[ The touch that would usually be so soothing makes Yuji prickle instead; he hasn't stopped crying just yet, feeling the ache and hurt too deeply, but at least he's managed to settle into light sniffles instead. It's going to take far too long for Yuji to accept things as they are, now that he's let his mind dwell on it - because he's lost too much. How is he meant to muster his soul after this?

(He will. He doesn't have a choice).

Shaking his head, he breathes out a shaky noise; Nanami will keep arguing, even if Yuji disagrees with him. That's how things are, and he can't undo it. When he speaks, though...

When he speaks, Yuji feels another part of him shatter, and he presses even closer, nuzzling into Nanami's chest and wheezing out a sad, mournful noise. It makes him feel as if he's been punched in the gut, and he shivers a little as he tries to find words. ]

I didn't - I didn't want to lose you, either. I wanted to save you, more than anything.

[ His voice breaks a little, in the same way that it had when he had seen his mentor in Shibuya, that echo of the hurt, pained Nanamin hanging in his mind. ]

I missed you so much, Nanamin. I never forgot you, even for a second. Not once. I won't.