[ while ivan grows more relaxed, souji feels his chest tighten, tension filtering through every joint and bone but he ignores it. he wonders if he can leave soon. ]

If you ask him about Shieikan, then you'll know it's a tendency he's had for a long time now.

[ thinking back on it, didn't kondou-san adopt him back then too? but now, even souji knows things can't ever be that easy. he blurts out words before he has a chance to stop and think, but it's quiet enough. easy enough to be missed. ]

... I don't think he will. Not with me, at least.