dishonorstudent | ✂ IC Inbox

[ Ryuko didn't answer the video call immediately, but once she did she can be seen wrapped and covered with bandages around some parts of her body. Otherwise she is in good health, she's recovering fairly fast as expected. ]

...

Who're you? [ KIND OF forgot to register the boy's face while she was pissed at Archer. ]

Oh, right. I'm Shirou Emiya.

You saw me fighting Archer the other day. It happened so quickly I don't think you remember me. [Athena mentioned Ryuko a couple of times, but man she's so hurt. ]

[ She immediately knits her brows upon hearing that name; even recalling that event is a bit too soon, but this was bound to come up anyway. ]

I see.

You were pretty banged up, too, if I remember right. I guess it's a good thing Athena was there... [ Not so much for Athena, sadly. ]

Yeah I was injured badly, but don't worry. You look like you could use some rest yourself.

Is Athena doing well?

[ She's not sure how Athena is yet, so it's best left unanswered... ]

I've rested plenty. As soon as I'm back on my feet, I'm gonna settle the score with that man.

...Y'know, he told me something. About you and him, I mean.

[Ryuko's got her reasons for not saying anything. Shirou isn't going to ask again.]

This is getting out of hand. [He's just shaking his head.]

Archer did? What did he say?

[ She means Archer being Shirou from the future... or that's how she understands it anyway. It's all so confusing. It occurs to her that Shirou might not even be aware, and since Archer asked her to keep this between them before she passed out, she will at least respect that much.

Unless... Shirou knows? Let's test it. ]

I think you might have an idea. What do you imagine he said?

Considering what we were doing back there? I can take a guess.

Did he tell you why I was putting myself in danger? [Shirou doesn't know how much detail Archer went into, but that sounds about right.]

Not... entirely. He said you were training, but it looked more like a vicious beatdown to me. Can ya seriously blame me for gettin' worked up?

Not really no.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you involved in that. [He's making some apologetic gestures.]

Noted. [ She appreciates his apology, at least, but she's still sour about the way it went down. Give her some time. ]

So why were you pushing yourself like that?

[That's understandable. ]

I'm unskilled in everything related to magic so I need to put myself at risk just to improve.

I told Athena the same thing when she asked. [He just grits his teeth together because he doesn't want to cause trouble for people around him.]

Are you angry at me? [Shirou feels like a huge jerk right now.]

[ She's angry at the future you!! ]

I have no reason to be. ...Tell me, Emiya, do you... wanna be strong like Archer? Is that why improvin' your magic is so damn important?

[It's okay, Shirou gets mad at Archer all the time too.]

Yeah, I want to become strong like Archer because there's someone I need to protect.

Have you met a girl named Sakura Matou?

[ She blinks. She'll get back to the topic of Archer in a moment, but this random name just derailed her train of thought. ]

Eh? Never heard of her. She your girlfriend or something?

Yes, she is. Sakura means a lot to me, but I can't keep her safe if I'm weak. [He just lets out a sigh because he's beyond pathetic.]

You know I don't usually tell people all of this. It's just a personal problem I have. Can you keep it to yourself?

Hmph. Sure... [ Only another secret to add to her pile, but she has no reason to break the boy's trust, even if she has no time to play relationship counselor. She can tell he's genuinely troubled, though. Ryuko's heart may not beat like everyone else's, but she still has one. ]

Is she in trouble? People don't normally go through such great lengths to protect someone unless it's really needed for some reason.

Thanks for understanding. [Shirou frowns when Ryuko asks that question.]

Sakura got in trouble before, but she's doing well now. I still feel like I need to protect her either way. [At least he's being completely honest with her.]

Have you ever risked your life because you wanted to do something so badly?

I may have once or twice. [ Before she recently found out it was virtually impossible for her to risk such a thing. ]

What're you tryin' to say? Risking one's own life for the sake of someone else's... it ain't exactly unheard of.

Sakura doesn't want me to risk anything for her. She might get upset if she finds out what I've been up to.

I think I'm worrying too much because you already said you'd keep it to yourself.

Oh? Maybe you should listen to your girlfriend, or tell her the truth.

[ Now she wonders if Archer really was this guy. ]

Listen, Emiya, you don't need to be the strongest in order to save somebody. And Archer... ain't exactly anybody should aspire to be. He's alone, miserable and out of touch. Ya should be happy with what you have... before it's gone.

I'll consider telling her the truth sometime and thanks for the advice.

[They're very different, but similar to some degree. Oops.]

Do you know Archer's identity? Because I'll tell you the truth now he's me. [Shirou doesn't sound very thrilled about it either.]

[ Ah, so Shirou is aware. ]

It's true, then? I'm havin' a hard time believing that. But y'know... you're not him yet.

I certainly can't blame you. [This is a complicated situation and it's weird to explain how it works. Shirou just nods awkwardly.]

Archer's so twisted, I don't want to become that guy. There's still a few things I need to work out, but you get the idea.

I can't tell you how sorry I am for making this more difficult than it needs to be. Let me make it up to you some time.

It's fine, Emiya. It was inevitable that Archer and I would fight anyway, the guy's been cruisin' for a bruisin' since day one.

Don't worry 'bout how I feel and just talk to Matou sometime. Girls don't like to be bamboozled -- especially if other girls know about it before they do. [ Ah, shit, she's counseling in the end, anyway. ] Just... don't lose your way, Emiya.

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