Yeah I heard. Came right back here as soon as I could.
[ but not soon enough. he can't stop looking at the splintered door ryuji is stamping around in... and feels a headache coming on. ]
You guys really like to do unnecessary shit. [ it's like a common thing for everyone he knows?? but in the end shinji can't even bring himself to be mad. he does put on a mad face though. ] If you had time to pester me, that means your friends are alright, huh.
[He's relieved, honestly. Shinji is mad and that means he's not dead or injured from the blast. Not that he's heard of any dead from the bomb but who knew what was in that fog?
His relief is temporary though because of course it is. Ryuji stamps one foot, fists balled at his sides.]
You are one of my friends, you jackass! Why do you think I came to check up on you?!
You were the one who decided that. I never agreed to this.
[ part of him does feel some nagging of guilt for being so adamantly against this, but still, it's logical. friendship doesn't happen just like that. especially not with him. if these kids knew anything about him, they wouldn't be preaching to this choir.
so yeah he doesn't back down sorry ryuji ]
Obviously I'm fine. Shut up and worry about somethin' else worth your time.
[SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? He's going to have to tagteam with Haru to get this guy's walls down. He isn't exactly the best at this, even if he was able to make friends with some of their...weirder companions even. With a loud frustrated sigh, Ryuji stares up at the ceiling, dragging his hands down his face.]
Ugh, why do you have to make it so hard?! We just wanna make sure you ain't havin' a shit time here. And we're all Persona users, ain't we? Shouldn't we stick together?
You're a dumbass if you think all Persona users could be friends.
[ maybe ryuji would understand a little better if shinji actually explained - but he really doesn't want to do that. it's not story time. maybe he is being far too difficult, but that's only because these guys are being way too persistent over something that shouldn't be that big a deal to begin with. ]
I'm fine on my own. Even if I died it wouldn't be any of your business.
[ well he did die... at some point. but once again, not any of their business. ]
[He knows not all Persona users can be friends, but as long as this particular Persona user isn't some kind of homicidal maniac like a Certain Persona User He Knows™ then he thought there might be a chance.
But Ryuji's desire to punch Shinji in his stupid face is rising faster than his temper usually does and he slams his fist against the wall.]
It is my business whether you like it or not 'cause we're sharing a space! Just 'cause we don't know each now don't mean you have to be such an asshole, Aragaki!
[He kicks a piece of the broken door and growls.]
I'll fix your friggin' door since that's all you seem to care about. I'm glad you're not dead, jerk.
[ this is one of those times when he feels like he's going too far. with aki it didn't feel this way, because aki is stubborn and obstinate and a blockhead and shinji knew he could handle any insult thrown at him. but aside from aki, there was nobody else who really wanted to even come close - and he was more comfortable with that.
it's uncomfortable now when he's faced with such... dumb enthusiasm. it feels like he's kicking a puppy or something. doesn't feel good. ]
... Sorry. [ he sighs, looking anywhere but ryuji's face - the crumpled mess that is what remains of his door, splinters, the wall... anything. ]
[His anger sizzles with the apology and Ryuji gives his roommate a hard stare for awhile. Was he ever like this? When he thought the entire world was against him, the school hated him, his former teammates hated him, his mother apologizing all the time for having raised him alone - was he ever this hard and cold?
He can't remember anymore. Not since meeting Akira and Ann, Yusuke and Makoto, Futaba and Haru. Not since having friends and realizing that he didn't have to be the problematic punk.
Ryuji sighs and lets his hand drop from the wall only to raise it again and rub the back of his neck.]
...I'll fix it. For now, I'll take another one off and put it up in its place.
Just...let Haru know you're okay, alright? She's been worried sick. [He glances down at the splinters and wonders just how long it'll take to earn enough cash to replace a whole door.]
...You ain't alone here, okay? That's all we wanted you to know. You don't gotta go through all this bullshit alone.
[ it's awkward. shinji's not even sure if it's awkward because he's awkward or because ryuji's trying too hard for friendship with a guy who keeps trying to reject it. it's probably a combination of both, and he really isn't cut out for this making friends thing. ]
You're a punk. [ pot, kettle, shinji. ] But you're a good kid. I just don't see why you're trying so hard for someone like me. I'm an asshole. You said so yourself.
[ shinji doesn't think he even gave anyone any indication that he was anything but an asshole, so that adds to the discomfort... what do these people see in him? ]
[He feels his hackles raising at being called out for what he is, but manages to choke it back as Shinji continues. He isn't wrong, after all. Ryuji did just kick his door down not 5 minutes ago.]
'Cause.
[That's a good reason, right? Ryuji shrugs and pulls his hand down, looking at his open palm.]
...'cause this whole thing - losing our worlds, wakin' up when our friends are still asleep, and now this stupid bomb and those jackasses who set it off - it's not something anyone should have to deal with by themselves.
[He clenches it into a fist, determination setting his jaw.]
You're a jerk sometimes, but you ain't shitty like some real assholes we've met, and that means we ain't gonna just leave you behind.
