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March 7th

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[When it comes to certain things, Hitomi is the only person who Sachiko can turn to. That's why Sachiko's decided to give her a phone call.]

Hey, Hitomi? Are you free?

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[ She'd been expecting that call. So much so that she'd brought the phone into the kitchen with her while she made supper and kept it within arm's reach. She catches it at the first ring, tucking it against her shoulder as she washes the dishes. ]

I'm free. Shall we meet?

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[Hitomi's answer comes as no small relief, but her response had been so quick that Sachiko can't help but briefly wonder if she'd seen this call coming.

...She wasn't that predictable, was she?]

Yes. Does your place work? If it does, I can be there in the next ten minutes.

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Yes. No one else will be home for a while yet... though we may have to go to the base once my parents get home.

[ She scrubs ferociously at the spot on the frying pan, trying to focus on that and not the whirlwind of thoughts swirling around in her head. ]

I'll leave the door unlocked.

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Alright. See you in a bit.

[When she hangs up, her feet are already on the move, propelling her fast towards her destination.

It isn't even eight minutes later when she arrives, closing the front door quietly behind her as she enters Hitomi's house.]

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[ The dishes are done and two cups of tea is sitting at the kitchen table. Hitomi's pacing, her fingers locked in knots in front of her. She stops at Sachiko's appearance in the kitchen, trying to smile -- and finding that she can't fully commit to it.

All she can do is blurt out the first thought that enters her head. ]

I made tea.

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Oh. [Sachiko's eyes travel to the teacups, and a brief smile appears on her face.] And on such short notice, too.

[She walks over to the table, hesitating as her hand hovers above a cup.] Which one is mine?

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Ah... the one with the light blue one. [ She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, making her way over to the table. ] I purchased one for each of us recently... to match the colors of our outfits.

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You... [Sachiko stares down at the cups, her eyes moving from the red one to the blue one. Then she brings her hand up to her face and laughs.

If anyone else had done something like that, Sachiko would be awestruck, but it suited Hitomi. It was just the type of thing she'd come to expect from Hitomi by this point - in her every action, she was always thinking of the others, wasn't she?

Already, Sachiko's starting to feel her nervousness ebb away. She takes the blue teacup and brings it to her lips, taking a small sip.

It would be nice if they could just drink tea and unwind together like this for the whole evening, she thinks, but her smile fades when she remembers that that isn't possible. She came here for a reason.]

...Have you talked to Hoshiko?

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I have.

[ She doesn't risk picking up her own cup. In fear that she'll shatter it with one false move, she feels completely on edge. ]

... I don't think it's a good idea to go. She seems convinced it's a necessary risk, but there's something suspicious about the whole thing that I do not like.

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[She breathes a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness she isn't alone in feeling this way.]

I agree. Everything she's been saying, everything they've been telling her... None of it makes any sense.

[She runs her unoccupied hand through her hair, heaving another sigh.] And there's too many of them. If they wanted to try anything, we would be vastly outnumbered.

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Yes. By all accounts, the potential cons outweigh any potential pros. [ She clenches her fists tightly, then slowly releases them, letting the tension ebb out. Only then does she take the cup, taking a tentative sip. ]

... But I've also never seen her like this. I cannot recall a time where our concerns were not enough to curb that impulsiveness.

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[She bites at her lip, looking forlornly down at her teacup. Absentmindedly, she swishes the contents of the cup around.]

I don't understand it.

We're not going to be able to talk her out of this, are we? Even though...! Even though she of all people should know how nasty magi can be to each other.

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I don't think so.

[ She sighs heavily. ]

Perhaps she sees something that we do not... I want to trust her judgement, but I fear that she's been blinded by false promises.

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[Her frown deepens.]

Miki and Ayame... Do you know how they feel about it? Maybe, if we can convince them...

If all four of us were opposed to it, she'd have to listen, wouldn't she?

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Would she?

[ She sounds unconvinced. Taking another sip of tea, letting the words stand for a moment. ]

She may just go alone in that case... as it stands, though. I think they're both so new that they would go along for the adventure of it.

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...You're probably right.

[There's a reason it was Hitomi she'd decided to call, after all; a reason that Hitomi's the only one she's dared voice these thoughts to.

She raises her head back up to look at Hitomi.]

Then, what should we do? Just go along with her and hope for the best?

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No. That would be completely foolish.

[ She lets out a sigh. ]

... Perhaps instead, we can try to meet them in neutral territory. Outside of the city. We can go outside city limits and request that they send trustworthy representatives to come meet us, and should negotiations fall through we'll retreat and return home.

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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.