“Sorry if I came off… a little concerned.” We are sitting at a fast food place and Claire’s been a little quiet since we left to pick up dinner. “Oh… well I’m kinda dumb like that.” “You’re not dumb, I know you just like to focus on one thing.” “Oh.” Well that's putting it nicely… She lets out a small breath. “I did really enjoy playing today, I can’t believe we got so caught up and lost track of time like we did.” At least it sounds like she's not trying to let it hang over us. “Well you were getting close to finishing the palace. And you seemed like you were having fun.” “I was, I beat Madarame!” She smiles, okay I feel better now. “Next time no more than six hours. We need to at least take a break, goodness I felt so ravenous. But it was satisfying finishing it all today. I see why you like these games so much, I’m sorry you didn’t have them in our life before.” “Oh… I guess? I’m sure… I? Had other things to do?” No video games would suck… “Oh we found ways to fill the time.” She's grinning. She means me… I’m going to die at this rate. Death by Claire is not the worst way to go out. “But I beat him. Goodness it was too close for a moment, I panicked when Ann fell after Yusuke. If I hadn’t remembered I had those medicines I might have lost …. What would have even happened if that were to occur?” “Oh, you reload an old save and try again, well actually the game lets you start at the start of the fight again too.” “Oh, I was worried for a moment… that it might have been worse? That the game ended?” “It sort of is a game over? Some people play it that way. The game has a bunch of ways it could end early besides losing a fight too. Like if we never beat Kamoshida in time that would have ended the game.” “Oh… that makes sense.” Aaaaaa, her thinking face is so cute. “Yah, I think it tells us that the MC, uhhh Joker and Ryuoji get expelled. It’s not a good ending.” “I see.” She takes another bite of her food, she seems stuck on a new thought. “Rei, quite soon is Misaki's anniversary.” Shit. God I have not really wanted to think about it. “It’s been a few weeks since we were with Shiko and she mentioned it… and I just wanted to know what you wanted to do?” Her voice is so soft… “Oh… I think I was going to go home and… and y’know?” She leans over and lays her hand next to mine. “Is it alright if I come?” I reach my pinky out over one of her fingers. “You don’t have to come.” “I never miss it, Rei.” I believe her. “Are you sure…? It’s not going to be…” “Of course I am, but that’s only if you are okay with it. I know when Shiko mentioned it I said I would come but I wanted to make sure. And you haven’t said anything since then.” “Oh… yeah sorry.” “I understand. It's fine silly, I do want to come.” “Oh… yeah. Okay. Yeah, I was going to jump on a train back home to Chiba, meet up with Shiko and Kosaki then go visit Misaki.” “That sounds lovely.” Her hand moves over mine and she holds it over the table. “How are you feeling?” “Fine?” I apologized and she's happy, did I forget something? “About Misaki.” “Oh… I, it’s okay.” “Rei, it’s okay if you don’t feel okay about it.” “I… I don’t get it… like Misaki… ou... outed me in middle school. Because he was jealous? And then we went to different high schools, and I don’t think I could have been in the same high school but I… I don’t know. Kosaki had him apologize for it and they told us about him being trans and all that and I guess it makes sense. Like his parents were always shitty to him about it. But I thought it was going okay. Kosaki was with him. I just wanted distance from that. And then he di-” The word dies in my throat, I thought I was holding it together but then it all feels like it comes down at once. My eyes are watering and I’m afraid if I try to speak again my voice will crack. Claire looks worried, she massages my hand slowly. “It’s okay Rei, focus on your hand okay?” Her thumb runs up and down the back of it. Her fingers slowly work the palm. Her hand is so soft and gentle. “Do you want to keep talking about it?” She asks. Breathe I try to focus on her hand. “He died.” “I’ll be here. I’ll always be here, okay?” Her hand is so nice. “I’m sorry… I’m not great at… talking about this stuff. I’m sure the other me was…” Her hand stills, “Rei.” It feels like I'm commanded, I’m compelled to look at her. “What do you mean?” I’m worse. I can’t say that, she would hate that. “I know it's difficult to talk about yourself.” She resumes running her thumb over my hand. “I’m sorry. It must be harder given everything, I know too much and you don’t. It must be hard to trust me.” “No… I don’t know. It’s weird… and like I don’t know… I do trust you… I know you don’t want to hurt me.” I just don't want to let you down. She smiles. “Can… can I try to figure it out? Think about it.” “Of course, always Rei. I’ll always be here for you when you're ready.” I can do this. For her.