Muse headed to mayfield_rpg

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Looks like you're sending me to that place after all.  If this is pity, or something like giving me a second chance, I don't need it.  All I want is to finish what I set out to do.

...What?  Sakura's already there?  She's all right?

Still... I don't know if I deserve to see her again, after the things I've done.  Maybe I really have changed.  Become a monster like old man Zouken.  I can't even remember what it was like anymore, before all of this.

Comments

[gandere]

You know she wouldn't like you to talk like that about yourself. I think she'd be happy to see you and really, you should just be as happy to unite with her. It isn't every day you get to see what someone's grown up to become after all.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Rin...

[He's pretty speechless here.]

...You've grown.

[gandere]

It's been a few years, hasn't it?

[ She bites down on her tongue to keep from calling him 'Uncle Kariya'. Girls her age should know better after all. ]

You've changed too, huh? That's to be expected of that time, but I'm not sure if I like it.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[It's way too late to hide from her now, but he pulls up his hood anyway to obscure his shameful face.]

It was the only choice I had left.

[gandere]

Why are you hiding yourself now? [ She doesn't realize she's said anything wrong as per the usual. ] As for it being the only choice... I understand that sentiment. I would say "I wish it could have been different", but that sort of naivete is childish.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I was a fool to think I could run away from the world of magi. From the Matou family magic. Sakura paid the price for my cowardice. Someone had to. I don't think I can ever apologize to her enough.

[gandere]

She's a very forgiving and kind girl. I'm proud of how she grew up despite the circumstances involved in her past.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

So the two of you were able to meet again?

[gandere]

Yes. Believe it or not, your two girls grew up to save Fuyuki City, possibly the world.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

You won the Grail?

[Well, color him impressed.]

I knew you were both powerful, but...

[gandere]

No, not exactly...

[ She's just a bit apprehensive about the topic now. ]

It was dismantled after the Fifth Holy Grail War. No one else will ever have to engage in the sport again.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[There are about a thousand things he wants to say to that, but only one word actually comes out.]

...How?

[gandere]

One of the professors from the Clock Tower helped. [ So he did most of the dismantling and Rin just went to annoy him. Same thing. ] It was...

[ Fake? Really, how does she describe what happened to him of all people? ]

Well, let's not talk about it. More importantly, please try to not talk to Sakura about the Holy Grail War. We should focus more on moving our lives forward and working out how to survive this town's antics more than what if's of the past.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I at least want to apologize for being unable to save her. Then I'll never bring it up again.

[gandere]

Don't you think that will make her feel bad..? It hurts me and I'm not even the person you wanted to help.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I can't exactly act as if it never happened, though.

[gandere]

If you upset her, I'm going to have to talk with you again. I won't be as friendly there as I am here.

You understand, right? She needs her elder sister to protect and watch over her now.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

That's fair. I probably deserve it. But at least she'll have one more person there to help protect her.

[gandere]

[ Meekly: ]

It would be a great honor to work alongside you to ensure her happiness.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[Kariya's eyes widen slightly just for a moment, and he blinks, trying to parse that statement. Honor was never really something he thought much about - least of all the kind of honor espoused by the Tohsaka or the Matou families. All the same, his expression settles on a soft smile once he takes that in.]

Right. She deserves at least that much.