[Battler is just moving to go lean against one of the buildings, running a hand through his hair, he sighs a bit.]
The only other people that know are Yurippe and Minatsuki so.... I really should tell you, and don't tell Ange, this is all for her anyways.
[he takes in a deep breath before he talks.]
...I know you turned her down, but now I'm asking you to reconsider. You see I'm.... I won't be around for very much longer. I'm not exactly dead, but I will be soon.
The game board ends after two days, and after that time then there's just nothing, something happens and I cease to exist anymore... so.... yeah you could say I'm a talking corpse. In other words, I'll die soon Yuri.
[ Yuri's face crinkled slightly, the smirk becoming a slight frown. Die soon? And how could he say that so surely? Though Yuri was already aware that his world worked differently from anything he could imagine...his mind was rejecting that. Telling him he couldn't be serious.
Though...this didn't sound like a joke. Yuri closed his eyes, crossing his arms deeper across his chest. ]
...So, she won't have you anymore, is what you're saying? [ He breathed in. He could already tell what Battler was getting at. ] And you don't want her to be alone?
[Well, he didn't know if Ange had already explained to Yuri all about the red truth or whatever so...]
Battler Ushiromiya dies in 1986.
[Plain and simple, the truth comes out just like that. He smiles bitterly at the thought.]
I'm not in her world right? In 1998? It's because I'm dead thanks to the whole Rokkenjima incident... I figured that out a long time ago and this whole time I've been trying to figure out another game for her, another game so she can see that even if her family isn't around we're all there in spirit and she just.... needs to move on.
...But... yeah, you understand what I mean, I was just afraid since after I would be gone I didn't know what kind of guy you were- I didn't know if there would be anyone else around to protect her in case her heart got broken again... understand?
It's why I said to stay away initially, I didn't take you into consideration so I wasn't ready for something like this but.... now I can see what you're like, I think she'll need you afterwards.
[ That red truth...Yuri knew what that meant well enough. It was undeniable. He was being completely honest right now. He could follow the explanation well enough...it wasn't too complicated. There was the whole other issue of why he'd try to tell her through a game, rather than just face to face, but...it wasn't his business.
Yuri didn't met Battler's gaze, his eyes still closed. ]
Being there for her and returning her feelings are two different things, Battler. I never told her we still couldn't be friends.
[Oh he knew that, he knows all about that especially with the person that he loves more than anything. He just... ugh, this was hard.]
I know but... I'm just... why did you turn her down? Maybe we can figure things out and fix it...
It's hard I know, I'm in love with Yurippe and she's dead- she told me over and over again not to go for her and that it wouldn't work out, but.... I just couldn't stop, and now we love each other and we're together.
Even if something seems wrong it might turn out for the better.
Congrats. [ He said, almost bitterly. ] I'm glad it worked out for you two. But that's just it, you know. You're dead, and she's dead, right? There's nothing stopping either of you. [ Yuri finally opened his eyes, looking up to the sky. ]
What if I said yes, and died tomorrow? [ He looked to Battler now. ] What then?
There was stopping something before, before I realized all of this- we definitely couldn't be together.
However! [Battler brings a hand in front of his face, making a fist.] That was then and this is now! The only thing stopping you in the way of love is you!
If you die then I'll just resurrect you, it's that simple! I'll keep that up until the day I leave this world for real! So please I'm asking you to reconsider your answer to Ange!
[ ...Yuri almost felt bad. He was really that desperate to see this through, wasn't he? All for the sake of Ange...but it was precisely because it was for her sake that he answered like that in the first place. Yuri turned his gaze away again, looking down at the ground. ]
I don't really get how your world works but...even if that was possible, I'm gonna have to say no. She still wouldn't deserve to deal with that sort of thing, on top of everything else. [ To be honest, he didn't believe Battler could really do anything like that either, but nothing he was gonna say would sound like a convincing argument against that. It was better to just tell the truth. ]
When you're gone, I can be there to help her. But that's all I can be.
[This was.... no really, what the hell was this?! Battler had, at first, been so overly against the two of them getting together- but he told Ange he would fix this, he told her that he would deifnitely help her out and everything so...
Dammit, he wouldn't let her be so sad about everything anymore, she needed something like this to help her move on too!
Battler moved towards the other man, reaching out to him and grabbing his collar. Battler was still taller than him, so he was looking down at him and little and pulling him up as he looked impossibly angry yet again.]
Lowell! How can you say that....?! Aren't you a man, don't you get it when someone wants to be with you so badly?! If you knew.... if you understood- you would definitely man up and do whatever it took to be with that person, regardless of how difficult it was!
