2023-01-03: Faith

• Cast: Yuta Hibiki, Rikka Takarada
• Where: Tsutsujidai
• Date: U.C. 0097 01 03
• Summary: As it has so many times before, Aya hosts a meeting of dear friends.

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<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

No matter how terrible things are, Aya has always felt like home. Far more so than Yuta's apartment. This stays true through both sets of Gridman's memories.

Again, a wheelchair rests in the corner of the Junk Shop. Long distances are still too much for Gridman to manage, but he's determined to build up his strength by walking when he can. And everyone here is family, to Gridman's understanding of the word.

"Please, Gridman, do not overdo things." Max hovers just at the "young man's" shoulder, anxiety in his eyes.

Gridman presses forward, walking to his usual spot on one of the couches. "It's fine, Max. I need to regain my strength, and that means practice." With a slight noise of pain, he sits down on the couch.

"Besides, I'm really looking forward to seeing Rikka." There's a hint of warmth in Gridman's voice, buried beneath the echoed sound of metal. "I know she must've worried."

Max nods, taking a seat on one of the bar stools. Privately, he knows: Gridman is counting on Rikka to treat him with care and respect, as she always had before. After facing the rejection of a few friends, Gridman needs all the reassurance he can get.

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Rikka, at present, is in the Takarada family living room. She sits at the table, and takes a breath in. She's been informed of the situation - how Yuta is Gridman now, or perhaps more accurately was /always/ Gridman ever since she found him unconscious. The idea is going to take some getting used to.

She /wants/ to get used to it, though. Gridman has been there for her since the beginning, and now it's her turn to be there for him. She just needs a moment to... focus, before meeting him face to face. With that Rikka nods to herself and stands up, stopping by the family kitchen to pick up a jar of something before emerging into the shop floor.

"Gridman, Max, it's good to see you both again. I'm sorry I haven't been able to drop by as much as I'd like..." She greets apologetically. "You're looking good. How's your recovery coming along?"

With that said she slips behind the Aya's counter, lifting up the jar to display it to both of them. It's a jar of pre-prepared hot chocolate mix!

"I found some hot chocolate. Do either of you want some?" She asks.

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Gridman manages one of his there-and-gone smiles. He's been practicing. It's more than just an upturn of the corners of his lips, he's made it to a full smile. He just can't hold it for very long. "Rikka! I'm so happy to see you."

This is the most emotional Gridman has sounded since he woke up, save for a few outbursts. Yellow eyes catch a bit of the light as they settle on Rikka. There's a new intensity in his gaze, but something familiar, too. All those times she's fought by Gridman's side, all the time she's spent with "Yuta"... They're in harmony, now. Two splinters of a greater whole reunited.

"Thank you." Gridman says, evenly. "It's been an arduous path, but I'm pleased with my progress. It will leave a scar, but that's a small price to pay for survival, I think. I've heard you've started a rescue team. Borr's filled me in on some of it, but I'd love to hear about it."

Max smiles to himself, beneath his mask, to see the two friends chatting again. He had been so worried this would go poorly -- but Rikka has always been worthy of his trust. Quietly, he picks up a broom and begins to sweep the aisles of the junk shop. It's nice to have something to do.

"Hot chocolate." Gridman's eyes reflect a bit more of the light, and he nods eagerly. "I'd love some, it's been so long. Is there anything I can do to help you make it?"

A disapproving rumble comes from the sweeping Hyper Agent, and Gridman ducks his head. "...well, I'll be moral support."

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Rikka's focus is on his face. He smiles, though only briefly. She can tell that it's difficult for him - but also, that he's trying. That means a lot. There's emotion in his voice, too - and so, she meets his smile with one of her own.

"Seriously. If we were any slower getting you to the hospital... things could've been a lot worse, even with our first-aid. I'm glad Renais was able to call Porc-Auto over so quickly." Rikka replies with a nod. She smiles, though, as he brings up the rescue team. "Oh, they did? Well, I'd be glad to tell you more about it."

Before that, though, Rikka nods and turns, getting out three mugs as well as the rest of the ingredients she needs from the fridge - giving a grateful nod to Max as he starts to sweep. Gridman asks if there's any way he can help, and Rikka chuckles slightly at Max's disapproving noise.

"You can help me by staying there and resting for now. I'd be too worried about you overexerting yourself over here." She says. With that said she turns, getting to work.

"But, yeah - at first, lot of what we were doing is the same stuff we did back when it was," She starts. She frowns and adjusts her word choice. "Just us. But some of us have started branching out and taking care of other things, like securing sources of food and water for everyone... It's been really reassuring to see everyone working together like this."

She smiles, just slightly.

