overflow post

[swirlied]

i'll put something here later

Comments

[swirlied]

That's true... After a while, I kind of gave up on expecting anyone else showing up.

[ But then Wolfram appeared. ] Still, it's always possible. But maybe it's better not to expect anything.

[dereban]

Yeah, same here. I honestly... don't know if I want any of the others to be here.

[ She smiles, a little pitifully. ] But if you don't expect anything, well. You can't be disappointed by anything. But you can't anticipate anything, either.

[swirlied]

[ He turns to look at her. ]

Yeah... I was actually caught by surprise when Wolfram appeared, but if I expected him that probably wouldn't have happened, you know? But it still sucks to never see anyone else from back home either, even when you hope to.

[dereban]

That's true. But I really don't want the others here. Some of the things here... just hit too close to home.

[swirlied]

Like all of the magic?

[dereban]

That's not the only reason.

[ Her voice is low as she speaks. ] Emotions in public, hearing people's thoughts... it's hard for them. I can't- I don't want them to show up here having to deal with that. And well, other things. Since people can come from different points of the timeline, I worry if a certain someone shows up.

Because he might... [...] Well, that's not important.

[swirlied]

Your... your boyfriend, right?

[ It hurts a little to say that out loud himself, but at the same time he wants to comfort her. Instead, Yuuri stays put, glancing over at her. ]

You're afraid he wouldn't care about you in the same way, right?

[dereban]

.....

[ Those words sting, just a little bit, and it's in that moment that she glances away from him. ]

A little. He liked someone else before me. Someone that was our friend. But, that's not the issue. Taichi, he-- [ She swallows hard, the area's temperature dropping. ] He's the type of person who would want to become a 'hero', you know? He'd sacrifice himself to help others.

[swirlied]

[ He furrows his brows. ]

...What do you mean, he'd sacrifice himself? It's hard to do that here, right?

[ At least, there haven't really been any incidents of that (that he knows of) since he's been here. ]

[dereban]

There's still monsters in this world. Not to mention that when certain emotions swing one way or another, well, not to mention that I got my crystal stolen and almost died, too. It doesn't have to be something extremely drastic, but he puts himself before others and takes care of himself last.

To be honest, I'm kind of scared of how his emotions would manifest. Or if he would do something reckless. He's the type of person who would help anyone, a 'protagonist'. He might overwork himself... like taking too many tasks, for example.

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I can't help but worry. But then again, I worry about everyone I care about.

[swirlied]

[ If Yuuri were self-aware enough, he'd realize that that sounds a lot like him.

But instead he just shakes his head. ]

You're not overthinking it. I mean, you care about him. It's natural to worry about what kind of danger he'd be in here.

[dereban]

[ Inaba has a type, apparently... and is actually rather aware of this. ]

Well, yeah. Of course, I don't worry just about him, you know? I worry about all my friends. And... I worry about you, too, Yuuri. Actually. I probably worry about you the most. [ ... ah. She realizes she's said that and her cheeks turn a slight pink. ] I- Is that weird?

[swirlied]

[ Yuuri blushes himself, even turning away a little so Inaba can't see it. Even though it's probably pretty noticeable. ]

N-No. It's not weird at all. I worry about you too actually. [ He pauses, looking down at the ground. Basically anywhere but her. ] A lot.

[dereban]

[ Her gaze shifts a little bit when she hears his slight stutter, looking at him a little better. ]

You really are too kind, Yuuri.

[swirlied]

[ He looks over at her, surprised. ]

What do you mean? I'm really not. [ Especially after his talk with Wolfram, he really doesn't feel like it. ]

[dereban]

[ Inaba shakes her head at him, closing her eyes for a moment before speaking up in a calm, soothing voice. ]

No, you're nicer than most people, Yuuri. I'm not a nice person at all, so I know.

[swirlied]

[ Now it's his turn to shake his head as he looks at her incredulously. ]

I know you don't agree with me, but I think you're a good person. [ He pauses. ] I know you are.

I don't know why you think you're not a nice person... but whatever it is, I'm sure it's not that bad.

[dereban]

A good person doesn't do what I did, Yuuri. You should know that.

[ She doesn't have to elaborate on it, if only because she doesn't really want to. ]

[swirlied]

[ He stretches his legs out, using that as an excuse to give himself some time to think. Inaba's probably talking about lying about her boyfriend back home but if that's the case... ]

I guess I'm not any better. I did something pretty similar.

[dereban]

...

[ Inaba can't help but laugh, just a little; but it's in that hollow laughter of hers that's utterly familiar. ]

Ahaha... that sounds pretty troublesome, Yuuri.

[swirlied]

[ He gives her a wry smile in return. ]

Well... I guess I'm just glad that the house didn't burn down. [ And that Wolfram didn't go find Inaba but he's definitely not saying anything about that!! ]

[dereban]

. . .

[ Just this look, Yuuri. Just this. ]

Is there something I need to know.

[swirlied]

[ He shakes his head. That look has him weary. ]

Ah, not really! Wolf just uses fire magic so when he gets a little angry... things can get out of control.

[ Guess it's a good thing Yuuri has water magic!! ]

[dereban]

[ Inaba can't help but sigh. Because of course it had to do with 'dealing with actual fire magic' and she just.

She honestly doesn't know how she feels about that. ]

I see...

[ And here's where Inaba puts her hand on his shoulder. ]

As your- [...] friend, if he burns the place down, you're welcome to stay at mine.

[ God that almost hurt physically to say. ]

[swirlied]

[ It hurts to hear that, and his fist clenches just a little as if he's bracing for physical pain. The hand on his shoulder is almost worse than her words, because he knows he can't reach out to grab her hand. Not now. ]

Thanks. I think things will be okay for now at least. He's mostly just avoiding me now...