heart game - MK, rinku

[wroughtandtempered]

I’m sorry. I tried— I tried, but I can’t keep going—

I don’t think I can do this alone, so— Please. Please—

I need help.

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[roundandaround]

Rinku cries out.

Maybe she was unprepared. She clenches her fist in front of her chest and leans on the wall. She breathes in and out hard, shaking from the feeling influx.

"...I think she lost somebody, MK-san. Like with Shion-chan and Rika-chan. How people disappear from these places and go home sometimes. She wanted to live with somebody, and then it didn't happen."

[noodleboi]

"Just take a deep breath. Try to center yourself. ...We lose people and it hurts. It lasts. We don't want to burn that then either. She might forget that person. Forget the happy memories too. Do you need me to touch the other ones? I'm almost done with the desk."

[roundandaround]

Rinku takes a breath and looks at the photo, then at MK. She rubs her arms, trying to stave off the cold, and stands up taller.

"It's okay. If Eve-chan needs the help, I'm gonna do my best. Okay?"

She breathes in and out like he asks, and then goes to touch the clinic photo. That one's something from Ellipsa. Maybe it'll be nice.

[wroughtandtempered]

It's an oil painting of the clinic.

Touching it fills you with determination, with an undercurrent of spite. This is yours— your heritage, your dream, and you won’t let it be taken from you again.

[roundandaround]

She braces herself for pain, and the result... makes her blink, then smile. She turns to MK and nods.

"This one's good too. ...I don't wanna lose you guys either, or anyone. Eve-chan's right. I'm gonna try the last one."

She looks hopefully at the animal family and touches it.

[wroughtandtempered]

It's an oil painting of a kitchen, with several individuals at a kotatsu— oh. Hmm. The image changes depending on what angle it’s viewed from. From one, the people look human; it’s Reika and a busty woman with copper hair and eyes curled into each other, while a black-haired older woman in a beautiful kimono makes tea at a stove in the back and looks on fondly. From another, it’s a blonde wolf and a large copper-colored snake resting with their heads on each others’ backs, and an anthropomorphic crow in the back (though they’re still making tea).

Touching it fills you with longing, aching affection, and quiet guilt. There’s a soft echo of Eve’s voice:

“Someday, I’ll see you again. I promise, you won’t grieve me forever.”

[roundandaround]

She sniffles. Rocking from side to side, she watches the image change.

"They must really love you too, Eve-chan."

Time to report back to MK.