remember that you will (not) die.

❛ he was longing for something to be a part of. ❜

❛ and the world is gonna know your name. ❜

❛ there’s a million things i haven’t done, but just you wait. ❜

❛ you never learned to take your time. ❜

❛ talk less…smile more. ❜

❛ who’s the best? c’est moi! ❜

❛ the plan is to fan this spark into a flame. ❜

❛ i’m not throwing away my shot. ❜

❛ i may not live to see our glory, but i will gladly join the fight !  ❜

❛ they’ll tell the story of tonight. ❜

❛ tomorrow there’ll be more of us. ❜

❛ i’m looking for a mind at work. ❜

❛ look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now. ❜

❛ oh my god. tear this dude apart. ❜

❛ i will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love… ❜

❛ dying is easy… living is harder. ❜

❛ then you walked in and my heart went ‘boom’! ❜

❛ you look at me and suddenly i’m helpless. ❜

❛ i am so into you. ❜

❛ i’m just saying if you really loved me, you would share him. ❜

❛ love doesn’t discriminate from the sinners and the saints. ❜

❛ i’m willing to wait for it. ❜

❛ i am the one thing in life i can control. ❜

❛ call me son one more time —…. ❜

❛ i don’t pretend to know the challenges you’re facing. ❜

❛ that would be enough. ❜

❛ and we could be enough. ❜

❛ let me a part of the narrative in the story they will write one day. ❜

❛ you have no control : who lives, who dies, who tells your story. ❜

❛ history has its eyes on you. ❜

❛ awesome. wow. ❜

❛ i’ll make the world safe and sound for you. ❜

❛ why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? ❜

❛ what’d i miss? ❜

❛ run away with us for the summer. ❜

❛ take a break. ❜

❛ well, hate the sin, love the sinner. ❜

❛ no one else was in the room where it happened. ❜

❛ and then we’ll teach them how to say goodbye. ❜

❛ we both know what we know. ❜

❛ i will choose her happiness over mine every time. ❜

❛ god, i hope you’re satisfied. ❜

❛ i saved every letter you wrote me. ❜

❛ you built me palaces out of paragraphs. ❜

❛ be careful with that one, love, he will do what it takes to survive. ❜

❛ when you were mine, the world seemed to burn. ❜

❛ the world has no right to my heart. ❜

❛ i hope that you burn. ❜

❛ everything is legal in new jersey… ❜

❛ i’m so sorry for forgetting what you taught me. ❜

❛ it’s quiet uptown. ❜

❛ they are trying to do the unimaginable. ❜

❛ there are moments that the words don’t reach. ❜

❛ forgiveness. can you imagine? ❜

❛ i had only one thought before the slaughter. ❜

❛ i imagine death so much, it feels more like a memory. ❜

❛ what is a legacy? it’s planting seeds in a garden you will never see. ❜

❛ death doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints. ❜

❛ i survived, but i paid for it. ❜

“Oh fuck! Are you okay?”

“Crap! Sorry about that! Wasn’t looking where I was going. Here, I’ll get you a new jacket…”

“Need a ride?”

“How are you?”

“Seems like we’re gonna be stuck on this train for an extra three hours.”

“What’s your name?”

“Thank you.”

“You just saved my life!”

“Move the fuck out of my way.”

“Watch where you’re going!”

“Asshole.”

“Would you like anything?”

“You’re gorgeous.”

“Do I know you?”

“Uh, that’s my spot.”

“Oh, God, sorry! Let me buy you a new one.”

“Is that your dog? He is so CUTE!”

“Here, take my seat. You look tired.”

“Checking in?”

“Can I sit here?”

“May I buy you a drink?”

“I can spot you, if you want.”

“How’d you even get stuck in a locker, anyway?”

“Can you turn it down?! Some of us are trying to sleep!”

“Hi, I’m your new roommate.”

“I think I found your dog. Is he yours?”

“You look cold, take my jacket.”

“Hey, I think the mailman gave me your mail by mistake? [Name], right?”

“You’ve had a guy/girl over every night this week! And you’re really loud! You know how I know? I know because I live below you!”

“So, your kid apparently punched my kid in the face.”

“Bride or groom?”

“Can you switch seats with me? I can’t see!”

“Okay, look, if you’re gonna be airsick, aim the other way.”

“[Sir/Ma'am], if you don’t stop being rude to me, I’m going to give you decaf.”

“Don’t drink that! I saw some guy slip something in there.”

