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[isdf]

HELLO

"Greetings. This is Kisaragi Yuma."

GOODBYE

TEXT | VIDEO | VOICE | ACTION

Comments

[aerodynamic]

[ despite the grimness of everything, he does have to grin a little as he watches this. ]

They're pretty persistent when they want to be. Even when you put 'em down, they just come right back.

[isdf]

[He looks over at Yosuke, still holding onto the cat under its pits.]

Then what should I do?

[aerodynamic]

[ he holds his hands out to take the baby. ]

Give me that. Where were you trying to go anyway?

[isdf]

[The baby immediately loses interest in Yuma after being transferred in favor of planting a paw against Yosuke's face.]

I was about to leave the estate and enter the maze.

[aerodynamic]

[ oof. thanks baby. he wrinkles his nose when he's pawed in the face, adjusting the cat in his arms as he blinks at yuma. ]

Back in the maze? Why?

[isdf]

[The cat settles in Yosuke's arms—a soft, blubbery weight that would be the envy of many a feline.]

I wish to conduct one last investigation before it potentially shifts again.

[aerodynamic]

[ pets the cat... ]

Mind if I come with you? [ partially to make sure yuma's actually okay, and partially for one final sweep. ] You sure you should be up right now?

[isdf]

[The cat purrs while Yuma nods.]

I am. My injuries are minor; they should heal in a matter of days, if not sooner.

[aerodynamic]

Skipped the river then? [ he's not gonna fault anyone for that. actually if they can avoid it for minor shit, that's better. ] I'll follow your lead.

[isdf]

[He's not a child. If it's this much—no, even if his arm is ripped from his torso—he can keep going without stopping.

And go, he will. He makes a beeline for the industrial sector, where Luxuria lies, because they're in no position to be picky about where they go.]

[aerodynamic]

[ this is exactly what concerns him, yeah. he puts the cat down with one last scritch and immediately follows after him. ]

What exactly are you checking for anyway?

[isdf]

While the locations are stationary, this maze in particular sees an endless stream of activity. I am interested in seeing if anything has changed.

[aerodynamic]

I guess I'm just wondering how you'd tell. With how busy this place is... it might be a little harder, wouldn't it? [ a pause. ] You know, I'm kind of surprised you're back to work already.

[isdf]

Why is it so surprising? I have always preferred work to anything else.

[aerodynamic]

Even people who prefer to work might consider taking a break after coming back from something unexpected.

[isdf]

It was unexpected, but I am still capable. Furthermore, I am most relaxed when fulfilling an assignment.

[aerodynamic]

Even if it's an assignment you gave yourself? What are you going to do once this is completed?

[isdf]

I will find something else to do, such as training.

[aerodynamic]

That... is still work, Yuma. [ ... ] But if you prefer to keep busy to not think about what just happened, I can't stop you.

[isdf]

[He pauses in the middle of his walk to shake his head.]

That is incorrect, Yosuke. I have been reflecting on what happened ever since it ended.

[aerodynamic]

[ ... well, this is a start. ]

... and what's your reflecting brought you to so far?

[isdf]

That I must move forward, no matter what happens; hence, that is what I am doing now.

[aerodynamic]

Is that really reflecting on what happened though? [ or is this just moving on and putting it all in a box. ]

[isdf]

[His smile turns faintly wry for a moment.

Everywhere he goes, there's doubt . . . but that's okay. He's past that point now.]

Yes. I considered each and every detail carefully. This is the most logical conclusion.

[aerodynamic]

[ well... ]

Who am I to argue with the most logical conclusion then? We'll do a few rounds and see if anything has drastically changed, and if they haven't then it's probably fine to rest for the night. Right?