Akane just... stares at Connie. For the longest time. Her mouth opens. Closes. Opens again. Closes just as silently.

"Why would I love that stupid, perverted jerk?" she says, finally, looking away from Connie. "All he ever does is make fun of me and refuse to take me seriously... and spends his time with me, more than he does anyone else. And tries to cheer me up when I'm sad and helps me when I'm hurt and saves my life. All the time. Just-- just before I came here. He saved my life. And-- and they were finally going to have the wedding. Right before second year started. We got back from China and I'd agreed to go through with it... and then Shampoo and Ukyo showed up and started throwing-- I think they were bombs they'd made out of food-- and everything went to hell. And after, they said we weren't going to be married until all the other engagements were sorted out. So we went to school together... and I woke up here. Without him. At the fake mother's house."