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[virtualbytes]

"This is Nanami Chiaki... leave a message... I'll get back to it as soon as possible, probably."

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[partyleader]

[It's... difficult, hearing her voice crack, but Nanami's smile doesn't falter.]

I'm absolutely sure. And I promise that it's fine.

Even if we still aren't sure how it happened that we could both be here... I'm glad you exist. I'm really happy you're here. And I'm grateful that I got to meet you and have been able to get to know you. [She laughs, a little sheepish.] It's like finding a missing piece I didn't know I needed...

[It's a little embarrassing to say, but her words are still genuine.]

[virtualbytes]

Is that so...

[ She gets the feeling that her counterpart is still missing the point, but that's fine. For now, she'll accept her words, tugging her lips into a slight smile. ]

But I appreciate you being here, Nanami-san. I still want to learn more about you, though.

[partyleader]

[Warmth flutters in her chest. She's been doing her best to reassure her other self, but it's a comfort to know that she's appreciated. A great comfort amongst what had been a lot of pain. The feeling resonates with her strongly, though, because she feels the same way.] I don't know if it's the right thing to say to that, but... Thank you, Nanami-san. [She shifts her hand so that rather than laying on top, she’s holding the other girl's.] I appreciate you, too... And I want to know more about you, too! Not just the painful times you went through, but the fun times as well. I want to know more about what you like and dislike, and just... spend time with you.

[She loved her classmates and Yukizome and Hinata, more than anything else in the world. But more and more, she's realized she hadn't known them. Not the way she needed to.

But she won't let that happen again. Not with Nanami-san. Not with anyone ever again. For you... I promise that I'll do better this time.]

Mm, if you want to know me more, though... You can ask me anything you'd like.

[virtualbytes]

...I don't know, either.

[ However, to her, it feels just right. It's appropriate for the feelings that she wishes to convey from the bottom of her heart. And if the other, evidently older girl believes in her existing as Nanami Chiaki, she will accept that offer of good will. Even if she has some lingering doubts about the situation.

But what truly surprises her isn't the words she says but rather, the actions she makes.

Having the other real girl's hand in her own is different and new. It gives Nanami a feeling that she isn't exactly sure what to do with. To her, this feeling is just like what that protagonist felt when they had an out of body experience, not knowing completely who they were and yet being accepted as who they are.

That this is their identity.

Her memories aren't faked like that protagonist's was; mixed up due to an accident. Experimentation.

All of this is real, to her. To the both of them. So while she doesn't know how to react, fear bubbling up in the pit of her stomach with nerves, knowing full well that whatever she said could change everything; cause a reaction that might be bad, she tries, and she says- ]

Thank you. [ Two words are enough, but at the same time, they aren't. She needs to show more, to repent, in her own way. For the sins she's made, even if they weren't on purpose. ] Mm, I don't think there's too much... I think. Besides that I like video games of all genres, and that I don't like alarm clocks. They're too noisy.

What... about you? Do you have a favorite game? Things you don't like?

[partyleader]

You're welcome.

[She gives the hand in her own a gentle squeeze. There's more the other girl has left unsaid, Nanami can tell, but it... This isn't uncomfortable. Even though she doesn't know everything, she's able to understand.

The words that follow startle a surprised laugh out of her.] I don't like alarm clocks for the same reason! And they interrupt naps...

[Nanami that's what they're supposed to do]

I think my tastes with games are the same, though... I guess if I had to pick, I like classics the most? But I really like all kinds of games... [Suddenly, she pouts a little.] Dating sims are hard, though.