vi.


He needs a script, Toushirou realizes one morning, telling Momo his epiphany later that day. It made perfect sense.

"A script," Momo echoes, flatly, her expression unconvinced.

"Yes," Toushirou nods, undeterred by her lack of enthusiasm. He had expected that, having not explained his reasoning for it yet. Because Momo was right when she voiced her concerns, if Toushirou visits Karin unprepared, then for all his intent to make it one visit, he might just run his mouth and promise to see her again and prolong the impending disaster.

Better to cut things short before they get out of hand. Toushirou may not have adhered to that advice as much as he liked, but at the very least, it was up to him whether Juushirou made an appearance or not.

The potential for it to escalate even further than it already had made Toushirou extremely uncomfortable, but if he had a script, he might be able to stick to it.

Momo looks less than convinced when Toushirou tells her as much.

"We could practise the conversation a thousand times, a thousand ways, and when the time comes, it could still be nothing like the one Juushirou-kun will actually have with Karin-san."

"I know, but better to practice how it might go than not at all," Toushirou says, reasoning it out. He scuffs his feet on the ground, half-hearted. "If I stay just the way I am, it'll be a poor performance."

"It feels like you're putting in an awful lot of effort just to 'get in character', so to speak," Momo says, shifting uneasily. "It might be easier to simply tell Karin the truth."

"I can't do that," Toushirou dismisses the concept. He'd much rather prefer to improve his soccer skills in his adult form — and if he has to assume a different personality to maintain the façade then so be it. "Besides, if you help me become Juushirou — at least that way I'll feel confident that the next time really will be the last time."

"Alright," Momo relents, releasing a heavy sigh. She looks away, thinking. "I'm sure I can find some books for you to read that might help you get a feel for Juushirou-kun's character while I work on a sort of script."

"Thank you, Momo."

"But," Momo adds, quickly, "I'm not going to play soccer, okay?"

"You might like it," Toushirou says.

"Maybe," Momo concedes, "but I think I'm just going to keep an eye on you when you play just to be safe."

"Oh please," Toushirou rolls his eyes, not buying her excuse for a second. "You just want me make a fool of myself, don't you?"

"What kind of big sister would I be if I wasn't there to look out for you —"

Tripping over yourself, Toushirou mentally adds, frowning.

"— because after all, you are my baby brother, Shirou-chan," Momo says, playing innocent.

With a begrudging huff, Toushirou nods. Reluctantly.

"I never should have told you about that."


Juushirou visits Karin a fortnight later.

"Hey, Karin!"

"Juushirou!" Karin greets him with a big grin, pleasantly surprised. "Back for your second lesson?"

"I hear practice makes perfect," Juushirou replies, flashing a smile at her, like he's hoping to impress.

"Have you been practising?" Karin quips, sizing him up, and trying to be aloof but not quite succeeding. Her gaze lingers before she looks away, turning to face the trees for a moment.

"A little," Juushirou shrugs, depreciatingly. Memories of Momo snickering behind her hand while she watches him train flash in Toushirou's mind, and he ignores them, and the residual annoyance.

He's been practicing Juushirou's personality too, though it feels with significantly less progress. Momo had lent him some books to familiarize himself with characters who were similar to his brother, but unfortunately, those books were full of purple prose and highly emotion driven, where the mere act of holding a person's hand was meant to be seen as an intensely dramatic moment because the leads so rarely touched. He also found it off-putting that the most flirtatious characters were portrayed as the antagonists. Still, he read them, and Momo offered constructive criticism when he rehearsed her script, and when he tried to improvise.

To practise a little was better than not at all.

"I could use a bit of help though," Juushirou adds sheepishly, "Heard you're the best there is."

"Did Toushirou tell you that?" Karin grins wolfishly, flattered — and Toushirou had forgotten that she'd boasted about her talents last time, completely changing the facts. He wonders if she's fishing for compliments, or if she's being her regular competitive self.

"Didn't need him to," Juushirou shakes his head, Toushirou smiling despite himself, amused enough to continue the lie. "I knew right away that it's true."

Karin doesn't say anything to that, her widening grin answer enough.

Her cheeks pinken.

"So, um," Karin clears her throat and blusters forth. "Ready for lesson two?"

"Bring it," Toushirou smirks.


Not to brag or anything, but Toushirou impresses even himself.

He has improved tremendously since last seeing Karin.

"I don't get it," Karin says, staring at him in wonder and disbelief. Her hands rest on her hips, her head tilts to the side, and still Juushirou grins at her, waiting for her judgment. "How is it that you can be really good at scoring goals, but terrible at everything else?"

"I wouldn't say I'm terrible," Juushirou sniffs, inordinately pleased at her praise. Toushirou worked hard to improve his reflexes, and it had paid off. It doesn't stop him from having mud grazed knees, but he still thinks of it as a victory, reclining on the grass as if it was his throne.

