towerofanimus | 004 | ❝I pretend everything's alright...❞

Characters: Yu and anyone else who is interested in ~~group~~ therapy...
Setting: Dorm 2-2 →Floor 14 → Floor 22 → Everywhere but the music floor for more than PMMM reasons.
Format: Any is fine; I'll follow your lead
Summary: Just a protagonist, seeking his social links...
Warning: Do I even have to warn about SMT shenanigans and them equating to suffering?

Reality and nightmare had begun to blend together at the end of his "punishment" where he had no idea which part had been the truth for a brief moment. Lying there, face down... feeling the static spread as the blood dripped down. He wants to flinch, but even then... he couldn't do that as he lay there, paralyzed for what seemed like an eternity that blended in with the nightmare of being completely alone and utterly helpless to-

The first thing he noticed when he could move was that his face and pillows were soaked in silent tears. It isn't long after that that, unless stopped, he shakily makes his way to the showers in an attempt to calm down...

Floor 14
The first place he even thought about going was the media floor again, knowing with little doubt that he would more than likely run into one of the friends he'd been looking for. Just... any familiar face right now would be a relief to him.

He sat back on a couch, deciding to play a video game for a while. Though just by glancing either at him or the screen, it's obvious his heart wasn't in it.

Floor 22
Yu soon retreats, however- back upstairs to a floor he'd been avoiding ever since their collars had been tampered with not long after he'd awakened here. At first it had been because of what he could remember happening here, but then he learned what had happened when he lost control himself. Realized that he'd been running scared of what could be triggered if he returned here.

Not anymore, though right now he needed the silence. Not so many people visited the gallery with whatever it could show of their fears, and hadn't he just been forced to live through his own-?

He decided to pointedly look away from the image of his world covered in the fog, even as a silent tear fell. Even though he knew at least a few were still here, the crushing despair and emptiness of that experience...

"Damn." How could he ever forgive himself for falling for such an obvious example of false imagery?

Floor 25
This meadow... it almost reminded him of the last time he saw the TV world...

But it and the other floors aren't the only ones he visited, searching for any familiar faces to make sure they're alright, even at the expense of himself. Despite Izanagi's calm presence and reassurance, he needed to see them for himself.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Whenever Yu finished in the showers and leave, he might see Minato sitting on a chair.

"...Yu."

Without looking up, he said just his friend's name. In the privacy of their own dorm, Minato's voice betrayed his exhaustion and hidden pain. He would hide it better, but with someone he considered as his friend and a fellow participant, Minato's guard lessened.

To be honest, his throat was still sore from screaming. Yet upon seeing his friend was also awake now, he couldn't help but at least nod and attempt to speak.

"...Minato."

For someone who very rarely ever lost his temper or let others see much of his own emotions, Yu didn't bother to hide his own very well; only just enough to keep from falling apart at the seams. It wasn't healthy, and they both had gone through the same thing- if not one of them for a longer period of time. So without thinking any further, he took a seat nearby. After all, they were friends. Regardless of his usual guarded stance even in casual conversation, he waved it for this.

"-I take it you survived longer than I did." Didn't get betrayed like he had, either...

"I think so..."

Unfortunately, he don't know who strike him down. For all his powers and experience, Minato was still a human being. He can be taken down with the right force and fatal hit.

"Sorry for losing sight of you."

Yu shook his head, gaze softening a little bit at that apology. It was unnecessary. After all, he was the one who...

"It's alright." They're both alive now, right? That's what mattered. That's what- ... "It was my fault for letting my guard down."

As a leader, Minato almost always shoulder the burden of responsibility. Maybe more than strictly necessary.

"We're only human."

They can't be perfect all the time.

It was the same for Yu, yet this time he had no regrets. Not this time, and not the time before. Even though it stung as he shoved those feelings aside for a moment. It was easier, since he was concerned for his friends as well. How many of them had he not seen-?

"...Are you alright?"

He'd be willing to listen, to talk about it. If only for the fact that he'd always had a bleeding heart behind his many masks.

