Somehow, Teppei isn't surprised by Hyuuga's edginess, it just says more conclusively to him that Hyuuga is displeased with the name on his wrist. Which in turn leads him to wonder about something far more personal--were they matched and Hyuuga was deeply unsettled by it?
That had always been a possibility in Teppei's mind, but he's previously considered it as a lower, less probably outcome. He'd never had high hopes for it if it had turned out to be true either and expected if his name somehow ended up on Hyuuga's wrist that it could turn out to be one of the worst possible outcomes. It'd be better if their connection is one-sided, Teppei can deal with that.
But there's a sinking feeling in his stomach that there's a kind of resentment in Hyuuga's voice, a feeling that he's not only displeased with his soul mate but that maybe he's been cheated out of having someone more suited, more normal, someone better. It's not that Teppei's ego is fragile, but the idea that his name could be the reason for Hyuuga seeming so jaded is difficult to stomach and makes his heart ache even in the abstract.
That's all inside though and Teppei shakes his head with his usual smile.
"It worked out. You know that. They've been married for years and years. They got married before the war because they were in love. Grandma told me that grandpa said that it didn't matter they didn't match, because he loved her so much and he'd rather have that than search for something he may never find. Grandma found out her soul mate died in the war, grandpa met his later in life. He said she was a lovely lady and he could imagine any man falling in love with her, but that even as soul mates he couldn't feel a connection to her and it didn't hold a candle to grandma."
Leaning forward, Teppei thumbs at the cap of the bottle and stares across at the line of lockers ahead of him. Running is tongue over his lips, Teppei clears his throat again.
"I think... soul mates are scary. Sometimes. But I think it's taken so seriously, like it's the only possibility, or there's only one path, one way to do and be soul mates. Maybe it's because I've known mine for a while, but I never expected to be with that person romantically, really. I think of it more like the red string, not a chain; it connects you somehow, but it shouldn't be something to tie you down or restrict you. I think soul mates are more complex than neat, simple fixes."
He makes himself grip tightly to the bottle, suddenly very glad its there because it's something to focus his hands on and stop them shaking. He's not lying to Hyuuga here, it's all stuff he honestly believes, but at the same time it's like walking the edge of a pool, sometimes wobbling a bit closer to falling in and other times going closer to solid land, but never quite steady.
Not a word :')
That had always been a possibility in Teppei's mind, but he's previously considered it as a lower, less probably outcome. He'd never had high hopes for it if it had turned out to be true either and expected if his name somehow ended up on Hyuuga's wrist that it could turn out to be one of the worst possible outcomes. It'd be better if their connection is one-sided, Teppei can deal with that.
But there's a sinking feeling in his stomach that there's a kind of resentment in Hyuuga's voice, a feeling that he's not only displeased with his soul mate but that maybe he's been cheated out of having someone more suited, more normal, someone better. It's not that Teppei's ego is fragile, but the idea that his name could be the reason for Hyuuga seeming so jaded is difficult to stomach and makes his heart ache even in the abstract.
That's all inside though and Teppei shakes his head with his usual smile.
"It worked out. You know that. They've been married for years and years. They got married before the war because they were in love. Grandma told me that grandpa said that it didn't matter they didn't match, because he loved her so much and he'd rather have that than search for something he may never find. Grandma found out her soul mate died in the war, grandpa met his later in life. He said she was a lovely lady and he could imagine any man falling in love with her, but that even as soul mates he couldn't feel a connection to her and it didn't hold a candle to grandma."
Leaning forward, Teppei thumbs at the cap of the bottle and stares across at the line of lockers ahead of him. Running is tongue over his lips, Teppei clears his throat again.
"I think... soul mates are scary. Sometimes. But I think it's taken so seriously, like it's the only possibility, or there's only one path, one way to do and be soul mates. Maybe it's because I've known mine for a while, but I never expected to be with that person romantically, really. I think of it more like the red string, not a chain; it connects you somehow, but it shouldn't be something to tie you down or restrict you. I think soul mates are more complex than neat, simple fixes."
He makes himself grip tightly to the bottle, suddenly very glad its there because it's something to focus his hands on and stop them shaking. He's not lying to Hyuuga here, it's all stuff he honestly believes, but at the same time it's like walking the edge of a pool, sometimes wobbling a bit closer to falling in and other times going closer to solid land, but never quite steady.