unknownrival | (no subject)

Are you alright?

Better than I was when I thought he was dead, but... not really, no.

I can come over for a few hours if you want.

Aren't you busy preparing for the heist?

Don't worry about that, you are more important.

Thank you, Hakuba.

Welcome, my friend.

It'll be good to see you.

Same. Do you want me to bring any books?

Your company is enough, really.

Fine. I will be there in a few minutes.

I'll prepare for your arrival.

At least you know he's okay.

I would have much preferred not going through that at all, but yes.

This place and its viruses get worse and worse, I swear.

I couldn't agree more.

How're you holding up?

I've been better, but I'm no longer a complete wreck. Which is something.

Have you talked to him again since the first call?

...no, but the call lasted about two hours.

Don't blame you. I'd almost suggest calling again just to say "hey," but time differences and all.

He might have things to do. I can't expect him to put life on hold because his friend had a hallucination and minor breakdown.

I'm not saying you should. Just a simple "hey, making sure everything's all right." And then that's that - since you sound a little on edge still.

You're probably right.

So, everything's okay?

In the sense that he's unharmed, yes.

I'm glad...!

Thank you.

Are you all right?

About as well as could be expected.

Um, at least it's something...

I'll recover. Hopefully.

It seems a lot of people fear the same thing: losing the people they care about most.

Why don't you spend some time with Shirou-san? I think it would be a good way to take your mind off things.

I'd like to, but I can't. He's in England at the moment with his girlfriend. Rest assured that I kept him on the phone for two hours.

Ah, I see. Well, hopefully he didn't think you're behavior out of the ordinary or anything.

I suppose if there's one thing to be learned from this virus, it's that we should treasure the time we've spent with the people we hold most dear. Not that I like to think about losing my friends, but I feel very fortunate to have met so many kind and wonderful people because of this community.

I told him about the community ages ago, but... Hm, I hope not.

I couldn't agree more. If something were to truly happen to them, I couldn't stand regretting not appreciating them when they were here.

Well, in any case, if you haven't spoken to him in a while, then it's not so unusual to have a long conversation like that.

Yes... Which is why I want to spend as much time with my friends as I can. You never know when it'll all come to an end.

I try to check on him often to make sure his girlfriend isn't doing nefarious things to him, but it was a little longer than usual today. For obvious reasons.

One hopes that that day will be a long way off.

"Nefarious things"? Such as...?

Indeed. I still have much to accomplish before I die. And there are many more people that I want to help. Being a detective certainly has its risks, but the ability to make a difference in the world far outweighs the dangers, I think.

She's Tohsaka. She does eleven nefarious things before breakfast.

That may be true, but you should still be careful not to get too hurt. I know I would be upset if something were to happen, and certainly others would.

Oh! I remember you mentioning her before. I still can't fathom how someone like Shirou-san ended up with someone like her. Love truly is mysterious...

I'll do my best, Issei-kun. I've been pretty lucky so far, haven't I?

That's one way to look at it. I'm not entirely certain that she hasn't blackmailed him into it.

Luck doesn't go on for ever. I don't want to have to see you in the hospital.

...you really believe that?

The Shirogane family has always been blessed with good fortune. But I won't try and tempt fate, if that's what you're thinking. I'll do my best to be careful.

It's a theory.

Good. I'll hold you to that.