[D6, LE, Expecting/Open] Just friends catching up

[Shiba Haru]

He was indeed taken by surprise, unsure if she meant it as a compliment an insult or if this was going to end in her disparaging herself.

"I... different? I'm not sure how you mean Mitsuko-chan, I do not feel different from others but we are all individuals."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"I am the only non-shugenja child of two talented shugenja in a family full of shugenja, Haru-kun," she says, expression unwavering. "I have known for a very long time how different someone can be," Mitsuko continues, voice level and matter-of-fact. "And look how different you are from your brother."

"But maybe being different is something, um, useful?" The level expression seems to soften as she starts thinking out loud. "Like... So my great-great-uncle, Kuni Goro, is the complicated kind of famous for... reasons," Mitsuko says vaguely, "but what he accomplished is significant. And whether he felt different or not, he was different, or he couldn't have accomplished what he did. And so maybe..." She starts to over-think.I mean,I'm not saying I'm notable or that I'm going to be, but maybe if there's a way that I think of doing things, it might not be so unlikely to happen as I might, um, worry..."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru was lost, was she still talking about them or about her and Rin or just worried about her future in general; he had no idea. He decided that first and foremost he needed to be a friend.

"You are already notable to many here and you are certainly significant. Not being a shugenja in a family like yours can feel like a punishment, like you are less than others but I think it makes you so much more. How many great Kuni shugenja have their been? How many great Kuni Generals have their been? You will go down in history and be remembered not just by your descendants but by your entire clan and possibly the empire. That makes you MORE special not less and even if you don't see that in yourself yet WE do.

You are capable of doing anything you want in this life just set your mind on it and act. Has it not worked for you here so far, so why wouldn't it work when you leave? You were trained for this, see your goal, see your obstacles and then do what you must to achieve victory.

You are so amazing and your humility won't let you see it, which only makes you a better person and samurai."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko's thinking out loud, novel but without much direction, had somewhat settled her thoughts about her situation. And then Haru started talking, so complimentary and supportive, and she felt... something... that she doesn't seem to feel around others.

"Haru-kun, you are such a kind f--" She noticeably stops herself from calling him a friend, then reaches out to lay a single fingertip on the back of his hand. "We will, um, talk again..." Her voice trails into a more uncertain tone, and he can see as she stares at her fingertip atop his hand, her other hand gently reaches up and strokes the heavy braid of her hair.

[Shiba Haru]

"Um, of course Mitsuko-chan, if you need to go I understand and look forward to our next conversation." He said with a pleasant smile and warm tone.