It's dangerous? Then become stronger to protect both you and her. It's complicated? Then sort whatever it is you have to do out, or is it that you really just don't want to? Then don't act like some good guy and lead her on like that!
Just.... [he didn't know why he was getting so angry, but maybe it was because he had been in love with Yurippe so much and yet he had waited for her to finish everything, he had waited for her and she had eventually returned his feelings and it was something that completed his life, truly. It was complicated for her too, it was so complicated that she could have disappeared and yet she went with him- Battler was supposed to fall for Beatrice but he went with her instead so...
Why can't this guy understand nothing should stand in the way of love?!]
[ If it wasn't love they were talking about right now...he could have sworn the words he was hearing come out of his mouth were Flynn's. Yuri just stared back at Battler, unfazed as he grabbed his collar and pulled him upwards. He knew Battler meant well, and...in some way, everything he was saying wasn't wrong. But...
Sometimes it didn't matter how strong you were.
Sometimes the complicated matters couldn't be solved so easily.
Yuri didn't say anything back as the young man shouted angrily at him. All he did was keep eye contact. He couldn't help but wonder...did he really know what it felt like not being strong enough? Not strong enough to save something? To protect something? Yuri pushed his hand out to the wall they stood next to. Different rock, but it felt the same as back then, didn't it?
Did he really think that all Yuri had to say was "yes, I'll return her feelings" and everything was going to be okay and work itself out?
Yuri was doing all he could. That's exactly why his life was the way it was. That's exactly why, even if though he liked her too...he didn't want to be with her. She didn't deserve that, she deserved better.
Did Battler really think it was that easy to be strong? ]
Must have been an easy life you lived. [ Yuri closed his eyes. ] Ange doesn't deserve me. She deserves better.
Battler grit his teeth at that, feeling impossibly angry at the words coming from the other man. He wasn't getting it, he wasn't understanding this at all, and even saying that his life had been easy...!]
You..... how dare you.....! After my mom died I felt like I didn't have a place in that family anymore, don't you see?! I ran away and in the end it was me that caused that entire incident! Me! It was due to my sin that all this happened...!!
Someone fell in love with me and I left them behind, I promised I would return for them and that sorrow and hatred grew for six years before it finally festered into what happened on that island, and it was all because I was a dumb kid that promised to return for someone that needed it the most! I can never forgive myself for turning my back on someone when they obviously just needed someone to rely on, someone to be there and save them from the sadness and loneliness they went through!
Even now.... [Battler slowly let go of Yuri.] ....even now I'm letting that person down and it pains me every day, every goddamn moment.... but there would still be no way for me to make up for the sins that I've done, so instead I'm trying to correct everything now, trying to change the present so the future can become important...
[Battler can already feel the tears reaching his eyes, and he brings a hand up to his face to try and stop them before anything happens.]
....So don't tell me that Ange deserves better, I know what she's capable of, she's strong.... she deserves someone that's just as strong as her and not someone like her brother that messes up more often than not....
I just.... want you to keep her safe, okay? I want you to be close to her when I can't, I want you to support her and comfort her when she's down... pat her on the head when I'm not around....
So.... realize your past, understand your sins, and try and change everything for the better so people don't have to suffer anymore.... you're a better person than me, that's for sure.
I couldn't even remember a promise I made six years ago, so don't forget anyone like I did.
[ Yuri stumbled a bit, as soon as Battler's grip disappeared. So, that was the situation for him, wasn't it? ...His words to Yuri made more sense, knowing all this now. Yuri stayed quiet when Battler spoke, and even after he had finished saying everything, Yuri didn't move a muscle. Not until a minute or so later. He sighed, his eyes closed, as he moved from his spot, and began to walk towards Battler's side.
Realize your past, huh?
He didn't turn to face Battler, but instead, put a hand on his shoulder. ]
I promise. I'm going to keep her safe, okay? I'll be there for her when you're not around. [ His tone of voice, though Battler couldn't see his expression, was evidence that there was a small, small smile on his face. ]
You're a good big brother, Battler. I'm not gonna let you down. [ His hand moved off Battler's shoulder as he took a few more steps past Battler, still facing away. ]
Can we just drop love out of the equation, though? I can be everything else. I can say that much.
[Ugh.... this... this guy! He wasn't understanding, he wasn't getting it at all! He knows that Ange won't be satisfied with this, it'll all be pointless if he can't accept the fact that they should be together- that they need to be together for Ange to even be fully happy again....!
He knew this could ruin everything, and if Ange isn't happy and willing to move on then things won't go well.]
