The sheer awkward tension demands relief, and Erika convulsively reaches for her comm and pulls her hands back apart, denying her urge to fidget at the last moment.]
I don't need help, [she mumbles very very quietly, gently dying of mortification.]
[Abashed nod. Man, it sounds so placating and....juvenile? Like that?
She should talk to Ryuji later about this. Her choice was based on the one-point-something thing she knew about Haru, and it led here, so obviously it was a flub. Next time, she needs more information.
Li takes advantage of the stretch of silence to direct Haru's attention to a spot behind her ear that needs scratching.]
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[Haru is just...inherently a good person. She just wants to do right by her friends. Erika is a friend, right? Right.]
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The sheer awkward tension demands relief, and Erika convulsively reaches for her comm and pulls her hands back apart, denying her urge to fidget at the last moment.]
I don't need help, [she mumbles very very quietly, gently dying of mortification.]
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I understand.
[She also understands that for some people, asking for help is the hardest thing to do.] We could just keep talking about random things?
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She should talk to Ryuji later about this. Her choice was based on the one-point-something thing she knew about Haru, and it led here, so obviously it was a flub. Next time, she needs more information.
Li takes advantage of the stretch of silence to direct Haru's attention to a spot behind her ear that needs scratching.]
...Like what? [Still kind of mumbling.]
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Things that interest you? I want to hear about them!
[There Haru goes, trying to get to know Erika again.]
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...I haven't worked on the VR system in a while.
[That counts??]