[Those first four words make him freeze, and the rest of it just kind of fades out. Because that exact tone is used by someone else, heard less than a day ago, and her rant really amounts to nothing. Because no matter what she says, the feelings behind them are the same as Hers.

"Tell me what you want to say."

"Get up and answer me, you damn coward."

"Don't just jump to conclusions so easily."

"Without showing off, just say it without showing off."]

I'm afraid of you.

[Just say it, just say it, pretend it's Her, pretend it's Her--] I don't know how to act around you. How to help you, treat you, be nice to you, protect you, sympathize with you, understand you, listen to you- ["Without showing off."] I've never had friends. I'll... ruin it somehow. Break something of yours or of yourself. You and Liam and Sei and Mukae and Shibuki and Gagamaru and Ajimu- ["Relax."

Inhale, exhale.] ...I'm afraid of messing up.