[Makoto sat there and listened. She knew that his past wasn't something that was easy to discuss, she'd seen bits and pieces through the shared memories that had been revealed in Deerington, and the few times they'd spoken about it. She understood completely how something like that could haunt him, but it didn't change how she felt.]

I know, but if I do, then I might be able to understand and I might be able to you more. I know that it's scary and that a lot of things that have happened can be painful and sometimes they come back up.

[Occasionally they did for her as well, just not to the extent and nothing as traumatic as Atsushi's.]

But even with the scary things that we feel and experience, there will be good things too. We'll learn more about each other and understand each other better so that we can always be there and can support one another.

[Makoto kept her eyes on Atsushi, not looking away or wavering for a moment.]