[ the video feed opens up to a girl with a seagull on her head. How peculiar, but the young Ushiromiya maid had not noticed it sitting there like her hair was its nest. She’ll open her mouth and twiddle her fingers, nervous to call out to the bracelet. ]

U-Um, hello there everyone.

I hope everyone is feeling better after these past few days. Auu...

I’m really sorry for not helping out as much as I would have liked to. I-I’ll do my best next time.

Battler-sama, Jessica-sama, Ange-sama. Are you three alright? I-If you need any sort of assistance, you can always call on me.

[ Yozora, posting on the network? It's a very strange occurrence, it might as well be important. Can anyone feel a bad omen coming along? No, wait, that's just-- ]

--on earth did you do this time, Shu!?

[ Why is this suddenly his fault? He doesn't understand. ]

What do you mean? [ Have the most confused look ever, Yozora. ] I don't get what you're saying.

[ This isn't the best time to be dense, Shu. Yozora raises her hand - well, their hands - in the screen's view. Being stuck to a pretty girl with a pink Chinese finger trap should be a dream come true, but with her personality and his awkwardness, it's just a living nightmare! ]

If this isn't a prank, it's obviously some sort of divine punishment for your actions! I may not be a normal, but I would never resort to doing something so pathetic as being a hikikomori. Look at Shiage! [ She saw your post, man. ] Will you spend the rest of your life wooing two-dimensional women, Shu Ouma?

If my actions caused this, then doesn't that make you my accomplice? [A short pause.] Hikikomori can do whatever they want, I think. Shiage? What's this about?

[ He doesn't want to admit it, but he does enjoy looking at fictional things on the internet. There's nothing wrong with liking 2D imagery, gosh Yozora.]

Sometimes people look sort of like images online-- [What is being socially awkward?] No, I won't. I already have Inori. How about yourself, Yozora? Playing dating sims is one thing, but when you put males into the picture it becomes something much bigger.

You should tell us if you have a crush on a fictional male. Would you go for the ones with a jerky attitude?

Hmph! You underestimate me if you think I'll stoop down to Meat's level. Besides, I prefer the ones with... A-anyway, that's none of your business!

[ Her face turns from red to redder when she notices their bracelets. ]

Shit, the network-!

It was actually on this whole time?

[Quick, find a way to escape.]

Everyone----

There's a really good explanation for this. I'm not sure what it is yet, but there is a reason. We'll tell you when we figure it out.

Sorry.

( ooc: Shu, Yozora. tl;dr a curse has been placed on Shu and Yozora and now they have a Chinese finger trap they can't get off no matter what they do. Unless... dundundun THE ANSWER WILL BE REVEALED IN THE TAGS OR SOMETHING. There will be some threadjacking by either, of course, but we'll be tagging separately. )

[ The network has a lot of people on it, almost too many— and despite having coaxed herself out of her shell slightly, Shiemi couldn't help being intimidated by talking to that many people at once! It's taken her a few minutes to get up the nerve to actually try posting, but once she does, all of that determination she's built up sort of ends up...

Well, exploding, nearly yelling at the feed. ] H-Hello, everyone!!

[ Though her face is as red as a tomato, she manages to breathe and smile abnormally widely before continuing, seeming to gain confidence with every passing moment. ] My name is Shiemi Moriyama! I've only been here for a few hours, but it's nice to meet all of you! I-I've never used anything like this before, but I wanted to give it a try! I hope I'm doing it right...

[ She doesn't look so sure of this, but it doesn't seem to deter her, either. ] I was told it was a good way to get in contact with people, and that seemed like a good idea, I thought. I'm looking for some friends of mine. If anyone from True Cross Academy is here, I think... [ It feels a little strange, being the one to suggest a plan of action, considering that's usually the other Exwire's area of expertise, or even the teachers!

But she really thinks... ] I think we should regroup! [ That's the word she's looking for, isn't it? Regroup? ]

So please call me back if you see this! And to everyone else, I hope we can be friends!!