[ It's such a simple, warm gesture that she's sure Ulala would squawk over if she could see it, Maya getting a section of her hair braided by an idol-- but it softens her resistance, just enough, that she doesn't immediately try to change the subject to something much happier, as desperately as she wants to. The supportive side of her is wailing that this is wrong, that Momo still needs to be resting and he'll just worry about her if she keeps talking, this isn't Maya Amano as she should be.

But it's just them right now, and Maya relents with a tight noise in her throat, settling down onto her side as well so at least Momo does't have to reach up as much. ]

I have my roommate, my coworkers-- I'm not alone. [ Her bond with Ulala has only grown stronger from this, she's sure. Though Tatsuya will be gone. And if the Tatsuya who remains remembers nothing, then she ought to distance herself from his brother too. Baofu probably won't stick around. And the others... ]

But I'm positive [ ha ] I won't get that back. That's the one thing I can't try to save. The things that would get lost if I did... it would never be worth the risk.

[ She can't put them before the world. As much as she loves those kids, it's better if they stay happy and unknowing. ]