_{[ Karamatsu can be stubborn about certain things, but he does listen to Aoba, giving his body one last tight squeeze before he lets him go, unable to look at him. His head is bowed, dipped down in shame. He can feel the twinge of guilt twisting in his chest-- the feeling that he's made a horrible mistake. He's gone and made their friendship all weird, huh? Could it have been helped? Karamatsu doesn't think so; not with how much he's been feeling for Aoba lately.
He expects rejection— he's not sure to what extent, but he expects it one way or another. ]}

I know, I'm sorry.. I am just hoping that maybe by doing this, the feelings I have for you will go away and I can stop feeling so tormented. It isn't your fault; it's mine for falling so easily. It happens.. a lot. I wish I was stronger in that sort of way.

_{[ He watches the kotatsu table, unable to bring his eyes up. ]}

I'm not, though. I try to make people think I am, but I'm nothing but a coward.