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I don't think it's really needed. We sort of live in a planet sized aquarium now.

[That's basically what it was like living here.]

But to think that Hinata kun would offer to go to one with me, it's almost too much.

[Those places were rated as top date spots after all.]

Ah... but I guess I should... get to the point. I've realized there's something that I should probably say.

[But it was a little awkward to say it now, but he couldn't get to his point if he didn't.]

I wanted to say... I'm sorry. For having shown you something distressing.... I should probably apologize to Souda kun as well. I never thought about it until I saw a recreation of my own description.

You can't think I'd leave everyone else out of a trip like that, do you? They'd never forgive me if we didn't all go together.

[In disguise, probably. And they'd probably get scolded something fierce by a tour guide. But hey, in an ideal world where the aquariums still exist, it's nice to think about.

His smile fades at the other's serious tone, though, and he pulls his gaze away from the ocean outside to instead focus his full attention on him. He's not trying to read him more than what's become normal for him, just quietly observing.]

...I accept your apology.

[First things first. Though he's... honestly not sure just which distressing thing Komaeda's referring to. There's quite a few-! But the main one, and arguably the worst one he'd seen firsthand, was his assisted suicide.]

But... it's really not needed. Just... don't do something like that again, okay?

I thought perhaps I should though... and I was told I definitely should.

[And he wasn't planning on doing anything like it again. He couldn't see there being a need, though you never knew.]

And... if I don't apologize properly, I don't have a right to ask something of you.

Though now it seems a little silly, because thinking of that entire thing seems like the answer to my request will be obvious.

[He was already trying to convince himself to back out, but, he really didn't have a choice. Hadn't he decided to go through with this? He really would be a worthless coward if he didn't at least finish what he started.]

[You don't have to apologize just to ask something of me.

He just exhales through his nose and nods. If Komaeda had thought he had to apologize, then all he could do right now is accept it. It seems a little late, especially from Hinata's perspective, but he appreciates the thought behind it.]

You can ask me anything. I might not do it, but you can ask.

[The corner of his mouth quirks up at the attempted bit of humor, trying to defuse what could become an awkward situation before it even begins.]

[Well, he only had just realized how disturbing his dead body might be, so... better late than never?]

Well.... I....

[He took a deep breath, gathering his determination, making the entire thing far more of a deal than it really needed to be.]

Can I... can we... would it be alright to be friends?

[Because asking someone to be your friend is such a big deal.]

[He's quiet, letting Komaeda take his time to say whatever it is he's building up to. An almost fervent wish jolts through his mind, a hope that this isn't going to be a love confession. He already got one of those from Roxy?? He can't even imagine getting one from Komaeda.

So when Komaeda asks his question, Hinata can't help but sigh with a bit of relief.]

Is that it...? Yeah, of course.

[It's a little demeaning to treat what had obviously been a struggle for the other boy to ask with such ease, but that's just who he is.]

It's all I've wanted since I met you.

[And he turns, holding out his hand. Let's shake hands and confirm our friendship, or something.]

[He already did his love confession, he wasn't going to do that again any time soon.]

Really? I've wanted to be friends with you since we met as well. There was always something special about you, like on some level we were similar. I feel like we can get along well.

[Instead of taking Hinata's hand like a regular person would, he took the offered hand with both of his drawing it up.]

It's really alright?

[He might actually get it this time--!

But he laughs a little quietly and with some embarrassment when Komaeda takes his hand in both of his, just shaking his head. It's... a relief to know that Komaeda still wants to be friends with him, even after everything that had happened. Everything that Komaeda still couldn't remember and hadn't wanted to be told.

If Komaeda were willing to ask something like this of him... then it meant that Komaeda was doing far better than he had been in the past. Right?]

Hah, you're exaggerating, but... yeah, it's really alright. I'm really happy that we can be friends.

[One would hope with all those Talents.

It was a rather safe environment, there were good people here, no one was telling them to kill each other, and he felt rather hopeful that this was the right place to be. Relatively speaking he was doing rather well.]

I'm not at all! I could feel it when I first saw you. And then... and then you were the only one to talk to me, really. It was like a fated encounter. So I'm glad this wasn't a bad luck situation.

I wouldn't call it something like that, either...

[But then again, he doesn't exactly want to encourage him to continue thinking in terms of good luck and bad luck, either.

