Close Circle

[KungFuCutbug]

[Fuyuhiko walks in on Pizzabug lying face-down in the middle of the bed, groaning into a pillow. They seem to be a little lost in thought...]

A Lot on My Mind

[A familiar voice only they can hear pipes up in the back of their mind.] <...Cutbug? Are you there?>

[Upon hearing it, Cut covers their head completely with the pillow and closes their eyes, trying to concentrate on the voice in as complete darkness as they can manage.] <...yeah, I'm here. need something?>

<I was just wondering how that business trip was going so far. I know I said I wouldn't intervene, and I don't plan on appearing there myself, but... I can't help but be curious, you know?>

[Cut pauses. It's a long enough pause that the voice grows concerned.] <Did... something happen?>

<it's happening again.>

<Wh—what is?>

<it's happening again. apparently some of the other people who signed up for this job are killers.>

[That elicits a brief moment of shocked silence from the voice.] <Another—? Did that bastard swindle you into it?>

<no, far as I can tell, he's out of the picture. thank god for that.>

<Oh, thank god. But... still, why are there people trying to kill you on the job?>

<I'm just gonna go ahead and confess it—this is a mafia gig. like, the actual mafia, not the game, although... with these undercover killers, like I said I can't help but notice some similarities. the killers are cops that were sent here by a psychotic police chief to take us all down.>

[More silence. Cut quietly sighs to themself in response, even though they know the voice can't hear it.] <yeah, I figured you'd have that sorta reaction. s'why I didn't tell you. don't worry, though, it's a one-time thing. I don't exactly care for being a gangster myself, and I'm definitely not gonna stick around for longer than I absolutely have to if that means cops are gonna get sent undercover to fucking kill me again.>

<...I wasn't going to object to the mafioso part. Lord only knows how much crime my brother and I have gotten into. But... still. What'll happen to you if you die there?>

<I mean, ideally you won't have to find out. but if I die... I think you'll know. you knew the last time. if something happens, tell the Foundation. they know what to do.>

<Alright.> [One last brief bit of silence.] <Stay safe in there, alright?>

<can't guarantee I'll be able to. but... I'll do my damnedest to try.>

<Very well. I'll see you in a few days, then, I suppose.>

[And with that, the voice disappears completely.]