Souji Okita (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deathcough) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
savetheearth2013-05-23 08:33 pm
deathcough) wrote in savetheearth2013-05-23 08:33 pm
Computer; Video/Audio
[The video opens up with Souji leaning back in his chair, Cheshire-cat grin in place. It's broken briefly by a mild coughing fit that he quickly waves away before speaking]
Summer's started, but already I'm getting bored. Not bored enough to want to take summer classes like a certain over-achiever I can think of, but. Bored. Isn't anyone having a party or a road trip any time soon?
There was something about families being targeted too, right? Who else's families have had trouble? I should probably warn-- [There's a minor commotion in another room and Souji look up quickly, expression becoming aggravated.] Speak of the fucking devil. [He hits something on the computer and the screen goes off, but the audio is still heard clearly.]
What are you doing here?
That's now way to talk to your sister! Your exams and stuff are over aren't they? Why didn't you come visit?
[A pause] I didn't think you'd want me to.
Wha-- Souji, why wouldn't I? [There's silence. It stretches on until it gets awkward and Mitsu continues, grasping for a subject] How were your grades?
[Souji makes a soft 'heh' sound] Figured. Fine. I got all As, one B. [His tone darkens] Don't give me that look.
What look? I'm not giving you a look. I'm just-- Have you decided what to do yet? You know, Hajime's on his way to being a doctor, wouldn't that be nice? You're smart enough for that.
I know what Hajime's doing. I live right next to him. I'm not gonna be a doctor. [Actually, speaking off-- Souji coughs a little again] No, don't worry-- Knock it off! [it comes out harsher then he must've intended because there's a soft noise] ...I didn't mean-- Look, I need to talk to you about something anyway.
Is this about money again?
No. Well, yes I guess kind of, but I-
That's the only reason you ever get in touch with me. I came over here because I was worried about you, but you don't care about anything else, do you? [She sounds disappointed, upset] You've always been like this, you're so-- You're so selfish! You have a job, I shouldn't have to keep throwing money at you like this!
That's not what I-- I can pay the bills, I just need--
Can you? Fine, then I'm not paying for it anymore! God, Souji just... Why do you make everything so hard? Ever since you were little you've fought me and fought everyone and you won't listen to anyone! What are you even going to do with your life? Why are you in college in the first place if you're not going to do anything? I can't keep paying for classes like this!
[There's a repressed cough, but otherwise silence for a moment before Souji chuckles bitterly.] Yeah. You're right, I'm pretty useless. Why the fuck should anyone bother with a lost cause right?
All you ever do is hurt people, even people who try to help you! I'm at the end of my rope with you! Why can't you be more like Hajime, or--or anyone else? [Her desperate outcry speaks volumes of what living with Souji must have been like growing up.]
Just leave, Mitsu. [The rest of the conversation is muffled and there's the sound of the door slamming. Then the coughing begins.
It's a terrible, wet coughing that goes on for minutes, breathing difficult, harsh, and getting louder as Souji makes his way back to the computer and sits down again. Eventually the coughing subsides and the video is brought back on as Souji wipes his mouth, the side of his hand slightly red as he pulls it away-- or is it a trick of the light?
If he noticed the audio was on, he says nothing. His eyes look strange, sharp and empty] I take it back. Let 'em have her. [The video turns off.]
Summer's started, but already I'm getting bored. Not bored enough to want to take summer classes like a certain over-achiever I can think of, but. Bored. Isn't anyone having a party or a road trip any time soon?
There was something about families being targeted too, right? Who else's families have had trouble? I should probably warn-- [There's a minor commotion in another room and Souji look up quickly, expression becoming aggravated.] Speak of the fucking devil. [He hits something on the computer and the screen goes off, but the audio is still heard clearly.]
What are you doing here?
That's now way to talk to your sister! Your exams and stuff are over aren't they? Why didn't you come visit?
[A pause] I didn't think you'd want me to.
Wha-- Souji, why wouldn't I? [There's silence. It stretches on until it gets awkward and Mitsu continues, grasping for a subject] How were your grades?
[Souji makes a soft 'heh' sound] Figured. Fine. I got all As, one B. [His tone darkens] Don't give me that look.
What look? I'm not giving you a look. I'm just-- Have you decided what to do yet? You know, Hajime's on his way to being a doctor, wouldn't that be nice? You're smart enough for that.
I know what Hajime's doing. I live right next to him. I'm not gonna be a doctor. [Actually, speaking off-- Souji coughs a little again] No, don't worry-- Knock it off! [it comes out harsher then he must've intended because there's a soft noise] ...I didn't mean-- Look, I need to talk to you about something anyway.
