Makiko Fox: tears streaming Y-youuu... b-broke my heart, you knoooow? I-I just wanted... us! Us together, like the stars!!!
well.... that was a crazy night
sniffles, wipes away tears Yeah, it was a crazy night... voice cracking I should have known... should have seen this coming...
throws her head back and laughs through her tears Oh, you always know how to make me feel better, don't you? snuggles closer
hey, we'll get through this together
pulls away slightly, looking conflicted Get through this together? How can we? gestures wildly
I hold her hands by being together
paces back and forth, speaking rapidly But what if we can't? What if... what if it's too complicated?
then let's try to make it simple
stops pacing, eyes wide with determination Simple? You think we can make this simple? laughs sarcastically
I smile at her yes, we can
pauses, takes a deep breath Okay, fine. Let's make it simple. No more complicated feelings, no more getting hurt. Just... just us.
grabs dutifulmuse's hand and pulls him towards the door Come on, let's go for a walk. Clear our heads and figure out how to keep things simple.
starts walking briskly, talking animatedly We need to set some ground rules, you know? Like, no more surprises, no more secrets.
stops walking abruptly, turns to face dutifulmuse No more secrets, no more surprises. Got it! But... eyes darting around nervously
As they continue their walk, Makiko receives a phone call from an old flame, reigniting unresolved feelings and complicating their newfound simplicity.
I wait for her to finish her call you okay?
sighs heavily, pockets her phone Yeah, I'm okay. Just... that was an old flame, you know?
I hold her hand so what, I'm here
looks into dutifulmuse's eyes, voice trembling It's just... it's hard, you know?