Why did he have to go and talk about his parents ? Because it was one of Kiyouki’s sore spots ? This guy was lucky that he was Kiyouki from the future or whatever. Otherwise, Kiyouki would’ve pulled out his twin blades and started swinging by now. Strangers didn’t have any right to talk about his parents !
❛❛ …Ya think I don’t know that ? It’s just —– look, if you know that much, you know that they ain’t around anymore. It doesn’t matter if they loved me —– dead’s dead. Dead people can’t talk to ya, or listen to ya, or touch ya, or anything. I dunno who this guide is, but nobody who’s alive can sub in for someone who’s dead. You oughta know that. ❜❜ He crossed his arms and scowled at the other man as he petted Kiyouki.
❛❛ And who’s sayin’ life’s dull without love, anyways ? Love’s just…I dunno, it’s icky ! It makes my skin crawl ! I don’t want it ! I’d rather fight somebody or go gambling ! ❜❜
“I mentioned nothin’ ‘bout substituting, that cannot ‘n won’t do. I’d tell ya to not be so hasty, though... It’d be mega hypocritical of me.” It seems three years aren’t enough to change old habits, realization dawning upon him only after meeting his snappy, itty-bitty self. Seeing his past situation, as an outsider, it’s making him reflect, a little, too.
“Dummy Kiyo, I haven’t forgotten how absurdly sucky it was back then, still... Tainting even the good memories, no---misusing ‘em as another source of bitterness, is really satisfying for ya? Is it whatcha’ truly want?” Stopping the head-pats, he resorts to pulling the boy’s cheeks, presence stern, mimicking what older folks tend to with him.
“Listen t’me, kiddo, I’ll clear it up for ya. Fightin’ ‘n gamblin’ is fun, right? It’s super thrilling, instant gratification, but what about the rest? A loveless life ain’t ‘ust lackin’ in relationships, it’s hollow in that ya have no aim, no passion. Distracting yourself from pain is temporary ‘n it ain’t a solution. In fact, I, as ‘almost-adult-you’, also have a long ways t’go...”