"People from outside, and citizens of Tsutsujidai, too." She says.

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Gridman looks down as Rikka mentions the hospital. "Yes. It was a terrifying experience. I have been stabbed this badly once before, and it shattered me into pieces. This one seems to have done the opposite, really."

"Porc-Auto." There's amusement in Gridman's metallic voice. "Renais never fails to surprise me. I'm thankful, Rikka. You saved me. Applying first-aid so quickly surely made the difference between life and death."

With another there-and-gone smile, Gridman nods. "Alright. I don't want to worry anyone." He listens to Rikka's explanation attentively, yellow eyes intensely focused. "You really are our heart. You've brought so many people together for the good of all."

"It's amazing to see the citizens waking up. I... admit, I never thought it'd happen." Gridman says, softly. He runs a hand along the couch, taking in the texture. Familiar and new. "I once was afraid all of Tsutsujidai would vanish once we defeat Alexis, but now? I have confidence in its ability to endure. This city, our city, is just as real as any other."

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

"Oh, right..." Rikka murmurs, as Gridman mentions the last time he was stabbed. One shattered him into pieces... and the other brought him together. It's interesting to think about, if dire. He points out that she saved him though, and she smiles.

"...You're welcome. I was so scared, but..." Rikka says, and shakes her head. "Everyone else deserves your thanks, too. I couldn't have done it on my own."

She goes quiet for a moment, staring into the ingredients she's mixing - wrestling with a question in her head.

"...Do you... hate her, for it...?" She asks quietly. She doesn't specify who... but, she probably doesn't need to. She nods, when he says he doesn't want to worry anyone. She's quiet for a moment longer as she finishes up, and then, finally, there are three, delicious mugs of hot chocolate ready. She leaves one on the counter for Max, and steps out from behind the counter. She approaches Gridman on the sofa and offers him his, then sits down next to him with her own.

He says she's their heart... she can't help but smile a little at that.

"Thanks. But... I can't take all the credit. I just gave everyone a little push - they came to me on their own because they wanted to help." She replies.

Everyone waking up... Rikka nods.

"...Yeah. I'm really proud of everyone." She agrees. "I could feel it, briefly - how quiet this place was, before everything happened. Psychically, I mean. I wonder what it must have felt like to everyone who's been at this for longer... But it's not like that anymore."

She smiles, as Gridman admits his fears that Tsutsujidai would vanish - and his confidence, that it'll endure.

"...It means a lot to hear you say that." She says.

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Gridman brings a hand to his heart. Something soft enters his eyes, something gentle. "I'm truly a lucky person, to be saved by the love and bonds I've built. I'll be sure to thank them all, don't worry."

Does he hate Akane?

"No." It's an easy answer. "I came here to save her, and that will never change. But this has changed my perspective on her, all the same." A pause, as Gridman's hand lowers, hovering over his wound. "I realize I'm not the one who can reach Akane's heart. My efforts have only terrified her, and driven her to more and more drastic actions. No matter what I tried, I've only made things worse."

Yellow eyes slip closed.

"I have to trust in those bonds I've forged. In you, particularly, Rikka." Gridman opens his eyes again, intensely fixated on the young woman in front of him. "If anyone can save Akane, it would be you. I must turn my attention to destroying Alexis Kerib, and trust in you."

It's a heavy realization, and an even heavier admission. There's something he can't do. It sits in the pit of Gridman's stomach like a stone, until--

Rikka's before him, offering hot chocolate. He accepts it, and takes a long drink. The warmth flows through the body, making him more aware of his toes and fingertips. It melts away that stone by degrees.

Gridman breathes out in something like a sigh.

"I hope it's alright that I say this, but I've always thought of Tsutsujidai as 'my' city. Before, and now." A little smile, as he looks into the coffee cup. "To know they're capable of more than I ever dreamed feels... wonderful. Hopeful."

Rikka talks about her psychic feelings, and Gridman nods, an impressed glint in his eyes. "You, too, have become more capable than I ever dreamed. I'm glad you're able to hear the song of their souls, now that they're awake enough to play it."

It sounds like something Kaworu would say, really. The thought makes Gridman blush, ever so slightly.

"Along these lines." Gridman takes another sip, relying on that warmth. "I have something serious to discuss with you. I... initially intended on leaving back to our home as soon as Alexis Kerib was destroyed. It's only proper, especially now that I know I've stolen a young man's body. But now."

Max quietly approaches. He picks up the cup of hot chocolate and settles on a bar stool, listening intently to Gridman.

