[video]

[greatseal]

[The camera is slightly obscured - it's clearly Minako, but the watch's camera isn't being held at the proper angle to show her entire face. She's smiling, though.]

Hello, Hinoto-ri! I don't want to take up too much of your time, because I know a lot of people are busy right now, but I have a story to tell, if you're willing to listen!

Once upon a time, a girl grew up all alone. One by one, the people she cared about disappeared from her life. The girl kept smiling and trying to make friends, but deep down, she knew the truth. Eventually, those friends would leave her too. Her destiny was to be left behind.

Then one day, the girl was given a choice. Disappear quietly along with the world and the people you care about, or give up everything to save them - including her soul. Her sacrifice meant the world would live, but she would still be alone. Forever.

[She pauses, the cheerful smile still on her lips.]

Which choice do you think the girl made?

[and then she leans forward, finally opening her eyes to reveal bright, yellow irises.]

Which choice should I have made?

Comments

Video

[electricyousei]

Ruri looks at the camera and shakes her head. Locked out of her own com channels and a bit frazzled she just shakes her head. She just stared at the figure with her own golden eyes.

"Given the choice between personal oblivion and universal oblivion you probably chose personal."

Video

[greatseal]

Of course she did. That's the selfless thing to do, and that's how she wants to be seen.

But was that really the right choice?

Video

[electricyousei]

"If it helps, its the choice I'd have made. That being said I'm used to being alone. Even in a crowd."

[deathboss]

[NOPE.AVI.

Aww hell no. You did not just go there, girlfriend.]

She decided to save the world didn't she? Cause sure as hell don't think she'd want everyone to disappear!

[deathboss]

Nothing's really fair in the end.

B-but we gotta do what we gotta do, right?

[This is...really painful for him.]

[Locked]

[themortalhalf]

[He knows how the story ends, easy enough. The answer to her question isn't really on his list of priorities compared to trying to figure out why she's coming out public with it all of a sudden. He already knows what she chose—though some of the smaller details she's putting in are... new to him and not something he could imagine her ever admitting, even if it were true. Not something she's come to him about—though he hadn't asked and wouldn't. It isn't his business to know—though it's easy to feel guilt coil in his gut, because if she feels that way, he doubts he made things much better.]

..Why are you asking?

[Locked]

[greatsealed]

[Oh, Shinji. Just the person she wants to talk to.]

Senpai! It's good to see you!

[Locked]

[themortalhalf]

Yeah.

[He tilts his head at the cheerful response. That's some dichotomy between her attitude and the actual content of the video, if you looked past the smile. Though he's not sure whether he should pursue things or just let them drop and let the conversation go wherever she wants.]

You didn't answer my question.

[Video]

[alwaysfaithful]

[Hey, it happens to be someone with gold eyes. With no way of knowing if this was a 'clone' or not, Chris' guard was up.]

I would say, if it was me I'd save the world reagrdless of risk or sacrifice.

[Video]

[greatsealed]

[He's right to be wary, but Minako continues to smile.]

Giving up yourself to save others sounds so very noble, doesn't it? When it's part of a story, it's almost romantic.

When it's reality, though...

[Video]

[alwaysfaithful]

I was once a marine back home. A soldier is exepcted to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. I doubt I would change my opinion on it, if I had to make that sacrifice I would pick myself over risking others.

[aurathread]

... I know what I would have done, but I don't know about you.

You're not Minako, are you?

[He's seen twisted versions of people before.]

[greatsealed]

[don't deny her, man. That leads to bad things.]

Of course I'm Minako. Who else would I be?

[aurathread]

Something twisted. Something trying to trick other people into thinking you're her.

[She can't be here... can she?]

[greyerrant]

There's no question. Save the world.

[greatsealed]

Even though it meant giving up your entire self for people who never gave you anything?

[greyerrant]

That's the entire reason i exist.

Video, Private

[otakuro]

M-Minako...

[There weren't that many people in Hinoto-Ri who knew exactly what she was talking about, probably. Atsuro seems stunned for a moment that she would throw this out so casually.]

Did something happen? Are you sure you want to be talking about stuff like this?

Video, Private

[greatsealed]

[The real Minako doesn't. But this one is frustrated and determined to throw private matters public.]

What's the point in not talking about it? It won't change the truth.

[otakuro]

That's true. ...I mean, if it were me, I might want to go around shouting for everyone to respect me as the Savior of the World, but...

[Well he had saved the world, just not the same way.]

But you never seemed to want to make a big deal out of it.

[video]

[boxingemperor]

...

[Well, he certainly wasn't expecting to hear this. Leave it to shadows to tell it all. But that's what they do. They bare the soul, no matter how cruel the truths are.]

[video]

[greatsealed]

[It's good that Akihiko has more experience with Shadows than the rest of them. Minako's going to need the help.]

What about you, senpai? What do you think I should have done?

[Video] LATEST EVER, CRIES

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[...This sounds so oddly familiar, but he can't place his finger on what it reminds him of. Not yet. That isn't the important part, though...this was the Shadow of someone he'd only just met. Of all the times for this to happen...

Souji stares into the feed in silence, stoic expression unbreaking. He doesn't know her nearly well enough to answer either of those questions yet.]

[video]

[greatsealed]

[Whether he knows her well or not... the Shadow seems pleased enough to see him.]

Souji-kun! What about you?