[The flip side of finally accepting his fate, of no longer struggling to keep up with a body that can't and no longer feeling like he has to, is an even deeper sense of inevitability. He can't help it, but as soon as the words are out he even so regrets them. It's this sort of thing that only makes it worse for people around him, isn't it? It's not somehow fairer to do this to Kashuu than anyone else, even if Kashuu already knows that it's true.

So with a small smile, he starts edging himself onto his knees, to show Kashuu that he's in fact ready to go along with this plan.]

I- I shouldn't say things like that. I'm sorry. [He shakes his head, momentarily distracted by a memory, before he adds:] Back home, while I as there... you could say I sort of promised someone that I'd keep breathing for as long as I can. So I'm going to try my best, okay?

[To the best of his ability, he tries to draw a calm breath, hold it in without choking on it.]

Go ahead.