[ California's gate is even and steady, with the kind of quiet confidence that comes with knowing your own strength; with having found your center of balance and honed it. It's a far cry from the way Aoko would have bounced and fluttered, her arms swinging when they weren't clasped behind her back … or when they weren't reaching for his hand. ]
[ She flinches. Minutely, but it's there. ]
And you know … how much? [ What about her younger self? What about … No. She stops that thought before it can start. ]
no subject
[ She flinches. Minutely, but it's there. ]
And you know … how much? [ What about her younger self? What about … No. She stops that thought before it can start. ]