Calling attention to people is the last thing she wants to do, but Yunaka is not one to miss up an opportunity to check in on her students. She has not seen much of Sophia in particular since the mock battle. She wouldn't dare stick her nose into people's business, but...well, worrying was perfectly fine, wasn't it?
"Sophia!" Yunaka grins, giving her student a little wave when she spots her. She gestures for her to step to the side of the walkway so others can continue passing on their way to wherever they were going while they talked. "You mentioned being worried about the ribbon getting dirty." She explains simply a she hands her a little box. "The whole point is to wear it, but...I get what it's like, wanting to hold onto things for as long as you can. So here! That way you can keep that one special while still having options."
A small collection of various ribbons sits in the small box. They are all different colors, and some of them even have slight patterns on them. She smiles brightly and very much resists the urge to ruffle up Sophia's hair since, you know, that would kinda go against the whole point of trying to help her out with keeping her hair a bit neater. "Happy birthday! I hope you like 'em. If you ever want any ideas, let me know. My hair's not quite as long, but I'm pretty good at making it look cute if I do say so myself."
It is, as it is every year, a perfectly normal day until someone else points out the significance of the date first. It's easy to forget as the days idle away, melting into one another between the mundanity of classes and missions. Just one day out of three hundred and sixty five is surprisingly easy to forget if one isn't paying attention.
This is why Sophia is initially confused when Yunaka approaches carrying a small box. Passersby glance curiously at the exchange, but otherwise continue walking to their next destinations, weaving around people walking at a slower pace.
"For... me...?" Sophia asks uncertainly, tilting her head as she does. She doesn't particularly think she's done anything to deserve a random gift and it's not as though Yunaka is a child who would give her whatever pretty rock or discarded feather she found on the ground.
That was today, wasn't it?
The box of hair ties that Pelleas gifted her is long gone now, swept away with the rest of the rubble of her room. She had been a little sad at the time, but they were destined to have worn out and fallen to shreds eventually. Even if you take good care of your belongings, eventually everything falls victim to time. What else is there to do but start over again?
If even the things you love will disappear one day, isn't it better to have more things you love?
"Thank you..." The little box is held up shyly over her face. "You... I... I will... use them..."
Maybe it is time to start wearing her hair differently.
