[ the praise has sabo chuckling and he really wants to wave it off but, under these circumstances, it'd be an insult to ayaka. she's definitely the withdrawn sort and that's fine. ]

It's okay. [ sabo will make the slightest inch closer to her. ] I've met plenty of people like you in my travels; people who are afraid to move forward. It's scary putting yourself into a position where people can easily hurt you.

However, as scared as you are, it doesn't mean that bravery isn't already there inside of you. All anyone ever needs is something—someone—that can be there with you when you make the decision to.

[ all anyone needs is that spark to ignite a flame within them. sabo has much more experience fanning flames to inspire those to take arms against their oppressors but it isn't too different here. ]

I bet if you let Richard be that person for you, he'd be fine with it. The two of you already spend so much time together.

[ sabo, genuinely, is not implying anything between the two of them. a guy and a girl can be friends without romantic feelings being had!!! the two of them can lean on one another in times of need or uncertainty; it's what he and his partner have. ]

Of course, until you feel brave enough on your own, people like myself and Richard are more than fine to keep showing you what you can be capable of.