[ keigo certainly wasn't expecting that level of reaction from ichigo. the way his hand fit against his cheek was disarming in a profound way, enough to have his eyes widening slightly. just like before, keigo was utterly at a loss for how to react to such a candid display of comfort. no one had ever given his feelings this much consideration before, especially not anyone he'd just met! his face flushed again and, in an attempt to diffuse it, he laughed softly. ]

I... well.

[ keigo sighed again, staring down at his lap. how could he explain himself? he didn't really know. it wasn't like he was experiencing the same problem ichigo was... not really, anyway. he just... somehow felt that same pain; something in his subconscious supplied him with the information and now... he was thinking it over.

it made sense, when he gave it a moment's thought. ]

It's nothing to apologize for. I'm not really... upset, I guess. It's a bittersweet sort of feeling, I think.

[ he reached forward and placed his hand against ichigo's shoulder, an attempt to return that same level of kindness through touch. ]

It hurts but at the same time, it feels... right, I guess. I know I'm not meant to have certain things, so it gets easier to accept as time goes on. I think you're probably a lot more deserving than I am, though.

[ his hand slid down ichigo's shoulder, skimming against his arm before he let go. ]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't really understand the full situation you're going through, but a lot of what you're feeling is familiar to me.