A wish.

[livingimpaired]

[ The Holy Grail. He does not recall exactly what it is, but from what he gathers from the brief memory with the "King of Heroes," it is something to wish upon. And Kei's other self would allow that man to "wish for death." What does that mean? No, he understands it simply, but there is more said and unsaid than he can unravel. ]

With all this business going on, some frivolousness ponderings might be an enjoyable distraction.

Well, then. If you could wish for anything, what would it be? [ A pause. Kei thinks of sending it like that yet he feels that may be too telling. Too telling of what? He's uncertain, but adds more to cover up his uncertainty. ] Though, with Valentine's Day is coming, most are thinking of just wishing for someone to spend that day with, hm? :)

Comments

[livingimpaired]

Hm. A place where everyone could belong and be safe, then?

[beneathmoonlight]

Yeah! No one should have to be cold and hungry on the streets.

[livingimpaired]

[ That is a different reason to wish for a warm, happy home. But he decides to be kind about it. ]

They should not, no. I understand that it happens but that is a soft wish to have for the world.

Such goodwill is worded well and I have no crticism for it. But if I could, what would you wish for yourself alone?

[beneathmoonlight]

[For himself...?]

I’d like

Maybe

To find someone special

To share things with

[livingimpaired]

Well, Valentine's Day is coming. Such feelings and wishes make sense. I am only sorry that you are out of the city but perhaps, you will find someone on the mission to start such plans with.

[beneathmoonlight]

Haha, maybe.

I think my biggest fear is ending up alone.

[livingimpaired]

Do you know the character for "person" in Japanese?

[beneathmoonlight]

I grew up in Japan, so yes...

Why?

[livingimpaired]

People like to romanticize it by saying "person" is made by two people supporting one another. However, that isn't the case.

The character is a person standing on their own. Indeed, no matter what, we are alone. People may share some in what we see and experience but we remain alone in the world.

In short, I am trying to say that you shouldn't fear being alone. You will always be alone but there will be the occasional person that can see what you are seeing until they can't.

[beneathmoonlight]

I was alone a lot when I was a kid. Even in foster homes, I felt isolated. I’d never really felt like I belonged anywhere. Like I was meant to wander forever.

If I hadn’t been adopted, I might still feel that way.

Maybe being alone isn’t all bad, but so much of the good in my life has come from other people.

[livingimpaired]

I see.

Your reasons for your selflessness and your fears -- they stem from the kindness that you felt from those that adopted you. I think that must make them very happy to know that they raised a son that wishes to do good in the world due to their selfish wishes.

[beneathmoonlight]

Selfish?

[livingimpaired]

I mean that in a positive way.

They wanted you. They saw you and wanted you as their child. Their reasons for doing so were selfish. They believed you would bring them happiness.
I don't think they were thinking of what they would bring to you until after.

[beneathmoonlight]

I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t been adopted by my father. Sometimes kids age out of the system and end up without a place to go. If I hadn’t met him...

I don’t know if I’d be in this city.

[livingimpaired]

So, it ended beneficial to you,
too, but it started out as a selfish wish.

And perhaps, that is something you could take to heart. Make a selfish wish for yourself and something good will blossom from it. After all,
you yourself are a good person.

[beneathmoonlight]

Thank you, Shigaraki-san. It means a lot that you think I’m a good person.

[livingimpaired]

It isn't hard to do.
Do you not think that you are?

[beneathmoonlight]

I think I am, but I always wish that I could do more.

You don’t talk much about yourself, Shigaraki-san. Where are you from?

[livingimpaired]

All good people feel like they have not done enough, Atsushi, that is why they keep trying and striving to do more. So, your concerns aren't terrible ones.

I suppose that I don't. I find myself off-putting at times and feel people are better off not knowing too much about me. :) But I come from Japan, as well. Fuyuki City, if I were more exact.

[beneathmoonlight]

Oh...well thank you for sharing a little with me! I’m from Yokohama. I grew up in the orphanage there for a bit.

[livingimpaired]

You are welcome. If you are interested, I have no reason to not share a little. :)

I see. Were you at least able to see some of the beauty of Yokohama? Or is that time colored as unpleasant that you can't recall its beauty?

[beneathmoonlight]

It was still a beautiful place. Especially the local river. I’d wander down there sometimes when I was feeling particularly upset. It felt oddly peaceful, even when my life wasn’t.

[livingimpaired]

That is a relief to hear. Sometimes, the sight we have of our past looks only as we felt. But you were able to find a sanctuary and beauty in it.

That is good to hear.

[beneathmoonlight]

I do miss Yokohama sometimes, but my new life here in the city is pretty great so far. Everyone in the fishing village I’m visiting is nice, but I definitely miss home.

[livingimpaired]

Is that so? I'm relieved to hear that, Atsushi.

But a fishing village, hm?
There might be someone there by the name of Howard Carter.
He is probably feeling particularly negative about the whole situation there.
If you could do one favor for me, I would like you to be negative with him.
I worry for him, but if too many people are positive, I fear that he'll wilt away.