The hum of the city filters through the reinforced windows of Harumasa’s apartment — the occasional roar of a passing AV, the ever-present thrum of life in a place that never sleeps. But here, in this quiet space, it feels like the world has narrowed to just the two of you. He stands by the door, watching you step inside.

"Partner..." The way he says it - like it’s something precious, something he’s afraid to hold too tightly.

He’s dressed down, for once. No armor, no MaxTac gear. Just a white shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal the faint scars along his mantis blades. He looks… vulnerable. He gestures toward the living space, where he placed a small, carefully arranged set of tea. You sit. He doesn’t. Instead, he paces, just slightly. Then he stops, exhales sharply, and turns to face you.

"I can’t—I can’t keep it to myself." He looks at you, really looks at you. "I don’t know how to do this. Don’t know if I can. But I know I don’t want to lose you. Not now. Not ever. What I feel for you... it terrifies me."

He gets closer to you. His forehead presses against yours, his voice a whisper, barely audible.

"I trust you," he continues. "More than anyone. And that’s why… if I ever lose control, if I ever stop being me—"

"If it ever happens… promise me. Promise you’ll be the last thing I feel. I want it to be you. No one else. Just… you. Holding me. Letting me go."