astrologernikkihera-archive

[astrologernikkihera-archive]

Nikki smiled as they heard what he said, and hugged him slightly tighter.

"Yeah.... right... Let's rest... For now..."

This time, their breathing was steady and slow. Seems like they were truly sleeping.

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

"It’s no problem."

Isamu rubbed their back softly, relaxing his shoulders as Nikki rested their head on him. He stayed quiet as Nikki shut their eyes, and he did the same.

It was only then did he realise how tired he was. The motive, the rush of trial.. Isamu was surprised that he hadn’t been affected earlier by the fatigue, or maybe his body blocked it out with all the stress and fear? Either way, he felt fatigue set in his bones, and whispered something to Nikki.

"You’re my friend. S’what they do, I’m sure."

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Their back still shook as they clung to Isamu. It did take a while for them to calm down, but nevertheless they did get what their friend said.

"...T-Thank y-you... T-The same... Go-goes to y-you... Thank you so much, Isamu..."

The astrologer did cry for few more minutes, until they finally calmed down for good, tears not falling anymore.

They rested their head on their friend's shoulder and closed their eyes.

It seemed as the ghost wanted to take a small rest right now...

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

"I’m gonna try my best to, anyway!"

Isamu grinned at Nikki, before his face fell. He knew it had been a long shot, and it had been a failed long shot too. Nikki had started shaking and their voice.. was different. Wavery.

"Oh heck.. Nik.."

Isamu held his friend close, rubbing their filmy back carefully as they shook in his arms.

"Don’t cry, please. Don’t be sorry, don’t feel bad.. this place is.. crazy. Nobody can blame you. I know you miss people. I know. Shh. It’s not okay, I know.. But I’m here for you, okay? I’m your friend, and I’m here for you.."

He stood up on the tips of his toes, whispering the words into their ear.

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Nikki chuckled as they were listening and watching what their best friend described. It sounded really awesome...!

"It's very cool, I'm sure it will be wonderful to see! I hope you will have your tattoo soon as you get out of this place...!"

Then they heard his questions and their heart dropped a bit. They were dead, even if they were talking to him right now, there's no going back. Nikki quickly regained their smile then spoke in a shaken voice.

"... Yeah... I would love to. If I could... A fish with waves behind.. in the back... T-that... would be..."

...

"W-Wonderful..."

Their calm and kind nature soon shattered down, the ghost was now hugging their close friend, shaking badly.

"I-I... I'm... I'm so sorry... I-I miss him so much..."

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

"R-Really..? Thanks!! I was gonna get a really big one before I went to Hope’s Peak, but I didn’t have the time. It was gonna be so cool. I’ve still got the design and stuff.. somewhere. It’s gonna be this huge galaxy, and it’s basically gonna be all up my back in a kinda triangle shape, like someone just opened up my back or something. It’s gonna look like I’m made of stardust and glitter and voids and planets and pretty spacey things!!”

Isamu gestured his hands in the air wildly as he spoke, illustrating the image in the air as he did so. He seemed pretty excited about it, before turning to Nikki.

"What about you? If you had a choice, would you get a tattoo, where? How big?? What kinda tattoo??? Tell me!!!"

He bounces a little, like an over-hyped child. He sure loves talking about tattoos.

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The astrologer was stunned by how beautiful the tattoo looked on Isamu's arm.

"It's really beautiful...!"

Then they nodded after hearing what he said.

Nikki then laughed, it was a light laugh, after Isamu did his silly antics, it was refreshing, both needed to loose up a little and stop worrying for a second. Even with themself as a ghost, bringing negativity would only fuels that creepy MonoOni's wishes for ruining everyone's life even more. So.

"It's fine, feel free to show these later if you wish, Both tattoos sound nice from the description alone...!"

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

Isamu felt about on his person, but there seemed to be no tattoo designs lying around in his pockets.

"Well, I have them on me. Like, ink and stuff. There’s the one I showed in trial, this one.”

