Miho lowered the camera.
It was a nearly perfect snapshot, portraying such strong emotions coming from someone who just had the most rough-and-tumble day in their life. Miho almost wanted to give the poor woman a hug. Of course, getting hugged by strangers would not be the most pleasant thing. After all, it was barely seven days since Kimiko and Miho had their brief encounter. She hadn't even used those tickets yet. Miho suspected Kimiko just threw them away. Maybe she just tossed them somewhere. She didn't mind; after all, the new idol now had a very busy schedule.
A look of pity crossed Miho's face, watching as the woman decked in dull colors looked even duller as she sobbed. Nobody even came to her. They minded their own businesses, dealing with their own little dramas or lack thereof. Miho was surprised when she realized she knew how Kimiko felt; scared, defeated, overwhelmed by words and regrets. Her mind was still stained from the events of yesterday, in the Cave of Evil. Miho hadn't cried in awhile. It almost felt like a release, and yet a binding at the same time. The pain of Piro's words still stung in the back of her mind. They will always sting.
Miho's hand kept to the pole as the subway train moved forward; away from Meguro, closer to home. She could tell Kimiko just wanted to get home as fast as she could. That could be the reason why she still clung to the pole next to the door leading out of the train. The closer she could get to the door, the better, and where she was standing was pretty close. Miho's hand moved to another pole, one closer to Kimiko, but at a different angle—closer to the back.
Kimiko collapsed, her sobs growing a touch louder.
Miho raised the camera and hit the button before moving in, closer to Kimiko.
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
-end-