[If she just asked them...but wasn't that something she's been doing all this time? Somehow depending on them too much to do anything. She never had the leader skills, just ended up following everyone else to have any words to say on the matter. It wouldn't be fair to anyone.]

It is when I do nothing but ask them.

[She kept staring at her knees, gripping her blankets.]

I don't say what's wrong because there are people who have gone through a lot worse than myself. It would be selfish to hear my problems when they may seem nothing compared to anyone else. So I keep it inside...I don't want to depend on everyone to rescue me anymore.

[That little voice, her shadow, was still present in her. The idea of wanting a prince to come and take her away. Yukiko wanted to change that so that someday, she would be able to be dependable to others instead of just herself.]