messianic | IC

[... Aw, Akechi. Minato is admittedly pleasantly surprised to not be getting a full scolding here. It's nice, since he's heard plenty of scolding until now.]

... Right.

[He appreciates it!]

Yeah, there are some mugs in the kitchen. It's just over there--they should be clean.

[Minato is a Domestic Protag, so he keeps the place tidy.]

[ Oh, good, a Domestic Protag comes really in handy at the moment. So Akechi will make a quick trip to the kitchen and return with a clean mug, then dip it in the bucket to fill it up. ]

Here. Drink up.

[ And now that he has kindly returned Minato's mother hen tendencies, he'll take a seat, like a proper guest. ]

Speaking of potions, though... I have been giving this some thought, and upon retrospect, I believe I, too, might have inadvertently consumed one before.

[... Oh.

Oh?

Oh... Minato assumes that Akechi didn't ingest poison, so-- he blinks over his mug of fresh water.]

... You did? How... did you drink some inadvertently? Are you okay?

[ Well, no, it wasn't poison, but... it might have been just as deadly, in different ways. ]

Ah, yes, I'm fine! [ He waves a hand dismissively. ] And, as I said, this is only speculation so far, but not too long ago, I found myself acting rather... strangely.

[ This is putting it mildly, to be honest. But anyway!! ]

Granted, it's true we often fall victim to the whimsies of whoever rules this place, but at the time, Kyrie-san was acting in a similarly strange way. I happened to drink from a bottle I had found in his house, and shortly after noticed the change in my behavior.

[Strangely...

Kyrie-san...

Now he's getting more and more concerned.]

... What do you mean by "strangely"...?

A-ah, that was...

[ Embarrassing. Very embarrassing. And he'd rather forget about it if he can help it, but now that he brought it up: ]

He was acting strangely... affectionate. [ A subtle cringe. ] To the point of... hugging me.

[ The cringe isn't so much over the fact Kyrie gave him a hug. though. Rather, it's because, as previously stated, Akechi was acting in the same way. ]

[... Oh.

So then that means--]

That's definitely unusual for Kyrie-san... but then that means you were also hugging people?

[Is that really so bad, Akechi...]

[ UGH. Why did he have to be reminded of that day, he's still reeling from the aftereffects of embarrassment...!! ]

That would be... correct. [ And the cringe is more visible now. ] First it was Kyrie-san himself, but on the way home, I happened to run into an unfortunate lot of people...

[ And he hugged every single one of them. Yup. ]

[Huh... he doesn't think it's that bad of an effect, but on the other hand, it's clear Akechi's uncomfortable, and he doesn't intend to undermine what he went through.]

I guess hugging people you don't want to hug and don't intend on touching is really invasive... I'm sorry you went through that, Akechi-san. You feel fine now, though, right?

[Minato didn't get any hugs, so...!!]

[ WELL. It's definitely not as bad as, say, actual poisoning, but it was a pretty mortifying experience, considering Akechi's complete lack of affection and human touch for essentially all his life. ]

Indeed, it is. And I happened to run across a good number of strangers back then, too. They were all mostly kind and understanding, but... I still can't help but regret how terrible of a first impression that must have made.

[ This just in, everyone thinks Akechi is a needy, touch-starved soft boy. Spoilers: they're not (entirely) wrong. ]

But, I am glad the effects have long since run off. That would have made for a fairly inappropriate greeting, haha...!

[ Minato, you don't want a hug, right?? ]

[He would totally have taken a hug, but he doesn't need one right now. Still... he does look a little bemused by that.]

I guess you're just not a very affectionate person then...? I mean, I agree that hugging strangers is really embarrassing, but we're friends, right?

I don't think hugs are that inappropriate between friends.

[He's not super touchy-feely either, but still. Every now and then, it's not so bad...!

Though there's nothing wrong with wanting personal space either, so he doesn't sound judging about it, just quietly curious.]

