Oni Horns and Sarcasm

The next morning, after breakfast, I decided to find Ibuki and see if she found anything useful on the second floor. Stopping by the School Store, I scanned my E-Handbook twice, getting a pink, spiky slap-bracelet and a psychology book. Curious, I read through the psychology book for over half an hour, sitting in the School Store. Although I knew most of this info already, it was nice to have a refresher once in a while. After I was finished with the book, I put it in my right lower pocket, and the slap-bracelet in my left lower pocket. However, the book was too long for me to close my pocket, so it stuck out several inches from the top.

I started to make towards Ibuki's room, but I was intercepted by Kirumi outside the Trash Room. Kirumi curtsied, then informed me that Ibuki wished to see me in the Music Room. I thanked Kirumi, stating that I was looking for her anyway, then turned back around and headed for the stairs to the second floor.

As Kirumi stated, I found Ibuki in the Music room, tuning an electric guitar. Wondering if she discovered anything yesterday, I decided to stop and speak to her.

"Hey Ibuki!" I greeted as I entered the Music room.

"Shuri! Good parding me!" Ibuki shouted back, and waved with her free hand. Upon seeing my confused look, she continued, "It means 'Good Morning' and 'Pardon Me'! You walked into the room, hence the 'Good Morning', and I'm tuning this guitar, hence the 'Pardon Me' part."

Closing my eyes tightly and shaking the confusion out, I decided to get down to business. "So, did you find anything interesting or useful after I left you yesterday?"

Ibuki thought for a moment, still tuning the guitar. "Well, I confirmed the Jam Room is completely soundproof, as you suspected. Hina and Miu joined me up here, and they couldn't hear a thing once I started jamming out with the door closed. After Hina left to get donuts, Miu updated me on her little project with Keebo. That girl says things that would get bleeped out in a video game, but she sure is smart!"

"Project? What project? I've heard bits and pieces about it..."

"Oh, Miu wants to keep it a secret for now. Do you know what happens if she finds out someone told her secret? Hammer Smashes Face!" Ibuki started giggling afterwards.

Figuring that Ibuki wasn't being literal here, I tried to steer Ibuki back to the original subject. "Ok, so what else did you find out up here?"

Ibuki thought for several moments, then finally answered me. "Nothing! I spent most of the day jamming out on the guitars!"

I sighed, hoping Ibuki would've actually been a useful investigator, but I figured she was just too scatterbrained to focus on finding a way out. Oh, well.

I wanted to check out the classrooms in more detail, but figured I'd be better off doing that alone. Before I left Ibuki, however, I reached into my lower left pocket and gave Ibuki the pink, spiky slap-bracelet. Ibuki's eyes lit up when she saw it, and she immediately started playing with it, slapping it against her right wrist over and over again. "Yahooooo! Are you really giving this to Ibuki? Jeez, I'm soooo happy! Thanks, Shuri!"

"No problem. Call that payment for helping me yesterday," I replied, happy that she was enjoying the slap bracelet. It actually, kinda, matched her outfit, even. "I'm gonna check out the classrooms again, so I'll see you later, alright?"

"Noooo problemo!" Ibuki responded, and eagerly waved goodbye as I left.

As I passed the Biology room, I heard a voice call out to me. "Shurinku?"

Curious, I poked my head into the Biology, and was greeted by Keebo. "Hey, Shurinku, can I speak to you for a moment? I have questions that you may be able to answer."

Seeing no harm in it, and sensing no malicious intent from Keebo, I entered the Biology room to speak with him.

"There are still some things I don't fully comprehend about humans, as much as I study about them. I feel that, in order to become more "human", I need to have a better understanding of various things. I wish to speak with you on this matter, if you don't mind."

I nodded, and sat down at the teacher's desk inside the Biology room. Keebo stood in front of the desk, facing me. I nodded and instructed him to ask me anything that he wanted to have a better understanding on.

"The first, and probably most important thing I wish to learn more about, is what you call "sarcasm". Why do people say one thing, when they mean something else entirely? How is this helpful in any way?"

I reflected on his question. "Sometimes it's out of annoyance, sometimes the other person feels that they're being asked a stupid question, or being asked to do something they feel is impossible. Sarcasm is more of an...'annoyance emotion', if you will."

"So why don't they just say that they're annoyed, instead of giving an answer they don't really mean?"

I thought carefully on how to answer this question. "The person being annoyed finds amusement in their answer, and tries to be witty with their response. I think it's a minor stress reliever for the one being annoyed."

Keebo considered my words carefully, then nodded. "I see. Also, why do people do things that are clearly bad for them, like drinking or smoking? There is no health benefit, and a greatly reduced lifespan seems to be the only benefit."

I nodded at his question, fully agreeing with him. "People use them as stress reducers, and often don't care about the side effects. They just want to reduce their stress now, and worry about the consequences later. I agree, this seems illogical to me as well, and I avoid smoking and drinking as much as possible."

Keebo, surprisingly, seemed content with the answer, though I wished I could have explained things better. "So you admit that humans act illogically at times, despite them knowing the risks?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Sadly, outside of using force, there's not always anything you can do about it. Sometimes, you just have to let people be, and keep their damage towards you to a minimum. Sounds harsh, but it's true. Fix what you can, and hope what you can't fix doesn't cause too much harm to themselves and others."

"I think I understand. I would like to speak more, but Miu and Ibuki wanted to meet with me later tonight. I appreciate the time you spent with me, and answering my questions."

"No problem, Keebo," I responded, then I stood up to leave. Before I left, however, I gave Keebo the psychology book from the Monoku-machine, hoping it would help him understand humans better. He looked over the book, then nodded. "This is quite a practical gift. It aligns with my preferences. I am humbled by your generosity."

"I hope you find it helpful, Keebo. And don't be afraid to ask me anything on your mind, if you think I can be helpful, alright?"

"Alright. Thanks again, but I must get going now," Keebo replied, then we left together. Keebo headed towards the stairs as I gazed out the window. I saw Soda outside, speaking with Maki and Peko. An odd pairing, to be sure, but it didn't seem to be any of my business what they were talking about, so I headed to the Dining Hall instead to eat dinner. I felt the need to speak with Kirumi, but I decided I would speak with her tomorrow instead.

Unknown to me, someone else was also planning on meeting with me, and I would be caught completely off guard with what they wanted to ask me.