[ Now she feels bad for saying it, but at the same time, her chest feels a lot lighter. Simon may have scolded her earlier, but that's been resolved now, hasn't it? And she hasn't said it outwardly, but she promises to herself, and to him as well, to be more careful. She doesn't want to see him angry the way he was just back then; that was probably the worst side she's seen of him, barring all incidents related to the Phantom.

Her voice has grown softer, and it's cracked, but she manages to speak. ] I don't know. I don't know... [ And she shakes her head. ]

It- It was fun at first, and we were spending time as friends. But I started thinking of you all the time. I've never. . . It's never happened to me before. Something like that.

[ She's obviously had crushes on say, movie stars before, but on people very close to her? No... she was far too busy studying and trying to graduate as fast as she can to be able to get her badge. She didn't have time to fool around. ]

And then when Ryuko left, and I stayed here. . . I just wanted to stay here forever. [ Another pause, as she starts crying again. ] I liked it when you'd put your arms around me. It felt so warm, and it made me feel safe... and I-- Ryuko's hugs weren't like that. They didn't make my heart feel like it was being twisted.