( active ) your turn to die: sou hiyori

[killed]

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[enteloki]

[A new perspective. An interesting one. Distrust comes easy to Akechi and books are no exception to that. Unreliable narrators are a common trope that he can see them coming a mile away. Can pick apart issues in moments because he sees it all day. It surrounds him like a thick muck and it's an insult in media he's consuming to escape from it.

You will forever be incapable of reaching the solution a vice in his chest. No, he is the solution. He knows the solution. It's always within grasp and-

He's deviating. Refocus. It's not about Shido. Not about Mementos. It's a conversation between peers over classic novels.

But the mask fell in that second of thought, his face contorting and warping into something sullen, dark and full of vitriol. One second later, it's fades into something placid as he leans back into the chair. His palms rest against his knees, holding tight.]

The way you make that sound - it would be highly egotistical of me to think that. An arbitrator of truth for myself alone, perhaps.

[They're speaking of someone that act as both 'truth' and 'heart'. Akechi almost laughs at the implication of it. Of the phantom thieves, stealing hearts and the 'truth' that pours from the lips of their targets.]

Though, you have given me much to think about. Perhaps I have been considering things from the wrong angle and would benefit from opening my mind a bit more. The next time I read that book, I'll certainly think of you.

[The next time being directly after work today.]

[killed]

I'm happy to have been of assistance... I always liked them, as I said, because they're a puzzle to be solved... It's a game between you and the author, one that they guide you through, in hopes that you'll win.

[ How often can one find that in this world? More often now in the day and age of technology, but even those aren't quite the same. Nothing can quite satisfy him in the same way, perhaps because they're not quite so personal... Nothing quite so simple. There's not so much as a twitch as he watches Akechi struggle to keep his composure, nothing at all to suggest that he'd noticed the shift.

People, too, are like riddles, ones that beg to be solved. He hasn't found one that he couldn't in some time now, nor one where he couldn't predict the outcome, and he wonders if this will be the same; if so, then it would be more productive to act as a casual observer and wait for confirmation. It's with that thought in mind that he decides to continue, ]

... Allow me to offer one more thought for your consideration. People are, too, made up of logic and emotions - we gather information and piece it together, but we filter it through our experiences and twist it to meet our expectations. Having settled on what we believe to be the correct answer, we can wish to stop thinking, satisfied. It blinds you to all new information and steals away all opportunity from you.

So while you should decide on it for yourself, you must also be willing to overwrite it over and over... Is that difficult to understand? If so, I might say that we are all unreliable narrators.

[ He leans back in his chair. ]

I say this because while you're only so many years younger than me, I suspect you've acted as an adult for much longer. You'll find yourself to be more vulnerable than most, and all that much more if you fail to recognize it.

[ Hiyori likewise lacked a childhood, but it was a fair bit different for him. He was groomed for leadership, for perfection, and in such a way that he could remain detached from those emotions which stir the heart, that cause it to flutter before falling, splattering on the pavement. He was ever under careful guidance, and to an extent he still is. He has no regrets, no complaints, but there is perhaps just the slightest pang of pity. ]

[enteloki]

[The friendly 'advice' infuriates him.

Rotten, shitty adults who purvey themselves as all knowing - who hide behind altruism and guidance as shields for their sins, their crimes, their own moral shortcomings. Inadequacy and failure covered up by helping.

Akechi hates Hiyori and-

Hiyori is as intriguing as he is annoying. He knows something. He talks in riddles. With knowing.

Vulnerable? Him?

How insulting.

Akechi's heart is a match and Hiyori is the spark, but it's not a warming fire. It's an explosion. It's consuming. It spreads and spreads and spreads.]

While I appreciate your advice-

[Voice steady. Heart racing. Calm. Tense. Fingers clenched over knees and-

Lean back, breathe, remain neutral. If he slips, it's over. If his mask falls, it's over. The value of his time here turning completely worthless. Be righteous, be curious, be a detective.

