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[dishonorstudent]

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☎ [ voicemail ] → Oi, you've reached Ryuko Matoi. Leave a message and I'll get back soon, I guess.

Comments

[psycholawgy]

Because of my hearing.

My mom made these giant earphones that made me look like a fool. And they were very heavy and inconvenient. But she said I could never take them off.

All these years — until just a month ago, I thought my mom was using me as an experiment. She was working on making robots with hearts, and because I could hear people's hearts... I thought I was being studied.

[dishonorstudent]

Robots with hearts? What the hell? So you're sayin' that wasn't the case?

[psycholawgy]

In the future, astronauts will be up in space and it'll be robots accompanying them. The robots have to have hearts to be good companions.

Widget is kind of like one of those robots with hearts, but he's more like an extension of my heart, rather than a separate entity with a heart.

[ A beat. ] But, apparently, the truth was that those headphones were controlling my hearing so that I wouldn't go crazy, and I wouldn't continue to hurt myself because of the pain from hearing everyone's hearts.

My mom was protecting me, and I grew up doubting her and thinking she was just using me.

[dishonorstudent]

Athena...

[ Yeah, she can definitely relate. Ryuko resented her own father most of her life, thinking he was more enthralled in his research than spending time with his daughter, which is why she turned out so rebellious and cynical. It was only after his death that she learned of how much she meant to him. Crazy parallels. ]

That's why you decorated your room like that, right? 'Cause you wanna be closer to her now, yeah?

[psycholawgy]

Kinda? I guess.

[ It's... nice that Ryuko's being so receptive and isn't really judging her for it, but it definitely wasn't the kind of reaction she was expecting. And it makes her feel more vulnerable than ever. ]

Shut up!

[ Yeah... ]

[dishonorstudent]

[ She's not having any of your tsun, Athena! ]

So how come you don't need the earphones anymore? Are you just used to it now? [ small pause. ] ...Can you hear.. mine?

[psycholawgy]

I was told that my my ability was much stronger then. And I only wore them when I had to go outside.

When my mother died, I still had to wear them. But I just couldn't. I guess I just got used to it, eventually. And as I grew up, I was able to control it.

And of course I can hear yours, stupid.

[dishonorstudent]

Sorry... about havin' to hear mine...

[psycholawgy]

Don't you ever apologise!

[ I will slap the shit outta you ]

[dishonorstudent]

Still, you're really incredible... to wanna surround yourself with so many people, even with your ability. Not gonna speak for your mom, but I know I'm proud to have ya as a friend.

[psycholawgy]

I have to do it if I want to help people.

[ She looks totally serious, but Widget's screen is screen and is smiling. ]

Her ego's gone through the roof with that!

[ GOD WHY ]

[dishonorstudent]

[ Eyebrow raise. ] Oh? Good to know, Widget. I could always use more narcissists in my life.

[psycholawgy]

Widget needs to shut up!

[dishonorstudent]

We could always swap friends for a day. You get to wear Senketsu and you don't even have to listen to him, while I get to have all kinds of interesting conversations with Widget~

[ She's eating her pancakes with a wry a smile. ]

[psycholawgy]

I'm not sure about that. It kinda seems like a bad idea to me. And Senketsu would miss you.

[ I only ever take Widget off if I need to shower. ]

[dishonorstudent]

Ha! Well, I'm glad that's the only issue. I thought you'd be more concerned with what Senketsu feeds on, heheh.

[psycholawgy]

Senketsu wouldn't work on me.

[dishonorstudent]

[ He can in fact synchronize with humans, but Athena's not wrong either. A person needs to be shameless about their exposed body in order for it to work; it would be difficult for a camera-shy girl like Athena to accept him. ]

I dunno... I bet your blood tastes warm and sweet. [ She teases. ] But don't worry, I'm not about to let him get addicted to it; he's stayin' right with me.

[psycholawgy]

...

[ That joke is totally scary, she visibly bristles. ]

Let's keep it that way!