[It steals his breath away. Those words, spoken so close to his ear, give him goosebumps. He wraps his arms around Wataru more completely, even if his hand is still tangled with the end of his braid, and he breathes out something like a shudder.

Someone like him... can be loved?]

Wataru... You've never been a jester to me. My idol, the one who I admire... someone that I wanted to reach, no matter the price. Don't you understand?

[His eyes sting a bit, and he realizes it's because he's got tears in them. Just a little, but they're there, noticeable if Wataru pulls back enough to meet his face again. He's just so happy, so relieved. He's loved...]

I love you, too. I have for quite some time, so... please continue to hold me without letting go.