“Hey, is he bothering you?”

“Don’t give up your day job.”

“…Dude, your fly’s down.”

“I think you have the wrong number.”

“I’m [muse’s child]’s teacher.”

“[Muse’s child/younger sibling] was in my yard again!”

“Get out of here! This is my hiding spot!”

“YOUR STUPID MUTT RIPPED UP MY YARD AGAIN!”

“SHUT UP. And learn to stay on key.”

“Good Evening/Afternoon/Morning/Day/Night.”

“Watch where you’re going!”

“Is this seat taken?”

“Here you dropped this.”

“You remind me of someone.”

“Will you be taking this?”

“May I take your order?”

“How are you?”

“You look familiar, have we met before?”

“Be careful next time.”

“Hey, could you help me?”

“Help me!”

“I’m so sorry!”

“Are you alright?!”

“I know we’ve never met, but I think you’re beautiful.”

“I think I may have seen you before…”

“Hey! Watch it!”

“Oh my god are you okay?”

“Have we met…?”

“Were you at that one party?”

“Remember me?”

“I know you don’t know me but I love your shirt.”

“Quick, pretend to look like you’re talking to me.”

“Hey, is that your dog?”

“Service takes forever here.”

“Don’t mean to sound cliche, but do you come here often?”

“I wouldn’t sit there if I were you.”

“This is gonna be a long plane ride.”

“Can you turn that music down?”

“People are trying to sleep!”

“I’m your new neighbor.”

“Is that who I think it is?”

“Be quiet!”

“Is that your son/daughter?”

“I’ve read about you.“ 

“Are you following me?”

“Hey, watch where you’re going.”

“You look vaguely familiar…” 

“I don’t know who you are but you don’t strike me as the trustworthy type.”

“I don’t know what you want but you’d better fuck off before I make you.”

“Sorry but I’m new around here, would you mind giving me pointers?”

“Strange to see a fresh face around here.”

“Hey you. It’s dangerous to be walking around here, you should leave.”

“Do you need help with that?”

“Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?”

“Do I know you? Cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend/boyfriend.”

“See my friends over there? They wanna to know if you think I’m cute.

“Hey handsome/beautiful.”

“You might be new, but you’re looking at the top dog around here.”

“Sorry but I’m not interested in your offer.”

“Are you as cold as you seem or do you always walk around like you own the place?”

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“The answer is no by the way, to whatever you’re about to say.”

“Don’t bother, I’m busy.”

“No no no, this can’t be right. You shouldn’t be here.”

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Happy to see me again?”

“It’s been so long since we’ve last parted, hm? We have some catching up to do.”

“You looking to start a fight or something?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice you watching me?”

“Us meeting wasn’t an accident.”

“Hey hey, no need for that I’d just like to talk.”

“Why the hostility? Do you treat every stranger this way?”

“I see no one has ever bothered to teach you manners.”

“Come with me, no time to explain!”

“Look, you’re in danger. You need to do as I say.”

“Are these guys bothering you?”

“Hey, leave him/her alone!”

“You look tired. Need a ride?”

“Shit shit, are you okay?!”

“Give me your belongings and you won’t get hurt. Sound fair?”

“Well look what the cat dragged in.”

“Never thought I’d see your face again.”

“Are you drunk? Hey, you can’t be walking around like that, be careful!”

“You look like bad news….”

“I hope I’m not being too straightforward, but are you single?”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Hello!”

“Oh! Sorry! I didn’t mean to bump into you!“

“Hey, uh, do you happen to know where a diner is? I’m lost and hungry.”

“You new in town? You have that ‘lost puppy’ look.”

“How are you doing today?”

“Whoa, that’s a really cool jacket/dress/shirt! Where’d you get it?”

“So, my friend and I can’t choose who wins. I need your opinion. Who would win in a fight, cavemen or astronauts?”

“I like your beard.”

“So… about Madonna… how old is too old?”

“Is the line always this long at this coffee shop?”

“Did you know… -insert random fact your muse would say here-”

“Do you know where the nearest coffee house is? I’m in desperate need of a pick me up.”

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely would me landing a date with you be…”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Mind if I join you?”

“I know it’s super weird to approach strangers, but I think I’d disappoint myself if I didn’t at least say hello while I had the chance.”

“Yeah, you’re right, it’s not my fault; but it’s my problem! “

“Really?  You really hate me that much?”

“I’m just saying, you vanish like that again and I’m not looking for you.”

