theoryandcalculation | [Inugami] IC Inbox

[It's true, Rin can't know anything for sure. But he's an optimist, sometimes naively so, and he's taken it upon himself to share that hope with his friends, to keep them from despairing, if that's all he can save them from. It's the least he can do for the people he owes so much to.]

We stay strong. [He finally starts, quietly, but still forcing some energy into his voice.] Together, doing the very best we can to stay safe, until we find the way out.

[Rin gives his shoulders another squeeze, and a bit of a shake, too. Look at him, Rei.]

You are not the type to give up, Rei. Not the type to get caught up with your feelings and lose your head. [That's more Rin's territory, not that it needs saying.] Like hell I'm gonna let you start doing that now.

[The shaking gets Rei to look up as intended, so he meets Rin's eyes for the last of his speech. It's not that he wants to give up, but this isn't swimming, or a competition, this is real, this is life-threatening.

He's never been this scared in his life.

But as he looks at Rin, here reminding him he's not alone, he feels like maybe he doesn't have to completely fall apart just because of fear.

(Still, he's shivering a little.)]

You're right, Rin-san. I know I need to pull myself together.

[He closes his eyes and breathes in, out. Opens his eyes again. He looks slightly less panicked.]

I just... need a minute.

[Whether it's swimming or life-threatening matters, it's indifferent to Rin; he believes in tackling everything full force and going the distance-- and in this case, that means actively trying to find a way out, instead of curling up in a corner and crying themselves to sleep. As long as there is a way to fix this, there is hope.

But Rin is not insensitive, and he's not about to make high demands from Rei-- he can't even imagine what it must have felt like, to stumble upon that kind of grotesque scene. He needs a break.]

Yeah, I get that. [A nod, along with a small smile of his own. He understands.] I know it must have been scary, so take as many minutes as you need. I'll stay here with you, okay?

Thank you, Rin-san.

[He knows it's not really necessary, but he says it anyway, letting himself sink a little lower, pulling up his knees and pillowing his head on his arms.]

They're bold.

[He stares at the button on his uniform cuff, and it takes him a moment to elaborate.]

To kill someone in the middle of the day like that, right before lunch... anyone could have walked in. Why would someone do that, when they're likely to get caught?

I don't know.

[It's not much in the way of comfort, he knows, but Rin reaches for Rei's shoulder again, drapes his hand there in quiet reassurance that he's not moving. A reminder that Rei isn't alone, no matter what.]

But who says that was real? [He breaks the silence at last, voice firm, in a way that contrasts with the uncertainty of his words.] It could've been a fake body, something our kidnappers planted there just to freak us out. You've seen the weirdo students in this school, right? There's no way that many people could all look the same...

[There it is, that naive optimism so particular to Rin. Maybe it could be of some help, if it could lift Rei's spirit back up.]

You think it was a fake?

[There was so much blood... if it was a fake, it was a good one.]

I'm not sure, Rin-san... what would they have to gain from frightening some of us like that? To send some sort of message?

[Why would they kill one of their own... whatever those other students are?]

I think it was real. As real as those other people are.

Maybe they are. And maybe they're not.

[Rei, if you're going to be stubborn, Rin can be twice as bad. There's always a silver lining, always a thread of hope to cling to, and he's going to make sure everyone sees it.]

Look. [A sigh.] I don't know what they want with us, or why they would fake a murder, and that's exactly why I'm not ruling anything out. So I'm just saying, try not to freak out too bad just yet. Not until we know anything for sure. Okay?

[Rei stares incredulously at him for a moment, then nods slowly. He doesn't really believe it was fake, doesn't think, if Rin had seen it, that he would think it was fake either, but he understands what Rin is trying to do. He's trying to keep him from panicking, keep hope alive.

Rei's grateful for that, even if he thinks Rin is full of shit.]

You could be right, Rin-san. We shouldn't rule it out as a possibility, at the very least.

Still, I want to tell the others. Just to be on the safe side. [Tonight, once they're all together.] I'm glad we've already set up shifts for keeping watch.

Yeah, sure, you can tell them. Maybe I can send them a text telling them to be extra careful for now, and you can explain everything later.

[And in case Rei hasn't noticed it, Rin did say he would do it. Not that he thinks Rei would do a poor job or anything, but he's clearly been through a lot already, so Rin figures he'll need some time to himself.]

In any case, you should get some rest now. We're going to need every bit of information we can gather, and for that, you're gonna have to be in top shape. So take your time to wind down.

Hmph. [Rei adjusts his glasses with a flourish.] I am always in top shape, Rin-san.

[The cockiness in his voice isn't quite the same as usual, and there's still a little bit of a tremor. He's still freaked out, and rightfully so, but he puts on his normal front anyway. He will be this way again. He's going to be okay.

It's to assure Rin as much as himself.]

But... I guess a nap wouldn't hurt.

[Said as he starts to shuffle himself over towards a mat. "Nap" here might mean "laying curled in a ball staring at the wall" but either way, the conversation seems to be about over.]

Please tell them soon, Rin-san.

[The poor excuse for cockiness in his tone earns a scoff from Rin, but he still appreciates the gesture, appreciates that Rei is willing to listen to him and try not to freak out. Keeping things as close to normal as possible is as good a way to cope as any other.]

Yeah, yeah, I will. [He takes his phone out of his pocket, flips it open and nods toward the screen. He's got this, Rei..] Don't worry about it.

[And after a minute's consideration, he decides to go for the hair ruffle as a show of friendly reassurance. At least right now, he shouldn't complain about how it's not beautiful.]

Now rest up.

[Rei lets it happen, deciding to bemoan the messing of his hair at some later time. It probably looks bad anyway.]

Thank you, Rin-san.

[Rei lays down on the mat, curling himself his tall body into the tightest ball he can. After a moment of shifting around to get comfortable, he looks back up at Rin.]

You're going to stay, right?

Geez, what part of "now rest up" did you not get...

[Said with the fondest, most overly exaggerated roll of eyes ever, and a chuckle hidden in his voice. He doesn't judge Rei for being scared, or for having difficulty falling asleep, but he should at least be able to trust Rin's word.]

I told you, I'm not going anywhere. And I don't break my promises, Rei.

Of course, Rin-san.

[Rei puts his head back down, settling in. He never really falls completely asleep, but as the fear recedes, at least he feels a little better.]

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