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[imusntrunaway]

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[Beeeeeeeeeeeep.]

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action;

[substitutable]

... You're okay with the missions?

[imusntrunaway]

Nothing'd get done if we didn't make them.

[substitutable]

There are over one hundred of us. But if you say so.

[He notes to himself that Shinji's definitely a better sort of person than he is.]

[imusntrunaway]

[Sighs. He sort of slumps.]

They're not dangerous anyway... [He hesitates.] You're fine, right?

[substitutable]

... Who knows?

[He lets out a breath, a sort of "ha" that can be dry laughter or a short sigh.]

It's different from before. The situation, the people around... and me. So I have no idea, but I'll probably manage.

[imusntrunaway]

... I lost a lot of friends, too. [Shinji doesn't know why he's telling him this. Maybe, deep down, he thought it'd help in some way.] So... it's all right if you want to talk about it.

[substitutable]

... Is it something you want to hear? [He appreciates it. But he doesn't want to push anything on to the poor guy if he's just offering because he's nice.]

[imusntrunaway]

[It isn't, of course. A person kinder than him would agree right away. Shinji, who's always been afraid of intimacy, isn't certain about opening up so much.

--but that's the lesson Kaworu's been trying to teach him. Hasn't it? He meets Shintaro's eyes.]

... I wouldn't ask to see you like this if I didn't.

[substitutable]

[He looks away, a small sigh. Shinji's probably not comfortable, but he's reaching out. To help him? Like everyone always did...]

Thanks.

... I think I'll take up your offer. You want to go to the observatory?

[imusntrunaway]

[Hearing his offer accepted makes him smile a bit for a reason he can't really place.

He never had anyone to talk to about these sorts of things. He's glad that he's given Shintaro the chance to.]

Mm. [He steps out, shuts the door behind him.] Let's head out.

[substitutable]

Sure.

[He falls into step next to him, eyes on the floor ahead of them. He's memorized the path to the observatory so he doesn't need to watch, so much. There's nobody around at this time, anyway.]

... I met Ayano in middle school, because our seats were next to each other. I honestly didn't think much of her, but she always talked to me and folded paper cranes out of the test papers we got back.