[ This is cruel. The crippling guilt of seeing him this way is almost enough for her to relent, but as guilty as she feels, she knows he is feeling it that much worse, and for far longer. ]

You're right. It doesn't matter to me. [ But not because of any outcome that can't be changed. ] Because in all my life, I can't remember a time when I didn't look up to you, Kazuma-sama, and quite honestly--there is nothing you could tell me now that would change that.

[ The please goes unsaid, but hangs thick in the air. ]