Oh god, oh no, it's Yankee, things are about to get wild.

@Yankee Lawd almighty, Takaya is perfect for Koharu. Now the gyaru has an otaku to be kind to! And of course he's the one who has the spare supplies for her to mooch off when she forgets something. And they'll be engaged in a running battle for exam rankings! The great part is that while they seem like the classic odd couple they also have a lot in common - they're both actually quite focused and ambitious. They might also face some interesting obstacles along the way: Koharu would not make a good first impression on Takaya's parents, who would obviously like a demure yamato nadeshiko type for their darling son, not an orphaned delinquent living alone and working odd jobs... until they find out that she's the girl who's been beating Takaya in the school rankings!

And yes, she will definitely have a blushing maiden moment or two when Takaya decides to take the initiative.

Can you tell I'm hype for this pairing?

Backstory completed and relationship-opinion things done.

Kakakaka, truly built to be in an entirely different genre. Guess I better start thinking up actual character connections now though.

...Is she just gonna talk like that? All this time?
Oh man, this is gonna be hilarious.

I agree, more established relationships (whether friendly or not, honestly) would be best. As for Eikichi and Haru, well @Nani, I'm sure Takaya and Haru are actually friendly with each other for the reasons you mentioned! Takaya would most likely decline a lot of outings, but would agree to a few as its made clear Haru isn't letting up - at least until he starts getting more involved with everyone, in which case he finds it harder and harder to decline in the first place haha. And being on the student council, he would work together with Haru when they need his skills.

This goes for Mikako and Eikichi too, at least while Eikichi was on the council in his first year. It's an easy starting point.

@Lemons Mikako and Takaya are probably those that stick around the latest after council meetings. They might have eventually come to an agreement to swap the little duties after meetings (Mikako handles clean up and everything else on Takaya's cram school days, Takaya does it otherwise so Mikako can head to her other clubs or home to her family). I would say they are probably friendly, though Mikako and Haru would be closer to each other (and Eikichi) than Takaya? At first, at least.

@OliveYou And Eikichi, I think they would be cordial, if not a little friendly due to that familiarity in first year and him being friends with Mikako and Haru. But not very close. I would love if Eikichi knows or has an inkling that Takaya is a huge nerd and teases him with it. Perhaps some very mild black mailing to make sure Takaya agrees to Haru's latest invitations as not to bum Haru out hahaha. I think it also could be sort of interesting to play with Takaya's very traditional, plain look and facade versus Eikichi wanting to avoid being seen as plain and forgettable. Like, I feel like they wouldn't start off as very close friends but could become like that eventually - and then let Eikichi handle pushing Takaya to pursue his love interest haha.

@ERode And for others, with Junko becoming the manager of the judo club I expect that she and Takaya would start to see each other more often, even if only a little, especially if she needs to requisition funds for the club. Reading her quote about him, I can see him looking up to her as a senpai, seeing her as inspiring and intimidating in equal parts for many reasons, but he would certainly never presume to get friendly with the school's most beloved student. Although I think as things go on, the group gets tighter, and they start getting to know each other, I think it would be very cute if they became real friends. Assuming he follows the advice she keeps trying to give him.

@Feyblue Suzuka I actually feel would be the person Takaya might be least closest to, which is fine with me as it leaves her closest relationships to others. If you have any ideas though Fey, please let me know. It might be fun if they talk to each other on message boards about the latest battle shounens though, whether they know who the other is or not.

@Vertigo For Ryuu, perhaps as kids they were actually pretty close, but after Ryuu's trouble started and the separation, and now Ryuu turning back up as a (gasp) delinquent, they probably avoid each other. Or maybe its one sided and Takaya avoids him. So maybe some hurt feelings there, but ultimately they should become friends again. And if you want to go with Ryuu and Suzuka as cat friends but still want someone to know Ryuu through games, well Takaya is 'free' every Saturday for Ryuu's raid static haha. Could be a case where after discovering Ryuu is their crew's healer, he starts trying to mend their relationship through the game first before talking in person. Just a thought, of course.

Would be a similar case with Koharu in that his parents would definitely not approve of having a friend like that, so he'll have to get over it and just be friends with the people he likes.

@Kensai Which leaves Koharu! I think it would be nice if they were also close as kids, as they would have been similar as kids. And then to see her transformation would inspire some mixed feelings in Takaya. He's happy that she seems so happy, but also... not exactly jealous, the word is escaping me at the moment, but seeing how she embraces her true self as she grew up would make him feel some type of way. But yes, assuming they're in the same class (I just arbitrarily picked 2-2) he will be lending her all kinds of things haha. Eventually when he lets his cringe side come out more, he will lend her some manga too. In the mean time, he will be polite to her and probably classmates assume she is taking advantage of his nature before people learn they are just friends hahaha.

All that is more recent relationship stuff though. As for back then... I'm sure they would remember Takaya as a regular kid that hung out with them and eagerly played superheroes and such. After Suzuka, Koharu, and Ryuu left and both Takaya and Mikako's free time started evaporating, I imagine that some that remained behind went to different middle schools too. Maybe that was the case for Takaya, as even though he has lived in the city the whole time he pretty much didn't see the others during the next few years. So them meeting in high school is more like "ah, it's good to see so-and-so still doing well" rather than a more enthusiastic reunion for him? And then as they all start to hang out together again the memories come up, he recalls how fun it used to be, and he gradually gets closer to everyone again.

