[ minako laughs quietly, holding on and rubbing little circles on yukari's back. it's okay yukari. c'mere. she squeezes a little tighter at yukari admitting how much she missed her. ]
That's... wow, this place is weird. Graduation Day was... just before I got here. A couple of days now, maybe?
This might be a dumb question, but--besides that, how've you been? How is everyone?
[ yeah. definitely a stupid question. minako draws an unsteady breath, keeping her firmly wrapped up in her arms. maybe tilting her head down a little to press her face into yukari's shoulder.
she resists the urge to ask after aigis. not the time. ]
I'm sorry, [ the cheer she's been trying to keep up in her voice is just... gone. ] I didn't want to leave you guys. Especially... especially not like that, that should've been a happy moment for all of us, and then I...
[minako--always cheerful and smiling in her favorite memories--sounding so defeated finally causes the tears she's been barely holding back to fall.]
Don't--please don't apologize, Minako. [it's yukari's turn to gently stroke minako's back.] You didn't do anything. Everything just happened all at once and it was all out of our control. You don't have to say sorry. Ever. Okay?
I did, though, I... [ yeah. fuck it. she's crying now too, a bit. ] I know I had to do it. I don't regret the choice, I'd do it again, but... I still chose it. I still... did it, Yukari.
[ i loved you, she bites back. because what does it matter now? especially with how things changed in the last days before the final battle.
[ to minako, it mostly doesn't matter now because--as much as yukari means to her, as much as their friendship has always blurred the lines and had a tinge of romance to it, she wasn't the one she had truly fallen for. after everything with aigis, confessing that just feels... pointless at best, and like a betrayal at worst.
she lets out something between a laugh and a sob, burying her face in yukari's shoulder and giving her one last squeeze, swaying gently. ]
C'mon. [ minako finally manages that, pulling back and smiling at her even with the tears. it's genuine, but a little strained. she gestures over to a nearby bench with one hand, taking yukari's with the other, as she starts trying to pull her in that direction. ]
[there'll always be a 'what if' that pops up from time to time in yukari's head. what if they had? what if they'd realized sooner? what if--?
human emotions are weird and complicated, further details at 11.
she follows minako's lead, grateful for a chance to sit. sitting would give her a chance to quit being a crying mess and collect herself.] Okay. I have to warn you that most of it is pretty ordinary, though. It turns out that when you save the world, not much happens after that.
I think we-- [ minako catches herself, wincing ] you... all earned a little ordinary, after everything. [ she squeezes yukari's hand, twining their fingers together. ]
I don't think fate really cares what we earn. [ she nods a little bit, though, leaning against yukari's shoulder. ]
Did everyone deal with that okay? Getting split up, I mean. The dorm's just... [ she glances up to the building down the block, knowing how ironic this is going to sound from her right now ] It's just a place.
Edited 2019-07-08 22:43 (UTC)
your dedication to the steph/cass life is appreciated though
It doesn't, but we did kill a literal god. I'm not sure if the rules completely apply to us anymore. [she pauses to think, absently biting at her bottom lip.] Maybe this place...maybe it can your ordinary. It won't be, obviously, but you've got another chance. That has to count for something, right?
[yukari catches minako's look and squeezes her hand.] A few of us ended up together. Aigis and I were roommates at the new dorm and Fuuka was just next door. It was still weird being apart from each other. ['from you.']
Sealed her. And only because I got a literal card that let me break the rules... but... yeah. I want this to be a second chance. Whatever that looks like.
[ minako lets out a breath, nestling in a bit more. ]
I had a lot of time to think. In that last month, when you all... [ she closes her eyes for a second. that phrasing sounds like an accusation, and it's anything but. ] Anyway. I was... set up for what happened that day. I know that now. Ever...ever since the lab explosion. [ maybe we both were, she doesn't say. ] And I think... you know, part of me always knew I was only getting that one year.
[ she strokes her thumb over the back of yukari's hand. the mention of aigis stabs at her heart--all of it does, really--but the idea that they still had each other to lean on? it means a lot. finally, quietly: ]
[yukari rests her head on minako's shoulder. after minako's death, she had given a lot of thought to 'why us? why her?' it took a long time to accept there were no answers. none that were satisfying, anyway. it was them because life worked out that way. and it was her because it had to be that way.
god, fate sucked.]
You made it a great year.
Aigis, she.... It was bad, Minako. Really bad. She was was--lost. She didn't know how to function without you. She's gotten so much better, but it's not hard to see how much she misses you. [her stomach turns for some reason she can't place. she has to ask.] Have you seen her yet?
