sotobas_lot | [Video]

[Nowhere. Nowhere. Nowhere. Click after click, with as many haphazard groups as have been pulled together by whatever virus the community's returned in full force with, she's nowhere, not on some other world deluded into being in love, not commenting on anybody else's situation... He slumps back into his chair. His jaw shivers with building tension, blinking too quickly, too many times.

He hasn't even noticed the green haired woman behind him. She stares as if sensing it's an inopportune moment, but still not certain why he's browsing the internet rather than working. She can't very well hold it against him to take a few minutes for himself, but it's still unusual behavior.

It's not until a choked noise that sounds close to a muffled sob strains through his teeth that she clears her throat.

He quickly, with the stereotypical jerk of one surprised by an audience, sits and sloppily runs his sleeve over his eyes. It's too quick a reflex to pass off as anything but wiping his eyes, which leaves him at something of a loss for words when he turns to face her.

Her shuolders fall, but she puts on a smile which then falters into a serious, concerned expression.]

Doctor...

It's nothing... [Of course she isn't buying it.] I'm.. it's all right.

[After a short moment which seems like an endless, inquisitive stare, she accepts it as a lie and bows.] Yes. Excuse me...

[He turns back to the camera with a self derrisive snort. He's sure she's assuming it's about his wife. That's just another layer on top of everything.]

I haven't even mourned my own wife yet... Hn. How pathetic...

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[Ah! Her!

He'd almost completely forgotten about her in the rush of things happening lately. His eyes widen, then relax as he seems to slump further wth a tired smile.]

Tendo.... Kasumi...-san. [It's said as if remembering her along with her name; she's here, she's watching. Just how much of his pathetic life has she seen?]

...Thank you.

[Ozaki-sensei has always looked tired, even for one of his profession, but he looks so much worse than before. It is right to greive for your loved ones. But not at the expense of your own health. Concern prompts a need for action.]

Ah. I understand that you are going through difficulties. If there is anything I might do for you, please let me know. Even a small thing, if it will help ease your way.

[Having given up, there should be more ease; the relief that comes with it somehow only seems more lethargic than relaxed.]

I don't imagine you happen to have a cure for mild brainwashing.

I'm afraid I do not. Would sukiyaki be of any help? Or a safe space?

Sukiyaki, is it... [There's a snort, but it's not derisive. At least not at her.] Maybe once this is over, a sukiyaki party would be in order... I'll keep your offer in mind.

Please do.

[At the loss he has faced, and the stress of his profession, it is understandable that he is distraught, but there is something off putting in his expression, an unexplainable strain. The last she spoke with him there was a sickness sweeping his town. Something else must have happened.]

If it is not too much to ask, and please, do not answer if you do not wish: something has happened, hasn't it? Are your patients all right?

More or less. [He'll lie. It's not a complete lie; to this point, at least those who he could convince to stay in the actual building for treatment were safe while they were there. At least until they notice she's done, it should hold true.] There've... been a lot of deaths, but there have been a lot of lives [Not saved. He means to lie, but it comes out too honest.] prolonged....

Ozaki-sensei, I'm so sorry to hear that. [But something, still, wasn't right. Prolonged? An epidemic? That meant, they must be dying.] You are not the only one looking after them, are you?

There's nobody left to look out for anyone. If something happens to them, there's not much left that can be done, at this point... Ah, but they're trying. There are others trying, so... [So it's not hopeless, he wants to imply, but it is. It definitely is.]

[More than a tight spot, without a clear means of action. She can't fix it, though the will is there. There must be something that can be done.] I am very sure there is space in someone's world for need of an evacuation.

That'd be abandoning the village... Abandoning the world to these things. As long as they're out there, it wouldn't be safe to return. Some of the people here... I don't think they could survive without--no, I don't think they'd want to exist any place but here...

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