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[eatsyourscience]

[Anyone who has been in the diner has probably at least seen, if not spoken to Souji. He's worked there for years, and he does all the cooking. So today, it should be no surprise that that's where he is when he starts up the recording.

He is rather tired, and sounds it when he speaks.]

I'm thinking of closing down the diner. It's just me working here now. I've run it before by myself and I don't really want to do that again.

[He pauses and sighs softly. He feels like he's holding the diner hostage--"Someone come help me out, or the diner gets it."]

I also don't really want to lose it. But without some help, it's not sustainable for me to do it alone.

[Having a part-time job is possibly the most natural thing he could ever have done in Wonderland. But this isn't a part-time job, it's basically become his life. He's tired of that.]

Anyway, if anyone wants to volunteer to help out, that would be great.

[He ends the feed there.]

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[255000255000255]

[ Her smile's bittersweet. She can only imagine how tough this must be for him. It's not too hard to sense it.

At least she can offer some encouragement. ]

I wish I could help. Ahaha, doubt you need a digital order taker, though.

[ She'd probably burn the place down if she had a full time body, anyway. She was no Natsuki. Which was good, because she hated Natsuki. ]

At least it looks like you might be conducting some interviews soon, boss.

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[eatsyourscience]

Thankfully. I'm a little surprised people are interested.

[He definitely should have made this appeal sooner.]

[255000255000255]

[ She makes a noise of disbelief. ] Why wouldn't they? It's such a staple at this point, isn't it?

[ Giggling, she winks. ] And I think people are pretty willing to help someone who's had to deal with this place for so long. Somebody's gotta brush the cobwebs off of you every now and then. Getting them into the food wouldn't be very hygienic~

[eatsyourscience]

[He laughs softly at that.] I guess I am getting to be like a piece of furniture here. It's nice getting to talk to people I don't really know. I feel like I should know everyone by now.

[Not that that's really possible, with so many comings and goings.]

[255000255000255]

I mean, you'd probably make for a pretty sturdy chair, strong as you are. Or maybe a table?

[ There's a pause. That probably...doesn't sound like a very good compliment. That metaphor definitely went into a direction she wasn't intending.

She coughs out a few weak laughs. Welp, it's out there! ]

But, um, I guess food really brings out the love in people!

[eatsyourscience]

[He smirks a little.]

I've found it very useful for making friends.

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Oh, like you don't have enough already!

[ There are a few giggles, then she smiles. ] I'm just kidding. It's nice to see you feeling better. You know, smiling and happy. I worry about you sometimes.

[eatsyourscience]

[He pauses for a second, wondering if he should be happy. Is it too soon to return to normal? Maybe he's just desensitized to people leaving...]

You don't need to. I'm fine.

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[ Monika blinks for a moment. She's getting a strange feeling of déjà vu. Why does this seem so familiar? Hmm. ]

Well, it passes the time?

[ Then it dawns on her. The pulling away, brushing people off, shutting down...it's exactly what Ryuji's constantly getting on her about. Maybe there was something to it all?

If anything, it's pretty interesting to see when she's not the one doing it, but also mildly frustrating. ]

What if I want to worry about you, though?

[eatsyourscience]

[...That's exactly the kind of thing Minato would have said to him.]

....Well, I can't stop you.

[He offers her a small smile. That fact that she is worried at all means something. It's not his happiest smile ever, but it's appreciative.]

Thank you, though.

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You're welcome. [ She returns the smile, glad to have at least gotten that one out of him. Hopefully they haven't been too rare for him up to this point. ] And good, because I won't.

[ Her stubbornness has some uses, after all. ]

I might be stuck in here, [ --she taps on her screen-- ] but I can still look after people!

[ And she was getting so much better at doing that in a non-creepy manner! ]

[eatsyourscience]

I'm in your care, then.

[It is somewhat comforting to be explicitly told that someone is looking out for him. He knows a few people here who would have his back, but it's typically an unspoken sort of thing.]

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Ahaha, gosh. No pressure or anything!

[ She glances away for a moment, her cheeks feeling warm. It's nice that someone would trust her like that, honestly, even being as useless as she was. ]

Do you think that someday, if I ever get the chance... [ Her words begin hesitantly, then get progressively stronger. ] The next time I'm out, could you cook me something? All that looking out for you is bound to make me work up an appetite~

[eatsyourscience]

[It's such a simple request, he can't help smiling. He cooks for people all day, every day. It doesn't feel like something special anymore, but he's sure for Monika it would be. Especially if it were just for her. He'd even cook it in the real kitchen so it didn't seem like just another meal at the diner.]

Of course. Anything you'd like.

[255000255000255]

[ It's special indeed, because her eyes are shining brightly with excitement. It's going to be hard deciding exactly what she wants. There are so many possibilities!

...Nothing vaguely fair food-like, she knows that much.

At the very least, she knows she'll probably have plenty of time to think about it. As tempting as it was to come out voluntarily again, she knew better than to do it only for a meal. Hopefully, an event would treat her kindly again. ]

I'll be looking forward to it. A lot. Thank you.

[ Monika waves a bit and gives him a smile, a tinge of bittersweetness caught up in it. ] I'll let you focus on finding new employees for now. I've got to get back to what I was doing, anyway.

[ Fitz was demanding. Just a little. ]

[eatsyourscience]

Alright. But I'm always happy to talk to you.

[She should feel free to speak with him whenever. He hopes she knows she can.]

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Don't say that! [ She giggles. ] I'll just talk your ear off~

[ Really, though. It's very nice to hear that. Having people to rely on? What a concept!

After another small wave, she ends the feed. ]