001 ★ VIDEO

[unbreaker]

[As the broadcast begins, it appears as though classes at Heropa High have let out for the day and Josuke has wandered off from his peers. Choosing to nestle himself comfortably beneath an indiscriminate tree, his school bag strewn haphazardly next to him on the grass, a bit of a discontented pout tugs downward upon his lips.

Something has been weighing heavily on his mind all day and, with a rather exaggerated sigh, the sort that one might elicit if they were being forced to do something they didn't want to, he begins.]

Alright, show of hands, how many of you have been here before but don't remember?

[Josuke raises a hand and then drops it into his lap again a moment later. Seems admitting that is like pulling teeth.]

I like the scenery, and there's been a lot of cool stuff to check out around town, but all these people acting like they know me is kind of...

[Exhausting? Frustrating?

He takes a few seconds to ruminate on that, but when he can't seem to find the word he's looking for, he shakes his head and dismisses the thought altogether.]

...anyway.

Instead of dragging this out, I figured I should just hit up everyone at once. Or try. That's what this network is for, right? So if you know me, or knew me, I guess what I'm trying to say is...sorry. I don't really know who any of you are — but I'd like to.

[There, that wasn't so hard, was it?]

The name's Higashikata Josuke. It's nice to meet everyone.

[Managing a small and friendly smile at last, he ends the transmission there.]

Comments

permatext

[deadtective]

Just lie about it.

[because that's actually been working out for her so far, for once.]

[unbreaker]

the hell would i lie for?

it's not like i mind people knowing who i am
i just didn't want there to be any confusion

[deadtective]

That's why you lie. Keeps everything running smooth, no big blowups.

[ Audio ]

[ghoulking]

It happens sometimes. It's something we end up getting used to. [ no, they don't. But Kaneki lies to himself and that works ]

I suppose it's hard for you too, to have strangers being friendly with you.

[ Audio ]

[unbreaker]

I wouldn't say it's hard, just a little...awkward, I guess? I'm not really sure what to say to them. It's rough knowing you're letting someone down even if you don't remember who they are.

But it's gotta be more difficult for them.

[ Audio ]

[ghoulking]

[ nah, it's fine. It's totally fine. ]

It's not your fault, I'm sure they understand that. [ they do. ]

video

[poreiavian]

...Oh yeah! Josuke, I remember you. Hey there, it's been a while.

[ hint: no she doesn't, she's being a prick. ]

video

[unbreaker]

Oh, hey.

[Someone whose name he doesn't know. Shit, this really is super awkward.]

It's been since June, I think? For the other me, anyway. So I guess it has been a while. Um...how do we know each other?

video

[poreiavian]

[ good. question. ok babble until you get something-- ]

So you really don't remember anything? ...I'm sorry to hear that. [ she sighs. ] I hope readjusting hasn't been hard on you, but it's ok. You're still you man.

[ --ok, idea has been formed middle of babbling so: ]

We met each other in the mall. Some girls were being really rude about my amazing fashion style, and you came in to defend me. It was really cool! We started hanging out after that.

[ she likes his hair - reminds her of the biker punks on the old 1950 sitcoms she watches. a little white lie won't hurt? ]

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[khajidont]

[ First Shinji, now Josuke? Man, this is getting weird. ]

I've been on both sides of the equation. It's weird, no arguing that one, but it's something that you, uh... you kinda learn to expect once you get here? Either way, nobody's gonna hold you not knowing against you.

You holding up okay, Josuke?

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[unbreaker]

So I'm starting to hear.

[He smiles, though. Seems like the news isn't the worst he's ever had to bear.]

I'm doing alright. Just gotta take these things a step at a right, yeah? But uh...thanks. I take it we knew each other before?

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[khajidont]

We talked here and there, yeah. But don't worry - we didn't actually know each other that well, so it's not that weird having to start from scratch again.

I'm Jaime, by the way. Nice to re-meet you!

[restingstitchface]

[Oh, isn't that nice. He's always had an interest in well-mannered people.]

You seem to have a wonderful way of opening up to everyone, Mr. Higashikata. It's a quality we don't see a lot of today.

[unbreaker]

Yeah, some people don't seem to think so...

[He's not salty about being targeted by Hazel Lockwood. Absolutely not.

But in an attempt to avoid letting too much of that salt rub off on the wrong conversation, he clears his throat and starts again.]

Josuke's fine. [Maybe? This person sounds older. The right forms of address with such people are important.] I mean...if you want. If it's easier.

[Who's he kidding? None of this is easy. Haha...]

[restingstitchface]

[A calm, understanding expression keeps its place on Crane's face. He takes time to think once Josuke's finished - so considerate! - and turns his hands over in his lap.]

All right; though it pains me to say. Josuke, then.

[He looks too old and awkward to be calling any young man by their first name. Right? It sure looks like he doesn't want to.]

I'll confess we're not exactly strangers. Though, we're not exactly friends, either...

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[am_i_a_monster]

When I first got here, I was told I was here once before but I didn't remember it. I still don't remember being here the first time. I've been here about a year now, and I think everyone knows me for me and not that other me, if that makes sense.

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[unbreaker]

Yeah, it makes sense.

[Josuke nods and smiles.]

I don't wanna lose those connections, not if people want to keep them, but I definitely want to be myself and not someone else.

[As far as he's concerned, it's just as important to be honest with other people as it is himself. And he's still willing to be a punkass trickster when it suits him, just...not at the expense of real people and real feelings.]

video

[am_i_a_monster]

That's one of the good things about this place. You can figure out who you want to be.

[ Video ]

[axeboyfriend]

[ Shinjiro raises his hand to the camera, does a light wave. ]

Uh.... Me too, apparently. 'Sweird.

[ Video ]

[unbreaker]

I'll say. Flattering...but weird.

You been dealing with it long or are you new here like me?

[ Video ]

[axeboyfriend]

I've been here about a month and change. Just found out about the whole "some version of me has been here before" thing recently, though.

text

[tropism]

I know of you. Namely from a mutual acquaintance.

As for your problem, don't think about it too much. It's not really your fault you can't remember, and even so, you're not obligated to do so if you don't really know.

text

[unbreaker]

oh yeah? who's that?

[A mutual could be a number of people at this point. Keeping a low profile was never exactly his forte...]

and this doesn't have anything to do with obligation

i'm just doing what feels right

[Presumably, when he was here before and he vanished, people didn't get to say goodbye. They didn't get a chance to do anything. At least this way they have a choice to acknowledge the friendship they had before or move on if that's what they prefer. And at least this way they know he's willing to try.

Shit...is that cheesy? Well, whatever. It's the truth, too. He'll own it.]

[voice]

[14words]

[ugh another fucking joestar!! he didn't know a lot about this one, some connection to jotaro but not enough of a presence in his later life to be a part of pucci's plans.

the subject was interesting though, even if the idea of another joestar in the mix gave him a headache]

So those who leave and return lose their memories of this place? Would you happen to know if this is common or only occasional?

[voice]

[unbreaker]

I can't really say how common it is, but I've heard it happens often enough that some people have gotten used to it.

Kinda sad when you think about it...