9mon | W4: CURFEW

It's not your fault. The important part is you came back.

[A gentle feeling of relief.]

I promised you I wouldn't leave.

You came back. That's the part that matters the most.

[And it's not like Kazu meant to leave.]

Yeah. [ he smiles. ] You had a nice power, you know? Took away any pain I was feeling whenever I was close enough to you.

That's a really good one.

[He wishes he had it, but sadly he's just a normal jock-nerd.]

That's why you said "still", huh?

Yeah. You were keeping me on my feet, man.

I'm glad that version of me could support you there.

[A burden shared, right?]

[ ...kazu reaches out his hand. lower your head, kumon. accept pat. ]

You said you wanted to protect me.

[He does as he's instructed.]

You're the one protecting me most of the time.

[Familiar fondness.]

Hey, I'm the older one. I'm supposed to protect you.

You're really good at it. It's okay to let me help you too.

...I know.

[ there's reluctance there, though. like "we shouldn't have to" vibes. ]

... Yeah. I know this all sucks.

[It'd be very nice if they didn't have to live in constant stress of Thursdays.]

[ ...he tries to send comforting vibes over. ]

It's okay, Kumopi. We'll find a way home soon.

Yeah, since we got to talk to Dreamer and we shared everything publicly... I think that's good news for getting out.

[He's hopeful.]

[ he just soaks in those hopeful vibes for a bit. ]

Good. We can use some good news.

Let's hope for more coming up.

[ a little wave of affection. ]

Always, Kumopi. There's no point if we give up, is there?

Yeah. So we just have to keep going.

[Until the end.

However that comes.]

We will. No matter what, we will, and we'll go back home where we see everyone again.

[ there's just

longing. ]

We'll go home.

[That feeling is reflected with his hope that they'll succeed]

[ he's gonna reach out for kumon's hand. ]

We will. Mankai's waiting for us.

[He takes Kazu's in his own and squeezes lightly.]

We'll get home.