Private What's it Like to be You?

Konpeitō led Jamie to the front of the arena. His hair was up in bun set to the left. He wore a dark purple hoodie with a white skull on the front to hide his Acinaes Arena shirt. A pet peeve of his was getting off work and having people approach him for assistance anyway.

That pet peeve didn't stop him from having a surprisingly friendly chat with Jamie. After finishing work, he was approached by the man to answer some arena-based questions. Konpeitō vaguely recognized him as a Starlight Academy teacher, so it didn't feel like he was being approached by a total stranger. No one he had to be particularly worried about. Answering questions wasn't his job anymore, but Jamie sounded interested in the matches Konpeitō commentated on. A little prideful over his work, he happily took to conversing about his passion. Getting in the way of spectators and employees wasn't his style, however, so he suggested they take their conversation somewhere out of the way.

"Sorry if you wanted to see more matches. It's a little hard to carry a conversation when people are so riled up."

As long as he wasn't complaining. Making someone miss out on the arena for a week made Konpeitō feel a little bad, but he wasn't overly concerned.

"How long? Mm, almost a year now? No... it's been a year. I started working here shortly after I came to the island. I was originally an usher, then I became a commentator's assistant. Now that they're retired, I'm a commentator myself!"

The job was fulfilling. It let him put on a theatrical character and play a role that hyped up the crowd. He was an integral part of the spectators' enjoyment. Those thoughts kept him working, ignoring how he had other jobs that stripped away his free time. The arena gave him an emotional outlet, organ donation let him roll in money, and TWIS raised his social standing in the community. All were essential. None could be left out.

Konpeitō brightened. Literally. Everything about him aside from his clothing became a little more saturated. "I'm flattered by your compliment! And no, only a year. I think I've gotten myself pretty well situated considering my circumstances."

One of the things Konpeitō was most proud of was how well he adapted to the island. Perhaps it was his enhanced learning, or perhaps he simply had a little more experience with the supernatural because of his dad. Neither felt like the right answer, but it was the best explanation he could come up with. Either way, he was an established and well-known citizen. Unlike a regular hikikomori, he spent no time at all integrating himself into society.

A bitter taste shot through Konpeitō's mouth. It wasn't fair of him to hate the island's administration, and yet, he couldn't help it. TWIS itself was sort of his middle finger to the island and school. To how he was treated when he first came here. To evey awful emotion and experience he went through.

"Ah, was it that obvious? Most people overlook it, thinking it's a trick of their eyes." Returning to normal wasn't hard. Not after his mood had darkened, though he avoided showing it. "I didn't answer your question, did it? I am. Sometimes my changes are based on emotions, but I almost always have control."

Konpeitō smiled confidently at Jamie's rather obvious observation. "I get that a lot! I was made to be colorful. To attract the eyes." It was only ever intended to be one pair of eyes, but now that he was on the island, he wanted all to be on him. "I actually used to be pinker, theeen I changed things up a bit after I came to the island and learned how to shape-shift.

"By the way, you don't have to be so nervous around me. I can tell you're speaking carefully. Unless that's how you always speak, then my fault for assuming."