[ 'master'. it's another word he isn't fond of, but.. he tries not to protest its usage much. tsukumogami and blades in particular aren't physically human. they're becoming more human by the day, of course, but the bottom line is that right now, they don't all think like a human, they don't feel things in quite the same way as a human. most of them want to feel needed and wanted in the same way they'd been needed and wanted by previous owners. haru's often overwhelmed by it all, but.. he really is trying his best to understand.

he hesitates at the assertion, then offers a cautious nod. ] .. They're all.. part of my family. [ you can't live and breathe and sleep and eat and fight next to people for so long without learning to love or to hate them, and haru's never been inclined toward hate. besides, who will fight for them if not him? he called them into being. he holds their bodies in his hands when they're injured and in pain.

he hesitates, then slowly relaxes again, shifting to settle with grateful relief on the bench beside the older man. he presses his hands together between his knees, then, staring down at the dark fabric covering them. ]

I do my best. I'm not-- [ he's not a lot of things. not smart enough, not strong enough, not brave enough, not experienced enough. ookurikara is right about him. but all he can do is try to be better. ] I don't really know what I'm doing with them most of the time. Some of them have-- have centuries of trauma. But.. I think it'll help Kashuu-kun to have you here. For him to know that you want to-- that you never wanted to hurt him.