[ch. 7] post-investigation, w/ souji

[asswipe]

[HEY, WHEEZY YEET.

Don't mind Veronica as she pulls him into a hug for like 0.5 seconds and then lets go, immediately taking a step back like nothing happened.]

I'm so happy you're still alive.

[Emphasis on "still" because, uh. Well. They have two leftover heroes.]

Comments

[asswipe]

... Then, you need to meet more people. [QUIETLY.

She's emo and he's not even officially dead yet. Tomorrow is... going to be fun, truly. Honestly. Time to witness one of her friends stab someone so she can vote for him. Hooray!]

It's not something you have to thank me for. I just— You're a good person, Souji. You deserve to live, too. You know that, don't you?

[sanguinairy]

[VERONICA'S FABULOUS LIFE!!

That gets him to laugh, though, even if it's a pretty unpleasant sound. He's struggling to breathe even more than usual, lately.]

I suppose I've met very few in my time, in the end... I'm glad I was able to meet you, at least.

[Her and Evan and Dazai, Yasusada, Jae-ha and Sousei, Cardia, the Hijikata he'd never known, Natsuo, both of the Ions, Stephanie... Akechi, Eichi. Sanji. So many people here he's so, so glad for. The smile that follows is somewhat brittle.]

Evan said that to me, too. [Among others. He's afraid of what they'd think, if they knew what he really was. He's too afraid to ask at this point.] I-- just hope that I can live up to what you believe of me. That's all.

[asswipe]

You will. You already do. I promise.

[... On the bright side, he didn't stay dead for long! On the downside, this conversation is still painful in retrospect because 1) they're all leaving, and 2) Souji better use that ink to heal himself or Veronica will murder him herself.]

I'm glad I was able to meet you, too. Please... Take care of yourself if you can, okay? Everyone else can hold on a little longer.

[sanguinairy]

[HIS TWO SECONDS OF DEATH!! But yeah life is still hard when you and your new super close friends who've been through two months of Hell have to suddenly separate and scatter all over time and space. Hm.

For now though, he's just focusing on making it through tomorrow.]

Thank you. [It means a lot to hear that, spoken so earnestly. As for taking care of himself... Well.]

...Mm, I'll do my best. [That much he can try to do, too. Try being key, but try is better than nothing.] As long as everyone else is fine, too. As fine as can be.