[Video] Monster Warning

[ringbeast]

[Kousuke appears on the screen, covered in dust and sweat and blood. If you look closely, you can see the trails his tears have left in it. But he gives a wan smile anyway. Anyone who's seen his real smile could tell what a pale imitation this one is.]

Uh... Hey, hey everybody. I'm Kousuke Nitoh. I, uh. I'm calling you on my way back from the outskirts of town. I gotta tell you something important...

[He sighs heavily, leaning up against the wall of a half-ruined building.]

There's a monster in town, a Phantom. It, uh, well, the easiest way for me to explain it is that it... killed Haruto.

[He looks immediately despondent, having said those words. He quietly repeats it.]

Haruto's dead. The Phantom stole his body, and it's walking around lookin' like him. So if you see him, don't talk to him. Phantoms usually don't kill people, other than the ones they're inside... But he'll try to feed off your despair.

[He starts walking again, looking around awkwardly.]

It's my responsibility to kill him. I gotta do this. But if anyone could help me keep people back while I fight him, or like... Just help me out. I have to deal the final blow, though. My life kind of depends on it.

Comments

[maniere]

[His wavering resolution is so incredibly funny. She ducks her head down to hide the way her mouth twitches at the corners. She nods, however, along with what he's saying. Then, after he's done: ]

It must be making you despair too, having to fight against something with your friends face. It must be the worst.

[She lifts her head and tilts it to the side. She weighs his expression carefully. She considers messing with him. But he could give her a better kind of despair later on, so she goes with: ]

I'd be really angry. You have to show him that you'll definitely defeat him no matter what. You have to show your friend that you'll fight to get him back, no matter how much despair you feel. Isn't that right?

[ringbeast]

[He swallows, obviously troubled.]

It's pretty hard. But I can't despair when Haruto still needs me... Needs me to make sure Dragon doesn't hurt anyone, and make sure I kill him.

[He's determined, even before her little 'pep talk.' He doesn't see anything off about the way she's talking at all.]

Yeah, you're right, Junko. I gotta get this over with so I can see Haruto again. No matter how hard it is... You're pretty bright for a high school kid!

[maniere]

[She nailed this normal person stuff. She flashes an encouraging thumbs up and nods enthuastically. ]

Of course I am! I'm a certified genius, you know. You can save your friend, I'm sure of it!

man we gotta do something with the two of them now kousuke's all bleah

[ringbeast]

[He grins, though it's forced]

Yeah! All right, thanks Junko! I'll let you know how things go.

yes please!!

[maniere]

I'll be waiting. Good luck, Kousuke-kun!