[It's only because she brings it up that Atsushi even realizes she could have told someone. He already trusts her, it seems. Spilling your heart to someone can do that. But between her small stutter and her red cheeks, Atsushi finds a smile for himself. Still strained by his drying tears, but it's there.

He laughs, the soft pop of a noise hiding what will be his only sob. The last of his complicated emotions having sunk out of reach.]

I know you won't. You're kind, Inaba.

[Hopefully she'll accept it now. He can't imagine anyone less than kind would have handled him so gracefully just now.]

But... It is strange. You know everything about me and it feels like you've been looking out for me for a really long time. And we can't be friends? [It's a very light tease, calling back to the trainwreck of a conversation that got them here.

He holds out a hand again, hoping her answer has changed.]