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"Helloooo! You've reached Jaune Arc! If I'm not answering, it means I'm probably off somewhere fighting monsters or... doing something really awesome like saving a cat, or the president's son! You know how it is, a leader's schedule can be really hectic nowadays, ha ha! Just kidding, I'm probably in school, but I'd totally do those things if I ha-- [BEEP]"

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[A beat.]

Are you seriously complaining because people care about you? Grow up, Jaune.

[This whole conversation is counterproductive. Touka, please stop talking.]

If people keep asking you that question, it's because they're worried about you. They want you to be okay, asshole. [Ah. This has gone so horribly wrong.] Haa, but I suppose you're too busy pitying yourself. "Sorry I'm not dead"... That's what you meant earlier, right?

T-That's not what I meant...

[ Yeah, she nailed it, kind of. ]

Just-- what do you want me to say, Touka? I mean, you said it yourself, I should just grow up, right? So... that's what I'm doing.

It was.

[She's dealt with Kaneki's self-pitying ass before. She would know.]

I want you to say the truth. If you're not okay, then say it. Hiding your feelings isn't growing up. It's selfishness. Knowing how to say the truth, and allowing the people who care about you to help... That's growing up.

[Now. If only she'd apply this to herself.]

And what makes you think that's so easy? People lose their friends, their bodies, their lives-- why should I get to complain about anything?

Touka, I... I wanna be strong, so that people don't have to worry if I'm alive or not. [ Only Pyrrha ever had that undying faith in him for the longest. ]

[ lmao, undying. ]

[... Oh, Jaune. She's quieter here. More gentle.]

Even if people die, it doesn't mean those who are left behind should disregard their own feelings. The people that are gone... Back home or, wherever— They wouldn't have wanted that.

[Take it from someone's who's had way too many people die on her. It sucks, but. But.]

Admitting you're not okay is part of being strong, too, Jaune. That's why it isn't easy. [More importantly, though:] ... And when you're honest, nobody has to worry about you hiding something that could get you killed.

Heh.

[ Jaune smiles to himself, coming to the late realization that Touka probably does consider him a friend... and that she would probably break his finger if he tried to bring it up.

Which he always does somehow anyway. But that's more out of desperation to be liked! This is different, as if he knows that she genuinely accepts his friendship for all his flaws. ]

... And what about you? Are you always honest about how you feel?

[Well. She wouldn't be having this conversation (and every other conversation) if she didn't consider him a friend. Even if she will never say it outright because friendship is terrible, and caring about people who can and will leave you behind in a split-second is even worse.

But there's a pause here. And then she clears her throat and says, very hypocritically:]

Jeez... Didn't we already establish this isn't about me?

[Spoilers: It's hard to follow your own advice.]