Sometimes it's hard to describe, right? Like, why do you love Matsui? You probably just knew. [ how do you talk about true love. ] When we met, she was a rebellious princess who ignored her wards and fought with castle guards to run into the woods to talk to a frog. She never cared what people thought of her, or what they wanted her to be, she was going to do exactly as she liked. She was fascinating and ferocious and angry and brave, and she was my friend. She saved me. I think for a long time, we had each other in a very isolated world.

[ digging his nails into his own arm for a second (did he used to have those?) and then letting go. letting out a breath he was pretty sure he'd been holding since all of this started. ]

I've been thinking about that.

[ which is also an improvement, in this answer, which used to be I don't know that I will ever see her again. ]

I think, if we can- maybe choose to go back a little while, I could change some things. Not mess it up so badly. Tell her that I'm her friend, first and foremost, forever, and I don't need her to save me or drag me out of the pond. That I'll really be okay on my own. Or-- You know. With other people to rely on too.