"...I don't want to go. I want to stay in my city. With my friends." It's so difficult to get the words out. "I will, of course, discuss this with the true Yuta Hibiki before making a final decision. But--" He turns his gaze to her. There's something beseeching in the way his red eyebrows scrunch up in distress. "I wanted to know your thoughts, first and foremost."

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

"Yeah... It's a great feeling, isn't it?" Rikka says and nods, satisfied, when he says he'll thank everyone else, too. But... then there's the matter of Akane. The answer...

It comes surprisingly quickly. There's concern, though, when he says it changed his perspective on her - though she relaxes, when he continues. She nods, quietly, in understanding. And when he places that trusts in her, golden eyes fixated on her... Rikka returns that gaze with her own kind intensity.

"...I promise. I'll do everything I can for her. I won't betray your trust in me... or hers, either." Rikka assures with a nod. "And I'll trust you with Alexis. We're in this together - even if we're focusing on different things."

Gridman accepts the hot chocolate she offers - and Rikka smiles, as he seems satisfied with it. She settles in, looking over as he talks about Tsutsujidai.

"Of course it's alright." She assures with a smile. She nods, too. She feels much the same way... and she chuckles sheepishly, as he makes his observation about her. She catches that blush, though, and she wonders just what brought that on... "That's a really poetic way to put it. ...I'm glad too, though."

...It sounds, though, like he has something important to say. She sips at her own hot chocolate, listening intently as he speaks. ...It's difficult for him, she can tell. He's distressed, almost pleading, with her. Those golden eyes... they make her heart hurt.

"...Gridman..." Rikka murmurs quietly. She leans forward, setting her mug on the bar stool in front of her.

"...Take my hand for a second, okay?" She offers him a hand - her right, the one still bearing the charm bracelet he gave her. If he accepts her hand, she'll give it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

"...Gridman. You fought so hard for us, and so much - even when we didn't know it was 'you'. After everything you've done for us... I couldn't possibly turn you away just because the fighting is over." Rikka says. "You deserve to find your own happiness, too. Whether that's staying here with us, or moving on. Whatever happens, we'll figure something out. You're my friend, too - and I'd hate to see you go."

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Rikka, as she is now, would truly know the value of bonds and connections. It's a world even Gridman can't know, and a part of him wonders what it's like. For someone who was trapped in a computer for so long -- what is it like to truly feel what others do? But perhaps that can be another conversation.

"I believe in you." Gridman says. His next words are heavy, spoken like a vow. "And I swear, I'll defeat Alexis Kerib. He won't harm anyone, ever again, once we're through. And Akane will be safe, free to live the life she deserves."

Whatever that looks like. Whatever Akane wishes for. Gridman knows better than to think he knows what the answer could be.

Max continues holding his hot chocolate. His mask makes it difficult to eat and drink in public, and he's never removed it in front of the kids. Perhaps he'll step outside to enjoy it, but for now, watching these two connect is more rewarding than the sweet drink could ever be.

Rikka puts down her hot chocolate, and Gridman's heart beats fast. Whatever Rikka has to say, he'll honor it. She deserves that much, and far more. Taking a deep breath and holding it, he listens.

Without hesitation, Gridman reaches out, placing his hand in Rikka's. At the gentle squeeze, he breathes out, letting his lungs take over the task again. It's going to be okay. Just from this touch, he knows... It's going to be okay.

Yellow eyes blink. Once, twice. Light shimmers in them brighter and brighter, until it overflows into tears. Gridman stares straight ahead at Rikka, his face still expressionless, somehow. Max quietly stands and hands Gridman a handkerchief from an inner pocket of his suit, taking Gridman's hot chocolate in return.

"I didn't expect this." Gridman sniffles, wiping at the tears with Max's handkerchief. They keep coming anyway. "I had faith in you, but I thought you'd want the true Yuta Hibiki back. Or that you'd take objection to my foreign presence."

Gridman clings to her hand.

"Thank you. Thank you, Rikka." Another sniffle, and then his shoulders tremble... And he manages a little embarrassed smile. He's cried more in this form than he ever did before...

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Gridman's belief, and his vow, mean a lot to her. Rikka nods, resolve in her eyes.

"And I believe in you." She replies. That's her hope, too - a hope she holds dear to her.

And then, he accepts her hand. She smiles, and her gaze is firm yet gentle and kind. And at her words... tears start to flow.

...It's good to know that he's still capable of tears. That's important to her - if he's truly capable of crying, of feeling like this, then she knows she did the right thing.

"You're not a foreign presence. Not anymore." Rikka assures, her voice soft. "You've made so many memories with us. You're one of us now, and you always will be."

He thanks her, and she smiles. She's willing to sit there for as long he needs, holding onto his hand to reassure that she's there, and he's still welcome.