01: Reality $ TEXT

[righthandstand]

[Okuyasu opts for a text message rather than a video as 1) it's kind of easy to figure out after some practice - it's like a computer, only the keys don't get stuck and 2) he hopes fewer people will recognize him from the tiny icon.]

you know after the past few days i think im finally getting that this is all real
that im not dreaming that i woke up in outer space and went to a planet where magic is real
does that make sense?

i guess what im trying to say is i suddenly realize that i was sleeping in a real bed in a real house and ate real food
but at the same time i cant completely accept it yet
and its confusing

i know it sounds pretty dumb but thats how I feel

Comments

[righthandstand]

Does moving to different houses without getting caught counts? 'Cause that's what me and my bro did for a long time.

[garyoutensei]

That's a squatter. It's really not the same thing.

[righthandstand]

Hey...[It's true but still stings.] Nothin' wrong with savin' money.

[garyoutensei]

I'm not judging you, that's just is what it is. A squatter and a vagabond ain't the same thing.

[righthandstand]

And what's the difference? We're both moving to different houses. Maybe vagabonds don't stay in one city too long but we don't have regular homes either way!

[garyoutensei]

Are you really gonna be a pedantic shithead about this kind of thing?

Fine, you're a vagabond, you happy?

[righthandstand]

Fine, I am!

[This is why Josuke is around to keep Okuyasu chill.]

Least we both got a clean home to stay in until they kick us out.

[garyoutensei]

I've gone a long stretches with no roof over my head, so I'm hardly worried.

[righthandstand]

That musta sucked. Some of the places we stayed in were fallin' down and covered in mold and shit, but least it kept us sorta safe.

[The sound of Okuyasu shifting on the couch.]

I'm borin' ya, ain't I?

[garyoutensei]

I didn't exactly ask for your life story, but if you need to talk about it, I'm not gonna tell you to shut up. -She was even listening.-

[righthandstand]

[And thus, Okuyasu is suddenly made uncomfortable. He never really talked about these kinds of things with Josuke, and he'd rather let his situation (or brother) speak for itself. Feelings are weird.]

Nah. I'm good.

[Sitting alone on the couch and remembering the years when he had to hide the truth about his father from the neighbors. The fear of running out of money hung over his head since he was old enough to understand, the moldy buildings where he stayed when Keicho was out hunting for possible Stand users. Those weren't fond memories of childhood.

He supposes Baiken would understand, but it's not like he has to reveal all his secrets to someone that wasn't even in the same room as he, no matter how cool she was.]

[garyoutensei]

-That told her all she really needed to know, and she made a thoughtful hum in response. Her story wasn't any more pleasant, in the end. Those were the sort of cards played close to one's chest.-

I understand.