Focused so stubbornly on the road ahead and the weight of the bike under her hands, she didn't notice Kaito drawing closer until he was right next to her. With that familiar pat to her head, Kyoko's heart dropped.

Oh. So he'd understood after all, then. Oh. Oh.

He was sorry he was an idiot. She didn't have to punish herself. Freezing in her tracks, Kyoko stared dully into the night air, towards the cheery twinkle of lights in town. Of course it would be this way.

So much effort had gone into avoiding this secret getting out, so much worry about the damage she would do--but now it was here, it was all done, and she hadn't even thought to worry about how a rejection would feel until this moment.

But here it was, the most obvious conclusion.

She was supposed to be apologizing now, telling him how it was fine and she'd never bring it up again, and could he please please not ever tell Shinji, just forget this whole episode--but she wasn't ready, she couldn't do it yet.

"No." Her voice was broken, and she couldn't find it in herself to fix it. At some point, the bike had turned into a support to cling to as she buckled over, pulling up one arm to block her face. "Don't." Don't look at her.