[TEXT]

[evokingfool]

[A text post on the network. Simply because if it's with a text and not a video, his expressions, however controlled, won't betray him.]

For anyone who didn't know yet, Hidetoshi Odagiri is gone. Any business you may have with him will be on hold.

As this is February and Ruana's month, do be careful around Valentine's Day (on the 14th of this month). If it's like the last few times, it won't be odd if you find yourself falling in love with someone and possibly risk death for a number of reasons.

[He remembers the previous Februaries he experienced here, which were really...something.

He'll be sticking around to watch the post. Or someone could walk up to him, as the young man is using one of the terminals in the dormitory hallways.]

Comments

[Action]

[evokingfool]

[There's a hint of a smile as Minato walks over to Ryoji. Playing games or watching movies is probably a good idea at this point, but he doesn't know if he wants the distraction they provided.]

Thanks for coming, Ryoji.

[Action]

[notsogrimreaper]

You don’t need to thank me! I’m the one who asked you to come, didn’t I? I’m just happy to see you.

[He fidgets a bit awkwardly, wondering if he should ask what Minato wanted to talk about or just stay silent.]

Re: [Action]

[evokingfool]

Same.

[He nods, before glancing to the side. There are some unoccupied bean bags over there they can use...]

How about we sit down?

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji looks where Minato motions and nods politely.]

Yeah, those will definitely work.

[He’ll follow Minato to the bean bags and then sit down. It’s a little awkward, because the nerves make Ryoji stiff and unsure about sitting in such a weird chair, but he gets used to it.]

[evokingfool]

[Compared to Ryoji, Minato feels almost...numb. Even as he sits down and stare ahead of him. There's a TV screen in front of them, but he's not paying attention to it. Or feels inclined to put a DVD inside.]

It never gets easier.

[If it's a member of SEES, he knows they can take care of themselves. Hidetoshi is a tough and resourceful person, he have no doubt about it.]

I thought I might get used to it, but I guess Hidetoshi's departure reminds me that I haven't.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji is looking over at the TV, but he focuses all his attention on Minato as soon as he hears him speak, a look of surprise quicking turning into one of sympathy and sadness. He nods in agreement to the words.]

No… it doesn’t. You’d think after so long, it would but… losing someone is always hard, and you don’t have to fault yourself for being unable to ignore it. I don’t think the people you lost would have wanted you to ignore it anyways.

Hidetoshi-san is gone… huh.

[evokingfool]

They wouldn't... and I don't want their departures to distract me too much. That's why... I try not to bottled it as much as I used to.

[Minato feel like he repeated this before, whether to Ryoji or to someone else. It's a verbal reminder to himself.]

...Hidetoshi's someone I can count on, especially back at school. [In his "normal" life.] And now that he's back in his world, I can't let him down.

[notsogrimreaper]

You don’t need to bottle it up. You have people to talk to, to help you through the loss. And you’re very strong, Minato. You can handle this.

[It may sound familiar to Ryoji, but he doesn’t mind the repetition if it’s what Minato needs to hear.]

Right. I know you won’t let him down. None of us will let him down… we just have to keep trying, and we’ll be alright.