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[If someone had told Sakura how expensive friendship was, she might've thought twice about befriending what suddenly seems like half of Recollé -- and right around the holidays, too. Between bills, rent, and food (food for at least three people), the one debit card tied solely to her name can barely handle the strain as it is.
But call it the holiday spirit (or just an unwillingness to lose), she's determined to find the perfect gift for everyone on her list. Everyone. Which, given the sudden lack of taste senses, has resulted in multiple trips to one of Recolle's largest malls, scouring bargain bins and trying to figure out how tacky it would be if she just got everyone the same knitted scarf marked 75% off.
It doesn't matter for long - someone buys them before she comes to a decision. It's probably for the best, but feeling the sting of that defeat, she trudges out of the small outlet store and back into the main building. Glancing up, the ceiling is decked out in festive ornaments hung from the rafters, and the booths dotted along the walkways have at least one reef stuck against their display glasses.
But the real jewel of the mall has to be the meet-and-greet with Santa, Sakura assumes. "Assumes", because she sure can't see the jolly old man dressed in red from her vantage point, likely hidden behind what seems like an endless line of fidgety children and grumpy adults. A couple of Christmas workers dressed as elves are herding the slow-moving stampede, and Sakura's heart ached for them in that moment. She'd learned not to be a stickler when it came to finding income, but oh, that has to be high on the list of jobs she'd never take]
But call it the holiday spirit (or just an unwillingness to lose), she's determined to find the perfect gift for everyone on her list. Everyone. Which, given the sudden lack of taste senses, has resulted in multiple trips to one of Recolle's largest malls, scouring bargain bins and trying to figure out how tacky it would be if she just got everyone the same knitted scarf marked 75% off.
It doesn't matter for long - someone buys them before she comes to a decision. It's probably for the best, but feeling the sting of that defeat, she trudges out of the small outlet store and back into the main building. Glancing up, the ceiling is decked out in festive ornaments hung from the rafters, and the booths dotted along the walkways have at least one reef stuck against their display glasses.
But the real jewel of the mall has to be the meet-and-greet with Santa, Sakura assumes. "Assumes", because she sure can't see the jolly old man dressed in red from her vantage point, likely hidden behind what seems like an endless line of fidgety children and grumpy adults. A couple of Christmas workers dressed as elves are herding the slow-moving stampede, and Sakura's heart ached for them in that moment. She'd learned not to be a stickler when it came to finding income, but oh, that has to be high on the list of jobs she'd never take]
[18,000 children. That's how many tykes, from starry-eyed to bawling, the head elf had cheerfully congratulated everyone for greeting over the holiday season when they hit their four week anniversary yesterday. In the 24 hours since then, Rin could swear that number must have spiked by half, even if only in her imagination. The last Friday before Christmas morning, it seems like every parent in Recolle has rushed to get a picture of their little ones with Santa at the last minute.
This job has been surprisingly rewarding most of the time, since Rin signed on, but the last stretch is definitely the most hectic. Going by one customer making plans with someone over her cellphone, however, it seems to be just about ten minutes until her shift is up and she can take off. Until then, though, there are still children to entertain. She's been feeling lightheaded for a couple hours now, overheated in the velvet hat and costume, but that just makes her act more animated to compensate.]
My name? Ooh, what a polite little boy you are! I think someone might be on Santa's Nice List~ [The bell on her hat jingles as Rin crouches down to the child's level, cupping her cheeks.] I'm Sugarplum. What's your name?
[The boy tells her excitedly, asking if he can see the list too, and Rin has to laugh merrily and tell him only Santa is allowed to look, she just makes the toys. Did he like his presents last year? Oh yes, she thinks Snickerdoodle worked on that one! Snickerdoodle is an old friend of hers; she'll pass the message along. The little boy moves on to Santa, and the girl behind him peers at her shyly. Hm? Why is she so tall?]
Well you see, when elves leave the North Pole, we grow three feet taller! [Rin raises a hand to indicate size, holding back a laugh as the girl's eyes grow wide.] Back home, I'm only juuuust about as big as you.
This job has been surprisingly rewarding most of the time, since Rin signed on, but the last stretch is definitely the most hectic. Going by one customer making plans with someone over her cellphone, however, it seems to be just about ten minutes until her shift is up and she can take off. Until then, though, there are still children to entertain. She's been feeling lightheaded for a couple hours now, overheated in the velvet hat and costume, but that just makes her act more animated to compensate.]