Lowell.... [he choked out his name, sniffling a bit and trying to get himself under control again.]
You might not let me down but you'll be letting her down if you don't accept her love- don't you see? I know you said you can be everything else but.... that's so useless, so impossibly useless....!
At least consider what I'm saying! You said you'll be there for me after everything so that means you can't die, so it might be dangerous but you'll live so it's fine...!
[ He really just wanted this conversation to end. Yuri let go of Battler's shoulder, walking forward a little more. It was already way too late for this kind of stuff, and they had to face who knows who in the morning. ]
...I'll consider it. Let's stop here for now. We're both tired. And I left Repede to guard duty. [ He looked back to Battler. There was no trace of the small smile he had before. It was obvious he didn't want to talk about this anymore right now. ]
[...This guy is really walking away?! When he feels Yuri's hand leave his shoulder, Battler immediately turns around and looks at the back of the guy.]
Lowell...! I just.... I'm sorry for everything you know? I know it's hard and all but... thanks for at least staying by her side, even after all this!
[Jeez, he really didn't want to shout something like that, it feels almost like admitting defeat since Yuri isn't going to say he'll accept her feelings, but... this is the best he can do for now.]
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Yeah. You said you had to explain something. What is it?
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[Battler is just moving to go lean against one of the buildings, running a hand through his hair, he sighs a bit.]
The only other people that know are Yurippe and Minatsuki so.... I really should tell you, and don't tell Ange, this is all for her anyways.
[he takes in a deep breath before he talks.]
...I know you turned her down, but now I'm asking you to reconsider. You see I'm.... I won't be around for very much longer. I'm not exactly dead, but I will be soon.
The game board ends after two days, and after that time then there's just nothing, something happens and I cease to exist anymore... so.... yeah you could say I'm a talking corpse. In other words, I'll die soon Yuri.
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Though...this didn't sound like a joke. Yuri closed his eyes, crossing his arms deeper across his chest. ]
...So, she won't have you anymore, is what you're saying? [ He breathed in. He could already tell what Battler was getting at. ] And you don't want her to be alone?
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Battler Ushiromiya dies in 1986.
[Plain and simple, the truth comes out just like that. He smiles bitterly at the thought.]
I'm not in her world right? In 1998? It's because I'm dead thanks to the whole Rokkenjima incident... I figured that out a long time ago and this whole time I've been trying to figure out another game for her, another game so she can see that even if her family isn't around we're all there in spirit and she just.... needs to move on.
...But... yeah, you understand what I mean, I was just afraid since after I would be gone I didn't know what kind of guy you were- I didn't know if there would be anyone else around to protect her in case her heart got broken again... understand?
It's why I said to stay away initially, I didn't take you into consideration so I wasn't ready for something like this but.... now I can see what you're like, I think she'll need you afterwards.
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Yuri didn't met Battler's gaze, his eyes still closed. ]
Being there for her and returning her feelings are two different things, Battler. I never told her we still couldn't be friends.
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I know but... I'm just... why did you turn her down? Maybe we can figure things out and fix it...
It's hard I know, I'm in love with Yurippe and she's dead- she told me over and over again not to go for her and that it wouldn't work out, but.... I just couldn't stop, and now we love each other and we're together.
Even if something seems wrong it might turn out for the better.
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What if I said yes, and died tomorrow? [ He looked to Battler now. ] What then?
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However! [Battler brings a hand in front of his face, making a fist.] That was then and this is now! The only thing stopping you in the way of love is you!
If you die then I'll just resurrect you, it's that simple! I'll keep that up until the day I leave this world for real! So please I'm asking you to reconsider your answer to Ange!
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I don't really get how your world works but...even if that was possible, I'm gonna have to say no. She still wouldn't deserve to deal with that sort of thing, on top of everything else. [ To be honest, he didn't believe Battler could really do anything like that either, but nothing he was gonna say would sound like a convincing argument against that. It was better to just tell the truth. ]
When you're gone, I can be there to help her. But that's all I can be.
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[This was.... no really, what the hell was this?! Battler had, at first, been so overly against the two of them getting together- but he told Ange he would fix this, he told her that he would deifnitely help her out and everything so...
Dammit, he wouldn't let her be so sad about everything anymore, she needed something like this to help her move on too!
Battler moved towards the other man, reaching out to him and grabbing his collar. Battler was still taller than him, so he was looking down at him and little and pulling him up as he looked impossibly angry yet again.]
Lowell! How can you say that....?! Aren't you a man, don't you get it when someone wants to be with you so badly?! If you knew.... if you understood- you would definitely man up and do whatever it took to be with that person, regardless of how difficult it was!
