After a moment, I realize that Hiromu is uncomfortable. Why? Not because of me, certainly. Because my brother has been hurt, badly, because Hiromu will gladly assume that he is at fault, if just by sheer accident.

"You..."

I pause. Can I say the words that are hovering at the back of my mind, taunting me, teasing at the back of my tongue.

"For weeks, I have attempted to impart my purpose to you. My perpetual goal of protecting my brother from harm. I have refused to ally myself with you, and still you fought to redeem me."

My eyes are drawn back to my brother's drawn face.

"I cannot protect him from inside these walls. That much is clear now, where it should have been before."

Am I really about to say...

"How can I make sure this never occurs again?"