Is this about money again?
No. Well, yes I guess kind of, but I-
That's the only reason you ever get in touch with me. I came over here because I was worried about you, but you don't care about anything else, do you? [She sounds disappointed, upset] You've always been like this, you're so-- You're so selfish! You have a job, I shouldn't have to keep throwing money at you like this!
That's not what I-- I can pay the bills, I just need--
Can you? Fine, then I'm not paying for it anymore! God, Souji just... Why do you make everything so hard? Ever since you were little you've fought me and fought everyone and you won't listen to anyone! What are you even going to do with your life? Why are you in college in the first place if you're not going to do anything? I can't keep paying for classes like this!
[There's a repressed cough, but otherwise silence for a moment before Souji chuckles bitterly.] Yeah. You're right, I'm pretty useless. Why the fuck should anyone bother with a lost cause right?
All you ever do is hurt people, even people who try to help you! I'm at the end of my rope with you! Why can't you be more like Hajime, or--or anyone else? [Her desperate outcry speaks volumes of what living with Souji must have been like growing up.]
Just leave, Mitsu. [The rest of the conversation is muffled and there's the sound of the door slamming. Then the coughing begins.
It's a terrible, wet coughing that goes on for minutes, breathing difficult, harsh, and getting louder as Souji makes his way back to the computer and sits down again. Eventually the coughing subsides and the video is brought back on as Souji wipes his mouth, the side of his hand slightly red as he pulls it away-- or is it a trick of the light?
If he noticed the audio was on, he says nothing. His eyes look strange, sharp and empty] I take it back. Let 'em have her. [The video turns off.]
no subject
I'd still make time for you.
[ Sighing heavily, Toshi shifts his arm enough to smooth over Souji's hair, not really sure of what he's doing but essentially blindly grasping at straws trying to somehow resemble comforting. He figures Souji doesn't get a lot of this himself, so maybe they can just not know what the fuck they're doing together.
He gives a lock of Souji's hair a sharp tug before he speaks again, wanting to make sure he has the brat's attention. ]
You're 19. You're allowed to not know what the fuck you want when you're 19. Most people who think they've got it all figured out by then are lying or wrong.
no subject
When he's with Toshi it's as if the problems of his life melt away. Toshi truly believes in him and that, in turn, gives Souji a way to believe in himself, cheesy as it might sound.
He plucks at a stray strand on Toshi's shirt] ...You heard what Mitsu said, didn't you. [Not a question; he's aware now that everything had been recording, aggravating as it is.]
no subject
...she sounds like family.
[ Toshi murmurs this with a quiet, hollow sounding laugh as he continues to run his hand over Souji's hair, staring off at the far wall. ]
Like she's trying her best to care about you because you're family, and that's what you're supposed to do. But she's so busy seeing you for all the things society's told her you're supposed to be that she can't see you for you at all. So you guys completely miss the point with each other and you fight and you argue to try to get back on the same page, but you've actually been in different books and speaking different fucking languages the whole time.
[ Sighing, Toshi shuts his eyes wearily and leans back against Souji's couch. Yeah, he hasn't had that exact argument a thousand times before, coming away from them resenting his uncle and hating himself. ]
no subject
Was it too late? Could they ever see eye-to-eye now?
...Souji doubted it.]
What am I supposed to do...? [He doesn't think Toshi knows everything. Hell, he's pretty sure Toshi doesn't know most things, but he's all Souji has to turn to right now who might be able to give him something tangible to hold onto. Hajime, with his seemingly perfect and perfectly laid out life, couldn't possibly help him beyond being someone to turn to for comfort.]
no subject
About your sister at least. But Souji, if you need help with rent or whatever-- [ He pauses to give Souji a tight, hopefully reassuring squeeze. ] You don't have to worry about that. We can figure something out. And the school stuff, it's bigger than it seems. There's gen ed or whatever you have to take, right...? Just try out some different crap and see if there's anything you find interesting.
It'll be okay, Souji. I mean it.
no subject
I'll look into a second job. I juggled a few at once before, I can do it again. [Sigh.] Being an adult sucks. I never asked for any of this. [He didn't know if he'd find anything through a few classes. And what would happen if he never did? What if he was just doomed to live a drifting existence, living hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck?]
no subject
Eat your fucking food. And-- Call me, okay? If shit gets worse. If shit hits the fan and I find out from someone else, and I will find out, I'm going to personally tear you a new one. So don't fucking do it.
...
It's what family's for, right?