[You know, Mondo was actually asleep for once, but he rolls over to check his 'Gear anyway, wincing at the sudden light. He's surprised to see the message is from Ishimaru.]
[But he makes his way outside, looking around for Ishimaru soon enough. He's dressed in the usual attire, but his hair is down, tied back in a loose ponytail.]
[Ishimaru is just outside the property, sitting on the curb facing the street; he stands up after a moment, though, once he's aware that he's no longer alone out here.
He seems a bit more lucid than he has been lately, not that that's saying terribly much; he's likely going to retreat again after a while. But for now...he's aware of what's going on, anyway, which is more than can usually be said.]
[He takes a moment, breathing heavily as he does so; eye contact isn't going to be...much of a thing, and his gaze is still shifting quite a bit, but he's making some sort of attempt, at least.]
...I guess so...Kirigiri-kun told me there was one...
[He pulls away a bit at that, though he allows himself to reach out a bit, taking the fabric of Mondo's sleeve in his fingers and tugging on it a bit before letting go.
Come on, you. Wandering aimlessly sounds good.]
There's...a lot of things on the third floor. Some sort of physics lab...an art room...things like that.
[Mondo turns to Ishimaru when he finally starts speaking, eyes wide. He doesn't understand what happened in Ishimaru's head, but clearly whatever it is clearly is bothering him.]
Hey, hey. You know nothing you could do will make me hate you! But I'll do whatever I can to help, okay?
I didn't...vote for you. I couldn't. I...I wanted...to save you, so I...
[He shakes his head as though to clear it; it doesn't quite work.]
I didn't know what was wrong but you...you wouldn't...you wouldn't tell them that you hadn't done it, but I...believed in you, I started fighting with Naegi-kun about it and I...
[And there are the tears, but this time he actually manages to take a swipe at his eyes, sharp and angry, as though trying to get them to stop.]
I was so angry with them - they were voting to kill you and I couldn't let that happen so I...I voted wrong and...and I guess you only need a majority but I didn't know that at the time and I...
[He trails off then; apparently he's not going to do anything else about the tears.]
[Mondo is silent at first, unable to come up with anything to say. Yes, it is horrible that Ishimaru was willing to sacrifice everyone else for his sake, but he can't really say he's mad at Ishimaru for it. Ishimaru was trying to save him.]
...I don't hate you, kyoudai. How could I ever hate you?
[He reaches out to pull Ishimaru into a hug then, immediately trying to console his friend.]
I'm not gonna lie and say it's okay, 'cause it ain't, but I'm not mad at you. You were trying to save me after all! How could I be mad at you?
[He wants to say that he doesn't deserve it, that Ishimaru never should have tried to defend him, but he knows Ishimaru doesn't want to hear that, so he'll keep quiet.]
I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry you had to go through that.
[Unlike the last few times that Mondo has touched him, Ishimaru doesn't simply allow it this time; he's quick to return that embrace, the gesture fierce, his hands bunching up the back of Mondo's coat in his fists.]
...I'm sorry. It wasn't...enough, and I'm sorry...
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1/19 - text.
Kyoudai, can I talk to you?
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yeah sure of course
do you wanna meet somewhere?
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[...]
Yes, that would be good.
[...........]
I'm outside, if you're sure.
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[But he makes his way outside, looking around for Ishimaru soon enough. He's dressed in the usual attire, but his hair is down, tied back in a loose ponytail.]
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He seems a bit more lucid than he has been lately, not that that's saying terribly much; he's likely going to retreat again after a while. But for now...he's aware of what's going on, anyway, which is more than can usually be said.]
...I couldn't sleep.
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[Mondo approaches, offering Ishimaru a tired smile.]
Yeah? Are you... feeling any better?
[Ishimaru certainly looks better at least!]
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[He takes a moment, breathing heavily as he does so; eye contact isn't going to be...much of a thing, and his gaze is still shifting quite a bit, but he's making some sort of attempt, at least.]
It's...it's been a lot. To think about.
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[Mondo reaches out to tenatively touch Ishimaru's shoulder. He's not really sure what to do to help.]
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...The third floor is open now. In the school.
We have a pool table.
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[He pulls away a bit at that, though he allows himself to reach out a bit, taking the fabric of Mondo's sleeve in his fingers and tugging on it a bit before letting go.
Come on, you. Wandering aimlessly sounds good.]
There's...a lot of things on the third floor. Some sort of physics lab...an art room...things like that.
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[Mondo follows Ishimaru without complaint, but he does have to wonder why Ishimaru is telling him this.]
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[Well, whatever it is, he doesn't seem too inclined to finish that thought; his next sentences are abrupt, almost jarringingly straightforward.]
I'm not dead. And I'm not Ishida, either.
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So that part hasn't happened to you. That's good.
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[...]
...The art room...there was a supply closet behind it.
There were...hammers in there. Like...like Celes-kun had that one time. In the castle.
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...Did you remember anything from this place?
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Nothing.
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[Mondo shakes his head a bit. He wants to reach out and touch Ishimaru, but he's not sure how appreciated the gesture would be.]
But... it's okay. You're here now. You've got us here!
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It takes him a while to find his thoughts again; his voice is quiet when he does.]
...Can I...can I tell you about...something I did? I don't want you to...hate me, but I need to tell someone. Who'll understand it.
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Hey, hey. You know nothing you could do will make me hate you! But I'll do whatever I can to help, okay?
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[He's shaking again.]
I didn't...vote for you. I couldn't. I...I wanted...to save you, so I...
[He shakes his head as though to clear it; it doesn't quite work.]
I didn't know what was wrong but you...you wouldn't...you wouldn't tell them that you hadn't done it, but I...believed in you, I started fighting with Naegi-kun about it and I...
[And there are the tears, but this time he actually manages to take a swipe at his eyes, sharp and angry, as though trying to get them to stop.]
I was so angry with them - they were voting to kill you and I couldn't let that happen so I...I voted wrong and...and I guess you only need a majority but I didn't know that at the time and I...
[He trails off then; apparently he's not going to do anything else about the tears.]
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...I don't hate you, kyoudai. How could I ever hate you?
[He reaches out to pull Ishimaru into a hug then, immediately trying to console his friend.]
I'm not gonna lie and say it's okay, 'cause it ain't, but I'm not mad at you. You were trying to save me after all! How could I be mad at you?
[He wants to say that he doesn't deserve it, that Ishimaru never should have tried to defend him, but he knows Ishimaru doesn't want to hear that, so he'll keep quiet.]
I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry you had to go through that.
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...I'm sorry. It wasn't...enough, and I'm sorry...
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No, no, don't... Shit, don't apologize to me. I know you did everything you could. I know you did. Please don't blame yourself, kyoudai.
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I...missed you. I missed you so much.
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