[ minako's free hand moves to play with yukari's hair a little, arm looping over her shoulder. even like this, the feeling of moonlacing from the contact adds something else entirely.
the guilt in her expression is plain to see as yukari answers the question. she just... nods, slowly, taking a breath. ]
No. If she's here, she's probably on the planet already, but... [ she's not counting on it. ]
[yukari never gave much thought to why their friendship was the way it was. it just was what it was. her friends outside of S.E.E.S. had teased her relentlessly. 'are we hanging out or do you have another date with your girlfriend?' 'don't ask her about the boy who just went by, she's texting arisato-san, you know how she gets.' 'we all know you're taken, takeba.'
sure, she and minako were intense, but yukari liked it that way. she more than liked it. moments like these--just them enjoying each other--she lived for them.
and that intoxicating, giddy feeling whenever she saw minako scared her to death.
yukari is quiet for some time. her voice is quiet when she says,] I told you that you don't have to apologize for anything, Minako. Ever. Things just....
[ she had heard her fair share of it whispered behind her back, too. never the prevailing opinion in any serious sense, she knew she had been pretty well-liked, but. kids are cruel. rumors always spread.
'don't hang around arisato, she's...' 'have you seen how she acts with that bitch hasegawa' 'look at her taking up sanada-senpai's time, what a...' 'why does she put up with iwasaki anyway?' 'it's arisato, you know why' 'what are arisato and yamagishi doing in there after school anyway? there isn't a club meeting...' 'i saw takeba-san and arisato alone at wuck yesterday...' 'really? i saw them at the arcade last weekend' 'why is kirijo-senpai so friendly with her? you don't think...' 'what does mochizuki-kun even see in her, what does she have that i don't??' 'hey, do you see how arisato and aigis look at each other?'
she exhales, pulling yukari a little closer, one hand stroking her hair now. this is intimate as hell but she doesn't fucking care. ]
I know. [ life never works out how you expect it to. ] I want that for you, too. So... what's going on in your life? Seriously.
[alright, deep breaths. she can do this. it's just small talk while her friend is stroking her hair. no biggie.]
Well, I'm in college now. Somehow Aigis and Mitsuru got me through exams, [she answers with a weak laugh.] My adviser won't let me forget I haven't picked a major yet, though. It's just been busy between classes and my part-time job. []there's the briefest of sheepish pauses before she continues,] I'm a model. And my agency got me an audition for Phoenix Featherman R so.... Crazy, right?
[ she's quiet at first, just listening. sorry for what she's missed, happy they all managed to move on and get something normal going-- but then. ]
Oh my god? Yukari-- [ that gets her excited. pride, a little amazement--minako wraps her up in a hug as well as she can for just a moment, laughing and eyes lit up. ]
That's amazing! I bet you're doing great. [i wish i could be there to see it, she refrains from saying, it's not the time ] Does Ken know you're auditioning yet? And did you narrow down choices for a major at all? [ not chastising, not probing, just genuine curiosity about her friend's life. ]
[minako's excitement is infectious and yukari can't help grinning from ear to ear. the whole process of getting the script from her agency had been so fast that it hadn't hit her she might get to be on tv yet. regularly, even. holy crap.] You haven't seen anything I've done! Thank you, though.
You're the first person I've told about the audition, actually. I don't want to get people excited now to have to break bad news to them later. I'm totally letting Ken know once they let me know. Oh, my god, he's going to flip, [she laughs.] As for major, maybe journalism? All the classes I've taken are fun, but it'd be hard to balance with work....
Oh man--Yukari Takeba, intrepid journalist for Mainichi Shimbun by day, Feather Flamingo by night! [ she laughs and practically squeals a little in excitement, pulling back just enough to place her hands on yukari's shoulders. ]
Look, whatever you end up doing--you're gonna be amazing, okay? I've seen you at your best, I'd know.
[yukari's face goes red and grin turns goofy. she hadn't been on the receiving end of this much unfiltered positivity in ages.] There's no way I can do less than amazing if you're rooting for me.
[ she'd missed that look. minako can't help herself, especially with how giddy all of this has her, with the admissions made earlier--she leans forward, briefly pressing her lips to yukari's cheek. ]
I'm always in your corner, no matter where I am. Thought you knew that by now.
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That's... wow, this place is weird. Graduation Day was... just before I got here. A couple of days now, maybe?
This might be a dumb question, but--besides that, how've you been? How is everyone?
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god. where does she start?
finding minako on the roof? the funeral? the months of emptiness that followed? getting her life back together?
none of that really seems to matter. not when minako is alive and warm and here.]
I'm better, [she says quietly.] We all are. We've got each other, but...it's not the same.
haha suffer
she resists the urge to ask after aigis. not the time. ]
I'm sorry, [ the cheer she's been trying to keep up in her voice is just... gone. ] I didn't want to leave you guys. Especially... especially not like that, that should've been a happy moment for all of us, and then I...
don't cry for me, i'm already dead
Don't--please don't apologize, Minako. [it's yukari's turn to gently stroke minako's back.] You didn't do anything. Everything just happened all at once and it was all out of our control. You don't have to say sorry. Ever. Okay?
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[ i loved you, she bites back. because what does it matter now? especially with how things changed in the last days before the final battle.
instead, ]
I'm so glad you're here.
i am howling into the fucking abyss
[oh, minako. that would matter even up to this very minute.
[she laughs disbelievingly.] Now, you're stealing my line. I'm glad I get to see you again.
