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[eyecaptivating]

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[eyecaptivating]

[She doesn't even have time to complain about it. One second he's holding her close and then it's over, all before Momo can even register it as a hug.]

Ah... H-huh?! What was that for?

[substitutable]

Nothing.

[He's shoved his hands into his pockets now and turned slightly away. He looks embarrassed, ears turning a little red because why did he do it?]

Don't worry about it.

[eyecaptivating]

[She narrows her eyes, just slightly, eyebrows raising in surprise. Nothing?? That doesn't even make any sense.]

But then why'd you do it? It's not just nothing.

[substitutable]

It's--

[It's nothing. Don't worry about it. Forget it. He could just brush her off.

But he sighs and shakes his head and pulls out his tablet and shows this to her.]

They're from Initiative members that were left on Earth. I just...

[eyecaptivating]

[Frowning in confusion, Momo leans forward to get a better look. From Initiative members that were left on Earth, huh? That probably isn't good, is it? It's probably...

...Oh.

She blinks rapidly at the sudden sting of tears behind her eyes and looks up at her brother again.] Shintaro...

[She could... And he's already-- Ohhh, he better not say anything about it!

She's the one who throws her arms around him this time, holding on tightly for a moment.]

[substitutable]

[Oh jesus she's on him now.

Shintaro manages not to stumble, raising a hand catch her then bringing it to the top of her head, patting it again.]

H-hey... don't make a big deal of it.

[eyecaptivating]

[She lets her arms drop, quickly making to take a step backward. Ohhh, she better not be turning red. This is embarrassing.]

I-I'm not! I didn't do anything anyway... I just...

[She shakes her head.] I didn't do anything you didn't do!

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... Okay.

[He sighs and steps forward to follow her and... hug her again. This time with less embarrassment and no pulling away.]

You're okay, right?

[eyecaptivating]

[She squirms in the hug, just a little, but doesn't pull away. After a moment's pause, she heaves out a breath.]

Yeah... I'm okay. You are, too, right?

[substitutable]

I'm managing. You lot keep me occupied anyway.

[headpats.]

[eyecaptivating]

[A nod.]

That's good.

...So you better stay that way, too!

[substitutable]

Yeah, yeah, I got you.

I'll have to keep managing, with the way you lot are sometimes.

[eyecaptivating]

[She giggles, shaking her head, though she does make somewhat of an effort at appearing indignant.]

You make it sound like we're so bad!

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... You, Ene, and Kano are bad enough for the rest.

Mostly Ene and Kano.

[eyecaptivating]

Hey! I'm not...

[--Ene and Kano, huh?]

They're not that bad!

[substitutable]

You weren't tormented by her for an entire year!