[ they're just going in circles... at this point he's tired. he's sure ryuji is tired, too. he doesn't want to give in, but talking about it all the time is exhausting. ]
Whatever.
[ HE GIVES UP.
but it doesn't mean he's gonna start being buddy buddy with anybody ok. ]
[Ryuji is honestly able to go turbo for days when it comes to friendship, but when Aragaki gives in, he relaxes suddenly, leaning back against the doorway.
...He really does need to fix this.]
You don't gotta suddenly be my best friend or whatever, but just know we're here, alright?
[Aaaaand enough of the touchy-feely shit. He lets out a huge sigh of relief and tension, then crouches down to the floor, picking up pieces of the door.]
I'll get this cleaned up. You let the others know you ain't dead.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Ryuji had felt it on his morning jog around the area, like a shock to his system. Then his phone had lit up and everyone started panicking.]
We were trying to check everyone in and you didn't answer so I came to find you.
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[ but not soon enough. he can't stop looking at the splintered door ryuji is stamping around in... and feels a headache coming on. ]
You guys really like to do unnecessary shit. [ it's like a common thing for everyone he knows?? but in the end shinji can't even bring himself to be mad. he does put on a mad face though. ] If you had time to pester me, that means your friends are alright, huh.
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His relief is temporary though because of course it is. Ryuji stamps one foot, fists balled at his sides.]
You are one of my friends, you jackass! Why do you think I came to check up on you?!
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[ part of him does feel some nagging of guilt for being so adamantly against this, but still, it's logical. friendship doesn't happen just like that. especially not with him. if these kids knew anything about him, they wouldn't be preaching to this choir.
so yeah he doesn't back down sorry ryuji ]
Obviously I'm fine. Shut up and worry about somethin' else worth your time.
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You sayin' you ain't worth the time?
[SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? He's going to have to tagteam with Haru to get this guy's walls down. He isn't exactly the best at this, even if he was able to make friends with some of their...weirder companions even. With a loud frustrated sigh, Ryuji stares up at the ceiling, dragging his hands down his face.]
Ugh, why do you have to make it so hard?! We just wanna make sure you ain't havin' a shit time here. And we're all Persona users, ain't we? Shouldn't we stick together?
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[ maybe ryuji would understand a little better if shinji actually explained - but he really doesn't want to do that. it's not story time. maybe he is being far too difficult, but that's only because these guys are being way too persistent over something that shouldn't be that big a deal to begin with. ]
I'm fine on my own. Even if I died it wouldn't be any of your business.
[ well he did die... at some point. but once again, not any of their business. ]
Now are you gonna fix my damn door or not?
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But Ryuji's desire to punch Shinji in his stupid face is rising faster than his temper usually does and he slams his fist against the wall.]
It is my business whether you like it or not 'cause we're sharing a space! Just 'cause we don't know each now don't mean you have to be such an asshole, Aragaki!
[He kicks a piece of the broken door and growls.]
I'll fix your friggin' door since that's all you seem to care about. I'm glad you're not dead, jerk.
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it's uncomfortable now when he's faced with such... dumb enthusiasm. it feels like he's kicking a puppy or something. doesn't feel good. ]
... Sorry. [ he sighs, looking anywhere but ryuji's face - the crumpled mess that is what remains of his door, splinters, the wall... anything. ]
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He can't remember anymore. Not since meeting Akira and Ann, Yusuke and Makoto, Futaba and Haru. Not since having friends and realizing that he didn't have to be the problematic punk.
Ryuji sighs and lets his hand drop from the wall only to raise it again and rub the back of his neck.]
...I'll fix it. For now, I'll take another one off and put it up in its place.
Just...let Haru know you're okay, alright? She's been worried sick. [He glances down at the splinters and wonders just how long it'll take to earn enough cash to replace a whole door.]
...You ain't alone here, okay? That's all we wanted you to know. You don't gotta go through all this bullshit alone.
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You're a punk. [ pot, kettle, shinji. ] But you're a good kid. I just don't see why you're trying so hard for someone like me. I'm an asshole. You said so yourself.
[ shinji doesn't think he even gave anyone any indication that he was anything but an asshole, so that adds to the discomfort... what do these people see in him? ]
You, Okumura... I don't get it.
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'Cause.
[That's a good reason, right? Ryuji shrugs and pulls his hand down, looking at his open palm.]
...'cause this whole thing - losing our worlds, wakin' up when our friends are still asleep, and now this stupid bomb and those jackasses who set it off - it's not something anyone should have to deal with by themselves.
[He clenches it into a fist, determination setting his jaw.]
You're a jerk sometimes, but you ain't shitty like some real assholes we've met, and that means we ain't gonna just leave you behind.
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Whatever.
[ HE GIVES UP.
but it doesn't mean he's gonna start being buddy buddy with anybody ok. ]
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...He really does need to fix this.]
You don't gotta suddenly be my best friend or whatever, but just know we're here, alright?
[Aaaaand enough of the touchy-feely shit. He lets out a huge sigh of relief and tension, then crouches down to the floor, picking up pieces of the door.]
I'll get this cleaned up. You let the others know you ain't dead.