[Yet, it was because of Hizumi he had the courage to do it. Hizumi, the blade children, his brother, everyone in this mess...... he wanted to be able to make some sort of difference in exchange for all they'd suffered, all they'd given to this cruel fate.]

It's not like I'm not scared. I just want it all to mean something. I think.... that's probably what the 'me' of the future wanted, too. [A pause.] He probably feels the same about you as I do, you know.

[Even after Kanone's murder, Ayumu couldn't imagine himself hating Hizumi...... feeling regret for failing him, maybe, or shame for letting it come to that. Hizumi hadn't wanted to kill-- he'd been stuck in darkness so long, he'd just wanted a way out. Any out he could get.]

You know me by now. You know I don't stop caring about people.... no matter what happens.

[Even when it would be better for his heart to do so. That was why he wanted Hizumi to stay.

He'd like to think his future self might agree with it, too.]