[It's not something anyone could deal with well, honestly. For all the support Hiroto is giving, it's something he would feel similarly to if it were Reina who said she needed time. He'd put on the same brave face, give the same smiles, lock himself in his room and let himself mourn his pending failure in private. But Reina had been the one to confess to him, and he had already loved her. There was no reason to think it over when it had been them. With Midorikawa and Kazemaru, they didn't have the history of growing up together. Maybe that's why Haruya and Fuusuke were able to decide. Maybe that's why Fumiko laughed when Izuno shouted through the halls that she'd said yes. They'd all grown up together...they'd all realized their feelings long before fate would let them speak it.

Midorikawa didn't have that. Kazemaru was Raimon, and while their relationship was strong, they didn't have that same history.

His fingers grip tighter into the cloth on his friend's back, thinking this over as the boy speaks. Advice doesn't really come into play here, really. Midorikawa was just wanting someone to listen, and that's what Hiroto would do.]

You'll get it.

[That's one thing he's sure of, pulling Midorikawa away from him just enough so that he and brush the tears from his eyes. His voice is soft, almost a whisper, but strong, his smile piercing the darkness that Midorikawa had shrouded himself in.]

There is no one more worthy of love than you, Ryuuji.


We all love you in a different way than the one you're seeking, but use it to keep yourself warm until you find it. It'll come.


It just takes time. Hold out until then for us, alright? We want to hear about all the dates you go on.