“I'm sorry, Mikan-senpai.”
And she did look it. Guilty, apologetic, as if she was at fault. Mikan faltered, watery eyes lifting up to her.
“No, don't apologize,” she murmured, “You thought it, so you said it. There's nothing dishonest about that.”
“I wish it was different,” she promised her, “I wish they valued you like I valued you, because you deserve better. But… we have face it. They were using you from the start.”
Mikan frowned, once more. Defenses on her tongue, that she swallowed. “Using me…” she echoed, numb and disbelieving. “Were they?”
Junko reached out her hand, grabbing her own gently. “I know it's hard to hear… But think about it. What does Imposter-kun do when you're being bullied? Nothing… they look away. They don't care for you, not really… and I hate seeing you so used, I hate that they don't defend you. They just needed you to heal Mitarai-senpai, that's it—everything else was just pity. I don't… I can't stand watching you get taken advantage of!” She cried, impassioned, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on her hand. “Mitarai-senpai is the same, too—he just needed you to heal him so he could work on his anime! That's all he cares about, in the end… he doesn't even spend time with you, doesn't even want to, absorbed in the thing. It hurts, seeing you go through that… But I won't sit ideally by, not like them. I'm going to protect you, Mikan-senpai.”
“I just… I don't…”
Her eyes, blazing and bright, softened. “It's okay, Mikan-chan,” she cooed. “I'll never let you be alone again. If they have forsaken you, I won't leave your side. You have me, your Jun-chan, Mika.”
Mikan blinked, her tears overflowing. And then, in a small voice, agreed, “Okay.”