As simple as the question was, Miyume didn't have a simple answer. Things had happened so quickly that she'd just been going with the natural flow of things as they were so long as it felt good or the right thing to do. The future was a subject she tried not to consider too deeply, preferring to focus on yesterday, now, and tomorrow. For better or worse, Miyume had never been one to map out her future, much less in anything that could be considered substantial detail.
She was perfectly aware of Mirai's wandering hand and completely compliant. The more they did this kind of thing, the more Miyume liked it. It was fun, felt nice, and always brought a smile to her face. She could forget the world and not despise herself or the life she was forced to lead. That absence of loathing, bitterness, and spite were pleasing alternatives to dealing with her own personal emotional hailstorm day after day without reprieve or rest.
Her contemplative silence ended when she turned to look at him. She smiled but there was something almost hollow about it.
"From society, I just want to be left alone in live in peace without any moral obligations to take part. I'd like to live my life separate from society and be happy. That's all. I don't have any real dreams, ambitions, or goals other than that. I don't see why I should deserve less respect than those who do."
Then Miyume craned her neck a bit more to look at him more fully. This time when she smiled there was more emotion behind it.
"As for you... Love, loyalty, respect, trust, honesty, and pleasure. I know some of these are a bit beyond you right now." Her expression softened. "And I'm fine with that. I'm happy to just be with you in whatever capacity you're able to give."
She hesitated wondering whether she should say it or not, whether it would help ease his anxiety or simply add more pressure to troubles he was already trying to deal with. Miyume's heart was a funny thing even to those with less painful pasts and fewer emotional wounds. But something deep inside her compelled her to speak further and just observe what happened.
"I see the person you could be and I would love them very much. But I see the person you are now and love him, too, simply as he is right now."
Re: Sometime later...
She was perfectly aware of Mirai's wandering hand and completely compliant. The more they did this kind of thing, the more Miyume liked it. It was fun, felt nice, and always brought a smile to her face. She could forget the world and not despise herself or the life she was forced to lead. That absence of loathing, bitterness, and spite were pleasing alternatives to dealing with her own personal emotional hailstorm day after day without reprieve or rest.
Her contemplative silence ended when she turned to look at him. She smiled but there was something almost hollow about it.
"From society, I just want to be left alone in live in peace without any moral obligations to take part. I'd like to live my life separate from society and be happy. That's all. I don't have any real dreams, ambitions, or goals other than that. I don't see why I should deserve less respect than those who do."
Then Miyume craned her neck a bit more to look at him more fully. This time when she smiled there was more emotion behind it.
"As for you... Love, loyalty, respect, trust, honesty, and pleasure. I know some of these are a bit beyond you right now." Her expression softened. "And I'm fine with that. I'm happy to just be with you in whatever capacity you're able to give."
She hesitated wondering whether she should say it or not, whether it would help ease his anxiety or simply add more pressure to troubles he was already trying to deal with. Miyume's heart was a funny thing even to those with less painful pasts and fewer emotional wounds. But something deep inside her compelled her to speak further and just observe what happened.
"I see the person you could be and I would love them very much. But I see the person you are now and love him, too, simply as he is right now."