The thought doesn't match his thankfully neutral expression.]

Do you change yourself with every person you interact with, using their experiences to reshape your view? I almost say that's precarious in itself. There are many people in the world who will use that to change you for worse or for their own means.

[Akechi is accustomed to changing his view on cases - on murders, crimes, activities and people.

But it's always with the caveat he is who he is-with the protection that comes with goals and a complete understanding of himself. Complete knowing. Complete sense of ego that cannot be shifted or shaped into anyone's mold. He can't be manipulated by them.]

You may find yourself in a dangerous position one day.

[killed]

There is more hope for a fool than for a man conceited enough to see himself as wise. Those are men who believe themselves to be complete, and ones who find that they need no longer think about the world around them; a fool can learn from their mistakes, while the wise will justify it.

[ That is one of the few things that all great philosophers are inclined to agree on. Hiyori could never lead such contented life. He loves humans far too much to stop trying to understand them. He's far too afraid to stop looking all around him.

He could stop there and that might prove to be better, as he has no real stake in the end result of this person's life. But he's come this far already. Those little twitches, those hints of irritation, that struggle to avoid reacting - all those little things make him want to push more.

He's already disliked, already made himself something foreign and uncomfortable, and so he sees no reason not to satisfy his curiosity. ]

I learn something new with each interaction, from each work I consume, and in doing so I am able to expand my view of the world. By encountering other views, I can strengthen my own by challenging them, or otherwise adjust them.

[ He offers a vague gesture to signify that this is one such example, though which category it might fall into in the end he leaves for the other to guess at. ]

If I find myself to be in a precarious situation, that isn't for having listened and considered. Those people are dangerous whether or not I believe them to be so - I'll simply have become aware of it.

[enteloki]

Then allow me to ask you another question. Well, I suppose it's more of a thought exercise.

[Dangerous. He's dangerous and that's-

Exciting. Makes every word weave and ebb into his mind like threads tying him to reality. No zoning out. No missteps allowed. Every word has meaning and every reaction is noted, in the same way he's sure Hiyori is watching him.

He keeps his face pleasant. Neutral. Cautious and curious.]

What do you think I'm learning from my interactions with you?

[killed]

Well now, let's see... If it were practical knowledge you wouldn't think the question fit to ask, and those important life lessons are learned from experience rather than people, so it can't be that...

[ He lists the options slowly, in the low voice that suggests one is giving careful consideration to something. There's a twinkle of amusement in his eyes though, just a touch humored as he comes to a conclusion, ]

Could it perhaps be that we're getting to know each other?

[ A little of this, a little of that, but nothing of real note about the organization - nothing more than they choose to let on. It's of comparatively little interest to a singular person of interest though; organizations and hierarchies can be sorted out, goals and methods unpacked, but people are far more difficult. They're at once the easiest puzzle to solve and the most difficult. And much as authors wish for their riddles to be solved, so too do people wish for others to find the answer - to see them. It is, then, far more important to learn from one's interactions.

None of which is suggested in his light tone, just a bit teasing, but pleased with the suggestion. ]

[enteloki]

[A resounding, bitter sensation blooms through his whole body at the question, like oil spoiling the water it drips into.

He wants to break Hiyori's high and mighty words and crush that smile with his own bare hands. The question was rhetorical - he should've expected an equally inane response to a request that had no real answer, but somehow-

Or maybe it was always going to be an irritation, whatever Hiyori said. Whether it was wrong, right or any other bullshit in between.]

I think we are. In fact, it feels like I learn more about you every day. What a deep honor it is to have you as a mentor.

[The words are coated in honey and laced with arsenic. His body moving from his sitting position, to stand off towards the side of the room. He feigns eyeing a patient, as if checking on them. Not that he gives two shits about their status.]

Please know that I will continue watching you for as long as I'm able. There's still so much to learn after all.