4th Social Link ▫ [Video + Action]

[jivitadana]

[It's not every day one wakes up and is suddenly inside another body. Or more like Minato was inside a smaller, younger version of his body. He looked like this when he was six years old. It's definitely an event as was announced over the network. But no problem.

There was something on a wall though like a puzzle? But he had to look up, up, and up at it, squinting through the fog. The puzzle was way too high up and no matter how much he tried to jump to reach it, it was not getting any closer.

He had to find something to climb up on. A rolling office chair it was then! That served four purposes:
1) He could move it around easily and adjust the seat up and down to get to places too high to reach
2) He could hide behind it if need be
3) It could be his getaway vehicle if he needed to escape from those monsters
4) The video from the comm device hanging from it would capture where he might be within the foggy laboratory

Thus here's a tiny Minato slowly making his own way through the fog with his trusty rolling chair until he bumps into someone... Is that someone you?]

Oh, sorry... I didn't mean it... Um, are you hurt?

[Pushing a chair with limited visibility is hard and he is profusely sorry for bumping into you! Please feel free to help him reach the puzzle? Or run into him during his travels?]

Comments

[moraloutrage]

Of course you can! The two of us will solve this through the force of teamwork, young man! Now, wold you please lead me to the puzzle in question?

[jivitadana]

[Minato nodded again and then tugged on the hem of Ishimaru's shirt.]

It's me, Ishimaru-san. Minato.

[But yes, he would go with him to that puzzle.]

[moraloutrage]

[He blinks as he stops to get a better look at him. The resemblance truly is uncanny... just like Sayaka!]

A-Arisato-kun?! Have... have you, too, become a child?!

[jivitadana]

Just my body. I have all my memories of being my normal age.

[Which is then admittedly kind of weird.]

You didn't change though.

[moraloutrage]

I see! So it is just like what happened to Maizono-kun...! [He says with an awed gasp, and then he nods.]

You are right! I seem to still be the exact age that I remember being! For some reason... only some of us have underwent such an effect, it seems!

[jivitadana]

I wonder why. But I'm glad you're okay.

[Minato nodded since it was good that some of them escaped the event effects.]

This isn't too much trouble to you, right?

[moraloutrage]

It is not too much of a trouble at all! In fact, I feel honored by a chance to look after and guide the younger generation... even if you are only younger on the outside! And I will also be glad to put my mind to work on that puzzle!

[jivitadana]

Thank you.

[Minato was always glad that Ishimaru was so upbeat and enthusiastic. He pulled his chair along to show Ishimaru where the puzzle was. He pointed to it once they arrived at their destination.]

It's that one.

[moraloutrage]

I see! [He nods enthusiastically as he looks over the puzzle and claps his hands together.]

Well, young Arisato-kun, let us get to work! [He wastes no time in grabbing the nearest puzzle piece and trying to fit it into place!]

[jivitadana]

[Awesome, Minato was feeling a little better now with company. He had that feeling that something was off, but it could've been just the event. Nothing bad would happen if he wasn't alone.

He climbed up on the chair to see what Ishimaru was doing. He moved some pieces over on his side so he could fit a couple of the pieces together.]

Did you run into any of those monsters yet?

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru's eyes scan the area for a moment until he finds the proper place to slot his current piece in. He operates quickly and precisely!]

Ah... the ones that were warned about? I have been fortunate enough not to have run into any of them yet! Have you, Arisato-kun? And how have you been faring in general?!

[jivitadana]

[That's good because Minato didn't know how much time they did have.]

Not yet. I saw one though.

[Hence the chair, his only line of defense.]

I'm okay. Something seems off, but it's all right.

[moraloutrage]

I am glad that you were able to go without incident so far! [He says with a nod.]

...If I may ask, is it your current state that feels off, or something else?

[jivitadana]

[Minato had to think about that. When he thought about it more, the more it started to eat at him.]

Both? Like something bad is going to happen.

[moraloutrage]

I see! So it is like an intuition? [He frowns as he reaches for another puzzle piece.]

We shall just have to be cautious! Do no worry, Arisato-klun, as I shall keep a close eye on you!

[jivitadana]

Kind of. Like you know it's going to happen, but don't know when.

[Minato was grateful right now that Ishimaru is in high spirits as always though. He nodded and had to get himself together.]

Does this mean I can keep an eye on you too?

[moraloutrage]

You may feel free to! But, I must urge you not to take any risks while in that form. I would not like a child to be endangered for my sake!

[jivitadana]

[Minato had to relent since even if mentally he wasn't a child (sort of) then physically he was.]

I wouldn't, since I don't want to worry you.

[That would be terrible during an already kind of worrisome event. He did hand over some more puzzle pieces of Ishimaru in the meantime.]

[moraloutrage]

[Sorry, Ishimaru may overlook his true age in favor of the age he appears to be. But he accepts the pieces with a grateful nod.]

Your concern is very touching, Arisato-kun! If we are both careful, then I am sure that there will be nothing to worry about!

[jivitadana]

[That was fine though since sometimes Minato did feel like a child. This event, man.]

I think so too. Please take care of me.

[moraloutrage]

[Ah, that strikes him right in the heart, and he sniffles a little as he softly pats Minato's hand.]

I will do my best for you, Arisato-kun. I promise you that!

[jivitadana]

[Aw, congrats, Ishimaru, you're the first person to make him smile since this event started.]

Thank you. You're a really good friend.

[Time would pass by faster too now that he was feeling better.]

[moraloutrage]

[Aw, and what an adorable smile! He's proud to have earned it.]

I... I am?! I did not think that I could come so far... just becoming a 'friend' of someone used to seem like a hurdle that I could never clear! Thank you for bestowing such an honor onto me... my own good friend, Arisato-kun!!

[jivitadana]

[Social Link established? Why yes, done and done. But that is seriously not the main reason why he makes friends, he promises!

Aw, but that little confession is a bit heartbreaking. Minato moved a little closer to Ishimaru and gave him a small makeshift hug.]

It works both ways. If I'm your friend, then you're my friend too.

[It's a definite win-win.]

[moraloutrage]

[But which arcana does he get??

Ah, that hug. Ishimaru isn't very accustomed to hugs, but after a moment of cluelessness, he wraps an arm back around the child.]

Yes, of course! As dedicated as I have been to my studies, I- I have also always hoped to forge such a mutual friendship! I must say, I feel quite pleased with this turn of events!