Of course it's okay with me. [ softly, which is probably at odds with her usual bright and outgoing personality, but... this is something a little more personal to her. ]
I think someone like you could stand to have a really cool big sis anyway.
[ And she definitely misses her little brother figures. ]
[ There's no warning, just a tiny noise lodged in Maya's throat, and then she's wrapping her arms around him for a tight squeeze. A slightly watery laugh escapes, but she's just going to ignore that.
[ She may have needed it more than she thought-- or more than she wanted to think.
She hadn't let herself think about it too much when the memories had come surging back. The blonde girl, a member of some idol group. The pale boy who wore more makeup than she ever had, first proudly talking about a band, then trying to save his friend-turned-monster. The soft-spoken boy in the museum who had been caught up in the fire and the subsequent blimp escape, who had also looked at Tatsuya as though he ought to know him. Who had looked at her the same way.
Lisa-chan. Eikichi-kun. Jun-kun.
And Tatsuya.
The memories weren't allowed to come back for them. And she'd accepted that. But hearing "Maya-nee" again, from someone else who'd done everything he could to stop the world from ending...
Maya wants so badly to do things right this time. To protect this-- him.
Of course, being Maya, she says none of this out loud, but she rests her cheek against Minato's hair and sighs. ]
You're already coming to me about your crushes, so... I'd say you've got a pretty good idea already.
She's got some really amazing abilities, but...even though she does, she's always so careful not to cross any boundaries with people. She's been through so much ever since she was a child, but she's still so kind and warm inside.
She gets embarrassed sometimes showing her kindness and generosity, but I don't think I've ever met anyone more giving than her.
I just know... that no matter how composed someone is, no matter how understanding, no matter how they act outwardly... there are times when they have problems too. And it's not always easy to talk about them.
So... I'm glad you thought you could come to me about them, Minato-kun.
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I... think I'd really like that, honestly.
If... if it's really okay with you.
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Of course it's okay with me. [ softly, which is probably at odds with her usual bright and outgoing personality, but... this is something a little more personal to her. ]
I think someone like you could stand to have a really cool big sis anyway.
[ And she definitely misses her little brother figures. ]
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It's a big deal to both of them, then. And tentatively:]
I... would really like to have more family, I think.
[Gently:]
So... thank you, Maya-nee.
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Sorry, Minato. ]
What are sisters for?
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Oh.
It seems...Maya's needed this, huh?
Minato just leans into her arms, lifting his own arms quietly, slowly, for a hug.]
...I've never had a sister, but... I think this feels right.
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She hadn't let herself think about it too much when the memories had come surging back. The blonde girl, a member of some idol group. The pale boy who wore more makeup than she ever had, first proudly talking about a band, then trying to save his friend-turned-monster. The soft-spoken boy in the museum who had been caught up in the fire and the subsequent blimp escape, who had also looked at Tatsuya as though he ought to know him. Who had looked at her the same way.
Lisa-chan. Eikichi-kun. Jun-kun.
And Tatsuya.
The memories weren't allowed to come back for them. And she'd accepted that. But hearing "Maya-nee" again, from someone else who'd done everything he could to stop the world from ending...
Maya wants so badly to do things right this time. To protect this-- him.
Of course, being Maya, she says none of this out loud, but she rests her cheek against Minato's hair and sighs. ]
You're already coming to me about your crushes, so... I'd say you've got a pretty good idea already.
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Minato misses a large chunk of that sentimentalism because then Maya has to go and be embarrassing.
He... freezes, and then clears his throat awkwardly.
UH.]
It...wasn't about my crush, exactly--
[KIND OF, BUT--]
It was complicated, so...
[Help.]
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[ You did this to yourself, Minato. ]
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Besides... he's not ashamed of his crush. Shiho is the most amazing person ever.]
... Shiho-chan... [He just admits that with a sigh, rubbing the back of his head a little.]
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[ ... Huh. Well, she hadn't seen that coming!
Granted, she hadn't seen Yukino harboring a massive crush on Fujii, either, so. She can't really talk. ]
We admittedly haven't talked much, but she's a sweet girl... and I get the feeling she'd make sure you'd take care of yourself.
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[It's said so, so solemnly.]
She's got some really amazing abilities, but...even though she does, she's always so careful not to cross any boundaries with people. She's been through so much ever since she was a child, but she's still so kind and warm inside.
She gets embarrassed sometimes showing her kindness and generosity, but I don't think I've ever met anyone more giving than her.
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It runs a lot deeper than a crush, doesn't it?
[ He really sounds so loving, just describing her. ]
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Closes mouth.
Maya no don't do this to him.
He flushes a little despite himself, ducking his head.]
T-that's not-- I. I don't know, but it's... it's not the time for that anyway.
[HE STILL HAS TO TELL HER HE'S DEAD.]
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Right, one thing at a time. I know you'll do fine.
[ Even though it will definitely... hurt both of them. ]
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Minato just...sighs, shoulders slumping.]
I'll...try.
Shiho-chan does deserve to know... and once she knows, she has the right to decide what to do for herself.
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... And I know you can do it.
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[Minato drags in a slow breath and...manages a very small smile for her.]
Thanks...for this. For the advice, and for listening. Not a lot of people know my situation still, but...
Even if they did, you would still be the right person to come to.
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[ She appreciates it. Sincerely. ]
I just know... that no matter how composed someone is, no matter how understanding, no matter how they act outwardly... there are times when they have problems too. And it's not always easy to talk about them.
So... I'm glad you thought you could come to me about them, Minato-kun.
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You think of me as composed? Thanks.
[Focus, Minato.]
But, um... I guess so. I'm still getting used to it, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it.
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[ Yeah. ]
... But it's okay. You'll get more used to it the more you do it.
-- Not that I want you having too many problems here, but still.
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I'm sure I'll be fine. This is...sort of an unusual problem. In general.
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[ One step at a time. Just like learning how to summon his Personas without the use of his evoker. ]
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I'm going to do my best.
[No matter what comes.]
I'll...always care about Shiho-chan, no matter what she decides.
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But.
It's still up to her what happens from here. That's--that's only right.
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