[Video]

[stripping]

[Issei is shaking with the force of his sobs. He's obviously been crying for a while.

Eventually, the sobs slow down enough for him to get some words out in between them.]

That wasn't me. The person who hospitalized my father and brother, who drove the other monks to attack each other, who spoke to you all so cruelly - that wasn't me. I could

Comments

AND HERE IS ONE THAT'S ON TIME.

[phoenix_temple]

Issei-san...

If healing is necessary, I can help.

[stripping]

The hospital should take care of it. I have faith in them, I do.

[phoenix_temple]

You mustn't blame yourself.

[stripping]

I should have been stronger and resisted more.

[phoenix_temple]

No. It is more difficult than that. It is far more difficult than that.

I know that it is difficult to forgive yourself not being strong enough to protect those you love, but you cannot blame yourself for something which you did not give yourself permission to do. You didn't do such a thing willingly. Regret will only eat away at you, it will do nothing to help.

[stripping]

But I... My family is, because I was too weak... [He sobs again.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ISSEI STOP THAT SHE JUST WANTS TO GIVE YOU A HUG NOW]

Then you must take precautions from now on. You must train against such things with diligence!

I will not ask you not to cry, but... blaming yourself will only hurt you, more.

[stripping]

[He needs huuuuugs.]

I will! Anything to keep those precious to me safe!

I can't help it.

tab is annoyingly close to capslock

[phoenix_temple]

[WILL IT BE A PROBLEM IF SHE COMES TO GIVE HIM A HUG D:]

Blaming yourself will only get in the way of what is necessary to overcome it.

[stripping]

[He will freeze up and D: a little. Nothing personal, she's just a girl.]

I want to be stronger, I do... But it is partially my fault.

[phoenix_temple]

[WELL YOU KNOW WHAT TOO BAD it just got windy and you've now got a girl standing next to you :|]

No it is not.

[stripping]

If I were stronger and more diligent, I could have stopped them! [He's still crying.]

[phoenix_temple]

[she puts a hand on issei's shoulder]

You did not expect such a terrible thing to happen. If you were to look at it that way, every problem that the world is faced with is your fault. It is difficult to overcome mind control. Nearly impossible.

[stripping]

[He goes still, staring at the hand.]

I can't just say 'it was his fault' and go on with my life.

[phoenix_temple]

[lol sorry]

No, but you cannot waste precious time and energy believing that it was yours.

[stripping]

Even if you say that, I... I still...