He twitches in a way that I can't help but notice, but I try to keep my frown from deepening. I'd hope that Nogami wouldn't lie to me, not in this sort of situation, but I'm not sure I really know him well enough to expect that of him.

"I found him," I answer him at last, sighing and putting my hands into my pockets. "Beaten and bleeding at the side of the road. Nogami-kun, I've come this far. I'm not going to walk away now."

I look down for a moment, at both of our shoes, then back up to look him directly in the eye. "I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me what's going on...and maybe come clean about who - and what - exactly you are."