[ Living situation? Leaving the dorm? Koromaru tilts his head left and then right. He can't recall any discussions along those lines, but... it does make sense for that conversation to be inevitable. It would only be a matter of time before everyone graduated.
That is, everyone except for him.
Koromaru's ears droop as he whines. It seems Aigis must be from a time after that particular spring day. ]
[ Koromaru whines again. Aigis, returning to the lab? Why?
Not that her imminent return is relevant at the moment. Instead of heading there, Aigis seems to have found herself in Aldrip. ]
Arf, arf!
[ It seems he'll have to get the most out of Aigis' company now then, before she returns to the lab. Koromaru will miss her, but he understands he won't be able to stop her. ]
[It's where she belongs, the same way Koromaru belongs on his route at the shrine. Of course, it would be nice if everyone could stay together, but... no one in SEES can handle that at the moment. It's far too painful.
Speaking of,]
Are any of the others here? Or have you been alone?
[ Fortunately, he hasn't been alone at all. It seems Mitsuru and Shinjiro have called Aldrip their home for a few months, and Minato arrived a couple months ago too. Koromaru's the newest addition, landing in Aldrip earlier in the month.
He's wagging his tail now. Surely, Aigis would be glad to see the others here as well? ]
[ Koromaru tilts his head, looking up at Aigis as soon as her hand stops petting him. He can't be sure that this isn't a dream, but if it is, it's an awfully long one. ]
Arf, arf!
[ Surely, she'll come across them and Mitsuru in time.
He looks up at her expectantly. Would she want to see them again? ]
[It feels like that might be the very moment she wakes up. She shakes her head, what else is there to do in this dream? She might as well follow along like some storybook character.]
Do you know where Minato-san is? Could you- could you take me to him?
[ Koromaru hesitates for the first time in this entire conversation. He can take her to Minato if she'd like.
But the truth is this: he's not in the best of shape. Minato's at least regained consciousness by now, but there's a chance that seeing him in such a state might distress her even further. On the other hand, knowing he's not well might make Aigis feel it's even more urgent for her to see him.
Koromaru will leave that decision to her. He stands up again and takes a couple steps away, glancing over his shoulder to see if she'll follow. ]
[ Koromaru leads her to Willow Clinic. There are plenty of people coming and going, popping in and out to visit those who hadn't escaped from the cursed snakes or miasma unscathed. Occasionally, he'd paused and glanced over his shoulder to ensure Aigis was following close behind.
It doesn't seem as though they'll need to enter the farmhouse-turned-clinic, not when the person they're looking for is crouched over a flower bed. Minato is there, fingers carefully brushing against an azalea's smooth petals.
Koromaru approaches him, tail wagging as he takes a seat next to Minato. "Look who I've brought," he seems to say. It persuades Minato to glance over his shoulder, to see who it is that's accompanied Koromaru.
He blinks, brows raised and speechless. While he looks more exhausted than usual, it seems Minato has enough energy today to be on his feet. The miasma's curse wanes day by day. And when he finally gathers his thoughts, only one word is uttered: ]
No, to Aigis this Minato is full of life, full of energy. It's a dream come true. Or another nightmare, depending on how things continue.
She feels her eyes begin to well up with tears.]
Minato-san...
[She wants to run to him, to hold him in her arms and make sure he's there, to never let him go again. But there's still that fear that she'll wake up any moment now. That and... she might actually hurt him if she ran at full speed.]
[ And though the tears haven't spilled over, Minato sees them gathering in Aigis' eyes. He offers her a sheepish smile. ...based on her reaction, she must know of his fate. ]
...I'm sorry I left, Aigis.
[ He'd left, and he would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant ensuring everyone he loved could continue to live their lives. ]
[ Her hands are cold. While others might find the feel of smooth metal jarring, Minato has always found it comforting. And because he can tell she's being gentle, he offers her hands a reassuring squeeze. ]
I know you will.
[ He's never doubted it, but there may come a time where they must say farewell again. ]
...I don't know what will happen next, but I'm here with you now.
