Anonymous said: "You're the biggest dick I've ever met."

“Was that a threat or a compliment?”

Anonymous said: Have you ever fallen in love? (with another person. Romantically. No dodging the question.)

                                                            –❝Love❞.

          A strong, powerful emotion, full of vigor and promise; or a weak, empty word that rolls off the tongue like sand through fingers. A word that could carry so much depth, or no depth at all. In cases, while it may ignite sparks and fan the flames of a growing bond, it may sever another. A cruel, yet beautiful word.

          Or so they say.

          No matter how significant or how trifling the word may be to him, it was still a word he often avoided. As his “guardian” always tells him; love could be warm like a comforting tea in winter– but it could also be a great obstacle, a hassle; a war of its own, with its own sacrifices and battles along the way. And it was something he just couldn’t afford to think about, not now, not anytime soon. Lest he leads his own heart astray; and in turn, let his focus on those high aspirations of his dwindle.

          He isn’t going to go so far as to claim that love made someone weak. He did believe it to be the opposite, really… But, he also believed that it could backfire in some way.

          And he simply had no time for love.

          That, and–…

          No. There was no point thinking about something that may never really be.

          “… No,” the word smoothly escapes his lips like a breeze. “I never cared to get myself into that kind of relationship with someone.” That was so, wasn’t it? He had his priorities to take care of first, after all. So of course it would be rare of him to let the notion of falling in love with someone cross his mind.

          “I just don’t have the time nor interest in fooling around.”

          Didn’t he?

          Well. Either way, he could just foresee Deckerdramon berating him about this later on. If he catches wind about his statements, that is.

Anonymous said: What do you think people think of you?

          “That depends on who they are to me.”

          “I’ve had strangers call me a jerk or ‘condescending bastard’— and lately, an elitist. So I suppose that’s how they think of me, but hey. To each their own as they say. In the end it’s not like I care about what they think.”

          “Though my friends are an entirely different matter.”

          “… And I like to think that they think highly of me. As I do of them.”

Anonymous said: You and Nene make such a great couple.

          “Excuse you. We’re not a couple.”

Anonymous said: Why are you being so cynical? just ignore who is picking fights with you and move on. Its not that hard.

          “—Hold it. I don’t think that word means what you think it means.”

          “Assuming me to be ‘cynical’ is assuming that I only believe in the worst of people. That I intend to spite their claims with my own. You assume that I’m being pessimistic; that I’m antagonizing them. Or maybe you think I’m playing the antagonist myself.”

          “And frankly, you’re wrong.”

          “If I turn a blind eye to these misconceptions, those people in the wrong will never realize their mistakes; and I highly doubt anyone else is gonna bother pointing out their faults because they’re too fucking scared to do so.”

          “Apparently that’s how a majority of society works; when an individual challenges opinions and beliefs of the norm, people call him a deviant; and if the truth he speaks isn’t sugarcoated, they see it as a personal attack.”

          “That why these self-proclaimed ‘pacifists’ exist. Because they’re too afraid to voice out; because they know what might happen if they go against the majority, they choose to keep to themselves instead. But that’s not pacifism. That’s cowardice.”

          “And yet… I can’t really blame them for feeling that way.”

          “Because I was once the same.”

          “… That’s why I’m so intent about change, because I understand that feeling a lot more than most people ever could.” He understood it so much it hurt.

          “I want to see positive changes in people. I want to trigger these changes…”

          Just as how Taiki influences those around him with seeming ease.

          “… And I believe the best way to do that is to make these people have a taste of reality. No matter how bitter it might be. That is my ideal way to bring out the best in people; a strong heart; a strong mind; a strong will…”

          “And if I’m seen as the bad guy doing so… then so be it.”

Anonymous said: ~Wow.~ Elitist much.

          “… Elitist?”

          The word rolled off his tongue with a slight drawl. He’d been called many things before— but to say the term this stranger had tossed at him was one of those things would have been a lie. And yet, he wasn’t all too surprised.

          In fact, he found it all the more amusing.

          “Ha! If my honesty and intolerance for fabricated heresies— and my desire to correct said bullshit with solid facts is perceived as better-than-thou ‘elitism’, then I really wonder what this hypocritical world has come to.”

          “… People never cease to amaze me with their logic.”

          And in some cases, lack thereof.

Anonymous said: So how's it going with you and Nene?

“… Curious, aren’t you?”

So these snooping people still haven’t given up yet, huh. Well then. He was well aware that he might as well be throwing in more kindle into the bonfire with his next words, but hey. He felt inclined to entertain their questions this time. And he needed a laugh.

“Hm. Things have gotten more… ardent, between her and I. And maybe even a little stormy. I think she needs to calm down though; she’s been breathing down my neck for a while now, fussing over trivial things all the way.”

