<sub>[... Well, that might just be the biggest steaming pile of bullshit Mondo's tried to feed him yet--which is impressive considering how much bullshit and how many uncomfortable truths have been passed around to date.

Ryuji takes in air, blows it out through his nose. The chill is palpable when he lifts his chin and confronts that comment with staunch certainty.]</sub>

With one big goddamn difference: I can control my shit. If you spent a little more time tryin' instead of bein' an asshole, you wouldn't be where you are.

<sub>[A murderer. Someone throwing away opportunities. Worried about going into a blackout rage and hurting people.

Ryuji's willing to concede they may have started somewhere similar in life, young and struggling. Big feelings and bigger frustrations. But the similarities end there. The other boy had gone down a dark road--and he has the shamelessness to keep turning his shit around on Ryuji? The hell with that.]</sub>

I'm sure as shit not comin' down to your level--you'd better get on mine. That's how it is.

_{[Good fucking luck to any doctor who takes Mondo's case. Kicking the crap out of his Shadow would be so much easier...]}