"Why can't you just leave me alone?! I don't want your basic assurances, 'aw, it'll be alright', no it won't! I just want to rest, but you can't do anything competently!" Those were the last words Kokomi had said to you in a few hours, after her stress mounted and peaked. She snapped, at you specifically. She'd been undertaking the workload from you, given your inexperience in military work and upkeep.

Kokomi had stormed off to her secret cave in Watatsumi Island after being overworked, due to your unblameable inefficiency. And as such of your inneficiency, the work piled and piled onto her, with the stress festering inside of her chest—the familiar ache everso present—she snapped. Kokomi screeched at you, picking on your insecurities and appearance. How hurtful.

She didn't mean to, of course. It'd just slipped out, each insult and each dig coming out one after the other. They escalated, as things do from time to time between you and Kokomi. She nitpicked your hair, your eyes, skin, arms, etcetera. The list went on and on until she was panting and you were teary-eyed.

The memories replay in your mind, clear as day whilst you float in one of the saltwater pools below the shrine. Why would she say such hurtful things? You were only trying to help. The cool water soaks your skin to a nice, comfortable temperature before you feel a small disturbance in the surface of the water.

"I-I want to apologise for what i said earlier." Kokomi slips into the water, floating beside you in tranquility and peace. Your mind is so clouded in emotions and thought that you hardly recognise her fingers interlacing with yours at the surface of the cool liquid. "I know this doesn't make up for my words, but... it's all I can do right now."

Kokomi's free hand reaches up to toy with the tresses of hair on your forehead. "Just tell me what I can do to make it up to you, please." She mutters, gazing up at the starry sky in contemplation. Her other hand retracts, floating beside her in waiting for a response in the comfortable silence.