The shadow shrank back at first, but not far enough that she would reject her brother's love. She gave up her knees in favor of putting her shaking arms around his shoulders, her body trembling as she clung to him. She was warm, alarmingly so, but it was only her Calamity Self. Akane could only stand awkwardly where she was, tightly gripping one wrist in her other hand.

It hurt to hear those words come out of her reflection, but she couldn't deny that she had those feelings inside of her. Every regret she had, every insecurity, she'd had to stuff away for the sake of a future where the world wasn't shrouded in crimson, choked with radiation and corpses. That meant sacrificing her happiness. And Junpei's. And Aoi's. None of them could really ever be happy.

But here... She looked at Duster, furrowing her brow. The chance for Aoi, at least, was within reach. He could stay here, find love, and be safe.

"Get out." The shadow glared balefully at Duster from over Aoi's shoulder, her violet eyes bright with distrust and hatred. "You weren't invited here. You don't even really like me. The only reason you talk to me at all is because I'm Aoi's sister." She clutched at the white-haired young man a little tighter, possessive and unwilling to share. "You don't know anything about me that he didn't tell you himself."