My name? Ooh, what a polite little boy you are! I think someone might be on Santa's Nice List~ [The bell on her hat jingles as Rin crouches down to the child's level, cupping her cheeks.] I'm Sugarplum. What's your name?
[The boy tells her excitedly, asking if he can see the list too, and Rin has to laugh merrily and tell him only Santa is allowed to look, she just makes the toys. Did he like his presents last year? Oh yes, she thinks Snickerdoodle worked on that one! Snickerdoodle is an old friend of hers; she'll pass the message along. The little boy moves on to Santa, and the girl behind him peers at her shyly. Hm? Why is she so tall?]
Well you see, when elves leave the North Pole, we grow three feet taller! [Rin raises a hand to indicate size, holding back a laugh as the girl's eyes grow wide.] Back home, I'm only juuuust about as big as you.
[...
...
It's been four months -- no, five with December nearly being over, and that does not include the days and months and years spent living in Japan while her sister pranced overseas for her education. It'd been a silly thought, stupid and driven with the fear of both memories and nightmares, but Sakura had sometimes worried she'd forget what her own flesh and blood looked like. That maybe Rin would be pulled into Retrospec's vortex and spat back out as some creature with blue hair and three eyes.
The velvet costume is so mundane in comparison that Sakura feels insulted looking at it.]
Nee-san. [Not even spoken loud enough to be heard over the dull roar of the crowd, so that Rin doesn't look in her direction is no surprise. It's still another notch in the calendar, more seconds of her sister apparently being completely okay despite all of Sakura's reservations! Dressed up as a jolly elf, in fact, playing with kids and passing them off to Santa's lap.]
Nee-san. [With a bit more added something now. She'll pin down the emotion once she's crossed the line (to the shock and uncertainty of the parents, all of whom assume she's too old for Santa but still noting with distaste how she squeezes her way to the front, saddling the main line).]
N-nee-san!!
...
It's been four months -- no, five with December nearly being over, and that does not include the days and months and years spent living in Japan while her sister pranced overseas for her education. It'd been a silly thought, stupid and driven with the fear of both memories and nightmares, but Sakura had sometimes worried she'd forget what her own flesh and blood looked like. That maybe Rin would be pulled into Retrospec's vortex and spat back out as some creature with blue hair and three eyes.
The velvet costume is so mundane in comparison that Sakura feels insulted looking at it.]
Nee-san. [Not even spoken loud enough to be heard over the dull roar of the crowd, so that Rin doesn't look in her direction is no surprise. It's still another notch in the calendar, more seconds of her sister apparently being completely okay despite all of Sakura's reservations! Dressed up as a jolly elf, in fact, playing with kids and passing them off to Santa's lap.]
Nee-san. [With a bit more added something now. She'll pin down the emotion once she's crossed the line (to the shock and uncertainty of the parents, all of whom assume she's too old for Santa but still noting with distaste how she squeezes her way to the front, saddling the main line).]
N-nee-san!!
[Smiling and moving kids about, it takes a few seconds for Rin's brain to parse that that common phrase in her mother tongue is actually kind of our of place in an American mall. Then again, Recolle is pretty diverse. Still, she glances back curiously; if there are children that only speak Japanese, maybe she could get some bonus points for—
Oh, nevermind, it's only Sakura. Back to work then.]
Oh, nevermind, it's only Sakura. Back to work then.]
[—wait.
Wait, crap, no—! Rin does a double-take so fast she hears her neck pop.]
Sakura?!
[The sister she hasn't seen in so long; she'd still recognize her anywhere. Rin's face, in that moment, twists into such a look of shock and horror it could only be compared to a plumber's first day on the job; a cheerleader caught making out with a nerd.]
Wait, crap, no—! Rin does a double-take so fast she hears her neck pop.]
Sakura?!
[The sister she hasn't seen in so long; she'd still recognize her anywhere. Rin's face, in that moment, twists into such a look of shock and horror it could only be compared to a plumber's first day on the job; a cheerleader caught making out with a nerd.]
Edited 2017-12-25 08:08 (UTC)
[Dressed in green velvet and a short skirt, with bells on her hat and shoes, fake elf ears, and hair done up in pigtails like she wore when she was a little girl, it feels about on the same level, up until the murmuring of the crowd becomes louder than her own internal screaming. "What's wrong, Sugarplum?", one child asks, while another starts crying because the elf's face got scary. Waving her hands, Rin takes a deep breath and immediately jumps back into character.]
