15strangers | the sum of our parts is greater, but a few of them might have been broken

the sum of our parts is greater, but a few of them might have been broken

[Immediately following the strange insanity that took place in the aftermath of that trial, Towa decides that enough is enough-- she has to attempt to do what she can do. For too long she's let herself be daunted by her own abilities or lack thereof... but she can't do that anymore. If she can support everyone, even in any small way, then she's going to do that now.

Before they're dismissed she calls out to the group--]

I'm going to prepare the lounge for a proper meeting. It'll take me a little bit to get everything set up but please... I want everyone to come. We have a lot to talk about and I don't want anyone shouldering this burden alone.

[And as soon as that's done, she gets to work. Coffee, tea, soup, cookies... she prepares a small, but fairly simple collection of foods as quickly as she can and works to make the space as comfortable as possible. It feels like a lifetime ago she did this the first time. A lot has changed but some things really haven't. If anyone would like to help, she certainly wouldn't turn away the help.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's alright. Nothing to be sorry for.

[He did, after all, inadvertently try to kill everyone. He deserved the slap. Getting punched, too. He's surprised there wasn't more.]

Yes, there is. It... wasn't fair. Not entirely.

[Her lips purse tighter.]

Of course I was mad that you tried to sacrifice yourself again. But... I was also a little jealous.

Jealous...?

[Uncomprehending. There's little to be jealous of, and.... And he remembers what became of the last person who was jealous of him. Junpei...]

I-it's not that I'm not happy for you and Charlotte, it's wonderful. Really!

[God. Why does today just have to be so embarrassing.]

...I doubt you realize it yourself, but-- you're someone really important to me. I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for you. I care about everyone here, but... this is different. [...] At least, it is for me anyway.

Happy for- [Oh. The. The-- Yes, that. The That.

Minato still isn't really sure what to make of that. And now there's this. His brow furrows; he is trying to make sense of it. He's still struggling to believe anyone could care for him in that way. He's silent for a long moment, trying to figure out a response, something that'll help him understand.]

....How....?

[She not sure why she's really saying all this after what happened earlier but maybe... after all that... she just wants it to be known, even if nothing will come of it, just in case she doesn't make it out of whatever comes next for all of them.]

What you said before... "I'm not the kind of person people can care about." I told you before and I'll say it again-- You're wrong.

You're reckless and you make mistakes... but you feel more deeply for the people here than any of us. And even though you say some stupid things... there are also times when you do your best to say exactly the things we need to hear. That's... all of that is the Minato that I care about.

O-Only been a month...

[It's a short time. Usually it takes a bit longer before people get sick of him. Send him away somewhere.]

Know what I am, Towa... Selfish. Stupid. Lazy. Worthless. Creepy. A curse. .....can go on. [He'll stop there, though. But he's heard it all.] Not......not a good person, at all. You deserve much better, than someone like me.

[Towa takes a deep breath and--]

I've never once seen you be selfish. And you're not stupid-- you've proven yourself time and time again in those trials. Lazy? You're always one of the first to act when something happens. Creepy? Not at all. And I don't believe in curses. No one's perfect... but I wouldn't lie about something like this. You... you're worth more than a little to me.

I know saying all this probably won't change anything. After all, I'd be more surprised if you'd noticed someone like me.

But... I wanted to say it, at least once. Before... we go. In case I never got another chance.

Selfish- all the time, no matter what I-- [Mithos had said as much. So it must be true. Minato hangs his head, closing his eyes.]

....always the same, ever since... It's alright, Towa. Used to it. No one wants or needs someone like me. Not a bad thing.

[It's not quite a response to what she's actually said, and he knows that/ It's just... What is he supposed to do? This knowledge, this unshakable belief that he just isn't someone who can be loved or cared for that way has held him together for a decade. Because....]

..."If the problem is me, then it doesn't have to be anyone else"...

...but the problem isn't you. Everyone, even me, has problems. Being flawed is part of being human. There are things I say for your sake, to try and share what I see with you, just a little because I don't think you see them for yourself.

