[ Ai blinks at him. It seems to take a second for his words to land but when they do... a laugh bubbles out of her and she covers her mouth like she can try and contain it. ]

You've been worrying about that this whole time?

[ She didn't think there was a person alive who still worried about things like that, much less a guy like Rinne. He's so brash and bold and ever since they met, he'd been reaching out to touch her and hold her, like that unbreechable barrier between her and everyone else hadn't existed at all. If Rinne had wanted to use this trip to close the rest of that distance, would she let him?

Even before she asks herself the question, she knows what the answer is: of course she would. She would say yes precisely because Rinne would never try.

Her gaze drifts down and away from his again. Her expression doesn't darken but it turns... sober, maybe. A little more open. ]

... You know, Rinne-kun... I'm not like you at all. I'm really bad at loving things. I always have been. But idols are supposed to love all their fans, right? Even idols who don't understand how to do it.

[ She adjusts the front of his yukata, just for something to do with her hands. Her heart is thudding in her throat so hard, it's a wonder that her voice comes out at all, let alone as soft and steady as it is. ]

I lie about it. All the time. I don't know how to say it and have it be true. And... I don't want to say it to you someday and leave you wondering if it's a lie.

[ Her fingers curl into the front of his yukata. She doesn't know what face Rinne is making but she manages to dare peek up and meet his eyes. ]

So even if it's just for this trip... or even just once... is it okay if I try and show you instead?