And it's not a case of... Togami pretending to be Mitarai?
[But that seems strange, even to Ishida. He hasn't recovered too many memories about his old classmate, but the heir always seemed proud. Why would he pretend to be another student, especially someone with the title of SHSL Animator?]
I admit that is not like him, but maybe circumstances pushed him! I mean, Monokuma trapped us in a school and forced us to kill each other...
[That doesn't sit right with him, and Byakuya bristles.]
You are right to say that's not like him. From what I know of him, I- Togami would consider that to be the coward's way out. Not to mention that the only memories I have from Mitarai's perspective... are of attending Hope's Peak Academy in seemingly peaceful circumstances. Monokuma and killing games do not factor in at all...
[The idea of one being a disguise seems like a potential explanation, but it falls apart when Byakuya thinks about it.]
[That's right... Hope's Peak used to be a peaceful school before Monokuma did something to it. It's so strange, but that seems to be the truth. If only he can remember those good days... assuming he ever went to Hope's Peak before the killing game started. Perhaps that's something truly worth remembering.
But anyway, if his memories of Mitarai existed before the killing game, there's definitely no reason for Togami to pretend to be him. So it's back to square one.]
We still don't know a lot about how our world worked, even if it was Earth in some way... I mean, I feel like even the most bizarre explanation can work.
That's fair. [He says in a manner of neutral agreement with that point, as he thinks further.]
It can't be said that we haven't lived quite the colorful past lives, after all. Perhaps the bizarre is true... or perhaps it's not. We don't have enough evidence to assume anything for sure, after all.
[Maybe the answer to this question is locked somewhere in his own memories. If that's the case, he really needs to try his best to remember. He's certain that his roommate wants to know the truth, especially since he's always been so proud of his past self.
Perhaps if he draws more! Or think about Mitarai's name more often! Maybe he can make a bookmark with Mitarai's name on it so something about him will appear in his memories!
[Byakuya knows that all he can really do right now in service of this mystery is to try his best to remember. That's why he asked anyone for information on Mitarai, and why he's been dabbling in art. He feels the need to get to the bottom of this and find out who he is. Or was.]
The closest thing that I currently have to one is this. Perhaps there is some mistake or oversight on Retrospec's part, that has been causing me to regain memories from two different lives at the same time.
[Ishida looks a little uncertain about that theory and it's probably obvious by the expression on his face. He's never heard of Retrospec making that sort of mistake before... is it even possible?
He's initially hesitant to bring up his doubts, but Ishida eventually speaks up.]
I haven't heard of them mistaking our past selves before. And if the theory of our souls being connected is true, I don't see how they can mess that up.
Perhaps. But I think that it's too soon to decide anything for sure. When apparently handling such a large volume of 'souls', it seems possible for some mistakes to occur. And I do believe that I've noticed the possibility being discussed by others in the past... I just neglected to look into those conversations at the time.
[He has a lot to look into, to consider, and research going forward.]
In any case, all that we have now are our theories. I'll have to see what I can discover for myself going forward.
[He can't completely discount Byakuya's idea... perhaps there is some mistake. Retrospec has been having problems lately with 'layers' and such as well. Ishida still has his doubts, but it's something to keep in mind at least.]
But whatever the truth may be, me and the others will have your back! You can count on that much at least, it's a man's promise!!
[He feels slightly embarrassed, enough where Ishida rubs the back of his neck as he tries to fight down his flush.]
I-I know, I thought it just sounded... um, cool.
[Ishida finishes that comment in a somewhat uncharacteristically meek manner. It's only when Byakuya mentions his ability to count on him that some of his old energy returns.] You're welcome!
[That's... kinda encouraging?? Byakuya saying it's a good thing that he's not cool? Ah.....]
...A person named 'Oowada' made that sort of promise to a girl-- Fujisaki. He managed to encourage her through that. I thought it would have the same effect.
[Maybe he didn't say it right? Or guess he just doesn't have that 'cool' aura to pull it off.]
[Well, that's good, right? He managed to encourage his roommate! That's been his goal all along!
Even if Byakuya is only encouraged because of how ridiculous he sounded.
...Ishida will accept this, although he can't completely hide his petulant expression.]
Good to know...!
[A small part of him still wonders if Byakuya is afraid or worried about this whole mix up with Mitarai. He always seems so confident and steadfast, even when they're talking about the killing game.
He looks like he's about to say something else, but doesn't.]
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[But that seems strange, even to Ishida. He hasn't recovered too many memories about his old classmate, but the heir always seemed proud. Why would he pretend to be another student, especially someone with the title of SHSL Animator?]
I admit that is not like him, but maybe circumstances pushed him! I mean, Monokuma trapped us in a school and forced us to kill each other...
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You are right to say that's not like him. From what I know of him, I- Togami would consider that to be the coward's way out. Not to mention that the only memories I have from Mitarai's perspective... are of attending Hope's Peak Academy in seemingly peaceful circumstances. Monokuma and killing games do not factor in at all...
[The idea of one being a disguise seems like a potential explanation, but it falls apart when Byakuya thinks about it.]
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But anyway, if his memories of Mitarai existed before the killing game, there's definitely no reason for Togami to pretend to be him. So it's back to square one.]
We still don't know a lot about how our world worked, even if it was Earth in some way... I mean, I feel like even the most bizarre explanation can work.
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It can't be said that we haven't lived quite the colorful past lives, after all. Perhaps the bizarre is true... or perhaps it's not. We don't have enough evidence to assume anything for sure, after all.
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Perhaps if he draws more! Or think about Mitarai's name more often! Maybe he can make a bookmark with Mitarai's name on it so something about him will appear in his memories!
But for now...]
Do you have any theories so far?
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The closest thing that I currently have to one is this. Perhaps there is some mistake or oversight on Retrospec's part, that has been causing me to regain memories from two different lives at the same time.
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He's initially hesitant to bring up his doubts, but Ishida eventually speaks up.]
I haven't heard of them mistaking our past selves before. And if the theory of our souls being connected is true, I don't see how they can mess that up.
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[He has a lot to look into, to consider, and research going forward.]
In any case, all that we have now are our theories. I'll have to see what I can discover for myself going forward.
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[He can't completely discount Byakuya's idea... perhaps there is some mistake. Retrospec has been having problems lately with 'layers' and such as well. Ishida still has his doubts, but it's something to keep in mind at least.]
But whatever the truth may be, me and the others will have your back! You can count on that much at least, it's a man's promise!!
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Your promise doesn't need to be laced with testosterone to be valid, you know. [He chimes teasingly.]
But I appreciate it all the same, Taka. I'm glad to be able to count on you.
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I-I know, I thought it just sounded... um, cool.
[Ishida finishes that comment in a somewhat uncharacteristically meek manner. It's only when Byakuya mentions his ability to count on him that some of his old energy returns.] You're welcome!
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Being 'cool' has never seemed to be your strong suit, Taka. But that's a good thing. You're better this way.
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...A person named 'Oowada' made that sort of promise to a girl-- Fujisaki. He managed to encourage her through that. I thought it would have the same effect.
[Maybe he didn't say it right? Or guess he just doesn't have that 'cool' aura to pull it off.]
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People from the other life, I assume? Well, you did achieve your desired effect, just not in the way you intended.
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Even if Byakuya is only encouraged because of how ridiculous he sounded.
...Ishida will accept this, although he can't completely hide his petulant expression.]
Good to know...!
[A small part of him still wonders if Byakuya is afraid or worried about this whole mix up with Mitarai. He always seems so confident and steadfast, even when they're talking about the killing game.
He looks like he's about to say something else, but doesn't.]