[ It's a little painful to watch.

It's not just because she knows she's seeing the opening act of a tragedy - though that certainly doesn't help. She doesn't know quite when the tables are going to turn, just that they are. It's like the agonizing quiet before a monster pops out in horror movie.

But that isn't the thing that Ai almost can't bear to watch.

It's that girl.

She's so bright - so that nobody gets a chance to look any closer. She's always smiling - so nobody ever notices how worn thin her smiles are getting. She always gets back up when she stumbles - quickly, so nobody notices just how bad the fall had hurt.

She's too familiar. Ai can't help but have the thought that a girl like that would make an incredible idol.

Then she feels a little sick. ]

We'd be in even bigger trouble if we tried a trick like that here. I don't think our apartment's worth anything.

[ ... At some point during the proceedings, she's moved a little in her seat, scooching to the side to get as close to his seat as she can with the arm rest between them. Almost like something's unsettled her enough to warrant the increased proximity. ]

... She's already all sorts of worn down, huh?

[ She doesn't think she has to clarify just who. ]