[ The small act, of course, catches Kasumi's veiled eyes, and not for the first time, Kasumi wonders, between the flutters and the her unexplained happiness that Maya so much as finds her lips to be "very nice," about how Maya might feel about their friendship. She knows how Maya feels about the books, knows how she feels about the surprisingly great team they make during fights, but after hearing that the Siren had apparently missed Kasumi, the thief can't help but want to know more.

On her part, talking to and seeing Maya has always been a nice treat, a break from the worries that accompany her work, going up against Cerberus and living in a galaxy at war. Here's someone who, in spite of it all, is traveling and learning and hoping and lets Kasumi forget how hopeless she'd began to feel in the midst of everything. She hadn't been looking to find or make any new friends in the middle of the end times, and yet Here They Are, and Kasumi just keeps wondering what this all means, especially when the sight of Maya licking her lips, blushing, has Kasumi captivated for a reason she herself seems vaguely aware of.

All she really knows is that Maya really is amazing. ]

... Don't mention it.

[ She leans back, then, letting her hand skirt the edge of her hood where it meets her shoulders. ]

To answer your earlier question, though--if it was just the two of us? I wouldn't mind. As long as you promise not to tell a soul about it.

[ The small smile on her face says that she's half-joking, half-serious. Mostly serious. ]