Week 0, post-investigation

[okitactless]

[To the surprise of no one, Yasusada's been sticking as close to Okita's side as possible. But that doesn't mean he's totally oblivious to the world around him--and even if Kyouka and Dazai weren't his dormmates, it would've been very hard to miss Jae-ha's outburst.

And let's face it: Yasusada is not the best person for this.

But.

He knows what it's like, to lose your master, partner, captain, commander--all of it. He knows what it's like, to be so close to someone you love, yet unable to touch them, heal them, save them--anything. And that's not a type of suffering he wants anyone to go through alone.

So while they've only had a couple of lighthearted conversations, Yasusada doesn't hesitate to seek out Jae-ha later in the day, when most everyone has likely dispersed. Whenever and wherever he might be, Yasusada does not bother with questions like "are you okay?" or empty reassurances like "it'll be alright."

Instead, he says softly:] You were very close, weren't you.

Comments

[alttitude]

[ . . . . ]

Are you.

[Jae-ha's eyes narrow at that, like he's trying to parse through the information:]

And what do you intend on doing with that anger?

[okitactless]

[That's... a good question, honestly. Even in battle, Yasusada doesn't get angry very often.

He tilts his head.] What would you have me do?

[It's not a promise of action--Jae-ha isn't his master, after all. But if he was... Yasusada's curious. What sort of orders would Jae-ha be giving, in his grief and pain?]

[alttitude]

It's hard to say - I'm not normally the one calling the shots, you know. Not unless I have to, and I know what course of action is correct.

[He can admit to that.

. . .

But that's not the case here.]

All I want is - answers.

[okitactless]

I see.

[And he does, truly, but... answers are not what he's good at. Okita mentioned something similar, but this is definitely more of a job for someone like Horikawa.

Still, Yasusada takes a breath, nodding.]

I'll do my best, then.