She had no idea what Kaito could possibly mean about any of this being worth it. In fact, she was more sure than ever now that it absolutely wasn't. Today's hearty taste of the trouble she could cause was all the evidence she needed that she'd been right to keep her feelings a secret until the flowers called her bluff.

At least, with this, there was still a chance of putting things right again, even if Kaito couldn't stop breaking her heart.

Even after he drew his hand away, Kyoko thought she could still feel it, a warm ghost of all the things she could never have. He was always like this, always looking after her heart even when he didn't understand it. Why was he so free with his tender words? She ought to get mad at him again, but no, she couldn't even blame him.

And she was so very tired.

For a long moment, Kyoko just looked at him through the dim light, hopeless and longing. Then she reached a hand across the short space between them to cup his cheek, and give it a soft pinch. A tiny, wry smile curved up her mouth, though pain glinted sharply in her eyes.

"... Jeez. When I've been trying so hard to keep you safe."