[ Truthfully, Chizuru's feelings on what she is, and what it means, and whether or not she ought to have some duty towards others like her because of it.. they're still murky. She found out too soon ago, and the chaos back home left her with no time to sort any of those feelings out.

But it doesn't matter. Regardless of how she feels about it, or regardless of how little she knows how to feel about it.. She knows that Viktor's words in this moment make a warmth blossom inside of her all the same. Because she knows that the words come from a place of care. It's a little similar to what some of the Shinsengumi men back home might have told her, she thinks..

Chizuru stares at that hand, held out to her like that. Even without knowing any of the thoughts going through Viktor's head, just the words he says out loud are enough to make her smile and put both of her hands on both sides of his hand, clasping it between her two hands like that.

She smiles up at him. ]

You know.. Those kids were wrong too. Even if you might not have been able to keep up with them if they'd run, there's so many things you can do. You're so smart, and thoughtful, and you're one of the most kind-hearted people I've met. [ She may sound a tad choked up as she speaks.

His words just seem to mean that much to her.

But she manages to speak on all the same. ]

They may have missed out on that, but.. I feel so grateful that I'm able to call you my friend, Viktor.