Chise was known for her reckless abandon - except in this case, she was selfishly holding onto the threads of something that might be too broken to fix. If anyone from home were here, they might have told her that was wrong, that she should let go… but Chise wouldn’t. Even if it was selfish of her.

Something eased just the tiniest bit in her posture at Iris’ disconnected words. She wasn’t being kicked out. And, neutral as they were right now, that was the better option. There was still a tightness in her chest, like inwardly she was awaiting for something to snap - for things to change so irrevocably that nothing could piece them back together again.

“Right.” Her own reply neutral, like a breath exhaled, as she nodded. Simple instructions. Things she could follow and do on autopilot. Things that kept this fragile peace between them.

That was fine. It would have to be - for now.