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[flyingsolos]

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[flyingsolos]

[ who wants this punk, anyway--

But Rion doesn't move, only sighs very quietly. ]

I don't really know how to help a friend deal with something. And I tried, but I think I... probably made it worse.

[ the abridged version, but not wrong at all. ]

And then he just ends up worrying about me instead, so now, knowing him, he's probably feeling doubly bad.

[purrtagonist]

[he accepts the abridged version for what it is, not wanting to pry too much, too early]

What'd you try?

[flyingsolos]

Changing the subject at first... but when that didn't work, telling him that he didn't have to force himself to be okay.

[ and of course he'd denied that, and... honestly, just thinking about it makes Rion droop a little more, as though she's trying to curl up. ]

I know... people have different ways of mourning, but I don't know if what he's doing now is actually helping him or not. Or what I can do for him.

[ Shiori had been her friend too, but she can't even begin to compare how she feels about it to what Kou's been dealing with. ]

[purrtagonist]

[mourning, huh. . . that's pretty telling]

[Akira leans back on one hand, head tilted back, eyes flickering up towards the ceiling. he takes his time with his response, as he usually does for matters like this, picking his words carefully before he speaks]

You're right in that people have different ways of mourning. And they all come to terms with things at their own pace, too. For some people, pretending to be okay may be their best way of coping, until they're ready to face what hurts.

[tilts his head towards her next]

But you can promise him you'll be there for him when he is, you know?

[flyingsolos]

Is that... really enough?

[ Kou had listened to her. Kou had told her he liked her, the girl behind the idol, and that her dream was amazing. He hadn't let her give into despair, and Rion has to blink back tears as her vision wavers. If she can't even do half as much for him--

Nope. She's not going to cry, this is embarrassing enough. She can't let herself believe she's useless here. ]

Geez-- sorry, never mind, I'm being an idiot.

[purrtagonist]

I don't think worrying about a friend is something worth calling yourself an idiot over.

[he chides without mincing his words, giving a tiny shrug as he does so]

And I know it might not feel like it's "enough."

[it hurts to watch someone you care about suffer, knowing that there's very little you can do to alleviate the pain]

But I bet your friend appreciates it way more than you think he does.

[flyingsolos]

... He better, I don't risk frown wrinkles for just anyone.

[ It's a very tired grumble, but it's really just because Rion still has somewhat of a difficult time being earnest with someone she barely knows. If she thinks about it, it's honestly kind of embarrassing that she's even said and shown this much.

So what better way to hide reddened eyes and a shaky voice than acting annoyed instead? Akira's right-- she knows he is.

She just has to let herself believe that. ]

[purrtagonist]

[based on what he knows about Rion so far, her grumbled levity isn't a surprise at all. he knows how hard it is for people to open up to complete strangers, and he definitely feels like he's pried too much into her personal business as it is. so he lets her have this one, responding with a dry joke]

Tell him to compensate you by buying you some anti-wrinkle cream.

[flyingsolos]

Pass. If I have it my way, he's not going to know anything about this.

[ He can just think Rion was tired!! And went to bed!!! And did not whine about being a shitty friend to a guy whose hair looks like it could eat him alive on a humid day!!! ]

[purrtagonist]

[jiiiiiii]

Why? Because he'll feel guilty that his emotional distance made you feel like a bad friend?

[he sees many problems, here]

[flyingsolos]

... I mean, you're not wrong,but there's a thing called tact.

[purrtagonist]

Then let's phrase it more tactfully.

"I'm worried about you. Please don't feel bad that I am; I worry because I care and because I want to help. I'm here for you, please remember that, and let me know if there is anything I can do."

[he lays it out so bluntly and simply]

[flyingsolos]

[ He sure does, and Rion stares at him with wide eyes and a look on her face suggesting that she's somehow been blindsided.

That was definitely blunt, but that's exactly how she feels, isn't it? ]

That's not... exactly tactful either, but I get your point.

[purrtagonist]

[a huff, and he turns his gaze towards her again with yet another shrug]

Well. Maybe that level of bluntness is just how I've always been.

[no point in beating around the bush. . .!]

You know your friend better than I do. I believe you'll figure out the right way to approach him.

[flyingsolos]

Other than it probably makes you a terrible flirt... [ Rion's own huff is half-laugh, and she stretches her legs in front of her.

After a moment, she smiles at him, a little softer. ]

That might not be such a bad thing. Thanks, Kurusu-kun.

[purrtagonist]

An awful flirt. Absolutely the worst.

[he says with a straight face, which melts pretty easily when she thanks him]

Anytime. Sorry for prying into your business, though.

[flyingsolos]

It's fine... you were the one who said you'd leave if I told you to. I'm pretty sure you weren't lying.

[ So in the end, it had been her choice to say something about all of this. ]

[purrtagonist]

I've never really liked lying.

[it's a necessity for survival sometimes, but. Akira learned pretty quickly in Tokyo that he's at his best when he's staying truest to himself]

[flyingsolos]

Yeah, well...

[ Rion trails off in the time it takes to ease in a slower breath, hold it, release it. She doubts many people enjoy lying. At least not the people who cared enough to check on someone they hardly knew. She knows how she had felt when Kou had told her he'd liked who he really was.

And, briefly, she wonders about how Shiori had felt, living a ten-year lie. ]

I don't like lying, either.

[ But showing who she really is to the rest of the public isn't an easy habit to break. ]

[purrtagonist]

That makes us two perfectly round peas in a pod.

[Akira hops to his feet, linking his hands together and stretching by lifting his arms over his head. and then he reaches up into the orange tree, grabbing the lowest branch he can to yank it down a bit (without breaking it)]

[all so he can pluck an orange from the tip of said branch. mmmm, fruit]

[flyingsolos]

[ She'll watch him, a tad tiredly-- if just because emotional stuff is kind of draining and she's been gently shoving this down since she came to this temple. ]

Okay, but I call the cuter pea.

[ Rion, why are you like this. ]

[purrtagonist]

[he plops down onto the ground next to her again, picking at the orange to peel it. he'll probably share some slices with her, because why not?]

I don't think I'm cute enough to claim the cuter pea even if I wanted to. You can have it.

[flyingsolos]

[ Akira is a Good Boy, probably. ]

Mm. [ a considering glance. ]

Well, you're not bad-looking. [ Just not cuter than she is, apparently. ]

[purrtagonist]

[and, without missing a beat, and without an ounce of fluster]

Oh. Thanks.

[and then he offers her an orange slice]

It must be true if it's coming from the owner of the cuter pea.

[flyingsolos]

[ She'll gamely accept and pop it into her mouth. It's no apple, but it'll do. ]

I told you, I don't like lying. If you did something with your hair, you might even be cuter.