"In every relationship," Qing said, his voice growing heavier for a moment, "You have to make compromises across both parties, so that it works out. Relationships should be mutually bettering. Besides —" and at this, he smiled again. "Who's to say you aren't a dream?"
"It's clear you care very deeply for your girlfriend, and you've the maturity to question yourself about what you're like. You can see past an ego, and recognise your faults."
He paused, to let that sink in.
"If you think there are things you can work on, then work on them. Just because you're not the best version of yourself ever, doesn't mean that you can't get to that stage. Best, I find, is relative. Your best today might not be your best tomorrow. The most important thing is for you to be your best, everyday."
Qing waved his hands in a shrug. "And that takes work, but if you're willing to do that work, then you're definitely enough of a dream."
He didn't press for answers from Shiro. If she wanted to tell him, she would, whenever. "Nah," Qing said instead, "let's look to the future for now. What do you see yourself doing a few years on?"
"It's clear you care very deeply for your girlfriend, and you've the maturity to question yourself about what you're like. You can see past an ego, and recognise your faults."
He paused, to let that sink in.
"If you think there are things you can work on, then work on them. Just because you're not the best version of yourself ever, doesn't mean that you can't get to that stage. Best, I find, is relative. Your best today might not be your best tomorrow. The most important thing is for you to be your best, everyday."
Qing waved his hands in a shrug. "And that takes work, but if you're willing to do that work, then you're definitely enough of a dream."
He didn't press for answers from Shiro. If she wanted to tell him, she would, whenever. "Nah," Qing said instead, "let's look to the future for now. What do you see yourself doing a few years on?"