He pulls up his sleeve and shows the butterfly to Nikki, The tattoo was dark on his pale skin, but the rainbow of color throughout the wings made it almost fly from his skin.

"And then I have a really cute seahorse up here.. and I have a name here."

He pointed to his upper right shoulder and then tapped his heart in turn with his words.

"I’d show them to you, but we’re in public. The public can’t handle me and my cool tattoos. This building would literally just fall apart. Or even better, turn out like an Old Spice commercial or something."

He pulls another pose, before chuckling a little at his own antics.

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"Hehe, okay..! Speaking of which, I would have loved to see your designs..! Do you happen to have any tattoos on you?"

Nikki giggled, then nodded. They didn't mind, as they needed someone to keep them "alive" in some sense, and in return they'd help their friend. They were really grateful he is there for them.

"Hell yeah!~"

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

"Well, I can always just keep doing what I’m doing. ‘Ve only got.. a little bit of time left in school, so I guess I can take my talent as a proper job. I was supposed to be working from school, but… yeah. I kinda miss designing tattoos, and watching people get them and stuff."

Isamu proceeds to strike a pose. Beautiful. At least we know how he remains to be five now and forever.

"We’ll defs bust all these secrets!"

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"... It's fine. Just make sure when you find something else to do, you'll be happier with the path you'll choose, okay? I want you to live a happy and better life. Hope's Peak is a nice opportunity, yes, but it's no obligation for you to study there in its entirety if you don't want to...! While I might understand, it is still your choice in the end, and if it make you feel better, then go ahead..!"

Visibly calmed down after their outburst, the astrologer smiled.

"Yeah, there's many possibilities. We shall look...!"

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

Isamu felt himself sigh.

"I like to think I know me too, but I don’t think I do. But yeah, that generally how people think. S’how they thought in my old school. Tch.. didn’t really like that place anyway.. But I’m kinda nervous about.. Hope’s Peak too. If- When I get out.. I don’t think I want to attend. Not anymore. I’m gonna get yelled at t’heck when I get home with that news… heh.."

Blinking at the sudden ferocity in Nikki’s voice, Isamu felt himself smile at Nikki a little, leaning his head against their shoulder, feeling so much safer around his ghostly friend.

"Thanks, Nik. I’m really grateful. Like, really really grateful."

Shutting his tired eyes as he listened to Nikki, he nodded.

"There might be.. hidden clues or something. If we explore more.. maybe we’ll find something. Or maybe there’s hidden messages somewhere? Not in Japanese, but in like, blinky light code and stuff."

[astrologernikkihera-archive]

"I'm sure you have talents, and so what people laugh at you? They'll pretend to know you and all but I'm sure they don't know much about you. Most often than not, people who make fun are the ones who consider themselves the norm and are scared to see that other people can act differently. Honestly, to be unique is a nice thing usually."

They knew he was going to say it... Even as a ghost... They can do something, right..? They have to make sure he will be always okay and alive until he leaves this school.

"I will protect you. I fucking will protect you and if they dare lay an hand on you... I'll harm them. I'm not allowing you to die. I want you to leave this place alive. I'll be with you all this time until you leave this damned building, Isamu."

Nikki thought about what their friend said...

"...It is indeed strange, but it's not impossible. I believe the best would be to work to find out who's behind this game, and then I'm sure the opportunity to escape will be there. Our goal will be to make sure you leave this place, however we need to find how..."

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

"I don’t think I’m good at anything, Nik. I’m just.. kind of there. I can try all I want, but.. I feel like I’ll get made fun of or something… Always happened in school, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t happen here."

Isamu nodded.

"I’ll try. I.. I just feel kinda uneasy now. What if people try to kill me? Wh-what if they blame me and they get someone to kill me? W-Will you be like.. my super spooky… scarer-awayer..? Um.. like.. what.. a body guard? I think.."

