Reverse Tarot - haru-okumura

ok, i know its late and i hope this doesnt wake you but like... is mona actually a talking cat? i mean, ive met talking bears so i guess its not that weird...

1:51 AM

ugh i feel so stupid for asking!

Mona as a talking cat. . ?

... yeah

That would be awfully cute!

i... guess it isnt real then ugh i feel stupid, sorry to bother you with this

It's alright!

2:17 AM

I've heard of much stranger things!

2:18 AM

Like that other world you talk about so vehemently.

2:18 AM

If you find a way to understand cat language, I'd be happy to learn!

yeah... yeah, me too. oh, right... that. yah just ignore me i have an overactive imagination lol

A healthy imagination is good for you!

2:20 AM

Besides, cats often mimic human sounds! If trained they can learn a word or two!

2:20 AM

Though it's usually something like 'hello' or 'no'

oh, yeah, i can see that. i think ive seen a cat saying no over and over

2:21 AM

but, um... you know... i dunno if hes told you yet, but akira told me about you guys you dont have to play dumb around me

Akira-san?

2:22 AM

Isn't he one of the most suspicious people here?

2:22 AM

And to be honest, I don't know them very well.

2:22 AM

We've never met, after all!

i mean, akira as in like... goro, i guess you know, your boyfriend?

Though I have to ask. . .

2:23 AM

Could you explain what a persona user is? Does it have to do with your ghost world again?

... well... umm, its when you sort of... unlock your inner self. you use this power to defeat enemies known as shadows-- the darker parts of humanity. but this is only possible in the other world

How strange. . .

2:28 AM

Your ghost world seems to have a lot of rules.

its dangerous stuff tho, i wouldnt recommend it

Besides, what sort of powers would help you fight 'the darker parts of humanity'?

i mean, yeah. its like... the collective unconscious or whatever

2:29 AM

well, my persona has the power to like... heal people, but also do a lot of magical damage

2:30 AM

... this sounds stupid when i say it out loud like this;;;

You said your persona. . .

2:31 AM

Are you part of a team? Or do you know other 'persona users'?

i do, but uh... well, i dunno if i should rat them out lol

2:33 AM

i dont exactly have your number, so i dunno if its safe to talk here or not

Oh! Do you have secret identities? Like super heroes?

huh? no, not really... were not the phantom thieves lol! we dont really need code names or anything.

I still wonder about the Phantom Thieves. . .

2:39 AM

Changing people's hearts usually takes years of therapy but they claimed to do it in such short timeframes!

2:39 AM

Or maybe they've been around for a long time?

2:40 AM

Though, if I recall correctly, wasn't the offical statement blackmail?

i mean, i have a theory its related to... stuff but i wouldnt wanna throw them under the bus considering where were talking

2:41 AM

i dunno. the other world is... its dangerous best not to get involved if you can help it

My goodness. . .

2:43 AM

Please don't get involved in any more gangs, Hana-chan. . .

its not a gang! i mean, we called our leader "banchou" as a joke, but were just normal people!

If you're certain. . .

2:44 AM

Just don't do anything that will leave poor Taiyou-san all on her own!

im super certain what kinda gang runs around saying they use powerful gods to help them fight monsters???

2:46 AM

but i wont, i promise. shell be ok--

2:46 AM

wait, why are you more worried about the cat than me!?

You have your partner, don't you?

2:47 AM

Taiyou-san only has you so don't do anything that would make her lose her home!

i do... hes not involved in all this tho

2:47 AM

hey, hell still be around even if something happens to me. shell be fine

Take good care of yourself, Yosuke.

... ill... try, but it feels a little late for that lol i guess i just have to live with the consequences of not being careful

(✿=_=)

2:51 AM

I can see now why Kogoro-chan gets frustrated with you.

2:52 AM

I know you mean well but self deprecation is a tool for comedians and those who have no support and no future.

2:52 AM

I'm sorry to say you're neither of those. (edited)

2:53 AM

Try to think of yourself like your partner would.

2:53 AM

Would he ever say those things to you?

i mean, he might call me an idiot, but he would be more worried than anything...

2:54 AM

youre right, i need to stop pitying myself lol

2:54 AM

i guess its just easier to beat myself up than anything

The world is full of people who are happy to do that for you.

2:55 AM

Don't make their job any easier.

right... thanks, haru

2:56 AM

ill try and be kinder to myself. i probably need it instead of making myself feel worse about everything

You have a support system, don't you? People who care about you and want the best for you no matter what?

2:57 AM

When things get hard, remember they're there for you because they want to be.

2:57 AM

Rely on them.

yeah... yeah, i think i do. i guess, no matter how annoying i can get, my friends still love me...

