<sub>[ Aoba doesn't need a reason. That's how friendship works, but Karamatsu can't quite understand that. He seems to work and work and work for other people's approval, whether it be from his family or anyone else. To be honest, he doesn't think he has done anything to earn Aoba's likeness.

Aoba mentions he is nervous, though, and somehow that seems to ease Karamatsu's stress in a way. Here he thought he was the only one nervous over something he wasn't ready to admit— he wasn't ready to confess. He shouldn't, really. IT would complicate things and maybe he'd lose Aoba's friendship if he continued feeling this way.

However, he's selfish. So, so selfish.

Without looking at Aoba, he asks: ]</sub>

Aoba-kun, would I do anything that would make you abandon me? You do not have to answer if you do not wish, but I can tell you that I'd stick by your side no matter what.
_{[ He says it so easily, so naturally. ]}