[ Given how quickly she pushed herself up, she saw him move, but isn't quite clear on ... what ... exactly happened. She keeps it in mind, though. It wasn't like his motion from before, when he was going for his belt.

It was maybe the opposite of that. Or ... is that just what she wants to believe?

For a moment she doesn't reply, just trying to calm down and steady her breathing. Pluto, scared and unhappy, picks up her walking stick in his mouth and shuffles over to her, butting her in the leg with his head. It's with a soft sound she realizes what he's done and reaches to take the walking stick from him. Using it to steady herself makes her feel fractionally better.

The bag she had with her is now on the floor, too. Xion pats Pluto on the head, and he seems to understand, moving over to catch it up in his mouth. ]

.... it wouldn't be easy, [ she says, very quiet. She's nearly back into the state she was in when he found her. Just ... not quite. There's a core of raw vulnerability there still exposed to the air. ]

It wouldn't be easy at all. I really care about you, Shinnosuke. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could ignore you forever. ... you're right, I think. I'm pretty pitiful after all.

[ Her voice is only just barely above a whisper by the end. Finally, finally composed, she looks up at him. ]

... I have something to do. Could you leave me alone? I don't have time to keep crying.