SWITCHBOARD

[transmittable]

If you'd like to ask the Transmitter something over the phone, go right ahead! The Transmitter will answer the phone as soon as she's available. Leaving messages is impossible, given how old these phones are, but you should be able to reach her at almost all hours.

Comments are screened for privacy; all Patients are offered confidentiality, didn't you know?

Comments

[cadmiums]

I understand. [ A beat.]

It's mostly just... I guess they think I'm foolish for liking you and trusting you. But I can be really stubborn, so I won't let it get to me.

I wish they would be a little more open in how they view you.

[transmittable]

Well... I can't say I really blame them, on the...not-being-open part. I'm happy, that some of you...that you like me. But I can't say it's what I expected.

[cadmiums]

I didn't really know what to think when I woke up here, but I'm happy with what we have now.

...and I'm glad that you've let me know more about you, Renee.

[transmittable]

...It's been a long while since I've been able to let anyone even...a little bit in, so. I'm glad I have. If you remember more, um...Ryoji, I'd love to know, too. About you.

[cadmiums]

Me too.

I could tell you about my dream this weekend, if you want!

[transmittable]

Um... Okay, sure! I think that'd be nice.

[cadmiums]

Well they're memories, right? [ But he presses on and continues.]

I could tell you about the one I had a few days ago too, but it was kind of silly.

[transmittable]

Oh, I wouldn't mind! Silly or not, I'd just like to hear you talk about it.

[cadmiums]

OK! I've kind of told you about my friend Makoto, right? He's the one I work at the cafe with, he's really kind but hopelessly awkward. Even though we were making pretty good money at our part time job, it still wasn't enough for him to pay for a new suit for this salaryman, so he needed another source of income.

So we made a campus helpers club! ...or I did, and I forced him to help me. We went around school asking everyone if they needed help with something, in exchange for however much yen they wanted to pay us. Let's see we... helped organize the student council room, posed as models for an art class, and knitted some samples for the sewing room.

It ended pretty much after that but...I still don't think we had enough yen for the suit.

[transmittable]

A...helpers club, so you were just like- you'd go up to people and ask what they needed and do it? Oh my god, that is so you, I'm not surprised at all! You really didn't get enough, though? I'd think anyone'd want a...heh, a pair of strapping young men to give 'em a hand.

[cadmiums]

Exactly! We had a sign too and everything, even if we weren't an official club.

There were a lot of people who requested our help but a suit costs a lot and-- ah, I gave all the girls discounts. I'd give you the biggest discount, of course~.

[transmittable]

Wha- [ She laughs. ]

Ohhh, you goof, that's probably why you don't have enough for it! Lesson one, you can't give a discount to every pretty girl you see, okay? ...Even if you are dating her.

[cadmiums]

If we keep helping everyone we'll have enough eventually!

But if I didn't give them a discount, do you really think you shouldnt get one?
Because you know, you're not just a friend or classmate.

[transmittable]

What...would you say I am, then? If you had to put a word to it.

[cadmiums]

Well we go on dates right? And we both want to do couple things. And I haven't gone on a date with anyone else in a few weeks now...

Does that mean you're my girlfriend? [ It's a godamn miracle that he manages to say all of this with nothing but curiosity and wonder, as this has somehow never happened to him before.]

[transmittable]

[ She laughs, nervous. ]

Y-yeah, I think, um...I think that's how it works? That sounds right! That's...good with you? If you're my boyfriend?

[ In contrast, it sounds like she's a little baffled to be having this conversation. ]

[cadmiums]

Yeah! [ Give him a moment because this is the boy who took girls out on group dates every day and he's only now realized they've kind of been exclusive.]

So you're my girlfriend, Renee! And I'm your boyfriend, of course.

[transmittable]

[ More nervous laughter; is it just a tic she has? ]

Of all the things... Alright! Cool, that's- I'm really okay with that, I'm so incredibly okay with that. Being your girlfriend.

[cadmiums]

I'm glad, I'm really glad. Oh, we should do something to celebrate!

[transmittable]

Like what? Another date?

[ She says this with a hint of humor, but she sure is asking him on another one. ]

[cadmiums]

Well yeah, I'd love- [ He laughs a little.]

That was kind of sneaky, but you beat me...this time. Ahh it's kind of nice being the one asked out, so I can't complain.

[transmittable]

I've got one- two, now- to your three, I have to catch up somehow.

It's kind of nice doing the asking too. I see why you like it so much.

[cadmiums]

Ahh you're going to keep me on my toes!

You're the first girl to ever ask me out, you know. Actually, you're my first for a lot of things.

[transmittable]

...Really? Like what?

[cadmiums]

My first girlfriend.