[not again] catchall for zenitsu

[fishingforcompliments]

Comments

[swordflash]

Don't! You heard Mr. Burnsides. Some of us were already thinking it before you even said anything. Okay? It's not your fault that we voted for Mr. Ogata.

[fishingforcompliments]

[Flayn wishes she could believe that. But she won't say that out loud, because she'll probably just get a manga page with a panel of N*ruto yelling "BELIEVE IT!"]

...the true culprit is out there, and I did nothing to help find them. Everything I did only brought us closer to accusing the wrong person.

[swordflash]

[Alas and alack, Zenitsu makes a poor N*ruto.]

That's not true. You found evidence, didn't you?

What's happening to Mr. Ogata is awful, but that's something all of us have to take responsibility for together.

[fishingforcompliments]

[What she found was of no use, so. She's not going to feel less guilty anytime soon.]

...still... it is not an easy feeling to shake.

[swordflash]

[Rattling off nice words is very easy. Changing how a person feels, however, is a different beast; and this is not something he can change.]

It's normal to feel that way. That doesn't make it true.

[fishingforcompliments]

...

[Zenitsu is probably right. But.]

...thank you. For saying that.

[swordflash]

[Without his hearing, he finds himself panicking just a bit. (Even with it, he would've panicked). He's not good at this kind of conversation.]

You're a good person, Flayn. You did your best and that's all anyone can ask for here.

[fishingforcompliments]

...I did do my best. That is the problem.

[doing your best and ending up with an outcome you're not happy with sucks.]

Tomorrow is going to be awful.

[swordflash]

[It sure does. He watches her wordlessly for a moment, because he's intimately familiar with the feeling.]

Yeah.

But . . . I'll be there if you need a hand to hold onto. If you want it.

[fishingforcompliments]

You truly are very kind, Zenitsu.

[well



it's not a "no, I won't take it," that's a start.]

[swordflash]

M-me?

[Once again, she flusters him with those sincere words.]

No, I think it's you who's really kind! You care so much, no matter who it is. That's something only a kind and strong person can do.

[fishingforcompliments]

[she just... shakes her head at that... she has no choice but to politely demur.]

...would it bring you comfort to hold hands, tomorrow?

[swordflash]

Huh?

[He blinks, taken aback by the question. If he's honest with himself, a gesture like that would be comforting. This isn't about him, though.

Still, he's been asked a question. After a moment of hesitation, he gives a slow nod.]

[fishingforcompliments]

[well.

in that case - she may not be able to change the outcome of today's trial, and there may be nothing she can do about what's to come tomorrow, but she can at least do this for him.]

Then stand by me, tomorrow.