"This is something fate meant me to bear. I have no right to run away."
Kiana's gaze softened. "Besides, that old friend of Bronya and Mei's went through a similarly desperate situation. Her methods were more extreme, but I understand how she felt."
"Oh boy, once I start talking, I just can't stop. But getting it out really did clear my head."
"Thanks, Seele. Having you listen to me ramble really helped me feel better."
She was actually trying to reassure Seele.
Not wanting Seele's concern to go unanswered, she deliberately acted as though it was nothing.
"How could you call it a bother!"
Seele's eyes reddened with distress. "You've endured this torment alone for so long, when an ordinary person couldn't possibly bear it..."
"I used to be afraid, too. Afraid of Sirin losing control, and even more afraid of that unknown version of myself, so I kept far away."
Kiana took a deep breath, the corners of her lips lifting. "But I'm not afraid anymore. Because I know you're all behind me. Everyone risked their lives to pull me back. If I kept hiding like a turtle, that would just be too..."
"Yes!"
"We all trust you unconditionally."
Before Seele had finished speaking,
a sudden clamor of startled cries came from outside the window.
Both of them instantly tensed.
Faint cries for help reached them; something serious seemed to have happened.
Alarms tore through the afternoon quiet.
"Evacuate! Things in the plaza are out of control!"
The shop assistant's shout cracked with terror.
The ground began to tremble, heavy metallic crashes drawing nearer.
The steel behemoths originally meant for performances had now become deadly weapons.
The display window shattered, shards flying like rain.
Seele's pupils contracted slightly. "Everything was fine just a moment ago..."
"No time to find