That's how they write sequels, you know? It doesn't have to have an end. Not a true one, anyway.
[Her smile is gentle, unwavering as her eyes run back over his writing.]
I'd like that. To find an end to the pointless hurt. To face God and change what God intended, despite everything, despite the odds, despite how horribly it might hurt... And to live, and write another story with the path I choose to walk, with a happier world. One I can still be able to look over, with everyone I care about. All the people of my world, and the people I've come to know here.
[ UGH. Kano in the face of genuine compassion is just "ugh" and it makes his skin crawl, heat flushing from his neck to his ears as he quickly turns to look away. He doesn't deserve any of this, least of all to be cared about, especially when the "he" people care about... well.
Where is that "stupid" paper? He pulls that one close to him again. ]
"Stupid" paper is taken, and she just blinks as he holds it up, before giggling quietly. Gee how did she know he was gonna say that.]
We're in this together, you dummy. Remember?
What did you think I was gonna say? That I want you to be all by yourself for the rest of your life, or that I wanna see you have to hurt for everybody you care about and never be able to actually have your own happy ending?
If you think it's a stupid option for me to give up and walk into my own fate, then I can think it's a stupid option for you, too.
[ Yeah! That's what she was supposed to say! He thought he'd made that pretty obvious the day he died here, but it's been so long he can no longer remember what he'd said to who, just that he said a lot more than he would have normally said because of Hikaru's stupid kindness item. ]
I don't mind being alone if it means the people I care about are safe and happy. It's alright if my story ends here too, as long as I can guarantee that for them.
[A beat, before she gently takes up one of his hands.]
That's your fate, right?? Just like my fate is an unclear and lonely one.
What happens to the people you leave behind, Shuuya, when you're no longer there? If you can't bear the thought of a life without them... then don't you think they'll feel just as sad, to not have you, either?
Can't you do more together, trusting your loved ones, than having to bear that all by yourself? If you could fight God with your own hands, and give yourself a better future where you didn't have to choose between your happiness and your loved ones... would you want that chance?
[ WOW. But it's true; Hikaru is stupid but Kano is even more so— he says it himself, calls himself stupid all the time, knows so much of what he does is stupid stupid stupid. Useless. No good. It's still something hearing it, though. ]
Impossible.
[ He is! really stupid! But at least he smiles a little at that, self-depreciating as it is. ]
Of course I want that chance. But I wouldn't know what to do with myself after all of this is over. What sort of life am I supposed to lead? At least when I die, I die knowing my siblings are safe and alive. And I get to see my mother, and my mom, and my sister again. I'm already very tired.
To say what kind of life you could have... the only way to know is to live.
[But he's tired, he's losing hope, and his words read of a loss he's never mentioned. Her grip squeezes against his palm as her voice grows a little gentler.]
...Have they been gone a really long time? Your family?
[ HE DOESN'T WANT TO LIVE.............. he's got this one thing he wants to do and after that he wants to sleep forever, that's been the mood for the past few years already ]
Around ten years since my mother died. Five since my mom died. Two years ago, my sister.
[ And soon the rest of his family! Everything just keeps happening. ]
[ To that second question. He absolutely does not want to forget any of them, even if he subconsciously rubs the scars on the back of his hands when he pulls away after writing. ]
[ His fist tighten around his crayon, because his entire being is a reminder, isn't it? Everything that he is, is because of these people in his life. ]
In this place, we can't forget. Right?
[ And then later they have the monster convo and Hikaru brings up the monster eating their memories and he will be "hm" ]
At least she still has her name. She still has something left of a story, with the details falling out. It was something.
...
But she slowly nods.]
Just in case, I guess.
I think it's the easiest way to remember people, that's all. To tell others about what made them so special. It makes them a bigger memory than just what's in your own head, cause people can see how those special memories turned you into you, too.
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no subject
That's how they write sequels, you know? It doesn't have to have an end. Not a true one, anyway.
[Her smile is gentle, unwavering as her eyes run back over his writing.]
I'd like that. To find an end to the pointless hurt. To face God and change what God intended, despite everything, despite the odds, despite how horribly it might hurt... And to live, and write another story with the path I choose to walk, with a happier world. One I can still be able to look over, with everyone I care about. All the people of my world, and the people I've come to know here.
[Her eyes flick up, genuine and compassionate.]
Like you.
no subject
Where is that "stupid" paper? He pulls that one close to him again. ]
no subject
"Stupid" paper is taken, and she just blinks as he holds it up, before giggling quietly. Gee how did she know he was gonna say that.]
We're in this together, you dummy. Remember?
What did you think I was gonna say? That I want you to be all by yourself for the rest of your life, or that I wanna see you have to hurt for everybody you care about and never be able to actually have your own happy ending?
If you think it's a stupid option for me to give up and walk into my own fate, then I can think it's a stupid option for you, too.
no subject
I don't mind being alone if it means the people I care about are safe and happy.
It's alright if my story ends here too, as long as I can guarantee that for them.
no subject
That's your fate, right?? Just like my fate is an unclear and lonely one.
What happens to the people you leave behind, Shuuya, when you're no longer there? If you can't bear the thought of a life without them... then don't you think they'll feel just as sad, to not have you, either?
Can't you do more together, trusting your loved ones, than having to bear that all by yourself? If you could fight God with your own hands, and give yourself a better future where you didn't have to choose between your happiness and your loved ones... would you want that chance?
[A smile, brief.]
Can't you try to be a little less stupid than me?
no subject
Impossible.
[ He is! really stupid! But at least he smiles a little at that, self-depreciating as it is. ]
Of course I want that chance.
But I wouldn't know what to do with myself after all of this is over.
What sort of life am I supposed to lead?
At least when I die, I die knowing my siblings are safe and alive.
And I get to see my mother, and my mom, and my sister again.
I'm already very tired.
no subject
To say what kind of life you could have... the only way to know is to live.
[But he's tired, he's losing hope, and his words read of a loss he's never mentioned. Her grip squeezes against his palm as her voice grows a little gentler.]
...Have they been gone a really long time? Your family?
no subject
Around ten years since my mother died.
Five since my mom died.
Two years ago, my sister.
[ And soon the rest of his family! Everything just keeps happening. ]
no subject
...]
You miss them an awful lot, don't you?
...
Were they kind people, Shuuya? Your mother, your mom, your sister...
Were they people you want to always remember?
no subject
Yes.
[ To that second question. He absolutely does not want to forget any of them, even if he subconsciously rubs the scars on the back of his hands when he pulls away after writing. ]
no subject
Could I help you remember?
Just until we make it out of this place, and you can make whatever choices you need to make, and get that chance you deserve.
no subject
[ His fist tighten around his crayon, because his entire being is a reminder, isn't it? Everything that he is, is because of these people in his life. ]
In this place, we can't forget.
Right?
[ And then later they have the monster convo and Hikaru brings up the monster eating their memories and he will be "hm" ]
no subject
deeply, deeply pains.
At least she still has her name. She still has something left of a story, with the details falling out. It was something.
...
But she slowly nods.]
Just in case, I guess.
I think it's the easiest way to remember people, that's all. To tell others about what made them so special. It makes them a bigger memory than just what's in your own head, cause people can see how those special memories turned you into you, too.
...
That's what I think, anyway.