[Akari will let Kotori take the note without a fuss and then just watch her as she reads the message:]
My master was a dumbass, but he wants to make it up to you by letting you have a free punch to his stupid face.
[It's probably weird to imagine a hawk's voice saying these words, especially when the bird has its head tilted up in a rather cute angle.
But Kotori won't have to wonder long about the true writer of the message since a few seconds later Akari will chirp and look over to where Rokurou is half hiding half standing by the next building.]
Hey, it's not stupid. [He's straightened up and is looking at her with sincerity.] It's natural to have these kinds of feelings and not know what to do with them.
[She's still cowed and ashamed, but... a SLIVER of tension eases, enough to show she's trusting him to be vulnerable around.]
Maybe for one person, anyway. But thi-- [.... Yeah no, she's... going to move to close the door behind them. And sink to the floor.] It goes straight from natural to... to gross!
[She looks up in surprise at that. She hadn't expected a promise THAT grave.]
... Two of them are way too old for me. One is Shizuo-san, and... well... now I'm starting to crush on my teacher. But he's my teacher, and his wife died, and he has a five year old daughter and HE would never think of me that way! He shouldn't! I shouldn't but...!
[She tries to calm down her sniffling before it turns to full-on sobbing, but thinking of Shizuo... doesn't help, for once.]
A-and Shizuo-san... I don't know HOW he's not sick of me... I'm always asking him for help, and he's always putting himself in danger to keep me safe since I can't do anything... He almost DIED saving me in the last story...!
[And of course the one time someone DID offer to train her to fight, Della called her useless to her face, and Kotori blew up like the ungrateful brat she is. No wonder Della hasn't spoken to her since then.]
[Even he's aware at how sensitive the topic is, and when he takes something seriously—he means it. So he listens without any judgment—really it's not like he's in a place to judge given that he's a daemon and all.
He recognizes the name even if he's never really interacted with the man himself, and mulls over her dilemma. A few thoughts come to mind, but given how upset she is, just going full dialogue wouldn't be the best thing.
So he lowers himself down and places a hand on top of her head.]
Hey, it's okay. Everything you're feeling is natural—it's not weird at all.
Yep. You're going through a lot of things at once, and it's all new and overwhelming for you. Add on social expectations and it would be weirder if you didn't have some kind of breakdown.
So how about this—let's tackle things in smaller pieces. I can't promise you'll feel completely better, but it should at least help clear things a little more for you.
[Geez, what ISN'T bothering her the most... But... she actually takes the time to think about this... and after a few long minutes, she has an answer.]
I'm scared that... if I let them know, our relationship will change. They might feel awkward, or disgusted, and...
[Deep breath...]
And Roxas-kun... if he finds out he's not the only one I love that way, it'll break his heart...
[The quiet sobs start again.]
They're all so precious to me, I can't... I can't lose their friendship...
Now sitting cross-legged in front of her, he rubs his chin in thought.]
You say "love"...but are you sure you actually feel romantically towards all of them? It's sometimes tough to tell, but there is a fine line between finding someone attractive and just having a crush, and then thinking about someone you'd actually want to date.
[And he currently has a thought of who is slotting where, but he won't say anything just yet. She needs to work it out on her own first.]
[The question actually gives her time to think and calm her crying. Rokurou's dichotomy isn't really the one that fits her, but he is very right about analyzing her feelings deeper, which is something she hesitates to do at times.]
It's not like I've really crushed or fallen in love with anyone before them, but... Well... there's none of them I just find attractive. Like... all four of them... they're so different from each other, in their looks and their personalities. And how I feel... it's like... they all make me feel safe, and needed, and important... Like they really understand me, and want to support me. And I want them to feel the same way. Even more than my other friends... Is... that love?
It's love...but it could be a different type of love. Even among friends, how you feel towards them can be different compared to others. The closer of a bond you make with them, the deeper those feelings are.
[He then crosses his arms over his chest, thinking. There are a few ways they could try to address this, but...it's not easy, and he doesn't want to confuse her or make her start doubting her feelings.
...Wait a minute, there are four candidates??? He heard the two older ones: her teacher back home and Shizuo. Then she mentioned Roxas...who's the fourth!?]
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What is this, Empatheias?Kotori opens the window slowly and offers her hand to the birdy, like she would to a cat or dog.]Is... this for me?
[If Akari lets her, she'll reach down to gently untie the paper and hold it up to read.]