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't call you fantastic either," Karin says, dryly.

"Not yet," Juushirou agrees, emphatic on the last part, and Karin grins at him, evidently delighted by his response.

Maybe Momo was right, and the script was useless. But the various theoretical conversations they had had helped Toushirou gain a confidence he never had before. He no longer feels out of his depth being Juushirou, and is perfectly in control.

Juushirou continues, encouraged by Karin's reaction. "But soon."

Karin opens her mouth to reply —

And then her phone rings.

"One moment," Karin says, and he nods, placing one finger in front of his mouth, and his action makes Karin grin, before she twists away. "Hi, Daiki-kun. Mmhm. Mmhm. Okay. Um, well. I'm kind of in the middle of something but… no, it's fine, but — alright. Alright. Talk to you later. Bye."

Juushirou is about to ask whether it's her boyfriend before Toushirou stops, and wonders whether Juushirou would know that or if that prior knowledge of that fact would even matter, since it seemed sort of evident based on the context. Well, either boyfriend or close friend, Toushirou amends. Obviously, Toushirou knows that Daiki is Karin's boyfriend, but would Juushirou even care? Or would he enquire politely, in a light-hearted manner?

While he thinks it over, he notices Karin, out of the corner of his eye, being oddly still.

He looks at her, cautious, noticing the troubled expression on her face, the dark storm in her eyes, trapped between lashes and the sharp edge of her frown. Karin is silent as she carefully sits down beside him, and Toushirou's brain stutters and stalls, wishing that he could shift back into himself and ask, but he can't.

Instead, he's frozen on the spot, anxiously waiting for something he doesn't even know.

He tries to think. What would Juushirou say? What would Juushirou do?

"Hey, Juushirou," Karin says, softer than usual, a slight tremor that would be imperceptible if Toushirou didn't know her so well. "Can I… get your advice on something?"

"Sure," Juushirou replies, nonchalant, Toushirou relieved that Karin was the first to talk. "Ask me anything you like."

"Alright," Karin nods, and inhales, mustering her courage, but unable to hide her uncertain expression. Perhaps, nervousness is a better description, for all Karin tries to downplay it. "You've… uh, you've dated before, right?"

Juushirou looks at her with a cocky smirk. Toushirou looks at her, stumped.

Not once had he considered that Karin would be asking for dating advice.

And just like that, he's out of his comfort zone again, feeling horribly self-conscious and out of his depth.

(They seemed fine when Toushirou saw them together at Karin's birthday, a week or so ago. Content. Nothing suggested that Karin and Daiki were having… what did Karin say before, in regards to Inoue and Kurosaki?

Something like… trouble? Trouble in paradise?

Maybe turning fifteen has changed things, though. Maybe being fifteen has caused Karin to rethink her relationship with him and realize that she wanted someone different.)

"'Course you have. Stupid question," Karin laughs, awkwardly, not bothering to wait for him to answer. She looks away for a moment, cheeks glowing pink as she grows embarrassed, and Toushirou decides that it's probably in his best interests not to correct the assumption she's made and just… go with it… again. He hates himself for it, but what else can he do? "Um. So. That means you've broken up with people before, right?"

"Of… of course! Yes!" Toushirou nods, a tad forcefully, flustering a little because that's what Juushirou, first class flirt extraordinaire and irresistible to all women (and men), would say with total conviction and not at all with a note of panic. He tries again. More casual. Aloof. "Pshaw. Plenty of times."

He regrets saying it instantly.

What the hell is he doing?

"Then… do you have any good break up advice?" Karin asks, leaning towards him eagerly for his opinion. "I've never done it before, so… I'm not sure how I should go about it."

"I see," Toushirou says, blankly. Okay. Break up advice. That sounds… easy enough, right?

He might not have the experience of actually breaking up with someone, but… but he's read about them! He's read the novels Momo gave him, and sometimes there are break ups, and sometimes Toushirou wishes that the couple had broken up.

If he applies a certain logic and rationality to the situation, and repeated what he's said to Momo when they engage in particular debates, then surely it would count as advice, right? Momo may not have liked his answers, but then he's not the romantic one, is he?

"I won't lie, Karin, breaking up with someone can be difficult. Other times it's the easiest thing in the world," Toushirou says, truthfully, at least truth according to the books he's read. Sometimes they were needlessly dramatic, often they included tears, and occasionally both parties agreed it was for the best. "But the best way to go about it, in my opinion, is to be quick, to the point, and talk to them in person to prevent any misunderstandings."