[She leans in closer, careful to make sure she's still supporting her own weight and then remembers what Koromaru had said... and backs off immediately.]
Ah! You're sick, aren't you? I'm sorry... I was only thinking of myself, even now.
[ He doesn't mind at all, and in truth, it's all worth it if it means being able to see Aigis again. Even as she backs off he doesn't let go of her hand. ]
[ Koromaru-san is, indeed, just watching. He is well-versed in the way of the world. He knows what's up and knows exactly what's going on between these two young folks. ]
...there's somewhere I want to go.
[ Technically, the correct thing is for Aigis to carry him back into the clinic. Minato wants to indulge though, just a little bit. ]
I want to go to the docks.
[ And if she'll agree to do so, Koromaru will lead the way. ]
[ He does. In truth, he hasn't seen the ocean since arriving in Aldrip.
Koromaru does exactly that, trotting along and leading the two to the docks. The sound of rolling waves grows increasingly louder the closer they get to the shore.
Minato leans against Aigis, head resting against her chest. ]
They are, yes. I think both of them arrived here a few months before me.
[They were never particularly close before he died, most of what she knows is through Koromaru. And back then, she was barely herself. Aigis could tell the loss was tough on everyone, but she hadn't fully experienced human grief until...
Well.
They've reached the docks. It's been some time since she's looked out at the sea. Every time she felt her gaze drifting towards it, she'd look away, the sight too painful. She looks straight ahead now, but even as she holds Minato, she feels a pit form in her stomach.]
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expiationlogs2024-04-14 10:44 pm
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[ Living situation? Leaving the dorm? Koromaru tilts his head left and then right. He can't recall any discussions along those lines, but... it does make sense for that conversation to be inevitable. It would only be a matter of time before everyone graduated.
That is, everyone except for him.
Koromaru's ears droop as he whines. It seems Aigis must be from a time after that particular spring day. ]
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[She frowns, almost embarrassed to admit this. She hasn't wanted the others to find out, but there's no way for Koromaru to tell them.]
I'll be returning to the lab, though. [Wait] Or I would be, I suppose that is delayed for now due to our current situation.
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Not that her imminent return is relevant at the moment. Instead of heading there, Aigis seems to have found herself in Aldrip. ]
Arf, arf!
[ It seems he'll have to get the most out of Aigis' company now then, before she returns to the lab. Koromaru will miss her, but he understands he won't be able to stop her. ]
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Speaking of,]
Are any of the others here? Or have you been alone?
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[ Fortunately, he hasn't been alone at all. It seems Mitsuru and Shinjiro have called Aldrip their home for a few months, and Minato arrived a couple months ago too. Koromaru's the newest addition, landing in Aldrip earlier in the month.
He's wagging his tail now. Surely, Aigis would be glad to see the others here as well? ]
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[She feels faint all of a sudden. Aigis stops petting Koromaru, her hand drifting to her head.]
Aragaki-san? ... Minato-san?
I'm... I'm dreaming. Aren't I?
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Arf, arf!
[ Surely, she'll come across them and Mitsuru in time.
He looks up at her expectantly. Would she want to see them again? ]
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[It feels like that might be the very moment she wakes up. She shakes her head, what else is there to do in this dream? She might as well follow along like some storybook character.]
Do you know where Minato-san is? Could you- could you take me to him?
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But the truth is this: he's not in the best of shape. Minato's at least regained consciousness by now, but there's a chance that seeing him in such a state might distress her even further. On the other hand, knowing he's not well might make Aigis feel it's even more urgent for her to see him.
Koromaru will leave that decision to her. He stands up again and takes a couple steps away, glancing over his shoulder to see if she'll follow. ]
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[She is following! Of course she needs to see him now!]
Thank you.
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It doesn't seem as though they'll need to enter the farmhouse-turned-clinic, not when the person they're looking for is crouched over a flower bed. Minato is there, fingers carefully brushing against an azalea's smooth petals.
