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.
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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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?]
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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.
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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.
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[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.
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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.
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[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.]
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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[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.
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[Though he can guess what Hinata might say next.]
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[His lips quirk into a humorless smile. All these talents have to be good for something, right?]
It'll be interesting.
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[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.]
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[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.
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[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.
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[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?]
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[The idea of having an actual future... it hadn't been something he considered.]
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[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?
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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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[Luck-induced injuries are kind of inevitable?? But hopefully Hinata's presence can lessen that. And that "anyone" includes Komaeda himself, too.]
I won't say not to worry but... just keep believing in me. Okay?
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[ He supposed that warning was fair though. Actually it even reminded him of something. ]
I'll even listen to Dirk kun and won't do something to make you shoot me. I'll just believe in your potential instead.
Though... the thought is still exciting.
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[Komaeda.........]
You should already know that I wouldn't shoot you.
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[Ugh... he presses his hand to his forehead in an attempt to ward off a headache.]
I know you told Ichinose about what happened, too... do you really have to go around spreading that story? She scolded me for it.
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[He hadn't thought of it as important to keep hidden. ]
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[Ugh. UGH. He rubs his temples for a moment before sighing and shaking his head.]
It's not something I would have done if I'd seen any other easy way to prove it. That's all.
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