perfectmatch | week two | match ceremony

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week two | match ceremony

Tonight, we're back in the courtyard. It looks similar to last week with the slight exception, there is now a plush couch near the stage, and a single lantern already lit above the stage. There's still food, drinks, all sorts of things available for the contestants to snack on and enjoy.

On the stage is Wei Wuxian, looking presentable in his hanfu for today. He's busy twirling his flute in hand as he waits for the contestants to show up and find their places, and when they do he'll extend both arms out, welcoming the cast.

"Second match ceremony! You're exempt from a black out tonight because you've already found one of the matches."

He'll gesture to that couch from earlier, which seems to be The Special Seat for Ringo and Furina to sit at if they'd like.

"Now, we know how this goes so let's not delay anymore! Team Wangji, it's your turn to announce your matches!"

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[Edamura doesn't have much to say to Rom's announcement, other than he agrees! so he stays silent in the immediate aftermath of same, though his gaze does follow the way mister exorcist slips out the front door amidst the lively discussions]

[. . .]

[some time later, a presence looms over Rom as he brood's on the porch, before someone lowers a nice fresh cup of coffee in front of his face]

[ Alert as ever, he glances over the moment he hears someone else stepping onto the patio. But he doesn't accept the coffee immediately, just fixing a curious look on Edamura. ]

I haven't had anything to drink since the night of our 'extra guests.'

[simply]

Coffee isn't just for sobering you up. It soothes the soul. Warms you from the inside out.

[gives the mug a little wiggle]

Come on. I won't stand here all day.

... of course. Thank you.

[ A quiet huff in amusement before he leans forward to take the mug, carefully cupping it between his hands as he slouches back against the patio wall. Not taking a sip just yet, but just appreciating the scent of it. Edamura does make good coffee. ]

It's too bad how tonight turned out. I thought you and Miss Serpilia made for quite the dynamic pairing.

[damn right he does. slips into the spot right next to Rom next, lifting his own mug for a slow, deep inhale]

Yeah. . .? Well. I did, too.

[a bit wry. not upset, not offended, just. . . wry]

In terms of the show's entertainment value, that is. Her actually heart is somewhere else.

[ That earns a sideways glance -- before Rom turns slightly so he can better direct one of his usual stares at Edamura. Gauging his expression, his reaction, to the following question: ]

I wonder, then. Which do you believe should be of higher priority in this game? Entertainment value, versus heart.

[his own gaze stays steadily trained forward, brown eyes locked on one of the beautiful trees rising wizened and blossoming from the ground. it truly is stunning. the whole mansion is stunning. a picturesque, artistic backdrop to their four-week foray into love and romance]

[. . .]

Have you ever been in love, Shindou?

[WELL OKAY. NOT AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. thank Ringo for the dropped honorific, too]

Edited 2025-06-14 20:58 (UTC)

[ Here's where his gut instinct is to loudly gasp and lean in even closer. Get up real close in Edamura's face, maybe even nose to nose, just to drive the situation home. Make his voice a proper theater whisper, perhaps even loud enough to be heard back in the living room.

... the only thing that saves Edamura is the fact that Rom is, in fact, very tired by this point. So instead, he's only subjected to a hoarse exhale before Rom responds in annoying fashion: ]

My, my! Edamura-san, I'm honored you'd confide such a thing in me! But I promise I'm very tight-lipped when it comes to such important matters. Not to worry -- I won't tell anyone about the depths of your affection for this mystery person.

[. . . . . .]

[yanks on the brim of his hat and pulls it down over his face]

[ His punishment for trying to be a supportive friend ......... :(

Okay, okay, no. He's had his fun. Rom huffs a small sigh as he pushes his hat back into place and leans against the patio railing. His usual insufferable act's toned down just a notch as he looks at Edamura. ]

Have you fallen in love with someone here, Edamura-san?

[he could tell he was being made fun of again!! it was a serious question!!!]

[huffs indignantly before returning to his coffee and finally taking a nice, long sip. stretching out the silence before he answers, simple and to the point]

No.

[. . . falling in love? after only two weeks? some people here make it look so easy. . . he envies them, just a little. Furina and Ringo, so confident, so assured. Shoko and Poppy, bold and unafraid. Luka, open enough about his feelings to sing about them in front of a crowd. Nico and Aventurine, with their dutiful devotion to each other after such a short period of time]

[how did they do it? how. . . did they know? Ringo had said it was about feeling brave, but. . .]

