01 > Video/Text

[databoner]

[The video broadcast comes from Inumuta's communicator, nicely and evenly propped up. If anyone cares to look at where he is location-wise, it seems to be a library. A school library, to be exact. Who knew Heropa had a University?

But moving on, don't people like him usually use text? He looks (and is) a complete computer nerd, wearing some kind of really stupid looking jacket-turtleneck combo. The collar of that jacket-turtleneck is high up, over his mouth even. How's he going to talk to you with such a high collar?

Well that's helped by the fact that his high collar parts itself open when he moves to speak.]

Hello. My name is Inumuta.

[And it zips back up. And then, unzips again between his pausing.]

I've already spoken to several of you, but I thought I should take this opportunity to introduce myself more publicly.

I've also noticed there has been a lot of conflict here. From murders and acts of violence to arguments over whether one should register versus remaining anonymous. To better gauge our small populace's attitude, I've put together a short survey of simple questions. It would be helpful to me if it was answered with the most truthful answer. If you'd prefer to tell me in private, there is the anonymous option as well.

Or, if you'd rather not tell me at all, please don't bother wasting my time with some kind of sarcastic comment like "don't tell me what to do!" or "why don't you tell me first?" Instead, I recommend doing something actually productive with your life, perhaps like taking up horticulture or reading a book. I have a few good recommendations for you, if you'd prefer the latter.

Thank you for your cooperation.

[And then following this transmission, there's a short text with the questions he mentioned earlier.]

Please rate questions 2-5 on a scale of one to five. One being "I strongly disagree" and five being "I strongly agree."

1. Your name?
2. Are you happy here?
3. Were you in the middle of "something important" before arriving here?
4. Were you given additional abilities upon arriving here?
5. Are you happy with these abilities you have?

Comments

encrypted

[databoner]

Are you really going to judge me for my past like this?

encrypted

[heartstings]

I have a tendency to judge rich people, it's a hard thing to just stop doing. [Doesn't matter if they're no longer rich here.]

encrypted

[databoner]

It's alright. I probably would be judging myself too, if the me of four years ago saw the me now.

But, I'm not rich now anyway. You can relax.

encrypted

[heartstings]

Attitudes don't change so easily.

encrypted

[databoner]

They can with the right incentives.

Would it help at all to change your mind about me, if I told you something about myself?

encrypted

[heartstings]

[She makes a thoughtful noise as if she's thinking it over.] Maybe.

encrypted

[databoner]

Ask what you want.

encrypted

[heartstings]

I figured you was just gonna spout off something but...a'ight.

What'd you do back home?

encrypted

[databoner]

Isn't it more trusting on my behalf for me to give you the option of asking whatever you want?

Before I was brought here, I was a high school student at Honnouji Academy. My position was a member of the Student Council, and I was Chair of the Information and Strategy Committee. I oversaw a dozen or so clubs, and was also treasurer for Student Council funds. Because of my position on the Student Council, I was granted a higher standard of living.

encrypted

[heartstings]

Being too trusting isn't such a great thing.

[Typical overachiever. She follows up until he gets to the higher standard of living granted by being on the Student Council.]

Wait, why would your status in school grant you a better life outside of school?

encrypted

[databoner]

It's guarded trust, naturally.

Ah. That's part of being a Three-Star student. The island on which Honnouji Academy sits is an artificial island, where the entire economy is run by how well one does in school. Being a Three-Star is the highest rank possible, outside of the Student Council President position.

encrypted

[heartstings]

Of course.

[She's quiet for a few moments, processing that info.] That's...that's pretty fucked up.

encrypted

[databoner]

How so?

encrypted

[heartstings]

Really? It doesn't seem fucked up to you that your standard of living all depends on how well you do in school? What about kids with learning disabilities that can never do better than they do? What about kids that are sick and end up missing school a lot?

What about the kids with shitty parents that and shitty home lives that make it impossible for the kid to find the will to do well?

encrypted

[databoner]

How is it any worse than an economy that oppresses the lower class based on who they were born to? Honnouji Academy is about how one can overcome their upbringing and lower class status through willpower. To say that someone with a learning disability or has a bad immune system lacks the willpower to do as well as any other student is more condemning than asking them to try.

[He's totally playing devils advocate here.]

encrypted

[heartstings]

[Okay, she can't really argue the point on how it's any different. But it's still fucked up.]

But there's still the fact there's all this pressure put on kids. It's fucked up. [This is all coming from the girl that never finished school, of course.

But that's how it is now days, isn't it? A lot of pressure on kids to do well or they won't get into the school of their choosing. They're told they'll never get a good job and basically be a loser their whole life.

School in general is just fucked up.]

Re: encrypted

[databoner]

There is, and always will be, pressure put on younger generations to achieve greater things than their predecessors. We've evolved, but it'll still always be a survival of the fittest contest.

If it means anything to you, I was low class too, until high school.

encrypted

[heartstings]

Okay, fine. We can just agree that society is fucked up in a general no matter where you are, right?

I never even finished high school.

encrypted

[databoner]

Agreed.

Really? You don't seem the type. Was in an act of rebellion instead of intelligence, then?

encrypted

[heartstings]

I wouldn't call it rebellion so much as I had other plans.

encrypted

[databoner]

May I pry to ask what other plans?

encrypted

[heartstings]

Nope.

encrypted

[databoner]

Alright, alright. I'll lay off.

encrypted

[heartstings]

Good. I'll tell you this much, at least. It involved being homeless and trying to survive was more important than school. [Her reasons for being homeless, however, are not something she really wants to share with someone she barely knows.]

encrypted

[databoner]

I'm sorry you were forced to make that kind of decision.

[Not everyone can be like this guy and hack the stock market for the money to buy his own apartment.]