author’s notes:

- tho aqua’s old clothes look the same to her current ones, they’re smaller and better fit for kairi

- the last line of the comic quotes sora’s words when he vowed to save k in kh3. its to parallel each other’s determination to keep e/o safe (doesnt have to be shippy). Its NOT implying that sora is within her. Just that they have similar declarations of determination and care for one another

- kairi’s scar is based on post kh3 fics i’ve read. i really loved the hc A LOT, so much so that this entire thing appeared on my canvas suddenly LOL

- i wanted to explore kairi’s feelings and experience post MoM (confidence, determination, anxieties, mentorship, etc.)

- the line “does it hurt?” not only asks kairi if the scar itself hurts, but if the memories associated with it still hurt her. in truth, it does. but kairi chooses to use the pain to be a motivating factor in her training