[nope] Killing night 12 - Shuichi

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi is taking Baxter out for one last walk before he holes up, which is to say he's lurking around the infirmary without going in until the raccoons start badgering him. It's only when he catches Shuichi's eye that he tries to act cool and casual about it.]

Good evening, Saihara-kun! I'm not interested in exploring tonight, but if you need an alibi, you can drop by my room.

Comments

[truthstranger]

[Due to keen detective instincts, Shuichi suspects Akechi is not particularly cool or casual about this. Still, that only makes him more likely to agree, so he only shoots a very brief glance down the hallway towards the infirmary before attempting a smile.]

Sure, of course. I’d... like that.

[afailedmurder]

[noting that infirmary glance]

They'll be fine. They're better off in there than left to their own devices.

[he scoops up the puppy and starts to head back]

[truthstranger]

Mm.

[he walks with him quietly for a few paces before speaking up again]

...Are you upset that Kurusu-kun got hurt by being reckless?

[afailedmurder]

Of course I am. He even had the gall to tell me he'd be careful.

[grumblegrumble]

But he's his own person. I can't tell him what to do.

[truthstranger]

No, but you can tell him you're worried about him.

[afailedmurder]

I did. That was when he said he'd be careful.

He cornered me afterward. He admitted he was wrong, but also that he wasn't going to change. What do you think, should I still be mad at him?

[truthstranger]

Mm... I think it's fair to be mad. But I also think he'll probably be at least a little more careful. I talked to him too.

[afailedmurder]

It's kind of you to do so. Perhaps if he hears it from enough people, he'll reconsider doing anything reckless in the future. Though I doubt it.

But I think if nothing else, he understands now. He accepts the situation that we're in. I'd have been extremely irate if he'd expired out of sheer stupidity... but if he decides to continue to risk his life in adherence to his principles, that I can respect.

[opens his door when they get there, like a gentleman]

[truthstranger]

Yeah. We talked a bit about what we can do here, and there's no point in being reckless until we know more, at least.

[he walks into the room, and is distracted for a second by the renewed realization that he's going to spend the night in Akechi's room, but he shakes it off]

... At some point, it's likely all of us will have to take some risks if we want to get out of this, but... we should try to know what we're getting into as much as possible.

[afailedmurder]

I agree completely. I won't hesitate to act when the moment comes, but for now our time is better served in preparation.

[Akechi sets the puppy down, takes off his shoes and his tie]

...Although that having been said, I still don't feel like doing much of anything tonight.

[truthstranger]

[he also takes off his shoes.]

Ah, that's fine. I was actually also telling him that taking care of ourselves and each other is one of the most important things we can be doing right now...

[afailedmurder]

No wonder he likes you. I'm certain he was much more happy to hear an argument like that than my thesis on his foolishness.

[truthstranger]

[an awkward laugh]

Maybe so. Though, he clearly also cares about you.

[afailedmurder]

He cares about everyone, and is always surrounded by others. That's simply how he is.

[this is not a compliment]

[truthstranger]

[aha]

Well, some people are like that... the sort of personality that draws people to them. I don't think it means less that way...

[afailedmurder]

I don't believe he's insincere. I'm the one who's... overly invested. It'll be healthier for both of us if I don't depend on him so much.

[truthstranger]

Ah.

[that also explains some things. like him telling Shuichi to be good to Akechi]

I’m... sorry. Even if it’s true you could rely on other people more as well, I’m sure that’s not very comforting when you’re worried about him.

[afailedmurder]

It is what it is. I have been relying on him, but he's shown that he can't or won't rely on me in turn. I don't hate him for that; there are many here who are easier to get along with, and there are philosophical differences between Kurusu and myself that cannot be bridged. But finding myself in such a pathetic position makes my stomach turn.

[truthstranger]

It’s not pathetic.

[afailedmurder]

You don't think so? I never had to rely on anyone before...

[truthstranger]

Everyone has to rely on other people sometimes. It's good you're trying to do that.

And... anyone would be upset about someone not feeling the same way as them.

[afailedmurder]

That's...

[an embarrassing way to phrase it, but impossible to deny without first acknowledging, and therefore not worth addressing]

A-at any rate, despite concerns on both ends, I believe he and I have come to a mutual understanding. There's no need to dwell on the subject.

[truthstranger]

Mm, if you think so, we don’t need to hash it out anymore. But... it’s good to know how you’re doing. And... I hope you know you have other people you can rely on, too.

[afailedmurder]

...Do you really mean that?

[asking a little too seriously, and scrutinizing the answer closely]

[truthstranger]

Of course I do.

[also serious, and a little bit like, is that even really a question]