[tucks a stray wet strand of hair behind his ear]

I do not know exactly when I started fantasizing about it, but there it is. I have no desire to hurt you, or Maki, or A--more than anything, I want to be by your side and support you. I want to protect you. And if that was the entirety of my feelings for you, then I could have stayed silent.

But... there is so much more, and I cannot keep them hidden away any longer.