“He….”

And suddenly it was too much for the girl. The one thing that specifically had been forbidden, the one threat, hanging over her, and all of the words ringing in her ears-

You hurt him by existing

Stay away from him

You hurt him more than anyone

He's out of his mind because of you.

I've heard him say it.

if you tell him I told you any of this, you'll regret it

You don't exist

You're a lost soul, little mirage

And her knees gave way and Sakura collapsed to the floor. She put her hands down on the floor and tried to steady her breathing away from the choking gulps she was getting. Her brown hair covered her face, and she stared at the wet spots left on the floor by the water from her fingers.

“He…said that…I…I shouldn’t…I shouldn’t be here…that I hurt you…by being here…”

Pleadingly, she looked up at Rubedo. “He…said…if I told you…he’d…I’d regret it…that’s why…that’s why I haven’t said anything…I thought I could figure out what to do…”