try to stop the flow, double-clicking on the go (CLOSED)

[truedetective]

Who: Naoto Shirogane (truedetective) and Yu Narukami (covenantal)
When: Two IC days after Naoto's post.
Where: Sanctuary
What: Naoto and Yu have an important talk about events here and at home.
Rating/Warning: Discussion about death, but nothing else.

She's had a couple of days to think about everything she's learned from the post she'd made (and Rise had hijacked), but Naoto still feels like she doesn't quite have a handle on everything. That's to be expected, of course; she's learned some things but not everything. More will come when she sits down and goes over it with the rest of the Investigation Team, she's certain.

Before that happens, though, she's curious about what Yu has to say to her, and why he wants to do so in private.

She's heard about this place. Sanctuary, created by the newcomers to avoid CERES snooping. It makes sense to her, of course, and she willingly leaves her CereVice at the door. No need to take notes in this conversation, after all.

Yu is waiting for her. Of course, how like her senpai. She lifts her hand palm-first at him, a nod of her head and a knowing smile her greeting. "I was hoping to beat you here, senpai. I should have known that wouldn't happen."

Comments

[covenantal]

He sacrificed himself.

[ The words just come out, and they, too, are not a question. There's emotion to them now, something charged and heavy that makes them sound a little strangled. Yu paces forward a few more steps to reach out to another chair and grip the back of it, pressing his face into his other hand.

I can't let you and Dipper-kun take responsibility for something I would have done for anyone else on the team, because you're all my friends.

He has no idea what actually happened to Minato. But he has no doubt whatsoever that it involved a sacrifice. ]

He's been lying to me for months. No wonder he...

[ Yu trails off, head and shoulders bowed. It takes him a long, agonizing moment to get his composure together enough to risk turning around, but even then, there's no mistaking it.

He is very angry. And it manifests as pure cold. ]

We were dating. [ He says it baldly, without inflection. ] Before he left. If you could call it that.

[ Should you really have to question what someone special to you thinks about you?

No wonder. ]

[truedetective]

[This is going from bad to worse. Naoto barely has time to process the new information coming at her. Her senpai and Minato were dating and she's just inadvertently told him about the other boy's death, long before any of them knew each other. (She didn't even know he was into men, but that's wholly besides the point). The other things he's saying, though... Naoto comes to her feet as well, rounding the couch they'd been standing on.] --senpai, don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?! [It's as much of a protest as she can manage, but that's not very strong. Even aside from what she's said, he clearly knows Minato far better than she does. It's possible that he's hinted as much, or demonstrated as much, while here-- and what she'd told him was merely the last puzzle piece Yu needed to put it all together. But she still feels responsible.] You don't know that he was lying to you, do you? We were just talking about how we can have differing memories of actions that from one point of view haven't happened yet! Isn't it possible that even if he did die, he didn't know it when you were-- when the two of you were together?

[covenantal]

[ He tracks her with his eyes as she comes to her feet and moves towards him, but doesn't much otherwise react. Not until the last thing she says. That makes his eyes narrow. Not in anger (and even if it were, he couldn't be angry at her for this) - but a sort of pained thoughtfulness. ]

There's so much you don't know... [ There's no judgment or condescension in his voice when he says that. It's just true, and nothing she can help. Yu shakes his head. ]

He always kept me at arm's length, and never really seemed certain about things. The only reason I knew he was even happy with me was because someone else told me. For a long while, I wasn't even sure he returned my feelings at all. Now I know why he was being so distant.

[ Which of us was he protecting? Me, or himself? Is that even what it was about? Or did he just not want to face it? ]

... I'm certain he sacrificed himself because I saw him do it here. Die to save others. [ His jaw flexes. ] The things he said and did at that time... it all leaves me with no other conclusion. If Minato had to die, he'd do it to save the people around him.

[ His voice descends into a hush towards the end, and for a moment all he looks is upset. This hurts. Heartbreak and fury vie for place in his chest. But he quickly passes a hand over his face, pulling his composure together all at once. His expression is mostly blank except for half-hooded eyes when he looks at her again. ]

... I may not know exactly what happened, but I feel sure he's been hiding things from me. This... [ A beat, and he shifts. ] I'm sorry you've become involved.

[truedetective]

[It's logical, sure. And she does know that at least now, Minato Arisato knows of his death. But the expression of Yu's face is heartrending, and it seems clear to her that it's as much from a feeling of betrayal as much as it is from learning about his death.] You can't know that for sure, senpai! Even if it seems likely-- [And, let's face it, it does...] --you mustn't just assume the worst! [But Minato had asked her to not tell anyone. Does that mean he knew all along and was hiding it, or that he'd just learned it and didn't want to face it? She's not sure. She doesn't know if what she's saying is helping or making it worse.] It may be that he's just that kind of person. ...senpai, I can't tell you how to feel. I don't... exactly know what it's like to have that kind of special attachment to someone. And it's possible that he was intending to conceal something from you. But we've always-- [A short breath, exhaled through her nose. She fights to get her voice under control. It won't help anyone if she's emotional, too.] The truth. That's what we've sought, as long as I've known you. Making a rash leap to conclusions can only hurt.

[covenantal]

[ Yu can tell she's trying to keep herself calm, that she must be feeling this too. And all it does is make him frustrated. With this situation, for putting Naoto in such an unfair and precarious position. With himself, for losing control around her and dragging her down with him. With Minato, for all of this, for not so much as trying to explain.

His jaw works as he stays quiet and simply listens to her. The way his throat feels tight when he swallows makes him want to leave. ]

The truth, [ he echoes, soft and worn. ] That's what I intend to find out, once and for all. ... but not tonight, [ he adds, shaking his head slowly. ]

I want... I need to think.

[ He straightens and starts to move, towards the messenger bag he left behind on his chair when he stood, but he pauses and turns to face Naoto instead. ]

Don't think any of this is your fault. If I got moved forward in time again to after the P-1 Grand Prix, I would have figured it out on my own anyway. I already had suspicions. All you did was confirm my thinking.

[truedetective]

...even so, I was careless with my words. [She exhales, trying to relax. It's difficult.] I didn't mean to bring this up. Certainly not when we have other issues looming over our heads. But the truth... that's what you're after, isn't it? [She doesn't turn back around to look at him.] It's the only thing that matters. Don't leap to conclusions, senpai. That's the only thing I can tell you right now.

[covenantal]

... of course. But how we feel is important to consider, too. ... that goes for Minato-san as much as myself.

[ The truth. He's been chasing it as long as he's been here, has risked his life for it and knows he'll do so again before the end. Whenever that is, whatever that will be.

But living the life he led in Inaba, getting to know people and watching them grow... hearts are important, too.

Now he does move towards his bag and picks it up, pulling the strap over his shoulder. ]

Like I said, all I want to do for now is think. When I talk to him... [ A beat. ] I'll keep what you said in mind.

[ His tone isn't short. For as burnt out as he sounds, he's being sincere. ]

If you think of any questions, let me know. ... I'll see you later, Naoto.

[ Unless she has something more to add, he'll make his way out. ]

[truedetective]

Very well.

Until we speak again. [She says, softly, and doesn't stop him as he leaves.

Well this turned out to be a disaster.]