For her age, Ayako has actually seen a lot. Heard a lot, too. By being Emi Suzuki's closest acquaintance for many years, she's more than aware of the many ways people get by in life to avoid loneliness. Some choose one boy forever, others choose several per week. And others, again, choose differently all together. Perhaps Ayako would have been a tolerant person, had she ever forced herself to care about sexuality in any shape or form. But now, here, with Miu-chan looking away from her and asking for something she can't quite understand, she feels like a foreigner; like she's landed herself in a country way beyond her own borders.

"Sure. I remember reading about it. About her death." Not about that other thing. Stuff like that doesn't go on the obituary of a famous ballerina, it's neutral phrases and little else, a total avoidance of anything even approaching gutter talk or gossip. Apropos... Her eyes widen as she turns more fully towards Miu-chan. "But - you were in Takarazuka at the time! You couldn't just..."

She can't finish. There are too many implications, too much hidden beneath the surface and she can't be the person to pull Miu-chan up and beyond it. If she's drowning in her secrets at this point, it's got to be her own responsibility. Finding a way to breathe.