[...lapses into silence, torn between saying "that guy with the really long name" and "that friend of kida-san's" and slowly realizing that neither comment is totally polite]
[He stops to think about it for a minute, because that's not really what he means, exactly.]
In the place where I am now, I have a lot of friends, even though... those people didn't know who I was before I came there. So I don't think that matters much.
It's just... I'm a bit introverted, so I'm not good at making friends... [laughs awkwardly] And — well — I met more people after... I resolved to change a little. But I never told them about something important that happened to me... so it feels a little like...
I know exactly what you mean. But... for me, at least, that's easier too with people who don't know me beforehand. They don't come into it with expectations.
[He looks a little uncomfortable, because well, he's sure she probably doesn't think there's anything interesting about him to tell. And it's not that he wants to tell her otherwise; it's harder when it's people who have met him already.]
[And now he's wondering about her, really, for the first time. Because everyone he met in Ikebukuro had their own stories, some more fantastical than others. But he hadn't really thought too much about this girl at all.
Who taught her that some peole are incapable of kindness?]
I suppose not. But they were just words, so it didn't seem like much effort.
[He wavers, here. He wants to say something more, but he doesn't know what to say, because well... he's just not that good at these things. But he has to say something.
[But really he can't protest it too much, because it's nothing he hasn't heard before. And she's laughing! That's good, right? So okay, he'll just let it go.]
You should come! We can always use more friends. And it might be a little less exciting than home in some ways, but a lot of interesting things happen too...
[Pause. He opens his mouth, closes it again, looks away. Should he? Maybe it's someone else from their world that he doesn't know. Maybe it's someone she knows outside of school that he wouldn't have any reason to know, but...
What if it's not? What if...]
If it's... he hasn't been any trouble for me yet, so... I wouldn't worry too much.
Ah, we are talking about the same person, aren't we? Orihara-san?
[It's on purpose that he uses Izaya's family name here. He doesn't want to give away to someone who obviously doesn't like him that he has asked Izaya for help, depended on his advice, anything of the sort. But then... he hasn't done those things so much since coming to the world he lives in now as he did just before leaving home.]
I don't run into him much, so I don't think you would either, without trying. It's not the same there; he doesn't have the same kind of power.
[And now he really needs a good lie in case she asks how he knows that person, oops.]
...I don't know his name. Online, he used the alias Nakura... but, when I finally saw him, he was... an older man, with short hair and a fur-trimmed coat.
[Just remembering him makes her a little angry, and maybe a little depressed, too; but she shrugs it off with the passivity of one who has accepted that she can do nothing.]
Power...? Yes, I guess he must have connections of some sort... someone like that.
[She doesn't mean to, but she eyes Mikado a little suspiciously.] Do you... know him?
[Somehow, knowing that Nakura plays the same sort of games with other people doesn't make her feel any better. The fact that he's preying on high school kids is honestly just creepy. Yeah, thinking about it is making her feel a little disgusted.]
The world would be better off without someone like that.
[Sorry, Izaya, he's being a traitor, oops. But well, she's probably right anyway.]
He's pretty easy to avoid though. I go to school, and have a job, so I don't see him much. Masaomi lives with him, but they have someone else there too, so I don't think you'd have to worry about that.
[Trying to imagine what she knows — the cheerful, outgoing Kida-san alongside someone like Nakura — is a little disconcerting, so she decides to reserve her judgments until she's seen it.]
...yes, I suppose I can... imagine.
...I hope I don't get placed with anyone I can't get along with...
[He realizes how that sounds after he says it, and shakes his head fervently.]
I just meant because then it would definitely not be a problem. I got really lucky - my "family" is a little strange, but they're very nice. But you know, I think there are more nice people there than ones like him so you shouldn't worry too much.
[Again, that bashing of Izaya. He should feel guilty, but he really doesn't. He knows the guy isn't nice, it's just that... he's been useful to him personally. But he doesn't really want her to know about any of that.]
Yes... that would be nice. You seem like you would know a lot of people. If worst comes to worst, I guess I can just avoid going home as much as possible. Or stay in my room... [Presumably, something she's used to.]
[In a tone of mild concern:] I... hope I don't count as having too little canon background...
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[...lapses into silence, torn between saying "that guy with the really long name" and "that friend of kida-san's" and slowly realizing that neither comment is totally polite]
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[He doesn't mind, really. He's not that memorable. Usually, that's a good thing, or at least he tells himself so.]
You're Kamichika-san, aren't you? I know we're not friends or anything, but... I think you underestimate yourself.
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[She hesitates a moment, then goes on with her thoughts.] Well, it's just... I think a lot of people dislike me...
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[He stops to think about it for a minute, because that's not really what he means, exactly.]