But my feelings aren't for your sake. I knew you probably wouldn't accept them because of earlier but... I said them anyway. For my sake. Those are my feelings and you won't change them.

Earlier...? Because of-- ....I don't....know why she....

[He's trying, so hard, to wrap his head around this... It's like there's some kind of disconnect in his brain. Something aching that he's ignored for a very long time.]

If....I'm not.....then..... [He grits his teeth, and tears spring to his eyes. It's almost funny, how his more dramatic supernatural issues are easier to handle than this.]

I-It's okay..! Really. You don't owe me anything. I know I'm not the type of girl guys are really interested in. A-and that's okay. Just... just saying it is enough.

[Towa lowers the ice bag and instead, gently cups her hand around his face.]

Minato... it's okay... I know you want to protect us. But... we're strong too. We may all have our faults and our problems, but we can overcome them. Just having you here with us is enough.

[Towa seems so upset, and it's his fault. His selfishness ruining things and hurting people again. Selfish, selfish, selfish--]

Don't....want to upset you.... I'm sorry.

Don't apologize-- I'm the one who upset you. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. Telling you all this was pretty selfish on my part. I'm sorry.

[She wipes the tears from the corner of his eyes and smiles.]

I'm just happy you're okay. None of the rest is nearly as important as that, okay?

Don't worry about me, it's not-- I'm not important. It's okay if you're selfish--

[It's a double standard, but that's not why he's cutting off. He's cutting off because he's said something he knows she'll object to.]

I'm.....trying. No one's really wanted me alive since my parents died, not without having some use for me. I'm sorry.

If you tell me not to worry, that's just going to make me worry more.

[Sorry, that's just how she is. But she's not going to fault him. She's going to remain rooted and listen to him.]

...that's terrible. I'm so sorry... I can't imagine how hard that's been for you. But-- I'm glad you're alive. I'm really, truly glad that I met you.

Why does everyone here.....care so much, about me....?

[He cannot understand that...]

....was lucky. Extended family took me in. Lot of orphans have it worse...

I can't speak for the others but-- You cared about us, even though you didn't really have a reason to. Watching you want to protect everyone... I really admired that. It made me want to do what I could to support you in return.

That's all the "reason" I needed.

That's....really all it takes...?

[It's so....different. He supposes the pattern was already broken, with SEES somehow still trusting him despite everything, but...exception that proves the rule, right?]

People....usually get sick of me pretty fast. Send me away within a few months.

That's all it takes. And no one is going to send you away, or they'll have to answer to me first.

[Towa's hands finally feel comfortable letting go of him, and instead sit in her lap, twiddling with the fabric of her skirt-- an embarrassed twitch.]

Listen... I told you I wanted to take good care of that ribbon so you could give it back to me, right? Well... I want you to keep it.

[It's so strange. His own family doesn't care for him, doesn't want him, and they're right to. Why would anyone else? It makes no sense...but it does make him happy.]

You don't want it back? [She said to give it back when he could see that the others here really do care for him, just as he is. And he can't deny that now - he just....doesn't understand why, or how. It's mind-blowing.]

It is important to me-- I've had it for a long time.

[Not having it felt strange at first, but now...]

But it would make me happier to see you keep it. You know... like... a memento. Maybe then when you look at it you'd... remember me...

Glad I met you, Towa. Will always remember you.

[For...however long he has left. Something hurts, and not just at the thought of his limited future - he....doesn't want Towa to be sad. She seems sad, and he's sure it's because of him. He's messed up--

No....he should do what he can to fix himself. To try and treat himself the way the other people on the train have treated him. Right?]

....don't have anything to give you in return, though.

[Goodness. Her face hasn't felt this warm since... unfortunately the trial earlier.

But he hadn't considered him wanting to give her something in return. She flushes and shakes her head.]

O-oh no, you don't need to give me anything. Really! You've already given me more than enough with those words.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

the sum of our parts is greater, but a few of them might have been broken

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject