[When Ino takes a seat, he slides down next to her, keeping close. Staying silent. It's her turn to vent, and as the words pour out of her, Riku feels his heart wrench inside his chest.

He was in a similar position once. His friends came from so far ahead of him at first. They, too, revealed some dark truths... But nothing as severe as losing a parent. It's something Riku can't even begin to imagine.

No wonder her voice trembled as she explained it all. It's such a heavy-handed future. And to learn of it without experiencing it first hand... is it even any better?

Riku's still not sure what to say, so he'll do what he can and pull her close. He wraps his arms around her, rests his chin on top of her head.]

I'm so sorry, Ino... It's never easy to hear that all second-hand.

[It's the one thing he can understand.]

But... if you need to cry, it's okay. Sometimes you just have to let it out.