bakaomi | (no subject)

[ taka will explain if he gets asked, unfortunately ]

... and I don't think we want to lose so many people that it gets easier.

No, of course not.

[ he shakes his head, then smiles with just a hint of bitterness. ]

This one only has suggestions to give, and no suggestions to help his fellow participants.

... that's the same for the rest of us.

It's not like we have any clue what we're doing.

The fourth week is nearly upon us. The closer the end of the contest draws, the more I wonder about what will happen.

I don't think we're any closer to figuring out who should win, either...

What are you thoughts on that? I haven't spoken to many of the great gods, but it sounds as though you know them all.

It... seems to be a little tricky. They've been saying that all of us just choosing one and switching to them just to end the contes more quickly isn't the way to do it.

It seems to be an easy solution in a contest as elaborate as this. I can see why they would discourage it. Rather than out of convenience, is it that they want us to choose a great god based on our beliefs?

[ he nods ]

So whoever we go for should be someone we genuinely want to win.

Six weeks don't seem nearly enough to be deciding something like that . . .

There's a chance it might be longer than that. When I asked, I was told that six is what they're going for, but it ultimately depends on what we do.

[ no. please, no. ]

Having more time on our hands to decide would be beneficial—but if it means more participants will die, this one must refuse.

Mm. So let's hope it won't have to come to that.

[ especially if it keeps being four bodies a week........... chill ]

[ well, one of them is very chilled right now. speaking of, they're nearly upon the door to the private study. ]

. . . Young man, are you a friend of Nito Senri's?

... we're classmates.

[ why does senri know so many people ]

Classmates?

[ he nods in approval. ]

Even better. How is he doing?

He's fine. He has a lot of people here who are looking after him.

What about you?

... I'm also fine.

[ he looks at takaomi, swaddled in layers upon layers of jackets and blankets, with what can be described as a fond smile. ]

I believe you. Since you're a junior, though, this elder offers you his time, should you ever be in need of it.

[ why is the octopus man so nice.... ]

Don't you have other things to do?

[ because takaomi didn’t turn him into an octopus.

or did he? if he did, shang qinghua takes every kind thing he said back— ]

In my world, I look after disciples around your age. I won’t be qualified to call myself a teacher if I don’t see to a student in need.

[ you will never know :/ ]

... what do you teach?

The art of cultivation, and logistics. An Ding Peak, where my disciples and I reside, manages the sect's daily operations.

[ his disciples also hate their jobs and bully each other. shang qinghua is well aware of this, but let's not say that to takaomi. ]

Huh.

What's that like?