[... That well, YEAH, who wouldn't have noticed that unpleasant conversation between her and Hiro? And her consequent running away and crying in a corner??]
I-I don't know where I'd be able to start or... Rather, i-it's hard to talk about.
I-I made Hiro angry and then I cried too much and... All of that was too much wasn't it? I couldn't stop until Saiduq came over to listen to me and now thinking about what happened just makes me feel more terrible especially since everyone was supposed to be enjoying themselves and—...!
[It's all said in a panicky rush and it's clear Ai isn't really thinking straight.]
Ai-chan... none of that was your fault? Hiro-kun reacted badly, but you didn't know he'd be like that. What you went through... was very unfair, but not your fault at all.
[Even if there is truth to Otome's words, Ai can't bring herself to really be angry at Hiro. Just sad and hurt.
And she does have to ask...]
... Miss Otome? Do... Do I seem fake to you?
[Because that's what he basically called her.]
The things that I do, are they... Are they manipulative? Am I just being spoiled by others and wanting more and more and so I'm just being agreeable and presentable?
If you're asking me, shouldn't that be answer enough?
[ Wouldn't a manipulative person avoid mentioning that at all? ]
No one really enjoys being alone. And no one wants to disappoint the people they care about, and of course, it's gratifying to have others like you. But that's human nature. Hiro-kun may have forgotten that, and placed you on a pedestal, instead of remembering that you're just as human as he is. You have insecurities and desires, just like us.
And I also don't believe that any of what you've showed either of us was a lie.
... When he called me fake... I started to doubt myself.
[She takes a deep breath and exhales.]
It was probably my mistake too. I know Hiro isn't perfect. But... It hurt. It really hurts when the person who made me want to believe in myself more suddenly threw that to the ground.
[Ai sniffs and sounds as if she's almost about to cry again, but she holds her hand to her nose breathes between her fingers to calm herself down. She's caused enough trouble for everyone already and Otome has taken her time to check up on her.]
I don't know what to do. I-I've never been able to talk with a lot of boys a lot back in my world and he's the first I felt so strongly about. I don't know how I feel anymore.
That may take some time. And ultimately, you may have to leave the ball in his court. This is something he's going to have to decide-- well. [ It's nothing Ai has to force herself to do. ]
What I would recommend is taking some time for yourself. Your friends will gladly let you know that what you feel and how you live your life... none of that is fake. You can get your feelings sorted out as you go.
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audio;
[That's the initial sound that can be heard at first and some shuffling before there's a quiet reply.]
Miss Otome?
audio;
[ Sorry, Ai. ]
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I can talk now. It's no trouble!
audio;
audio;
[She can be honest about that much.]
Thank you for asking. My energy levels are lower than I'd like them to be, but otherwise, I should be back into shape soon.
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... Is there anything you'd like to talk about, then, before I go give a certain someone a long talking-to?
1/2
[Ai sits up when the realization hits her...]
audio;
I-I don't know where I'd be able to start or... Rather, i-it's hard to talk about.
audio;
... It's just that it was pretty hard to miss.
[ JUST... SAYING... ]
audio;
[Ai what are you even]
audio;
[ WHAT... ]
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[It's all said in a panicky rush and it's clear Ai isn't really thinking straight.]
audio;
audio;
And she does have to ask...]
... Miss Otome? Do... Do I seem fake to you?
[Because that's what he basically called her.]
The things that I do, are they... Are they manipulative? Am I just being spoiled by others and wanting more and more and so I'm just being agreeable and presentable?
audio;
[ Wouldn't a manipulative person avoid mentioning that at all? ]
No one really enjoys being alone. And no one wants to disappoint the people they care about, and of course, it's gratifying to have others like you. But that's human nature. Hiro-kun may have forgotten that, and placed you on a pedestal, instead of remembering that you're just as human as he is. You have insecurities and desires, just like us.
And I also don't believe that any of what you've showed either of us was a lie.
Re: audio;
[She takes a deep breath and exhales.]
It was probably my mistake too. I know Hiro isn't perfect. But... It hurt. It really hurts when the person who made me want to believe in myself more suddenly threw that to the ground.
audio;
... But please, don't doubt yourself. I think by now, he's realized his mistake as well.
audio;
I don't know what to do. I-I've never been able to talk with a lot of boys a lot back in my world and he's the first I felt so strongly about. I don't know how I feel anymore.
audio;
What I would recommend is taking some time for yourself. Your friends will gladly let you know that what you feel and how you live your life... none of that is fake. You can get your feelings sorted out as you go.
audio;
I'll do my best. And thank you for checking up on me.
audio;