𝚒𝚗𝚋𝚘𝚡 — 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚗𝚒𝚊.

[sacral]

EVEN WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS

Comments

[potentialman]

A complete summoning like I was taught doesn't work here, but I was able to bring out Kon by keeping his form insubstantial.

[ He doesn't sound terribly glad about it himself, though the reason for that -- ]

...I got the idea from something Sukuna did.

[sacral]

...and you dislike that you successfully wielded his knowledge.

[potentialman]

...yeah.

[ Given that it was one of the things used against Tsumiki. ]

I feel...I don't know. Complicit.

[sacral]

Then you'll have to strip the truth of it from the facts. You were able to summon here without his direct influence.

[potentialman]

...you always make it sound simple.

[ Said with mostly gratitude, but a mild dose of exasperation, as well. ]

[sacral]

I understand that it isn't. I can't imagine what it must actually feel like for you.

[ Even if the tether does lay some of it bare. And the knowledge from the dream before that, imperfect conduits for the multitudes of a heart. ]

So you'll have to keep telling me, if you want me to know.

[potentialman]

It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just...

[ Hard to find words, mostly. Everything he comes up with always feels like it falls short of what he really means. The tether is helpful, in that sense, but at the same time, letting it come through there feels...like too much. More of him than anyone else should have to put up with. ]

I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to call on them again and not think about it.

[sacral]

It's fine. Matters like these can take time. ...matters like these can't always be left to simple convenience.

[ Because that's what these connections are: convenient. When the words just don't come out right. ]

What will your alternative be here, if you don't call on them?

[potentialman]

...what I've been doing, I guess. Straight shadow manipulation.

[sacral]

How does it compare to seeing your shikigami?

[potentialman]

It's more limiting. And...

It feels like a failure, too. Just...not the same one.

[sacral]

Take them back, Megumi.

[potentialman]

[ That's it, isn't it?

The only thing he can do. ]

I will.

[sacral]

It might be that the feeling never fades. But I believe you can endure it.

[potentialman]

I don't think I've done much to earn that kind of faith in me, but...I'll try not to let you down.

[sacral]

Fushiguro Megumi. You don't have to earn it.

[potentialman]

[ ...doesn't he, though?

You're shattering his worldview, Subaru. ]

[sacral]

[ He doesn't.

Within the confines of their tether, not yet fully delineated, Subaru also understands that he may be imposing what it is he feels on him.

But he doesn't rethink it — in their situation, they can't afford to. ]