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she lets out something between a laugh and a sob, burying her face in yukari's shoulder and giving her one last squeeze, swaying gently. ]
C'mon. [ minako finally manages that, pulling back and smiling at her even with the tears. it's genuine, but a little strained. she gestures over to a nearby bench with one hand, taking yukari's with the other, as she starts trying to pull her in that direction. ]
I want to hear everything, okay?
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human emotions are weird and complicated, further details at 11.
she follows minako's lead, grateful for a chance to sit. sitting would give her a chance to quit being a crying mess and collect herself.] Okay. I have to warn you that most of it is pretty ordinary, though. It turns out that when you save the world, not much happens after that.
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C'mon. What'd I miss?
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Well, you missed us getting kicked out of the dorm at the end of the year. There wasn't much reason to keep a building open for 7 kids and a dog.
oh my god my hands are idiots
Did everyone deal with that okay? Getting split up, I mean. The dorm's just... [ she glances up to the building down the block, knowing how ironic this is going to sound from her right now ] It's just a place.
your dedication to the steph/cass life is appreciated though
[yukari catches minako's look and squeezes her hand.] A few of us ended up together. Aigis and I were roommates at the new dorm and Fuuka was just next door. It was still weird being apart from each other. ['from you.']
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[ minako lets out a breath, nestling in a bit more. ]
I had a lot of time to think. In that last month, when you all... [ she closes her eyes for a second. that phrasing sounds like an accusation, and it's anything but. ] Anyway. I was... set up for what happened that day. I know that now. Ever...ever since the lab explosion. [ maybe we both were, she doesn't say. ] And I think... you know, part of me always knew I was only getting that one year.
[ she strokes her thumb over the back of yukari's hand. the mention of aigis stabs at her heart--all of it does, really--but the idea that they still had each other to lean on? it means a lot. finally, quietly: ]
How is she? How...how did she take it?
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god, fate sucked.]
You made it a great year.
Aigis, she.... It was bad, Minako. Really bad. She was was--lost. She didn't know how to function without you. She's gotten so much better, but it's not hard to see how much she misses you. [her stomach turns for some reason she can't place. she has to ask.] Have you seen her yet?
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[ minako's free hand moves to play with yukari's hair a little, arm looping over her shoulder. even like this, the feeling of moonlacing from the contact adds something else entirely.
the guilt in her expression is plain to see as yukari answers the question. she just... nods, slowly, taking a breath. ]
No. If she's here, she's probably on the planet already, but... [ she's not counting on it. ]
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I'm sorry we never took ours. [ maybe that's not the best thing to say, given the subject at hand. but it's the truth. ] For what it's worth.
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sure, she and minako were intense, but yukari liked it that way. she more than liked it. moments like these--just them enjoying each other--she lived for them.
and that intoxicating, giddy feeling whenever she saw minako scared her to death.
yukari is quiet for some time. her voice is quiet when she says,] I told you that you don't have to apologize for anything, Minako. Ever. Things just....
All I want is for you to be happy.
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'don't hang around arisato, she's...' 'have you seen how she acts with that bitch hasegawa' 'look at her taking up sanada-senpai's time, what a...' 'why does she put up with iwasaki anyway?' 'it's arisato, you know why' 'what are arisato and yamagishi doing in there after school anyway? there isn't a club meeting...' 'i saw takeba-san and arisato alone at wuck yesterday...' 'really? i saw them at the arcade last weekend' 'why is kirijo-senpai so friendly with her? you don't think...' 'what does mochizuki-kun even see in her, what does she have that i don't??' 'hey, do you see how arisato and aigis look at each other?'
she exhales, pulling yukari a little closer, one hand stroking her hair now. this is intimate as hell but she doesn't fucking care. ]
I know. [ life never works out how you expect it to. ] I want that for you, too. So... what's going on in your life? Seriously.
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Well, I'm in college now. Somehow Aigis and Mitsuru got me through exams, [she answers with a weak laugh.] My adviser won't let me forget I haven't picked a major yet, though. It's just been busy between classes and my part-time job. []there's the briefest of sheepish pauses before she continues,] I'm a model. And my agency got me an audition for Phoenix Featherman R so.... Crazy, right?
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Oh my god? Yukari-- [ that gets her excited. pride, a little amazement--minako wraps her up in a hug as well as she can for just a moment, laughing and eyes lit up. ]
That's amazing! I bet you're doing great. [ i wish i could be there to see it, she refrains from saying, it's not the time ] Does Ken know you're auditioning yet? And did you narrow down choices for a major at all? [ not chastising, not probing, just genuine curiosity about her friend's life. ]
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You're the first person I've told about the audition, actually. I don't want to get people excited now to have to break bad news to them later. I'm totally letting Ken know once they let me know. Oh, my god, he's going to flip, [she laughs.] As for major, maybe journalism? All the classes I've taken are fun, but it'd be hard to balance with work....
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Look, whatever you end up doing--you're gonna be amazing, okay? I've seen you at your best, I'd know.
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I'm always in your corner, no matter where I am. Thought you knew that by now.
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