[ Maruki watches her outstretched hand for a moment.
It's difficult, and it only becomes more difficult by the day. Reconciling how utterly alone he was in Tokyo with how his life in this reality is one perpetually surrounded by those he cares about, who care about him. The contrast is stark, almost unbearably so. When he thinks about returning to an empty apartment, a life without those he's come to love...
What was a dull, persistent ache before his change of heart is now a raw, open wound. He doesn't want to be alone. He can't be alone like that, not ever again. ]
I know that you're right, but...
[ Slowly, he shuffles forward a bit, enough to be able to lay his hand atop hers, the tea forgotten. ]
I don't exactly expect to see any of you again, you know? You're young, and you have your own journeys to go on.
[ Back in the true reality, he and Haru weren't granted the time and space to get to know one another as well as they have here. Wouldn't she find it odd, if he were to reach out to her there? ]
What you all did for me is something I'll carry in my heart forever. That's what keeps me moving forward toward that happiness.
If our journeys do cross again someday, I wouldn't mind.
[ It's true she can't make any promises when she doesn't know what the future will entail. When she first joined up with the Phantom Thieves, she was so certain a future with her beloved father was within her grasp, only for him to be ripped from her mere moments after a successful mission.
Nothing is set in stone, but that's what makes it all so beautiful. ]
And I hope you've been able to find the happiness you seek by then.
[ Difficult as it is to picture, Maruki knows that day will eventually come to pass. It will, it must. Chihaya's reading wasn't for nothing, and he owes it to Akira, Yoshizawa, all the Phantom Thieves to seize the chance for happiness that they gave him.
His smile is subdued but warm, genuine. ]
Thank you, Haru. I hope we'll both have found our happiness when we meet again.
[ And then he pats the top of her hand, heaves a deep breath and sits up straight once more. ]
But come on, we shouldn't be dwelling on something like this on your birthday. I made some snacks to have after tea, shall I go get them?
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no subject
It's difficult, and it only becomes more difficult by the day. Reconciling how utterly alone he was in Tokyo with how his life in this reality is one perpetually surrounded by those he cares about, who care about him. The contrast is stark, almost unbearably so. When he thinks about returning to an empty apartment, a life without those he's come to love...
What was a dull, persistent ache before his change of heart is now a raw, open wound. He doesn't want to be alone. He can't be alone like that, not ever again. ]
I know that you're right, but...
[ Slowly, he shuffles forward a bit, enough to be able to lay his hand atop hers, the tea forgotten. ]
I don't exactly expect to see any of you again, you know? You're young, and you have your own journeys to go on.
[ Back in the true reality, he and Haru weren't granted the time and space to get to know one another as well as they have here. Wouldn't she find it odd, if he were to reach out to her there? ]
What you all did for me is something I'll carry in my heart forever. That's what keeps me moving forward toward that happiness.
no subject
[ It's true she can't make any promises when she doesn't know what the future will entail. When she first joined up with the Phantom Thieves, she was so certain a future with her beloved father was within her grasp, only for him to be ripped from her mere moments after a successful mission.
Nothing is set in stone, but that's what makes it all so beautiful. ]
And I hope you've been able to find the happiness you seek by then.
cries we can wrap...... ohhhHHH
His smile is subdued but warm, genuine. ]
Thank you, Haru. I hope we'll both have found our happiness when we meet again.
[ And then he pats the top of her hand, heaves a deep breath and sits up straight once more. ]
But come on, we shouldn't be dwelling on something like this on your birthday. I made some snacks to have after tea, shall I go get them?
wrapped... MERRY CRIMUS 💝
[ So many birthdays spent alone, or surrounded by people whose only worries were their portfolios or profit margins.
What a privilege it is to think of the happiness of those you care about. ]
That said, I certainly would not mind a snack. You always have the best ones.
[ She smiles back at him as she nods. She'll put the topic aside for now, focus on celebrating herself first. ]