recolle | [closed] the price quest

[ He promised himself that he wouldn't get too mad but honestly, the more he lets the situation sink in, he's growing more and more irritated. Xiaolang was the last person he wanted learning about what happened, it's partly why he has yet to even talk about his own past life with his cousin. ]

For crying out loud, he's a thirteen year old boy, Mio! Someone his age doesn't need to know about that!! What made you think it was a good idea?!

[ So much for trying to tone it down. He ends up getting louder and is barely able to contain himself from full on yelling at her just in case the others in their group overhear them.

But then he sees her crying and immediately feels bad. It's enough to make him calm down and carefully listen to her words. Of course Xiaolang would say the same thing as him. Even though he doesn't like it, he can understand why she would tell him.

It's tempting to cup her cheek and wipe the tears away... but he's still feeling a little on edge and needs a short moment to cool down. So instead, he lets out a sigh and buries his face in his hands in an attempt to dissolve his anger before he says anything else that could hurt her. ]

[While there's a part of her that was to retort and say that she knows that, she finds herself just freezing up for a moment, shocked at everything and she can't help but curl herself into a ball in tears, actually moving away from him as if space would protect her.

That maybe he'll stop hurting her.

And instead of answering his question, the only thing that spills from her lips is just the same two words, repeating over and over again:]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... [She'll keep going if he doesn't say anything.]

[ At first, he doesn't even notice her endless apology since he's so zoned out and only focusing on cooling his rage. When he finally snaps back into reality, he hears 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry...' over and over again and he quickly jerks up and stares at Mio.

Just how long has she been apologizing for? How many times has she said that? He quickly stands up and makes his way over to where she was at, wrapping his arms around her to envelop her in a warm embrace. ]

Mio, stop. It's okay. I'm the one that needs to apologize, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that... I'm sorry.

[She's still saying those two words when he suddenly wraps his arms around her and for some reason, instead of melting into it, she actually flinches away still continuing to apologize even as her shoulders tremble before he finally says words that reassure her.

But at the same time, she feels almost guilty in some respect, too.]

I--

[She buries her head in her knees, finally stopping but she's still in tears. Honestly, it's the first time she's felt like this in a while. Something twists in the pit of her stomach and she can't help but finally yell out in frustration.]

It's my fault though, isn't it?!

[Of course she's placing the blame on herself. Even though she feels so afraid of so many things-- this time, she feels almost sick of her fear, given that she suddenly was afraid of the person she loves the most. And that alone scares her even more.]

Just like... how it always is.

[ It's so incredibly shocking when she suddenly pulls away from him that he doesn't even know how to react at first. In a way, it hurts him that she would do that but it's nothing compared to how he treated her a few short moments ago.

It's making him feel even more like a horrible person. Maybe he and Zhong Hui really aren't that different after all. ]

Mio stop saying those things!

[ Once again he finds himself yelling though it's not out of anger and instead, desperation. He really hates seeing her like this and he feels even more terrible that he's the one at fault. It feels like a knife twisting in his stomach and he's beginning to hate himself for it. ]

It's not your fault, okay? It's mine! I'm the one who overreacted when I shouldn't have. If you trust Xiaolang that much then it's fine, you need more people to trust.

[ In all honestly, he still doesn't like the fact that she told his young cousin something so brutal but at the same time, Mio does need others to talk to and not just himself. It's a conflicting feeling but as long as Xiaolang's okay with it, he really shouldn't be butting in.

He makes another attempt to pull her into an embrace, this time he fully wraps his arms around her in order to make sure she doesn't escape. Even if she does, he'll keep trying to hug her no matter how many times it takes. One of his hands makes his way to the top of her head so he can stroke her hair in an attempt to calm her down. ]

So please... stop blaming yourself. I'm the one who is horrible, not you.

[Again, she's shocked when he tells her not to blame herself and that it's definitely his fault. Even in spite of how Mio feels about the situation. But he tells her that ti's fine and pulls her in close. She doesn't feel like she deserves this closeness in the slightest bit.

But what makes her relax is when he strokes her hair and it's enough to make her close her eyes, even though she's still in tears.]

You're not horrible... I understand why you were mad. You're not horrible, I promise.

[ As bad as he feels, he couldn't deny that he loved the feeling of her warmth as he was holding her. Despite that, he still doesn't feel like he deserves it after hurting her so bad. It shows in his pained expression as he shakes his head. ]

It's... it's not okay, Mio. I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that.

