Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

[carnivorously]

[Well, that was one hell of a trial. Kogami’s tired and hungry. He’ll get his staple hamburgers, but maybe he’ll be nice enough to help make some for everyone.

So there’s a note that goes out:]

Food in the dining hall – K, P, Q, & R

[It’s quickly written and straightforward.

And indeed there is food. There’s a shitton of hamburgers made by Kogami and Rose, the sliced cheese prepared by Pizzaz, and cake by QQ. Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other such condiments are set out as well as an assortment of buns.

There’s not lighted candles this time, so it’s clear that the usual preparers didn’t help with this ‘buffet’. (Well, if it wasn’t clear with the note).

So rest, relax, and well, you’re probably going to have to get your own drinks this time, sorry…]

Comments

[heritrix]

[Rin glances at Sakura with a small frown, but enters the room.]

I thought you'd be asleep by now.

[She'll wait for Sakura to close the door before saying more.]

[imaginex]

I had too much coffee.

[Which she almost never drinks but. Details.

Sakura pushes the door closed, and only then does she slowly turn to face Rin.

... If it appears her head is bowed before an executioner, that's probably because she is]

[heritrix]

[As if Rin could know.

...]

I'm still angry with you. [She starts with the roughest part first, though her voice is even.] The safety of Fuyuki is my responsibility, and you took that from me.

[imaginex]

[A nod, head still bowed. She understands. And in a way, as a mage of Fuyuki, she falls under Tohsaka law.

Rin could kill her if she wanted, and the Association would call it just. Sakura knew that from the start, too.]

[heritrix]

Admittedly, I'm also irritated because you bested me. I didn't see that trick coming, and I should have. I don't like to lose.

[imaginex]

[That earns something of a startled glance. It's not even that Sakura interprets this as praise. It's just--

She never thought Tohsaka of all people would admit to it, and to someone like her. In Sakura eyes, what she did wasn't skillful, just desperate. All the more reason the admission makes her fluster in place]

O-oh...

[heritrix]

I also don't like that Fuyuki was spared indirectly thanks to a murderer who was only thinking about covering up his crimes.

[Something dark crosses Rin's face, fir flashing in her eyes, It's more than "don't like". This has gotten under her skin.]

But he said something interesting to me before he died.

[imaginex]

[Sakura recognizes that flash - perhaps not the depth, but certainly the intended emotion. After all, Sakura has a hard line about ever wishing the Matou's magecraft on another person, but Gant certainly tested that sentiment]

... What did he say?

[heritrix]

When I told him not to do a stupid thing like compliment me, considering our rules could have been reversed, he said: "Having someone to hold you back from doing something you'd regret has to count for something."

[imaginex]

[She's quieted again, hand pressed against the hollow of her throat. Sakura watches Rin's expression carefully, searching for disdain or distrust reflected in those eyes]

[heritrix]

[She'll find neither. Rin keeps her expression carefully blank, and studies Sakura back in turn.]

What do you think about that?

[imaginex]

I--

[Some emotion urges Sakura to speak, just as another holds her back. She sways in position without making progress before eying the ground again, looking wounded]

I'm sorry. I knew that it was important to you -- I knew I was putting our city in jeopardy.

[Nii-san. Grandfather. Fujiwara-sensei. Senpai. The repercussions could've landed on all of their heads, all because Sakura chased a wish she shouldn't be allowed to have. But...]

But I won't regret being happy that you're still alive, or that I stopped you.

[No one can have that. It's Sakura's. It's hers. That's why she'll accept whatever punishment Rin has in store for her.]

[heritrix]

[Rin takes three steps forward, closing the distance between them and scant inches from Sakura's face now. Her focus is intensely fixed on the younger girl, and her body language unwavering.]

So you own up completely to all that you did. Every last bit, and you'd take none of it back?

[imaginex]

[... Slowly raising her head up again.

Does this look like the face of a girl who's actually sorry?]

No, I won't take it back.

1/2

[heritrix]

[No, it does not.

And that's why even though it was painful for her and to suffer all those slights to her pride today, even it she's still angry, Rin can say in her heart she's proud of Sakura.]

[heritrix]

[Rin does not any of this out loud. If her eyes are gentler, maybe that's a trick of the lighting. But there's no illusion to be had when she moves suddenly. In one fluid motion, are arms are wrapped around Sakura.

She doesn't hurt her. She just holds her close, hand pressed to the Matou girl's back. If she imagines it, she thinks she can feel her heart beat.]

Good work today.

[That's all she says.]

[imaginex]

[It almost comes out.

A word she's never told anyone. A name from a kinder time. It rises in her throat like an ocean bubble, only to be swallowed as the world turns dark, disappearing against her upperclassman's shoulder. She's so shocked and confused, she almost doesn't relax, but in that darkness is where she finds her solace, when the arms don't disappear and the sudden warmth hasn't bled from her body.

Her heart slips her a phrase she always thought she'd only be allowed to give to Shirou.

It might seem like she's started to cry when shoulders give tiny little hitches, but the tears stay hidden behind her eyelids. She can manage that much, as she leans her head further into Rin's shoulder, a weak sound coming from her throat.

Nee-san

She's glad you're alive.]

[heritrix]

[She's crying... Rin feels no wetness on her shoulder, but the weak gasp that leaves Sakura's mouth is unmistakable.

Was I really that bad?]

...Admittedly, you could have used less sleeping pills. I looked like an idiot out there.

[A joke; her first instinct to chase back the sadness is to make Sakura laugh.]

[imaginex]

[That earns a cough, a hiccup covering up a startled laugh. Rin will likely be able to hear the smile in Sakura's voice]

I-I'm sorry... you're so strong, so I wasn't sure how many to use...

[heritrix]

Don't try to compliment me, like flattering is spackle. Geez.

[There's affection in that huff, like the irritation is just a shell. Rin doesn't let go, and continues to hold Sakura like this. She even pats her head.]