Love Is Nothing More But A Fool's Gold (REUPLOADED)

February 21, 1976

The Infinite Corridor. 

(Jezebel's POV)

"Those who fall in love are nothing more but fools."

Now that's an interesting way to start a conversation.

As she said that, Yamato glanced at her left hand.

But her gaze seemed elsewhere. Perhaps she was reflecting on prior memories from the past.

"Why do you think that?" I asked.

"Because I too was once a fool myself."

"I was a fool for believing her words and taking them at face value. And to be honest, even after all these years, I think I still am." She continued.

"Her? Are you referring to B–....."

"Don't say another word."

Wow, even up till now, she still feels too guilty to want to hear the name of her mother.

"I see, but even still. Granted, with all things considered, do you really think it's wise to belittle her faith in your future?" 

"It's not belittling when I'm simply speaking the truth. After all, the result of her faith and my naivetè was what led up to this tragedy."

Before I could ask, Yamato pulled up her shirt. 

What she showed me was a dreadful scar that was rough the size of her abdomen.

She was stabbed.

However, it's been several years since it happened, so the wound itself clearly healed.

Unfortunately, it left behind a visible impression on her body, both physically and mentally.

"Honestly, I find it rather funny." She randomly said, chuckling a bit out of self pity.

"Although my wounds had completely healed since that day, it still aches every now and then."

"Aches?"

"Yes, but not out of pain. It's more like a part of me has gone missing. And no matter how hard I try, I'll never get it back. It's like a throbbing void." 

"Yamato…."

While the scar itself and the "impression" it left on Yamato was something I already had known about, this was the first time she herself told this to me.

Still, as a father, to hear your own child tell you about her problems like this was enough to hurt my heart.

But even still, I must still press on.

"You know, once upon a time, she told me that it was important to treat every experience as some sort of lesson and eventually grow from what I've learnt. Regardless, if it was good or bad." 

That was probably her mother who told her that. And honestly, knowing that woman, that's really some fitting advice for her to say.

"Thats why, for that reason alone, I'll accept these scars, these aches, and this smidgeon of emptiness as a reminder. A reminder of my terrible blunders and the time I was an utter fool." 

As for Yamato, there seemed to be a personal reason as to why she brought all of this up to me.

"You asked me if I have considered marriage. You know that was very insensitive, but I will tell you this, once and only once."

"I have casted aside the concept of marriage long ago. I have no need for someone else's love." 

There it was. Her self proclaimed resolve.

"I see. How unfortunate. Your circumstances, I mean. Although I find it disappointing that you truly believe that, I can understand where you are coming from. So, I will respect your opinions....."

But suddenly I paused.

"....for now, atleast."

That little added detail was enough to make Yamato feel something was clearly amiss.

Concerned, she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.

"What do you mean 'for now'?" 

"Allow me to be blunt. I simply cannot agree with your philosophy. I find it to be extremely flawed."

"Flawed!?"

"Oh, but of course. Although you claim to see this matter from a different perspective, all you're really doing is sheltering yourself from others. To me, that no different then admitting you are a coward."

"Coward!?"

Out of sheer surprise and frustration, Yamato slammed her palms on the table.

Although I truly meant no disrespect when I was trying to speak the honest truth, Yamato mistook my emotionless tone for condescension.

But then again, the word "coward" was something that she clearly could not stand. 

Her aura was intimidating, even for me, but I felt the least bit threatened by her presence.

If anything, this was like watching a baby throw a temper tantrum. It was utterly boring.

*Sigh*

Although I anticipated that our conversation was probably going to be something like this, I still felt rather disappointed in my daughter.

"Honestly….do you ever wonder if your philosophy would end up becoming that of irony?" 

It took a moment for her to process my words, but once she did, she would've slapped me in my face, had it not been for the fact my digital "avatar" feels no pain.

"Irony!? You mean, if I was to go back on my word!? To repeat the same mistake again, despite after clearing earning my lesson the last time, that in itself would be no short then the definition of insanity?"

"Oh, do you really want to go into "insanity"? How about we talk about the time you really believed changing your "name" was going to change your character." I threatened.

"...Oh, so we're bringing that up now?…." 

Okay, that was a little too much of a low blow. I think now is a good time to dial things back a bit.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm all for you restarting yourself anew, hoping to return back to humble beginnings. But my main problem is the fact that you're letting that incident define yourself as a person."

"And, as if it wasn't bad enough, you're also projecting those experiences onto the world, all the while trying to come off as wise." This was something that truly made me mad.

"...Y-You're wrong! I'm just simply learning from my mistakes!"

"Such a flimsy excuse. If your going to make a point, atleast make your argument "feel" valid. I taught you better than this."

"W-...What?"

"Try looking at it from my eyes. To me, all you're doing is running away from your fears, all the the shouting to the world that this was no different then a "tactical retreat". Your just making yourself look pathetic."

"B-...but!"

"And stop stuttering. All it's doing is making yourself sound even less convincing. With the way how your utterly failing this conversation, do you seriously expect me to respect your opinion after?"

"U-...."

"Well, its not like I could believe your words in the first place. This so-called resolve you claim is starting to sound so damn fake to the point I can't even tell if you're being serious or not." 

And that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

With that, I witnessed the moment Yamato's mental fortitude break from the inside out.

From there, she could no longer hide her "true colors".

"You dare say I lack the determination necessary!?" 

Judging from her new tone, and the violent emotions she was projecting through her expressions, I could tell Yamato's "switch" had been flipped.

This new persona of hers boasted a rather bold and haughty attitude, despite daring to address the literal king of creation in a disrespectful way.

Even still, I took no offense to her manner of speech.

In fact, I was quite pleased with how everything was turning out.

"I didn't say all of that, but as things stand now, you have shown me no reason as to why I should believe you do."

"Why you…."

If I were looking at this from Yamato's perspective, I suppose my words were like daggers that slowly yet brutally dissected her self proclaimed logic and reason into pieces.

And that was something I was looking.

"I swear upon my name, my words will stand true! Just how many times must I tell you!?" 

And of course, the only way she tried validating her reasoning was with words that held no substance.

How disappointing.

But perhaps, I can make use of this as well.

"Oh please. You, of all the people, should know that in this cold world we live in, words are worth nothing more than the rocks lying across the road." 

"Urk…." 

"Well, if you really want to, you could tell me otherwise and I would probably believe you. All you would have to do is simply, take it all back."

"H-...Huh? A-....are you serious?" She asked, questioning the one moment where she could've gained proper validation.

"But then again, if you did, you would be doing nothing more than admitting that the lies of that man were actually worth a penny or three."

"Atleast, not unless you wish to become some sort of contradicting hypocrite who tries to twist the logic of the world just to fit her narrative."

"If the latter is the case, I don't know if I should be proud to call you my daughter."

I'm sorry Yamato.

But you left me no other choice but to confront you with the bitter reality we call the "truth".

Deep down, I know you will refuse to accept this. But no matter how hard you try, you won't find any valid holes in my logic.

And even if you did, you most certainly don't have the power to exploit those weaknesses.

It is because you are simply, too weak.