[ Calling Akechi "not a very affectionate person" is really an understatement, but there's no need to bring that up when he has a perfectly valid excuse to be the way he is!! ]

Arisato-kun, do you really come from the same Japan as I do? [ It's said in a friendly tone, though, very much in jest. ] Such displays of affection aren't exactly welcome in our society; if anything, they're frowned upon. Or... could it be that you simply don't mind their judgement?

[ If that's true, then that's one more way in which Minato and Akira are alike. ]

... I did for a long time.

[Minato admits that much ruefully, expression more contemplative than anything. He remembers the thought that maybe, maybe if he could be more like a normal boy, if he could do better and be more like what people wanted, he wouldn't be sent away again. Maybe someone would actually adopt and keep him, instead of shuffling him from home to home because he was never, ever truly wanted.

But.

It didn't work out that way. And now...]

I thought that things would be easier if I was the sort of person that everyone wanted me to be. But... that didn't help either.

[... A shake of his head, more contemplative than anything.]

So I'd rather be myself now, whether that means giving people hugs or not. [A beat, and he adds a touch sheepishly:] Though I'm not really that into physical affection either. Sometimes it's just...important.

You thought... things would be easier?

[ Well, damn. Akechi listens to the exposition attentively, and perhaps a little more curious than his usual-- because, this time, it's genuine. He can't place his finger on it, but there's something about it that just feels too familiar-- not just Minato's choices and behavior from the past, because that is all obviously the exact same Akechi still does, but something... deeper. A connection, as intangible as it's real.

Unbeknownst to him, and for all that he gives him flack for being too similar to Akira, Akechi, too, has a lot in common with Minato. ]

I suppose I can understand why you would feel that way.

[ This much, he can say in earnest. More than simply understand that need to belong, he relates to it. ]

But, in order to fully be yourself, you have to disregard the opinion of others... To be honest, I'm not sure whether I should admonish or envy you.

[ He definitely feels the latter, though. ]

You think so...? I'm not so sure about that.

[He's not so sure that that's the case. That you have to totally disregard the opinions of others in order to fully be themselves--isn't there a good level of compromise...?

Still... for now, it's fine.

Minato lets it go, nodding quietly and accepting Akechi's sincere interest for what it is. After all, if Akechi understands, then there's something similar between the two of them, right?]

But... yeah, I did think things would be easier. I just wanted... [Minato blows out a soft breath, running his fingers through his hair idly.] ...a place to belong, you know? But that was a lot harder than I expected it to be after my parents passed away.

[...]

So I get it... I really do.

[ A good level of compromise? Maybe-- to someone who isn't as maladjusted and broken as Akechi, that is.

Still, the more Minato keeps talking, the more he feels that connection grow, tug at something deep within. And when he finally mentions his parents, everything falls right into place. ]

... so you're an orphan, too.

[ It's not a question, and that compromising "too" is out before Akechi can even try to hold it back, but, well, it's not like he makes a huge secret out of this, anyway. ]

It's no wonder I felt such a strong connection with you, Arisato-kun. We really do share more similarities than I originally thought.

[ And it doesn't even stop at the whole orphan deal, hah. ]

[The "too" doesn't surprise him, exactly. It's sad, to think of Akechi going through the same things he did, but his concern with being affable, his focus on what's proper to do in Japanese society... it all rings of similar things that Minato went through.

It was difficult, when a family didn't want him because he was too odd, too quiet, too strange.

He's sure it's been hard on Akechi too, in ways that he both understands and can't even begin to think of.]

... Mm. I'm sorry you've had to go through that too, Akechi-san.

[What a world it would be, if nobody had to go through that.]

Hmm. [ A nod, and a sympathetic smile. ] I could say the same to you.

[ And while the gesture and words are true, Akechi can't help but wonder, how anyone who's likely been put through the same ordeal as he did-- the lack of a real support system, the constant rejection, the odd looks and hushed whispers around him--could be so... well adjusted, and so easily open about his feelings. How does it not make him vulnerable? How is he just fine with it all?

