usedlaserbeam | 017 | Goldenrod City

[It may seem like an odd endeavor, wandering the snowy streets of Goldenrod in such relatively unpleasant weather, but sure enough, that's precisely what Yagyuu's doing today. It's not the first time he's gone over these streets and it almost certainly won't be the last; he's not so much exploring today as he is just walking the familiar byways, his breath making translucent clouds in the chilly air.

There's a Vulpix riding along with him, curled around his shoulders and supported atop his backpack, nuzzled in close to his neck like an oversize, furry, Fire-type scarf. If the weight or the awkwardness of ferrying her in that way bothers him, he certainly doesn't show it; his own scarf is draped light but snug from his neck to his chin, and the collar of his heavy winter coat is turned up as added protection against the cold.

He's carrying a few bags with him, of varying sizes, all unmistakably from the Goldenrod Department Store—evidently, he's been out shopping. And perhaps he still is, because at the moment he's stopped in front of the frosted glass window of a jewelry store, peering in at the display and watching the light catch the facets of the gemstones as they glitter against their black velvet backings.]

Another four days and you'll be six months old, Masako. It is strange how time flies, isn't it?

[He's speaking quietly, more to himself than the little fox on his shoulders.]

And strange, too, how much can change in seven months.

[And he seems to dwell on that, lost in thought, as the jewels gleam bright in the window and the fine mist of his condensing breath drifts and disperses in the cold afternoon air.]

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[ he pauses, here. ]

But you haven't told him.

It's only been a week.

Letting him get his footing, first? You're very kind to him.

A year's worth of memories forgotten would be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of the time period.

He'll ask when he wants to ask.

And you're not very kind to yourself.

That's an abrupt conclusion to draw, isn't it?

It's an apparent one.

You said so yourself, didn't you? A full year of memories is overwhelming. Even more so for just one person to bear.

The difference is that I never forgot them. I'd bear them either way, so the point is moot, really.

I'd beg to differ. There used to be two bearing those memories. And now...

[ he trails off. ]

Now what?

[Yes, he's going to make you say it. Say it.]

Even with Niou here once more...

...'I'm alone'?

That's a pessimistic outlook, Fuji-kun.

Alone in your memories.

But I'm right, aren't I.

Maybe it's better that some of it goes forgotten.

What will you do, then? Get in an accident? Induce amnesia?

You shouldn't make so light of memories.

Don't preach to me, Fuji-kun. This isn't a subject where you can speak with authority.

[ quietly-- ] You're not me, Yagyuu.

There's no reason for you to make the same mistakes.

Perhaps avoiding mistakes is precisely the reason why I have a vested interest in letting it go.

Or are you eager to see Kujikawa-san cry again?

[Yes, that was unnecessary. And vicious. And for someone like Fuji, who reads so easily between lines, maybe it'll be telling in itself--that the sudden, abrupt lashing out is almost reminiscent of a wounded animal, and perhaps this bothers Yagyuu quite a bit more than he's letting on.]

[ it affects him. it really does. it's why he pauses, here, a deliberate silence.

however, when he speaks again, his tone of voice is reminiscent of a sad smile. ]

She cries because she cares. Can you accept that?

If I hadn't long since accepted that, I wouldn't be trying to protect her now.

And what a way you're going about accomplishing that.

Does it matter, so long as it works?

And what happens, once she finds out?

Then she finds out, but not for lack of trying to soften the blow.

You see it that way. But she might not.

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