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[spacialeyes]

It doesn't have to be enough, Inaba-san. It's still strength.

[Yuuto bites his tongue. He doesn't want to start going on about how much he admires her when he's the last one that means anything from. He does, at least, note that she avoided his question.]

You've been pushing yourself this whole time... If you don't recover, you won't be able to reach your goal..?

[dereban]

I'm going to make it happen.

[ Inaba snaps, but her tone is completely icy. ]

I have to. I have no other choice.

[spacialeyes]

And why's that?

[dereban]

Because...

[ She trails off. ]

I don't have anyone else to rely on.

[spacialeyes]

[He can't argue that at first, since it is partially true. She hasn't had as much luck making friends while here and he knows how she's afraid. They've also had this talk before, so he's sad and defeated to have the conversation again.]

Is that how you want for it to be, Inaba-san?

[dereban]

Of course not! But I have no choice! None! I'm not -- [ Her voice crackles and she curls herself into more of a ball. ] Eventually, I'll be unneeded...

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto is rising in the ranks of the hypocrite club as he closes his eyes, trying to resist his urge to rush to her side. He hates seeing Inaba like this. He hates remembering that there was a time when he could offer comfort, but he got greedy and screwed it up.

And he really hates hearing her retrace his own thoughts. Yuuto is a hypocrite, because he 'knows' these things are true for himself. He's a jerk to not allowed her to have the comfortable pain of self-hatred that keeps him sane.*]

Inaba-san, even if that were true, it doesn't matter if you're needed. You're wanted. You don't need to justify how much you're loved with things like 'strength' and 'worth.'

(*=highly debatable.)

[dereban]

I- I -- I want to be needed, though... I need to have value, somehow... otherwise people really won't want me anymore. No, I'm already...

[spacialeyes]

That isn't true..! People aren't like that, Inaba-san. And if they are, then they're wrong. You're already so... so..!

[He inhales. It's getting harder and harder to be 'good.']

What do you think you already are? Because who I see is... I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't want the Inaba-san that I met. You!

[dereban]

I...

[ Ah.

She's repeating things, isn't she? You know what they say sometimes: reality repeats itself. ]

I'm trash. I'm weak. The person that people want is... it's not me, it's the strong Inaba. Not this shambled, broken mess of what's barely a person.

[spacialeyes]

That's... That's definitely not true. I know it can't be.

[Yuuto takes a step forward, then stops to check that she's not acting more afraid. But he knows it isn't true, because he's already told her that he liked the 'weak' Inaba too. He can't be the only one.]

'Barely a person' can't be either. I'm sure of it.

[dereban]

B-But...! It's true. I'm a monster. I lost my humanity. A-And it's December... I hate this month. I hate it so much.

[spacialeyes]

I've met monsters, Inaba-san. You're nothing like that...

[But he understands where she gets the idea and can't refute it.]

And... And if you hate it, then please... Even if you don't want to talk about it, please don't spend it alone.

[dereban]

But I am one! My soul shows it! You can see it!

[ Her voice shakes. ]

And who am I supposed to spend it with?! I don't have anybody to turn to! I already said that! I'm utterly alone...! The only solace that I fucking get is that at least I'll be alive!

[spacialeyes]

And you've seen mine, but you never once acted like made me anything less!

[Though, he has a creeping suspicion that everyone is lying to him about that too... so files the thought away. He's more worried about her anyway, and how she seems so convinced of her loneliness.]

You're not alone! Y, you... [Up until now, this is where he would be name dropping Ryoko. She's kind, dependable, and someone Inaba seemed to like. Whereas he wasn't sure what to make of his place with her anymore, so stayed out of it.

But that can't work anymore. If Ryoko said something that triggered Inaba to collapse, then neither of them are okay. He can't ask Ryoko to look after Inaba anymore.]

You... Y-You have me! I-I... I want to help you..!

[dereban]

... why?

[ Her tone is even but her expression is on the verge of tears. ]

Don't you have other people to deal with?

[spacialeyes]

[If Yuuto was still subscribed to the idea of tears, then he would tear up on her behalf. Instead he bows his head to hide his miserable expression.]

Because I care about you. I haven't stopped... and watching you hurt like this, i-it's.

It feels like it's killing me! I can't watch you hurt anymore. If there's anything I could do, I would... I want you. I need you in my life, Inaba-san..! You're my friend!

[dereban]

That's...

[ No, she can't. ]

I can't just rely on you solely again, Yuuto.

[spacialeyes]

I-I know that...

[Yuuto clears his head of his own thoughts-- That he's probably going to die,-- and straightens again.]

I'm not very reliable, but... but being alone isn't good either. And I can learn to help you. I can cook or clean o-or... nn... [He knows what she means.]

[dereban]

Who are you, my housewife?

[spacialeyes]

I can make bombs and knives and control the temperature of your home to reduce the A/C bill as well.

[wait.

he meant to distract her, but now he's getting distracted to.]

[dereban]

We're not making bombs in here, you dumbass!

[spacialeyes]

But knives are fine..?

[His tail flicks with mischief; A sign that he isn't just putting a silly mask, but is invested in the conversation.]

[dereban]

I want new kitchen knives anyway.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto laughs lightly.]

Mm. If that's what you wanted, Inaba-san. If I could be by your side a little while longer...

I'd make you a whole set. If you'd accept my company..?