seasonality ✦ tsuyukusa

[commandertoolbelt]

Comments

[branches]

[Whatever he's being brave right now so he takes it easily.]

... I just told Otome the truth. And I think she just... wasn't really surprised. So she sort of cooperated with me, even though she did fight back. I didn't... I was convinced of that wrong logic until the vote came in. Then I realized what had happened.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ then leo will hold onto him tight for now. ]

They tried to talk to me first, too. [ just. a soft comment, as he listens. ] But I - I thought we weren't supposed to vote for someone who'd been controlled like you. It's not like it was your fault, so why... why you?

[branches]

... Well we didn't find out who killed you.

[He seems... ashamed.]

I should have just confessed so we could focus on your case but I... I just couldn't.

[commandertoolbelt]

...It's not like it's surprising that they'd want to prioritize Otome.

[ he sighs. ]

And it's still not your fault, if you were being controlled. It just... sucks that they forgave Sieghart's killer, but still voted for you. No offense, but I didn't want to see you this quickly after waking up outside the dorm that night.

[branches]

[Since this is after everyone arrived I can says this bc he learned from Bradley after the cyoaers arrived;]

Sieghart was killed by Kaine? I didn't think we forgave her so much as never caught her.

[commandertoolbelt]

...No, we were specifically told to drop it because she'd been controlled. That we weren't going to hold it against her. It's come up a few times, at least in our dorm.

[ so. leo doesn't really think it's fair. ]

[branches]

Well I guess there just wasn't anyone else for people to vote for. I... I really don't have any idea who killed you. I'm sorry.

[Squeezing his hand a little.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ his expression sours. ]

It was the same thing as Byleth and Otome - they had to kill someone to save others. And I guess I was the one they picked.

...I'm pretty sure it was Lux that did it, in the end.

[branches]

[Is Leo trying to skirt around Manwol. What a nice boy.]

But it was two people, right? Who was the other one?

[commandertoolbelt]

[ maybe so. he bites his lip, clearly unwilling to say. ]

If Lux is the one who did it, then she's the one that matters, right?

[branches]

[Squinting. On the one hand. Leo is probably keeping it from him for a good reason. To protect him. On the other hand unfortunately that just makes him think of Bon doing the same and how much it infuriated him.]

You can tell me, Leo. I can handle it.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ hhhhhhhhh ]

...She was working with Manwol.

[branches]

[Tsuyukusa five seconds ago: I can handle it
Tsuyukusa now: HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH]

... Manwol?

But why would she.... why would she pick you? After what I....

[commandertoolbelt]

[ well! leo feels horrible! ]

They didn't tell me why they chose me, just that they had to one of three people. The other two were... probably whoever was sleeping somewhere weird.

[ and of course, he was dead, so he has no idea who they were. ]

[branches]

... That was me and Yamato.

[So obviously Manwol vetoed killing Tsuyukusa.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ ...exhales. ]

Well, that's it, then. Manwol wouldn't hurt you, and there's no way Lux would let it be Yamato. So of course it was me.

[ can't say he isn't still salty about it, but. at least it makes more sense now. ]

[branches]

[NOW HE FEELS EVEN MORE LIKE IT WAS HIS FAULT. He squeezes Leo's hand.]

I'm sorry. It-it should have been me. If I could have chosen-

[commandertoolbelt]

[ wh-- noooooooooooo

leo squeezes his hand right back, and nudges tsuyukusa with his elbow. ]

Stop it, Tsuyukusa. Do you really think I would have wanted you to die? No! Especially not for me! So stop talking like that.

[branches]

I-if it had to be one of us??? I've already done it before, so it would be easier that way!

[commandertoolbelt]

For you, maybe, but not for me! You ever think that how you're feeling now is how I might have felt if they'd picked you? I want you to live because I care about you; why is that so hard to understand?

[branches]

[TCH.]

Because protecting people is supposed to be my job???

[commandertoolbelt]

I don't want you to protect me. I've had enough of people getting hurt because of me.

[ he presses the heel of his free hand into his eyes. ]

I just... I wanted you to live with me.

[branches]

... Well I guess we're just going to have to compromise since we both don't want to be protected.

[Tentatively leaning forward to press his forehead to Leo's.]
But... That doesn't... I mean it does sound nice. Just living for each other. I guess it just means we have to protect everyone else together?

[commandertoolbelt]

[ (byleth voice) gay

but no leo allows this, with only a little sigh. ​]

I don't know how good I'll be at something like that. But it sounds better than the alternative, so... [ he gives tsuyu's hand a little squeeze. ] We can give it a shot?

[branches]

[He'll nod.]

So no more dying. Here or otherwise. Right?
[That goes for both of them.]