sengokus | ashiya douman scares me but not mineo why

But you're not a villain to me.

[STUBBORNLY.]

... It's been bugging me since we met! You keep saying that. But this isn't history, it's the present. You're a whole of a person, not just who you used to be.

So I don't think you should be judged like some great evil.

Am I?

[There's a sliver of a smile on their face, snakelike.]

Ahhh...but I did many evils in life, did I not? I may have helped people, but I harmed many people, too.

But that's called living.

[and there's - an odd little sharpness in his tone. maybe it's because of the weight of the week, maybe it's because of something else, but he straightens his shoulders here.]

There's nobody who's a saint, who's ever lived a life without hurting somebody else. And there's nobody who's pure evil, who's never meant something to someone.

You're the one who says that history doesn't count for it all, Ashiya-san... But I don't think you should call yourself a villain just because you're resigned to it.

...

[Its true. Yes, that's true. But how funny it is, how funny it is to hear that, in this state, as this kind of person, how funny, how ridiculous, but...]

[They're silent for a long moment.]

I understand. I naturally want to reject your consideration, but...perhaps I'll let it go, for now. If you believe in that...then I will try believing in that, too.

[ . . . well. even if it's a little bit of a reach up, mineo will flick douman on the forehead lightly.

and then pause - ]

.... I wouldn't have done that if I still regarded you as the Ashiya Douman-san from history!!

[ . . . ]

But you're the Ashiya Douman-san that's my friend.

And I know you've done some shit. I have too. I'll believe in what good you can do, and what you want to do, even more than that. I'll take on all of you, Ashiya-san, and I won't look away. I don't do that anymore.

Count on that.

...!

[The flick to the forehead makes them squint, shaking their head, but the words after...]

[A friend, huh...?]

[I'll believe in what good you can do, and what you want to do, even more than that.]

Mineo... [And a low noise, as they look away.] You really are a fool, huh.

[There's not much feeling in that insult, though.]

Edited 2021-02-27 14:49 (UTC)

[he just snorts a little bit at that before offering up a smile]

Yeah, maybe.

But I think the world's more interesting with fools like me in it, right?