[ ...he trails off, looking unsure about whether he wants to say it. It's the last chance he'll ever get to tell her, but a part of him doesn't want to. Like saying it will ruin everything. ]
...important to me. Enough that I'd be upset if you'd died.
[ Like he wasn't upset about anybody else who had died. Like he can't drum up the necessary amount of care for other people unless they are the very few he fixates on. ]
maybe there's a part of her that kind of knew but it's always different when it's spoken. and she recoils from the barrier initially before she straightens up and leans forward. ]
Wh, why? I've been nothing but mean to you. [ she bites on her bottom lip. ] All I do is yell at you.
[ not true, she spent plenty of time with him not being mean to him, too. she made him food and didn't forget what he said. ...even if she couldn't believe it. ]
I... I pushed you down the stairs! [ then immediately went to her leader and asked for a cream for his lip. something for his wound because she couldn't stand to see him hurt. all of those past injuries as well— ] Clearly there should be better people who were nicer to you that should mean something to you.
Th, that girl—Hikaru—she clung to you and always wanted whatever for you.
[ Haha, yeah. Kano doesn't argue with any of thatβ being mean, yelling, pushing him down the stairs, there being plenty of people who are nicer to him, but still... even as Izumo recalls all these things, Kano just looks fonder and fonder. ]
I know. But it's because you're like that, that I can't help but like you. Hikaru and I were cursed to feel like shit when we're apart this week, but you know? I feel the same when I'm away from you too.
[ the fondness on his face doesn't help but she just can't believe what she's hearing right now at all. clearly there were other people right? yona?? she had no idea whatever they had but?? right??
she's prettier and probably worlds nicer. certainly has a better personality than izumo.
she'd question why he's doing this but she knows exactly why this is happening. there's not going to be another chance to say this... ]
W, what am I supposed to do now? [ she shoots straight up from where she was sitting and marches over to the barrier and pounds on it with a fist. ] Tomorrow—
[ here come the tears that were always threatening her. ]
You know what they're going to do tomorrow! What am I supposed to do with this?! [ softer: ] This isn't fair.
[ He bites at his lip, the same spot where it'd split and he'd never put the balm on it, needling at the pain, the reminder, wondering if this will also leave a mark. It doesn't hurt anymore. ]
I'm sorry, [ he whispers, ] I haven't been fair to you from the start, huh? I can't even ask you to forget about me.
[ Even if that would be better, if she would just wash her hands clean of him and move on. But it's selfish, and unfair, and he doesn't want her to forget him. ]
[ she can't hear his apology if he whispers it, her hearing has been shot since monday, but she has a feeling it's what he started off with. it makes her furious. why is he apologizing? he hasn't done anything. she punches the barrier again, and one more other time before letting herself slide onto the ground.
it'll take her a moment to speak past her tears. ]
Neither of us were fair. [ neither of them were really honest, huh? she's not even being honest now... ] ...and what are you even talking about? I wouldn't forget you.
Of course it's a promise! [ she'll settle next to the spot where he is against the barrier and will curl up. she doesn't know if the barrier is a blessing or a curse at this point anymore. ] Why would I lie right now?
[ excuse her for a moment as she'll rub at her nose and eyes. ugly crying is gross. ]
I don't know how, but I'll keep remembering. I'll find a way even if this place tries to take it from me.
[ Tattoo his name on her arm. But it feels like the more important the memory is, the greedier the realm is about snatching it away from people. Maybe, if that's the case, her memory of him will skirt by and be safe, because it's still so hard to think of himself as anything important. ]
I know you will. You're strong willed, and you always try your best, and you look forward. [ He settles down next to her, lying on the ground. ] This place won't get the better of you.
[ quickly writes kano's name down as one of the things she forgets—no, but she'll watch kano lay down on the ground from his side of the barrier and she responds with a squeeze of her legs.
and a grit of her teeth as he compliments her. of all times!!! she doesn't refute it but she doesn't want to acknowledge it either. ]
Th...that's a big assumption. I don't even know how you see me as a strong person.
[ especially since she's here sobbing and being useless. ]
Are you kidding me? [ my fingers, autopiloting "killing" ] How we first met, every time we met, being able to put up with me, you gotta be super strong to be all that!
...It's hard to believe it when it's yourself, huh? And it's not fair for me to place expectations on you. But that's what I see. Somebody cute and strong. Willful, noisy, proud, kind, all these things that I love.
