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[thesettingsun]

Shuji Tsushima

"Hi, you've reached Shuji Tsushima, and you probably should've texted first if you wanted me to pick up, but leave a message anyway."

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

Comments

[thesettingsun]

...I'm hoping this Retrospec stuff will be over at some point. And then we'll still need degrees, and real jobs.

But it doesn't seem worthwhile right now, does it?

[esperimental]

No, not really.

It feels like we're just mentally preparing ourselves for disaster upon disaster, we're already changed people. Unless we become like those who forget everything about Retrospec.

[thesettingsun]

Do you think things will ever be 'normal'? I know this isn't it, but - someday?

[esperimental]

Who knows. It's pretty scary.

[thesettingsun]

I'm always scared, so I never really know what's scary to other people.

[esperimental]

... Really?

What kind of scared. Everything that can go wrong going wrong?

we sure are on voice now and that sure was text formatting

[thesettingsun]

Usually that. Or sometimes just not getting through whatever bullshit Retrospec throws at us this time.

it's ok he apparently pulled robovoice for one sentence to be ominous

[esperimental]

You know, I think I always was an overthinking type even before this.

This whole Retrospec situation just made it worse. [ An exhale. ] So I understand.

Thanks for listening. I'm... not that good with a lot of people. [ He knows that. But. ] If you need someone who knows less about you to confide in, I can pay you back. Even if I am just a kid.

spooooky

[thesettingsun]

It's okay, you don't have to. Not because you're just a kid, I mean, but I'm not very good at confiding in people to start with...

[They're both not very good with a lot of people.]

[esperimental]

... Funny you should say that. Weird some other people offering counseling online are trained for this sort of thing, huh?

[thesettingsun]

I don't think it's that weird. Therapists exist in normal situations, and they have training.

[esperimental]

I mean more along the lines of "they're doing something I could never do".

I once told a friend I'd aim for something like that because everything else is too dull. Thinking about it now, pretty silly an answer. Purposely vague, but still.

[thesettingsun]

I think most people who end up in jobs like that have a reason like 'I want to help people'. I'm not sure it's a job you should get into out of boredom, so it's better that you don't.

[esperimental]

Absolutely not. I know what's beyond my capability, I don't understand others' hearts well enough.

What was your occupation goal?

[thesettingsun]

Famous novelist. Still is.

[It's just taking a while...]

[esperimental]

Sounds pretty tough.

But it's good you have something solid.

[thesettingsun]

I'm three quarters done with my first novel, I can look at it and say that I've worked on something meaningful. ...Sometimes that's what keeps me going.

[esperimental]

What type of novel is it?

[thesettingsun]

It's a space drama! I've always been mad about how science fiction is dismissed as 'genre fiction' and not serious literature because it takes place on Mars and not in Minnesota, so this is me exploring how serious themes like relativistic morality can be explored with a science fiction setting.

[He sounds so excited.]

[esperimental]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the intricate plots including such themes require years of thought and work, then rework?

[ Ritsu's faintly surprised he's been able to hold the conversation this long. Maybe it's because he's a little jealous. ]

... Must be nice being so devoted to getting something accomplished.

[thesettingsun]

I've been working on it for a while, and it's still the first draft...

[So it's not going to be published soon. But it will be published, if he has any say in it.]

If I'm gored by a monster, I want to leave something behind me. Or even if for some reason everyone forgets I ever existed, I want there to be something they can't forget so easily.

[esperimental]

... You're not actually planning to die soon, are you?

[thesettingsun]

No! I want to live! Even if past me didn't-

[Oh, that was something he shouldn't just spring on people, oops.]

[esperimental]

... Well...

[ That's fine! What's mental illness if not tripping over yourself now and then. Still. Awkward. ]

Keep working at your goal. Knowing what you want is very important, I think. Thanks for talking to me.

[thesettingsun]

Any time. Thanks for telling me about it even if it was because of a misfire.

[Retrospec is dumb, but maybe something good can come of it sometimes.]