[Claude freezes, caught off-guard by the question. Hayame has rarely been far from his thoughts since they were at the dying roots of the Tree, but he had stayed true to his word to give her space. She wasn't obligated to do anything for him, be anything to him, say anything to him. He had said his part, offered her something he thought she needed more than anything in that desperate moment, but she had fled, and that was that.
So why does it feel like his heart is being squeezed just being reminded of her? Maybe it's harder to keep an impartial distance from it all than he thought, even as busy as he's tried to keep himself these past few weeks. Maybe, deep down, he can't stop turning possibilities over in his head like why didn't I go after her? or, does she hate me, now?
Well, maybe Byleth's interaction with her can give him some idea about the latter question. He shoves down the ugly mess of feelings as best he can, before offering a reply.]
How did she act oddly? [And the next question, tumbling out before he can stop himself:] Is she... okay?
no subject
[Claude freezes, caught off-guard by the question. Hayame has rarely been far from his thoughts since they were at the dying roots of the Tree, but he had stayed true to his word to give her space. She wasn't obligated to do anything for him, be anything to him, say anything to him. He had said his part, offered her something he thought she needed more than anything in that desperate moment, but she had fled, and that was that.
So why does it feel like his heart is being squeezed just being reminded of her? Maybe it's harder to keep an impartial distance from it all than he thought, even as busy as he's tried to keep himself these past few weeks. Maybe, deep down, he can't stop turning possibilities over in his head like why didn't I go after her? or, does she hate me, now?
Well, maybe Byleth's interaction with her can give him some idea about the latter question. He shoves down the ugly mess of feelings as best he can, before offering a reply.]
How did she act oddly? [And the next question, tumbling out before he can stop himself:] Is she... okay?