Exhibit A of how Isamu Hashira is practically a two year old.

"Someone put us here.. That.. that’s so strange to think about.. I..I mean, we’re just teenagers, r-right? This is all so weird and difficult.. I c-can’t think about it.."

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Nikki held Isamu more even while he was shaking.

"It's okay... Some people are good at literally remembering the facts but might have trouble piecing it together, others can not know everything suddenly but can piece together, of course, there's people with both skills. But that doesn't make one better than the others, for every good skill, there's also a lack in the other areas. We have to find the right balance..."

They listened and nodded.

"Yeah, him... I understand, still, try your best, as long as you try, this will be fine... And it's really alright. if the right timing comes up, we can talk about it later..."

Nikki gently titled their head to rest their cheek on Isamu's head.

"Alright, I'm glad... Yeah, I perfectly understand that. If you want, we can look for clues so you can escape...? Didn't that creepy ghost guy said that one of us put us all here and is pulling the strings?"

Woah, for being hidden for so long, you sure do notice things, Nikki.

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

The feeling of those ghostly arms around him made him shake a little, but mostly feel comforted.

"I-I know… I just.. I could have tried harder..! I’m not as smart as all these other people, I d-don’t know what they’re saying half the time! They use big long words that are so confusing…”

The cloth? Isamu felt himself nod shakily in confirmation.

"Oh. I think.. you might be talking about that guy who drew on a corpse once.. sheesh.. I was so scared I couldn’t even think about anyone else. But n-now that you mention it.. It does sound like he’s the culprit. I’ll.. I’ll try to keep an eye out for more evidence.. I’m not good at investigating and stuff.. He seems.. kinda creepy.. I don’t think I’ll talk to him directly. I don’t want to get angry though.. You can get angry all you want, Nikki.."

Isamu felt himself lean into Nikki’s embrace a little. He wished that it was warm, but he couldn’t do anything about it. It was a blessing in itself that he still had Nikki, be it they were ghost or human.

"It’s totally fine, you made sense. I kinda wanna figure out who killed Uzaki too. It was a failed trial, and people are probably itching to know who the cu-culprit is."

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Nikki listened and went ahead to hug their friend.

"...Shh...Shh... Isamu... Alot of people didn't talk, and the lack of contribution caused this. It's not just yours... You tried your best to debate... You sought the options... Even if it didn't work in the end... It's not your fault alone. I'm sorry people didn't trust you... Everyone else has a part of blame in this..."

There's something that's nagging me though...

After calming down their friend, Nikki spoke again, in a more serious tone.

"I-If you don't mind me asking... The color of the piece of cloth that was considered the evidence... Someone did mention it was black, wasn't it? I was just floating around as you guys debated and... I heard you guys talking about it for a while.... Maybe... Maybe the culprit never spoke up, so they technically managed to get away without a single question but that's odd... I remember seeing one person wearing most black color and a brown shirt with black sleeves on their outfit and... they have a black cap with that restaurant symbol as well... I found that suspicious. I never spoke to that person so I don't know their name, but uh, yeah... My two cents... I really wish I could intervene but I wasn't sure if I could be understood so I shut my trap... I'm sorry, I wish I could have done something useful... I know it is too late to go back, but it's not late to get angry at someone who managed to get away with it and demands explanations, no?"

Nikki scratched their head.

"Sorry it sounded awkward as hell to ask and then to ramble but I couldn't let go... Argh, thinking about it... I made it sounds stupid."

Nice.

How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

Isamu had been curled up and just.. crying. He hadn’t stopped since he had started in the trial room. He’s shaking now, and looks up at Nikki. Terror is still evident on his face as he stared up at the bloody ghost.

"Hhhhh.. N-Nikki.. N…Nikki.. I.. I c-can’t.. Nikki.. pl..please help.. I c-can’t stop.. It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have said anything.. sh-shhh..she died and it’s all my fault.. N..Nikki what if people start calling m-me a murderer? I won the vote.. I should have died, r-right? B-But I didn’t die!! Wh-What if they call me a mu-murderer because I completely derailed the trial like an idiot… shoot.”