O-Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! [She makes a show out of looking dramatically worried, clapping her hands to her cheeks, then her knees.] Wahhh, I just remembered I forgot to take the reindeer treats out of the oven back at the North Pole! They'll be so crispy, Sakura won't want them now... Eh? Didn't I say? Sakura is one of the baby reindeer.
[That seems to calm some of the kids down, who are immediately enamored and curious as to what a baby reindeer looks like and if it can fly. The child that cried earlier seems to have set off a few others, though, and now there's a couple of babies near the front of the line crying and wiping at tear-streaked faces, cranky for having been here for so long. And probably at Sakura for cutting. It's gotten the attention of the security team too, who glance at Sakura with interest, waiting to see if they need to come over or not yet.]
O-Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! [She makes a show out of looking dramatically worried, clapping her hands to her cheeks, then her knees.] Wahhh, I just remembered I forgot to take the reindeer treats out of the oven back at the North Pole! They'll be so crispy, Sakura won't want them now... Eh? Didn't I say? Sakura is one of the baby reindeer.
[That seems to calm some of the kids down, who are immediately enamored and curious as to what a baby reindeer looks like and if it can fly. The child that cried earlier seems to have set off a few others, though, and now there's a couple of babies near the front of the line crying and wiping at tear-streaked faces, cranky for having been here for so long. And probably at Sakura for cutting. It's gotten the attention of the security team too, who glance at Sakura with interest, waiting to see if they need to come over or not yet.]
[The presence of a crowd meant Sakura was never going to command Rin's attention like she wanted, and at the farthest corner of her common sense, she'd known that. Even still, she wrestles back the beginnings of a pout no better than what some of the other children are wearing (aimed at her back, too, she feels those little glares). Having to always perform at the Leviathan's Claw, she's aware of what's going on here.
... Well then.]
Y-yes, it's for Sakura!
[Hands suddenly clenched into fists, the girl gives a resolute nod at all the children... who are staring in wonder and skepticism at this girl who is obviously not an elf. The parents, at least, seem to be willing to go along with this. Easier to accept an underdressed performer than someone trying to skip to the front of the line.]
Sorry, everyone. I had to remind Sugarplum. Sakura gets cranky when she doesn't see her for so long.
[+_+]
Miss Sugarplum--! [Whirling on Rin with the same try hard expression that would embarrass most drama classes] When will you be free to give little Sakura the treats you promised!
... Well then.]
Y-yes, it's for Sakura!
[Hands suddenly clenched into fists, the girl gives a resolute nod at all the children... who are staring in wonder and skepticism at this girl who is obviously not an elf. The parents, at least, seem to be willing to go along with this. Easier to accept an underdressed performer than someone trying to skip to the front of the line.]
Sorry, everyone. I had to remind Sugarplum. Sakura gets cranky when she doesn't see her for so long.
[+_+]
Miss Sugarplum--! [Whirling on Rin with the same try hard expression that would embarrass most drama classes] When will you be free to give little Sakura the treats you promised!
[If Rin's cheeks tint reddish-pink, it is of course with merriment. What's with this third-degree guilt tripping? Couldn't she have just asked one of the staff?]
"Little" Sakura? Ohhh, I don't know about that. [Rin laughs lightly, eyes closed.] She's gotten rounder lately.
[Nerves and fondness fluttering about, the chuckles that gets out of the kids makes Rin spin on her heel, tapping a finger to and from her chin comically.]
But let's see... [Cheeks even more flushed, she coughs into one hand.] I'll have to ask Santa if I can borrow his sleigh, but he's nice, so I'm sure he'll say yes once I've helped a few more of the good boys and girls up to see him. Yes, I should be able to set out in about ten minutes.
[Though ten weeks would be preferable, sob.]
"Little" Sakura? Ohhh, I don't know about that. [Rin laughs lightly, eyes closed.] She's gotten rounder lately.
[Nerves and fondness fluttering about, the chuckles that gets out of the kids makes Rin spin on her heel, tapping a finger to and from her chin comically.]
But let's see... [Cheeks even more flushed, she coughs into one hand.] I'll have to ask Santa if I can borrow his sleigh, but he's nice, so I'm sure he'll say yes once I've helped a few more of the good boys and girls up to see him. Yes, I should be able to set out in about ten minutes.
