Alison laughed at the jonin's words and expression. Asuka could be gentle when she wanted to be. But, even Alison had to admit that it wasn't the first thing she thought of when she thought about the ninja. And, she needed the laugh, anyway.

"Thank you. For everything." She smiled and shrugged, a little embarrassed. "I just... couldn't say any of this to Longshot. He'd feel bad because I felt bad. Then I'd feel worse for making him feel bad, and... it just would be very circular and sad."