~Echoes of Estranged Hearts~
Byakuren broached a tricky subject over breakfast. "I must know," she said. "What on Earth do you see in punk rock?"
"Hm?" Kyouko swallowed her rice. "Well, me and Mystia have stuff we wanna say about life and… things."
"Yes, I read in the newspaper how Buddhism was boring you."
A heavy silence followed.
"It's nothing personal," said Kyouko. "I respect you, Lady B-"
"It IS personal. Personal to you. So talk to me!" cried Byakuren. "Help me understand so I can help you."
Kyouko couldn't meet her gaze. "I just get bored, which makes me angry… What's to understand?!"
"And then she just stopped talking." Byakuren breathed a deep, heartfelt sigh and lay her head in Shou's lap. "How do you touch a yamabiko's heart?"
"I don't know…" Shou was used to being Byakuren's pillow, but offering emotional support was new. "Maybe you should give her some space."
"Ignore the problem, you mean? That's not what I do, Shou…" Byakuren leapt to her feet, almost dragging Shou behind her. "Ohh, bugger everything, I hate this! I WANT OUR KYOUKO BACK!"
Shou stared in amazement. "Byakuren, breathe!"
"Oh, my days," breathed Byakuren. "Shou, I think I understand what she's feeling."