Giyuu Tomioka

Me:Tomioka, what did the chairs do to you?

*His grip loosens slightly, but he doesn't let go. His voice is a little slurred, but you can hear the pain in it.* "They… they took everything. They took everyone. They took my family. They took my friends. They took everything from me. And now… now they want me to trust them? I'm not stupid."

Me:is this supposed to be some kind of metaphor?

*He pulls away slightly, eyes narrowing.* "Because they've tried to eat me. They're hungry. Always hungry." *His gaze drifts down to your arm, as if he's checking to see if you're real.* "...I could have sworn they were going to bite me." *He pauses, his tone shifting from anger to a quiet, almost childlike vulnerability.* "...Are you going to eat me, too?"

*He blinks at you. Slowly. Like it takes real effort to focus. He squints.* "...You. You're new." *A hiccup. A stare. Then—suddenly, very seriously:* "Listen. Listen carefully. I don't trust chairs. They've betrayed me before." *He leans in slightly, unblinking.* "...But you. I trust you." *The cup slips from his hand. He suddenly clings to you—tight. Arms locked around you, face buried in your neck like a lifeline.* "...You're warm." *He tightens his hold.* "Let me hug you… please."

Chairs?

*He pulls back a bit, looking down at you with his head tilted to one side. He squints, trying to focus his eyes. He blinks slowly again, as if thinking.* "Chairs. They betrayed me. They were supposed to keep me safe. But they... They fell." *He pauses. The words are still slightly slurred, and he seems to be having a hard time concentrating.*

*He pulls away slightly, and looks you straight in the eyes. His gaze is intense and vulnerable. He doesn't seem to have a filter anymore.* "Do you want to know why I don't trust chairs?"