[ Naru that little onigiri badge takes me out every time I look at it ]
Most everything I do I don't want to do? Like, you ever think about how great it would be to just lie on the ground and stare at the ceiling all day? Just out of the way, not being a bother to anybody.
[ Just... existing, and it being okay that he exists. ]
but this is a slight tone shift that doesn't quite take her off guard. if anything it just makes sense to her. she remembers the last time he seemed to "change" on her. ]
I wouldn't say that I haven't had any thoughts like that before.
[ though there's a definite difference between his reason for lying around uselessly and her just wanting some peace and quiet. ]
I generally don't want to be bothered by people in the first place.
[ He hates them too. Real skittish around them, hates having eyes on him, would rather have nothing to do with them. But sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, and be somebody you don't want to be. ]
But, you know, you're real easy to bother! It's very fun. I guess it's 'cause most people wouldn't bother with me in the first place?
[ They would be smart and walk away, not continue talking to him for 300 comments. ]
[ izumo doesn't know about people being scary but she certainly would love to give many of the a wide breadth. yet, there are people here (plenty of them) who would never grant that. ]
F, fun? [ sighs. ] ...w...well, it wasn't unpleasant talking to you.
[ a bit more honestly: ]
You were a lot better than a lot of people here. At least you only said weird things and not annoying things.
[ he can laugh but it doesn't bother izumo...much. (and closes my eyes and does not think of his other graveyard threads.) ]
Who cares about anybody else?! [ honestly? it doesn't shock her to know that most people find him unpleasant or annoying. she would have said the same but you know. here she is...... ] Most of the people here still can't grasp what's going on here seriously.
[ or sometimes you just have demon blood and everyone thinks you're creepy... and honestly, what is she supposed to say in response to that? she'll just look down again and frown.
... ]
And back in your world? Did you have something you cared about there?
[ Oh. Hm. That's guilt that flits across his face for a moment before it's replaced with something a little more somber. His cute family!! he will never be able to see them again ): ]
Mm... It's me and my brother and sister living together right now. I guess with a girl my brother picked up from the forest too. [ Who is not exactly family, but she's more than a friend... He's never too sure how to describer her, but more importantly!! his cute family!!! he would gush about them forever, I hate how this is where he's the most sincere ]
My brother's name is Seto, and he was a lot like Shigeo when he was little- he's good at just about anything, and I'm real proud of him, you know? And my sister, I piss her off a lot, but her angry face is the cutest~
[ yeah, guilt on his face and she's a glutton for punishment as she knows that this is a family he'll likely never get to see again. but, she wants to know more. ]
...that sounds nice. [ to live with a sibling— ] Between you and your sister it sounds like it's hardly a quiet place.
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[ ...he trails off, looking unsure about whether he wants to say it. It's the last chance he'll ever get to tell her, but a part of him doesn't want to. Like saying it will ruin everything. ]
...important to me. Enough that I'd be upset if you'd died.
[ Like he wasn't upset about anybody else who had died. Like he can't drum up the necessary amount of care for other people unless they are the very few he fixates on. ]
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maybe there's a part of her that kind of knew but it's always different when it's spoken. and she recoils from the barrier initially before she straightens up and leans forward. ]
Wh, why? I've been nothing but mean to you. [ she bites on her bottom lip. ] All I do is yell at you.
[ not true, she spent plenty of time with him not being mean to him, too. she made him food and didn't forget what he said. ...even if she couldn't believe it. ]
I... I pushed you down the stairs! [ then immediately went to her leader and asked for a cream for his lip. something for his wound because she couldn't stand to see him hurt. all of those past injuries as well— ] Clearly there should be better people who were nicer to you that should mean something to you.
Th, that girl—Hikaru—she clung to you and always wanted whatever for you.
[ don't make her feel special right now. ]
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I know. But it's because you're like that, that I can't help but like you. Hikaru and I were cursed to feel like shit when we're apart this week, but you know? I feel the same when I'm away from you too.
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she's prettier and probably worlds nicer. certainly has a better personality than izumo.
she'd question why he's doing this but she knows exactly why this is happening. there's not going to be another chance to say this... ]
Feel...
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[ here come the tears that were always threatening her. ]
You know what they're going to do tomorrow! What am I supposed to do with this?! [ softer: ] This isn't fair.
