[ There's a bit of a pause; clear hesitation in her eyes before she lets out a heavy, worn out sigh. ]
My decision was always to return to Yokohama. But by doing so, I'd be leaving behind all the friends that I've met in the Foundation... that also includes my two boyfriends as well. But I was very much aware that there's a way to travel between worlds. There's people there who have actually done it, and even a Witch who can also do it.
Plus... I've read my story from cover to cover. I plan on figuring out how to travel to other worlds and to have people visit. I know that's a possibility.
[ She needs to believe that there's more to her life than the ending. She... has to exist even past that. If she doesn't, then she won't be able to handle herself. ]
[Yuuto watches her with awe. It's amazing that she can think that way and he doesn't doubt her ability to change fate, not even for a second.
But he lowers his eyes to the smeared Rumor goo on the table. Thinking miserably.]
My curse has always sent me between worlds on my own, because I... I shouldn't exist. 'Yumeno Yuuto' was traded away for a miracle. I'll pay for that as long as I live.
[The worlds reject him like a virus. He gave up on going back when he realized how vast the universe was and how no world really wanted him.]
They've only ever wanted 'Yuuto.' No one wanted 'me,' so there was no reason to try visiting after a while. It just made people unhappy to see me. I'm a curse, equal to Satou-san's miracle. I get why I was upsetting to see. I understand why I need to stay quiet and be who they wanted...
[Yuuto is rambling honestly, because he trusts Inaba to listen. But also, because he's so confused. And she has a way of taking his overthinking and breaking it in two.]
Why do people want someone like that now, after all of this time? How do I know you won't just change your mind and tell me to leave again? You say I'm kind, but that's wrong. People say I'm good, but I'm evil. My soul is a blackhole. I'm not the one they're looking at..?
[ Inaba's frown deepens ever so slightly even as she takes another bite of the cake. She chews on it, contemplative before leaning against her palms and staring up a the ceiling, only speaking up once she's swallowed, her tone thoughtful. ]
Humans change their minds all the time. Sometimes it's temporary. Sometimes it's not. Sometimes people say things that they mean... but only in the moment. People can make mistakes when it comes to their feelings, their words and their actions.
You ask yourself the question of why and honestly? I don't have a proper answer. Our existences in this world aren't miracles, after all--we're pawns summoned for someone else's own wishes.
I've said it in the past, and I'll say it again. The only Yuuto I know is you. And I won't sugarcoat any bullshit. If you were truly evil, you wouldn't have tried to do something as ridiculous as put jokes in a capsule inside a cake. I wouldn't even be here if you were a bad person. I'm not saying that you have to be good all the time.
Hell, I'm not a fucking saint myself. I'm selfish... extremely so. But I have to constantly bury that down along with a lot of my other dark tendencies.
[Hearing that she feels that way stings, because he knows that she isn't necessarily wrong. He can't say that humans aren't pawns in some form. And especially in her case, with all of that she knows...
He desperately wants to be sitting with her right now, instead of across, but that's not possible anymore. If he wants to help, it would have to be with his words.]
... Mm. Mm, mm. Inaba, I-
[He could say that he likes her selfishness. He's comforted in those moments when she gets angry or sad, too, because he likes the way that Inaba's light and shadow make her so much. Yuuto still loves her in his own way, even if he's having to learn to change that feeling.
but ryoko said no L word!]
Okay. I trust you. I trust you to be selfish and protect yourself, so... I'm going to find a way to reach you again. I promise.
I want to be together for as long as possible... Because to me, you were... you are a miracle. Meeting you was a miracle. [He offers a weak smile through his tears,] Thank you, Inaba. You're great.
[ The word 'trust' is such a heavy word for someone like Inaba. Someone who finds herself struggling through the idea of it, even if she wants things to work out. ]
But I'm not any of those things at all. I'm just... normal.
[He begins to relax more, crossing his arms over the table and resting more casually. Being trusted seems to have made a huge difference in his tense state. They’ve had a lot of hard talks in the last few hours, but hearing that makes it easier for him.
… though maybe they should start wrapping this up, he realizes with some reluctance.]
When people ask why you aren’t at the party, should I tell them that you’re busy? We’re going to miss you, but… I get it. [Rather than make her join, he’s willing to help protect her boundary from their more nosy friends.]
no subject
My decision was always to return to Yokohama. But by doing so, I'd be leaving behind all the friends that I've met in the Foundation... that also includes my two boyfriends as well. But I was very much aware that there's a way to travel between worlds. There's people there who have actually done it, and even a Witch who can also do it.
Plus... I've read my story from cover to cover. I plan on figuring out how to travel to other worlds and to have people visit. I know that's a possibility.
