Jin flinched visibly as lightning lit the sky for a brief flash. She took a few breaths while her body settled back from the burst of fear. 

She stared up at Ishawari, wondering about that gentle look. Did he know he looked like that when he was worried? It made her heart ache. "I will be okay eventually. Talking about it certainly helped ease the burden." She offered him a shy little smile, and patted his shoulder. "Let's rest. Tomorrow is going to be important." She went off to her cot, laying down and staring at the ceiling of the little house she had grown to love. 

"Good night, Ishawari." 

-
The next day was a soggy one. Cloudy and full of puddles. Jin had luckily managed to get some rest after the storm passed, and was preparing a big breakfast of fresh vegetable soup for everyone in the early hours. On the table was a bit of paper where she’d written a long list of supplies and actions to take before they left for good. The first thing on it was “tell the boy”. Easier said than done, certainly. Maybe she’d have some time to think about what to say before he was awake? 

“Good morning Akemi-san!” 

Well, there went that plan. “Good morning, Han.” She rubbed the boy’s bald head in an affectionate way. “Did you rest well?” 

“Yep!” Without being asked, he started to take down bowls and spoons. “Did you?” 

She hated to lie to the boy, but there was no sense in telling him the real story. “I slept well enough.” Jin stared into the steam while she stirred the pot. “Thank you for setting the table. Now, please get yourself ready for school.” 

The prince made a face, but didn’t say a word otherwise. “Okay.” And off he went.

Jin sighed. She knew she was stalling, but the words wouldn’t come to her.[i] Sorry, Prince Hotaru, we’re leaving behind your friends who treat you like a normal boy and not a porcelain doll and you’re probably never going to see them again as they are. [/i]Yes, that would go over very well. 

As she served out soup in generous portions, she let her mind spin about the best way to go about things. But any way she thought about it, it ended with the boy in tears. Maybe there was no way to get around it? Time would tell, and too soon – they had to let him know before school so he could say his good byes. 

“What do I say to him...”