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!!0ZviLFh59My 04/07/12(Sat)23:03 No.18617552 File: 1333854190.jpg-(67 KB, 1440x810, 231324d7300b74dede1aa10cfd837d(...).jpg)
"Yeah..." you say softly. "Yeah, doesn't this sound familiar."
"I remember that conversation," Minna says softly. "I understand, now. Why you... well, *you.* The bouncing." She glances over her shoulder and gives you a sad smile. "It's fun. And... it takes your mind off things. Even if just for a while. I'm glad you understand-"
"Oh good lord, not *that,*" you say, smacking your palm into your forehead. "I mean I was being this exact kind of stupid just a day ago, except twice as hard."
Minna's mouth quavers and you see heat rising in her eyes. She opens her mouth-
"Please, I'm sorry, just- hear me out, okay?"
She turns back to the sea.
"And look at me, would you?"
Reluctantly, she turns to face you, resting her arms on the railing.
"Y'know..." you sigh and shake your head. "Day after I got here I gave Trude some big speech in a tower. How we fighter pilots are destined for death and risk is just part of the game, and all. And then- then-"
"Robin," Minna supplies, and you stutter with surprise.
"I saw the look on your face," she says softly. "It's the first time I've seen you look, ah-"
"-vulnerable," you say in a small voice, and she nods.
"Well... after that I kind of... took some private time." Minna gazes into your eyes, and you fidget uncomfortably, feeling like an open book. "And Sanya came in to get me for the night patrol, told me how nice it was to have backup for a change, and... I got to thinking. One day I'm Bounce King and the next, my little sister shows up and I become you overnight. And I realized that one was just as bad as the other."
Minna frowns. "What?" |