[ he's just going to take that as permission. ] I sort of figured as much. I haven't decided if I'm going to tell him what I've told you. I don't know if it'll matter, but…I'm considering it.

[ fucked up lil teens that are way older. anyway. yeah. about that. scien brings that up and the immediate emotional read is something a little heavier than previously. it's a blanketed sort of depression that's always been there, but shoma tends to just ignore it most of the time.

being trapped like this truly, actually, has done a lot of damage to his psyche. ]

…right. [ not that comfortable. it's already harder every year. ] Makes enough sense.