[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.
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.
[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.
[she smiles. that one, she can't say she'll follow. But she nods all the same. She knows she's going to be hard on herself, she's not sure she can change that.]
I'll try. But something like that... would probably get annoying, wouldn't it?
[wow, she's going to cry again, and she just stopped. that's how much she needed to hear it, even if she still thinks it would eventually get annoying.
She laughs a little, to try and hide the other emotions, since there's just... so many, and she needs to pick one of them.]
You're really sweet, Minato. I can see why Akira likes you.
[... Ha. Minato looks a little bashful at that, dipping his head--but he knows when it's time to stop pressing and let someone get their metaphorical feet back under them.]
That's not fair, you know...it's a little embarrassing when you put it like that. [Makoto's cheating.]
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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.
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[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.
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[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.
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Can I walk you to your room? ...For real this time, not to ambush you to talk about emotions.
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[she nods slowly.]
... Though I guess now i know it was part of your plan the whole time?
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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.
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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.
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[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.
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I'll try. But something like that... would probably get annoying, wouldn't it?
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[Firmly, though he knows she doesn't want to.]
Never from you, Makoto.
[He will tell her until the end of time that it wasn't her fault, if that's what it takes to convince her--and he'll be glad to do so.]
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She laughs a little, to try and hide the other emotions, since there's just... so many, and she needs to pick one of them.]
You're really sweet, Minato. I can see why Akira likes you.
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That's not fair, you know...it's a little embarrassing when you put it like that. [Makoto's cheating.]
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[she wants the deets, now that the tables are turned? let her focus on him, at some point, as they draw closer to her room]
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So, he'll roll with this.]
Mm, well... Akira and I...
I do know he likes me, but it's kind of embarrassing to hear someone say it that plainly.
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[also stated frankly.]
If Ryuji were here, he'd be a lot more vulgar about it, so you'll have to be prepared for some embarrassment.
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Akira's not a very subtle person.
[He's charmed by it.]
And... well... I guess I can handle that. It'd be worth it to meet all of Akira's family.
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[she pauses]
Just don't be scared of Haru, okay?
[that's mysterious oh hey look, her room]
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Um...
I'll do my best.
[PROBABLY...?
Oh look, Makoto's room.
He pauses when they reach the door properly.]
... Are you going to be okay tonight, Makoto?
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But her grip tightens on the tray a little at the question, instinctively.]
Yes. With friends like you, I think I'll be fine.
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If Makoto's feeling even a little better, then he's satisfied.]
Mm...okay. I'm glad, then.
[And, softly:]
I'll let you rest. Take care tonight.
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