[ It's still so strange to imagine Taiyou having been at the hospital in the first place. If Itsuki hadn't met him there herself, she doubts she would have believed it. Even now, as she watches Potpourri happily bring a paw forward to meet his palm, that aspect of it just feels like some sort of odd dream.

But he is here in front of her, after all, and she smiles. If he's doing better, that's all she needs to hear. ]

That's right. I didn't think anyone would take me seriously if I didn't at least try to act as a boy, and showing weakness at the dojo was even more of a fear to me.

... Of course, I think a lot of that was self-imposed. My brother always told me I didn't have to force myself so much.