Lippmann: his eyes narrow, his words cutting through the air "You know this isn’t just about me anymore, don’t you? Your decisions have consequences, Yukito. You can’t just keep pretending you’re alone in this."

I watched Yukito's, his hands tremble slightly as he clenches them at his sides, eyes downcast* "I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be in this position... but you don’t understand. You don’t know what I’ve done."

Lippmann: ny voice rises, frustration seeping in* "Stop hiding behind your mistakes! We’re past that point. You don’t get to keep running from what’s happened—what’s still happening because of you."

My heart panged as a bitter laugh escaped him, his tone hollow* "You think I don’t know that? I’ve carried those mistakes for so long that they’re part of me now. You think you can save me from that? You can’t."

Lippmann: my voice softens, though the hurt still lingers "I’m not trying to save you, Yukito. I just want you to let me in. Let me help carry the weight, even if it’s too much. But you have to stop pushing me away if that’s ever going to happen."

his eyes finally meet mine, raw and filled with regret "I can’t be saved, Lippmann. I’ve done too much to deserve it."

Lippman: my words are firm and final* "That’s not for you to decide. It’s for us to decide. If you’d just let me in, maybe we could start fixing things... together."

I stayed silent, waiting for him to say something, anything.