Maybe let him have his hand back, though? This isn't the firm bro handshake he was intending.]

And I know that you'll be able to make a lot more friends here, if you try.

[It doesn't seem like he'll let go any time soon, Hinata may have to tug a bit to get him to notice he's held on for too long.]

There are people who have said they're my friends, and I feel like we're friendly and definitely can be friends, are friends but....

This was more important.

[This was different. Hinata was the Most important. But then, this was a settlement, not that he was going to say that.]

But it is true, I have met a lot of people. Ichonose san, Jake kun, Kanaya san... they're all very sweet and kind people. Even Karkat kun who I recently spoke with was rather interesting.

Edited 2016-11-03 02:12 (UTC)

I'm glad.

[O...kay then. Hinata just tugs his hand a little, trying to pull it out of Komaeda's grip so he can reclaim it. He's sliding right back up the Weird scale again, but at least this is the harmless kind of weird and not the "set off bombs in the base" weird.]

I don't know Kanaya as well, but Jake and Ichinose... they're really incredible. I'm glad you can spend time with them.

[Purposefully no comment on Karkat.]

[With a bit of a blink he lets go of Hinata's hand.]

They really are.

[He tilted his head as if remembering something.]

Oh, I spoke with Ursula and went through the medical texts in the library. There's a bit of a problem though.

[Hinata immediately goes still, any words of praise he might have offered at the fact that Komaeda had gone out of his way to consult URSULA catching in his throat at the word problem.]

What's the problem?

[And all at once, he's very, very serious, meeting Komaeda's eyes with an intense stare. It's at times like these that he seems very different from the Hinata who lacked confidence.]

[It was times like these he wondered if Hinata was going to be extra difficult. That sort of intensity would probably cause health problems one day.]

A medical professional is needed, or Ursula needs to be upgraded for medical procedures. Though, it seems they've cured a lot of things. The human life span now is incredibly long. It's quite interesting! It's like people are practically immortal now.

I remember reading about something like that in the past. It's why I was so certain there had to be a solution.

[Hajime Ichinose would scold him if she saw him like this, but he can't quite help it as his brain shifts into overdrive to work out the possible solutions. He brings a hand to his chin in a half-conscious attempt to focus his thoughts.]

Upgrading URSULA... it's not something I could do on my own, but with Roxy's help, I'm certain we can solve it.

How would that work? She still needs the knowledge of a doctor.

[Though he can guess what Hinata might say next.]

I can do that. If there are medical journals of all the advances this place has made... I'm certain I can replicate it.

[His lips quirk into a humorless smile. All these talents have to be good for something, right?]

It'll be interesting.

Hinata kun....

[This was the sort of thing that worried him a little. But, he couldn't argue.]

I have all the physical books in the room, everything else is in Ursula's database.

Is this alright though?

[The unspoken question being the inevitable backlash of bad luck he was expecting to hit soon after.]

Yeah. It's definitely alright.

[Hinata pulls his hand away from his lips and gives the other boy a firm nod.]

And even if I didn't think so... we still have to try moving forward. Just sitting and accepting things as unchangeable...? That's not something I can do. I've said it before, but the future must hold more possibilities than that.

Then I'll give you my faith, and believe in this future.

[And he would just have to trust that nothing bad would happen. It was hard, but, the more Hinata said things like that, the easier it felt that he could believe it. He did want to believe it after all.]

You may have to speak with her for more details then.

Thanks, Komaeda.

[And he means it. As much of a weight on him as the others' belief can be... he wouldn't have it any other way. If he has to have all these talents, he wants to be able to use them to help people. And having Komaeda's belief is a powerful thing.]

But yeah, I'll talk to URSULA and to Roxy. We'll do it.

[He smiles and nods again. Is this what it's like...? Having confidence?]

Still, I have to admit I feel a little nervous. There are a lot of things I decided on that... won't mean anything if this works.

[The idea of having an actual future... it hadn't been something he considered.]

That's a good thing, isn't it?

[He shifts to bring his communicator up, sending Roxy a quick text before returning his full attention to the other boy.]

Being able to look toward the future... it's not something we were able to do for a long time. Isn't something like that a kind of hope?

[He laughs a little.]

Oh it is very much hope! But, it's a different hope from what I had been reaching for. I feel like going this way I might end up greedy.

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