[ maybe it's just the peaceful aura that kousetsu seems to radiate, but the gesture is enough to melt a lot of his initial worries away. he's sure that he doesn't feel as soft to hug as, say, souza or sayo (and while they're a sad family, they're also a very caring family of sad gestures; he's observed them often), but tsurumaru appreciates it nonetheless, leaning his cheek against kousetsu's shoulder, and pulling away when he does. ]

It's more that I don't know where to start. [ to start speaking and talking, he means. ]

Whenever I try, I always get this sad look from people — and pity's starting to get really old, you know? I understand that most of them wouldn't understand — that it's impossible for them to understand anything like that, and that all they can do for me is give me their concern, but...

[ he shakes his head. ] I don't want anyone's pity about why I don't trust humans, or about how many of their precious lives that have slipped through my fingers, or about how I can't love anyone, unless I want to be blamed for their death.

It's unfortunate, but I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. If they can't understand, all they'll give me is their pity — and I don't want any of that.