[ She needs to believe that there's more to her life than the ending. She... has to exist even past that. If she doesn't, then she won't be able to handle herself. ]
no subject
But he lowers his eyes to the smeared Rumor goo on the table. Thinking miserably.]
My curse has always sent me between worlds on my own, because I... I shouldn't exist. 'Yumeno Yuuto' was traded away for a miracle. I'll pay for that as long as I live.
[The worlds reject him like a virus. He gave up on going back when he realized how vast the universe was and how no world really wanted him.]
They've only ever wanted 'Yuuto.' No one wanted 'me,' so there was no reason to try visiting after a while. It just made people unhappy to see me. I'm a curse, equal to Satou-san's miracle. I get why I was upsetting to see. I understand why I need to stay quiet and be who they wanted...
[Yuuto is rambling honestly, because he trusts Inaba to listen. But also, because he's so confused. And she has a way of taking his overthinking and breaking it in two.]
Why do people want someone like that now, after all of this time? How do I know you won't just change your mind and tell me to leave again? You say I'm kind, but that's wrong. People say I'm good, but I'm evil. My soul is a blackhole. I'm not the one they're looking at..?
no subject
Humans change their minds all the time. Sometimes it's temporary. Sometimes it's not. Sometimes people say things that they mean... but only in the moment. People can make mistakes when it comes to their feelings, their words and their actions.
You ask yourself the question of why and honestly? I don't have a proper answer. Our existences in this world aren't miracles, after all--we're pawns summoned for someone else's own wishes.
I've said it in the past, and I'll say it again. The only Yuuto I know is you. And I won't sugarcoat any bullshit. If you were truly evil, you wouldn't have tried to do something as ridiculous as put jokes in a capsule inside a cake. I wouldn't even be here if you were a bad person. I'm not saying that you have to be good all the time.
Hell, I'm not a fucking saint myself. I'm selfish... extremely so. But I have to constantly bury that down along with a lot of my other dark tendencies.
no subject
He desperately wants to be sitting with her right now, instead of across, but that's not possible anymore. If he wants to help, it would have to be with his words.]
... Mm. Mm, mm. Inaba, I-
[He could say that he likes her selfishness. He's comforted in those moments when she gets angry or sad, too, because he likes the way that Inaba's light and shadow make her so much. Yuuto still loves her in his own way, even if he's having to learn to change that feeling.
but ryoko said no L word!]
Okay. I trust you. I trust you to be selfish and protect yourself, so... I'm going to find a way to reach you again. I promise.
I want to be together for as long as possible... Because to me, you were... you are a miracle. Meeting you was a miracle. [He offers a weak smile through his tears,] Thank you, Inaba. You're great.
no subject
[ The word 'trust' is such a heavy word for someone like Inaba. Someone who finds herself struggling through the idea of it, even if she wants things to work out. ]
But I'm not any of those things at all. I'm just... normal.
no subject
[He sighs happily.]
I'll do my best to earn your trust too, okay?
no subject
[ If he didn't, she wouldn't have said as much as she did. She wouldn't have shared that much. ]
no subject
[He begins to relax more, crossing his arms over the table and resting more casually. Being trusted seems to have made a huge difference in his tense state. They’ve had a lot of hard talks in the last few hours, but hearing that makes it easier for him.
… though maybe they should start wrapping this up, he realizes with some reluctance.]
When people ask why you aren’t at the party, should I tell them that you’re busy? We’re going to miss you, but… I get it. [Rather than make her join, he’s willing to help protect her boundary from their more nosy friends.]
no subject
no subject
[He hums thoughtfully, then adding with reluctance;]
I should take you home, huh..? Do you want to walk or..? [He could teleport her back.]
no subject
[ She might panic with another teleportation. ]
no subject
[Yuuto feels guilty. She says that she trusts him, but he briefly wonders if he’s her enemy after all.
But she’d say if it was him, right? Clearing his head, Yuuto stands and goes to check for an extra coat.]
Take my coat, at least? You aren’t really dressed for snow? Or I could walk with you?
[He feels bad making her walk all alone. It’s his fault that the walk is long.]
no subject
no subject
[He hops over with an extra coat folded over his arm, which he gladly offers her.]
Okay! Let’s go, Inaba! [Yuuto is grinning with happiness,] You’re not rid of me yet!
no subject
[ She takes his coat quietly and puts it on before gesturing for him to lead the way back. ]
no subject
[He's waiting for her at the door, pausing only to add in a quieter voice-- like he's afraid someone will overhear him,--]
Merry Christmas, Inaba. Thanks for being my friend.
[And then it's back to her house they go! With Yuuto marching eagerly through the snow and clearing a pathway for her. Enjoying every step.]