expiationnet | (video) a lil game moment

That's low. You're not gonna do it, are you? I'd rather be sentenced to Hell and back.

(this actually reminds him of something he doesn't particularly like, and yet, his face demonstrates nothing other than the empty, neutral expression he often has in place. he's a gang kid, of course someone is bound to get detained, arrested -- and if it were up to him, one of his founding members, pah-chin, wouldn't have. surely, stabbing is not great, but he could have run. he could have followed mikey out of the battlefield.

he chose to stay, and while mikey wanted to bail him out with all his strength, others denied it. he'd go to jail for the other if it had been an option.

yu better not fucking do it, it'd be a low blow. fuck the police. etc.)

No.

[The answer is quick, but decisive. This is one thing he had decided almost right away, actually -- whether he talks to his friends about it or not... he has no intention of turning anyone in to save himself.

In truth, he's a little relieved to hear Mikey say something like that. A lot of his friends seem fairly worried about what might happen if he doesn't do it. He can't blame them, but... that does seem like another reason why he can't do that to any one of them.]

I have no intention of doing their bidding like that. I can't.

Good. I can respect that.

(which is something, when it comes to a person like mikey. there's nothing more precious than friendship, nothing more important than loyalty.)

Sucks, though. They are testing your loyalty after all. Any idea what they might do to me?

[A flicker of smile. Yu is grateful for the support, so to speak.]

They are. I'll let you know if there ends up being a consequence.

["If." That feels optimistic. He pauses a moment at Mikey's question, thoughtful about it.]

"Murder," right? Protecting people, maybe...healing. That's what I would expect, at least.

'When', you mean. No one is rallying against it?

(because, please. nothing in this place screams leniency so far, just starting from the KIDNAPPING PART.)

... That'd be dumb. Why do you think I lead in the first place? Unlike what most people think, the beginning of most gangs ain't money or none of those things. It's protection, I was born into this, and I take it seriously, I've never lost a single fight and most of my fights are due to that. So, what would that even teach me?

["When." He nods slightly at that.]

I wouldn't say that. We're all still trying to figure out how, I think.

[He is, at least. Is he just supposed to stand outside of City Hall telling them to go kick rocks? He doesn't even remember the Council.]

You also said your crime was inaccurate. So clearly they don't have all the information -- they might not be getting an accurate picture of who you are and what you "need to learn."

It doesn't do anything if we aren't an organized unit.

(or at least, that's what makes sense to mikey. he can put himself in that position very easily - if one person wants to defy him, that's easy to crush. a group, that's more trouble, and the possibility of him rethinking his decisions is definitely higher -- although, most often... pffft.

here's what's fucked up, however. there's not a single change in his expression, words that are factual, but not emotional, not an opening, rather much more of a statement.)

Or I just haven't done it yet, or it's a matter of intent. I did attempt recently, but Takemitchy stopped me, and he knows things I don't, so I might as well be punished now rather than later, I guess.

Edited 2023-10-24 21:09 (UTC)

["We." The second time he's heard that word used in conjunction with sentencing. He rolls those words over in his mind. Mikey has a point.]

Only a few people were given a sentence. Not everyone. I wonder if that's why.

[It's easier to not get involved if it's not your problem, right? Organizing this many people...it'd be a lot simpler if everyone had been sentenced at once.]

It may be different for everyone. [...] Someone else I know considered it at one point, too. But they were charged with attempted murder.

It doesn't fucking matter. If nobody else starts anything, I'll do it myself.

(next up, might be takemitchy. next up, it might be mikey. it's not like he's a particularly forgiving person, this is outrageous in his eyes -- who the fuck do they think they are?)

Like I said, there're things I don't know, I told Takemitchy to not tell me, because the little he did is already irritating enough, but from the little I know, might as well have in the future he is from. If they do not know who we are, that's to our advantage, anyway.

[He makes a small hm sound, something just shy of a laugh. He likes Mikey's spirit, when it comes down to it. That fundamental need to be true to himself no matter the cost.]

That'd make us an army of two, at least.

[Two? Of course. Yu can't just sit idly by for any of this.]

I agree. Better for them to not know, if ever it's a possibility.

Three. Can you fight? Be honest.

(important thing to think about. mikey finds strength in that, qualifies strength in that.)

Three? [Huh.] This "Takemitchy," maybe?

[Just a guess. Might be four...or even more, if some of his other friends have anything to say about it.]

I can. I use a sword.

He isn't... Great in a fight, but he has heart.

(that relentless way of never giving up, ever, EVER, which really does bring so much morale. and confusion.)

And with your bare fists?

That counts for a lot.

[A little smile. Some people call that scrappy. Some would call him and his friends that, too.]

Not my path, no. Just swords and Personas.

It does. The Manji doesn't back down from fucking a motherfucker up, and Takemitchy can't back down from sticking his nose into things.

(so, that's how it works.)

... You should learn. What if you get powerless, and you don't have your sword?

"Manji?"

[He's curious.]

Maybe I should. Are you offering lessons?

Tokyo Manji Gang. That's our name.

(manji....rou!)

... Mhm? I could. It's customary for the highest belt to take over when the Master isn't available to teach, and my grandpa's old.

Aha, it all makes sense now.

[Like sure, a child as a gang leader, that makes sense.]

Does that mean I should call you Sensei?

No, don't-- Mikey's fine. Just Mikey.

Also, I'm only teaching you basics so you don't die. You're not learning my signature shit.

Understood. I like the sound of not dying.

[...]

Thank you, by the way. Is there anything I can do to make it an even exchange?

I'll think about it. I don't think in terms of exchange, anyway. I think in unity. If I need you, you'll come, and the same goes for me.

Mm, that's fair. It makes us more like a team.

Second thought. My ice-cream is over. Get me cookies.

[A laugh.]

This might be one of the strangest dates I've been on.

[He's kidding. Probably.]

Oh, it's a date?

(oh.)

Damn straightforward.

(his gay ass is NOT complaining though, he's BOUND to be lonely.)

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