Yosuke.

yeah?

I'll say this once, don't say things about yourself that you wouldn't say about a dear friend.

well ok... ill keep that in mind going forward

Good! (๑´v`๑❁)

3:02 AM

Give Taiyou-san a kiss from me and get some rest.

uh, sure. she doesnt mind kisses lol you get some rest too, haru. umm... thanks for being straight with me. it seems silly but it means a lot

Of course! Even if we don't know each other well, yet, we're still people living on the same planet!

3:09 AM

We should be kind to each other while we can.

yeah, i agree... theres no harm in being nice to ourselves and others lol

Exactly!

3:11 AM

Now you're getting it!

lol, im trying! but you have a good night, haru. and, umm... thanks again

Of course! You get some rest as well.

3:15 AM

And don't forget Taiyou-san's kisses!

i wont i wont lol

Hey Haru, I can tell you seem a little off. Sorry to bother you, but I figured I'd bring it up in private... You ok? And don't try and lie to me about it if you're not lol. But if you wanna be left alone, just say the word and I'll get out of your hair.

I just don't have the emotional breadth to be of much comfort to your self deprecating ways tonight, I'm afraid.

Woah, sorry... I don't expect you to comfort me, it was just my way of joking. But if it bothers you, I'll try not to do it anymore, okay?

7:35 PM

What's going on, though? Do you wanna talk about it...? I've never seen you this bothered before...

Forgive me, I'm. . .tired.

7:40 PM

Today has been a lot for me and I shouldn't be taking that out on you. Thank you for your concern, though.

Haru, you're totally fine. You don't have to apologize or anything. I get it. You've seen me be a total ass to everyone when I'm stressed lol, I'd be hypocritical to judge you for it. And I don't say that to make it about me, of course-- I say that to let you know I understand how you feel. Being nice takes a lot of emotional toll when you're feeling like garbage. So you're free to be mean to me all you want, but I'm still gonna worry about you, cause-- I mean, I don't know you super well, but I do care about you. And if it's anything I can help with, I do want to extend my hand to you, ok?

Being cruel to you won't make me feel better. It's also not good for you to be okay with that. But, thank you anyway. It's simply. A lot. Tonight. Things haven't been this chaotic in my life in a long time so I'm having to readjust. I think I just. Need rest.

7:49 PM

Perhaps check on my partner and see how their nose is doing.

Do you wanna talk about it...? It's ok if you don't, but if you feel like it would help, I'm here to listen. It's not good to fester in this stuff.

No. Not yet. Not until we know more.

7:58 PM

Still, I appreciate it, Yosuke.

7:58 PM

Thank you.

Hey, it's fine lol! You don't have to thank me. Just do me a favor and take care of yourself. Do what you can to destress, even if it means crying, okay?

Well, I don't know how much crying will help but I'll keep that in mind. And I think saying thank you is appropriate here! Most people wouldn't go out of their way to check and see if a stranger is doing alright.

You think so? I thought that was a pretty normal thing to do... Besides, you're not a stranger, you're my friend, right? ;)

Using my own words against me! How cruel!

8:36 PM

But yes, I suppose we are, aren't we?

I said I wasn't nice lol! Yeah, I think so. You did help me a ton after all, out of the kindness of your heart. I do wanna pay you back someway, ya know.

Everyone seems terribly keen on payback these days.

8:56 PM

Perhaps think of a way to pay it forward instead?

It's cause we wanna show you we appreciate you, and you deserve to take something in return, right? Relationships are a two way street-- you can't just give and give over and over... If I'm not allowed to be self depricating, you can't say you don't deserve some love lol.

Hey, I haven't seen you in the chat for a couple days. How are you doing?

5:23 PM

I haven't seen Goro much either... Hope he's ok.

Haru's phone is ringing!

. . . .

7:40 PM

The phone is answered!

"Haru?" There's the sound of a relieved sigh. "I know this is sudden, but I need you to listen. I think Akira-- Goro, whatever! I think he might be his shadow!"

A long pause follows Yosuke's declaration, answered only by whipping winds before Haru's voice finally chimes in. "We're handling it." It sounds like she's going to hang up.

"Wait--! Uh-- do you need any help?"

"I'll update you when things are handled."

7:46 PM

Click!

7:47 PM

Beep. . . Beep. . .Beep. . .

Yosuke sighs. Doesn't seem like there's anything he can do in this situation...

Haru? I know you probably don't wanna hear from me right now, but I wanted to make sure you were ok. I hope you're managing to get some rest at least. You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to... But I thought I'd check in on you anyway.

I'm fine, don't worry.

10:50 PM

I'll give you more details tomorrow but it's fine, everyone's home now.