"...I'll be alright."

Saying I'm fine at this stage will be a lie. He just needed a moment to recollect himself and build up his masks again. His "punishment" was still fresh on his mind. The feeling of failure and disappointment, mixed in with his stubborn and worn sense of hope.

"Did you see anything after you die?" He's not alone in having that horrible nightmare, right?

...Which meant they were in the same position psychologically. Yu sighed, glancing down at the floor for a brief second before he felt it again, igniting inside his soul. Painful as it may be for the shadows (ha ha) in his heart, he was glad for it.

The question made him pause in thought, before he nodded and glanced up. "...My greatest fear."

Or, at least a form of it. The mind could be a powerful two-edged sword at times, after all. Nightmares of any sort were proof of that, especially considering that sometimes it meant needing to face that fear somehow.

"Me too."

There's a sense of relief there. Knowing that he's not alone and can relate with someone about the pain. Their nightmares might be different, but the feelings was similiar. Fear.

But on the other hand, Minato slowly started to realise something. Maybe he needed to see it. "I saw what happened if I fail."

"...I saw what would have happened if I had, too."

If Izanami had decided to go back on her word and begin the cycle anew after he left and wouldn't be able to protect the others. The relief that he wasn't alone in that, that they could relate, was very much present in his eyes. Though, there was something else...

"If you fail, my journey never happens," Yu replied quietly. There's a faint smirk in his eyes. He had faith in his friend, after all.

Minato smiled at his friend's words. He can feel the faith in it and it's reassuring. If Minato's journey wasn't a success, Yu's journey will never begin.

"I know." His eyes met Yu's for a moment, before they idly break eye contact. He'll get better, Minato knows this.

...

Hm?

Yu nodded, glad they met eye contact for even just a brief moment before his gaze drops elsewhere as well. They would both get better eventually, even if it took time and a few friendly punches from a friend who was so jealous once upon a time.

That was when he noticed a rather specific item as well.

Quietly, he stood again, approaching the small table beside his bed. He recognized the thick, crayon handwriting on the envelope first. He was almost afraid to open it, having a feeling as to what it was. It didn't mean that he wouldn't pick it up though, turning it over in his hands. "Big bro" was clearly written on the front...

A small bead ring fell out into his hand as he looked it over even more closely.

"...Nanako."

Minato slowly get up from his seat, walking over to the table next to his own bed. He didn't notice it earlier, when his mind was preoccupied with the nightmare and the sheer exhaustion he felt.

But now, he's rest up enough to see it.

He slowly pick up the hand-made choker, feeling the familiar weight and texture in his hand. He hold it, as if afraid it'll break.

And stay silent. It's Kenji's gift to him.

A few tears escaped him before he wiped them away, a little surprised at himself. He was exhausted, but it wasn't something that he let keep him down for long. Not when he had to be strong for others, and this little trinket was a reminder of that to him. One he wasn't going to forget any time soon.

Yu glanced over to the other, a flicker of sympathy shining through his normally cold eyes.

He had his happy ending. Now it was his turn to help others find theirs. Yu stayed silent as his friend held onto the choker, putting the ring on his right hand. A little piece of his 'little sister'... It was enough for now. He'd deal with the nightmares and other shit they'd toss their way.

A moment later, Minato opened up the choker and slide it around his neck. It's strange at first, but he knows he will get used to it in time. At least Kenji have good taste, the choker looked pretty good on Minato.

Minato looked at his friend, smiling a bit. They have their moment, it's time to move on.

Yu blinked, hearing a certain voice in the back of his head once more speak up as he saw that faint smile. He nodded; right. Even though it was painful, and no doubt wouldn't be the last time they'd be haunted by it... they needed to be strong for their other friends as well.

Dwelling on it for long won't get them anywhere in saving their realities.

004 | ❝I pretend everything's alright...❞

2-2 ROOMIE

Roomie... ;__;

;A;

.../brohug-gdi chie rubbed off :|

/brohug back

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