Nina's sobs shook her small frame as she buried her face in Kafka's chest, her tears soaking into his skin as the hot spring's water lapped gently around them. Her hands clutched the wooden sculpture tightly, its intricate details pressing into her palms as she trembled against him.
Kafka's arms encircled her, one hand patting her back in a steady, soothing rhythm as he whispered.
"Hey, shh...It's okay, Nina." His voice soft but laced with worry as he tried to steady her.
She shook her head against him, her sobs hiccupping as she pulled back just enough to speak, her voice thick with emotion and broken by sniffles.
"I-I'm sorry, Kafka...I-I'm so sorry I'm crying like this." She managed, her green eyes glistening with tears as she wiped at them frantically, her breath shuddering. "I don't want you to s-see me like this...so weak and pathetic. I h-hate it and I've always hated feeling this way, but I couldn't help it."
