[As much as he doesn't want to hear about the incident again, Rin knows there are many pieces to this puzzle he's yet to put into place, so he can't afford to just tune it out and let it be. Yes, he knows what happened. He knows who was responsible, where they went, what they did... but the most important bits--how Sousuke feels--remain in the dark. Always quiet, content to blend into the walls and the shadows, to retreat to his own place of refuge as if nothing ever changed and nothing ever will...

But once he knows, how can he answer? If he's so new to all of this himself and if he's never been in any position to understand how shinki feel... how can he know what to say? Everything he believes in, he's told Sousuke before, and he's defended across the network with complete strangers because his conscience said he should. But... he can't make Sousuke believe him. When all his best friend knows is nothing, what can he believe? And who can he trust?

I want to protect you, but I need you to be free. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm always going to be your biggest threat.

The video feed flickers on to reveal the same sight ahead, petals and moonlight, shadows cast over the small pond in the gardens below. They haven't spoken much since Rin found out about all this, but that's only because of his cowardice and nerves. One slip up... one wrong step and he can ruin what's already turned fragile.]

... I'm not your master. I'm not your god. And you'll never be a tool, no matter what anyone else tries to force you to believe.

You and I-- We're meant to be a team. We don't use each other's strength; we learn from it. Grow stronger from it. But for that to happen, before anything else, what matters most is yourself. That's your right.

[After a solid beat,]

All I can do is tell you my feelings. I can't force you to trust or believe me and I never will. Just know that I'll always trust you.

... And I'll always value you as my friend above anything else.