[ It's telling when even Leon is feeling guilty. This is the first time he's regretted his actions towards another person. ]

It just goes to show that I'm really not that different from Zhong Hui from the way I yelled at you...

[Maybe he should be glad that simply because he's holding her close that she can't see the pain in his expression, although she does, however, feel him shake his head. Not to mention that his words, the way he says them... it's rather telling.

It doesn't take a genius to tell that much.

But it's when he starts to compare himself to his past self that she pulls herself away from him again just so she can look at him properly, wiping her wet eyes that were filled with tears so she can shake her head.]

That isn't true, Leon. I mean it, really. I'm not just saying it because I care about you. [She says those words soft as she stays close to him, but there's definitely affection in them.] You yelled at me because you care about Xiaolang. It wasn't for your own selfish reasons. But... I guess we have to both understand that we can't just protect him forever. I'm fine if you don't agree with my decision to tell him.

[Her words ring true; she's definitely not lying.]

He's not a child anymore, though. Maybe to us, who are older, he's still a little childish in some ways. But I can't just hide the truth forever. Even if I could come up with some sort of bullshit story about what I remembered-- [Because she totally could have.] I wanted him to know the truth. I told you, didn't I? That if we're becoming our past selves by getting their appearances back, their items back, there's no way that I'm not going to wake up one day and find out that I have the Hinamizawa Syndrome. And I might not even know that I have it until it's too late.

[And it's then when she finally wraps her arms around him again, pulling him close as tightly as she can, not wanting to let go.]

I don't know if I can stop myself from hurting someone when it does, Leon.

[Her fingers tremble even as she's hugging him, showing just how terrified she is.]

I don't even know who I'll end up hurting. Because I know that even though I don't want to become 'Sonozaki Shion', I'm not too different from her. That's why... I told him. I trust him. And that way, if something does happen, he'll at least understand why.

Edited 2018-05-22 06:46 (UTC)

[ Those words are both a wake up call and a grim reminder. It's not something he wanted to think about but he's fully aware that he can't protect his cousin forever. He might be thirteen but he's no longer a child. Admittedly, that thought scares him. Despite that he's not a good guardian or older brother figure, Xiaolang is the person that he loves the most and if it came down to it, he would literally do anything for him. ]

I know I can't protect him forever but I want to. Xiaolang is one of the most important people in my life and honestly, he's the only family I have at the moment since I can't even contact my parents. I just... hate that he has to suffer through everything Retrospec dishes out as well.

[ Leon hated to admit it but not being able to talk to his family in Hong Kong has slowly taken a toll on him and every day, he becomes more distressed that he's not able to even say hi to him. He hates it for both himself and Xiaolang. ]

... However, I am well aware that he's growing up and is no longer a child. [ This is the first time he's ever admitted this out loud to anyone. He may not show it but he's always been overprotective of his younger cousin and quite honestly, the idea of him growing independent kind of worries him even if he knew that Xiaolang is more than capable of handling himself. ] But, I also understand why you told him the truth. Even if I personally don't like it, he does need to know.

[ He frowns a little at the mention of the syndrome and that she might possibly hurt someone. It's not something he wants to think about. Even if it's something he has to accept, he doesn't like the idea that Mio might seriously end up hurting someone. Thinking about it tears his heart into two.

But he does manage to calm down when he feels her arms being wrapped around him. With a light sigh, he brings her closer to him and continues to thread his fingers through her hair, desperate to feel her warmth while also not wanting to let go. ]

Honestly, I don't want to think about you hurting people. But I will say this, no matter what happens... I swear that I will stand by your side. I can't speak for Xiaolang but I can say that you placed your trust in the right person. If you trust him, then that's good enough for me...

Idiot.

[Her grip around him tightens when he says he's the only family that he has in the moment. She can't relate at all since both of her parents are here. Her sister is here, too -- and that thought alone makes her feel almost terrible that her family situation isn't exactly the greatest.]

You idiot... I might not be able to take the place of your parents, but I want to be your family, too.

[It's the dumbest, most cliche thing that she's ever said in a long time but she truly means it. She wants to cry for him because while her past life is bad, it must hurt for them as well. She can't possibly think about what it's like to miss your own family.

Mio's never felt that.

Neither has Shion.]

Staying by my side... you really mean that? Even if I become a horrible person?

[ To most people, it may seem as though they are just two rich spoiled kids that get the opprounity to study abroad because of their family's money but it hurts him on a daily basis that neither he or Xiaolang could speak to their mothers. There are things money can't buy and one of that is the warm love of family.

