He couldn't help it. His face softens a bit. There's a burning sensation in his chest again, but not the same as last time. It turns into more of an ache.

He doesn't move. He stands his ground, all too aware of the invasion of personal space. But...was it an invasion? He had the instinct to shut down, shut himself off. People were easier to deal with that way, weren't they? Especially after Shikamaru's request. But he had seen too much of Souji already. Would anything be accomplished by shutting down?

And what he was saying now, was he sincere? Will you remember what you're saying now, tomorrow? he wanted to bite back, but he held his tongue. Was Souji that hurt? Was Shikamaru being sincerely apologetic?

All of this conflict inside him was almost enough to lose himself in, to almost forget about what was happening outside of his own head.

What could he say? What was there to say?

And so, because words failed him for the moment, he quickly closed what little distance there was between them, lips meeting his, softly, gently. It was a short kiss, experimental to see how the other reacted, to get his true feelings on the matter. It was also an experiment for himself, to see if he could discern his own feelings.