[ It feels intuitive to him now, wanting to comfort Hiyori in the only way he knows how. He never imagined finding himself in this position, yearning to hold someone close enough to hear their heartbeat. Opening up to Hiyori about his feelings was difficult, but it was the first step toward something better. Trying to create a narrative where his parents are concerned is pointless. And maybe some of his friends—like the members of Trickstar or Kohaku—are worried about him, even if time seems frozen back home. Those are the people outside of Eden who mean the most to him.
Despite Hiyori's nightmare, he’s grateful that he’s listening without argument. He has joked before about how Sakura-kun might be glad he’s gone, if only to enjoy the empty room, but what he’s saying now is anything but a joke.
Citing Game 52 hadn’t been in a negative sense; with Hiyori here, things could have turned out much worse. Jun might have lost himself and done anything to find a way back home. Back then he had zero experience, only ever having held someone's hand before, or being tugged along by Hiyori himself. Despite their circumstances, and the need to race back home to Nagi-senpai and Ibara, there's something special about them being here together. Being fully aware that Hiyori dislikes crude things—while in a place like this—it's a little difficult not to come across anything crude. So what can Jun do to counter it? Not a whole lot, but he's trying.
But when he recalls the conversation back then, it makes him think how long they've come since that day. The last thing he's sure either of them were expecting was this, where Jun's accepted being a touch selfish doesn't make you a bad person. He could have forgotten about it all, pretended as if nothing happened and gone back to how things were before the Springtime Game. But figuring out those feelings and realising he couldn't ever go back to how things once were, not now he knows, makes this worth it.
Maybe it was selfish of Jun to keep him like this, to allow them to become closer than ever, perhaps he should've put an end to it. But he's already admitted how his selfish thoughts wanted Hiyori, too, just as much. When Jun reflects on it, he feels relieved that Hiyori wasn’t put off and that it took him longer to sort out his true feelings. Things could have easily gone wrong back then; it wasn't ideal. The fear of rejection always hung over him, and if he had been a bit more perceptive, he might have realized that Hiyori liked him just as much.
To be with someone you love most in the world is a euphoric feeling, a feeling he hopes will never fade. ]
You seriously think I'm the brave one?
[ He laughs, still wiping his thumb across the tear tracks.
Jun squeezes the hands in his, running circles across his palms instead. Despite them feeling cold, it'll never bother him. He's accepted this now, accepting all of him and his love. Maybe love changed him, turned him softer... but it's for the best. The fond smile remains, eyes turned soft from hearing those sweet words. ]
We're always gonna be together, Ohii-san. But just know I'd be really lonely without you, too. And the same sorta relief washes over me whenever I see Ohii-san's sleeping face ♪
noo don't give akira ideas!!! (she's just joking) 1/2
Despite Hiyori's nightmare, he’s grateful that he’s listening without argument. He has joked before about how Sakura-kun might be glad he’s gone, if only to enjoy the empty room, but what he’s saying now is anything but a joke.
Citing Game 52 hadn’t been in a negative sense; with Hiyori here, things could have turned out much worse. Jun might have lost himself and done anything to find a way back home. Back then he had zero experience, only ever having held someone's hand before, or being tugged along by Hiyori himself. Despite their circumstances, and the need to race back home to Nagi-senpai and Ibara, there's something special about them being here together. Being fully aware that Hiyori dislikes crude things—while in a place like this—it's a little difficult not to come across anything crude. So what can Jun do to counter it? Not a whole lot, but he's trying.
But when he recalls the conversation back then, it makes him think how long they've come since that day. The last thing he's sure either of them were expecting was this, where Jun's accepted being a touch selfish doesn't make you a bad person. He could have forgotten about it all, pretended as if nothing happened and gone back to how things were before the Springtime Game. But figuring out those feelings and realising he couldn't ever go back to how things once were, not now he knows, makes this worth it.
Maybe it was selfish of Jun to keep him like this, to allow them to become closer than ever, perhaps he should've put an end to it. But he's already admitted how his selfish thoughts wanted Hiyori, too, just as much. When Jun reflects on it, he feels relieved that Hiyori wasn’t put off and that it took him longer to sort out his true feelings. Things could have easily gone wrong back then; it wasn't ideal. The fear of rejection always hung over him, and if he had been a bit more perceptive, he might have realized that Hiyori liked him just as much.
To be with someone you love most in the world is a euphoric feeling, a feeling he hopes will never fade. ]
You seriously think I'm the brave one?
[ He laughs, still wiping his thumb across the tear tracks.
Jun squeezes the hands in his, running circles across his palms instead. Despite them feeling cold, it'll never bother him. He's accepted this now, accepting all of him and his love. Maybe love changed him, turned him softer... but it's for the best. The fond smile remains, eyes turned soft from hearing those sweet words. ]
We're always gonna be together, Ohii-san. But just know I'd be really lonely without you, too. And the same sorta relief washes over me whenever I see Ohii-san's sleeping face ♪