[. . .]

At least, I don't think so.

You don't think so.

[ He also finally addresses his coffee cup, looking at the ripples across the surface. It's still nice and warm when he takes a sip, the flavor of it soothing his nerves just a touch. Rom sighs as he lowers his mug. ]

But to bring up the question like that, you must have had something in mind. There are many reasons people here could have chosen each other, after all ... Lust, infatuation, friendship, camaraderie. All possible options, instead of love, which carries a different weight, doesn't it? ... do you think you might be falling in love with someone?

[now he's turning his gaze towards Rom, brows knitted together, jaw set tightly, even if the corners of his lips are turned slightly upwards]

I noticed you never answered my question.

[but he sure is asking a lot of them!!]

[ Oh don't worry about that! ]

It wouldn't be right for me to focus on something so trivial, when my dear friend Edamura-san might be struggling with the important matters of love! [ hehe. But in all seriousness: ] Now, please -- do you think you might be falling in love with someone?

[. . . . . . . . .]

[. . . his response eventually comes after a long stretch of silence. carefully measured. gaze steady, even as a mask of neutrality and distance shutters his expression]

[. . .]

. . . if I told you I'm a liar, would you believe me?

[this is related. he promises]

[ He's quiet, letting Edamura take his time. It lets him nurse his coffee too, slow sips of it help to regain his equilibrium, and he lowers the cup to cradle it his hands once more when Edamura speaks.

Hm. ]

Yes. [ Decisive. ] People who can live their lives being honest all the time are very lucky. Most simply don't have that luxury.

[ Himself included. ]

Is that what you mean?

[the tiniest quirk of a grin breaks through the mask, but there is nothing kind in it. something so sharply unlike him. or. . . the him that people have come to know]

No. It's far worse than that.

[he doesn't just mask truths to spare people's feelings. he doesn't tell little white lies to smooth over painful realities. but. . . those are stories for another time]

[the smile vanishes as he takes another sip of his coffee. boy, does he suddenly wish he had figured out where Shoko kept her pack of cigarettes. . . he could use a hit]

[or ten]

I talked a lot of bullshit during our first week here, you know? Got called a romantic, and agreed that I was one. And honestly. . . it's nice to think about, isn't it? To believe that love can work that way. That one day, you just look at someone and know. To believe that you'll feel that spark. That it's better to hold yourself back until that very moment, so it means something.

[. . .]

But the truth is.. . I don't think I actually believe in love at all.

[. . .]

[a wry tilt of his head]

And if that's true, how could I possibly be falling in love with anyone?

[. . . it's complicated, he thinks. because it does sound nice. because if he keeps telling himself that sure, that's how love works, that one day he will find someone and just know and it will be bright and beautiful and electric, like he has finally found that missing piece of his heart that all people seek. . . then maybe he can actually start believing it. maybe he can believe that something like that does exist for him!!]

[but it's also the complete opposite of all of his experiences with love. with how messy and hurtful and dangerous and raw it can be]

[ Rom listens quietly, not even drinking from his coffee as he takes in everything Edamura is saying -- his words, certainly, but also his tone of voice, his expression, his delivery. The change in his demeanor. He'd spotted that sharper glint in Edamura's eyes earlier -- a clear memory amidst the slight haze of alcohol from the other night -- but now it all makes sense.

Though it's not in his nature to voice any of those observations.

Instead, once Edamura's done speaking, he waits just long enough for the words to sink in before responding with a laugh and a -- ]

You're being so chuuni, Edamura-san.

[. . . . . . . .]

[grabs Rom by the collar and SHAKES HIM]

. . . here I am, bearing my soul to you, and you're calling me chuuni?! Seriously!! You jerk!!!

Edited 2025-06-15 00:46 (UTC)

Aaahh, now, now, Edamura-san --

[ Said all wobbly-like as he's being jostled. Though he doesn't really make any attempt to stop the shaking; his hands are occupied trying to stabilize the coffee cup and its remaining contents. ]

-- I'll spill your hard-made coffee at this rate. It wouldn't do to waste such a nice cup!

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1/2

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1/2 i'm so sorry miru he just has so many faces

2/3 AAAAAH SORRY

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it is my turn to apologize for this tag

PLEEEEEASE EDAMURA OOZES CHUUNI ENERGY HELP 1/2

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