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[thesettingsun]

Shuji Tsushima

"Hi, you've reached Shuji Tsushima, and you probably should've texted first if you wanted me to pick up, but leave a message anyway."

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

Comments

[thesettingsun]

She's a sea slug, there aren't that many exciting places for her to go.

[But that's a good question. And the real answer is...]

We always ended up finding one who looks like Georgia. Maybe we've been visiting different Georgias every time.

[complementing]

[She smiles at the thought of Ryoji and Shuji coming by, exclaiming over a confused and newly dubbed Georgia Parva, while the previous Georgia Parva is a hundred yards away, enjoying the sun and the waves.]

That many more to love, right?

[thesettingsun]

All Georgias are good Georgias, new or old.

[They had so many beautiful sea slug daughters.]

This way.

[Shuji starts heading towards 'Georgia's' location.]

[complementing]

[She hums in agreement, taking a quick moment to take off her sandals and let the water lap at her feet as she walks.]

[thesettingsun]

[After a while, Shuji catches sight of a slug hanging out relatively close to shore, and hurries to it so that he can crouch down.]

Georgia! Did you miss me?

[Georgia, predictably, does not respond.]

[complementing]

[Minako crouches down next to him, crooning softly to the little sea slug.]

She's so adorable...is it okay to touch her?

[thesettingsun]

As long as you're gentle! She's soft.

[His good soft sea slug daughter.]

[complementing]

[She hums in understanding and reaches out. Georgia twitches away, but Minako is patient, inching her hand forward until her palm is lightly brushing against Georgia's bunny ears.]

Aww. Georgia, you're such a good girl.

[thesettingsun]

She's the absolute best. ...I was hoping I could see her with Ryoji again after the ocean came back.

[Obviously, that wasn't meant to be.]

[complementing]

[She nods once, focusing on petting Georgia and keeping her voice even.]

Well...the Mochizukis are going to have a grave site. Maybe you could tell Ryoji about your visits with Georgia when it's finally ready.

[thesettingsun]

Let me know where it is and I'll tell him all about it.

[He'd be happy to hear it.]

[complementing]

It'll be in a quiet corner of the city cemetery. Their roots were in this city, so...

[She stops herself from thinking too sad thoughts with a shake of her head, softly crooning to Georgia.]

Too bad you can't go see him, sweetie...but I'll figure something out so you can be there.

[Maybe a knit Georgia plush.]

[thesettingsun]

Georgia wouldn't be very comfortable that far from water. ...And I don't think I should try to bring her in a fish bowl.

[That sounds unwise.]

[complementing]

Ah-- no, I was more thinking making a little knit Georgia to keep at the gravesite...that or maybe take a picture. I don't want to cause her any distress.

[thesettingsun]

Oh. I think that would be safer for Georgia, and it'd make Ryoji happy.

[Getting to be with his sea slug daughter, except not really.]

[complementing]

It's decided then. [She nods firmly and gives Georgia one last gentle pat before she sits down to just. Watch the lil sea slug slowly make her way across the sand.] Thank you for bringing me here, Shuji.

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji takes a seat beside her, looking in the same direction.]

We're friends. I don't mind sharing parts of my life with you.

[Especially the ones he'd only shared with someone who's now gone.]

[complementing]

Still, it was nice of you to agree. [She's quiet for a moment.] A lot of people I've come across have been more than okay with sharing their memories of him, like you were, and I'm grateful. I'm happy to know how he changed other people's lives. But this whole time, it's felt like...it's very selfish of me, trying to collect all these tiny pieces of him that belong to someone else.

[thesettingsun]

...No, I don't think that's selfish. I think that's a natural part of grieving, trying to collect all these memories.

[Because Ryoji isn't going to make any more with her.]

[complementing]

[She's silent as she thinks this over, and then, acknowledging that same thought, she sets her forehead against her knees and breathes out a shaky sigh.]

[thesettingsun]

[It's probably too familiar, but... Shuji sets a hand on Minako's shoulder.]

We're here for you.

[complementing]

[She nods, her hair bobbing a bit with the motion, but she doesn't look up until she feels that she has control over her voice a few minutes later.]

Thank you, Shuji. I'll be okay.

I think I might head back now, though.

[thesettingsun]

Alright. Take care, okay?

[And ask her friends for help if she needs it, even if she feels that it's selfish.]