school: nier

[shaft]

Comments

[shaft]

I don't see why. Models are famous, aren't they? It should provide them the validation they need to move on.

[amain]

Are they? My world doesn't have models.

[ BUT THAT ISN'T THE POINT. ]

It'd be hard to move on when you're working the same job as your ex.

[shaft]

[ Neither does his(?), but he can understand the gist. ]

But if they're a celebrity, you'll see them anyway. At least this way you get the satisfaction of beating them at their own game.

[amain]

... So we're friends encouraging revenge.

[ He just wants to make sure he has this right. ]

[shaft]

[ yes!! the drama!!! ]

What would you suggest instead?

[amain]

I don't know... Maybe to focus on themselves for a bit? Forget about their ex? [ Nier is nice, Nier is kind. ] But if the ex did something awful, we do have to support our friend.

[ so yeah nier is for revenge. ]

[shaft]

If they were unfaithful, then yes, it's deserved. And how does someone focus on themselves anyway?

[amain]

[ He nods some more, though he'd prefer to stay out of that kind of drama. ]

... Aren't you single, Claude?

[ Focus on yourself like that. ]

[shaft]

Does being single automatically mean focusing on yourself?

[ Also, why do you assume he's single. ]

[amain]

[ what's wrong with being single. also, don't ask nier why he assumed. he would say something mean. ]

Well, I usually see couples have goals and hobbies they share together... Stuff like that.

[shaft]

[ He frowns. ]

Is that so? I think you can still be an independent person while in a relationship.

[amain]

Yeah, of course. You're still two different people, but there must be something you two share, right?

[ That's his experience with couples he has met. ]

[shaft]

So then, you could focus on yourself and be in a relationship. Couldn't you?

[amain]

I guess so? But you still have to consider your partner, too, so you wouldn't be able to focus on yourself as much as you could have...?

[ ???????? ]

Why are you even asking me this? I'm single.

[shaft]

You might be single now, but I don't know how many people you've dated.

[ i wish he thought kaine was his girlfriend but alas ]

[amain]

Didn't really have time for that.

[ it's okay. kainé is too good for nier. ]

[shaft]

Oh, what occupied your time?

[amain]

Well... My little sister is terminally ill and it's just us. So I was working to keep us afloat since I was young.

[shaft]

[ Yikes. ]

I'm... sorry to hear that. Did she manage to recover?

[amain]

... I'm not sure. We were separated for five years and I only got to see her for a short time before I got dragged here.

[ Just a sigh. ]

But the disease doesn't disappear so easily. I'm prepared to keep searching for a cure. [ ... ] Sorry, this must be gloomy.

[shaft]

[ Tentatively reaches out to squeeze Nier's shoulder briefly. ]

It's all right—I had no idea you had such a weight on your shoulders. I would hope you're not bearing it alone.

[amain]

[ At first, he tenses at the touch, but then relaxes. ]

My village is filled with kind people, even though we aren't the richest, and I have my friends. [ If that's reassuring at all since that's what Nier is trying to do. ] So why are you single?

[shaft]

[ That's a relief, at least.

Claude leans back in his chair as he considers this. ]

I've been too busy fighting a war for most of life.

[amain]

Claude...

[ Nier's expression drops very fast. He doesn't even know what to say? He has read about wars, though not much since he didn't want to, but he knows what they are and how terribly they can be. ]

[shaft]

Ah, don't give me that look. It's not as tragic as it sounds—I'm one of the luckier ones.

[ He nudges Nier with his foot, a friendly gesture! ]

But it is a terrible thing. I'd like to go back and bring an end to it.