Shakily holding a serving platter with a glass of juice and a plate with two slices of teacake, Yosuke mutters to himself as he approaches the door to the gym’s office, practicing what he is going to say. With little of value being produced, however, he decides to simply wing it and after clearing his throat and taking a deep breath, announces his presence with a few quick knocks on the door.

Yosuke: Errm… senpai—

Koharu: (he can hear her voice clearly from beyond the locked door) Go away.

Yosuke: I-I’m just bringing everyone a snack and something to drink, I’m not trying to bother you or anything—

Koharu: Go away. Leave. I will never forgive you, I told you. Stop talking to me.

Her voice is raspier than usual, tinged with more emotion than her usual monotone grumble. Koharu always speaks her mind, but now she seems to be speaking her heart. Wait, you’re not going to say that out loud, right? That’s way too cheesy.

Yosuke: I… I don’t need you to forgive me, I just— You can’t keep isolating yourself from your friends like this because of me. You… You’re not going to let me keep ruining your life, are you?

Koharu: Why are you here, then? If you care about me, why don’t you just stay away from me?

Yosuke: Because it’s my responsibility that you’re shutting yourself in! I-I should—

Koharu: Your responsibility. Not your damn business. Get out.

Yosuke: I… I have earned my place here. Miss Arashi trusts me.

Koharu: No.

Yosuke: Yes, she does.

Koharu: No. You’re getting out.

Yosuke: Senpai, please. I can’t stand to see you like this. 

Koharu: I can’t stand to see you at all.

Yosuke: Fair enough… (he puts down the platter and sits down in front of the door) … If I leave, will you come out and… go be with your friends?

Koharu: …

Yosuke: You’ll never have to see me again, but… please. Your friends don’t deserve this.

Koharu: I have already talked to Hanako.

Yosuke: Then why are you still in there?

Koharu: Because she doesn’t need me to come out. She understands me. I want to stay inside, so I’ll stay inside as long as I want to—

Yosuke: Oh, don’t gimme that. Where’s the—That’s not you. Don’t you… need to go out there? Investigate things? Work to take our city back?

Koharu: You don’t know me.

Yosuke: I’m pretty damn sure I do.

Koharu: No. You don’t.

Yosuke: (he sighs) … Then I certainly want to.

Koharu: Then why did you never let me know you?

Yosuke: W-What…? If I was gonna pretend to be someone I’m not, do you really think this would be who I’d pretend to be?

Koharu: You lied to me.

Yosuke: J-Just about the one thing! But… Okay, I know how ridiculous this sounds, but… The Yosuke you knew… err, know. The Yosuke you know is the real Yosuke.

Koharu: Then the real Yosuke lied to me.

Yosuke: I didn’t mean t—

Koharu: I trusted you. In spite of everything. And you took advantage of me.

Yosuke: B-But—

Koharu: Don’t you get it? Everything is being taken away from me. Everyone I trust, leaves.

Yosuke: That’s not true, that’s—

Koharu: You think I don’t know? You were there when mom and Midori were dragged into the Dreamscape. You ratted us out, didn’t you? And now they’re—

Oh crap.

Yosuke: Wait a second… Your mom and your sister… The hostages… They’re—

Koharu: Gone. Because of you.

Yosuke: No! No, no! They’re—With Worldeater gone, they must’ve woken up! They’re… We can track ‘sm down, we can find them… We can save them!

Koharu: What are you talking about?

Yosuke: The guy, the Balancer who took your family, he’s dead. Err, defeated. Gone. They’re no longer under his spell. But their physical bodies must still be somewhere in the city. They’ll have regained consciousness. They need our help, senpai!

Koharu: Our help. Not yours. You are the last person they need.

Yosuke: No, no. Lemme… I told you I’m not with the Balancers anymore! I-I never really was, I… Wait… Oh God, how am I gonna explain this… I can help you.

Koharu: Pass.

Yosuke: No, listen! I can help you find and rescue your family! And the other hostages!

Koharu: Can do that myself.

Yosuke: You don’t get it! I-I have a… I have a power. The same power I used to spy on you and your friends. But now I can use it to make amends for what I’ve done, I—

Koharu: You’re a boy. Boys can’t have powers.

Yosuke: I-I know that, but… I can explain! There… There has to be a reason why they let me into the Balancers, right?

Koharu: …

Yosuke: Please… Let me make it up to you. I’m sorry. I… I just want to make things right, and if I can do… something only I can do to help you get the people you love back, then… please let me help.

She doesn’t respond.

Yosuke: Senpai, please… I lo—

Suddenly, the sound of a key turning in its lock, and a door opening. He looks up to see her, more disheveled than ever. She sniffs, scowling at him as he tries desperately not to show his tears.

Koharu: … Tell me more, then.