[As he always does, Sano keeps quiet as Shinpachi pours out his feelings. This, at least, is somewhat familiar, even if the topic isn't. Sano knows how to listen, he's good at it, and he's used to Shinpachi's storm of emotions, either swirling around the both of them or hitting Sano square in the chest. Even while drunk, he feels comfortable like this.

Except he's the one who brought Shinpachi to this point. And there's nothing good about seeing his best friend so upset.

But still, Sano remains silent, taking the abuse, for once unsure of where to go from here. All he can do at the moment is raise his hands to Shinpachi's wrists, gently wrapping his fingers around them. But he doesn't tear Shinpachi away, just physically and silently reinforces the fact that he's still there and for now he's not going anywhere. Even if Shinpachi's upset and it's Sano's fault, he'll still do what he can to be a constant.

But then the time comes when he has to do something. And he doesn't know where to start. It's so easy to just fall back into their old ways, where he listens to Shinpachi rant and rave until he's exhausted himself and then never say a word on his own inner feelings. It's so easy. But easy isn't always the best action.

And if he wants to get Shinpachi back, he needs to take a pretty big step on this new path. Even if he doesn't want to. Even if what he's about to confess hurts him and embarrasses him so, so much. He needs to do this. His voice, however, is quiet, small, very much owing to how this isn't Sano's forte.]

...I got my ass kicked at Toba-Fushimi.

[His hands tighten a little on Shinpachi's wrists.]

I couldn't...I couldn't do anything to protect Chizuru, not against Shiranui. She even tried to protect me, but I still just...

[His voice drops to a whisper.]

...I can't forgive myself for that. I failed so bad.