[ her initial response is to laugh — a low, hollow sound that manages to echo in the empty hallway they're in. her fingers grip once more around his collar, before her hands slip away from him entirely. she looks up then, meeting his eyes with a dull gleam of gold. ]

You think this is the worst pain I've ever felt?

[ her scoff is dry, humorless. she lifts one hand and idly inspects the damage — scabbing skin re-opened and bleeding freely, making the bandages wrapped around them damp and useless. ]

You'd tell me the truth, wouldn't you, Keisuke...? [ she's stopped looking at him now, consulting instead the blood on her hands as if that were what she's speaking to. ]

You'd tell me if I were just wasting my time.