I know. [God, does he ever know. He feels like slime, even when he recognizes that this is the best that he can do for them. If he broke up later when he couldn't even tell Mista the reason, or just let them keep hurting each other without wanting to-] I love you too. I'd die to keep you safe, you know I would.

Someday. Someday when I don't have to worry that tomorrow I'll forget and you'll be the one suffering because of it. Someday when that happens, I can think about dating again. But not before. And - you don't have to wait for me.

[Shuji's choices are his own. He can't decide for Mista, or take Mista's happiness away for his own selfishness.]

This is the worst. I didn't even get to win you a carnival prize.

[He laughs, bitter and choked through his tears.]