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I'm sorry, [ he whispers, ] I haven't been fair to you from the start, huh? I can't even ask you to forget about me.
[ Even if that would be better, if she would just wash her hands clean of him and move on. But it's selfish, and unfair, and he doesn't want her to forget him. ]
Please don't.
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it'll take her a moment to speak past her tears. ]
Neither of us were fair. [ neither of them were really honest, huh? she's not even being honest now... ] ...and what are you even talking about? I wouldn't forget you.
[ firmer, even if she's still crying. ]
I won't forget you.
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He leans his forehead against the barrier, and smiles for the both of them. ]
Promise?
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[ excuse her for a moment as she'll rub at her nose and eyes. ugly crying is gross. ]
I don't know how, but I'll keep remembering. I'll find a way even if this place tries to take it from me.
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I know you will. You're strong willed, and you always try your best, and you look forward. [ He settles down next to her, lying on the ground. ] This place won't get the better of you.
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and a grit of her teeth as he compliments her. of all times!!! she doesn't refute it but she doesn't want to acknowledge it either. ]
Th...that's a big assumption. I don't even know how you see me as a strong person.
[ especially since she's here sobbing and being useless. ]
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Are you kidding me? [ my fingers, autopiloting "killing" ] How we first met, every time we met, being able to put up with me, you gotta be super strong to be all that!
...It's hard to believe it when it's yourself, huh? And it's not fair for me to place expectations on you. But that's what I see. Somebody cute and strong. Willful, noisy, proud, kind, all these things that I love.
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though his laughter gets her attention and...well. what is it that she should say in a situation like this? some of these she'll accept but...kind? ]
Y, you're kind, too. [ if there should be a kind one between them. ] In your own way.
It doesn't make sense to most people but... I can tell. There are things you hate doing but you do them anyway, right?
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[ Naru that little onigiri badge takes me out every time I look at it ]
Most everything I do I don't want to do? Like, you ever think about how great it would be to just lie on the ground and stare at the ceiling all day? Just out of the way, not being a bother to anybody.
[ Just... existing, and it being okay that he exists. ]
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but this is a slight tone shift that doesn't quite take her off guard. if anything it just makes sense to her. she remembers the last time he seemed to "change" on her. ]
I wouldn't say that I haven't had any thoughts like that before.
[ though there's a definite difference between his reason for lying around uselessly and her just wanting some peace and quiet. ]
I generally don't want to be bothered by people in the first place.
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[ He hates them too. Real skittish around them, hates having eyes on him, would rather have nothing to do with them. But sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, and be somebody you don't want to be. ]
But, you know, you're real easy to bother! It's very fun. I guess it's 'cause most people wouldn't bother with me in the first place?
[ They would be smart and walk away, not continue talking to him for 300 comments. ]
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F, fun? [ sighs. ] ...w...well, it wasn't unpleasant talking to you.
[ a bit more honestly: ]
You were a lot better than a lot of people here. At least you only said weird things and not annoying things.
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Aren't you the weird one? You can ask literally anybody else here and they'd tell you I was unpleasant and annoying, you know?
[ Kano's first thread in the graveyard went "We should have left you in space." ]
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Who cares about anybody else?! [ honestly? it doesn't shock her to know that most people find him unpleasant or annoying. she would have said the same but you know. here she is...... ] Most of the people here still can't grasp what's going on here seriously.
[ softer. ]
I'm used to being the "weird" one, anyway.
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[ Lots of things wrong. He'd spent a lot of time agonizing over how to fit in, but sometimes you're just a punk and can't. ]
But you're right, huh? I don't care about anybody else here. Just you.
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... ]
And back in your world? Did you have something you cared about there?
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[ Not a thing, anyways. But someone... ]
I guess you can say that my siblings are the only thing that matters to me back home.
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now that's something she can get behind. ]
Will you tell me about them?
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Mm... It's me and my brother and sister living together right now. I guess with a girl my brother picked up from the forest too. [ Who is not exactly family, but she's more than a friend... He's never too sure how to describer her, but more importantly!! his cute family!!! he would gush about them forever, I hate how this is where he's the most sincere ]
My brother's name is Seto, and he was a lot like Shigeo when he was little- he's good at just about anything, and I'm real proud of him, you know? And my sister, I piss her off a lot, but her angry face is the cutest~
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...that sounds nice. [ to live with a sibling— ] Between you and your sister it sounds like it's hardly a quiet place.
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