theafflicted | 🎉🎉🎉

[ Hien's has "manipulating people (as a dog)" on his profile, so honestly. He doesn't have the right to judge people for whatever their secret talents must be. ]

Sometimes you just have to do stuff like that and you happen to be good at it.

[ He shrugs. ]

I'm glad you're healthy though. Being sickly is the worst.

Quite true. I would have preferred another of my skills to have been listed, but... well, it is what it is.

[ He's still grumpy. ]

... That it is. And it is quite the inconvenience, particularly when you've a busy life.

Yeah. I can vouch for that.

[ Hien doesn't look sickly. In fact, he's very physically healthy. ]

It just gets in the way of everything and makes you feel like shit. Can't do anything you wanna do, even when you want to.

[ Hmmm. He glances down at his half empty plate. ]

So what are your other noteworthy skills? Or are they a secret?

[ ...

Time to move on from this particular subject. So. To his question. ]

Hmm... I suppose I can reveal one of them. [ And with a straight face-- ] I do have quite the skill when it comes to rapping.

[ A book author who can also rap... huh. He knows it isn't common, but if he had a nickel for every person who was smart in stuff like school and literary art who was also good at rap, he'd have two nickels. ]

Do you do covers or battles?

Battles. Of course... I was not alone. I would be at a terrible disadvantage if I had been.

[ A sip of coffee. ]

Rap battles are commonplace in my world. There are six main divisions, and I am a part of Shibuya's Fling Posse with two others.

[ Oh. So his "posse" wasn't a fancy name for his assistants. ]

Two others, huh?

[ He wonders if Gentaro ever wrote a book based on the group: him and the two others. ]

I'm pretty familiar with rap battles. Not that I can do one, but they're popular among a certain niche. For some reason, the way you're saying it feels different than what I'm used to. Care to expand on it a little?

[ He's curious. If anything, Gentaro has piqued Hien's interest the most while he's here... ]

Mm. Ramuda is our leader, and Dice completes our little trio.

[ He lets out a quiet laugh. ]

Oh, yes, it is quite unique. I feel very confident asserting that. [ A pause. ] I must give a bit of context so that you can understand. My world had been affected deeply by war. Many of us had grown weary of it, but a certain group of women--Chuohku, the Party of Words--found a solution. You see, they outlawed all weapons, and without those tools of violence, peace was achieved.

[ A wry smile. ]

Of course, that was a lie--the bit about peace, of course. With all weapons outlawed, Chuohku needed to find a way to settle disputes. Thus, they introduced the Hypnosis Microphone. It is indeed a microphone, but with a unique spin: It turns one's words into attacks that affect one's sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. That is... with one's words--a rap--the one on the receiving end will have their psyche attacked and state of mind altered. The microphone is also capable of making someone believe that the user's words are true.

It can also cause visual and auditory hallucinations.

[ a pause. ]

Of course, there is the "True" Hypnosis Microphone, which can brainwash someone or put them into a comatose state. [ And here... Bennett may feel a flash of grief and anger. ] However, the user dies after using it; thus, it is not used as widely as the microphones that are widely distributed.

But back to the rap battles. As I said, there are six main divisions: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Nagoya, Osaka, Ikebukuro, and Yokohama. Territory can be taken from other divisions, but for the most part, this does not commonly happen. Rather, during a Division Rap Battle--one of which has already occurred--we face off against one another. Using our microphones, we quite literally battle until all but one person remains standing. Afterward, the winning division is crowned champion and paid handsomely.

It is also a very popular event, as Division Rap Battles draw quite the large crowd. Everyone looks forward to it, of course.

[ He doesn't even try to hide the disdain dripping from his voice. ]

[ Hien sure asked for what he got, but all that is quite something. He knew words could be literally weaponized--it's something that he got to see in person in the first world he was ever in. In an odd twist, raps and hypnosis microphones really adds onto what he had as a reference.

It's really chaotic.

It's like watching people fight to the death and calling it entertainment. ]

I assume, just like extortion, this skill was something you needed to acquire for the greater goal.

Hmmm.

[ .... He won't deny that it's been a boon. Gentaro dislikes very much having to dance on puppet strings for Chuohku, but it is what he is.

Beyond that, though... if he hadn't been given the opportunity, he would not have met Dice and Ramuda. And it gives him another opportunity, one he'd been looking for. He won't talk about that, though. It's none of Hien's--or anyone's--business. ]

Yes, that is correct. What that goal is... I shall keep it a secret.

It's fine. No need to spill your secrets to a guy you've barely known for a week.

[ Ironic, since that's something Hien already did to someone else. For him, telling a stranger is much easier than a close companion.

...

He wouldn't even have anyone to fill in that latter role anyway. His plate is empty now. He sure had his fill of pasta. ]

I'm curious about one thing though. The Chuohku... Are they immune to the effects of the microphones?

[ He appreciates it, really. It's some measure of comforting to not have someone dig any deeper. ]

Hm. That is a difficult question. I know of one who is particularly resilient.

[ You two weren’t anything special. Well, no matter. May you both rest eternally in peace. ]

As for Chuohku in general, it is impossible to tell. They are nigh untouchable, as they have a device that cancels out our microphones and renders them useless until we leave the vicinity.

... If weapons are banned, it's just harder to get them, but not impossible.

[ Just saying! Don't you just wanna go apeshit, Gentaro? ]

Could always chuck a mic at their face.

[ god does he want to go apeshit ]

On the contrary, it is quite impossible... for the most part. Police do have them, but there is very little reason to acquire weapons when Hypnosis Microphones exist. There is, of course, a market for illegal mics. They are not nearly as powerful, but... if one is truly determined, one can easily destroy a person with either.

