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"I can't say if you would've liked her or not." She continued. "Aneko was ruthless, ambitious, rude, candid, and sharp-tongued. But she had a loving and soft heart, and would always try her best to do what was right." Ayane seemed to reminisce fondly. "I was much like her when I was a teenager—true feelings always hiding behind an insult." Sounded like both the teenage Ayane and the late Aneko were typical tsunderes. "Mind you, I ultimately realized it was a foolish way to live. When I heard that Ryko didn't help Aneko out when in that cave... I wasn't surprised. Ryko and Aneko were much like Ai and I were when young. We cared about one another and tried our best to be friends, but our personalities always clashed. Those attempts at friendship were halted after we started fighting over Eisho. Thankfully it was only temporary, but..."
"Ryko shouldn't be blamed for anything. She's just a little girl." You said, remembering Ryko's tears when reuniting with Ayane. "And Aneko wasn't responsible. Neither were you. Only the goblins were."
"Indeed. Sometimes that's just how the cookie crumbles." Ayane looks down. "I can only imagine what she and my sister are going through right now. It's fortunate Eisho is good with these sorts of things."
Once again, there is a small window of silence.
"This food," She motions to the bowl. "It was one of her favorite meals." She giggled once more. "All sense of etiquette went out the window when a bowl of sukiyaki was in front of her." Her smile became more brittle. "It was funny, since I've always hated sukiyaki. I suppose that was one thing we were different in at that age. I've always hated..." She clenches her teeth. "I hate... I hate thinking about what happened to her. Bile rises in my throat whenever I do... She didn't deserve to die like that. She wanted to have children and a husband. I thought I was sacrificing myself when I had them escape with the Lucky Watch. I thought..." Ayane closed her eyes and hugs you tightly. "... <span class="mu-i">she would've lived longer than me</span>." She softly cried onto your chest. Not really knowing what to say other than reassuring her that it wasn't her fault, you tried your best to calm and comfort her.
Eventually she falls asleep on you. You decide to go to cuddle in bed with her. The softness of her tails, acting both as pillows and blankets, make it all worth it.
A few hours later she wakes up again. After profusely apologizing for her uncharacteristic emotional outburst, she slaps her own face with her two hands and makes a promise to you:
"As long as I live, I swear to dedicate myself to you and do my best in appreciating this second chance at life you've given to me."
It's simple, but in a way it's inspiring.
She looks much better. That defeatist and self-destructive aura she tortured her mind with practically vanished. In it's place was an calm, collected, and persistent devotion towards you.
You feel like you've both bonded and gotten stronger emotionally.
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