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[isdf]

HELLO

"Greetings. This is Kisaragi Yuma."

GOODBYE

TEXT | VIDEO | VOICE | ACTION

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[isdf]

[Something that makes it hard to look at another person . . . ]

Themselves? How can that be?

[aerodynamic]

[ there's a little smile. ]

I know this might be hard to believe, but sometimes there are parts of yourself you don't want to actually acknowledge or believe are true. Or they might discover something they thought about themselves isn't really that way at all.

[isdf]

. . . I see. I think I understand what you mean.

[aerodynamic]

[ :o ]

You do? [ that's great, actually. ] I know it's not like that for everyone, but... it's something to think about.

[isdf]

Life is about self-improvement. When framed that way, I can grasp the importance of this true strength.

[aerodynamic]

That's exactly it. [ yes! this is the point! ] And self-improvement can involve a lot of things, including trying new methods you may not have experience with, or going off-script to do something else. You never know what you might like and unlock for yourself.

[isdf]

Indeed. This also goes back to what I was saying about moving forward as opposed to remaining stagnant.

[aerodynamic]

[ hmmmm. ]

Sometimes I do have to wonder if you're misunderstanding reflecting as stagnating, Yuma. But I guess you would know yourself better than me. Isn't it only stagnating if it lasts way too long?

[isdf]

Reflection leads to forward movement; hence, stagnation can be said to be resistance to that progress. They're different.

[aerodynamic]

Outright refusal then. [ hm... ] Maybe I really am the one misunderstanding stagnation then.

[ he seems thoughtful about this like maybe yuma's made a point, and yet. ]

We do what we need to in order to move forward. Whatever that looks like.

[isdf]

[He nods.]

Yes. What that looks like will vary depending on the person, but the same principle should apply.

[aerodynamic]

[ ... he just claps him on the shoulder gently. ]

Whatever you need to do, then we'll do it. Who am I to try and tell you to do it my way?

[ he says this but medea already tattled that everything went poorly for yuma so he's just like "hm." ]

[isdf]

[Hmm . . . Hm! Hmm-hm.

"We" . . . ?]

Thank you. I don't think our ways are very different, though. At the end of the day, we're both trying to improve ourselves.

[aerodynamic]

[ he tilts his head slightly, looking yuma over with deep consideration. ]

I can see ways you've improved since we've met, actually. You might not see the same ones, but I think that can be said for everybody.

[isdf]

[He blinks.]

Is that so . . . ?

[aerodynamic]

It's always easier to see it in other people than yourself, don't you think?

[isdf]

Not necessarily . . . How do you think I've improved?

[aerodynamic]

You're a little less stringent, for one thing. I feel like you're actually listening to what I'm saying now even when you don't agree with it. You're more open to at least considering things that aren't quite productive. And people have shared some good opinions about you. It means you're connecting to other people.

[isdf]

[He's not sure how he should feel about coming off as more open to being unproductive . . . ]

. . . Have they?

[The people. That's rare.]

[aerodynamic]

Yeah. [ he tilts his head again. ] People like you, dude. They care about what happens to you here. Is that unusual?

[isdf]

[He doesn't answer straightaway.

Most people tolerate him. Being liked has never been something he's sought or experienced in the way of much.]

[aerodynamic]

[ ... oh. ]

Have... you ever liked people? [ platonically. ]

[isdf]

By that, do you mean if I ever cared about what happened to someone? . . . Then yes.

[aerodynamic]

But it hasn't been the same for you in reverse. [ what the fuck. ] ... after weeks here, I guess it isn't so surprising that people start to care about what happens to other people. Or at least taking an interest in them.

[isdf]

So the key to liking someone . . . is to spend time with them?