KAZUNARI CATCHALL

[fleshedout]

Comments

[dms]

I'm not either, though? Is your hearing okay, Hottie?

[ as a bubble looms over them... ]

I've got nothing to be scared of.

[fleshedout]

You have everything to be afraid of. Your life might be on the line, here. And this is how you want to go down?

[And as she looks at him - the bubble pops over him. She lets out a displeased noise.]

Shit-!

[dms]

[ well! forget all this talk of death and murder or whatever - it's not important anymore! kazunari lights up. ]

Sweet! I love these things! You wanna go first, or should I?

[fleshedout]

...

[Usually she would go, but...]

You first.

[dms]

You got it!

[ just gonna hit the bubble with a firework of heliotrope - and they're both treated to a fun memory (35:07-41:34). ah, normie problems. ]

[fleshedout]

[I want us to be connected. Like, really..]

[She blinks at that, her expression more pensive now....and it really does feel she understands him better. Saying what other people simply want him to hear...]

[And then, he's acting like this.]

I...see.

[And she's turning to punch color into the bubble to fully pop it, and a set of memories (pages 10-28, pages 14-22, warning for body horror) comes into being. She's seen this more than once, now. Guilt, used as a trap, regrets put out like a spiderweb to catch flies. She knows what it's like to carry a burden.]

[Her soul...her soul will never be...]

Again. I see...

[dms]

[ hey what the heck is going on in jjba ]

Ohhhh, I get it now. So you were projecting!

[fleshedout]

[many things, ray. many things.]

[She looks back at him.]

I was what?

[dms]

You know! You've decided that I killed someone, and that I'm acting how I am because I'm guilty. Because you did the same thing!

[ laughs. ]

It's kind of funny, TBH!

[fleshedout]

[Before, his words would irritate, but she doesn't even wince at all, letting them wash over her like a wave of water. It doesn't matter.]

[He's a good actor, isn't he?]

[The look in her eyes is almost...something like pity.]

...I'm sorry you had to go through that, Kazunari.

[dms]

[ and just like that, all the friendliness seeps out of his voice. ]

Maybe you should save the apology for someone who cares? Don't waste your breath.

[fleshedout]

I'll waste my breath as much as I want.

[Blunt as always.]

You did everything you could to make friends without going deeper. Now you're doing everything you can to make enemies without letting people in. Either way, you're sabotaging yourself. Let people care about you.

[dms]

I don't know about that. The only enemy I seem to be making is you. I haven't had any problems with anyone else.

[ he seems... pretty convinced of this. ]

[fleshedout]

[She tilts her head.]

Do you consider me an enemy?

[dms]

[ shrugs! ]

Not really! But you're the only one who keeps coming to yell at me for random stuff - or, you know, hit me.

[fleshedout]

You insulted the memory of the dead, even if you were just trying to be contrary to me. You can insult me all you want, but the first, I will not abide by.

[She's serious on that.]

I'm yelling at you because I don't want you to keep thinking that you're doing the right thing, here. What do you want me to do? Pat you on the back? Tell you you're a good person for letting your guilt control you?

[.........]

[She...extends a hand.]

Come on, Kazunari. Come here. You're not alone. You may drive others away, but the more you fight, the more I'll stay. I won't budge an inch.

[dms]

I told you, I'm not guilty. Stop projecting already!

[ he shakes his head, making no move to take her hand. ]

No thanks. Whatever you've convinced yourself of, I'm fine. I don't need you to stay with me.

[fleshedout]

I know you can't say you're guilty. That's fine. Maybe you really believe you aren't. But a part of you is aware. I know that.

[Else, why act this way...?]

[She doesn't lower her hand.]

Is that what you really think, or is that what you want to think?

[dms]

Dang, you're stubborn. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it.

[ memory aside. he repeats himself again, pausing to emphasize each word. ]

I don't need you.

[fleshedout]

To a fault.

[Hand, still outstretched.]

I need you.

[dms]

No, you don't. But... tell you what.

[ kazunari smiles again. leans in close, probably too close for hot pants' liking, and gives her a wink. ]

...Go on a date with me, and maybe I'll stop arguing with you on this.

[fleshedout]

...

[She stares down at him for a long moment.]

Fine.

[dms]

[ help

he's actually stunned into silence for a few moments ]

...Interesting. I thought for sure that'd get you to back off.

[fleshedout]

[A huff.]

I'm a stubborn sort. And when I say things, I mean it.

[dms]

[ he laughs. ]

Great! I'm sure they all love you for that!

[ buuuuuuuut kazu's going to move past her without taking her hands. ]

But I'm good, thanks.