It's dangerous? Then become stronger to protect both you and her. It's complicated? Then sort whatever it is you have to do out, or is it that you really just don't want to? Then don't act like some good guy and lead her on like that!
Just.... [he didn't know why he was getting so angry, but maybe it was because he had been in love with Yurippe so much and yet he had waited for her to finish everything, he had waited for her and she had eventually returned his feelings and it was something that completed his life, truly. It was complicated for her too, it was so complicated that she could have disappeared and yet she went with him- Battler was supposed to fall for Beatrice but he went with her instead so...
Why can't this guy understand nothing should stand in the way of love?!]
Just.... understand.... how important this is!
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Sometimes it didn't matter how strong you were.
Sometimes the complicated matters couldn't be solved so easily.
Yuri didn't say anything back as the young man shouted angrily at him. All he did was keep eye contact. He couldn't help but wonder...did he really know what it felt like not being strong enough? Not strong enough to save something? To protect something? Yuri pushed his hand out to the wall they stood next to. Different rock, but it felt the same as back then, didn't it?
Did he really think that all Yuri had to say was "yes, I'll return her feelings" and everything was going to be okay and work itself out?
Yuri was doing all he could. That's exactly why his life was the way it was. That's exactly why, even if though he liked her too...he didn't want to be with her. She didn't deserve that, she deserved better.
Did Battler really think it was that easy to be strong? ]
Must have been an easy life you lived. [ Yuri closed his eyes. ] Ange doesn't deserve me. She deserves better.
1/2
An easy life?!
Battler grit his teeth at that, feeling impossibly angry at the words coming from the other man. He wasn't getting it, he wasn't understanding this at all, and even saying that his life had been easy...!]
You..... how dare you.....! After my mom died I felt like I didn't have a place in that family anymore, don't you see?! I ran away and in the end it was me that caused that entire incident! Me! It was due to my sin that all this happened...!!
Someone fell in love with me and I left them behind, I promised I would return for them and that sorrow and hatred grew for six years before it finally festered into what happened on that island, and it was all because I was a dumb kid that promised to return for someone that needed it the most! I can never forgive myself for turning my back on someone when they obviously just needed someone to rely on, someone to be there and save them from the sadness and loneliness they went through!
Even now.... [Battler slowly let go of Yuri.] ....even now I'm letting that person down and it pains me every day, every goddamn moment.... but there would still be no way for me to make up for the sins that I've done, so instead I'm trying to correct everything now, trying to change the present so the future can become important...
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....So don't tell me that Ange deserves better, I know what she's capable of, she's strong.... she deserves someone that's just as strong as her and not someone like her brother that messes up more often than not....
I just.... want you to keep her safe, okay? I want you to be close to her when I can't, I want you to support her and comfort her when she's down... pat her on the head when I'm not around....
So.... realize your past, understand your sins, and try and change everything for the better so people don't have to suffer anymore.... you're a better person than me, that's for sure.
I couldn't even remember a promise I made six years ago, so don't forget anyone like I did.
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Realize your past, huh?
He didn't turn to face Battler, but instead, put a hand on his shoulder. ]
I promise. I'm going to keep her safe, okay? I'll be there for her when you're not around. [ His tone of voice, though Battler couldn't see his expression, was evidence that there was a small, small smile on his face. ]
You're a good big brother, Battler. I'm not gonna let you down. [ His hand moved off Battler's shoulder as he took a few more steps past Battler, still facing away. ]
Can we just drop love out of the equation, though? I can be everything else. I can say that much.
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He knew this could ruin everything, and if Ange isn't happy and willing to move on then things won't go well.]
Lowell.... [he choked out his name, sniffling a bit and trying to get himself under control again.]
You might not let me down but you'll be letting her down if you don't accept her love- don't you see? I know you said you can be everything else but.... that's so useless, so impossibly useless....!
At least consider what I'm saying! You said you'll be there for me after everything so that means you can't die, so it might be dangerous but you'll live so it's fine...!
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...I'll consider it. Let's stop here for now. We're both tired. And I left Repede to guard duty. [ He looked back to Battler. There was no trace of the small smile he had before. It was obvious he didn't want to talk about this anymore right now. ]
I'll see you around, Battler.
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Lowell...! I just.... I'm sorry for everything you know? I know it's hard and all but... thanks for at least staying by her side, even after all this!
[Jeez, he really didn't want to shout something like that, it feels almost like admitting defeat since Yuri isn't going to say he'll accept her feelings, but... this is the best he can do for now.]