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[Gina shakes her head as she thinks of the creatures living in the Christmas tree.]

Yeah, an' we're the ones who paid for it!

[For once, Gina's not happy with sheltering some type of creatures.]

...I was about to win, so... I'm countin' that as a victory for me! [She smirks proudly.]

[ She'll have to ask Beat if he agrees. For now, however, Susato seems abused at Gina's confidence. ]

Of course.

You two are so competitive... But you know, I can't help but think that Beat may have won, too, that day. [ Just a little. Go on, ask her how. ]

'Course we're competitive. We're rivals, that's wot we are.

[It's the nice and simple and not complicated and confusing way to think about it. He's just someone to butt heads with and try to one up!

But she does bit her bait, looking towards her with narrowed eyes.]

...'Ow d'ya reckon that now?

[ Rivals, huh? ......Kazuma and Ryunosuke were rivals, in a way. But they were also partners. Susato grins. ]

Well, he got to kiss you, after all. Maybe you both won.

[And now her face grows redder again, her chin and hat sinking.]

O-oi... It- it ain't like I'm a prize-worthy kisser or nuffin'... [She says shyly. But she does feel kinda warm and fuzzy at the thought.]

. . . [ She is very cute when she does that. Susato has to stifle a chuckle. ] Well, I think you are.

[ Toby barks just then. Probably at something unrelated, considering the pup hasn't even looked back up at them, but Susato continues regardless, ]

See? Inspector Toby agrees with me. [ And his word is Law!! ]

[Gina shakes her head, trying to wave away the embarassment, though her cheeks remain red.]

...I guess I appreciate yer votes o' confidence. [She's still not accustomed to thinking of herself in that way, though she does have some kissing experience back home at least.]

A-anyway, that's the long an' short of it. It's no big deal or nuffin'. It 'appened, an' it's done wiv.

[ Well, at least she's not running.

Susato does back off slightly, not wanting to question the finality of it, but she still can't help asking: ]

He hasn't spoken to you since?

[She glances ahead with uncertainly while going ahead with Toby.]

No, we've... talked an' all. Just- just not about that. ...There were other things goin' on.

[She shakes her head. They were just a bit preoccupied with Beat's most traumatic memory and learning about his fate back home. Kissing didn't really come up naturally in that conversation.]

I- I'm sure we'll just carry on as we were. Simple as that.

[ Other things...

The way Gina says makes her wonder whether she should keep prying. Susato waits to see if she'll elaborate, but when it's clear that she won't, she speaks, ]

Is that what you want? [ For them to just be rival-friends? ]

[She sputters a response.]

W-wot... Why would I want anytin' different? Things were fine the way they were.

[Gina shakes her head. And she pauses for a moment before glancing towards Susato.]

I dunno wot's so great about all that stuff anyhow. You... really enjoy bein' wiv 'Soggy an' all that?

[ The way Gina says it almost seems like she's trying to convince herself. It's almost endearing, though as soon as Gina turns things around, Susato starts to feel rather tight-lipped. This is her friend, of course, but does she really have the expertise to speak on such things?

Her and father were supposed to figure this stuff out together.

... ]

Well... yes. [ It takes her a moment, but when Susato finally speaks, she realizes there is no reason why she should be hesitant. Kazuma wouldn't. ] Yes, I do. It is not as though I am an expert on the matter, but I can say that much. I love him.

[She probably should have realized that someone as proper as Susato might be a bit tight-lipped about the matter. But what she does manage to say is still sweet.]

Ah. Yeah, that sounds good. Love an' all. If you're glad wiv it, then that - that's good for ya, Sooze.

[She shifts uncomfortably, focusing ahead as Toby trots along, the pup stopping every now and then to take in some smells.]

I just... I never really thought of all that as stuff for me. [That all seemed like fairy tale stuff to her, not something a street kid like her could ever have. Not that she was sure that she wanted it, either. To be that close with something... to be that vulnerable...] I dunno wot to make of it myself. ...It takes a lot, trustin' someone like that.

[She's come a long way in trusting others and accepting friendship. But this is a whole other level of feelings and trust.]

[ Susato doesn't interrupt Gina. Even throughout the pauses and the distraction of Toby, she can tell that she's not quite done speaking. She should have guessed that it would be a difficult topic for her, and she's actually proud that Gina is talking about it. Even if her arm did need a little twisting......

Susato smiles wistfully, swallowing down the pang in her chest. Gina has always deserved better than that. She deserved to trust. ]

It can be hard to earn, and easy to lose, yes. But... for what it is worth, I trust Beat.

[ She wonders if that means anything at all. Some would say Susato trusts too easily, but... ]

Did you know that he saved my life?

[Susato did point out that they're supposed to be able to tell anything to each other... and Gina wanted to get that all out to someone. Especially to Susato, one of the people here in this world who understands her the best. Gina feels no regrets confiding in her, just as she still feels generally uneasy navigating the murky waters of this subject.

She raises a curious eyebrow as Susato brings that up.]

'E did? ...'Ow did 'e go an' do that? [She finds herself wanting to know the whole story.]

[ It's not a topic that readily talks about often. Even now, she can feel a chill that seems to come out of nowhere when she thinks about it. She allows that to pass, however, wondering where she should even start. ]

Well... It was in the Wildlands, back in the summer. He and I were called there one night because a friend needed our help, and... I wound up falling through a frozen lake.

[ It is most definitely not the whole story. Whoops. ]

He jumped in to save me.

[Gina rubs an arm idly as she feels the chill blow through. But she focuses on listening to Susato.]

A frozen lake? Cor, that musta been 'orrible. [She shakes her head.] An' Beat got ya right outta there?

Yes. Well... [ She has to give herself some credit. ] I was able to free myself from the ice, but he helped guide me to the surface. So, you see, I can truly think of few others I could trust just as much.

[ Gina herself likely numbers among them by now. But this is about who Gina can trust, not her. ]

He is a good man, and it sounds as if you two challenge each other in a way that benefits both of you. [ They push each other to become better, don't they? SHE APPROVES, is all she's saying. ]

[Honestly, she's not surprised that Susato had a hand in her own rescue. There's no limits to what she's capable of!]

...Well... I'm glad that ya trust the guy.

[She supposes that she does too, even if she has trouble admitting it.]

Your thoughts are - they're noted. Thanks, Sooze. [Tugging sheepishly at her hat, she starts leading Toby back the way they came.] I know I can trust you at yer word. 'Course, if 'e was no good, you woulda tossed 'im 'alfway 'round the island by now, I'd reckon!

[ Susato watches Gina, going out of her way to remain neutral, but of course she can't help but grin at the mental image Gina paints. She speaks in jest, ]

Don't tell him, but I still might someday.

[ If he doesn't stop calling baubles boobies!!! ]

Boobies.

Never mind Sooze, I'll toss 'im for ya!!

[Gina laughs at that.]

Your secret's safe wiv me. Just let me know if ya do, so I can get meself a front row seat!

[ Susato giggles. That's strange, it's almost like she could hear his voice??? But that couldn't possibly be.

Mentally she shrugs it off, giving her a nod with full commitment. ]

I certainly will.

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