Isamu brings his knees to his chest, burying his mouth in them as if that will shut him up.

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How dare you vote for my fRIEND||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu mostly but also the ballerina who voted for Isamu (I’m sorry it will be brief)

Even in death, they watched the trial unfolding without success… And someone had to fucking vote for Isamu?! Even in fear, Nikki supposed the girl should have just defaulted! Argh… The astrologer glared at the girl.

They didn’t really care about the trial in particular, honestly… Yeah it was bad Tokaji is dead but they’re just avoiding him and watching over their closest friend here…

“…”

If anything, they were glad Isamu isn’t going to die.

Selfish, but still.

They did cringe at the execution of the girl who didn’t deserve such death but then again this whole place was fucked up already. The only question is when will the insanity end…? Will Isamu leave safely…?

Feeling less scared than last time, the astrologer appeared around the dorms, not particularly caring about the surroundings. Once they noticed him, Nikki opened their mouth.

“…Hey, Isamu… Are you alright…? I saw what happened… I’m going to be honest, I’m really glad you didn’t die… And I hope you will get out of here alive… I’ll make sure to help you with what I can do… I will do my best…”

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Nikki nodded.

"Sure....... See........... you...........  soon!"

The astrologer waved and their blue appearance disappeared, for now.

They hoped that they'll find anything useful in the meantime.

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

Carefully reading what Nikki had to say, Isamu felt himself shake his head slowly in reply to their first question, but he opened his mouth to answer the rest of their message.

"Right, yeah. Don’t over-stress yourself or anything, okay?"

He could barely get his head around the last sentence, but the start stood out clearly to him.

I’m happy I got to talk to you, Isamu.

He felt his mouth pull itself into a short smile as he turned his head a little to look up at Nikki.

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Nikki kept their smile and hugged Isamu back.

"It's ...... no ...... problem ....."

They wrote on the floor as usual, carefully.

Do you need to talk about anything else...? If nothing else, I can hang out near your room next time you want to talk to me..? In the meantime I'll look around for anything helpful for your escape. Honestly, I'm also happy I got to talk to you, Isamu, despite my circumstances.

It was short but it was clear that Nikki didn't want to finish the conversation too soon... Perhaps a break for now but they'll definitely want to come back to chat again.

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

A slight sigh left his mouth as he listened to Nikki’s slow words. While it would have been agonising to listen to for some, Isamu found it almost peaceful.

He didn’t think he was ready to talk about her yet. She was like one of his secrets. He had promised to keep it no matter what, and keep it he would. Nikki didn’t pressure him or force him to talk. They just listened. 

Nikki, though very dead, was there for him. Like a true friend.

Carefully reading what Nikki had written on the floor, Isamu felt his brow furrow on some of the more difficult words, but nodded. Nikki really was trying to find a way out. They were trying to help him leave safely.

"Okay. Okay. Thank you, Nikki, really. I’m.. I’m really glad you came to talk to me. I….. I know that sounds really soppy and stuff, but.. yeah.. thanks."

He hugged the blue ghost once more.

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Nikki knew Isamu wasn't really telling the truth but... They let it slide. After all, they had to help their friend to escape... Even if they couldn't do much right now, they wouldn't just stay there and do nothing, that'd be unacceptable for themself. They smiled and nodded.

"I...... do...... wonder...... yes...... But...... that's....... okay...... You...... can...... talk...... about...... it...... later...... No...... rush."

To speak like that seemed to take an eternity as each word had to be carried out like each sentence to Nikki but they didn't really care. Just as long as the message get through.

They wrote on the floor just in case.

Don't feel obligated to talk about it if you don't want to. I am however always available to listen to you if you need to ramble or whatever you want to do! I'll also find a way to make sure you will leave this building safely. Right now, I don't believe I can do much but I'll find a way really soon, okay?

