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REAPSODY Week 5 - Kaiba (post-erasure)

[After the erasures, Yusuke leaves the church feeling numb. It was bittersweet, knowing the victims this week had gone to their deaths willingly, and all in order to save Akira...

He's clutching Mutsu's katana in his hand, tight. Wherever Kaiba is, he intends to go seek him out.]

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You were painted out of your own painting!?

[ Kaiba's fists clench reflexively; it's one thing for someone to reject family ties--he himself will never, ever make peace with the aunts and cousins who had only taken them in for as long as they brought a paycheck. But for your bonds to be forcibly erased when you're too young to protest or even realize...? It's probably not the ideal time to get angry about this thing he can't change, but still ]

I...feel like I'm missing a few pieces about your phantom group. It's like there's something that doesn't follow...

Yes. Madarame let my mother die due to his own negligence. He then plagiarised the painting and took me in, so of course he had to erase any evidence that it was the work of my mother. He thought it would make it more successful and profitable if he gave the painting a mystery for everyone to contemplate... He wasn't wrong.

I stole the true painting back from Madarame's Palace, and in doing so, changed his heart. A pity most of the world will never see its true form, because they'll simply think of it as another forgery... but for me, it is enough.

[Leblanc and its customers get to enjoy its beautiful presence every day, and that makes Yusuke happier than any worldwide recognition of his mother's work could.]

What pieces do you mean? I realise now I have nothing to hide in this Shibuya, so I can tell you anything you'd like to know.

[ He knew how the story ended and he's pretty sure that for Yusuke it is enough, but that doesn't make Kaiba any less angry it happened in the first place. A crook and a coward and a betrayer of someone who should be dear; Kaiba knows that sting, and can only imagine how much worse it must be to find out years later you were lied to so flagrantly for so long by someone you'd actually trusted, and--

(Is this human empathy? That stuff's actually real!?)

He frowns over at Yusuke with something he's having trouble identifying as anything other than concern ]

...You've really been able to find peace? Even knowing you were able to take him down, I would still be furious about it...

And no wonder you were so upset about Kurusu hiding so much from you.

Believe me, it wasn't easy to find peace with it. I had outlets for my anger in becoming a Phantom Thief, but it was my art that truly suffered. Being a student of such a terrible man, I felt... tainted. The purity I'd strived to emulate with the "Sayuri" had been stained by the person I had called my Sensei.

[He looks down at his hands, frowning.]

Suddenly, I was aware of impulses like wanting to paint for recognition, or to make money, and it terrified me that my need for both things might turn into selfish desires like his. I had artist's block for many months, and at one point, considered whether I should give up on art altogether... but Akira was always there, to encourage and support me.

[Really, he relied upon him for so much, it made it that much harder when he'd suddenly had that support wrenched away -- to say nothing of the lies Akira was forced to maintain. Perhaps that was even more painful than having his entry fee itself stripped away from him.]

Ah... Art created purely for art's sake sounds difficult, even without the specter of that man hanging over your head...

[ he looks down to his hands as well, then looks away ]

Were you able to work through the block? Or did you end up here, first?

Yes, I did. [he smiles, a little] I entered a competition and won. My work received critical acclaim, but mostly, I entered the competition so others could simply enjoy my art. [and to spite one of Madarame's old colleagues who slated Yusuke's work, but, details]

The work was "Desire and Hope"... It depicted the duality of the deep darkness and the shining light that exists in the hearts of humanity.

Good.

[ gooood fuck that guy ]

I wish I could see it. It must really be something.

I wonder if I painted it now, whether I would have done anything differently... but I don't think the themes would have changed. I've seen that duality at play here, too, with this terrible Game.

Is there anything you'd want to have done differently? Is there some feeling or concept that wasn't present then that would be this time?

Hmm... Before, my work was a reflection on society, and on the bonds I treasured with my friends. But here, the experience is subtly different.

This Game has simply been one large thought experiment that pitted individuals and groups against each other. Human desires like self-preservation, the desire to simply follow rules and orders and pre-defined roles, or to enact violent justice... were faced against human hopes like cooperation, a wish for freedom, mercy and compassion...

[He pauses and trails off, trying to imagine it in visual form. He shakes his head.] Because of my entry fee, I sadly cannot imagine what that painting would look like. But as both a Player and an artist, I think my interpretation would be along those lines.

Mm...

[ hesitates ]

How equal do you see the struggle being? That balance here between self-preservation and...more than cooperation, forming bonds with others...?

I think the former has always had the upper hand, given the climate of fear, hostility and distrust this game promoted... but against the odds, the latter suddenly seems to be prevailing.

[he looks to Mutsu's sword by his side] I think the moment everyone chose to save Akira is the moment things changed. But, that's simply the kind of person he is.

The prep work and the interpersonal bonds were already there...but you're right, that's probably the closest we've gotten to everyone working together for the good of the group, not just personal gain. I guess that's the power of charisma... You're lucky to have a relationship with someone you clearly admire a great deal.

Yes, I'm very lucky. There's certainly a reason he became the leader of the Phantom Thieves -- he didn't stumble into it by mere coincidence.

Leadership is a talent. It can be cultivated, but it is very difficult to fake.

Yes, I agree.

So, have I answered your questions to your satisfaction?

...Yes? I hadn't realized I was interviewing you.

Oh-- I wasn't trying to imply that you were. It's simply that I've told you so much about myself all at once, I wanted to make sure that there were no lingering questions.

...I feel that you've been open with me throughout. Unless there's something else you wanted to share, I'm not interested in forcing you into anything.

Ah, I don't feel as though I will be forced into anything, so don't worry.

[touches his hand again, briefly] Thank you for listening, and for sharing more about yourself.

[In a game with so many secrets, it's refreshing to just be open with each other, he thinks.]

...We're partners, aren't we? Even though we don't know what'll happen going forward...I hope you can feel like you can trust in me.

Yes. You've seen me through some of the most difficult weeks of my life; at this point, I feel I can trust you with anything.

[ gives a tiny, crooked smile ]

I appreciate that. ...I can't think of anyone I'd rather have at my back for something like this, so.

Really? [He seems surprised, at that.] Then, I'm honoured. I'll do my best not to disappoint your expectations.

Don't feel pressured. You seem to be doing alright thus far.

[ then he clears his throat, suddenly self-conscious ]

--Anyway. I didn't mean to keep you, you and Kurusu must have a lot to catch up on after everything.

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