[It's not pretty, but there is a part of Souji that would be unable to stifle a sense of triumph if he only knew that. All he has ever wanted in life is to be important to people, to matter, to be sure at the end, there would be someone left that wouldn't throw him aside. So even if he's not necessarily an openly competitive person, the fact remains that he's always desperate to prove that no one can replace him, no one, no one...

He relaxes against Kashuu now, eyes closing at the gentle touch of his fingers, a soft smile making his face look less marked by disease for a moment, younger somehow. Not quite as young as the man, barely out of boyhood, who had first picked up this sword in fingers trembling with excitement, but perhaps there's a shadow of him there for a moment.]

I'll stay. [A small sigh. He will be truthful to his sword. He must be.] I don't know how much there is left for me to do at home, or if I'm needed at all anymore, so... I'll stay with you. For as long as I can, okay? I promise.