Day 31, Women's Bathroom (by the Sun Room)
As much as Hokuto wanted to stay with Naoya, she knew her control over her emotions was wavering too much. The only thing she could do for him right now was try to draw him into a meditative state, and if it wasn't even working for her it couldn't be doing a thing for him. She wanted to help, but... sometimes there was nothing to be done, and any attempts would just make things worse.
Not that he really can feel any worse, right now...
"I'm sorry," she whispered, hugging him closer for a moment before letting go and getting up. "I have to go... I'll see you later, I promise." Naoto... Naoto was gone, but Naoya wouldn't be alone here. She'd make sure of that.
At least, as long as she could... Hokuto could make as many promises as she wanted, with the best intentions in the world, and circumstances outside her control might leave her unable to keep them. Sometimes planning for the future just didn't work.
She did her best to appear calm, but the tranquil she'd held onto for Naoya slipped away as soon as she even thought she was out of his range. Still, Hokuto struggled to hold onto her composure for at least a few more seconds; she didn't want to worry anyone.
Not so far removed from her high school days, as long ago as they felt, she didn't even have to think about where to go; just like at school, the only place she could find even a pretense of privacy in was the bathroom. She didn't dare run, people would notice that, but she was walking a little faster than usual. Maybe nobody would think anything of it... she slipped into a stall as quickly as she could and shut the door. The excuse for a lock was flimsy at best; it might keep the door from opening on its own, but that was it. Not wanting company, for once, Hokuto had the presence of mind to cast the only other spell she had here and sealed the door shut as firmly as she could. It wouldn't hold up to much, but it should at least make it very clear she wanted to be alone.
That done, she turned and stumbled forward to lean against the wall, vision already blurred; she pressed her back into the corner furthest from the door, covered her face with her hands, and started to cry. For everyone that had been left behind, and for everyone that hadn't wanted to leave.
Not that he really can feel any worse, right now...
"I'm sorry," she whispered, hugging him closer for a moment before letting go and getting up. "I have to go... I'll see you later, I promise." Naoto... Naoto was gone, but Naoya wouldn't be alone here. She'd make sure of that.
At least, as long as she could... Hokuto could make as many promises as she wanted, with the best intentions in the world, and circumstances outside her control might leave her unable to keep them. Sometimes planning for the future just didn't work.
She did her best to appear calm, but the tranquil she'd held onto for Naoya slipped away as soon as she even thought she was out of his range. Still, Hokuto struggled to hold onto her composure for at least a few more seconds; she didn't want to worry anyone.
Not so far removed from her high school days, as long ago as they felt, she didn't even have to think about where to go; just like at school, the only place she could find even a pretense of privacy in was the bathroom. She didn't dare run, people would notice that, but she was walking a little faster than usual. Maybe nobody would think anything of it... she slipped into a stall as quickly as she could and shut the door. The excuse for a lock was flimsy at best; it might keep the door from opening on its own, but that was it. Not wanting company, for once, Hokuto had the presence of mind to cast the only other spell she had here and sealed the door shut as firmly as she could. It wouldn't hold up to much, but it should at least make it very clear she wanted to be alone.
That done, she turned and stumbled forward to lean against the wall, vision already blurred; she pressed her back into the corner furthest from the door, covered her face with her hands, and started to cry. For everyone that had been left behind, and for everyone that hadn't wanted to leave.