001 POINTS | video | joint post with fineprinted

[accurately]

[ The video post flickers on to show two people, both looking rather different in demeanor. The taller of the two looks to have a scowl on his face, and eyes and hair a matching deep green. He’s not happy to be here, he doesn’t even feel comfortable leaving the apartment. Which is why he’s here with the shorter of the two boys.

It would’ve been hard to tell that the scruffy, blue-haired boy is the older of the two, but that’s probably part of his charm and it shows in how he addresses the network with a bright smile and a wave of his hand, as if he were a natural at this. ]

--Oh, I think we’re on! Hello, Lunatia! We’d like to introduce ourselves first of all: My name is Aoba Tsumugi, and this kind lad over here is my roommate! Ah, you should say hello too, Midorima-kun!

[ He gestures at the screen as smoothly as he could.

Midorima’s brows furrow before he’s even finished talking, looking mildly annoyed. What he’s annoyed about becomes apparent within only a few seconds as he doesn’t say hello and instead focuses in on correcting what he thinks was wrong with that sentence. ]

Who’s a “kind lad”? Focus on the task at hand.

[ Apparently, that’s all the greeting he’s bothering with. Tsumugi can only sigh a little before facing the screen again, smile still intact. ]

This is Midorima Shintarou, by the way. Seriously, kids these days… Um, but before I go off track, the reason why we’ve put this up is because we have one thing in common, and that is horoscopes. Luck, in general. Do you know there are apps here that tells you your daily fortune and what lucky item to bring around with you to ward off bad luck? Technology’s so amazing! Even though we’re from different worlds, it’s nice to know that there are other people who believe in them -- and that is why we are here today.

[ Midorima’s worried that Tsumugi’s going to go on for too long, so he chimes in with a much more direct demand of their audience over the network. ]

Respond with your astrological sign or birthday if you aren’t sure. We’re also looking to know what items are considered lucky in other worlds that may be incorporated into an apartment.

Y-You can just ask nicely them, you know! People wouldn’t know how to respond if you’re being demanding like that... [ why are tsunderes the way they are, man ] Anyway, it’d be very helpful for us to know everyone’s signs and birthdays to balance out of luck if it ever goes bad for a day so that we can stick with those people for a while… I’m a Leo and he’s a Cancer, if that helps.

Also! If anyone knows other forms of divination such as palmistry and tarot, that’d be greatly appreciated as well… I’m honestly more comfortable consulting with someone privately about my fortunes rather than rely on technology all the time, so let me know if it’s all right to approach you for regular sessions! I’ll pay with Chroma if I have to.

[ Midorima just decides to move on and end the video. He’s not going to give Tsumugi the chance to say goodbye. ]

We’re done.

[ And the video cuts out. ]

Comments

[finethanks]

[Right now, knowing he looks a little similar to an old childhood grumpy friend, it's actually a little nostalgic. He could use the terseness. And it's easier than facing Tsumugi right now.]

Fufu, what a cute, simple answer. That answers my question well enough. You'll do well to balance him out.

Still, you don't seem like the type of person who would be so focused on something as trivial as luck.

[accurately]

[ Calling it "trivial" already has this guy on Midorima's shit list. Somehow even in text (which.. seems to take a while, Midorima's not the greatest texter) there's an air of extreme confidence and decisiveness, possibly condescension as well. ]

I am a man who does everything in my power to succeed.
After you've done everything you physically and mentally can, there is are still factors out of your control: the actions of others and chance. I cannot account for the actions of others.
Why would I not do everything I can to improve upon fate?

[finethanks]

I see. So we agree on some things, but not others. I'm also a man who does everything in my power to succeed, you see...

How can I put this? When it feels as though you've physically and mentally done all that you can, I believe you can keep trying. Pushing yourself to the limits and beyond. If that's not enough, rather than looking at something as flimsy as chance and fate, can't you turn to the actions of those around you and alter them?

Well, I'm not saying that you should. I'm only trying to say that there are other methods to doing "everything you can." You must have a kind soul, Mirodima-kun.

[accurately]

I would never look only at chance and fate. If you're doing everything you can, that's simply included. Never giving up is a part of that as well, and so is trying something new every time you reach a roadblock. Your definition of everything is too simplistic if you think I haven't factored that in.

Also, some horoscopes are frighteningly accurate and effective.

[ Oha Asa is strict, but frightening. His life is in danger not having a lucky item. Only Midorima's is, anyway.. ]

Regardless, wasting your time attempting to disparage someone else's belief doesn't seem to be an effective use of your time if you truly are doing everything you can to succeed.

[finethanks]

Aren't they only accurate and effective because their vague wording can apply to anyone who would like for it to?

Please don't feel as if I'm asking you to change my mind. It's just that I'm quite curious about all of this. I can't wrap my head around it at all.

So, what does my horoscope say? If you haven't caught it by now, I'm apparently a Capricorn.