...er, sorry for the wall of text lol.

Righty-o, first thing's first.

@Yankee@ERode@Kensai: All of you are approved! Feel free to add your sheets to the characters tab. We've more or less got everyone, just waiting on Ryuu's sheet now. Either way, I'll try and have the opening up tomorrow. Thinking we'll start things off on the first day of the winter term, probably having some people bumping into each other before class, the surprise reveal of Suzuka transferring in and introducing herself, and then whatever comes after.

Now, for everything else... where to begin?

Firstly, OH MY GOD Junko's dialogue is amazing. I never expected someone to send even more mixed messages with her mannerisms than Suzuka but here we are. It's no wonder everybody thinks they hate each other when one never emotes and the other can't not sound condescending. I am absolutely stoked to see them interact with each other.

Secondly, for Takaya, I could absolutely see the route of him being somebody she's met online without knowing who he actually is IRL. It feels like they absolutely would have similar interests in things like TV and anime, and if she did get into gaming while she was living out in the countryside, I could easily see it being a game he recommended to her. Feels like he might be another person who she goes to for advice down the line on how she should act.

Also feels like he'd probably be really uncomfortable around her in person, though. Both of them are kind of very different flavors of introvert and it feels like he'd be scared of her before he realized what she was actually like. Either way, bound to be some cute and funny antics there.

@Lemons Mikako and Takaya are probably those that stick around the latest after council meetings. They might have eventually come to an agreement to swap the little duties after meetings (Mikako handles clean up and everything else on Takaya's cram school days, Takaya does it otherwise so Mikako can head to her other clubs or home to her family). I would say they are probably friendly, though Mikako and Haru would be closer to each other (and Eikichi) than Takaya? At first, at least.

Mikako would definitely offer to always do it, it's not much of a hassle really, and Takaya seems so busy with cram school, he'll burn himself out. She can take care of it. So, what happens when two people who have trouble saying 'no' collide?

(Also, the "have a chore you really don't want to do and can't find Isshiki-san anywhere?" on his sheet got a snort out of me for sure).

Oh shoot I just realized I didn't note it in her sheet, because she's a member of broadcasting club she tends to take an active part in school announcements and such.

Finishing up my sheet after food as well, just still unsure about some of the previous encounters he would've had during his summers on the island! I think so far I got that he'd met Suzuka and Eikichi for the first time after properly moving to the island in recent times. Maybe Haru as well? And that he'd known Koharu as a kid when he saved her from a bully. Will write the character connection sections with that in mind, but can always edit them later, no sweat.

For Junko and Mikako---

@ERode did ya wanna take me up on the offer of Junko and Ryuu having met by accident as kids or nah? Like in some secret spot without really knowing who each other was or something, since both were pretty lonely. Chance encounter. I'd imagine they don't necessarily recognize each other nowadays either way, though.

Also, @Lemons would you prefer Ryuu and Mikako met one/on some summers too in the past? Maybe they could've met back when she was busily throwing herself at chores around the house, and he could've helped her out or something. Like seen her put up laundry and at first teased her, all "Eww laaaame, you're doing chores!" but then somehow gotten roped into helping her, maybe because he felt guilty just watching her be so nice and doing it all. Maybe he can still randomly fold laundry like no one's business because of her, lmao. Once she got to elementary school, got more popular and was surrounded by people though, Ryuu would've found it more difficult to approach her, but if they ever did manage to meet on subsequent summers, I imagine he would've tried to drag her into adventures, while her presence would've helped calm him. He would've definitely helped her during the elementary school summers too where he could, maybe like carrying groceries for her, going, "No it's because I'm a MAN and this is TRAINING, it's not for YOU ewww gross."

Also oh shit @Yankee, hellou! Yesss Takaya can definitely be the online friend, with Suzuka as the cat/relationship-advice friend, since that did seem to fit her better B) I am changing up Ryuu's bg so that he never lived on the island, just visited every summer, but they could've definitely still been friends back then! I definitely think that if in present day Ryuu sees Takaya avoiding him, he'd do so in return, and that could lead to some fun conflict/mixed feelings. I definitely like the idea of trying to mend things through the game first, as well. What role would Takaya play in the game? He better be a DPS of some sort so Ryuu can shout in his ear, and for the irony lmao.

Edit: Sheet is up, like said can still edit relations if needed. Waiting for Mikako's preference before writing that bit though!

That entire thing is DISGUSTINGLY adorable. I'll deliver more thoughts when I'm no longer a very sleepy caterpillar, but 100% that's so cute, and it gives a more coverage reason she never believes he's actually dangerous to be around.