[Though ten weeks would be preferable, sob.]
Ten minutes?
[S-smile for the kids, Sakura. They're still watching, as are the security guards who continue to hover by the outskirts of the crowd, just as baffled by the show as the parents are. The girl straightens, hands clasped together]
Well then, I think the reindeer can wait a little longer!
[Seeing as she's been waiting over four months. Ten minutes should be a breeze, yes. And grinning vibrantly, Sakura makes a show of waving to all the children before finally stepping out of the way. A scattering of very confused applause follows her to the back of the line.
... As do one of the security guards.
Thankfully, Sakura is very quick to set the record straight in the presence of authority, and the man gets a good laugh at her expense once she weaves the tale of wayward sisters. He leaves her with a pat on the back, along with instructions on where most of the staff go to change. And as she's been chasing Rin for this long, she might as well park herself on the indoor bench by the door, hands fidgeting irritably in her lap while the minutes tick on.]
[S-smile for the kids, Sakura. They're still watching, as are the security guards who continue to hover by the outskirts of the crowd, just as baffled by the show as the parents are. The girl straightens, hands clasped together]
Well then, I think the reindeer can wait a little longer!
[Seeing as she's been waiting over four months. Ten minutes should be a breeze, yes. And grinning vibrantly, Sakura makes a show of waving to all the children before finally stepping out of the way. A scattering of very confused applause follows her to the back of the line.
... As do one of the security guards.
Thankfully, Sakura is very quick to set the record straight in the presence of authority, and the man gets a good laugh at her expense once she weaves the tale of wayward sisters. He leaves her with a pat on the back, along with instructions on where most of the staff go to change. And as she's been chasing Rin for this long, she might as well park herself on the indoor bench by the door, hands fidgeting irritably in her lap while the minutes tick on.]
[Time's up, and Rin quietly slips away with smiles and waves to the children who notice, replaced by her good friend "Peppermint". There's a private access area here for Santa and the elves to change in, to keep the magic and mystery intact. If she gets through the door quickly quickly enough, maybe she can change before Sa—
Aaaaand she's already waiting for her. Great. Ching, ching, ching. Rin jingles grumpily as she approaches.]
Security told you where to wait? [Folding one arm around her middle and reaches for the door knob, shooting dirty looks back the way she came.] I'll have to give them a stern talking-to later. Geez. You could've been a stalker.
[Try not to sulk in public, Rin. Honestly, she's a little happy to see Sakura, just ashamed to be caught on the job like this and making up for it by acting abrasively. How can she spin this...]
Aaaaand she's already waiting for her. Great. Ching, ching, ching. Rin jingles grumpily as she approaches.]
Security told you where to wait? [Folding one arm around her middle and reaches for the door knob, shooting dirty looks back the way she came.] I'll have to give them a stern talking-to later. Geez. You could've been a stalker.
[Try not to sulk in public, Rin. Honestly, she's a little happy to see Sakura, just ashamed to be caught on the job like this and making up for it by acting abrasively. How can she spin this...]
[Ten minutes has given Sakura time to calm herself, smooth over her annoyance and hurt until she hears a proper explanation. At least she's getting one, she reasons, a fast improvement over four months of radio silence. And at her sister's approach, she lifts her eyes and stares at her with the scrutiny she deserves, from the jiggling bell to the green velvet elf suit--
and immediately dissolves into giggles.]
I suppose security thought my chances weren't good against one of Santa's helpers. [SHE TEASES WITH LOVE? Maybe. But no really, that outfit is a delight and Sakura wants that hat for herself]
and immediately dissolves into giggles.]
I suppose security thought my chances weren't good against one of Santa's helpers. [SHE TEASES WITH LOVE? Maybe. But no really, that outfit is a delight and Sakura wants that hat for herself]
[asdfgh jiggling that handle faster]
Laugh all you want, but it's good money!
[The door opens with a click and Rin steps inside, holding it open with one hand and tapping her foot impatiently while beckoning Sakura to follow. She might as well come along.]
Laugh all you want, but it's good money!
[The door opens with a click and Rin steps inside, holding it open with one hand and tapping her foot impatiently while beckoning Sakura to follow. She might as well come along.]
I should hope so. [That part said with complete honesty because. Well. The situation speaks for herself here.
But Sakura will stand up immediately at the summons, following after with a wide smile on her face.]
