🥀 Blinded by Rose Petals 🥀

Part 6 - You need to move (on)

{Korekiyo's POV}

"...Is there anything bothering you?" I break the silence. I know that Rantaro came here to ease his mind, but... If there is truly something that will help him unwind it will indeed be a conversation. After all, there is no one around. Only I can help him.

...But I did not hear any response.

Why, Rantaro? Aren't you a brave adventurer? Shouldn't you be trying to face your problems, no matter what? I assume his sorrows will go away eventually, however for now, he needs someone else to push him in the right direction.

I get closer to him. Slowly. I don't want any of my steps to startle him. His state of mind seems to be currently in ruins at this moment. But I know what might help.

I put my hand on his shoulder gently. "...Shall we go for a walk?"

He faces my direction, then nods with a bit of hesitation.

. . .

"...I sorta fell out with my friend." He begins to speak as we walk down an empty hallway. Him next to me this time.

"What happened...?" I ask, however without expecting a response. It was sure that Rantaro wouldn't share everything with me. We had just became friends after all.

"...I called his friend a creep." He walks with his hands in his trouser pockets. It's a thing that I've noticed some time ago already. Even if he's feeling down, his posture never looks less confident and laidback. It's as if his body is trying to cover up his true feelings. "I know I shouldn't have had. But, I didn't say it in a serious tone and he just... got defensive over nothing."

"Does he usually behave like that?" I ask more questions to help Rantaro let it out. I've always known that talking is the best way to achieve inner peace. My sister taught me that after all.

"No... It's like he was a completely different person suddenly." Rantaro looks below at his feet moving at a calm pace. Maybe it's relaxing for him? After all, he is moving instead of standing in place. That's definitely best for an adventurer.

"...Maybe it's that you've insulted a person close to him?" I suggest as Rantaro's steps suddenly get less frequent - eventually coming to a full stop. I catch up to him, and yet still stare at his back. I cannot physically get any closer, not with my body freezing too.

"I thought I was the person important to him." Rantaro says, some selfishness lingering in his tone of voice. I can feel the air getting dense, Rantaro's aura completely changing. Only I'm here to help him.

"...Now, imagine yourself as a different person. What advice would you give to yourself?" Yes, truly my favorite method. Imagining that you're a completely different person who has no bias to solve a problem. Sister had taught me this as well. Surely it will help.

"What... advice? If I were a different person...?" At first he finds this method ridiculous. However, suddenly he begins to make steps again. He begins to think, solutions forming in his head. Truly fascinating.

"Well, I'd definitely tell myself to ask who exactly that person is to him." His pace becomes steady, and strong. As if all the hope and strength was being pumped back into his body. Incredible. "And I'd... I'd apologize, and try to clear things up."