[ So Mai's decided to take the long way about it, then. Why is it never quick and painless? Orihime stifles a sigh, fidgeting uncomfortably on her end. ]
I'm sure he wouldn't have explained everything in as much detail if he hadn't been compelled to, but he told me about the situation between the two of you.
That you're in love with him.
I was also there the night after you both spoke. He came home and looked really bad.
[ She wants to stop her. To end this conversation because - because who are you. Who are you to bring this up? Who are you to talk about her secrets like you have every right to.
But her heart twists over hearing about Ichigo. So her finger slips from the end button. For a moment longer, at least. ]
...K-Kurosaki-kun tends to put a lot of pressure on himself. I told him he had nothing to worry about. That he didn't have to feel so guilty over something he couldn't have helped. They're my feelings, and I'm dealing with them like I promised I would.
Please... Please let him know there's nothing for him to feel bad about. Maybe he'll listen to you.
[ For a long, heavy moment, Orihime is silent. When she speaks, she only sounds tired. ]
Thank you for your opinion.
I'm sure you're a very nice, and very trustworthy person, especially for Kurosaki-kun to have confided so much in you. [ Even after the truth event, clearly. ] I'm.. glad. That he has someone with him right now. [ Whoever you are, to him. At least he's not alone. ]
But please try and understand that you might not know everything that's happened, and you're free to ask him, and he's free to - to tell you. But you're asking me to do something I already promised him I'd let go. [ He might not have outright asked her to move on, but he certainly didn't protest to the idea. She can still recall the faint moment of relief that she'd heard in his voice, seen in his eyes. ]
So... if you have nothing else to say. I would appreciate it if you could relay that message I said earlier to him. And tell him - tell him not to forget our promise. [ She'd tell him herself, but... she know she won't be able to fulfill her
( ... )
[ Odd that it would be Mai to finally get Orihime to voice the very thing she hadn't been so sure about before... but once said, she realizes it couldn't have been more true. ]
It's because I love him that I can do that. That I will do that. You may have seen him after but you didn't see him then - trying to make promises of - of making it up to me, of making it right. How miserable he looked at just the thought of it. He's guilting himself over something he can't help; am I just supposed to let it happen? I'm not going to let him put this kind of pressure on himself when he has more important things to worry about. [ She's done it enough times before, made him risk himself just for her stupid helplessness. Well.. not this time. This time she'll be as strong as he needs her to be. Even if it means burying her love. ]
Good, don't pressure him, but that doesn't mean you have to pretend not to care and let go. That's playing hot and cold, going from one extreme to the other, and it's no wonder he's been sitting on the beach all day looking lost because of it.
[ Impatience creeps into her dry tone, just a tad. ]
When my boyfriend looked miserable after I told him how much I loved him following our break-up, I let him flounder and apologise but I didn't take a step back, even if he didn't want me. I realised the circumstances are different in every way, but with all due respect, I don't think you should either if you love Ichigo even half as much as I love Zuko.
[ Best message ever. ]
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Ah. Hello!
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That just means whatever it is you have to talk about... it's that important, right? [ She has a feeling already, but. ]
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Did anything like that happen to you?
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Yes. It affected a bunch of people, I think.
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That you're in love with him.
I was also there the night after you both spoke. He came home and looked really bad.
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But her heart twists over hearing about Ichigo. So her finger slips from the end button. For a moment longer, at least. ]
...K-Kurosaki-kun tends to put a lot of pressure on himself. I told him he had nothing to worry about. That he didn't have to feel so guilty over something he couldn't have helped. They're my feelings, and I'm dealing with them like I promised I would.
Please... Please let him know there's nothing for him to feel bad about. Maybe he'll listen to you.
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[ This is where Mai looks ... pretty uncomfortable. But determined. ]
I think you should be patient if you love him that much, and he won't fail to appreciate it.
[ It's just a fact, shut up. ]
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Thank you for your opinion.
I'm sure you're a very nice, and very trustworthy person, especially for Kurosaki-kun to have confided so much in you. [ Even after the truth event, clearly. ] I'm.. glad. That he has someone with him right now. [ Whoever you are, to him. At least he's not alone. ]
But please try and understand that you might not know everything that's happened, and you're free to ask him, and he's free to - to tell you. But you're asking me to do something I already promised him I'd let go. [ He might not have outright asked her to move on, but he certainly didn't protest to the idea. She can still recall the faint moment of relief that she'd heard in his voice, seen in his eyes. ]
So... if you have nothing else to say. I would appreciate it if you could relay that message I said earlier to him. And tell him - tell him not to forget our promise. [ She'd tell him herself, but... she know she won't be able to fulfill her ( ... )
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[ That doesn't make any sense. ]
You said you'd let go and move on, even though you love him? How could you do that?
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It's because I love him that I can do that. That I will do that. You may have seen him after but you didn't see him then - trying to make promises of - of making it up to me, of making it right. How miserable he looked at just the thought of it. He's guilting himself over something he can't help; am I just supposed to let it happen? I'm not going to let him put this kind of pressure on himself when he has more important things to worry about. [ She's done it enough times before, made him risk himself just for her stupid helplessness. Well.. not this time. This time she'll be as strong as he needs her to be. Even if it means burying her love. ]
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[ Impatience creeps into her dry tone, just a tad. ]
When my boyfriend looked miserable after I told him how much I loved him following our break-up, I let him flounder and apologise but I didn't take a step back, even if he didn't want me. I realised the circumstances are different in every way, but with all due respect, I don't think you should either if you love Ichigo even half as much as I love Zuko.
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Your boyfriend. Does he love you?
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[ Confident, but curious as to her point. ]
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