He's... good company, really. Did I tell you that he let me borrow some books? I mentioned I found reading calming, and he started pulling books out right then and there.
Well, it's kind of difficult to maintain friends in a place like this-- especially if you're a 6350. Why would you want to make friends when those 'friends' can possibly die at any moment?
Even still. What I know about you tells me you're someone I want to know more.
[A pause.... before, a little quieter:]
And it means a lot to me, that you... That you reached out to me. If you're scared, if you're worried or lonely... I want to be able to help you the same way, if you'll let me.
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[At least, that's what he's getting from all of this.]
I think he probably knows no matter what he says, I probably won't stop visiting him though.
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[He's smiling a little at that.]
He's... good company, really. Did I tell you that he let me borrow some books? I mentioned I found reading calming, and he started pulling books out right then and there.
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[ ... ]
I don't know if I can handle him and sometimes I doubt if I really should continue visiting him.
[ She's still doing it nevertheless, but still. ]
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[He tucks his arms behind him, glancing down at the tile floor with pursed lips.]
...He's different than I imagined too. But I think I get it, a little.
[How people talked about Dazai when he was in the Mafia made him out to be some sort of monster. And yet the Dazai he saw here seemed more like...]
Think about it... He's my age. And he has no friends here.
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It's true, after all. That was a painful risk.]
I suppose that makes sense....
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[ She doesn't know what else to say. What can she say after that? ]
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It does bring to mind something he's wanted to ask about.]
Inaba-chan?
[He's hesitant, but there's a hint of worry in his gaze. He'd been happy to see she seemed better today, but he still...]
About yesterday... Are you ok?
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[ Her answer is immediate and she smiles at him rather brightly. Almost too bright. ]
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[His smile is sad.]
I want to be there for you, if you'll let me.
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[ She seems to be insistent, although her smile softens just slightly. ]
You- [...] You shouldn't.
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[He glances up, bicolored gold and violet gaze sincere.]
Call me an idiot if you like for it, but I care about you. And I want to be there for you, if you'll let me.
[Not just for the other Atsushi out there, probably anxious out of his mind. But because Inaba is someone he cares about as well.]
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You barely know me. We've only known each other a few days.
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Inaba, you've seen his series--]Even still. What I know about you tells me you're someone I want to know more.
[A pause.... before, a little quieter:]
And it means a lot to me, that you... That you reached out to me. If you're scared, if you're worried or lonely... I want to be able to help you the same way, if you'll let me.
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Like there's no light behind her eyes.
"Why are you so hard on yourself?"
"I don't have a reason, really. . . I'm just like this."
"Well. . . why are you just 'like that'?"
"Because I. . . don't think I'm a good person."
She can't help but remember those words. ]
That was my first mistake-- [...] I'm fine, though. I'm fine.
[ At this point, it's like a mantra to herself more than anything. ]
And more importantly, someone like me doesn't deserve that help. Not that anyone can truly help me.
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[His gaze is a little pleading. He doesn't... it hurts, seeing her like this. Isolating herself.]
It's not about deserving it or not. I want to help. And... you're not fine, Inaba-chan.
[He almost regrets saying it aloud, denying her that security, but...
She wasn't. He could see it.]
Please, if I can help even a little... let me help you.
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[ She says those words rather harshly.
But when he says that she freezes. Tenses up, actually. He can't just tear down the walls that she had tried to build up back again. ]
But I'm fine. Even if I'm dealing with this bullshit again, I'm fine. I have to be.
[ If she isn't, then... what's the point? ]
And I already said it. You can't help me, Atsushi. So stop.
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[He didn't mean to raise his voice, but that denial hurt. She helped him. She treated him like a human being. Didn't she understand?]
You're not. Not to me.
[He looks a little stricken, more than a little sad.]
....Why can't I? When you've already helped me so much...
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She laughs a little bitterly under her breath as she looks at him with an empty expression, her voice hollow. ]
Because it hurts when you say kind words like that to me. Isn't that enough?
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cw suicidal ideation
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