Nikki then hugged Isamu again.

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

Isamu barely noticed one blue tinted arm lift from the embrace. He was much too busy trying to stop this sudden wave of emotion, swallowing and sniffling and stopping these stupid, stupid tears. He didn’t cry. He hardly ever cried. He’d grown past that stage. He’d left his childish terror behind.

Hadn’t he?

While he contemplated this, he failed to notice his ghostly friend writing on the floor, despite their short words earlier. Only as he lifted his head from their shoulder did he notice the words, and he took a few moments to read the message. All of these words were so confusing… but Isamu managed to get the gist of what Nikki had to say.

Nikki wanted him to not give up.

Isamu… kind of wanted to give up. He was sick of this place. People were going around and killing each other and returning as ghosts. It was too surreal. He just wanted to go home, go back to his job, take selfies, hang around town, watch movies, look at cute clothes.

He wanted to go back to the normal days, but that wasn’t an option. He had to bear the weight of the face that he was probably never going home again.

Of course, he wasn’t going to say as much to Nikki, seeing as they were trying their best, and could not possibly do more. They were dead, with no hope of seeing their boyfriend or their family again. All hope was lost for them.

Isamu opened his mouth, his tongue weaving a small lie as he spoke.

"I…. th-thank you.. I.. I hope that they’re okay. Of course they are. They’re fine. They’re strong.."

It only occurred to him just then that Nikki probably didn’t have a clue who he was talking about, and he was grateful that they didn’t try to divert him or push the topic.

"Sorry, I… you’re probably wondering who I’m talking about.. I just.."

He glanced at his desk again, before his eyes returned to the floor.

[astrologernikkihera-archive]

"..."

To consider the possibilities of the loved ones dead... isn't really great. But in an environment like this, anything is possible. He could be dead at this very moment, Nikki knew that. Regardless, they didn't want their friend to give up.

"Isamu... Listen..."

They wrote on the floor while embracing their friend with one arm.

I understand how terrifying it is to believe your loved ones may be dead. But you shouldn't only consider that, if you escape from this place alive, you'll know whenever they'll be dead or alive. And I'm sure they are alive. At least for me. What's important is not giving up until the very end to find the answers for your questions. I will do what I can to make sure you can leave safely...

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

He was scared for them. He’d just created more trouble for himself now, by thinking of him, but what if he was reality? Would he have found them? What would have happened? This isn’t good. At all.

When Nikki spoke, he thought that they were trying to get him to notice more lines on the floor, but soon that feeling overcame him again. That feeling of cold, like someone had dropped the lightest sheet of satin on you. Nikki had embraced him again, slowly uttering four words.

I Don’t Blame You.

Isamu knuckled his eyes, his hands coming back wet.

"N-Nikki……"

He sniffled a little, and leaned his forehead on their shoulder.

"They could be dead and I wouldn’t..*hic* I w-wouldn’t even k-know.."

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Could they blame him for that...? Nikki did want to leave too... They wanted to see Valentino once more... To make sure that the screams were just fake... Too late... They can't do a damn thing, they gave in to the screams, and their questions will be without answers...

"... I..."

"... Don't..."

"Blame... You..."

Nikki really wanted to write on the floor more, but... It seemed like Isamu wasn't able to focus so they simply hugged him.

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

Sniffing hard, Isamu peered over the tips of his fingers to see if Nikki had written anymore on the floor. They had. Reading the lines on his floor, he nodded.

"I’ll try. I really will. Everything is just so…"

He raised his hand and wiggled it around. Great description, Isamu.

Reading along with Nikki’s lines again, he waited as they wrote. They really wanted to help them escape. But it seemed so far away. Isamu couldn’t wait.

"I want to leave now, though. It sounds selfish but… I’m.. I’m really, really worried about my family. He might’ve found them or something.. God, Nikki what if he actually found them?! God damn it.. I just want to see them and make sure they’re okay! That’s all I ask for.. I just want to.. ju-just..”

