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ramendate.livejournal.com[At first, not much can be seen through the flame and thick, black smoke that have filled the bedroom that's being broadcast over video. There is no sound other than the crackle and snap of burning wood for a few moments, until a hoarse voice starts calling out. Akihiko appears onscreen, his face smeared with soot as he calls a name over and over, occasionally inhaling more of the smoke than intended and coughing harshly.]
Miki! Hold on, I'm coming! Miki!
[He raises an arm to cover his eyes as he pushes through burning debris, stopping short when he reaches the bed at the center of the room, its once-pink bedspread being licked at by eager flames. He falls to his knees without notice, and though the rest of her body is hidden by the bed itself, feet belonging to a small girl poke out past the end -- her slippers are burnt and melted almost beyond recognition, which doesn't bode well for the rest of her person. Akihiko clutches at his chest, wheezing slightly as he inhales more smoke, his face having gone white.]
Miki... no... I was too late...
Too late. You're always too late. Miki deserved better. She always called you her hero, but you're not strong enough to help anyone, are you?
[He freezes, breathing heavily before looking over his shoulder, just in time to see a tall, slender figure in a burgundy overcoat and black knit hat join him. Akihiko slowly rises to his feet, and there are faint tracks left on his face where tears cut through the soot.]
Shinji...
[The figure turns so that the camera can catch a better glimpse of him, and while it indeed appears to be Shinjiro, the front of his coat is stained with blood, as are the corners of his mouth and his chin, a gaping gunshot wound displayed on his chest, still bleeding sluggishly.]
Face it. You couldn't help anyone then, and you can't do it now. You've been working your ass off for years, wasting all that time training. Never did anyone any good, did it? You're still weak. Couldn't save Miki. Couldn't save me. You should've been there sooner that night. Just like you should've gotten to Miki sooner than you did. You knew where I was goin'. Knew what might happen. You let me die, just like you let your sister die. You're not a hero. You're a weakling. You're cursed. Can't protect the people you love.
[Akihiko stares at the open wound, horrified.]
I could have stopped it... I should have been there sooner, I should have known...
'Should' ain't gonna help anyone now, Aki. I blame you for what happened.
[The silver-haired young man looks stunned, before his expression goes utterly slack.]
It was my fault. Your death, and Miki's. My fault.
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