It was definitely nowhere near the whole truth, yet it wasn’t a total lie either. If one were aware of what really happened, that is.

But out of context—… that was just what he was aiming for.

Anonymous said: GOD I love you.

An eyebrow raised out of skepticism soon lowers itself, expression alleviating back from a questioning look to a blank one. Breaths slows into calm exhales as he listens to the words spoken to him. Words that were not foreign to him; yet not familiar enough for him to feel at ease. Not enough to appear believable in his eyes.

“That’s flattering.”

How funny, the way people choose to express themselves.

“But ‘love’ is too strong a word.”

Ironically funny. Because words readily said and merely spoken out of a whim bore no genuine sentiments at all. That much he was aware of.

“It’s not something you can just blurt out so easily. I’m nothing but a stranger to you.”

Anonymous said: So Nene isn't an influence? I thought it would have rubbed off on you.

Are you even aware of how ridiculous you sound right now?

You say it like her addic passion for dressing up is some sort of contagious illness.

Anonymous said: Have you ever tried to do cosplay?

Does it look like a hobby of mine?

Anonymous said: Hi Kiriha! Its been in my head for a while now, this question, but what do you think a darker/evil you would be like? Like.. what if you DID threw away your *cough* love for everyone when Deckerdramon tried stopping you, can you imagine what would happen?

Let me ask you something first.

Can you imagine what would’ve happened?

Picture it. A barren land in ruins. Everyone’s words falling on deaf ears. Cold-blooded eyes looking over the remnants of bodies without an ounce of pity or remorse. A heart so hardened by arrogance, so drunk with power, turning a blind eye from any feeling of empathy, ruling over the monopolized lands with an iron fist. Resentment. Carnage. A meaningless, war-torn life.

And, the last-standing General’s downfall.

Can you imagine it?

Because I can’t.

I don’t have to try to imagine it. It just burns itself at the back of my mind, like a fresh memory. A memory that never was. A horrible dream.

I can’t imagine it. What might have become of me, if they didn’t help me open my eyes to reality. Before I lost what I already had and needed the most.

No, I don’t want to imagine it. Because no matter how I’d see it, I know it’ll turn out to be nothing but a bad ending.

There’s no point in dwelling in the past, and these irrational ‘what-if’s do nothing but hold me back. I’ve already been given a second chance. They’ve forgiven my mistakes. And I’ve made up my mind, to make good use of that second chance, and show them how grateful I am for it.

And frankly, I won’t settle for any less than what I’ve already got.

Anonymous said: But you didn't want to sometimes contact your friends? I mean even though they trusted you doesn't mean they didn't miss you. Also did you miss them too?

He kept silent for a moment, then shrugged.

“Sometimes.”

“… But then I remember why we went our separate ways. We all had our own reasons. I needed to go, they had to stay. That’s just how things worked.”

“And even if I did make long-distance contact, that’d only keep me from my responsibilities. Maybe theirs too.”

A smirk soon surfaced on his lips.

“Besides, Taiki’s already got his hands full with plenty of other activities, I’m sure. The less distracted either of us are, the better.”

"As much as I trust him, I’d rather not take a gamble and risk provoking his ‘can’t turn my back on you’ syndrome.”

Anonymous said: Nice to see you back in Japan, Mr. Elusive. :) I'll bet your friends are worried you wouldn't came back again since last time you did.

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“I’m aware I haven’t kept in touch with Taiki and the others for the past few years, and I still haven’t — sans Nene.”

"Then again, I never did ask for any way of contacting them before we went our separate ways. We didn’t have time to exchange words with the whole DigiQuartz fiasco, and I had my reasons for my haste departure back to America after that.”

"Still, I wouldn’t count on them being worried about me. It’s just my intuition… But I feel they trust me with my decisions. They trust me enough to believe what I’m doing is for my well-being, even though my reasons went unexplained. So they don’t have to worry.”

“… It was hard to say goodbye. But, absence makes the heart grow fonder — or so they say.”

A corner of his mouth tugged upwards.

“It’s nice to be back.”

Anonymous said: Do you drink? if not- have you ever drank once?

“Of course I drink.”

“—I drink water.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“… Pipe down before you jump to conclusions, I get what you mean. But, you’re forgetting one detail here; I’m a minor. A seventeen year old with more tact than most adults, but a minor nonetheless.”

“Still, I did drink alcohol once. When you’ve got a scatterbrained aunt for a guardian, you’re bound to get away with some things.”

"And frankly, the beer or whatever it was I had tasted revolting as shit. Looked like piss too — and I had an overwhelming urge to spit it on the guy who served me the abomination in the first place.”

Anonymous said: You should put a trademark on your quips cuz dayum they are sassy.. ♥（ﾉ´∀`）

“Trademark?”

“Do I look like I’d mass-produce my wits to the general public like hair care products from a TV ad?”