Memory loss, in Kariya's opinion, was perhaps the worst symptom of the Taboo. Of course if he asked Sho, he'd probably say it was the pain only to immediately forget the exchange. In the silent moments where Sho's pain seemed to lessen, Kariya couldn't help but attempt to place himself in the other's shoes; if he had been tainted, which part would he honestly think was the worst? Though perhaps he shouldn't dwell on that, instead he would use this almost peaceful time to pretend as though nothing was wrong. Not that either of them could fully ever do so, but it was nice to attempt.
Kariya snuggled up close to Sho, pulling him in his lap gently with arms tightly around him; with a smile, he leaned down to press gentle kisses along his neck before chuckling quietly. His face remained next to Sho's neck, lips whispering against his skin as his voice was filled with happy nostalgia.
"I remember when ya first became a Reaper. God, it feels so long ago now, huh?"
Of course he realized Sho wouldn't recall these memories; long term was always the first to go in a memory loss situation. Even though he seemed almost unresponsive, Kariya continued; leaning back against the couch now, though his arms still held Sho tightly.
"You were such a cute little thing, hehe… Oh, yer week as a Player, do ya remember that?"
It was a rhetoric question, of course. He was reminiscing with no hope that Sho would agree. He only hoped that Sho would go along, humor him in these moments. Reaching up with one hand, he began to gently play with the ends of Sho's hair, staring at the back of his head; his voice had been quiet to begin with, but now it was nearly impossible to hear without concentration. Though it wavered slightly, like he held back so much emotion in his strained smile, it was even; a dialect saved for special moments, one he hadn't had a use for since he died.
"You were so ambitious, even as a Player. You reminded me so much of myself. I don't think I've ever seen someone pick up as many Psychs in one week as you did. Do you remember how many Noise I set up for you? Heh, I spent nearly that entire week trying to find your weakness."
He sighed quietly, tangling his fingers through Sho's hair before leaning forward & pressing a kiss to the top of his head. After a moment, he pressed his forehead there, leaning against him softly; a photo album of memories Sho's forgotten playing through his mind as his strained smile fell to a twitching frown. His arms around Sho's waist squeezed him gently, in a reassuring gesture, though really, Kariya was the one in need of reassurance right then. Long, silent minutes passed; his face felt hot & he wasn't aware of how much his hands were shaking.
"I was so proud of you when you became an Officer. You did it so quickly, you blew right past me."
His face fell to bury in Sho's neck with another quiet sigh, though this one almost sounded like a sob.
"I am proud of you. You did so well, you know that? Shibuya's alive because of you."