[The silence is thick between them, her eyes watching the smoke rise from the cigarette in his hand. She wasn't focused on it though. Why was she always being told to leave? Was leaving going to always be her answer? Was it so bothersome that she wanted to help?

Then she'll be a damn bother.]

I'm not leaving behind anyone I care about. Not anymore.

[There was a knot in her stomach when she admitted to that. Since she arrived at the near shore, she had told herself she would keep her distance. However the people here made it difficult for her to not care for them in some way. Yes, that included Mikoto, as frustrating as the man could be. It was scary to care. She'd lost too many already, and keeping her distance meant less pain.

Was that why Mikoto was like this right now?]

...Mikoto..are you afraid too?