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When Mob opened his eyes, he was in a familiar black void.
He looked around for a second before feeling it. The presence of his counterpart, Shigeo, was farther away than usual but he could still feel him nearby.
Mob walked toward the direction, and the presence felt stronger.
Before he used to be scared. Their conversations had never lasted long unless it was an argument. It was like they could never agree on something.
Shigeo wanted to be in control more, but Mob was scared. He couldn't let him out. Not after what happened to Ritsu. He just couldn't.
Soon he spots him. He's sitting down with his back towards Mob.
"Shigeo?" He calls out. Shigeo doesn't even flinch.
Mob understands. After all, he locked him away in here. Never being in control unless Mob was so careless that he had to be. Then, he just had to protect his— their body. Because who else would do it?
He gets close enough to Shigeo where he could reach out and touch him if he wanted. He sits down on his knees, waiting patiently for Shigeo to acknowledge him.
Yes, he'll wait for as long as he needs to.
And fortunately it doesn't take too long for Shigeo to come around. He turns his head a bit, and Mob flinches at the sudden movement.
That's the difference between them.
"What do you want?" Shigeo asks. His voice is monotone, but has a coldness to it.
"I wanted to talk to you, umm..."
Mob's voice suddenly gives out. But no, he swallows and his fists grip onto his pants. He has to do this, he can't keep being scared.
"First. I just wanted to say... i'm sorry."
Shigeo's expression falters for a second, before he turns his head again to look into the void.
"For what?"
"For what? Well, everything— i'm sorry for pushing you away. I'm sorry for hiding you from everyone, and i'm sorry for not considering your feelings and how you felt about everything up to this point."
Mob pauses for a second to gather his thoughts.
"I was just so afraid, but that's not an excuse. I was selfish. It wasn't fair doing this to you, because... you are apart of me. I had no right to hide you away when all I was doing was hiding my own feelings too."
Now, Shigeo turns his entire body to face him. An indication that he is properly listening to what Mob has to say.
"S-so again, I'm sorry. And I know you hate me, but I also wanted you to know that I don't hate you. Which is probably hard to believe— no, it is. But really I just-"
"Mob,"
Shigeo cuts him off, and Mob shushes immediately.
"I get it. And I don't hate you. I'm supposed to protect you. I have protected you, us. That's always been my job."
Mob's mouth quivers and he nods.
"Y-yeah, I know... but I never let you do it because I was scared. I was so worried you'd hurt everyone else like you did Ritsu, but you were just protecting me. You didn't mean to hurt him. That's why you were created."
Shigeo nods slowly.
"You love Ritsu, don't you?"
Shigeo looks down and nods.
"Yes. He's just as much my little brother as he's yours."
Mob smiles. "I know."
Mob takes Shigeo's hands from his lap and holds them. This surprises Shigeo, but he doesn't pull away.
"I'll let you control the body more okay? I won't hold you back. I promise."
Shigeo looks at Mob and after a few seconds, he smiles warmly at him.
"...Thank you, Mob. I forgive you."
Mob beams and he doesn't hesitate to hug him, holding him really tight. Shigeo again does not pull away. But he also doesn't hug back just yet.
"I'm just... scared, what if they don't like me? What if Ritsu is still... I can't deal with that again,"
He says, voice soft and timid.
This is unlike Shigeo. Normally he is the more braver one, but right now he is scared. He's showing Mob that just like him, he can be vulnerable.
Mob shakes his head. "It'll be okay. Some people will have to get used to it, but i'm sure everything will be fine. And Ritsu, he's forgiven you for that already. He accepted us, remember?"
That's right. During Ritsu and Shigeo's confrontation when he was trying to get to Tsubomi, Shigeo recalls Ritsu's words.
"It's apart of you."
Shigeo remembers. But still, he can't believe that Ritsu genuinely meant it.
"I know it may sound hard to believe, but Ritsu loves the two of us. I know he does. You guys just need to have a proper talk. Trust me, everything will be ok. Because i'm here with you."
It's as if Mob has taken over the protecter role now.
Shigeo sighs, and gives a reassured smile. "Okay."
With that, Mob is happy. He stands up and takes Shigeo's hands too, pulling him up to stand with him. "Shigeo, thank you for everything. You've saved me- been there for me so many times. I hope from now on, I can do the same too."
Shigeo doesn't say anything, but the way he nods is enough for Mob to know he's just as grateful.
Mob presses his forehead to his other self, a smile on his face.
"I really mean it, thank you for everything."