amperor | INBOX (labyrinthum)

[That certainly wasn't the direction he thought was going. As he listened more, his face immediately turned sour. Looking in horror, he always thought that the Dark Hour would be over as soon as they defeated all the Arcana Shadows. And yet, to know that the opposite.]

I...

[He thought at everything was looking brighter and especially with how both him and Akihiko managed to move on from their past. Not knowing what to say, he looked straight at the ground as he tried to absorb what was said. Not only did they do the wrong thing, it also meant that there were responsible for bringing the end of the world.]

How...how could this happen? I thought everything was going well. I just...

[He was saying everything so quickly that he wasn't even sure what he just said.]

...That isn't fair at all.

[ Akihiko's expression is mournful, apologetic, as he watches Ken. ]

No, it's not fair, but we know better than anyone that it never is.

[ He takes a small breath. ]

I hadn't had any time to process it when I arrived here. I don't know what it is Ikutsuki was doing, or what the Fall is. I'll do everything I can to stop it, though, and get rid of the dark hour.

[ He suspects it won't be as easy as punching something in the fact and making it better. But he's prepared to put his life on the line for it. ]

That's my promise to you.

Is it even possible to beat the Dark Hour?

[Because Ken promised myself that he wouldn't dare go back anymore. He wouldn't allow himself to keep wallowing in misery after everyone knew what happened to him. He just couldn't. And yet, he can't help but feel nervous.]

I don't know why Ikutsuki-san wanted to do that but I do know that I want to beat it too. I don't even know where to start...

I don't know yet. Mitsuru's the one who's going to have to look into that. I know saying we'll do it is probably easier than actually doing it, but I still mean it.

[ otherwise a lot of people have died for nothing. ]

He must have been working with Mitsuru's grandfather somehow. I don't know how he covered it up, though.

I don't either but why would they want to do all of this.

[In his mind, it made no sense to why people would just go to great lengths to create the Fall.]

...What's the point?

[ Akihiko looks sad, for a moment, sucking in his cheeks a little and then chewing on them before he speaks. ]

Kirijo-san said his father was obsessed with 'death as deliverance'. I think maybe the prospect of living was too much for them anymore.

[ He doesn't say it, but it's clear he's thinking of someone else who couldn't live with himself when he says it - Shinji. He glances Ken over after he says it, too, concerned; he has no idea what Ken actually planned to do after killing Shinji, but he has an idea. ]

[In that moment, Ken immediately looked up at Akihiko in shock. He never said anything to him about ending his life. Was he that obvious about his intentions? He supposed it was as he didn't hide his own despair. Giving a sigh, he quickly looked away.]

....Then I don't blame them. It is difficult to keep on living after so much pain was placed on them.

I know.

[ He's not going to lecture Ken about how living is hard; he knows that Ken is well familiar with it. There were times he wanted to give up after Miki's death, and the day after Shinji's, it felt like the earth had cracked beneath him. It'd been tempting to give up and let it swallow him.

He had promises to keep, though. ]

That doesn't mean that they get to decide everyone else's fate, though.

No, it doesn't.

[And he was firm about that. His own life was nothing but misery but nobody deserves to feel like what he did. Despite his own opinion, he also knew that nobody had to be down to his level and die.]

...But I have to admit, I am scared on what will happen if we go back.

[ At that, Akihiko takes a small, sharp breath. He could try to reassure Ken, but - ]

I'm scared too. I don't know how to fix what's going on back home.

[ The shadows, the fact that Mitsuru has lost her father. Shinji's death is still a raw wound even now. ]

You're not weak, though, for being afraid. Nobody's fearless. We'll figure out how to be brave together, though, right? It's easier when someone's with you.

I hope so...

[That's good, at least he wasn't the only one who was scared. His world was doomed and he had to find a way to save it. If he was going down, he was going to do it with a fight.

Still...]

...Does Aragaki-san know? Or our leader?

... He does. I thought he deserved the explanation.

[ There's a sadder reason for it; if he'd held onto it and it came out, Shinji would have gone through feeling like what he did was for nothing likely at a critical time. ]

As for Arisaton-san, I don't know. I didn't ask when exactly he's from.

Do you think we should? It only seems fair that you tell them too.

[After all, if Akihiko told him and Shinjiro, their leader should know too.]

[ He and Minato hadn't discussed anything about timelines. Belatedly, it feels like that was very specifically chosen to happen. ]

I'll talk to him about it.

[ Maybe he doesn't want to know, or already knows. After a moment, he raises his arms up and starts climbing to his feet. ]

I think I've had enough of a rest. When this is over -

[ - because it better be over - ]

- I'll treat you to a nice dinner out, okay?

[In the back of his mind, he had to wonder if he should say something too. His leader knows what timeline he's from. It only made Ken all the more curious on what his leader's was too. But that was for another time. Right now?]

I wouldn't mind.

[He said with a chuckle or two. But with that said...?]

...As long as I don't get to eat all the vegetables.

Edited 2025-07-05 16:12 (UTC)

INBOX (labyrinthum)

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arisaton....

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