[ And the fact that he's being earnest about it all, is something that she appreciates. She sticks close to him with a bit of a sad, solemn smile, however. ]

I guess. I can't think about it too much because I might have a panic attack or something worseー

[ She trails off a bit, her words strained in her throat quite a bit as she tries to shake it off, not wanting to spiral back into those dark thoughts. Even if she is very much aware that she's like that.

There's no saving her from thinking like that, and that's because she still personally thinks that she's fundamentally broken; after all, even if the event affected her to the point that yeah, she has trauma now, she can't say that she doesn't-- but even if she could overcome that, her main issues, the way she is normally? That can't just be traced back to a single incident at all.

There just isn't any salvation for her inherent issue, no matter how hard she tries.

Even if she's opened up a bit, things for her are still difficult. ]

But. . . thanks, Atsushi. For saying that. Hearing those words, that someone is glad that I'm here, it means a lot. It's still a little strange for me, to have so many people just accept me as who I am and earnestly want to be friends with me.