10:51 PM

Thank you, though.

It's no problem... Just wanna make sure you're ok. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't wanna, but... I'm here if you need anything. Whatever you need, it's open to you.

Thank you but, this isn't really something anyone else can fix. Right now I think we all just. . .need some time.

10:53 PM

These past few days have been a lot. . .

I can imagine... At least it's in the past, so you don't have to live through the last few days again. I was more thinking like... If you need to get away, I'm sure Taiyou-hime would like to meet you. Or I can bring you guys something to eat? I'm not the best cook, but it's better than take out, right?

J33Z, IT'S YOU?

11:14 PM

3V3RYON3 KN0WS Y0U C4N'T BRIB3 4 PR1NC3SS WITH 4 PRINC3SS, DOG-BOY.

Oh jeez... Fine, I'll take that as a sign to leave.

11:17 PM

Good night to both of you

WOW! H4RU F4LLS 4SL33P AND YOU JUST BOLT! TH4T'S NO W4Y TO TR34T 4 GU3ST OR 4 L4DY!

She fell asleep? That's a relief... She really needs it after all. Thanks for watching over her, Mona.

OF COURS3! UNLIK3 YOU, I'M 4 PROP3R G3NTL3M4N.

Jeez, you don't have to insult me... But you have a good night too

Hey Haru, sorry I haven't checked in lately. I wanted to make sure you're still doing ok since I haven't heard from you. And Goro too, of course. I know you probably have your partners to help you with stuff, but if you need anything, I'm happy to help!

Thank you for checking in, I appreciate it. We're trying to figure out how to deal with everything at the moment but, again, thank you.

4:29 PM

We've plenty of food at the moment, we're all justa bit tired. That's all.

Wish you guys could go for a spa date or something lol. Just something to help you guys relax But I'm also here is you just wanna talk, too! Just wanna make sure you're ok

If I had time for a spa day, I'd certainly have more pressing things to attend to! But perhaps a day off isn't a bad idea in the future. (edited)

Yeah! It sounds like you guys really need it. Just some time together to relax

Hey, Haru? Can I like Call you? It feels weird for me to keep texting you like this. At this point of our friendship at least. I hope you consider me a friend, anyway.

Her phone number is presented without a message and then deleted in the next 10 minutes

Yosuke spends a few moments looking at his new contact. He... Didn't expect that, actually. He was no short of nervous, knowing he could easily fuck this up again... But also knew he had to be brave. Clearly, Haru was willing to give him a chance. Regardless, this wasn't about him. He mentally went over what he was going to say a few times before he rang her up. "Haru? Umm, hi! It's Yosuke-- umm, Hana-chan. "I... Guess I'll just get to it. I'm... Really sorry. I keep upsetting you without meaning to, and you're already going through an awful time. Are you alright...?" He bit back the urge to say he had been stupid and inconsiderate, because hating on himself was just going to make her angry. (edited)

Hey. Do you have a minute to talk?

Always, darling.

I know you can tell. I didn't sleep last night.

11:49 AM

But Akechi kept me company.

Is that so?

Yeah.

11:50 AM

I wanted to rip him apart at first. But he seems... guilty. Remorseful?

11:50 AM

Like he wants to make up for everything at any rate.

11:50 AM

I agreed to meet up with him in person. Away from LeBlanc.

That doesn't seem terribly smart.

I'm bringing protection. Oracle's the eye in the sky. Would you feel better if you tailed us? Lunch on me.

If you'd like my assistance then I'm certain I can make time. I just hope this won't go the same as last time. I'd rather no one else get hurt.

It won't.

11:55 AM

We're meeting up so that I can confirm it's actually him. And check some theories to see how he survived. He doesn't even know.

If you think this is the way to go about it, I trust you. You've never lead us wrong before.

11:57 AM

But if it is him, what do you plan to do?

Proceed with the meeting as planned. I know that Oracle won't allow him close enough to the cafe to do any harm, so that isn't a concern of mine.

11:59 AM

We're meeting publicly so that nothing dangerous happens.

Please remember he has nothing left to lose save for his life. And he hasn't exactly seen it as something precious in the past.

12:00 PM

I'll be there. But be careful.

I will, my love. Our safety is my only concern.

Alright. Let me know the details later on, darling.

12:02 PM

And thank you for breakfast.

12:02 PM

It was amazing, as usual. (๑´v`๑❁)

Thank you. Feel like some pudding for dessert?

(❁灬º 艸º灬)

12:03 PM

You're insatiable!

It's been a while, and I'm hungry.

So long as we don't bother Yusuke. . .

I'll be quiet while he eats.

I will try my best. (❁灬>_<灬)

I believe in you.