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[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto doesn’t disturb the silence at first. There’s a lot to think about and he lets some thoughts work through his head. In a strange way, it’s nice to be here and listen to Inaba doing something as mundane as cooking. He can pretend things are normal, until he gets brave enough to address how they aren’t;]

I will keep that promise. The one that we made this morning. [In their dream.] So things will have to turn out okay here. I’ll be sure of it. That’s part of the promise.

cw: vague meta talk

[dereban]

...I'm sure they don't want a sad ending, either.

[ She says those words quietly before she starts moving the food onto plates and goes into the dining area and starts to set the table. ]

cw: vague meta talk

[spacialeyes]

Inaba…

[He moves to help with the table, since he’s not sure how to help with his words.]

Mm. But it’s your happiness that I care about most. [sometimes you hear yourself speak and you realize that wow

You should shut up.

Or you might be Yumeno Yuuto.]

We don’t have to talk about it now. But I won’t forget it either. I’ll be here.

[dereban]

You should be caring about about the other people in your life.

[ Just saying! ]

I don't mind talking about it. But there really isn't anything that can be done about it right now. And we should be focusing on other things. That's... not important right now.

[spacialeyes]

Which includes you.

[Though his counter his soft. He knows what she means. He’s trying not to think about it either. If he thinks anymore, then he’s going to start getting upset and not being able to control it.]

I just wanted for you to know that I haven’t forgotten you. I won’t forget you or anyone else.

[He shakes his head,] But you’re right. One step at a time. It sounds like this might help us get you all home.

[dereban]

...yeah.

[ She's a little quieter now as she takes her seat and starts to eat, speaking only in between bites. ]

I don't plan on forgetting anyone. As long as I'm allowed to, in any case.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto sits across from her, showing gratitude to the spirits before beginning to eat. He nods to agree.]

Me neither. I’m going to hold onto these memories and feelings for as long as I live. I’m really glad that I got to meet everyone.

[…]

This is really good, by the way! Salmon and miso are the best!

[dereban]

Same here. Oh, that's good. I mean, it's not like I did anything special or remotely unique.

[spacialeyes]

It doesn't have to be unique to be super good? [Yuuto hums thoughtfully as he lifts his soup bowl,] Ah, that's right. I saw on the forums... But did you find someone to guard you during the upcoming fight yet?

[dereban]

I haven't yet, but I was planning on asking around... why?

[spacialeyes]

I was going to offer... If that helps? I could stay outside and keep guard.

[He lowers the bowl again.]

Tap-san suggested that I use my power to keep tabs on the entire city, since I can sense most things that exist here. As much as I'd like to be at the frontlines helping, I wonder if I would be more useful helping keep track of movement in the city..? [In which case, it would make sense to stay near Inaba and the information hub.]

[dereban]

...

[ She deliberates on this. ]

Only if you have someone to protect you.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto lights up.

And his dumbass tail starts to wag.]

Yes, of course! I can ask Ryoko... and, I mean, you have cameras on your door. If I'm standing there, then everyone can keep an eye on me and no one has to worry!

[dereban]

She'll most likely say yes, based on our last conversation... and if anything does go wrong, people will be aware of it, too.

[spacialeyes]

Yeah yeah! And then you'll be safe. I won't let Wishmaker use you, Inaba.

[He seems a little more relaxed now that they've settled this and happily returns to his meal. The dumb hair tuffs are lifted slightly like makeshift dog ears,]

I'm not worried anymore!

[dereban]

It'd be pretty bad if they did.

[ She puts her hand on her chest. ]

You may not be worried, but I sure as hell am.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto’s cheerful antics begin to slow and his hair defluffs. Of course he’s worried. He is an anxiety kami. But rather than spiral into his reality of being scared, Yuuto finds more reasons to keep a confident facade.]

We’ll all be working together, right? Everyone wants to protect something, and all of those ‘somethings’ are gathered in this city. Whether it’s to stay or leave… We all have a desire to protect. It’s a form of love!

I think that feeling will be stronger than any greed that the Facility has. Do you not think so yet?

[dereban]

... I wish I could.

[ But she can't. ]

I don't have that sort of actual confidence.

[ All of it is fake. She can only pretend. ]

[spacialeyes]

Then fake it. Or believe in Ryoko.

[Like he does, is his unspoken implication. Even when he has doubts, he chooses to believe until he does.]

And if you still can’t… That’s okay. You’re trying and that’s enough to power us up. And I’ll prove to you that everything will turn out okay. I promise!

[dereban]

I can fake it, at least.

[ She's done it all her life. What's a little more? ]

I'll at least hope for it. That regardless of the outcome, it won't end in...

[ She trails off. ]

[spacialeyes]

You really don’t give yourself enough credit, Inaba…

“Faking it,” but wanting to trust.
“Hoping,” for something.

Those aren’t negatives. You’ve been hurt so much, but you still try. It makes other people want to try too.

[It worked on him, anyway.

Hearing her voice trail off leads to Yuuto averting his gaze. There’s a lot that could go wrong, so he’s not sure what she’s worried about specifically.]

Mm, well. Whatever the outcome… Dinner tonight was nice! Thank you for the food! And your time.

[dereban]

Haha... I mean, just because I want it doesn't mean that I can have it. You've already seen it, right? That I have problems when it comes to trusting others. Because I'm like that.

[ Anyway-- ]

Yeah. It's no problem. I'll go ahead and clean up.

[spacialeyes]

I know. I know…

But it isn’t “zero.” When we have a half-empty barrel, we don’t disregard the half that we have. We make do with what’s there. You’ve been making do with trust… and I think you’ve been slowly building it too.

That isn’t nothing.

[But he’s not here for philosophy!!! His smile softens at her offer and his tail flicks across the floor.]

May I help? I could use the distraction…

[He’s ended her sentence in his head. As long as they ends without a death- Yuuto isn’t excited about where his math was his thoughts pointing.]

[dereban]

Ah, you don't need to - it's not like I have to wash too much. It's my place, anyway. If you want a distraction though, we can keep talking.

[spacialeyes]

Is that okay? I’m in your debt.

[Over a conversation? And her doing the dishes. He does rise to his feet when she does, at least polite enough to offer to carry his own dishes. He exhaled shakily, banishing his fears in favor of a distracting conversation:]

I’m glad that you’ve been able to find so much technology here. It’s cool to see it all. I guess I really did live under a rock, huh?

Did you find your blueteeth? [Is that the plural version of bluetooth??? He’s trying to prove that he learns fast, but maybe he’s just proving that he’s a natural idiot.]