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“You’re always hanging around with that green loner, Kanna. Woof! Why is that? Meow?”
Kanna sat next to Gin, appreciating him taking the time to sit with her while Sou and Sara were busy talking— More likely arguing. She thought for a minute but didn’t really have a good answer. She shrugged softly, hugging Gin’s pillow closer to her.
“Sou is nice to Kanna!”
It wasn’t a very good explanation, of course she knew that, but it was the best she could think of right now.
“No he’s not! That creepy loner is a total jerk to Kanna!! Meow!”
“N-No he’s not!”
“Is too!!”
“He’s not! Sou really is nice to Kanna! Sou keeps watch while Kanna sleeps so no one attacks Kanna!”
“No one would attack you here, anyway! Woof! We’re all friends. Meow.”
“Still…Sou let’s Kanna use Sou’s jacket when Kanna’s cold! A-And Sou traded cards with Kanna in the first round, so Kanna wouldn’t become the sacrifice.”
“Yeah, but big sis Sara proved he was just manipulating you! Woof! You’ve got to learn to be more careful, Kanna. Haven’t you ever heard of stranger danger? Meow.”
“Isn’t— Isn‘t Sara as much a stranger to Gin as Sou is to Kanna?”
“Of course not!! Big sis Sara is big sis Sara! Woof! It’s different!”
Kanna didn’t say anything for a while after this. She handed Gin his pillow back and thanked him for sitting with her. He was hesitant to leave her all alone but she assured him she was fine and he should go back to the rest of the group. That was a lie, of course. As soon as he had turned the corner, Kanna curled up into a ball. She could hear shouts from the other side of the wall. It’s just like she thought, they were fighting.
Everyone thought Sou was some kind of villain, but she wasn’t lying, nor was she being manipulated— Sou really was kind to Kanna. He acted tough but Kanna could see so clearly it was his way of protecting Kanna, so no one would try to gang up on her just because she was quiet. Quiet, meek, weak… He was a big softie. Why couldn’t everyone else see that too!?
The shouting got louder so Kanna covered her ears with her hands. Then…it died down again. Happy thoughts…Happy thoughts. Her mind went to her sister. Her sister…Eating ice cream with her sister, in the room next to her when— No that’s not a happy thought. Kanna could hear her heart beating in her own head as her chest contracted in and out with each panicked breath. It’s okay, it’s okay— Sou would be back soon. Happy thoughts. Kanna was strong, Kanna wasn’t going to be a crybaby again.
She pictured herself eating ice cream with Sou on a sunny day. He’d let her get whatever flavour she wanted. There were so many flavors, it was difficult to choose. He’d even offer to let her try his ice cream too. Or— Or playing on the swings in the park. Kanna could only imagine how much more fun the swings would be with someone to push her. She could try and push Sou on the swings too! She was probably stronger than him, after all. They could go to the beach together or go camping. Sou could help her with her homework! He was a grown-up, so he was probably way smarter than Kanna. Her homework would be no trouble for him. She felt a warm tear roll down her face and quietly wiped it away with her sleeve. There was so much they could do together once they were out of here…
Abruptly, the door swung open and Sara barged out, still shouting at Sou. She didn’t even see Kanna before storming off towards the others. Kanna was almost relieved that the door hid her. Sou peeked his head out.
“Kanna? Where’d you go? Ka—“
He looked behind the door and found her hugging her knees, quietly trying to keep her presence a secret. Her red eyes and the snot dripping out of her nose betrayed her though, and it was hard to keep quiet as a little ‘hic’ escaped in her attempts to hide her crying.
“Oh God, Kanna. Are you okay!?”
Sou’s sour expression, only further accentuated by his massive eye bags and bad posture, melted away the moment he saw her. He knelt down next to her and wrapped one arm softly around her shoulders.
“What happened? Here—“
He helped her stand up and guided her towards the door.
“Let’s go inside. That way no one can bother you. It’s okay, Kanna. I’ve got it all under control. Ignore stupid Sara, she was just trying to get in our way. You’ve got nothing to worry about, though. I won’t let us down.”
Kanna stepped through the doorway. She was right. Gin, Sara, Keiji— They all suspected Sou, but they didn’t know him! They didn’t know him at all! He was kind, and gentle, and he looked after Kanna, just like a big sibling should! He would never shout at Kanna, or get upset at Kanna for crying. They just don’t know him, how could they know him!? His arm wrapped tightly around her, his worried expression the moment he saw her; he cared more than anyone ever had about Kanna. And Kanna cared about him back. She would get stronger. She’d get really strong and stop being such a crybaby so she could stand right next to him as his equal. So he wouldn’t have to protect her anymore. Maybe one day, she’d be able to protect him too! There was nothing in this game that could take him away from her. She’d fight for that reality. She wouldn’t let them take him from her too.
The door closed silently behind them.