I wasn't of any help. This isn't enough... I have to be perfect...!
Why? Why do their thoughts mirror one another now of all times?! Why does he feel the same fear that Shirou Fubuki felt in those visions, the same helplessness when faced with simply not being strong enough to win a fight? Hasn't he always relished such challenges? He'd even stood before Gabe in the past, fueled by the differences in their abilities rather than made afraid. But now...what if he's right?
Does he really have no place fighting? And if he doesn't...who can be trusted to protect Michi?
Michi...
His little brother. Arguably the healthier of them both, and the smarter, but still the younger between them. He has a responsibility to look out for him. And he can't do that if he dies.
Back straightening finally, Kouyuki lifts his chin and, with his free hand, pushes Guts' jabbing finger away from him.]
Shut up! Don't tell me where my place is! I know! It's with my brother, and I won't leave him to be protected by anyone else, especially not people who think like you!
[His chest rises and falls, and rises again, puffing up with a courage he knows he oughtn't have, and maybe only exists because to feel any more fear right now, to let that in, would mean the end.
Is this what it's like to fight a bear?]
If you're willing to use anyone, or throw anyone away, then the only one that's selfish is you!
WELP...
I wasn't of any help. This isn't enough... I have to be perfect...!
Why? Why do their thoughts mirror one another now of all times?! Why does he feel the same fear that Shirou Fubuki felt in those visions, the same helplessness when faced with simply not being strong enough to win a fight? Hasn't he always relished such challenges? He'd even stood before Gabe in the past, fueled by the differences in their abilities rather than made afraid. But now...what if he's right?
Does he really have no place fighting? And if he doesn't...who can be trusted to protect Michi?
Michi...
His little brother. Arguably the healthier of them both, and the smarter, but still the younger between them. He has a responsibility to look out for him. And he can't do that if he dies.
Back straightening finally, Kouyuki lifts his chin and, with his free hand, pushes Guts' jabbing finger away from him.]
Shut up! Don't tell me where my place is! I know! It's with my brother, and I won't leave him to be protected by anyone else, especially not people who think like you!
[His chest rises and falls, and rises again, puffing up with a courage he knows he oughtn't have, and maybe only exists because to feel any more fear right now, to let that in, would mean the end.
Is this what it's like to fight a bear?]
If you're willing to use anyone, or throw anyone away, then the only one that's selfish is you!