they've brought back spiced tea from sumeru ( alongside a garland of flowers for ayaka ) and are happily showing off all their sketches, from the buried temple of deseret to the vanarana tree. underneath it all, something seems to be troubling them, but she'll be damned if she lets him see it that easily.
ayato has always prided herself on her ability to read human emotion . despite the complexity with which he feels his own , it's a crucial part , of which he is remarkably talented , of her position as commissioner , and all it entails . oft is she bombarded with selfish intent from others who envy her , and even more consistently are those intentions unraveled before his sharp mind . ayaka is good at shielding her thoughts from their face , a skill necessary of any inazuman noble house's child , but ayato is even moreso . he knows the telltale signs of upset within her , for they were once his own signs , all but invisible to the world beyond .
so , when ayaka's gaze shifts , despite all their attempts otherwise , a pause is taken , sketchbook set aside tenderly . atop it , her fingertips touch , lingering as she thinks . his dearly beloved little sister rarely gets the chance to escape the confines of their nation , if at all . it's not a feeling unknown to him , one almost always required to be overcome with work . perhaps this trip to sumeru has made her feel the pain of that claustrophobia firsthand . he lets out a sigh , ever quiet . ❛ i know you're trying to be happy for us , ❜ ayato and tohma both , because he would never leave inazuma without him . ❛ i also know that it isn't that simple . ❜
it was a brief respite from the same drawling routine . work , work , work , listen to the pleas of the citizens , sign some petitions , turn down contemporary laws , spend all week out of the estate , meetings , documents , meetings , documents . he does it all for her , and for tohma , and he already felt terrible not to bring her along , but if not her , who will watch over the commission ? so much as a glance away and all of his hard work will burn to the ground .
❛ it's okay , if you wanted to come along . it's okay to be upset . ❜ something she'd always longed to hear . their father would never have said as much . ❛ and you can take a vacation as soon as tomorrow . i'll make the arrangements . but . . . please , talk to me . your brother will worry her heart out if you won't speak your worries even to him . ❜ a hand rests at her cheek with a solemn smile , and then she pulls ayaka into a tight hug . physical affection is a rarity in their home , but in this case . . .
❛ maybe i'm beyond wrong , but that's why i need you to tell me . i love you too much to stand aside whilst you suffer . ❜