Would she, though? If it was a friend doing it? Chou's eyes averted for a moment, mouth turning down in thought. She had let Kanae slap her, but that was only for an act, and also it had sort of been fair payback. Her mind jumped next to Shotaro, his knuckles crashing into her cheek, splitting skin--no, but he already was her enemy when he did that. If it had happened when she still loved him....

Her brow creased. No, she really wasn't sure.

But Emi's next point jolted her, snapping her eyes back up to his, a touch of shame coloring her cheeks. Look at her, getting wrapped up in her fears and neglecting the most important things. "That's not exactly--I mean, that's not all of it. I can't... say I didn't panic about that worst-case scenario, when I saw you." It was a little late to deny it. "But it's not like I needed to talk to you just because I don't wanna be hated. I had to make sure you understand, you know? That I've never stopped thinking of you as my friend. You've never done anything at all to make me think about hurting you."