[He remains silent for a short period.]

...I don't know. Perhaps it was what I truly wanted.

[He closes his eyes after seemingly replying to an unseen person.]

Even after everything, after all the pain and anguish I've inflicted upon you...

[He clutches his arm, hard enough for it to hurt.]

...you still linger by me.

[He rests alone in a forest clearing, before suddenly perking up and glancing a look behind him.]

...So you haunt me, still.

[He averts his gaze back to what's infront of him.]

But I won't do anything just yet. I'll return some day, I always do. And once that day comes, I sincerely wish none of you decide to stand in my way.

[As soon as he finishes his sentence, he sprints off.]

It's not uncommon for my goal to be met with resistance, and I am not so short-sighted as to be unprepared for them. I merely hope that it doesn't get to that point.

Even if you're not them... I still don't want to go through it all again.

(+)

Then you're all fools for not seeing what I truly am.

[He sighs with a solemn look on his face.]

(+)

Do you see my point, esper? I— No, /all/ of me bring nothing but suffering to those around us. And there is nothing left within this shell of a sapient other than a ravaging beast focused on a singular goal.

There's no way out for me anymore, not when I've dug myself this deep into this hole.

You're all so, so kind. /Too/ kind for your own good.

The people that once cared for me are all gone now, by my own hands. They gave me chance after chance, yet their bodies were still laid out in front of me.

So you already knew...

[He laughs quietly to himself, and sighs.]

I suppose there's no use trying to be someone I'm not, is there?

[He remains silent for a short bit, his gaze once again averting her, before he takes a step back.]

...It doesn't matter anymore. You shouldn't be here. I'm not the one you think you know, leave before you get yourself hurt.

Don't take another step forward.

[His tone shifts drastically, like a switch had been turned.]

Hah, spare me your sympathy. There's nothing underneath that's worth showing to anyone. 'Friends', are we? I supposed we could've been 'friends' if I hadn't-

[He shuts himself up.]

(+)

I'm fine, really. I was just...

[His eyes move towards the ground.]

...reminiscing about something. You shouldn't worry about me, I'm sure you already have a lot on your plate.

Ginger-?

[He's caught by surprise, turning around at her voice. He quickly composes himself and shifts his demeanor completely.]

Hello, Ginger. I didn't expect to see...you here. How long have you been standing there?

[His tone seems cheerful, despite the look on his face mere moments ago.]

[A familiar, yet noticeably different figure stands in a secluded place. He's staring off into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.]

𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦…