[ There's a chance, then. There's a chance that this bright-faced girl with her oversized summer hat just might be okay. Yuuri doesn't know who she is but her heart aches at the thought of any harm coming to her. This 'Ruu' girl, whoever she might be.

But if he's right... and if Ayaka really, truly believed she needed a hostage... ]

She'd... keep her, I think. So I'd know the whole time we were there that she had something over me. Killing Ruu wouldn't do any good.

[ I'll never forgive you. she'd hissed at Ayaka. She's never heard or felt so much venom in her own voice before then. If that woman had really and truly hurt the girl Yuuri had decided she was protecting then she doesn't think anything could have stopped her from getting to Ayaka and making her pay.

She sniffs again. ]

... thank you. I'm sorry I...

[ Sorry for what? Even Yuuri's not sure how that sentence was supposed to end. So she just shakes her head and gives a little sigh. ]

Is it... alright if we stay here for a little while? I don't know if I want to try and face everyone just yet.