[Naoki squeezes her hand back in answer.] Again... thanks.

It means a lot, and I dunno if I've said that enough. [His forehead rests snug against her shoulder as he closes his eyes. Some of the feelings that'd surged back up when he heard that in Futomimi's voice are easier now.] I'd probably end up going in circles if I tried to face it all by myself again.

[Always circling back to blaming himself, instead of trying to push himself forward from that.]