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My master was a dumbass, but he wants to make it up to you by letting you have a free punch to his stupid face.
[It's probably weird to imagine a hawk's voice saying these words, especially when the bird has its head tilted up in a rather cute angle.
But Kotori won't have to wonder long about the true writer of the message since a few seconds later Akari will chirp and look over to where Rokurou is half hiding half standing by the next building.]
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[Why would she... She'll follow Akari's gaze out the window to...]
Rokurou-san...?
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Hey, Kotori.
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You can come in, Rokurou-san. I'm not going to hit you.
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You sure? It's a pretty good offer that most wouldn't pass up.
[But he's walking over.]
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I'm sure.
[The last thing she needs is two mentors hating her... But she still moves from the window to open the door for him.]
I'm... really sorry for snapping at you earlier.
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At her apology, he just shakes his head.]
Nah, it's fine. I was teasing you and went too far, so if anything I'm the one who should apologize. [And he gives her a deep bow.]
1/2
Still, she's a bit startled at how deep the bow is, eyes widening and beginning to fluster.]
N-no wait, you don't--
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It's not... like you were wrong. It's a really stupid problem to have. ... I'm...
[She's stupid...]
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Hey, it's not stupid. [He's straightened up and is looking at her with sincerity.] It's natural to have these kinds of feelings and not know what to do with them.
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Maybe for one person, anyway. But thi-- [.... Yeah no, she's... going to move to close the door behind them. And sink to the floor.] It goes straight from natural to... to gross!
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Because of having multiple crushes at once?
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And... [... Gulp.] You promise not to tell anyone about this? Ever?
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On my family's honor.
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... Two of them are way too old for me. One is Shizuo-san, and... well... now I'm starting to crush on my teacher. But he's my teacher, and his wife died, and he has a five year old daughter and HE would never think of me that way! He shouldn't! I shouldn't but...!
[She tries to calm down her sniffling before it turns to full-on sobbing, but thinking of Shizuo... doesn't help, for once.]
A-and Shizuo-san... I don't know HOW he's not sick of me... I'm always asking him for help, and he's always putting himself in danger to keep me safe since I can't do anything... He almost DIED saving me in the last story...!
[And of course the one time someone DID offer to train her to fight, Della called her useless to her face, and Kotori blew up like the ungrateful brat she is. No wonder Della hasn't spoken to her since then.]
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He recognizes the name even if he's never really interacted with the man himself, and mulls over her dilemma. A few thoughts come to mind, but given how upset she is, just going full dialogue wouldn't be the best thing.
So he lowers himself down and places a hand on top of her head.]
Hey, it's okay. Everything you're feeling is natural—it's not weird at all.
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Is it...?
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So how about this—let's tackle things in smaller pieces. I can't promise you'll feel completely better, but it should at least help clear things a little more for you.
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Where do I even start...?
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I'm scared that... if I let them know, our relationship will change. They might feel awkward, or disgusted, and...
[Deep breath...]
And Roxas-kun... if he finds out he's not the only one I love that way, it'll break his heart...
[The quiet sobs start again.]
They're all so precious to me, I can't... I can't lose their friendship...
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Now sitting cross-legged in front of her, he rubs his chin in thought.]
You say "love"...but are you sure you actually feel romantically towards all of them? It's sometimes tough to tell, but there is a fine line between finding someone attractive and just having a crush, and then thinking about someone you'd actually want to date.
[And he currently has a thought of who is slotting where, but he won't say anything just yet. She needs to work it out on her own first.]
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[The question actually gives her time to think and calm her crying. Rokurou's dichotomy isn't really the one that fits her, but he is very right about analyzing her feelings deeper, which is something she hesitates to do at times.]
It's not like I've really crushed or fallen in love with anyone before them, but... Well... there's none of them I just find attractive. Like... all four of them... they're so different from each other, in their looks and their personalities. And how I feel... it's like... they all make me feel safe, and needed, and important... Like they really understand me, and want to support me. And I want them to feel the same way. Even more than my other friends... Is... that love?
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[He then crosses his arms over his chest, thinking. There are a few ways they could try to address this, but...it's not easy, and he doesn't want to confuse her or make her start doubting her feelings.
...Wait a minute, there are four candidates??? He heard the two older ones: her teacher back home and Shizuo. Then she mentioned Roxas...who's the fourth!?]
Do you feel closer to any particular one of them?
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