[It's almost instantaneous, the way he immediately thinks of Futaba. Can see her face as clearly as if she sat in front of him.
When they entered her Palace - he didn't know her the way he does now. All he knew was the distortion that had taken root, rebellion and justice twining around his heart like vines, and the taste of his own desperation on the back of his tongue. If he had to do it now, when he knows every item on her promise list, and the feel of her hair under his palm as he pats her head - would he still Change her Heart?
But - that's not what Maruki is asking. And Akira knows what she had to go through to steal herself back.]
No. [He says it very softly.] I wouldn't.
[If it was someone he loved, he wouldn't, because-]
One of the Phantom Thieves had a Change of Heart. But that process didn't eliminate their pain. It was because they embraced the pain of their past that they were able to heal their distortion at all.
[Even though he wanted to prevent Maruki from feeling any pain... he wouldn't take away what's already there.]
Maybe it's strange, hearing that from their leader. Maybe if I had to make that choice, I would feel caught. But if it was me that was suffering, I know I wouldn't want someone else to erase the things that made me who I am today.
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When they entered her Palace - he didn't know her the way he does now. All he knew was the distortion that had taken root, rebellion and justice twining around his heart like vines, and the taste of his own desperation on the back of his tongue. If he had to do it now, when he knows every item on her promise list, and the feel of her hair under his palm as he pats her head - would he still Change her Heart?
But - that's not what Maruki is asking. And Akira knows what she had to go through to steal herself back.]
No. [He says it very softly.] I wouldn't.
[If it was someone he loved, he wouldn't, because-]
One of the Phantom Thieves had a Change of Heart. But that process didn't eliminate their pain. It was because they embraced the pain of their past that they were able to heal their distortion at all.
[Even though he wanted to prevent Maruki from feeling any pain... he wouldn't take away what's already there.]
Maybe it's strange, hearing that from their leader. Maybe if I had to make that choice, I would feel caught. But if it was me that was suffering, I know I wouldn't want someone else to erase the things that made me who I am today.