thefoundation | WEEK 3

I don't care.

[he responds, voice even]

. . . please, let me. He deserves his second chance. He doesn't deserve-- this.

[There is....a silence, as her eyes go wide with what seems to be shock.

And then, she pulls herself together - holding out her hands, fists closed.]

....You have arrived at a crossroads, Akira Kurusu.

Down one path [She lifts her left arm] you continue down your current path. On the other [She lifts her right arm] you continue down a new one.

However, someone must go down the path you are currently on. If you choose the new way, then you must choose who takes your place on the path.

...Choose.

Akira....?!

[that knocks him off guard, and Akira's expression falls slack as his hand shoots to his chest, curling around his shirt over his heart]

What? I c. . . giving someone this is. . .

[. . . . . .]

Give me. . . five seconds. Just five seconds.

[his grip tightens, knuckles white, head bowed to the point of where his bangs shadow his expression. and then he looks up in the crowd, searching for Minato's face within it]

Five seconds.

Not a second more.

[He doesn't say anything, so Akira might not even notice it, but he's definitely getting a Very Concerned glance his way.]

[Minato's there! And watching Akira, expression calm and clear, eyes firm.

And, softly, he says plainly (so even if the words can't be heard, his lips form the words clearly):]

You can't.

[Akira can't give someone else that path. It's not who Akira is. Minato believes in him. He can find another way, one that doesn't involve undermining who he is as a person--even if Minato would love to see Akira relieved of the burden of that path.

It's not about them anymore, after all. It's about everyone else.

So... he smiles. Because he believes in Akira, with everything he has--and that's what really matters, isn't it? No deals with the devil--just Akira, exactly as he is.]

[. . . of course. that's the answer he expected, isn't it? even if he took this deal, Minato would never forgive him for foisting his burdens onto someone else. he'd never forgive himself. and really, it's that path that's mucking things up here, isn't it? because if it didn't exist, Akira would've accepted the Lady's terms in a heartbeat]

[his grip on his shirt tightens, hands shaking, and he has to be quick, he knows he has to be quick, he was given not more than five seconds]

Would you walk it, Minato?

[he needs an answer asap]

[... Ha. So that's how it is, isn't it? Minato had asked Akira to share his burdens, and now that's so completely, utterly literal in the worst of ways.

Minato wants to. More than anything else, all he's wanted this entire game is to save everyone, and to relieve Akira of this burden.

But...

Not if it means Akira's dying in his place. In that case, more than anything...]

No. Not if it means I live instead of you.

[And, calmly:]

You can do more good here, Akira, than anyone. I believe that. So... I'm sorry. But selfishly, I have to ask you to continue.

. . .

[he sucks in a deep breath, eyes slipping shut, brows slightly furrowed as his eyes slip shut]

[and then he turns to the Lady, chin tilted up, voice firm]

. . . I accept. And I choose Minato Arisato to walk my path, because he wouldn't forgive me if I chose anyone else.