There's no fear in Michiru's expression, even now— even as Haruka is stepping away from her. She does have to tear her eyes away, though; the look on her face stings more than she could've imagined, and it's hard to stay impassive when she's looking at something like that.

"It isn't that simple."

Her hands fold together, and she squeezes. This is a conversation she hoped they'd never need to have. But then, she hadn't anticipated that they'd be the ones to hold the talismans, either.

"I intended to uphold my end of it for as long as I could."