Minato Catch-all

[justfists]

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[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.

[messianic]

That's fine with me.

[It's said peacefully, comfortably, because it doesn't matter when they do it, just that Makoto is willing to try.

He's happy with that.]

I'd... like to take new selfies, too, but I've been kind of keeping you stuck out here while you're carrying your lunch...

[UM... OOPS.]

We can leave that for later too.

[justfists]

Thank you.

[it's cold by now, but, honestly, it doesn't need to be hot to be nourishing. and that's the important part.]

We... [a soft inhale, breath under control.] We can plan everything later.

[messianic]

[... And, quietly:]

Can I walk you to your room? ...For real this time, not to ambush you to talk about emotions.

[justfists]

... Yes.

[she nods slowly.]

... Though I guess now i know it was part of your plan the whole time?

[messianic]

[He looks...a little sheepish at that.]

Well... I knew you couldn't be doing too great after all of that. I wanted to know how you were really feeling... instead of you putting a brave face on it.

But I feel like I got to see your honest feelings here, so I'm satisfied.

[justfists]

[she wants to say something sarcastic and irreverent, to pretend she's Ryuji or something, but honestly... Once she realizes where the impulse is coming from, to be someone else, she resists that temptation.

Niijima Makoto was never good at sarcasm under pressure. Or even irreverence.]

I... know. I still feel like I owe more apologies, though.

[but she shrugs]

... But I'll power through it.

[messianic]

... No.

[A quiet shake of his head, peaceful and comfortable and immediate.]

Tell me. When you feel like you want to apologize... then do it. To me, or to any of the others--and they'll all tell you the same thing I will.

[It's not Makoto's fault.]

And... we'll all tell you, until that guilt fades away.