???th rebuttal; fourth wall

[superordinary]

[ It's another one of those times, isn't it? Naegi is a little apprehensive when he wakes up in Ecruteak City, fully expecting having to deal with those Monobear Eevees or being chased by a Beartic again. Instead, all he gets is his gut telling him to climb the Tin Tower. He's not sure why that is suddenly such a good idea, but he figures that he might as well do it - if nothing else, maybe sitting at the top and admiring the view is the key to a quiet and unremarkable fourth wall weekend.

And after the last two times, all Naegi wants is an unremarkable event that does not involve bears.

What awaits him at the top is everything but unremarkable, however - the rainbow bird isn't quite as big he expected, but its mere presence is enough to make Naegi tremble. Ho-oh's wings are bright and colourful and almost seem like they could encompass the entire world if outspread. It stares down at him with striking red eyes in a way that almost makes him feel compelled to bow down to it. Then it suddenly takes off into the wind, a rainbow trailing behind it as it leaves Naegi standing there dumbfounded.

He's not sure how he managed to act so fast, but a few seconds later he's grabbed his camera from inside his bag, his finger on the button and click. He'll check if the picture came out decent later (and send it to Nanami as promised), but for now he's just going to. Stand right there on the roof and look like he just had some sort of religious experience.

Feel free to approach him; he likely won't mind and otherwise he's going to be content spending his time admiring the view. ]

Comments

[superordinary]

[ ...well, volume is okay. He wouldn't be Ishimaru if he didn't have that volume. ]

Think those stories about eternal happiness are true?

[ardent]

Maybe! Of course, it's also possible that if you've reached a point where Ho-oh shows itself to you, you already know how to find it for yourself.

[superordinary]

Maybe. Only time will tell, I guess! I'm pretty happy already, though...

[ardent]

Well, I'm glad to hear it, Naegi-kun! We have a lot of reasons to be, I think.

[superordinary]

Are you happy, Ishimaru-kun?

[ardent]

[That will just get you a bit of an odd look.]

Well, of course - why wouldn't I be?

[superordinary]

...Just asking. I mean, you weren't your usual yourself for a while after you woke up from that coma.

[ardent]

...Ah, that.

[It takes him a moment to reply beyond that; it's not an easy topic.]

It still gives me difficulties sometimes, but I'm trying to work through it.

[superordinary]

If you ever need to talk about it, come to me. You know I'll always listen.

[ardent]

[He ducks his head a little at that, as though he's not sure he should be responding at all, but he...tries to recover himself, anyway, though the result is just incredibly shouty.]

I'm not going to force you to listen to that - it's really all right, nothing I can't handle!

[superordinary]

But you wouldn't be forcing me...

[ardent]

[He fidgets a little, his left hand twitching a bit at his side.]

Ah...w-well, don't let it trouble you either way, it's fine! It's really just pointless complaining, anyway.

[superordinary]

Your thoughts and feelings aren't pointless complaining.

[ No, he's not letting this go. ]

[ardent]

...Aren't they?

[The words leave him before he can really stop them; he doesn't seem to know what to do with himself once they're out there, either.]

[superordinary]

They're not, and I don't think you should feel like you have to handle everything on your own.

[ardent]

[Mnnngh.]

But if I can handle it on my own, then I should - it's selfish to ask others to deal with my problems, especially when they have so many of their own.

[superordinary]

You've got that wrong, Ishimaru-kun! [ Where did that even come from, it's been a while he used that. ]

It's not selfish at all. Don't you want someone to talk to about your problems?

[ardent]

[NAEGI, YOU PICK THE MOST INCONVENIENT TIMES IN THE WORLD TO HAVE A SPINE...]

I...sort of?! I'm not sure, Naegi-kun, it doesn't feel right!

[superordinary]

[ DIDN'T YOU TELL HIM HE SHOULD WORK ON THAT SPINE ]

What doesn't feel right about it?

[ardent]

...Why would you want to hear about any of that? I don't...understand.

[superordinary]

Because you're my friend, Ishimaru-kun.

[ardent]

[He flinches a little at that, and it takes him a moment to find something to say; it's clear that he's thinking it over, at least, though it seems to be taking him a while to come to a conclusion.]

I...

[He hesitates. Shakes his head a bit. Tries again.]

I'm afraid of what's going to happen if I go back home again, that's all. It's nothing we can do anything about, and it really is fine most of the time; there's no point in worrying about it.

[There. Feelings. Now can we go back to not talking about the feelings?]

[superordinary]

[ ...The answer to that is no, unfortunately. Naegi doesn't say anything for a little while, before he finally responds. ]

Is it because of Ishida?

[ardent]

[Naegi...]

Yes - I still don't blame you for any of that, but yes.

[superordinary]

I feel bad for causing him to... [ Give him a second, he's not sure what word he should use. ] ...happen, but it's not like I had much of a choice back then.