He met that gaze, watching similarly. But it faltered at the question, and he looked away again.

"If I had a reason." He didn't have one, didn't think he would have one, but he refused to claim he wouldn't ever. Still, the words lacked force, and he had to wonder at himself about it. He used to say things like that to Eiji all the time without any doubt that he meant them. This felt different.