@VertigoOooookay, now that my brain is functional again, allow me to reiterate: I love that, it's adorable. I would also like to add an additional possible layer of cute: if he found it more difficult to approach her after she got more popular, then as a kiddo she could've seen that and wondered why he wouldn't talk to her much anymore, did she do something to make him mad and he didn't like her now? Him just kinda casually getting roped into helping her and it still having an effect on his life even now just drives it home even further. She was probably sad when he stopped showing up for summers, she always looked forward to him being there.

The one thing I'd like to mention is that you mention 'once she got to elementary school,' as though she would've been putting up the laundry by herself, outside, at five years old tops. She would've wanted to help and stuff, but she just wasn't coordinated or tall enough, yknow? I think it would make more sense if they met in like, third year or so, when she was eight and starting to actually function like a human being. And we could still keep the whole 'he found it harder to approach her' thing, since he could've met her during her summer break, it's like a month and a half with no school, which is plenty of time for them to get acquainted before school and stuff. Though if he was spending time with Mikako during summer, he definitely would've been introduced to Suzuka and Eikichi too, since she used to play with them a lot.

@KensaiI did notice one thing that might look into a bit of changing; nothing that'd actually edit the character, but Mikako's dialogue color and Koharu's are close enough to slightly bother me, haha. If you're attached to the color or don't think it's something to bother about it's all good, but it's just something worth noting.

Edit: after thinking about it for a bit and comparing them again, I think I just thought they were more similar than they were because I looked at it this morning when I was tired and the whole thing is kind of ridiculous honestly, haha. You are free to ignore this.

Edit 2, electric boogaloo, because I would feel REALLY awkward making three posts in a row: added character notes to Koharu and Takaya, modernized her quote for Ryuuichi to fit their new relationship. Haven't added him to her bio yet since that's a bit more of a project, but I'll have time tonight.

And no, Mikako does not get the irony in how she sees Takaya.

@Kensai Is there anything further that you want to establish with my char? I reckon Koharu and Eikichi know each other pretty well, they probably orbit the same friend groups, plus if she lived in Minamikawa for any amount of time she definitely got to know him and his family.

@Vertigo If Ryuu was visiting in the summers and hanging out with Mikako, he most definitely hung out with Suzu and Eikichi too, but idk if you want them to be more than childhood playmates. Eikichi doesn't like trouble if he's not the one causing it, but since it's likely that Suzu and Ryuu will become close, he'll definitely be keeping an eye on the resident delinquent to make sure nothing funny happens with his best friend...

@Kensai Is there anything further that you want to establish with my char? I reckon Koharu and Eikichi know each other pretty well, they probably orbit the same friend groups, plus if she lived in Minamikawa for any amount of time she definitely got to know him and his family.

Sure, it's possible they might have dined at her grandma's shokudo or even that Koharu would have helped out at a stall during festivals? That would be a link with the shrine thing.

Updated Eikichi's relationship section to reflect the current cast. I can't wait to get started!

I have finished my own relationship quotes and posted nerd ass to the chara tab. Please let me know if anything seems off with regards to relationships!

Edit: @Vertigo forgot to mention but yes, Takaya definitely DPS haha. I'm sure he's learned all kinds of roles and play styles, but defaults to DPS more often than not.

I love how Haru has no enemies. Bro is vibing through life.

@OliveYou My boi has major golden retriever energy and even if someone doesn't like him, Haru will still treat them like a friend lol And either they accept his friendship or push him too far. (Which the only thing I can think of is if they purposely broke his camera, but I doubt that would ever happen). Even then, he'd never wish them harm, he'd just be sad.

I am also SUPER excited for Ryuu and Mikako's romance. Eikichi is gonna be so annoying to them, just you wait.

Right, my old job called me in unexpectedly and needed me to help them with some heavy lifting, so I'm getting started a little later than planned, but I'm working on the opening post now. Should be up soon!

Sorry for all the delays!

Intro is up! I ended up focusing pretty hard on Suzuka's side of things, so the cliffnotes for the day's events are that everybody had to attend the welcoming ceremony for the new first-years, and then, subsequently, reconvene for homeroom afterward. Feel free to skip over unimportant bits as needed or otherwise throw in little flavor bits -- maybe the school principal gave a really boring speech, etc.

We'll have time for some brief first meetings and then I'll probably bounce forward a little bit to the end of homeroom (since it's a half-day without proper classes) and people getting dismissed so more of the characters can meet up and talk face-to-face.

For those whose characters might not be in the same class -- IIRC Junko is a third-year, and we might have some people in different second-year classes as well -- feel free to also skip around a little bit with the time if needed. Could have them bump into each other on the way to school or chat a bit at the opening ceremony, then jump forward to around the same timeframe once we move to the end of homeroom.

Also, pay no mind to the ominous countdown at the top of the IC. I'll be updating Post Zero regularly with the current general timeframe of the RP, and, of course, with the progression of my Doki Doomsday Clock (patent pending).

Hope everybody enjoys! :>

Yaaaay! I imagined Eikichi sitting in the row in front of Suzuka, is that what I'm getting from your post or no?
Anyway, super duper excited, I'll be working on my post for the remainder of the evening~

Edit: I would like it if Suzu, Haru, Mika and Ei were all in the same class - could roll Koharu and Takaya into that too, but that would leave Junko and Ryuu out.