How to Love Myself
After running into her old friends at the playground, Kyra became noticeably more withdrawn.
She no longer clung to me or followed me around.
Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on the ground, repeating the same routine every day.
A little faster, Kyra!
...Huh? Oh, okay.
...I got it.
I'll do what you say, Captain.
Kyra's performance in training seemed unusually poor today.
...Thanks for the training session.
I'll head back now.
Bye... Captain.
Are you... okay?
Huh? Ah... I'm good.
I'm fine. Nothing's wrong.
That was a lie.
A heavy shadow loomed over Kyra's face.
How about we go shopping toda—
Captain.
You don't have to force yourself.
Kyra's... fine.
Force myself? What do you mean?
...Captain.
You're tired of Kyra too, aren't you?
Even when I ask to hang out, you always say you're busy...
And after training, you leave right away saying you have other things to do.
Kyra may be dumb, but... she's not that clueless.
...Seeing those kids reminded me of it all.
All Kyra wanted was to play with them, but she just ended up hurting them.
You can be honest.
Kyra's used to being hated.
I know the truth.
After all, who could ever love someone like Kyra?
Yeah. A gloomy, weird girl with a creepy power... who's also dumb and annoying.
Kyra...
You came up to me and tried to help, but I just pushed you away again.
So in the end, even you got tired of me, right?
I'm sorry, Captain.
It's just that you're special and my power doesn't work on you...
But I kept going on and on about being meant to be and bothering you. I'm sorry.
It's fine if you hate me. I can't blame you. It's all Kyra's fault.
But...
...Could you not abandon Kyra...?
I promise I won't be a bother anymore. Kyra was wrong.
So please, just stay with me like before.
...Don't leave me.
If you're not here... then I go back to being a nobody.
No one wants me...
No one wants to talk to someone like Kyra.
No one wants to stay by my side.
I hate it...
Being alone is... so lonely.
Kyra looked as if she was about to collapse as she spoke, her eyes welling up.
Now I understand why she clings to me so desperately.
But if she keeps relying on me like this, she will never grow.
You're an important Journey member to me.
I won't hate you or abandon you.
...Really?
I'm happy that you rely on me, Kyra.
...You mean it?
Then why—
But.
Huh...?
The way you're doing it is wrong.
The way I'm doing it... is wrong?
What do you mean? Kyra doesn't understand, Captain...
Relying on someone and depending on them are two different things.
Ever since she was little, Kyra was always shunned and hated.
She never had the chance to casually talk with anyone without fear, so it was only natural that she'd cling to me.
And as her Captain, it made me happy that she relied on me.
But depending on me was different.
Being unable to function without someone was not a healthy relationship.
And right now, Kyra was like a candle in the wind in danger of flickering out without my presence.
But Kyra is...
Without you, I'm...
I'm just a creepy, weird girl.
No one would ever like someone like me...
All I need is... just you, Captain...
Kyra, do you love yourself?
Love... myself?
I never thought about that before...
I have to learn how to love myself first...
...Before anyone else can love me?
...
...!
Captain...
Are you trying to teach Kyra how to be loved?
Is it a secret method that you're only telling me?
You're only telling Kyra, right? Not anyone else?
...Well, it's not a secret.
...Have you said that to anyone else before?
...
You haven't?
Ahaha. You almost made me worry, Captain.
So what do I have to do to love myself?
Kyra... doesn't really get it.
I have an idea.
The root of all Kyra's problems was clear.
It was her Kotodama.
...Captain.
I'm ready...!
This time, just aim for the middle dummy!
Got it.
I get three chances, right...?
Breathe in, breathe out...
Focus on the target...
Nice and slow... clearly...
Kyra took a deep breath, lowered her mask slightly, and spoke.
Get down.
Ah...!
I messed up again... I hit two...
Captain, I don't think—
It's okay!
I'm still right here!
...!
...Okay. Kyra will do her best!
One more time...!
Captain, give me the signal!
Slowly but surely, Kyra was starting to grow.