Koromaru approaches him, tail wagging as he takes a seat next to Minato. "Look who I've brought," he seems to say. It persuades Minato to glance over his shoulder, to see who it is that's accompanied Koromaru.
He blinks, brows raised and speechless. While he looks more exhausted than usual, it seems Minato has enough energy today to be on his feet. The miasma's curse wanes day by day. And when he finally gathers his thoughts, only one word is uttered: ]
...Aigis?
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No, to Aigis this Minato is full of life, full of energy. It's a dream come true. Or another nightmare, depending on how things continue.
She feels her eyes begin to well up with tears.]
Minato-san...
[She wants to run to him, to hold him in her arms and make sure he's there, to never let him go again. But there's still that fear that she'll wake up any moment now. That and... she might actually hurt him if she ran at full speed.]
Are there any ladybugs?
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Not today, no.
[ And though the tears haven't spilled over, Minato sees them gathering in Aigis' eyes. He offers her a sheepish smile. ...based on her reaction, she must know of his fate. ]
...I'm sorry I left, Aigis.
[ He'd left, and he would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant ensuring everyone he loved could continue to live their lives. ]
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And so.
She gives in. She runs to him and gently grasps his hands in hers.]
I won't let you leave me again! I'll protect you, no matter what! I promise!
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I know you will.
[ He's never doubted it, but there may come a time where they must say farewell again. ]
...I don't know what will happen next, but I'm here with you now.
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[She leans in closer, careful to make sure she's still supporting her own weight and then remembers what Koromaru had said... and backs off immediately.]
Ah! You're sick, aren't you? I'm sorry... I was only thinking of myself, even now.
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It's okay.
[ He doesn't mind at all, and in truth, it's all worth it if it means being able to see Aigis again. Even as she backs off he doesn't let go of her hand. ]
I'm a lot better now.
[ What he means is: he nearly died last week. ]
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[Inappropriate? If it's in a medical setting, she doesn't think so. Still, the idea of it makes her excited nonetheless.]
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And he knows what she's implying, but, ]
No, it's fine. You can carry me if you'd like.
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She lets go of his hands, and moves to scoop him up into her arms in a princess carry.]
Is this alright? You'll need to direct me further.
[Koromaru-san just watching]
well i have decided they are going on a date
...there's somewhere I want to go.
[ Technically, the correct thing is for Aigis to carry him back into the clinic. Minato wants to indulge though, just a little bit. ]
I want to go to the docks.
[ And if she'll agree to do so, Koromaru will lead the way. ]
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[Aigis tilts her head, questioning him not out of worry for his health, but of his intentions. Did he want to see the ocean?
Despite that, she's following Koromaru. She'd also like to see the ocean with him, and he should be plenty safe in her arms.]
Koromaru-san said that Aragaki-san and Mitsuru-san are also here.
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Koromaru does exactly that, trotting along and leading the two to the docks. The sound of rolling waves grows increasingly louder the closer they get to the shore.
Minato leans against Aigis, head resting against her chest. ]
They are, yes. I think both of them arrived here a few months before me.
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[They were never particularly close before he died, most of what she knows is through Koromaru. And back then, she was barely herself. Aigis could tell the loss was tough on everyone, but she hadn't fully experienced human grief until...
Well.
They've reached the docks. It's been some time since she's looked out at the sea. Every time she felt her gaze drifting towards it, she'd look away, the sight too painful. She looks straight ahead now, but even as she holds Minato, she feels a pit form in her stomach.]
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He's made some friends here.
[ That should speak for itself. If anything, he might even be better than when he was still alive. For some, death has its way of offering closure.
The water's not quite as clear compared to Yakushima. Nevertheless, the sound of water washing against the docks is nostalgic in its own right. ]
They seem to be good people.
[ He glances up at Aigis, whose gaze is fixed towards the horizon. ]
...you can use this as an opportunity to get to know him better.
[ That's what everyone's been telling him, anyways: to think of life here as an opportunity for accomplishing what he'd left undone back home. ]