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Sara creaked open the door of the Komore Teahouse. After Ayaka showed her this place, she always came to calm down after a long day of fighting.
It was almost always peaceful and quiet. On days it wasn’t, Thoma and Ayaka were always the cause of it (not that she minded).
Her thoughts were interrupted by a single thought.
….
Where is Taroumaru?
She heard a light padding on the tatami coming from the hall. Taroumaru ran in circles around Sara before darting to the farthest left room of the hall. He wasn’t ever this distressed. She followed him.
In the corner of the room, Ayaka trembled and wrapped her arms around herself. Sara, minding Taroumaru, rushed to her side.
“Ayaka, are you hurt? What’s wrong? Breathe with me.”
Ayaka latched onto her like a lifeline as she silently gasped. Sara felt tears dampen her shoulder but ignored it, her only focus being that Ayaka be alright.
She was so quiet. Sara wondered how many times she’s done this before, dealing with it all herself.
Eventually, her breathing calmed and she loosened her grip, but still held on.
“My…apologies. I didn’t think anyone would show up.”
“Don’t apologize.” Sara wiped away Ayaka’s few remaining tears with her thumb. “What happened?”
“I…” a pause. “…I don’t know what came over me honestly. I guess…it was too much? I, um, I know I’ve been doing this for years but today was just…too much?” She bitterly laughed as let a hand go to pet the shiba. “I’m sorry, I’m sure you’ve heard the stories before. About—about my mother. About me.”
“I understand.”
And she does. She understands far too well. She knows she’s been through this herself before, far too many times to count. They both adopted far too many responsibilities while ignoring their own wants and needs. They both grew up so much earlier than they should’ve.
Ayaka is surrounded by all and yet surrounded by few at the same time, but she’s heard about Sara, through whispers of the crowd. She knows that she understands.
“…Are you disappointed?”
“You know you could never disappoint me.”
Ayaka smiled and nodded in gratitude.
They both knew that they would have this interaction again and again, but Sara would always be there for Ayaka, as she would be there for her in return.
Because they’re loved.
They’re more loved than they could ever know.