Listen closely and you should be able to hear

[The video feed is switched on, displaying one of Haruka's hands as he pulls it away slowly from the switch. The communicator is sitting on the floor a short distance away from him.
Currently, he is sitting down with his shakujou leaning against the wall behind him. Just in case it is ever needed to help deflect Bonten's power.

Oh, and his head is tilted up, staring intently at a glass marble held between the fingers of his other hand.]

My treasure... A glass marble that I used to play with as kid.

[He turns it slowly in his fingers.]

Why would this be here?

[As the light shines through it, you can almost make out a light blush that appears on his face. He's like a little kid himself right now.]

Beautiful... Better not lose it.

[Though... there is something odd about this video. Behind his shoulders, a pair of large, black wings can be seen. They're his. He is a tengu, after all. But because off Yuuko's chip effects, they're clearly being revealed to the inhabitants of the city.]

The trees here are unusual. Usually it takes a lot longer for a sapling grow this much. ...Well, whatever.

[A pause, followed by the light clink of glasses in the background.]

Ah, that's right. Just a fair warning. Just because Shinjiro is out doesn't mean there's going to be sudden change in policy. I'm not doing anyone any special favors, so expect for pay for your drinks in full.

That means you, Ichinomiya Kantarou.

I'll be here throughout the week, so don't wait up for me. There is someone that I would like to introduce to you though.

( Private; Hackable )

( Private; Hackable )

Sorata-kun, you shouldn't have said anything. Now I'll have to take your advice after all.

I will need that time off, and you will have to rely on yourselves for awhile. It may only be a day, or more, but you will be the first to know either way, Shinjiro. I'm...

[...]

I never thought that I would be staring up at the same ceiling again so soon.

( Private to Kantarou; Hackable )

( Private to Testament; Hackable )

[The transmission is silent, apart from the occasional soft sound of squeaking from bar glasses being polished by a rag and a thump as they are set on the nearby counter.]

...

[Haruka exhales a quiet sigh, setting the next glass down and propping his head up on the counter with his hands.]

It's quiet.

[Text]

I'm finally back to normal again, and now everyone is all gone. I'd probably be more appreciative if it wasn't so boring around here. Or cold.

You'd better be enjoying your vacation, Shinjiro. I have a feeling that they will all be coming back as soon as you do.

( Private to Testament; Hackable )

[There is the sound of a distant cackle, as well as some running. But he's not running from the sound, but toward it. A few steps can be heard more slowly, along with some quiet panting.]

What... the hell is--

[He gasps. Something he didn't expected just showed up. Oh crap.]

It can't be! That's-- [Haruka gets cut off by the sound of a laser beam cutting through the air.]

Aaaah!

[...]

Nngh... This is...! [Something crackles, and his communicator is dropped onto the ground, not followed long after by his shakujou.]

You bastard!

[Soon his voice is completely cut out, and the transmission is left open until finally timing out after a few minutes.]

[[ooc Hey, Shinjiro! Guess who isn't making it to work today? Haruka has been turned into a statue after being hit by Vaati's curse, and will be unable to move or talk. But he can still hear, so feel free to leave any comments. It can be found on Ingles Trail, close to Mariner High School and the intersection of Lander Boulevard.]]

Those monsters before... what happened to them? Their numbers overcame the others before, but a few days ago it suddenly dwindled like that. It makes me wonder where they were even coming from in the first place.

Still, it seems like this city has enough problems without their help. It reeks with the stench of death here...

Pointless murder. You can fight and hate each other, but even if it ends in blood, someone will always end up come back for more. That's how screwed up this place is. The dead come back in a day. There's no other reason for it, because this city has no real power, nothing worth stealing and barely any direction. We're brought here, and we adapt in it to survive. That's the way it is for any world. The only difference is that here the rules don't even exist at all.

[He takes a deep breath, and then takes a slow sip from his chawan. There is a pause.]

...

This tea is weak. Weaker than the kind we used to have back home.

Where is he, anyway? I'm getting tired of being made to sit around like this. All over a few scratches...