[ic; goodbye and good night]

[brandloyalty]

[is in the process of cleaning up all of his stuff]

Comments

[xxgirlfriend]

[nods, and takes a breath]

Either . . . we could get ready to leave, and have time to say goodbye . . . or we could try to resist, and we wouldn't see any of you.

[dieinafire]

They... They can't do that!

[xxgirlfriend]

I want to fight back too, but when I thought I might not see you at all-- I couldn't.

[dieinafire]

You should have told us! We could have helped you!

[xxgirlfriend]

I know you would, and I want you to help us now.

[dieinafire]

... I... Yeah. Sure.

[xxgirlfriend]

Now that we've seen you they can't stop us from trying to stay, right?

[dieinafire]

Yuki...

[xxgirlfriend]

There's no way I could just give up now, is there?

[dieinafire]

I have your back.

[xxgirlfriend]

I'm glad you do. I know . . . I haven't made it easy while we've been here.

[dieinafire]

Yuki, that's... I'm sorry.

[xxgirlfriend]

Don't say that. I don't think either of us needs to apologize.

[dieinafire]

No, but I ... I yelled at you and now this is happening...

[xxgirlfriend]

I'm glad you yelled at me!

[dieinafire]

... What.

[xxgirlfriend]

I really mean that. I don't want to be lied to, and I never want to lie to any of you. Maybe we won't always agree, and maybe it's going to be frustrating because we all want to protect each other so much, but that's exactly why even disagreeing is precious to me. Because I know you really care.

[dieinafire]

...

I guess that makes sense.

[xxgirlfriend]

. . . thank you.

[dieinafire]

You're welcome.

[xxgirlfriend]

It feels good to have said that . . . [hasn't noticed, but he's beginning to look a little transparent]

[dieinafire]

... We'll always be friends, Yuki. Even when we fight.

[xxgirlfriend]

It's nice to hear you say that, even though I knew it.

[dieinafire]

Well. You needed to know.

[xxgirlfriend]

[smiles down at his hands . . . then freezes, staring] Hotsuma-kun--