(it's so unusual that he freezes. the only people to hug him are hachi and reira, and the latter has been a source of many other things than affection as of late. he hardly knows how to deal with this, so he falls quiet before a hand sets on her pink curls.)

... You have nothing to feel sorry for, I have always lied about this. It's really not about you, Haru-chan, don't feel like you should have known, because you wouldn't have... You don't have to support me, you know. I've been supporting myself for years... I'm used to it, really... So please, don't be sad, ok...?