He doesn't get it. Is Minato really the way he presents himself as, or is he just that step above Akechi in terms of playing a role-- to the point he can even fake disinterest in people's opinions of him, fake the freedom to behave according to his alleged true beliefs? If it's the latter, he doesn't like it.

And if it's the former... then he hates it. ]

But, I do quite well by myself these days. [ And the pleasantries are back just as easily as they were gone, a light smile to match a lighter shift in tone. ] I have dedicated myself to my studies, and my career, and thus have secured a stable future. It is unfortunate, but that is more than we can say about many of the children thrown away in our foster system.

Edited 2018-06-26 03:39 (UTC)

[... Hm. The pleasantries are back, the moment of genuine concern gone as fast as it came, and Minato's left wondering, just a bit, what Akechi's feelings are on this entire thing for real. On the system they dealt with, and the experiences they both undoubtedly had...

Well.

It's something for another time. Because in all honesty:]

I'm really happy to hear that, though. [That Akechi managed to secure that stable future... Minato flashes him a small smile, shaking his head.]

Maybe you'll inspire some of the others in our situation to be able to do the same thing.

[ Inspire others? Sure, the mask he puts on, his school achievements, his career, it all might be things other could aspire to, but... everything else? Not very inspirational. ]

Perhaps, although ideally, others wouldn't have to be in our same situation at all. [ Of course, there will always be orphans, and children who are rejected or abandoned for whatever other reasons, but what he really means is how unfairly labeled they are by Japanese society. ]

Unfortunately, in my line of work, there is very little I can do to change the system as a whole, and I'm afraid I simply would not fare well in politics whatsoever.

[ Haha, it's not like he's got politician genes, nope, not him!! ]

[Well... Minato just shakes his head at that, contemplative more than anything.]

I don't think that it takes just one sort of person or job to make a change like that. I mean...

[He pauses, frowning as he grasps for the words.]

Obviously, politicians can change a lot, but...they're not the only people. There are the people who talk to kids who are in trouble, or teachers, or even people like you, who are in a position to make people feel like they can be someone even if they're an orphan--

I think that's all really important too. Maybe it won't change the system, but... it might change some of those kids' lives.

[ Akechi takes a moment to ponder over Minato's words-- and it's true, the guy does have a point. ]

Hmm. I suppose one person can't change the world, but if I can help even one person, then that will be the same as changing their whole world. That is what you mean, correct?

[ Akechi gets it, he really does-- he often wishes he had been that one person to someone, anyone who cared enough to help him. But help never came. His world never changed. ]

Right, exactly.

[Minato nods along with that easily, without hesitation. It's what he's always believed in--that's the way he's really lived his life. If he can make an impact, even if it's the smallest impact ever...]

I think it's worth trying to do things if they'll help someone...even if it's just a little. It's still worth it.

Right. Because you always try to do the right thing.

[ And Akechi has seen what "doing the right thing" often entails; there's sacrifice and giving up, and sometimes even abandoning one's sense of self, just for somebody else's sake. Akira is like that. The Phantom Thieves, as well, risking their freedom and even their lives in the Metaverse, all in order to help people they barely know. And from the looks of it, he wouldn't be surprised if Minato was just the same way.

But Akechi? He was never taught compassion, never shown how to care. And it might be just a little too late to try and go back. ]

I'm not certain how good of a role model I can be-- [ And this much, at least, he can concede to in earnest. ] --but I will keep your words in mind.

[ It's about all he can promise, too. That he'll try. ]

[That just gets a quiet nod. He can't deny it, after all; a large part of his entire identity hinges on doing what's right, and doing whatever he can to help others. That's just how he is.

But as for Akechi, well...]

I think that doing that sort of thing is different for each person. So... just do what you can in your own way, Akechi-san.

[Akechi doesn't have to be like Minato or Akira or anyone else to help people.

He just has to find his own Akechi way to do so.]

I think you'd be surprised how that's more than enough. And I'll be looking forward to seeing what you can do.

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