[Grysar]

Haruko takes a bit of time to formulate this email. She'd written up the 
second part on a prior day, it's the first half that demands her attention. 
Were Kaede the recipient, he could perhaps trace her drafting process and 
note that she steadily became more clinical in speaking about her fears and 
then subsequently added softening text. Maki may have noticed her spending a 
lot of a time with a textbook for a class she's no longer taking.

(Encrypted e-mail)
From: Haruko Kinsha
Date: Afternoon of Wednesday, March 17th
Subject: So Hibiki is meeting my parents
To: Katie Andrews

Hey Katie,

First off, I'm sorry I wasn't in top racing form at the book club. I've gone 
over the emails again and think I've got everything straight, although I do 
hope someone with a Shuffle account will pull down this art eventually. I 
missed a bit right when I was waking up (^^;) but think I caught everything 
afterwards. My queries to Matthias-san and Sumire-san may yet pay dividends 
in the future and he did have some advice for preparing to confront Aka. But 
I confess that the blasted auditorium battle sent me on a tangent. I don't 
know if Aka actually learned about my weakness or just unwittingly stumbled 
upon it to add drama to a subsequent battle, but the effect is much the same.

I've distracted myself with rereading my psychology textbook and building up 
the courage to ask Kyon for help with its exposure therapy advice as a 
treatment for my <pyrophobia> (not in so many words of course).The idea still 
frightens me, but I trust Kyon and was reassured by Isao's lack of fear in my 
dream. The Queen of Cups may be the strongest elemental embodiment of our 
suit, but we're not doomed to fear flames like some sort of water pokemon. I 
suppose my general busy-ness is also at fault, but you, Kyon, and Kaede are 
no doubt just as occupied and aren't falling asleep in other people's living 
room, so I shouldn't use that as an excuse.

Moving on to topics which will at least be far more pleasant for you, my 
mother has successfully outmaneuvered me and achieved her diabolical goal of 
inviting Hibiki over for dinner. We're still working out a date, but it 
shouldn't be too long. So, you've got a choice whether you want to get gossip 
before and/or after that. At least assuming that the night doesn't end in my 
committing seppuku for dishonoring some combination of myself, my family, and 
my date.

That said, if you want to stay focused on more serious pursuits, I, of 
course, understand and will say no more on the matter. If you would like to 
play, I'm open on the details. Perhaps we could take a brief drive out of 
Tokyo to some scenic stretch of road, enjoy the wind, and the budding of 
springs. That's more my thing than yours, so I'm open to alternatives or, if 
you like the idea, preferences.

Haruko

---

[Ardweden]

(Encrypted e-mail)

From: Katie Andrews
Date: Thursday, March 18 (Evening)
Subject: Re: So Hibiki is meeting my parents
To: Haruko Kinsha

Ken meeting your parents is scary! But I'm also happy for you if this is a 
thing you want, too. I wasn't sure things were going that well for you guys. 
I am okay with getting whatever gossip if you want to give it to me. It's 
good to have someone to talk to & I don't think most of our friends 
understand why Ken is worth dating at all.

About Tuesday, it's okay. We all get stuck on stuff we're afraid of. A lot of 
what happened is really hard to think about, too. But we have to & we have to 
try to figure out what it means all together.

Still haven't tried the new bike helmet yet, but hopefully this weekend. 
Thanks for that again. I really like it.

Katie