[oftentimes, mineo is so terribly straightforward. he is reckless, and he charges forward. but sometimes - just sometimes - he can manage to be someone a little bit more thoughtful, nearly conniving. so it is when he catches those emotions, when he realizes that takeru already feels guilt, he latches onto them. his hold on takeru's hand tightens, his other hand comes up to his face to keep him close, so he can't pull away too far.

intensely and overwhelming, there is only the desire for him to stay. close enough to touch, close enough that mineo can hold onto him, close and closer still.]

... can't it just be the solution? Can't you just choose me?

[and maybe this type of war is something that mineo struggles to understand - even when he was at his most torn and indecisive, he was stuck in place rather than running away - but the feelings in his heart are so single-minded. they revolve entirely around this goal of keeping takeru, of saving him before he's too far gone.]

I'll take responsibility. Even if you think about this for the rest of your life, I'll carry it with you. We'll keep trying, even if we don't figure it out here. If I'm wrong, I'll repent and make it up to you every single day even if you hate me.

[sincerity. certainty. the unrepentant fact that mineo is so wholeheartedly unafraid of giving this much of himself to this specific cause - to takeru.]

I can't let you do this, Takeru. You'll have to deal with me no matter what, whether you want me or not - so why can't you just admit you want me?