1st Punch [Video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[Akihiko is standing in front of a terminal, musing for a few minutes on what he wants to say to the others. After he makes up his mind, he touches the screen to access the network.]

Hey, everyone. Listen up!

You all know what we have to do. Being stubborn about it is just gonna get you killed, so don’t even bother wasting your time. We don’t have to hang off of each other all the time! Stick with your friends, or just go shake someone’s hand every once in a while. This energy problem affects everyone, and there’s no sense in making things worse.

[He’s not happy about being stuck in some foreign city either, completely cut off from home, but there’s a mission to complete here. The sooner they get it done and over with, the sooner they can all go back home. Right?]

So, c’mon, guys! [Akihiko lifts his arms and punches one fist into the opposite open palm, while maintaining a confident look on his face.] Let’s help each other out, okay?

Comments

[video]

[missleadingquestions]

You're pretty motivational, aren't you?

[video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[Akihiko grins a little, in an effort to be encouraging.] Well, I try to be, whenever it’s needed. I used to give pep talks to my team back in school.

[video]

[missleadingquestions]

Your team? What did you play for?

[video]

[hellfire_gouka]

[Shinju sighs, eyebrows raised slightly.]

If only everyone had the same attitude about it as you do. I understand not wanting to do it, but... when your health is at risk, I don't get why you wouldn't even try.

[video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[Akihiko shrugs a little.] Honestly, I don’t get what’s the big deal. It sure as hell isn’t worth dying over.

Video

[drank_the_milk]

Yeah, that's the spirit!

[She does feel basically the same way about this, after all.]

Video

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[FIST BUMP YEAH!]

Hey, Yuna! I know you're on board! [He shoots her a friendly grin, and then remembers Maya's suggestion.] Oh yeah, if you wanna arrange a basketball tournament sometime, we can get more people involved!

[tercio]

[ Hey, this guy's got the right idea! ]

This place isn't so bad, eh? It's friendly, at least!

[emperor_with_no_groove]

Well, I'd rather be back home. But since we're here, we might as well take care of things, right?

[Video]

[callmewhateveryuwant]

[Wow, kind of different but he can go with it.]

That's something new to hear. It's kind of refreshing.

[Video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[HE'S BOUNCY LIKE RISE]

Yo. [Akihiko flashes him a grin.] What's up? You'd better not be one of those stubborn ones. [Because he will hunt you down.]

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[readytobe]

How chipper.

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[emperor_with_no_groove]

[Hmm... Is that bad? Nah, he'll assume it's a compliment! Maybe.]

People usually respond better to positive reinforcement.

[video]

[wontdoanyless]

[Steve definitely likes Akihiko's positive attitude.]

Gotta agree with you on this. [Even though the forced touching is kinda bad to him, he didn't want people to become ill either.] We've all been brought here, so we should work on covering each others' backs.

[video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[Plenty more where that came from, dude!]

Glad to hear it, man! [Honestly, Akihiko had expected more resistance. But maybe all the stubborn ones are keeping quiet on purpose.] I mean… it’s a pain in the ass that we can’t leave, but I guess we can’t really ditch ‘em either, if they need energy this badly. [That they would, you know, kidnap everybody.]

video.

[gingerzippo]

[This kid is stating the obvious, but Badou likes his moxy!]

You a personal trainer back home, kiddo?

video.

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[Considering how many people have gotten sick already, Akihiko is wondering, who needs some sense knocked into them?

He shakes his head in response, giving the other a friendly smile.] No, but I’m definitely into health and fitness. I’ve been on the boxing team since middle school.

video

[hopelessdream]

[ Be a good boy. Do what they tell you. At least you'll be fed. It's the only way to get through this.

This is too familiar. It sickens him, a little. It's like listening to himself. ]

What if we're being fooled?

video

[emperor_with_no_groove]

You mean, like there’s a catch to all this?

[Yuna had brought up something similar. Akihiko just nods, his expression growing solemn.]

It’s definitely possible. But we’re not gonna find anything out if we’re too weak to walk, right?

video;

[connectedtolife]

Not everyone seems to share the sentiment, I'm afraid.

video;

[emperor_with_no_groove]

Yeah, I figured as much. [So who wants an asskicking…] What about you?

HI I AM BACK :D [video]

[demimaudite]

"I'm sure you'd change your tune if you had to cuddle with perfect strangers," says a heavily tattooed girl looking back at him in the video. She's only visible from the shoulders up, so her shirtless state is not obvious.

Yet.

[video] WELCOME BACK YOU! <3

[emperor_with_no_groove]

Hey, no one's forcing you to cuddle with them. If they're strangers, you can just shake hands. You can hug your friends, though, right?

[shirtless what. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO AKI??]

[video]

[hasthepotential]

[Oh Akihiko, ever so reliable.]

I told you that you'd do just fine in this place!

[Maybe she could get him to help her organize a tagging competition?]

[video]

[emperor_with_no_groove]

[But of course! Just say the word!

Akihiko smiles at her in greeting.] Hey... [And that quickly turns into a smirk.] It's a little early to say that, Minako. But someone's gotta get people's asses moving into gear, right? Especially the ones that're just gonna sit back and wait to pass out!