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Well...

[ she tilts her head to the side as she thinks. ]

If it's that kind of memory, then it's just something forgotten. It wouldn't be considered a repressed memory.

Hmm... [Minato mulls over what she said, wondering if she has a point. He hadn't remembered what happened immediately after his parents died until it had become important, and he already knows that he died. Could that be why nothing seems to be turning up?

It doesn't explain how he feels whenever something turns up that might remind him of it though, and Minato isn't even doing this for himself so much as not wanting it to intrude into his thoughts, affecting his ability to help others.]

You might be right, but I don't think this memory is just something forgotten. [Pause.] What if they try to avoid things that might be linked to what they forgot?

Are you saying they don't want to remember it, through any means?

[ it's warranted, sure, but it's also unhealthy. no one can truly escape their own selves, after all. ]

[Minato knows it's unhealthy and he could end up getting someone seriously hurt if it emerges during a stressful time, but his deflection says a lot about his coping abilities.]

Sort of. They're avoiding anything that might remind them of it, and it's troublesome.

[ she just frowns at that, but while it doesn't seem like something she should press, the psychologist in her wants to know more. ]

When you say "they're", I hoep you don't mean yourself. . .

[ because she's well aware that a lot of people do the "I have this friend" thing. and don't even try to lie, minato! she'll know! ]

[There's a long an awkward pause before Minato answers that which means that yes, that mysterious person was him all along.]

Was I that obvious?

Just a little bit.

[ she laughs. ]

Nobody really asks questions like that for their friends, you know?

I wasn't trying to ask for a friend, though... [He groans in admittance of defeat, sitting up straight so he can see Athena directly.]

But you're right. I don't know what to do about it, or if I should try to do anything to remember those memories.

I might have my opinions on that, but in the end, it's entirely up to you.

[ she smiles softly, trying to be reassuring. ]

Mmm. [It's a hum that doesn't mean anything in particular, but Minato is unfortunately not all that assured. That's not Athena's fault though, as he's always been tight-lipped about his personal problems and this time's no exception.]

That's why it's difficult. This doesn't feel like something I want to remember, but it could be important...

You know, I don't think you should fear the truth.

[ trust her! ]

I don't fear the truth. [He exhales, setting elbows on the table.] It's my reaction that I'm more worried about, seeing that those memories were probably repressed for a good reason.

It just sounds like you are.

[ whoops. ]

How do you think you might react?

Badly. [That's it. One word, complete with the tonal range of a flatfish. It's not even as if Minato's deliberately hiding anything either, it's more that he sincerely doesn't have anything else to say about the matter.]

[ minato, if your hands are on the table, athena is taking them. ]

Everybody does. When I recalled mine, I lost my voice, started shaking, and my vision grew blurry. But I had my friends to support me.

We'll be there for you, Minato. No matter what.

[Minato does have his hands on the table, and he's clearly a little startled having them being held, eyes wide as he abruptly straightens himself, even if he's not pulling away.]

I know I'm not alone, but... [And then he realizes there doesn't need to be a 'but' unless he wants one to exist, wearing mask after mask to protect himself. If SEES accepted him before, maybe it's not so foolish to believe someone here will be able to fully understand his problems.] No, you're right, Athena-san. [Pause.] Thanks.

[ she gives him one of the warmest smiles she can muster. it really makes her heart warm after talking about friendship. ah... magical girls. ]

Don't mention it. I'm sure your other friends would tell you the same thing.

I know they would. It's just harder to talk about it with someone who knows what really happened.

[And if Minato's wry smile doesn't clue Athena in as to how he feels like a burden on anyone whenever he talks about his more serious issues (Read: Never), it's made clear enough in what she can hear in his voice, even if his tone hasn't changed at all.]

[ athena looks down at the table and laughs sheepishly. she knows how that feels, minato! ]

It is, isn't it? But you shouldn't be too hard on yourself.

[ her smile disappears as she looks at minato, her eyes stern. she sounds a bit more professional now than earlier- ] Your friends can't help you if you don't help yourself, after all.

I know that too. [But some things will never change, and Minato's already pushed himself far enough today just by trying to seek help that he's become untalkative again, tired from lack of sleep.] Is there anything else you'd like to order?

[ goddamn it, minato. does athena have to big sis (???) you. ]

Can I order you to open up a little more?

[With a firm shake of his head:]

Denied.

[ this did not go as planned. she bangs her hand on the table. ]

It doesn't have to be now! But you should really think about this.

[ and in a softer tone... because the other people decided to look at them now, thanks to athena's commotion. ]

It's not for me. I think it would help you, you know? Think about it.

I'll think about it. [While Minato's mostly saying that to get Athena off his case, he's also painfully aware that he doesn't have forever to run away from his problems any more and he gets up after that, evidently going to pay for their drinks.]

...Just don't do that again, Athena-san. [He'd definitely have shut up at once if someone they knew had seen this.]

[ she laughs sheepishly as she brushes her fingers through her sidetail. ]

Bad joke, huh? Sorry!

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