enfangs | mineo.

[internal screeching]

I-I told you! I was bored and wanted to get out of the room!

... okay. Well, I'm choosing to believe that wasn't true.

{just easily enough, and shrugging]

But I don't think you'd stab me in the back. So... yeah, I trust you. I don't want to regret it.... but I don't think I will.

[stop don't dismiss his lies so easily

but. he looks away, looking like a mixture between startled, touched, and also maybe a little on the verge of a breakdown. it's probably fine.]

[before he coughs into his hand. very smooth.]

W-Who else is on that list, anyway?

[white....

mineo just pats his shoulder in confusion? doing okay?]

Hm? Oh....

.... Takeru.

[ . . . . ]

Endorsi.

[and

after a little while, he nods.

it's a short list.]

[it's fine he's still just learning how to handle people being kind to him

anyway.]

... You seriously have shitty taste in people.

[ . . . . he shakes his head.]

I don't think so.

[.............]

So, what's your rationale? I get that Takeru's your friend from back home or whatever, so what about Endorsi?

[ . . . he tilts his head]

... it's hard to put into words. And don't say that Takeru and I are friends too loudly - he'll hate it.

[even mineo's nose wrinkles a little]

But... I think that you're people who wouldn't sell me out and stab me in the back in pursuit of your wish and your goals. That if it really came down to it, I wouldn't be someone you'd sacrifice without a thought.

[ . . . ]

And... even if you did - [betray him]

I've decided I'd be okay with it, because I trust you would've done your best not to.

... Sometimes I think you have the memory of a goldfish and forget the part where sacrificing people for my own sake was literally all I did for most of my life?

[...]

Well, whatever. [since he can guess what mineo's response will be—the gist of it, at least.] Endorsi and I are probably a lot alike, as much as she pisses me off. No wonder if you're stupid enough to trust one of us, you're going for the other too.

[there's just a little huff]

... yeah, there's something familiar about both of you.

But... I don't really care, about what you did for most of your life. I don't think I'm in any position to make judgments about any of that.

I just know what you're like here - and I like you both just fine.

[...

white is quiet for a long while, not quite looking at mineo as he internally bsods again.]

[anyway. he holds up a hand.]

So.

Ready to be knocked out?

[can't catch him, feelings!]

[he just

sighs

he's at least.... somewhat recovered after their talk so he just frowns]

Can't we just... get dinner or something...

Backing out now? Lame. But fine, fine.

Talking to you helped my head a little.

[and he'll just. finally get up off the floor, patting white on the shoulder]

We can spar again on Monday if you really want.

Sure. You might have to wait for a bit, though—I already got plans to beat up Endorsi once she can fight back again.

[he has been waiting the whole week ever since he uh

punched her in the face too]