Minato Catch-all

[justfists]

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[justfists]

[he appears so suddenly-- she sloshes some of her miso soup. She's still feeling a little skittish, but despite that, she offers him a tired smile. It doesn't quite reach her eyes]

You don't have to Minato, I can manage.

[messianic]

Mm...

[He pauses for a moment... and then tucks his hands into his pockets.]

Then maybe I should rephrase--do you mind if I walk with you? Because I'd...really like to talk.

[justfists]

Oh...

[she wants to say no, but she can't make herself do it, not after nearly getting him killed yesterday.]

Of course.

[messianic]

[He smiles at that, expression peaceful.]

Thanks.

[And as they start to walk:]

How have you been feeling...?

[justfists]

Mm,... About as well as I can. But I've mostly been sleeping.

[She doesn't want him to worry, not with Akira already worried.]

[messianic]

Mm... that's probably a good thing. Your body definitely needs to recover.

[He's already worried, joke's on you, Makoto!]

Sorry if this feels a little overbearing. I guess I just...really wanted to check on you. We're friends, after all.

[justfists]

[oh, even despite all of that? She swallows, and. well, the surprise is still apparent on her face.]

... Thank you. I-- don't think you need to worry about me right now. I'll make sure I eat and sleep enough.

[messianic]

[You'd better bet he's noting that surprise.]

... I'm worried about more than that, you know. After everything you've been through... I'm worried how you're coping most of all.

[justfists]

[by now, they're at her room, and she doesn't know what to say. She's coping by... not coping. By trying to not think, and avoiding anything that might make her think]

... That's very kind, but... you almost died yesterday. [because of her]

[messianic]

That's true.

[He nods peacefully; that's a fact. He almost died yesterday. It's a miracle he didn't. And yet...]

... Because of this situation, and this resort. Those are the only reasons why I almost died.

[justfists]

[it doesn't look like she buys that. not at all.]

That is a very, very broad way of putting it.

[messianic]

That's the way I look at it.

[He says it simply, shrugging.]

The people who were just trying to find a way to not vote blindly at trial, and the people who voted for me... they weren't doing anything wrong either. Everyone's just doing their best in a situation that's...really cruel.

[justfists]

...

[she pauses, and then glances away.]

You're right. I'm sorry.

[messianic]

[And... mildly:]

... What are you apologizing for, Makoto?

[justfists]

... I was too defensive.

[and nearly killing him. And getting the barghest the closest to his goal-- for... so many things she's done and said.

For wondering how he could still call her a friend, after the lies their friendship was based upon.

her grip tightens around the tray.]

... I. Should probably eat and get some rest.

[messianic]

...Wait. Please.

[Please.]

Please... just tell me how you feel. Sincerely. I want to know.

[justfists]

[she does wait, though her head drops, and her hair blocks the look on her face.

She's wrestling with it. She should be over it, she should stop thinking.

But there's just

Softly, quietly.]

We-- almost picked you. Instead of Shirou. I -- the Barghest figured either one of you would work, once Akira told me the truth. I lied to you all week, knowing it was chance that I wouldn't be part of killing you.

[messianic]

[That lines up with what he suspected, so he doesn't look particularly surprised that he almost died. He almost died in a lot of ways that week, ha...

Still, his tone and expression are both even.]

I see... so the Barghest almost picked me.

[That's a lot, to be sure, but even so...]

But Makoto...what the Barghest did doesn't belong to you.

[justfists]

And that's everything from the past week.

Every conversation we had. Karaoke. Selfies. The Phantom Thieves.

[her shoulders hunch together, like she's making an effort to keep her breathing under control.]

The only thing I have is the Barghest wanted-- and the thoughts I had while it was happening.

[messianic]

... Then we'll remake them.

[Firmly.

It's perhaps a bit silly, but he's quite serious.]

The conversations. Karaoke. The selfies--and the Phantom Thieves belonged to you long before it was the Barghest's.

We'll do everything all over again, and this time, it will be only yours.

[justfists]

[That sounds silly in her head, enough to make her laugh a little, her voice heavy and scratchy. There are tears at the corner of her eyes.]

I don't know if that's how it works, Minato.

[messianic]

Why not?

[Nobody's stopping them from doing this--from remaking these memories, and from making new memories that are untainted by the monster that possessed her.]

Here, let's get started. I think--we should go back to when you told me to just call you Makoto, so for now I'll call you Makoto-san.

[EXPECTANTLY!!]

[justfists]

[oh no, she's gonna cry. she did not want to cry out in public like this, but here she is, staring at him with a dumbstruck, awed face, as tears roll down her cheek.

And she? laughs a little.]

Please... call me Makoto.

[messianic]

[His lips quirk into a small smile, and doesn't call her out on the tears. Isn't this so much better than her trying to keep it all deep inside?]

Mm... okay. It's a deal. I'll call you Makoto, and you'll call me Minato. Because we're friends.

[And peacefully, he continues:]

I think we should try karaoke together sometime--not now, but maybe tomorrow?

[justfists]

[even if he had called her out on it, she was already so taken aback, it wouldn't have mattered. She already knew she was a wreck, and was barely keeping it together. Minato's kindness was... not unexpected. She remembered how he'd been before.

But at the same time, she didn't feel like she deserved it.]

I-I don't know if I'll be able to tomorrow but... I would like to, some time in the future.