That aside, Chuohku is located at the center of Tokyo. It is protected by an impenetrable wall. The only way anyone may get close to them is if they are part of the Division Rap Battles. Of course, if one were to attack them during these, it would mean complete and utter defeat, as a result of the cancelers and Chuohku's own officers, who also wield mics.

[ Oh.

He thinks he gets it now. Hm. ]

Can't believe you're a book author in a rap-controlled country.

[ That's quite something. ]

[ He chuckles softly. ]

Well, aside from the occasional battle or confrontation, life is quite similar to how it once was. People meet, fall in love; they work in cafes or bookstores or corporate buildings; the lights in Shinjuku still burn brightly at night.

Life continues, as it should. If we were to change our way of life simply because the mics exist, it would be a terribly bleak existence. I will not say it is an easy life for those of us involved in the divisions, but that is the reason I write.

Should I reach someone's heart with nothing more than my words, then that is more fulfilling than I can ever describe. I am sure that it sounds strange, the state of my world. But it is that strangeness that makes the world more fun.

... I suppose that's because the mics force people's hearts to change and you'd like it if your words did that naturally without the help of those things. I think that should naturally be the goal of any author, but after hearing about the place you came from, it sounds a lot more meaningful. Thank you for sharing all that with me.

[ Hien seems quite satisfied at Gentaro's aspiration and with his own curiosity. ]

You are quite welcome.

[ Gentaro is, truly, most at ease when he speaks of his work and its effects on those who read it. In his heart of hearts, he wants nothing more than to spare someone from their worries and loneliness, even for just the time they spend with his novels.

But everything else... he's far more cynical about the world. He just doesn't see the point in telling Hien. ]

Thank you, too, for listening to me. If I may... you are a very good listener. Have you considered pioneering a profession in it?

I actually did consider it before, but... I don't think it's my calling. I would normally want to be involved and help solve any problem I could get my hands on.

[ Normally. By his tone, it can be inferred that Hien doesn't do that anymore. ]

And that's not what a listener should do.

[ A nod. He can understand that. His tone does pique his interest, but... anyway. ]

Mm. I agree. [ And here's one of those rare moments when Gentaro lets himself be a little more honest. ] To simply stand by when one could contribute... that is something I cannot accept.

Sometimes, it's better not to contribute, because leaving it alone would end up in a guaranteed better result.

[ He knows Gentaro feels strongly about being a bystander when you can do something about it, but only because most other people do as well. That's why Hien adds: ]

Only in some situations, of course. Exceptions arise from time to time. I also think it's better in general for others to help each other, but also being told that the result will be better without my interference despite wanting to help... well, that makes me feel like shit anyway.

[ The logical side of him agrees with Hien, yet... at the same time, he feels emotions so much stronger that it's overwhelming sometimes, and he feels he has no choice but to act. And admittedly, it's what's gotten him in trouble in the past.

His hands rest on the table in front of them, and subtly, Gentaro touches his left wrist. With a slight nod, he regards Hien with a small, almost sardonic smile. ]

Of course. Often, there are times when you cannot act at all. [ A pause. Perhaps we're more similar than I realized, he thinks, but he doesn't give it a voice. How could he, when Gentaro is so hesitant to do him such a disservice? ] Being helpless is frustrating, isn't it?

Very. I hate it very much.

[ Though he says that with the same voice and tone as usual. He's pretty good at keeping control of his emotions when he wants to, and it's more of a habit by now. ]

Though let me ask you one thing. I sincerely want to know your opinion on this:

Let's say there was a situation that you could provide assistance with for the better good.

[ He knows there's "good" in Gentaro somewhere. Maybe it's just a shred of him being optimistic, but he can confidently say that in truth. ]

But the consequences of helping out resulted in a tremendous loss. You might lament. However, another situation arises a little after. You are able to provide assistance, and just like last time, it looks like things will be better if you helped out, but it ended up terribly before, and you know it was directly your fault. No assumptions. No implications.

Therefore, what would you do? Would you help out again?

[ That's a hell of a question.

Gentaro falls quiet for much longer this time. He brings a hand to his mouth as he thinks, and from his expression, he's taking this seriously. Maybe he should lie about what he would do, but Hien's been sincere with him.

He can return the favor, just this once. ]

I would be curious to know what the loss would be.

[ Because his answer depends on that. Gentaro is selfish when stripped down to his bones, and if it were the loss of those he loves, he would refuse. Once, he would have done anything to protect himself. Once, he had refused to reach out, for fear of losing more and more. But--

Dice. Ramuda. And, of course, his-- No, it's not the time to go down that line of thought. Gentaro settles on his answer, turns it over again and again and again, until the jagged edges of his cautious answer have been smoothed out. ]

... I would, yes. [ He looks slightly perturbed, because while it's an answer, it's not truly a complete one. ] Had I the ability to help however is necessary and refused, then I am certain those I care for would be disappointed in some manner. Perhaps that errs on the side of selfish, but it would be for more than simply their perception of me.

[ He's known loss, so much of it, and his worldview is terribly cynical, but that's why he works so hard to lift spirits with his work. He might be jaded, but he doesn't want others to feel that way, too. ]

[ Hien nods. Even though Hien judges things a lot, this is one thing he doesn't seem to have a judgmental eye for. In fact, his expression remains the same. ]

Of course, it would be a general situation, therefore stakes would be higher in whichever loss weighs heavier for you.

[ So having Gentaro imagine it is much better. ]

But thank you for answering such a heavy-loaded question. I know it wasn't easy.

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cw mentions of war, death, and hallucinations i am so sorry haki

never be

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