come out of hiding, i'm right here beside you

[barehands]

[A while after the execution has ended, everyone will find a simple note slipped under their door.]

If you don't want to be alone after everything that's happening, some of us will be in the dining room. Even if you decide not to come, please remember that you aren't alone here.

[The note isn't signed, but the handwriting is feminine and neat.

For anyone who decides to come, there's a good array of food laid out on the table. There are some small and simple cakes, cookies, and pastries, a healthy amount of okonomiyaki, okayu, and other Japanese dishes (with a focus on rice and eggs), along with curry. In addition, there are pancakes, and a large pot of soup. It looks like a few people collaborated to make enough food for everyone here.

Just like the meal they shared together earlier in the week, the candles from the storage room lend a more peaceful light than the fluorescent lights above.]

Comments

[imaginex]

[Hey, can't make an omelette without breaking a few... okay that's a terrible metaphor and says too much about Sakura.]

Oh? Well... I guess it only counts if it's me, then. [She doesn't seem to mind that, either]

[carnivorously]

What makes you say that?

[He's a little concerned he can help her. Then again, he did lend Tsunemori an ear when she needed it as well.]

[imaginex]

It's because I feel a little better.

[Maybe she feels understood. Maybe it helped he'd prodded her into giving answers. Sakura doubts it matters. Even a slight turn in the tide is significant for her, and the burn in her chest has lessened to a simmer]

[carnivorously]

I guess that's a good thing I could help then.

[Especially since his opinion is usually discarded. He's used to it, though, and that's okay. It's weird that people respect his opinion here, the more he thinks on it. It makes him feel... human again.]

[imaginex]

Mm.

Though I... I don't understand why you try.

[If he wants to be nice to someone, he should at least find someone more worthy of his time, frankly.

Perhaps its pity? Sakura turns the thought in her head, examining it for imperfections, but ultimately discards it in the trash. She doesn't think Kogami prefers that pitying approach.]

[carnivorously]

I guess I tried because it seemed like you needed someone to talk to.

[That perhaps despite all of Kogami's flaws, he still has a big heart that's able to help. It helps in his own way, but that doesn't mean that often times his intentions are good.]

[imaginex]

[he really is too sweet to her, she thinks in the quiet]

Did I?

[...]

I guess it doesn't occur to me to try.

[carnivorously]

You mean why people try to talk to you?

[He won't press too much he'll do that in later conversations, but she seems to lack a lot of self-confidence.]

[imaginex]

Me talking to them.

[Most people don't care to know her past her quiet demeanor. And that's fine. Sakura prefers that; far easier to judge and stew than to try.

But she shakes her head a little, trying to smile past her thoughts.]

Well, this isn't like school. Of course things would be a little different here.

[carnivorously]

I suppose. However, with what happened, it's probably good to get to know each other a little.

[Just in case they need to solve more cases in the future.]

[imaginex]

[That, and get more in touch with everyone's weak points.

... Maybe one day her thoughts won't immediately shoot for the darkest path. She can only hope]

Right. I'm sure most people could use companionship right now...

[carnivorously]

They likely could. Some people lost a friend and need that comfort.

[That Corrin literally lost a friend. Some others just got really friendly really quickly...

Bonds are terrifying for that reason.]

[imaginex]

[Ah, Corrin... yes, Sakura's thoughts also hone in on that poor girl. Sakura can't help her sympathetic mumble]

Poor Corrin-san... I wasn't close to Felicia-san, but I can imagine how she's feeling.

[carnivorously]

[Kogami's silent on his end in regards to that before he takes a deep breath and speaks once more.]

Awful. She feels awful. And responsible and...

[Shit, he about had a breakdown earlier. His breath is shaky, but he recomposes himself.]

[imaginex]

[...]

Shinya-san... do you feel the same way?

[carnivorously]

About what happened to Felicia? No, I don't.

[He knows that's not what she meant, but he's avoiding the question.]

[imaginex]

[It seems Sakura isn't the only one who could use someone to talk to.

But if Kogami considers himself a poor replacement for therapy, that's not far off from how Sakura views herself. "Unqualified" is an understatement, and so despite how she looks sadly to the floor for a moment, she perks up and smiles, shaking her head]

Okay.

[He doesn't have to talk about it]