[Right. Right, okay. He bites back the urge to just tell Manabu to use his damned words - now isn't the time. He just rubs at his jaw and stirs the honey a bit before spooning a bit into the tea.]
Manabu... I know. I just... there's a reason I tried to tell you to stay away. I didn't want to hurt you...
[He sighs and nods, rubbing his face. Gods, how many people would he trust to take him out? Not many. He's surprised that Manabu managed it, but... well. He's a good shot. It was probably something like that.]
[He can't remember much anyway. Maybe it's for the best.]
[He closes his eyes for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths. It's... frustrating. He can't excuse his behavior, but... mm. He has a lot of people to apologize to.]
... Do you have somewhere to go back to? If you went home, I mean. I know some people don't.
If...if the forces-that-be here have no interest in helping, it's on us to figure it out at the end of the day. Somehow. That's why-- [he exhales in a huff, unfolding his arms so he can rub at his brow.] That's why I thought...exploring the wilderness would do something. Mean something. Help us...find something...
[but Manabu lives a short life and big changes take a long time, so his impatience is palpable. it's a good diversion, though: it redirects his frustration with Nara'a's circumstance back into the bigger picture.]
Yeah... I want to know what's out there, too. If they could help us... somehow? It's frustrating to think that we're alone. There's got to be something out there.
I mean I explore in the unknown for fun just because of my nature, but there's got to be something to find. And we have to explore every available option we have.
[his expression scrunches, disinclined to accepting thanks or praise. but he doesn't outright dismiss it - it's still comforting to be acknowledged, whether he deserves it or not.]
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Manabu... I know. I just... there's a reason I tried to tell you to stay away. I didn't want to hurt you...
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And if I didn't go out there, you'd have hurt someone else. [well, besides Kazuma.] It's not really a question of what to do there, you know?
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... You're right. I just... you shouldn't have had to take me out. You're my friend.
But I... understand what you mean. I... would have done the same. Even if it's not the best idea...
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[he looks back over, his expression sullen.]
I'd need you to take me out. Because there's no one else I could trust to. Besides you...you and D, really.
[everyone else he would trust to do so is gone now. and he can never ask Ryunosuke or Kazuma or Jun to do such a heinous thing.]
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[He sighs and nods, rubbing his face. Gods, how many people would he trust to take him out? Not many. He's surprised that Manabu managed it, but... well. He's a good shot. It was probably something like that.]
[He can't remember much anyway. Maybe it's for the best.]
Yeah. D's on my list, too.
[He takes a sip of tea while he thinks.]
Thank you. For being kind, even when it was hard.
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Manabu looks away again at the thanks. he'll never be good at gracefully accepting it, even when it's warranted; that's just the kind of guy he is.]
Just... Avoid it at all costs again, okay? That's better than thanks.
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[He closes his eyes for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths. It's... frustrating. He can't excuse his behavior, but... mm. He has a lot of people to apologize to.]
... Do you have somewhere to go back to? If you went home, I mean. I know some people don't.
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[he looks back, blinking. what's this now...?
he hesitates.]
...Mn. My mother's waiting. And my platoon.
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I have... a lot of people waiting for me. Relying on me. There's someone I need to rescue... a friend's sister.
I've got family, but they're content to stay where they are. Most Moon Keeper men don't ever go home after they leave, anyway.
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...So...You can't really be spending too much time here. A lot of other people, too. [he looks back toward the window.]
If I knew how...I'd have gotten the SDF here. To connect this world to others', let them go home...
6.2 spoilers
[Azdaja... she's powerful, but she can only last so long.]
But... it's neither of our faults that we can't get home. We... have to deal with what we've been given. We can only do so much, right?
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If...if the forces-that-be here have no interest in helping, it's on us to figure it out at the end of the day. Somehow. That's why-- [he exhales in a huff, unfolding his arms so he can rub at his brow.] That's why I thought...exploring the wilderness would do something. Mean something. Help us...find something...
[but Manabu lives a short life and big changes take a long time, so his impatience is palpable. it's a good diversion, though: it redirects his frustration with Nara'a's circumstance back into the bigger picture.]
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I mean I explore in the unknown for fun just because of my nature, but there's got to be something to find. And we have to explore every available option we have.
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[... Or. Foot? Why is 'foot' a unit of measurement? That's stupid. He's briefly distracted by the thought before he forces himself to focus again.]
You're doing good work, Manabu. I know it's sometimes hard to believe, but you are.
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...Don't let your tea get cold.
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[He'll just drink his tea quietly and then leave unless Manabu has something else to say.]