golden_gaytime]

I... I know that, now. I was very foolish. But it was such a nice dream that I couldn't let the idea go so easily, not even after everyone told me how to figure out that I was really here.

[starofpleiades]

Eheh... well, it's still nice, isn't it? I mean, I guess it's a little sad knowing you can't go home when you want but... now you know we're real, right?

[golden_gaytime]

It is! Believe me when I say that I truly like it here. I have enjoyed myself in more ways than I can explain, and I'm grateful to everyone that I've met! [ There are really no exclusions to that which come to mind. ] So please.... I don't want anyone to think that I've been acting differently just because I carried on that idea for so long. [ Surprisingly insightful and, also, insecure. ] I wouldn't want to make anyone sad.

[starofpleiades]

Awww, Mugcha~ [THAT DESERVES A BIG HUG] I wasn't thinking that at all! You've always been really nice, and I'm glad I met you too!

[golden_gaytime]

[ Hugs are good! She hesitates, but Mugi clings tightly before too long. ] I'm glad. I'm so glad to hear it, Kazumi-san. [ It's a huge relief, to be sure. ]

[starofpleiades]

Heheh... I hope that cheers you up. Were you really worried about it?

[golden_gaytime]

It did, and... I was. [ But she didn't want to worry anyone, hence no one knew. ]

[starofpleiades]

Well, if you ever have any worries, you can talk to me and Akira about 'em!

[golden_gaytime]

[ Smiling wide. ] Thank you, Kazumi-san. I will definitely remember that for the future. I promise!

[starofpleiades]

Heheh, I'm just glad you're feeling better, Mugicha. You're one of my dearest friends here!

[golden_gaytime]

[ That really warms her heart, and she isn't quite sure how to respond. ] Kazumi-s... -chan. [ Maybe she can use that, now since their Social Link went up? ]

[starofpleiades]

[Kazumi sure doesn't seem to mind]

Heheh... well, I guess I'll let you get back to your reading then.

[She gives her a squeeze and lets go]