[ Robby listens without interruption, without much change to his expression. Nothing overly shocked, no more dramatics; he watches between Tsuruno and the way they're walking, but isn't interested in their directions or the visuals of their surroundings. The story she says is bizarre from the beginning, it's true, but Robby's reminded of Izuku and his superhero school. The concrete he punched a large dent into, the lives that people have, their powers.

And the bubbly, always offering to help girl--the same he met by throwing a milk bottle at her--is the same as that. An extraordinary life, and yet it seems normal in a way; normal in that there's people like this that just exist.

But there's more to Tsuruno than just her abilities. But her loss, too.

The way she responded to it isn't so strange, really. ]

I get it. [ His voice is softer, or what the noise of the carnival will allow it to be without becoming lost in the tunes. Watching her, eyes sympathetic. ] After I got out of juvie, I thought the way I'd become a better person was to be someone who didn't rely on others, who learned to stand up by himself. [ He huffs, a sound of faint amusement. ] I did it for opposite reasons from you: I just wanted to be stronger because then I wouldn't have to trust anyone again.

...but I could do something about the hurt I'd been carrying if I became a better person, and then-- it wouldn't be so bad. Everything that happened.

[ Nearly killing Miguel. Thinking that everyone saw him as the lowlife that couldn't be saved, changed, by becoming someone who didn't have to care. Who stopped trying to be the right kind of person, and just someone who could survive, regardless.

His motives were never for other people like Tsuruno. But many people deal with hurt in similar ways, anyway.

He looks ahead briefly, but rubs his thumb against the skin of her hand idly. ]

I don't blame you for not telling me anything. [ He looks at her again, head tipping slightly. ] ...but I'd like it, if you would.