Just being in Heartland made Aoi nauseous. All the destruction Academia had caused, the people they’d carded, the fact they still hunted people down... Knowing it’s happened was sickening enough, but seeing it firsthand, it was a wonder she could keep from ducking behind a pile of rubble.
Worse, she’d lost track of Yuya, leaving the former soldier on her own, sick to her stomach, and wandering about while trying to stay out of sight. She had to get herself together; it wouldn’t do if she stumbled into trouble, especially when said trouble would lead to the harshest punishment imaginable the moment they dragged her back.
But that was, of course, all easier said than done when a turned corner brought a familiar face into view, if only for a second. Suddenly, the nausea was her least problem, paling at the elder and taking several rather large steps backwards. Why was he there?! Why would Academia send him?! Aster was one thing, but-
“...Ryo-” Maybe he wouldn’t notice the tremor in her voice...