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[Yes, many cats. Attention starved cats, who are looking to Inaba for wet food.

Yuuto crosses to a kitchenette and begins filling an electric kettle with water. Since she seemed uncomfortable, he opts to plug it in instead of heating the water with his power.]

What do you think? Statistically, it’s always abandoned and no one remembers it existed. So… I decided to make it my home!

[While the water boils, Yuuto walks over to sit with her. He’s trying to lift the mood, but also watching to see if Inaba is feeling any better.]

I got the idea because of you.

[ NOT ATTENTION STARVED CATS................ she smiles at them a little apologetically. She doesn't have food for you guys, she didn't even know that there were cats in the first place.

But then he says that and-- ]

Hm? Because of me? How...?

[Yuuto watches as the cats swarm Inaba and him for food-- and he does intend to feed them soon! But it's cute to watch them play around with someone else for a bit.]

You said I should stop giving up, or you'd kick my ass. That I was giving up... and you were right.

I've always wanted to have my own space. I understand why I'm not allowed to, but I figured... if I stay out of the way and follow the 'rules,' it should be fine.

[He stops himself from explaining any further.]

Is it okay? Do you think I can host people here? Are you comfortable?

It's a bit small, especially with all of these cats...

[ Not that she minds cats, but it makes it feel a bit cramped. ]

Is it..? They were here first, so I can't really kick them out...

[His tail sways nervously and he lowers his gaze to the table, not wanting for Inaba to see his melancholy expression.]

I can't write my name on anything. I can't leave many thoughts behind. I probably shouldn't personalize this house too much either... But I want to try pushing the limits a bit more. I won't accept an unhappy ending.

You're the reason I can think that way now. Thank you, Inaba. I wanted you to be the first to see this place, because of that... sorry about the cats...

You could probably renovate it for expansions.

[ Just going to say that outright without hesitation before letting out a bit of a sigh. ]

I don't hate cats, you know. Or any sort of animal. I just can't have them where I'm staying because I don't want them to mess with the tech.

I really shouldn't..? I need to keep my imprint small.

[But he does lean back on his hands and look up at the ceiling, going quiet as he imagines the little house with renovations. Something more permanent, with room to invite people over and have his own life... Of course, there's a bit more that he's thinking of, but Yuuto is still working on the courage to manifest those dreams.

Then he looks forward again to giggle at her comment.]

I'm sure you could find someone who was well behaved. [The water is done boiling, so Yuuto pushes off of the tatami floor and crosses to the little kitchen.] Well! If it's big enough to have you over, that's enough for now! Do you think I could get a computer working here?

There's a lot of varieties when it comes to computers, so you should have no problems on that front. But I'm not going to have a pet-- it'd be awful for when I'd leave this world.

[That shouldn’t hurt to hear anymore, but it does. Yuuto focuses on preparing the tea; He can at least use his power to check the temperature of the water and cup, ensuring that he makes the best green tea possible.]

Then I’ll get one! This might be my only chance to have one long enough to learn new skills.

[The cats are still bothering Inaba when Yuuto comes back with a tea tray.]

Here you go. Are you feeling any better now?

If you need help deciding, let me know.

[ She's the expert here, after all. As strange as it is to actually say.

But then he asks if she's feeling better and she... hesitates. ]

It'll pass. I know it's a 'me' problem, though.

[Yuuto will definitely take her up on that offer later, but first:

She’s worrying him again.

He doesn’t want it to be the focus of their Christmas hangout, especially if she’s trying to power through it, but he does give her a sincerely concerned look as he reaches for his tea.]

Mm, well… If you needed to talk about it or get angry or upset, I wouldn’t mind making it a ‘me’ problem too. Okay?

[He offers a weak smile,] This month has been hard for you… but it’s almost a new year, huh? I’m sorry.

...You won't be able to understand, Yuuto. It'd only make you more upset.

[ And she doesn't want things to get worse than it already is. ]

[She has a point. He already feels hurt when she recoils over the use of his power. Yuuto is his power, so it feels to him like she’s rejecting him every time that she does it. It hurts. He knows that she doesn’t mean it, but the pain is still there.

So he does seriously consider her warning. Very much so. Before shaking his head and trying to meet her gaze.]

I want to understand you, Inaba. Trust me. I’m stronger now than I was before.

[ She shakes her head, her voice trembling. ]

I... I can't. It's...

[ She's too scared. It's terrifying. ]

[Yuuto slowly stands up; Emphasis on the slow, because he's keeping a closer eye on Inaba's reactions this time. She isn't okay and he isn't going to breeze over it this time.]

You don't have to if it's to protect yourself. But if it's for my sake... I'd rather be in pain and by your side, than not understanding and leaving you alone. I won't leave you twice, remember?

... How do I know that for sure.

[ Her voice is icy and her expression empties out. She can't be certain about those words. ]

[He cautiously comes around the table and sits in front of her, ready to stop early if she seems uncomfortable with his approach. As much as he wants to take her hands and anchor her, Yuuto remembers how upset she's seemed about touching him lately. So instead he folds his hands in his lap and lifts his gaze to match hers.]

Because no matter how much it's hurt in the passed few months, I've never once regretted meeting you. And that's not going to change. I promise. I'm not going anywhere.

If you break that promise, I'm leaving.

[ She doesn't move or say anything more than than that, just laying things out on the table. ]

And you can kick my ass on the way out.

[Yuuto lifts his pinky finger to seal a promise out of instinct, then slowly lowers it when he remembers how Inaba has felt about his touch.]

Please… Talk to me.

Being able to teleport me even with my nullification on... that was terrifying, you know. It was like a reminder of how weak I really am. How in the end, my defenses don't really matter if they can be bypassed like that.

[Yuuto doesn’t flinch. It hurts, but not enough for a reaction. Because as painful as it is to hear, her honesty and trust in saying something takes the sting away.

He shakes his head slowly.]

I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was off, since you said you were giving me five seconds.

[He sighs. Yuuto never wanted for this to come up, but-]

I didn’t know that I could bypass your nullification… I never tried before. I didn’t want to. And I kind of hoped that it would reject me and keep you safe. I never wanted to be able to use my power against you, Inaba.

But… I guess I also suspected it… Since you’ve never been able to hurt me by touching me either. [Another sigh. The explanation doesn’t change things:] I’m sorry for scaring you.

... I can't hurt people with it. That much I already knew. I can only prevent things from happening to me, or things touching me. Or at least, that's what I thought.

[ Yoshi could never read her mind with her nullification on, after all, even if he didn't touch her. ]

It's like how the Wish Maker... how they knocked me out during the stakeout...

[He will not present his case for how nullification could have maybe killed him. Because murder isn’t going to help them right now.

But his eyes do widen for a second when she draws the comparison between his power and Wish Maker’s.]

Are you worried about them hurting you again, Inaba?

That, and... I can't be near them. The Wish Maker can affect spirits--and. Their goal... I have a wish that would get them to that. I can't have them grant my wish.

Mm. A spirit is just a soul with no body… and we know they can grant the wish of a soul wit a body, like mine.

[His tail does flick nervously. Yuuto finally drops his gaze to the tatami flooring.]

If you can get the cameras up and running, then it would be safer for you to stay here anyway, right? You would have a wider view of the city than anyone else.

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