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[Sachiko's expression immediately perks up at Hitomi's suggestion.]

That's a great idea! It'd minimize the risk factor considerably, especially if we don't specify the exact location until the day of the scheduled meetup. That way, they won't be able to set a trap for us beforehand.

Plus, if they send too many people out to meet us, we'll know their intentions right away.

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[ she allows herself a small smile at the praise. ]

Precisely. In a very literal sense, we'll be meeting her halfway and allowing both sides to feel safe.

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It's perfect.

[Relieved laughter bubbles from her throat.]

Oh, Hitomi, what would we ever do without you?

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[ Her cheeks redden. She ducks her head, looking down at the teacup. ]

I'm sure you'd all manage. But I... feel the same way, Sachiko. If I didn't know that you felt uneasy too, I don't feel as though I'd have thought about this nearly as much.

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I... [She hesitates, then seems to decide that as long as they're being honest with each other about their feelings, she might as well go the whole way.]

I was so scared. When I heard Hoshiko start talking about how she was going to go meet them, I-- all I could think about was all the ways in which it could go wrong, and the more I thought about it, the more scared I grew. But she was so excited about it, and all of a sudden, it felt like she was so far away from me.

"What if something happens to her? What if she doesn't come back?" I couldn't even sleep that night. It was like I'd lost her already.

[Her lip wavers, and she blinks her eyes rapidly, as if to keep from crying.]

If-- if you weren't around, I-I... [She trails off.]

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[ She sets the teacup down, reaching out carefully to touch her friend's shoulder. Sachiko's damp eyes are almost enough to bring tears to her own, but she shakes her head resolutely.

These were her friends. The people she loved most in the universe. She wouldn't let anything happen to them, no matter what. Her strength was a miracle, one that she would use wisely. ]

You won't. You won't lose any of us. You don't ever have to think that way, because I'll always bring them back no matter what. Where ever you are, no matter what's happening, I'll always find you and bring them home.

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[Sachiko forces a weak smile onto her face and, with trembling hands, places her teacup back onto the table. The edges of her eyes are burning, and she knows now that she won't be able to hold back her tears.

She doesn't want Hitomi to see her like this, so she pulls her into an embrace, hugging her tightly.

She wants to say something, but as tear after tear begins to fall from her eyes, she realizes that her voice would be a mess if she tried to speak right now; that she wouldn't be able to get her words out properly at all.

So for the time being, she doesn't say anything.]

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[ With great care, she wraps her arm around the other girl and holds her close. Resting her head against Sachiko's, rubbing her back gently.

These are her most precious people.

No matter what, she knows she has to protect them. She means every single word she says - no matter what, so long as it's in her power, they will return home. And Sachiko will not cry like this again... at once she feels angry at Hoshiko, but...

But the manic energy she'd latched onto this with wasn't like her. It wasn't her usual exuberance or desire for friendship, it was something else entirely... something hopeful, almost. Painfully hopeful. Her anger evaporates almost as quickly as it comes, leaving only confusion and determination in it's place.

If Hoshiko believes so strongly in whatever Nyoi-cho holds then... then she'll see this through to the end. ]

It's going to be okay.

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[She tries to swallow the burning lump in her throat and at last makes a tentative attempt at speech.]

Yeah. You're right. I-- [She lets out a sound, half laugh and half shuddering sob.] I'm being silly, aren't I? Just listen to me. It's like I don't believe in you, and that's not true.

[After all, Hitomi is so strong. It's something that Sachiko had admired about her, that even with everything that was going on, Hitomi still had time to look out for and care for others. She'd said it herself, after all: she'd been worried, too.

But here she is, comforting Sachiko and telling her that everything is going to be okay.]

Sorry. ["For talking like I don't believe in you," the statement implies.] I'm sorry.

[But left unsaid were other reasons, other apologies entirely. Sachiko wished she could be strong like Hitomi. She wished that it weren't always Hitomi looking out for her, or that she weren't a burden.

She'll work harder. Sometime in the future, she thinks, when this is all behind them and everyone's gotten home safely... When Hitomi needs her... When that time comes, she'll be the one to support her.]

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Sachi...

[ Hitomi shakes her head. She pats her back, still gentle, still mindful of the incredible strength lurking beneath her fingertips. Sachiko seems so powerful even when she doesn't realize it. Even vulnerable like this, she's still trying to respect other people's feelings. ]

Being worried doesn't mean you don't believe in someone. What we do is still risky, even if we're skilled... but you should have more faith in yourself. Don't be afraid to be assertive and state how you feel.

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[A shaky smile makes its way onto Sachiko's face. Why did it seem as if Hitomi always knew exactly what to say to make her feel better? She was always so encouraging, so warm.]

...I'm really glad I met you, Hitomi.

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[ She smiles a little, her face heating up again. ]

... I feel the same. Every single day, I wake up happy... because I know we're friends.