In the place where I am now, I have a lot of friends, even though... those people didn't know who I was before I came there. So I don't think that matters much.
casually stalks your game in the meantime
It's just... I'm a bit introverted, so I'm not good at making friends... [laughs awkwardly] And — well — I met more people after... I resolved to change a little. But I never told them about something important that happened to me... so it feels a little like...
Maybe I'm not very good at trusting people...?
it's a very fun game!
[He looks a little uncomfortable, because well, he's sure she probably doesn't think there's anything interesting about him to tell. And it's not that he wants to tell her otherwise; it's harder when it's people who have met him already.]
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[Stares at him contemplatively, then says:] You're a very kind person, Ryuugamine-san.
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I guess... it doesn't cost me anything to be kind to you, does it? You're a classmate, and you seemed to need it.
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What really costs nothing is indifference.
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Who taught her that some peole are incapable of kindness?]
I suppose not. But they were just words, so it didn't seem like much effort.
[He wavers, here. He wants to say something more, but he doesn't know what to say, because well... he's just not that good at these things. But he has to say something.
When he does...]
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I would be your friend! If I could, if we were in the same place, I would be your friend! So you wouldn't have to feel that way!
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You're a funny guy, Ryuugamine-san. Kind of like a little kid. [catches herself] Oh, but I don't mean that in a bad way!
I'll look forward to that... really.
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[But really he can't protest it too much, because it's nothing he hasn't heard before. And she's laughing! That's good, right? So okay, he'll just let it go.]
You should come! We can always use more friends. And it might be a little less exciting than home in some ways, but a lot of interesting things happen too...
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...though I'm seeing someone I'd rather not interact with...
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[Yeah, he's assuming she doesn't know Izaya, because well... why would she?]
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[...] It's nothing. I can deal with it.
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[Pause. He opens his mouth, closes it again, looks away. Should he? Maybe it's someone else from their world that he doesn't know. Maybe it's someone she knows outside of school that he wouldn't have any reason to know, but...
What if it's not? What if...]
If it's... he hasn't been any trouble for me yet, so... I wouldn't worry too much.
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I don't imagine he'll involve me in anything... he said I was boring, anyway. So it'll be fine.
[coldly] He'll just be a nuisance.
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[It's on purpose that he uses Izaya's family name here. He doesn't want to give away to someone who obviously doesn't like him that he has asked Izaya for help, depended on his advice, anything of the sort. But then... he hasn't done those things so much since coming to the world he lives in now as he did just before leaving home.]
I don't run into him much, so I don't think you would either, without trying. It's not the same there; he doesn't have the same kind of power.
[And now he really needs a good lie in case she asks how he knows that person, oops.]
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[Just remembering him makes her a little angry, and maybe a little depressed, too; but she shrugs it off with the passivity of one who has accepted that she can do nothing.]
Power...? Yes, I guess he must have connections of some sort... someone like that.
[She doesn't mean to, but she eyes Mikado a little suspiciously.] Do you... know him?
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[He pauses, sighs, and then shakes his head slowly, sadly. He's thought of a way to pass it off, but it's kind of bad of him, probably.]
I know him the same way you know him, I would assume. He-he likes to play with people. I don't think I'm an interesting toy anymore though.
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[Somehow, knowing that Nakura plays the same sort of games with other people doesn't make her feel any better. The fact that he's preying on high school kids is honestly just creepy. Yeah, thinking about it is making her feel a little disgusted.]
The world would be better off without someone like that.
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[Sorry, Izaya, he's being a traitor, oops. But well, she's probably right anyway.]
He's pretty easy to avoid though. I go to school, and have a job, so I don't see him much. Masaomi lives with him, but they have someone else there too, so I don't think you'd have to worry about that.
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[What.]
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[It's Kida, in fact, who disapproves of the fact Mikado doesn't really hate Izaya, but he won't tell her that.]
But most of the people are nice, and Masaomi can take care of himself! So you don't have to worry about it, okay?
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...yes, I suppose I can... imagine.
...I hope I don't get placed with anyone I can't get along with...
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[He realizes how that sounds after he says it, and shakes his head fervently.]
I just meant because then it would definitely not be a problem. I got really lucky - my "family" is a little strange, but they're very nice. But you know, I think there are more nice people there than ones like him so you shouldn't worry too much.
[Again, that bashing of Izaya. He should feel guilty, but he really doesn't. He knows the guy isn't nice, it's just that... he's been useful to him personally. But he doesn't really want her to know about any of that.]
I could introduce you to some of my friends.
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[In a tone of mild concern:] I... hope I don't count as having too little canon background...
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[Pause.]
But my mun doesn't think it's a big deal there? And she says your family is... talked about, so...
[He looks worried.]
I guess I don't know anything about you at all, but she seems to.
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[Stares at him thoughtfully for a moment, then bows.] Thank you for your help, Ryuugamine-san.
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[He bows too.]
I'm really happy.