[ The moment that Hilda seems to deflate, Ori regrets bringing Balthus up. Not that she would have had any way of knowing that doing so would bring up complicated emotions, but still - Ori deflates in turn and watches with worry as Hilda tears up one of the pastries on her plate.

She goes on to explain what happened before Ori has a chance to steel herself enough to ask the question, and all she can do is listen attentively. What Hilda says is... not at all what Ori is expecting, truth to tell, but still she listens. Ori also cannot really relate to the dynamics of older brothers and their best friends, having neither an older brother nor a best friend (at least, not until recently).

By the time that Hilda has said all of that, and sighs, Ori is wearing a very sympathetic look on her face. She can't even begin to pretend to understand, but all that really matters is that it's clearing bothering Hilda. ]

Hilda...

[ There's no judgment in her voice. ]

It's okay to not really know how to feel about it. But I do think... if you were both okay with it, then maybe it's not really like you were using each other...?

[ The flowers in her hair droop a little. ]

Sorry, I'm not really... familiar with these kinds of situations. But I do know that feelings can be complicated, and that's okay. You don't have to figure everything out right away. But I'm sorry to hear things are a little weird right now... maybe it'll be okay in time?

[ Narrator voice: It will, in fact, not be okay. ]