But then he freezes up at Mio's proclomation. It's enough to catch him off guard while also make him feel a little better about the situation. Soon enough, his cheeks are dyed red as his hand that was stringing alonside her hair strands, moves over the pet the top of her head. ]

Geez...

[ He's really embarrassed but at the same time, also really happy. ]

Now it sounds like you are the one proposing to me.

[ Not that he has any room to talk since he said that he would marry her one of these days. ]

Yes, I absolutely mean it. I promise that I will be here for you no matter what. In my eyes, I can't ever see you as a horrible person.

[There are only a few things that will get her to blush and make embarrassing noises. Even though she just confessed that--]

So what if I am? Are you mad at me that I did it before you? Twice?

[She hasn't forgotten the time that she practically proposed while acting like a princess.]

But is that so? That makes me feel extremely happy.

[ ACTUALLY yes he is because he wanted to be the one that proposes to her first. How dare she beat him!!! ]

I-It doesn't matter! [ Yes it does but he's too proud to admit it. ] Because at the end of the day, I'll give you the best proposal ever and make you my wife.

[ Though... god. Saying that out loud is enough to make his face turn an even brighter shade of red. ]

I'm glad. Your happiness is my top priority...

Ah, is that so? I might just beat you on that, too, and then I guess I'll be the one wearing the tuxedo.

[Mio seems to be implying something horrible, and it's-]

It's okay though. I'd still love you even if you were a Leon-chan. ✩

[ At this rate, Leon's going to end up murdering before he gets murdered in June. And it shows in the way he slowly turns his head to her and glares at her with an expression so fierce that he could kill. ]

Fuck no.

[ IT'S CRUDE but that's it. That's all he has to say on the matter. He's Absofuckinglutely not wearing a dress, Mio. Fuck you. ]

Ahahaha. ☆

[She got the response that she wanted, humming with amusement as she stays close to him.]

That's too bad. I probably would have been really jealous at how much better you'd look in a dress than I would.

[Mio.......]

Although wearing a wedding kimono would be nice, too...

Well, it's never going to happen so you don't have to worry about that.

[ He says without a single ounce of hesitation and as quickly as possible. Nope. There's no way he's ever wearing a dress. ]

What kind of wedding would you prefer? A traditional Japanese one?

Guess not. It's just too bad.

[Is it really, Mio? Is it?]

Huh? Well, I don't know... I've never really thought too much about it. It probably would be a little difficult to get a traditional one here, though, don't you think?

[ He's just... going to give her a funny look for that comment before moving on. ]

I don't think so? I'm sure it is probably harder here but there is a fairly large Japanese population so it might not be too difficult? Not that it matters, because I'm fine with a Western wedding too. You will look gorgeous in a western wedding gown.

[ But she looks good in anything. ]

Ahaha, that's true... that's why I wanted to learn a different language to begin with. Since just speaking to you in Japanese has a chance to be understood by the others around you.

[One of the reasons why she was taking an AP Chinese course.]

That's true. At least with Cantonese, I only know two other people that speak it besides you and myself.

[ One of them is his cousin and the cousin of his cousin who isn't actually related to Leon. ]

Speaking of which, you're taking AP Chinese, right? What made you choose that?

... Well, it's one of the more common languages. I thought it would help me if I did have to take over the company. Of course, it's Mandarin and not Cantonese, though. But learning about the culture along with the language is pretty nice.

[ Even if it was for her family's company reasons, he still can't deny that it made him happy that she chose AP Chinese out of all the things to learn. ]

That's good you are enjoying learning about the culture. Chinese culture and history is really interesting.

[ Of course he's not biased or anything! Nope!! ]

Japanese culture is really interesting too and while I was learning it, it was fascinating to learn about your country's history.

Oh, really? If it's that fascinating... tell me what you like the most about it. Don't worry, there's no wrong answer. ☆

[spoken as if there is totally a wrong answer, be careful what you say, Leon]

[ He's just.... going to give her a deadpan look. Yeah, no. He does not believe her words for a moment. ]

When you put it like that, there's no way I'm going to believe you.

[ Maybe it's because he's been around her so much but lately, he's been overly cautious of what she says because the last thing he wants is for her to turn his own words against him. ]

Well, I like the Sengoku period a lot when it comes to history. Learning about all the different warlords was one of my favorite parts of a Japanese history class I took.

Edited 2018-05-26 05:00 (UTC)

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