enfangs | mineo.

[ . . . he just takes a sip of his tea.]

... I know that I've got blood on my hands too but -

Everything really does feel so complicated.

[...]

Not like it ever felt simple in the first place.

[ . . . he shakes his head at that.]

Kinda funny -

Weren't we saying this weeks ago? When we first got here? I feel like... it's just gotten worse.

[he watches him for a bit.]

... Do you regret coming here?

[he tilts his head at that, surprised]

No.

[ . . . ]

I mean, it's either being here or being dead, you know? But at least if I'm here.... I can try to figure out how to get my life back... and -

[he seems to hesitate a little bit, taking another sip of his tea at that as he leans back against the counter and lets his gaze drift to the ceiling]

.... I keep thinking about it. If wishes aren't real - since Vira-san mentioned it. And... they have to be real because I won't accept if you don't get yours. That's just not something I'll even consider. And obviously I want mine too but...

[a little bit of a shrug]

I don't know. It might make people want to hit me but if I'm being honest... I think, even if I die tomorrow, then... this time I've gotten would be enough for me. I'd have an easier time accepting it than when I first got here.

[he listens, and then, after a pause

yeah, he smacks mineo. not that hard, especially since mineo is holding his tea, but.]

[okay he's mostly trying to cover the top of the cup with his hand since he is in fact holding his tea - ]

It's just the truth! It's not like I'm giving up - I'm gonna fight with all I've got!

But I'm just saying....!

... Then I can say the same, you know? I accepted my death when it happened. I agreed to be here because it wasn't like I had anything left to lose.

Of course, I'll fight for my wish, but it's not the end of the world if I don't get it.

[he'd already lived far past when he should've died. not a lot of people would consider his death a tragedy.]

You not getting yours is what I won't accept.

It is the end of the world - [and even though he started this fight, there's something about it that makes mineo angry] - I won't let it happen. You not getting your wish -

[he shakes his head more vehemently at that]

No way. You have to live. I won't let this be the end for you.

[he scowls.]

You can say that about me but not yourself?

[ . . . . he just huffs out a breath at that.]

.... maybe it doesn't make much sense.

But it's always easier for me to care about others instead of myself. I want to live. I'm not going to give up, and I have a lot of people who'd be pissed off at me if I actually did.

I just know that it's not hard to choose you over me either.

I don't want you to choose me over you!

[though even as he says it, he knows that won't change mineo's mind.

he wants to live. to protect lucy and lessa; to see if it's possible for him to obtain happiness, for once.

but he's not selfless like mineo. he can accept his end here, because the truth is he's tired; has been for far past when he first realized it. the longer he's in this place, the more aware he becomes of it.

and because, ultimately—

he's content with having known the people he has, in the last moments of his life.]

Well that's too bad, because it's happening!

[and he just huffs before reaching out with his hand to tap his knuckles against white's shoulder]

And it won't come down to a choice, so it doesn't matter! We'll all get our wishes.

I just didn't want to lie to you about how I was feeling.

[...]

Asshole. You're a moron, you know that?

That's what everyone says but I thought this one made sense....

[ . . . . he sighs.]

I'm not an officer anymore - but it's pretty much a given that I used to be in danger everyday. I was alright with that, so long as I knew that I was helping people. The only reason I was so afraid of dying was because I thought my life really amounted to nothing.

Being here... made me feel like that's not true anymore.

That's all it is.

... Yeah, you better have changed your mind on that.

[if mineo still thinks his life amounted to nothing, then they have all failed him, really.

he takes a sip from his drink, before muttering—]

Still a hypocrite, though.

.... I did.

[and he'll just accept the insult with a little bit of a sad smile before bumping his shoulders against white's]

And hey, at least I got to meet you.