Audience: Mineo Enomoto

[probe]

Comments

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[ramen is such a strange cuisine...greed seems to be watching more because they don't understand than anything else.]

As the guide said, some of us have done our research. [them. they're some of us.] We can see you and we can hear if we choose. [there's a pause.] Am I to assume you're asking if I know of your current situation? With Adonis.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . ]

Yeah.

[there's no point in hiding it. but to his credit, he keeps up his ramen preparing.]

But do you know about it because I mentioned it to Valentino-san and talk with Takeru, or because you saw what I was doing before I got here?

[probe]

Neither, technically speaking. It was more of an in-between, knowledge that was obtained after the fact but before your arrival.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . he just hums a little quietly at that.]

Then you know I'm kind of in trouble.

Does anyone else? Would you tell people about it?

[probe]

Trouble is a bit of an understatement, Enomoto. [please. call him mineo. it's fine.] The rest of the Avatars know, I assume, if they've done their reading. But it's hardly anyone else's business so we have no purpose in telling them.

[sengokus]

[ . . . ]

Not even Takeru?

[said so very

very hesitantly]

[probe]

Sasazuka has not made his presence known to me, so he wouldn't have heard it from me. But no. Your business is your business and even some of the...gossipy Avatars would know better than to share.

[tap tap tap goes the claw against their elbow.] If I didn't know better, I'd say you'd want someone else to tell him.

[sengokus]

[ah he's wincing at that]

No—

[ . . . even if it'd be faster. even if other people would be better about it than he would.]

... I just wanted to be sure. I have to do it myself.

[



eventually]

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But will you? [it's both a serious question and an idle question at once.] The longer you don't, the more there's a risk of people finding out on their own. The truth always has a way of making itself known.

[sengokus]

.... you just said that you wouldn't tell.

[so which is it?]

How would people know if I'm not saying anything and none of you are?

[probe]

There are such things as tells. Non-verbal cues that others may pick up on. And even that aside, it isn't unheard of for people to have ways to see when someone has a secret they want to protect.

The less you say, the more suspicious you become.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . ]

Are you a forensic profiler too? Shiraishi-san, is that you?

[NO]

[probe]

[NO.]

Absolutely not.

[sengokus]

[he looks so uncertain about this....]

.... I think he knows already that something's up but -

[but

telling him is terrifying. and if there's anything that can keep mineo from acting, it's the same pool of self-pity and cowardice that got him into this mess]

.... I'm supposed to indulge while I'm here, right?

So that means I don't have to say anything until I want to.

[probe]

A clever loophole, but do keep in mind it may not always save you. [...though.]

While it's true that secrets will always come to light, it's equally true that there are ways to hold onto them for as long as necessary. When something doesn't seem to be going your way, the next step is to derail your opponent with information they don't already have. Redirect them, and you can change the entire outcome of a conversation.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . ]

You're giving me advice on how to try to outsmart him?

No offense, but I think you're really betting on the wrong horse here.

[the idea of

mineo managing to truly derail and redirect takeru is one that he doesn't have even the slightest hope in]

[probe]

Oh I've no hope of you actually accomplishing it. It's merely a bit of advice to contemplate.

[harsh, greed.] Your Avatar isn't exactly one known for their wit either.

[sengokus]

[GHK]

Then why did you try....

And don't be mean to Sloth-san! You're the one who's stuck with the guy who got shoved into a dryer and filled it with play doh and slime!

[IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO MAHITO? it feels mostly correct]

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[NO!!! there's a vague choking noise of distress.]

That was not entirely my decision! [noooooooo.] I was simply stating a fact.

[sengokus]

I'm just saying. Glass houses, dude, we're all pretty weird here.

[don't juST SAY THAT

. . . . he did get taught etiquette though so - ]

... was that your way of trying to help me out? [a beat] ... thanks.

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[okay mineo isn't wrong so greed doesn't reply, posture a bit stiff and awkward with that...

...but.]

...you're welcome. [so yeah. greed was trying to help because sometimes secrets and also being dead sure are a thing that happen to people.] Don't get in over your head, Enomoto. You would do well to remember why you're here.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . . ]

Because I agreed to be here - because if I didn't take a chance on indulging, I'll probably be dead back home anyway?

[there go all the chopped veggies into the ramen pot.... he goes to get some eggs too]

Or do you mean something else?

[probe]

Because it isn't over, of course. Think of this as an opportunity for an extension. A revival, in more sense than one.

[...they seem to be mumbling something like "...eggs?" under their breath. is this how ramen is made?]

[sengokus]

[sure, it's how you crack eggs to join the packet of noodles and the sauce. he at least looks comfortable enough with this process? gourmet instant ramen....]

An extension...

Is this what you're telling everybody? Or is it what you think is gonna motivate me?

[probe]

[there's a shrug.]

It's what I'm telling you because it's appropriate and it's true. [so, a little of both.]