loveedition | starsand // starnet DM / open post

[Well. As quiet as it can be, when Yuuto is enjoying the snow way too much. Even as they walk, he's having fun sinking into snow piles and tripping over himself.]

There's so much snow now! It's so pretty! [He turns a corner, leading her down one of the side streets and to the secluded cafe,] I heard snow tastes best when you catch it on your tongue. Is that true?

When the alternative is scooping it up and eating it like that, I'd say so. Although you're not really meant to compliment the taste of snow. It's just water, you know? Although, shaved ice is pretty good. Just not in the winter, of course.

[ Oh! Wait-- ]

Have you had a chance to make a snowman?

Eh~ What if you got a bunch of snow in a bowl and put syrup on it? Then can I compliment the taste?

[He shakes his head,] Not yet, no! I wish I'd found more time for it. I got so busy.

Uh... well, I guess so? Although, it's probably not sanitary to eat snow anyway...

[ Frozen sky juice, probably not good for you! ]

Y-Yeah, I suppose. I spent a little time trying it out when I needed a break from knitting.

[yolo.]

Eh~ How's that coming along? Does that mean that you found a stitch you like for Aisaka-san's scarf?

I think so. I should be done with it soon... I think maybe tomorrow, if I just work on it for a while. I don't really have anything else going on, so that should work out.

Aren't your hands going to get sore? Do you need a hand massage, Ryoko?

[Yuuto lifts his own hands and wiggles his fingers.]

I was studying it so I could get payback on Inaba-san, but I can attack you first?

[attack with a massage?]

Payback...

[ She... chuckles and holds up her hands. ]

No, no no, I'm fine. If you're studying it for Inaba-san then you should... not me first.

Hm? Why not?

[He hasn't lowered his hands yet. The threat is still hanging in the air.]

It's not like she's gonna want to be within a mile of me anyway.

Oh. Ahh, right right. Was. Sorry, I misunderstood.

[ So, not positive. Got it. ]

Um... I mean... my hands feel fine?

[ She's flexing her fingers! See? ]

I thought that mine were fine too! Then Inaba-san showed me that I was in so much pain that it didn't register anymore!

May I? [He reaches for her hand.]

[ She recoils, pulling her hand back for a second.

...before, she goes slightly red, and... holds the hand back out. ]

S-Sorry. Go ahead.

[Yuuto gladly takes her hand, checking along her palm for tension. He's real stupid on a normal day, but something loans him enough brain cells to notice her face going red.]

Hm..?

Ah- Are you cold? Does it hurt? Should we go inside..?

Oh. It doesn't hurt, it's... yeah, it's a little cold? Um, we should... get going.

[ Ugh, she was doing fine... she just needs to get out of her own head. ]

[... Convincing.

Yuuto adjusts his grip and finds a muscle to massage.]

Then I'll keep you warm. And you can say what's on your mind.

[ ...Yeah. Too obvious, as always. She wants to be better about telling him what's wrong, but in this case...

It felt so hard to even start. ]

Mm. I just... I think I just took on a lot again. My stress has been getting the better of me.

Is that so..?

[He shouldn't, but he smiles just a bit. It's a relief to have her admit to it on her own this time. Yuuto continues to massage her palm as they talk.]

Then let's unload some of that burden, hm? What can I do?

Mmm, you don't have to do anything. It'll pass. I just... I need some time to... I don't know, I guess get out of my head a bit?

Once I'm done with the scarf, I can start back on getting things ready for our holiday party. From there... I guess, refocusing on the New Year?

[...]

Did the talk with Inaba-san hurt you, Ryoko?

[ ...

Damn it. Damn it. ]

I'm sorry. I... it did. I wasn't...

[ She feels anxious even saying anything. ]

...I... I don't think I should keep checking on her going forward. I don't think I can.

[He doesn’t reply immediately. Yuuto knew that Inaba could be difficult, but he didn’t realize that she was hurting Ryoko. Maybe he should have seen the signs… No, he definitely should have.

Slowly he shakes his head and offers a soft smile again. It’s subtle, but he moves his hands to her shoulders so as to silently offer a hug.]

Mm. Thank you… for looking after my best friend. ‘Ryoko’ is very precious to me. If anything happened to her, I don’t know what I’d do.

I think she should do what’s best for her too. I love you.

Please--

[ She... she takes a step back. Instead, holding onto her own arms. Staring down at them, in the new coat he gave her. It was a present, they were friends, and he wasn't mad at her.

Why the hell wasn't he mad at her?! ]

I'm frustrated. I know she doesn't want to be alone, I know she's hurting so bad, but... but, I can't do anything. I can't talk to her like that. I just... I can't do it.

[ Her stomach's churning a bit. ]

[At first, her reaction startles him. It takes him a second to register where her emotions were going. Even then, he won't be able to understand unless she explains more.

He listens to her quietly, not moving any closer. ]

I know. She has to meet us halfway... and you've already done so much, Ryoko.

I'm sorry that you got hurt.

[ That she got hurt. She... really can't understand this. Why is she being apologized to? ]

You don't... you don't have to be. She didn't do anything to me. If either of us are hurt, it's because of me. It's because of the things I've said, and what I've done. And I suppose, what I still haven't done.

I'm not apologizing for Inaba-san. If she did hurt you, then she can answer for that herself. [He quickly retreats from the scolding tone.]

I don't understand, so I can't say very much... But Ryoko, it's okay to admit if you're hurting. Even if no one is to blame. Pain is pain.

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