As much as he knows that, Tetsuo's screaming for him still echoing in his ears, there's a defeating sigh at the comm. The candle that was Kaneda's energy had burned low at this point, its wick black and withering. The flame was small, tired, even.
Staying lit for fear of being the last candle Tetsuo has.]
[Another pause. In fact, it's almost awkward in how long it takes him to reply. On the other end of the feed, Kaneda is typing and retyping this out. Trying to figure out just what to say to this.
Eventually, the blip on the comm sounds.]
thank you
[It's not often Kaneda uses that. Hell, he probably hasn't since he got here. But Tadashi and Hiro, they're the ones who know. They're the ONLY ones who know. And not from Kaneda telling them.
If anyone deserved a thanks for keeping that secret, and helping him along with it...it was them.]
What happened to the others, then? What made me different?
I don't understand. Why would I say that? Why would I do that? I don't remember--
[And then she trails off; when she speaks again her voice is trembling.] I... I don't remember. It's like from back home, at the SAZ, I don't remember-- [The phone clatters from her hands onto the floor. Because it's so very similar. It's far too similar for comfort, and she's starting to feel sick from dread.]
[Minato has no idea his words have sparked any of that. But he does feel badly for Kaneda... he just doesn't know what he could do to help. He can't tell him too much about Tetsuo because Tetsuo would see that as a betrayal, he's sure; all Minato can offer him is generic reassurance. Which is so little to hold against yourself...]
Thank you. Ken-kun is lucky to have a housemate like you.
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