Week 3 - Post-Trial

[onethirdthesoul]

[As soon as the trial ends, Ryou pulls Kaoru aside. This would be the first time he's said something since their last conversation ended.]

Kaoru-san... I'd like to talk with you in private a moment...if that's okay.

Comments

[souredsweet]

[he still seems a little shaken by the execution, but doesn't seem adverse to Ryou's proposal.]

Oh... Of course, that's fine. Shall we...?

[onethirdthesoul]

[Ryou had done his best not to watch by contrast, and he seems more tense than shaken. Nodding, he starts to walk back to his room on the first floor, unlocking it and letting Kaoru inside.

He closes and locks the door behind the two of them, leaning back against it with a mixed expression.]

[souredsweet]

[he definitely seems to notice that. a little tension is entirely understandable, but he's pretty concerned by this reaction. he folds his hands together, head tipping to one side just slightly.]

...What's the matter, Ryou-san?

[onethirdthesoul]

I'm... [He shakes his head. There's slight irritation in his features, but Ryou seems to be doing all he can to keep it out of his voice.] How long are we supposed to keep this up? Two people at least dying a week... It's insane!

[souredsweet]

[he looks pretty upset too, though his tone stays even.]

...I don't... have an answer to that. I don't... And in this situation, it's clear that some believe the killers aren't entirely in the wrong, so...

[onethirdthesoul]

I-if we keep this up... if people keep believing those incentives will come true... How many of us are going to live?!

I don't... [Ryou's lips pull into a grimace as he holds back tears.] I don't want to see any of my friends die...

[souredsweet]

[oh nooooo NOOO HE ISN'T EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THIS AT ALL. he will just... reach out, and gently touch Ryou's elbow.]

...I know. I don't want to see anyone else die, either. We're just going to... we have to find a way to prove that these things... They couldn't possibly be real.

[onethirdthesoul]

[Thanks for the elbow touch...

Ryou sniffles and continues to hold back his tears with everything he's got.]

But how can we prove anything? And in the meantime...people are going to keep dying! [He sounds angry again, and it's clear now that those tears aren't just out of fear.]

It's...it's stupid! And yet, when I saw my photo... [He lets out a sob despite himself.]

[souredsweet]

[you're welcome friend...

okay though it's clear Ryou's going to start crying here if he doesn't do SOMETHING, so he'll shift and reach for Ryou's hand instead.]

...You shouldn't feel poorly for being tempted. After all, the people who created this show... isn't that exactly what they're trying to do? Tempt people into horrible acts for a promise that's likely false... for the sake of some audience's entertainment... They would surely come up with some irresistible-looking "prizes" to ensure that people are motivated, right?

The only thing that we can do... if we can't disprove the existence of these prizes, is to make sure that everyone understands... It doesn't matter how sympathetic a motive or incentive is. Choosing to kill for one is still wrong.

[onethirdthesoul]

[Since Kaoru reached for his hand, Ryou will take that chance to grab his and squeeze it with all of the fear and bitterness he was dying to vent. It made him feel better somehow, even if it was only something as small as that.]

I know... I know... But I wanted to be better than that. I don't want to even consider something like that! But these people... They're horrible...

[His grip tightens a little, his knuckles a pale white.] Absolutely horrible...

[souredsweet]

[thank you for the hand squeeze friend... but he'll let Ryou hold his hand as long as he wants! he doesn't seem bothered by the pressure. there are more important things to be focusing on, after all.]

The ones who would toy with lives for their own amusement? I agree. The killers here... they can't be absolved of their own choices, but... The ones responsible for putting us here are despicable to a different level.

[onethirdthesoul]

[As long as he's allowed, Ryou will keep holding onto it.]

They're just... I can't even put it into words!

[It was hatred, definitely. He squeezes Kaoru's hand a little harder.]

I just want to make it out of here. At least I haven't been on the bottom list yet, and you and Chiaki-chan are always at the top. But Yuyuko-san...

[souredsweet]

[he will not be forcing Ryou to let go any time soon...! but he'll raise his other hand to pat the back of Ryou's reassuringly.]

Saigyouji-san... We can escort her - Nanami-san and myself. But even that isn't a guarantee...

[onethirdthesoul]

It's something... Please, if you could. I'm sure she can handle herself, but we need to do everything we can...

[Yuyuko had said she wouldn't let him die if she could help it, and he wanted to do her the same favour. Just wait until he sees Rin-chan's made the deadweight list later tonight--]

[souredsweet]

[HE IS GONNA OFFER TO ESCORT RIN TOO fear not fluffy friend.]

Of course. I offered to do the same last week, so this week it shouldn't be an issue to simply continue where we left off.

[onethirdthesoul]

T-thank you, Kaoru-san... I just want all of this to be over with... [There's a lump in his throat, his words thick with the effort to speak.]

[souredsweet]

I do, too... [his voice is quiet, small-sounding.]

Forcing people to tear their lives and the lives of others apart... It's too cruel.

[onethirdthesoul]

[Sniffling, Ryou nods his head as he looks towards the ground. He seems at a lose for words again as he continues to squeeze Kaoru's hand to reassure himself.

How much longer were they going to have to keep this up?]

[souredsweet]

[he's quiet for a few seconds longer, before giving Ryou's hand a gentle squeeze in return.]

...I know that it isn't much, but... if you ever feel upset or like you need to talk to anyone, I would always be happy to listen.

[onethirdthesoul]

Okay... Thank you, Kaoru-san. [He knows he just said that a moment ago, but he can't think of anything else. A bit reluctantly, Ryou finally pulls his hand back and rubs it with his own.]

I feel a little better now. I'm sorry that I keep dragging you into this...just because I can't deal with it myself.

[souredsweet]

[he pulls his hands back to his sides after that, expression both one of sympathy and one of brief encouragement.]

Please don't feel as though you need to apologize to me for such a thing. I can't do much here, but if I can help support my friends, I'm glad for it.

[onethirdthesoul]

[KAORU CALLED HIM HIS FRIEND. Ryou's desolate mood seems to shift into something a little more melancholy as a result.]

...I feel the same way. So if you need anything too, please feel free to talk to me.

[souredsweet]

[YES Kaoru called him a friend, now they are locked in eternal friendship forever, oh boy.]

Mm, all right. The best way to get through this is by supporting each other, I think, so... [a nod!]

[onethirdthesoul]

[FRIENDS FOREVER Ryou will cling to you like a leech, Kaoru-san.]

Right! [He smiles way down at him.] We'll do our best, together.

[souredsweet]

[he never asked for this... well he kind of did BUT NOT DIRECTLY.]

I believe that we can definitely manage that. [he will smile way up at Ryou in turn, giving his best encouraging nod.] So let's work hard.

[onethirdthesoul]

Let's! [Ryou returns the nod.]

Anyway, I'll let you be on your way now... It's late.

[souredsweet]

Ah, thank you. [his head dips into a polite bow, and he clasps his hands together.] Please feel free to come find me again if you ever wish to talk. I'll always have an ear available for Ryou-san.

[onethirdthesoul]

Thank you, Kaoru-san. I'll be sure to.

[Turning to unlock his door, he politely opens it for him.]

Have a goodnight.

[souredsweet]

Thank you. I hope that you can sleep well...

[one last smile before he turns to leave! good night friend.]

[onethirdthesoul]

[FAREWELL FRIEND...]