text; [you tried] sticker goes here

[ourtomorrow]

My name is Ken. I need a job and a roommate.

[ ...that's it, right? Those were the first steps recommended to him, and they make sense. If this world can only be saved by people touching, then first Ken has to find people he's comfortable enough around to touch. He needs to form relationships.

He has no idea how. But he has to.

The world depends on him. ]

Thank you.

[ ....incidentally, anyone walking by Ainea's temple might notice a kid sitting outside of it, absently yet intently people-watching. ]

Comments

lmk anytime i can get you files ;) tho precure seems like a good 2020 choice too

[ourtomorrow]

[ A friend who was....cat-shaped?......Well, perhaps different kinds of creatures have something akin to a Digimon's evolution. Or any number of possible reasons.

In any case, he's being asked a question, and that's more important. Ken nods. ] I did.

My name's Ken.

[ It's funny, how he'd been so nervous and now he can smile. Attitudes might be infectious. ]

aw heck yeah ty! and yeah i've been binging hugtto. feel good adolescent shows cure what ails ya

[nyakama]

I thought so, nya! I sat outside [read: was living on the steps of] the temple a lot when I first got here too, nyehehe.

It's nice to meet you, Ken! I'm Hummy! Let's be friends~! [She holds out her little paw to him. Oh no, heart-shaped toebeans....]

mr. toei saving the day

[ourtomorrow]

[ ...It was that simple, here? To make a friend? Ken's surprised, but maybe that's something these gods are looking for - that accepting attitude, necessary for a world where affection drives rebirth. (Why him, then....to learn how to do a better job, or...)

But even an overthinker like Ichijouji Ken could never leave heart-shaped toe beans hanging. He takes the paw delicately and shakes it. ]

....Thank you. I'd like that.

[ did he just

do friendship?

like, all on his own, without first having to fight alongside someone for four months before he feels a part of their group?

WHOA ]

our hero (Ｔ▽Ｔ)9

[nyakama]

[Well, maybe it's not always that simple, but it certainly is when you're dealing with a simple-minded little cat, at least. You wouldn't be the first person she's met here who was surprised at how readily she offered up her friendship and you probably won't be the last. But hey, a low hurdle to clear just helps prepare you for tougher challenges! You'll be making tons of friends in no time, bucko!]

Great! [She gives a little shake in return, smiling big and bright.] Have you had a chance to explore much? I can show you around if you like, nya~

[ourtomorrow]

[ Ken hasn't looked around much, it's true! Or, well, he'd looked around, but it was in pursuit of a person, not so much to discover what's out there. So this is both needed and appreciated.

This little cat is choosing to help him out....!

So he rises into a crouch, offering her a full hand - if she prefers to be carried, he's happy to do so. ]

What places are your favorites?

[nyakama]

[Oh! Why, don't mind if I do! Hummy hops into his hand. She's pretty fast at getting around on her own, but it's nice to be Tall... or at least Taller.]

Mmm, I like to visit the entertainment district and listen to the musicians, nya! Sometimes they let me sing with them~

Do you like music? [It was a question she inevitably asks everyone.]

[ourtomorrow]

Ah....

[ The entertainment district? That's not somewhere Ken would have ended up on his own, so in a way it's good he has this guide. The question makes him self-conscious though. ]

I wouldn't say I like or dislike it....I just don't know much about it.

[ He feels bad, having to say that about something Hummy clearly enjoys so much. ]

[nyakama]

[Hummy doesn't seem to mind, simply nodding and smiling.] Well, if you ever want to know more, I'll be happy to help, nya! I think music is something everyone can enjoy! [She waves her paws in the air in an arc to emphasize 'everyone'.]

What sort of things do you like~?

[ourtomorrow]

[ Ken's tension eases somewhat when he sees Hummy's open to his inexperience. Her question makes him think, though. ]

I don't know much about that either. Or - I've only just started asking myself that question.

[ But he HAS asked himself, so let's see. ] So far, I have...

Soccer. And origami.

[ And jigsaw puzzles, but he hasn't done that much, does it count...? ]

And watching the sky.

[nyakama]

Soccer! [Hummy's ears perks up.] My friend Hibiki back home plays soccer! [And basically any other sport they recruit her for...] She's probably the best on the team, nya!!

[The little cat is so excited to get to talk about her friend she nearly forgets they were supposed to be doing something.] Ahh, right! We can walk and talk, huh? Uuumm, the entertainment district is this way [point] if you wanted to go there first! The robots like to play virtual games in the cafes there too - maybe there’s a soccer one? [There isn’t, but it’s a nice thought. Maybe Ken would enjoy the puzzle game, though?]

[ourtomorrow]

[ Ken heads in the direction Hummy has pointed out, carrying her carefully so she has a nice view of everything they pass. ]

Is that common here? Games.

[ His last experience with what he thought was virtual gaming did not end so well. But if he has proof this time that it's not real, and if there is soccer...

Ken's life doesn't know how to not be difficult, so he's kind of looking forward to seeing whether there's a soccer game now. ]

i thought i replied to this but apparently i just imagined itttt

[nyakama]

[Hummy seems to consider the question for a moment before replying] Mm, sort of? There are lots of games and festivals and things like that! There's always something interesting to do~

... Ah. I've never played the VR games, though, 'cause the helmet's too big, nya.

np np

[ourtomorrow]

[ .....Ah. That...would be an issue, wouldn't it.

Ken smiles. ] I might not play many of them either. Virtual is fun, but - I like when things are real.