[ Aqua's so much bigger than her, now. Not just tall but broader as well and it makes something proud and sorrowful in equal measure constrict her heart. But when the glassy shine of tears passes over his eyes, Ai's spine tempers into steel and she welcomes him into her arms as if he were no smaller or heavier than he'd been the day he was born. ]
You don't have to do anything for me except just... be. That was all I ever wanted.
[ Her eyes sting and she doesn't even bother to try and dam up what she knows will follow. Who cares if they're making a scene? Who cares if all of her secrets are bleeding out of her with every single tear? If she was alone here, just Ai Hoshino and that was that, maybe it'd be something to concern herself with.
But things are different. If Aqua's here too, then she's not just Ai Hoshino anymore. And she certainly isn't Ai of B-Komachi. ]
It's okay. I know. [ Her voice cracks and threatens to break, but she swallows hard and forces herself to keep speaking. ] Mama's here now. So let's protect each other, okay?
no subject
You don't have to do anything for me except just... be. That was all I ever wanted.
[ Her eyes sting and she doesn't even bother to try and dam up what she knows will follow. Who cares if they're making a scene? Who cares if all of her secrets are bleeding out of her with every single tear? If she was alone here, just Ai Hoshino and that was that, maybe it'd be something to concern herself with.
But things are different. If Aqua's here too, then she's not just Ai Hoshino anymore. And she certainly isn't Ai of B-Komachi. ]
It's okay. I know. [ Her voice cracks and threatens to break, but she swallows hard and forces herself to keep speaking. ] Mama's here now. So let's protect each other, okay?