[ How could he even ask something like that? The question freezes his blood and makes him lift his head from the bow. ]

...After you made it so clear that this is the kind of thing you're afraid of, do you really think I'm the type?

[ It's the last thing in the world he wants, but he can't really say it. Even when he recognizes the brief flicker of fear in Karamatsu's expression. He knows that's what he's afraid of, but he surely can't think that he'd abandon him like this. Right? ]

Karamatsu is my best friend, but I...

[ Can't be what he wants me to me. Aoba trails off, then stiffens again back into that bow before he turns away. ]

Let's just... let's hang out again soon.