Catch-all; Taichi

[momming]

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[momming]

Oh, he couldn't have stopped me, even if he wanted to. But he did cooperate, yes.

[goalsides]

Good. [he would have fought if he didn't.] ...I think we're all a little shaken up after yesterday either way.

[momming]

... [ She nods and oh boy there's the self-loathing again. ]

I'm sorry. I-- if I'd known that would happen, I would have just not said anything.

[goalsides]

I don't want an apology. I'm the one who prompted the question, so...it's not just your fault. I know that if you had known, you wouldn't have said anything.

[there's his own ripple of guilt there.]

[momming]

Well, I'm also sorry for betraying your trust.

[ For. You know. Killing. ]

[goalsides]

...I think I kind of already knew, actually.

[just...little hunches he had. but he doesn't seem disappointed or angry. he's kind of not really feeling much, actually, but he's watching her curiously.]

[momming]

... [ Honestly she's surprised but it's layered beneath all the sorrow and tiredness. ]

Why didn't you say anything?

[goalsides]

Would it have really mattered? [he wouldn't exactly have treated her any differently, and it's not like he would tell other people to get her voted for. he doesn't know how he could have helped even if he said so to begin with.] I wasn't entirely sure for a little while, and maybe I tried to convince myself it wasn't true. But...I don't know if it would have changed anything.

[momming]

You could have had me killed a lot sooner, I suppose. Though I wouldn't want to put that on your shoulders, either.

[ She's. So tired. ]

[goalsides]

[a pause.]

I did vote for you yesterday. [there's a tinge of guilt even still, but...he didn't miss the look. he didn't misread what she was asking for, he thinks.]

I don't know if I would be strong enough to kill you myself though.

[please no.]

[momming]

... Thank you, for doing that. I...

[ She closes her eyes, pained. ]

I don't know what will happen anymore. All I can do is try to keep helping where I can, until someone decides to take matters into their hands.

[goalsides]

...do you think someone will really come after you the way they went after Byleth?

[don't like that.]

[momming]

I can't discount it. It's a very real possibility.

[ And she sounds resigned. ]

[goalsides]

...I know you've accepted it already but I just...[frowning.] I don't have to like it. I don't know if I will.

[momming]

I don't exactly want to die, either. As selfish as that might be.

[ She sighs, a little softly. ]

Just-- if there's anything you need from me this week, don't hesitate to ask, okay?

[goalsides]

I need you to be okay. But I don't know how to ask for that.

[it's kind of said immediately, like a thought he's been sitting on and couldn't find a way to put into words.]

...I know it's for the best for you so you don't have to do this anymore. But I don't want you to leave either.

[momming]

[ ... Oh.

Her gaze softens, turns fond. ]

I don't want to leave you. I mean that.

[goalsides]

[emotionsharing is still activated so it means she gets a little sense of fondness and a little sense of worry and a little sense of a protective streak.]

...you were really just trying to do what had to be done. And as soon as one of your numbers leaves, someone else is going to have to take that job. Even if they do kill you, that cycle won't stop.

[there's a pause.]

How can I help you now?

[momming]

Keep doing what you're doing. The sooner we can figure out the source of... well, the problem, the sooner we can end this.

[ That's really all she can ask. ]

... But also don't risk yourself trying to protect me, either. No matter my reasons or the truth of what you said, I still took a life. Murderers have always been punished.

[goalsides]

[he's not happy with that answer, even if he understands it.]

...would you say the same thing about a murderer who was possessed and controlled to kill someone, Otome-san?

[momming]

I wouldn't say it about anyone, because I normally don't believe in taking a life at all. No matter the reason. I don't think it should be a life for a life.

[ Which is why she hates this!! ]

But I know not everyone would agree. I'm just prepared to face it, if it comes to that.

[goalsides]

[...just...calmly thinking this over.]

I don't know if I can see the difference between a kill that's meant to help us and an execution anymore. That's all.

[momming]

... Well, one of them is done entirely against someone's control. So I would say it's more similar to a possessed kill.

[goalsides]

Answer me this honestly, Otome-san. Do you actually really have a choice in what you're doing?

[momming]

Yes.

[ Well. Her emotions are troubled, but still. ]