You were a good performer, though. The kids really liked you. [Even when Sakura blundered over and nearly ripped down the facade.]
But Sakura will stand up immediately at the summons, following after with a wide smile on her face.]
You were a good performer, though. The kids really liked you. [Even when Sakura blundered over and nearly ripped down the facade.]
[Trusting gravity to do the rest, Rin lets go and walks down the hall, smoothing out her velvet skirt.]
I wouldn't get called back if they didn't. You have to know how to work your audience; it's no coincidence most of my co-workers are actors.
[Closing in on the second room to the right, Rin reaches up to pull the hat from her head, bumping the door open with her hip.]
So where's mom and dad? They waiting in the food court?
I wouldn't get called back if they didn't. You have to know how to work your audience; it's no coincidence most of my co-workers are actors.
[Closing in on the second room to the right, Rin reaches up to pull the hat from her head, bumping the door open with her hip.]
So where's mom and dad? They waiting in the food court?
[Dutifully, Sakura hums along to indicate she's heard -- a little tidbit of information for her to keep.
Her expression grows uncertain when Rin poses that question, however, slipping through the second room on her sister's heels. She's spent all this time thinking of what she'd say to Rin upon finding her, but it occurs to her then -- really occurs to her -- that the other doesn't have a clue of what's happened in the past fourish months.
She doesn't even know if her sister's on the retrospec network.
So her answer isn't immediately forthcoming like Rin might expect, and Sakura is going to look for a place to sit if there's any. If not, the wall will do.]
No, I'm here by myself. [A pause, and because she's not here to play games, Sakura elaborates quickly] They're in Japan still.
Her expression grows uncertain when Rin poses that question, however, slipping through the second room on her sister's heels. She's spent all this time thinking of what she'd say to Rin upon finding her, but it occurs to her then -- really occurs to her -- that the other doesn't have a clue of what's happened in the past fourish months.
She doesn't even know if her sister's on the retrospec network.
So her answer isn't immediately forthcoming like Rin might expect, and Sakura is going to look for a place to sit if there's any. If not, the wall will do.]
No, I'm here by myself. [A pause, and because she's not here to play games, Sakura elaborates quickly] They're in Japan still.
[It's a locker room, actually. Enjoy that light, mall-fresh sweat aroma in the air as you stand about, little sister. Rin grabs her bag from one of the lockers, then goes into a stall to change, letting out a small breath when she's out of sight.]
Oh.
[Disconcertion? Relief? Rin's not sure how she feels, actually, her eyes landing on the cellphone in her bag.]
I was... [Almost hesitant, against the cheap stalls her voice echoes slightly. Then brusque as usual:] Never mind. I can't believe they let you out of their sight, though.
[Mom must be blowing up your phone, she nearly adds, but that's probably not possible... Should she ask? Maybe she can sneak a peek at Sakura's cell later. Quashing that thread of anxiety in her heart, there's a shimmying as Rin works off her skirt.]
Oh.
[Disconcertion? Relief? Rin's not sure how she feels, actually, her eyes landing on the cellphone in her bag.]
I was... [Almost hesitant, against the cheap stalls her voice echoes slightly. Then brusque as usual:] Never mind. I can't believe they let you out of their sight, though.
[Mom must be blowing up your phone, she nearly adds, but that's probably not possible... Should she ask? Maybe she can sneak a peek at Sakura's cell later. Quashing that thread of anxiety in her heart, there's a shimmying as Rin works off her skirt.]
[Sakura's suddenly grateful for Rin vanishing behind a stall; there's no hiding how her expression sours.]
... It wasn't planned for me to be gone so long. [Against Rin's tone, Sakura's is low and level, more easily lost in the hidden spaces of the locker room. She bows her head] They only let me go so I could surprise you.
[And Sakura had absolutely taken that bid for escape, used their parents' money without question and taken a flight all by herself like a big girl. She won't pretend the distance didn't initially thrill her.]
Kaa-san wanted to come, of course, but I convinced her I'd be alright by myself.
... It wasn't planned for me to be gone so long. [Against Rin's tone, Sakura's is low and level, more easily lost in the hidden spaces of the locker room. She bows her head] They only let me go so I could surprise you.
[And Sakura had absolutely taken that bid for escape, used their parents' money without question and taken a flight all by herself like a big girl. She won't pretend the distance didn't initially thrill her.]
