[Shiho immediately looks back at Naminé on hearing that tone and then seeing the way she almost droops.]

No-

[It's more her fault than anything, if she had to name it. The part of her that remembers fumbling with her hairclip with the tiny, uncoordinated fingers of a five year old because no one would help her, afraid that she would touch them and read all their secrets. The way they recoiled away from her if she so much as moved in their direction. Her first thought all the time, despite eleven years of love is always to look for an ulterior motive.]

You don't have to apologize. It's just...

[She flusters again but drags her eyes back to Naminé's.]

It's just...no one ever tells me I'm beautiful, that's all. [Her face is burning red and she can feel it.]

....I'm...I'm really happy. I mean, if I didn't like it, I'd definitely tell you. I would!

...Really. Thank you.