[accurately]

Only if you don't have a good source. I'm simultaneously trying every app that offers lucky item predictions at the same time. I'll determine which is the most effective and go with that one.

Look it up yourself.

[finethanks]

Oh? Have I made you hate me already? Fufu... I wonder if I've altered fate itself like this? What do you think?

[accurately]

I don't anything you.

People should learn to look things up themselves if they're interested.

[ He's just grumpy.. it's nothing personal. ]

[finethanks]

Well, it's not as if I'm incapable. But it seems as though Tsumugi is going to save me the trouble, not that I'm interested to begin with.

Midorima-kun, I'm beginning to learn a thing or two about you, even without your horoscope. Could it be that Tsumugi is the closest thing you have to a friend, right now?

[accurately]

We aren't friends. We're two people with similar needs who have chosen to cooperate.

[ Also he cannot fucking cook to save his life, he would literally die. ]

[finethanks]

So, you're saying you don't have any friends here, then?

[accurately]

I don't need any.

[ .....he won't even admit he has friends back home like 80% of the time, okay. ]

[finethanks]

I used to believe that as well, Midorima-kun.

I hope you'll take good care of Tsumugi.

[accurately]

He can care for himself or he can fail himself.

[ ...Yes, he will, despite that it sounds like the complete opposite. He already got pissy with Natsume for coming in too hot with him if there's any question.. ]

[finethanks]

You can act like that as much as you'd like, but you've already shown your true colors in your actions, haven't you? Kind Midorima-kun.

I hope that I can meet with you in person soon. ♪ You seem like such an interesting person that I'm eager for it.

[accurately]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Don't use eighth notes in your texts. [ He doesn't know why but it's giving him the creeps. ]

[finethanks]

Okay. ♥ It's just that I'm an idol, you know? Aren't they cute and idol-like?

Oh, how about I use emoji next time? I've also learned some helpful slang.

[That's worse, the heart is worse,]

[accurately]

I don't care if you're a model or an idol or a hobo if you're a pest about it.

[finethanks]

[ God this is so familiar he actually feels sad about it...... gross. ]

Ahaha. If you’re such a stick in the mud, it will be difficult for you to adapt to this place. You should be careful.

[accurately]

[ Adapt. Hahaha yeah right. ]

Adapting isn't necessary. I'll be doing what I need to and going home as soon as I can.

[finethanks]

[...Hmm, for this, getting a slow reply might be a bit annoying, so he switches to video suddenly.]

If it were so easy, I wonder how many of us would still be here? Since you seem relatively new to this place, I'll explain something for you free of charge, just this once.

[He places his free hand over his chest in a grand flourish, voice soft but still commanding attention. He's used to speaking to others, just as confident as assumed earlier, and plenty refined.]

For nearly nine months, I've been away from my home. Four months have been in this place, now. Neither your actions nor your lucky items will keep you from this one known truth: you will only go home when something outside of your power decides so.

[A pause, and he drops his free hand, still smiling calmly as ever.]

Ah, but at the very least, this place is much more pleasant than the last. You shouldn't complain too much, Midorima-kun. Think of it as a rather inconvenient vacation.

[accurately]

[ He switches to video as well, actually much preferring it to text. His top preference is voice, but that's because he doesn't understand the need to see most peoples' faces anyway.

He's like pretty sure he didn't need to see the grand flourishing either. This boy is ridiculous.

Midorima pushes up his glasses. He probably looks like it would physically pain him to smile. (It wouldn't, he can smile, but he really only smiles if he's focused on something else and doesn't notice he's doing it.) ]

Your experiences do not negate my dislike of being kidnapped to another planet just because it's nicer than it could be. Accepting it and giving into practices I'm not comfortable with just because it could be worse is an idiotic way of thinking.

[finethanks]

I agree with you on that, actually.

[Stated simply, at first, and then he's tilting his head just slightly, that same distant smile still in place.]

You must be misunderstanding me. It's not that I'm saying you should give up or be satisfied. Rather, I just don't want to see your hopes crushed so quickly if you believe leaving this place will be easy.

Work hard. ♪ [Yes he does these in speech too I'm so sorry]

[accurately]

[ He can't see the musical notes at least, but he can definitely hear the weird.. tone. Absolutely ridiculous. ]

Then mind your own business telling a person to adapt to this world, difficult to leave or not.

[ He knows he was saying that, but he'd rather focus on the part he wants to be right about. Since he genuinely doesn't know a way to get home. He read a book on quantum physics for fun, he didn't get a degree in it. He's still a high schooler. ]

[finethanks]

Fufu... You're stubborn, aren't you? It's only conversation, so there's no need to get so up in arms about it, is there?

[Though Eichi seems amused by it. He brings the camera a little closer.]

You seem like quite the interesting person. Do you have any hobbies or interests other than this horoscope nonsense? If you'd like, we could speak over tea, some time. [Why would he want that, Eichi]