Any noises he emitted were muffled instantly when he buried his face into his hands once more.

Isamu, you’re such a sap.

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Nikki sighed...

Yeah, it is bad...

They wrote more on the floor, slowly but still methodically.

Yeah it is understandable... I never spoke to her... After I died... I still feel remorseful... But please trust your friend, alright? It will be hard, yes... There will be doubts, I know... The creepy ghost is still a piece of shit and he's responsible for what's happening here... And if what he says about a student here being actually responsible for the misery is true... Then I understand it isn't anywhere easier to trust people. But try to not be too wary. If you guys can collectively figure out who's behind that and leave safe and sound... It'll be great.

Nikki looked saddened.

"Isamu..."

I'll try my best to make sure you will be leaving this place alive... I missed that chance to see my boyfriend ever again... But... I won't allow anything to happen to you..! I want to help you escape... If that's what I can do! And if more people manage to escape with you before more death occurs... Then that's all I ask.

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

Isamu watched Nikki as they got on their knees and began writing on the floor. Watching as the letters formed, he nodded as he read the sentences aloud under his breath, stuttering or catching on some more difficult words. He never was the best at reading.

"I see. It’s totally alright for you to feel that way. But Saki.. she’s worse now… I’m actually.. kind of afraid of her… eheh.."

Laughing nervously, Isamu glanced off at the two folders on his table before his eyes returned to Nikki’s.

"Honestly.. I’m kind of scared.. of everyone here.. They’re either really cruel in trial or just look so.. creepy, or like they’re better than me… I’ve only made one friend since you disappeared.. and honestly.. I’m not sure if she thinks me as a friend…"

Isamu sighed, rubbing his forehead with one hand as he spoke. Guess the both of them had it pretty hard, huh?

"Heck, Nikki.. I want to go home.. I have family there and I need to be there for the two of them. I can’t even sleep without thinking about them. They mean everything to me!”

He shuddered, swallowed, and buried his head in his hands.

God, he really did miss them.

[astrologernikkihera-archive]

"...Ah... Oh dear..."

Nikki thought of how they can communicate.

"...Can try. ...Basically... Hmm..."

Nikki knelt down and wrote each sentence on the floor with their finger carefully and methodically. They stopped a few second between each sentence until they gave out the full message.

What I'm saying is I'm used to being dead. I accept it now... Yet I'm sure Saki will never forgive me for what I've done and it still make me anxious, you know? I know what I've done is really, really wrong. But I still don't want to be reminded every day about that and I wish one day she might forgive me. That's far fetched, but I don't really care. And I avoided most people here, especially Tokaji, he terrifies me.

And I don't like him. At all. That's what I said.

"...That's it."

They'll gladly write on the floor for now if that helps Isamu to understand...

*mun voice* -points- My son.||GhostNikki||ATTN: Isamu

Isamu kept a careful watch on his friend’s mouth as they talked, trying to decipher their words. It would be so much easier to write down, but he wasn’t sure if Nikki was able to write. Hadn’t Momoko said they were kind of like little children?

He did try his best to figure out what Nikki was saying, but seeing as they talked so much, and he didn’t have the guts to stop them from doing so, he just kept attempting to find out what they were saying.. to come up with practically no idea what they were saying, apart from the words they had said and managing to lipread their last sentence.

Blinking, Isamu felt himself warm up a little. Nikki was glad to talk to him? That was.. so nice.

"I, uh.. I’m really glad I can talk to you too, Hera-san. Like.. really glad. I’m really sorry I have to say this. But I’m finding it.. kind of really hard to talk to you..? I’m not great at lipreading.. and.. um.. yeah… I’m.. mhm.. I’m really sorry. Aren’t you able to like, write or something? It’d be easier, but it’s alright if you aren’t able. I’ll just try harder I guess.."