loveedition | starsand // starnet DM / open post

… She’s never said anything nice about me. Inaba can talk forever about her friends and loved ones. I- I kinda thought… That made me special, because she was talking about me that way to someone too. Anytime I thought I was bad, I remembered that Inaba picked me…

[But it’s starting to make sense why she dodged the topic so often.

Yuuto releases the hug and sighs. The tears are coming again, but he’s still not sure how to deal with crying.]

I want to work it out… I want to talk to her. I want to try. [Yuuto tries to laugh again.] But, mm… I’ll start with asking for her forgiveness.

[ ...she hates that she doesn't have any evidence to refute that. The best she has are vague statements. She doesn't hate him. He can be an idiot sometimes. Could someone be special if they're a part of a relationship like that?

...it just reinforces her own anxiety. ]

When I asked her about herself, I got a lot of philosophies back at me. Isn't the fact that she was willing to open up to you proof of that--

[ She doesn't know. How can she? ]

Yuuto, you didn't answer me. Will I see you again?

Right..? She thinks so deeply. I could listen to her explain her world to me forever. Even if… She wasn’t giving philosophies. She was saying she was lonely, huh?

[Yuuto smiles sadly and wipes his eyes. It’s so gross to talk about Inaba like this. He can imagine it must make her skin crawl. But he’s serious about his feelings.]

… I don’t know anymore. Sorry. That’s a bad answer.

I think at least for a while… I’ll go away. Everyone needs some peace.

...you... really love her that much, don't you?

[ She wanted to say that she can relate. She was happy that Fauna opened up to her, happy that Fauna shared her true name with her. But then, it dawned on her. As conflicted as she was, as much as she said that she loved her and cared about her...

...she didn't know a thing about Taiga's life. She knew vaguely of her friends, very vaguely of the guy she liked, but nothing else. Not where she went to school, how much she cared about them, what they did, or even her wish. Why they had met in the first place.

It hadn't dawned on her how much it hurt until now. ]

It's not peace we're looking for. I think it's better for you two to spend a little time apart for sure, but don't think that none of us want to see you again. Inaba-san included. If she's lonely, then she'll look for you when you get back.

...you have to come back some day. If it's a different Yuuto, then I'll accept him, but...

[ Short supply.

Screw that. ]

It's a miracle that Aisaka-san and I met again. I'm going to believe we'll meet again too.

[Yuuto laughs nervously, lifting his hands to cover his heart— Specifically, his Rumor. Thinking about everything he’s learned about Inaba and everything they’ve done and said- The pictures they took, the things they bought, the wishes they made at Watanagashi… There are so many memories that can’t be wiped away. So many smiles that he can’t forget.

He nods.]

Yeah. I love her so much. That’s part of me now.

[Ryoko seems worried about him not coming back. Maybe too worried, even. He reaches out blindly for her hand, clumsy in his effort to take it.]

Mm. I won’t really be gone, right? I have a lot of love inside of me now… And I have to come back. Some people here want to go home.

I was being dramatic earlier, but… [Yuuto looks down at his other hand, as he tries to guard his ruined soul.] I do have a way to create a miracle in an instant. I always looked at this as a curse, but maybe it’s both. I could be both.

...we're the same. The problem is... I wasn't lying. I don't want to go home. There's nothing waiting for me there. If I go back with Aisaka-san, we'll just be hurt more.

[ As he tries to reach out, she... guides her hand towards his grasp, sighing. ]

When you're ready, please come find me. Tell me more about how you feel, and I'll tell you more about me. We'll work through this together. I'll make sure that you never disappear, and we'll save this world together.

[Yuuto gratefully grabs hold of her.

They are the same. They’re both disasters that are waiting to be born, aren’t they? Yuuto doesn’t want that for Ryoko, especially now that she’s beginning to settle into the happiness that she deserves.

He nods slowly in agreement.]

I’ll keep you here. I’ll protect you.

Please… Please, be good to Inaba for me. Take care of her. She’s really kind. She’s trying so hard to bring everyone home and protect this world at once. [Yuuto opens his eyes again and finds that his vision is returning. It’s blurry, but it’s enough.]

I’m going to go. I need to tell Akutagawa… Can you… nnn…

[Yuuto finally realizes that he keeps asking for Ryoko’s help. His grip on her hand tightens.]

Will Fauna-chan look after you?

[ Ryoko's eyes on the other hand, start watering again. She can feel tears distorting her vision, and she tries to blink them away. ]

I will. I'll try. I'll do my best.

[ Yuuto doesn't blame her. Would Inaba? Either way... it won't stop her from blaming herself. ]

Yeah. She'll be with me. Yuuto-- I'll stay here. I'll look after Satou and Shugo. Fauna and Aisaka-san will watch over me.

[ Ryoko thinks to say goodbye. But, she doesn't. Instead opting for... ]

...I'll see you later.

[Yuuto slowly picks himself up again, wiping his face as he does. This talk didn’t end how he wanted, but he’s not going to ask for that miracle. His heart is broken, but that’s fine. Being whole was a luxury.

As Yuuto lowers his hands again, he breaths in. Then smiles as much as he can.]

Mm! See you later! I love you, Asakura! Please don’t forget me… Be happy!

[Then he turns and disappears.]

[ "Please don't forget me."

Idiot.

Ryoko watches his figure disappear, unable to move before she finally takes the opportunity to break down, to let herself freely cry like she wanted.

This wasn't fair. She knows she did something wrong, and now she has to pick up the pieces.

...But. That was the curse that came with being a magi. Lives were always on the line, and now she took on greater responsibilities than before. When she's done, she loudly claps her cheeks to build up her determination. She can do this. ]

...I love you too, Yuuto.

[ Belatedly, she speaks to no one... and she takes off, herself. ]

starsand // starnet DM / open post

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