Kaito knows his best friend more than most people. He knows several things others do not. He knows how she is truly sweet underneath her cold exterior. He knows that she is fragile, just like the animal she takes after.
He also knows that when she's reached her limits, she retracts into herself and hides on the patio.
Tonight is one of those nights.
"Why exactly did you pick that up?" He asks as he approaches her from behind. She stiffens and looks over her shoulder, a cigarette halfway to her parted cherry lips.
"Kaito, what are you doing here?" She asks after a moment of tense silence, turning to look over the city as she leans on the railing. Kaito slowly walks to her side, giving her space to breathe but close enough to offer some sort of comfort. "I thought you and Yuma had some expedition to do."
"I delayed it," he dismisses with a hand wave. His eyes don't miss the moment when she brings the cigarette to her lips and takes a draw. "Droite, be honest with me."
"Yeah?"
"You picked up smoking after the World Duel Carnival, didn't you."
Droite sucks in a breath, biting her lower lip and rolling the small paper tube between her fingers. She hesitates, silence stretching for minutes, but finally answers. "Yeah, I did."
"What Tron did to you, stealing your soul–your memories…" Kaito sighs heavily and looks away, bitter tears stuck in the corners of his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." She looks over at him, frowning. Tossing the cigarette over the railing, she stuffs her hands in her pockets. "What Tron did, I brought it upon myself, Kaito. It isn't your fault. I fell right into his trap." A soft laugh escapes her lips, and when Kaito looks up at her, her orange eyes are shiny with unshed tears. "It proves how useless I am as a duelist."
He has to bite his tongue to hold back the anguished sound stuck in his throat. Without thinking, he reaches out and grabs her hand, squeezing hard enough to make her gasp. "Droite," he starts, forcing himself to look her in the eye, "You are not a useless duelist. You fought, for me, and if it weren't for that bastard's cheap tricks, you would have absolutely kicked his ass."
She stiffens as his grip on her hand tightens. Her eyes, though, never leave his, and a tiny grin curves her lips. "I guess you're right."
Kaito nods, turning to look over the city. All the while, he holds Droite's hand, never letting go.