“Am I speaking a language you’re not getting here?”

“Sorry, can’t hear you.  The music’s too loud.”

“I’m not gonna die in a hospital where the nurses aren’t even hot.”

“Must be hard with your sense of direction—never being able to find your way to a decent pickup line.”

“You don’t know all about it.  I haven’t told you everything.”

“Come on, it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t that bad.”

“So, what, you’re just willing to sacrifice yourself, is that it?”

“I’ll tell you what else helps: killing as many evil sons of bitches as I possibly can.”

“Driver picks the music; shotgun shuts his cake hole.”

“So what, all of this never keeps you up at night?”

“You should be kissing my ass; you were dead meat back there.”

“Don’t be afraid of the dark?  What, are you kidding me? Of course you should be afraid of the dark!” 

“Now that this is all over, I want you to tell me what that secret was.”

“We can do it together, I can do this one by myself.  I’m not seeing a third option here.”

“I’m not sure you realize just how much trouble you’re in here.”

“We talking like, misdemeanor kind of trouble, or squeal like a pig trouble?”

“I’d do anything for you. But things will never be the way they were before.”

“What are you talking about?  I’m not leaving you here.”

“You wanna tell me what’s goin’ on in that freaky head of yours?”

“You’re not gonna let me die in peace, are you?”

“Some will try to go against everyone if they wish to keep themselves safe, that’s for granted, however…” With a sigh and a shrug, he reached a hand into his pocket, ready to pull his keys out. “Not everyone is bad, many are like you or me, they just want a peaceful life and they want the hunt to stop, they will most likely sympathize with you.” Or that’s what he assumed.

“You cannot trust everyone, but also should give people a small chance if you’re able, if you’re careful you won’t be harmed and you may be able to escape to a safer place.”

That was... a fair view of the world, really. The kind of advice she’d expect from someone like him. Nori wasn’t going to argue -- not out loud, at least -- because it was better than admitting that when it came down to the wire, giving others a chance was easier said than done on her part. It wasn’t any flaw in Jirou’s argument; it was a fault of Nori herself, who had been too weak to even live as a human being, as much as that way of living seemed almost luxurious to her now.  

She couldn’t possibly come clean with the fact that she was a born coward. Not to the very same person who was risking his freedom for her.

At the very least, the last part made her feel a little better. 

At her explanation, he understood what could’ve happened, in a way, his thoughts went immediately to the worst scenario

“I see.” He replied silently, his eyebrows furrowing. “I am sorry you had to go through that.” Considering family is what people rely on the most sometimes, Something that technically can’t be replaced, to be betrayed by them must be a stab to the heart difficult to take, especially when as young as her. “..At least you are not completely alone, I’m sure other Ajin around would lend a hand.” Like himself, of course, Jirou was not sure as to what they did to Ajin wherever they took them to, but it really couldn’t be great, right? He’s heard horrible things already. 

The dark-haired teenager took a moment to digest the rest of what Jirou had said; even if it wasn’t fine, not really, she didn’t want him to think that it was somehow his fault for bringing it up. It wasn’t as if the unpleasantness of the situation had ever gone away, so it wasn’t the end of the world, and---

She never felt animosity towards her parents. Not then, not now. She could understand how they felt - could understand being afraid of the monster she was (the monster she is) as much as she was.

 That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt, though. 

“...I wonder about that, Jirou-san.” A sideways wind blew upon them and drove a chill into the open front of the jacket. She huddled down into it and kept her gaze ahead. “Do you really think they’d be willing to...? It’s... It’s hard, living like this. Harder than you think. Not everybody is as nice as you are... If they get desperate enough, they might resort to taking insurance.”

“He hasn’t.” Was his following reply, and so he shrugged. “I assume he ran off as soon as he hit me, but he’s never returned, probably thinks I’m dead, or that I can sue him, I really can’t be sure.” Jirou knew that eventually, sooner or later, he’d end up seeing the one who took his first life, but he was preparing himself in case such misfortune arose.

His next question, however, banished all prior ease from her body. 

It was only a slight slip-up, but it was evident all the same; the one or two steps of surprise set Nori falling behind Jirou. She really didn’t want to lie to him... He could have seen the news, after all, and could be testing her for her trustworthiness. At the same time, how exactly was she supposed to tell him the truth? She wasn’t proud of what she did, and at this rate, she’d only look more pathetic. She hurried to catch up with him and kept her head ducked down as she did so.