Such a bubbly attitude for someone who truly spent his sweet time searching about for a man who never wanted to be found. He could only fathom what exactly set off this search that led the other halfway around the world to bid a hello and a saddened reminder of how Mink bid no farewells to those he left back in Midorijima.
It was.. interesting to see Clear without his mask. To see the features captivated by a flurry of emotions that the elder could only pick up one by one. A visage that was dotted by two small moles and eyes that could be likened to the rosy hue of the sky during sunrise. Perhaps he’d stopped wearing it back when Mink was around, but he could never pay mind to details in the past. Never bothered to.
The interest is gone, replaced by furrowed brows.
“Gas mask,” He starts. That nickname hasn’t left his lips for years and doing so again felt strange on his tongue. He wasn’t the leader of Scratch anymore, no longer wore shackles and dreads. Its tone was riddled with disbelief, with incredulity. Just seeing the jubilant other here was like some strange dream that certainly couldn’t be real.
Oh, but it was.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
It’s a simple statement. He’s amazed that the man before him would go to such lengths to see him again, but he didn’t want this. He’d rather the silence of his lone figure and the surroundings than someone he had left long ago. The flutter of wings would sound out between them, shadow following suit as a familiar pink avian hovered above the pair, rather interested by the new sight.
“You wanted to wish me hello and you have. Now,” And with that, he turns on a heel to head off from the cliff side. A look over the shoulder would be directed to Clear, lingering for a moment. “leave this place.”
What kind of greeting was that? Clear had explained his purpose for being here, the reason why he came so far, and Mink was shrugging him off just like that. It was as if his journey hadn’t mattered and his affections hadn’t mattered. It was nothing short of rude, and yet it only served to fascinate him somehow. Why was he always so quick to turn people away? There had to have been a reason.
“Heeey! You’re so mean, Mink-san!” The android had reeled back with a childish wail, then pouting with equal immaturity. As emotionally exuberant as ever, tears had blossomed in the ducts of his eyes and threatened to spill, cheeks puffed and red from distress. Mink was never anything short of being a big meanie, yet he still saw rays of sunshine in him. He saw purpose in this lost refugee.
Let it be known that Clear was not easy to turn away, even in the face of effortless intimidation. One could call him adamant and courageous, yet many would still think him stubborn and hard-headed. He preferred to think it as sticking to his own free will, doing what he wanted to do without anyone else’s interference. No, not even Mink could stop him now.
“I didn’t say I was going to leave right away. Do you want me to? That’s awful!” With a huff, Clear stepped to his side and faced the edge of the cliff, watching the world go by, so beautiful and pure. It was no wonder Mink remained here. This land completely unknown to him was gorgeous. No wonder his grandfather traveled, too, before he’d taken Clear in... Was the whole world filled with experiences like this?
“I don’t want to leave, Mink-san. I just got here,” he spoke with solidarity and conviction in his voice. “I came because I wanted to see you, to see what had happened to you, and to see how you have been. So, my journey isn’t done yet. I am going to be staying here for a while.” The fervor in his eyes as he turned his head, gave Mink his gaze was powerful, hard to miss. “I’m sorry, Mink-san, but this is what I choose. I would truly like to talk to you.”