[text]

[justforyou]

Oriko got hurt. Someone attacked her. I took care of it, though.

Where's the priest guy? I think I need to talk to him.

Comments

[text] you rang?

[structuraldefect]

I assume you mean me?

[locked]

[justforyou]

I did. I'm locking this because I think this should be.

I think I did something bad.

[structuraldefect]

If that's what you want.

I understand you dealt with them. How bad do you consider it?

[justforyou]

I ended up killing them. I...felt nothing. That's not how it's supposed to go, right? I protected my closest person but I killed someone.

[structuraldefect]

I'm not sure there's a 'supposed to' for how we react at times like these. Still, if it was to protect someone else, perhaps their deaths are partially deserved. We can regret the extent of our actions, and not the impulses that lead to them.

Or is there more to it?

[justforyou]

I think I need to rephrase what I said. I didn't feel regret but I... I think I kind of liked it. That person did something wrong and I punished them.

I don't know how to feel about this.

[structuraldefect]

Did you?

Penance can only truly come when we regret what we've done. Otherwise, we force ourselves to feel what isn't there. If you enjoy it, there's little to be done about it until you don't. Or maybe you'll never regret it at all. That's a possibility, too. The answers are all within you, not me.

[justforyou]

I...think I did.

So, it's all up to me? That maybe it's okay that I feel this way. Maybe I won't regret this. I mean, I didn't do anything wrong. They did and they got what they deserved. I...think I get it.

You're older than me so I thought maybe you could help me with this.

[structuraldefect]

It's always alright to feel what we're feeling. Perhaps it will change, with time. All you have to do is pause and reflect. If you like what you see, continue. If you don't, stop.

I'm glad I could help. I'm here if you need any more advice.

[justforyou]

I don't like knowing that more people could attack Oriko like that. Maybe I could prevent it. Power is supposed to be used to protect what you love most, right?

Thanks, Father. It means a lot.

[structuraldefect]

Of course. There's no greater purpose than that.

No need to thank me.

[justforyou]

If it's for her then I'd be willing to do much more. That's real devotion.

[structuraldefect]

It's truly rare for such loyalty to exist.

[justforyou]

I just do what I can. If those other girls are standing in her way, then I'll take care of them.

[structuraldefect]

Of that, I have no doubt.

[justforyou]

If I'm fighting for someone else, for loyalty and justice, then I'm in the right. Hehe... Those other girls. They don't stand a chance!

[structuraldefect]

See? You knew the truth all along. Trust in it, and it can't lead you astray.

[justforyou]

Exactly! I'm doing it all for Oriko! Ehehe..!

[structuraldefect]

Shall I leave you to it?

[justforyou]

I'll see you later, Father.