Kaa-san wanted to come, of course, but I convinced her I'd be alright by myself.
[Rin mouths those words to herself, kicking both her skirt and jingling shoes to a corner of the stall. "So long?"]
So what; you've been holed up in a hotel by yourself for two weeks? [For a moment Rin feels guilty. A little annoyed too, but mostly guilty.] Sorry, Sakura. It's bad timing on my end, but I didn't mean to hold you up. I hope you've done some sightseeing.
So what; you've been holed up in a hotel by yourself for two weeks? [For a moment Rin feels guilty. A little annoyed too, but mostly guilty.] Sorry, Sakura. It's bad timing on my end, but I didn't mean to hold you up. I hope you've done some sightseeing.
[And theeeeere it is.]
Since August. [As that part bears repeating. Though for all Sakura's dignified tilt of chin, she is definitely not looking at Rin while she continues speaking]
Don't worry, it was for school! [She didn't drop fourish months in a city all by herself just because she was looking for her sister... is the story she's sticking to for now.]
Recollé University has a wonderful art program, and Tou-san seemed accepting of the idea...
[After Sakura lied and insisted the sisters were rooming together, so of course it would be fine.]
Since August. [As that part bears repeating. Though for all Sakura's dignified tilt of chin, she is definitely not looking at Rin while she continues speaking]
Don't worry, it was for school! [She didn't drop fourish months in a city all by herself just because she was looking for her sister... is the story she's sticking to for now.]
Recollé University has a wonderful art program, and Tou-san seemed accepting of the idea...
[After Sakura lied and insisted the sisters were rooming together, so of course it would be fine.]
I thought you just said it wasn't planned for you to be gone for so long! What's the big idea?!
[A trio of workers from one of the fast food restaurants at the food court open the door to the locker room, probably off their shift...
Aaand promptly take one look at the argument in here involving a half-naked chick and back right on out. Seems like a good time to get a mocha! 8D]
[A trio of workers from one of the fast food restaurants at the food court open the door to the locker room, probably off their shift...
Aaand promptly take one look at the argument in here involving a half-naked chick and back right on out. Seems like a good time to get a mocha! 8D]
[Guys no please take Sakura with you--
Or actually, forget that because WOW, Nee-san, could you not find holes in her logic for two seconds? She's staring at Rin now, fussed into a pout]
I-I meant I was supposed to check out the college, meet up with you, and then go home! But then I couldn't find you!
[And let's play a game, shall we? How is it that Sakura got to stay in the U.S., without supervision, unable to find her older sister, and their parents didn't somehow manage to hire the secret service to find them?]
Or actually, forget that because WOW, Nee-san, could you not find holes in her logic for two seconds? She's staring at Rin now, fussed into a pout]
I-I meant I was supposed to check out the college, meet up with you, and then go home! But then I couldn't find you!
[And let's play a game, shall we? How is it that Sakura got to stay in the U.S., without supervision, unable to find her older sister, and their parents didn't somehow manage to hire the secret service to find them?]
[Wow, Sakura's brackets! You read her mind! +_+]
Oh god, how have I not seen you on a milk carton yet. They think I'm missing, and then you stick around for four months?
[Hell—]
With the way calls aren't getting out, I'm surprised they haven't called the army! Maybe a SWAT team will swoop in any second!
[As if half-expecting that, Rin slams the stall door shut again—twice, when it bounces—and hurries to change, muttering under her breath. It's not very audible.
I'm going to be in so much trouble...!
Because they'd definitely look for Sakura before they looked for her, even thinking she's missing.
It's an unfair thought, and Rin knows it the second it crosses her mind, along with a multitude of other worries. Homesickness. But selfishly she can't find a fault in it, so that little hurt remains.]
Oh god, how have I not seen you on a milk carton yet. They think I'm missing, and then you stick around for four months?
[Hell—]
With the way calls aren't getting out, I'm surprised they haven't called the army! Maybe a SWAT team will swoop in any second!
[As if half-expecting that, Rin slams the stall door shut again—twice, when it bounces—and hurries to change, muttering under her breath. It's not very audible.
I'm going to be in so much trouble...!
Because they'd definitely look for Sakura before they looked for her, even thinking she's missing.
It's an unfair thought, and Rin knows it the second it crosses her mind, along with a multitude of other worries. Homesickness. But selfishly she can't find a fault in it, so that little hurt remains.]
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