[. . . Akira's suddenly and vividly reminded of Ryuji, of all people. his best friend. the first person to reach out to him after his move to Tokyo. the bright light of aggressive caring and support that pulled him from the dark place he had been swallowed up in back then. it's. . .]
[well]
[it's a warm feeling]
[another laugh, and he ducks his head, tugging at his bangs a bit sheepishly]
You're right. [but the warmth fades as the memories return, and his expression dims] I was set up. I tried to stop a man from assaulting a woman. He was drunk. I touched his shoulder, and he tripped and injured himself.
He threatened the woman to lie to the police, and she told them I had attacked him for no reason. The police believed the two of them over me-- of course they did, because they were deep in that man's political pockets-- and arrested me.
[lifts his head again, meeting Ichigo's gaze with an even, yet peaceful, expression]
He used his political ties to have me convicted, expelled, and sent away. But-- [waves a hand] That was a long time ago. My record's since been wiped clean.
no subject
[. . . Akira's suddenly and vividly reminded of Ryuji, of all people. his best friend. the first person to reach out to him after his move to Tokyo. the bright light of aggressive caring and support that pulled him from the dark place he had been swallowed up in back then. it's. . .]
[well]
[it's a warm feeling]
[another laugh, and he ducks his head, tugging at his bangs a bit sheepishly]
You're right. [but the warmth fades as the memories return, and his expression dims] I was set up. I tried to stop a man from assaulting a woman. He was drunk. I touched his shoulder, and he tripped and injured himself.
He threatened the woman to lie to the police, and she told them I had attacked him for no reason. The police believed the two of them over me-- of course they did, because they were deep in that man's political pockets-- and arrested me.
[lifts his head again, meeting Ichigo's gaze with an even, yet peaceful, expression]
He used his political ties to have me convicted, expelled, and sent away. But-- [waves a hand] That was a long time ago. My record's since been wiped clean.