It's not actually okay. Of course it's not. If this hadn't happened, then we would have had the last fourteen years continuing research work under Sakurada-san. Hiromu and Yoko would have their parents. Ryuuji would have his sempai.
So I'm grieving that, sure, but I'm moreso grieving that Jin's about to lose the half-assed existence he managed to claw back.
"I know. Jin, I'm hardly immune to useless, secondguessing guilt myself," I say quietly, my voice too raw for my liking. "If I'd put more safeguards in place. If I'd dissuaded Sakurada-san from charging ahead so quickly. If I'd made it to the Transport Research Center before you were all sucked under. If I'd understood more about the subdimension, about the vaccine program, about this and that-"
He's in my arms, clinging to me like I'm his last chance at breathing. I close my eyes, exhale unevenly. My arms come up around him and I hold onto him, my grip fierce.
no subject
So I'm grieving that, sure, but I'm moreso grieving that Jin's about to lose the half-assed existence he managed to claw back.
"I know. Jin, I'm hardly immune to useless, secondguessing guilt myself," I say quietly, my voice too raw for my liking. "If I'd put more safeguards in place. If I'd dissuaded Sakurada-san from charging ahead so quickly. If I'd made it to the Transport Research Center before you were all sucked under. If I'd understood more about the subdimension, about the vaccine program, about this and that-"
He's in my arms, clinging to me like I'm his last chance at breathing. I close my eyes, exhale unevenly. My arms come up around him and I hold onto him, my grip fierce.
It's a beautiful day.