This chapter was rough ... I pretty much started crying...
It takes every single fiber of my being not to start crying. My heart still sinks to the abyss, that small "I don't want to die..." fuck.
At the same time the chapter was beautiful, and incredibly touching. Seeing the cracks start to show, and then Kaori breaking down like that, seeing her really lean on Shizuku and be this open with her, there is immense beauty in that. I do not think this wholly applies, but I was strongly reminded of the line "'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown..." from the song "Let Go" by Frou Frou. Relevant both in-universe and to me personally, with how close I am to that.
I also love Shizuku recognizing that there was nothing she could have said and decided to just embrace her and be there for her. Particularly at that time, if she were to confess, it probably would've been simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen to Kaori, and I dread to even imagine this. I dearly hope that she does, I genuinely believe she will. Looking forward to the coming chapters.