Juushirou would probably ditch his date in a second, Toushirou thinks, dwelling on the hypothetical situation for his hypothetical brother for a moment. He'd say the magic 'I think we should break up' words or just 'it's been fun, but see ya!', and then disappear leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Which is technically, quick, to the point, talking to them in person… but the immediately scarpering is something Toushirou believes isn't suitable for this occasion.

Toushirou doesn't think that Karin would like the last part either.

"Honesty is the best policy," Juushirou says magnanimously, and Toushirou knows he should leave at that, his advice short and simple. However, some part of him, the part that adrenaline fuelled, and mostly under his control, is curious, and wants to dig deeper. And Toushirou cannot resist that impulse, that spike of curiosity that wants to know more. "But Karin, tell me, why do you want to break up with him?"

It might help her, Toushirou reasons, retroactively covering his tracks. If Karin tells Juushirou first, then perhaps it'll be easier for her when the time comes for her to say them to her boyfriend officially.

"Because I'm bored by him," Karin admits, upfront. "I mean, it was nice, dating him at first. It still is nice, really. I don't mind going out for a movie, or having lunch together, or holding hands and doing boyfriend and girlfriend things. But… I guess I'd rather be doing something like studying, or playing soccer than dating Daiki-kun. There are better things to do than hang out with him, you know?"

Karin doesn't even like studying. She's notoriously bad at it, and much prefers leaving it until the last minute, or Yuzu pestering her into working together. For Karin to admit that she'd rather study than date 'Daiki-kun', honestly feels far more shocking than asking Toushirou for break up advice.

Even if it is one hell of a lie.

"You should tell him that," Toushirou says, somewhat hesitantly. Despite his shock, it still is a valid reason to break up with someone. "That you want to focus more on your… studies, and balancing that with soccer, rather than dating him."

"Even if it might not be true?" Karin says, flushing and Toushirou can't help the flutter of fondness he feels, as well as smug satisfaction at what she says next. "The… wanting to study part?"

He nearly smiles at her because: typical Kurosaki Karin.

He had a feeling that Karin might have been laying it on thick, just trying to impress Juushirou.

"He's not going to know unless you tell him, is he?" Juushirou points out, mulling over Karin's response, Toushirou secretly amused by it. "But then again, you don't have to mention studying as a reason to break up with him either."

"True."

"Do you regret dating him?" Toushirou asks, curious. The words are out before he can stop them.

"Not really, no," Karin says, blunt. She looks up to the sky, and smiles, wistful. "Like I said, dating Daiki-kun was nice. Is nice. I like being with him, but… maybe just as friends. I might not be a great student, hell, I'm nowhere close to being a perfect student, but. Romance can wait, honestly, and I'd rather have good grades than having a boyfriend."

Ever practical, every grounded.

How very Kurosaki Karin of her.

"Looks like your mind is made up," Toushirou comments, studying the determination in her expression, the resignation and sadness in her gaze, and she looks older, somehow. He's never noticed that about her before.

"Yeah, it is," Karin says, nodding with resolve. "Thank you, Juushirou."

"Anytime," Juushirou flashes his famous brighter-than-the-sun-ow-his-cheeks-really-hurt smile at her, rewarded by Karin own brighter-than-the-sun grin that has always dazzled him. "Anything else I can do for you?"

"Well…" Karin drawls out, and then stops.

"Yes?" Juushirou gazes at her, curious to know what else she would ask from him. How much can Toushirou put up with? Just because he was able to help her with her impending breakup, doesn't mean he can do everything.

"There is one thing," Karin says, floundering in silence before grinning sheepishly at him, cheeks sizzling into a crimson colour. "How about a selfie?"

It takes him aback.

He blinks; mulling over his response.

Toushirou knows he should say no.

No, because it's embarrassing. No, because every time he'll look at the picture, he'll resent himself a little bit more. No, because there's future repercussions to consider that Toushirou can't even think about. Something dreadful will happen, he knows it, and Toushirou doesn't want to think about them for more than a second because if he does —

If he does, then he'll worry and overthink and panic. The worst thing is that he can't do any of those things which make him Toushirou, and stop him from being Juushirou.

It's hard staying in character to someone who is impulsive and devil-may-care and lives in the moment of someone important and their precious smile, and if he breaks character

Everything will go to hell. He doesn't know how bad it will be, but he's pretty sure the outcome won't be good. There's a sense of wrongness seeping his brain and muddying his thoughts the longer he tries to be Juushirou, but at least he can say this is the last time he will be Juushirou.

Since this is the last time, though, Toushirou can't help but wonder, what could the harm be if nothing more becomes of it, and Karin gets to have a keepsake to remember him by?

Juushirou wouldn't care about any of this.

Juushirou, known for being narcissistic and flighty and thriving on attention, how could he possibly resist?

If it makes Karin grin and cheer up and forget her troubles for a little while, then it's a win-win situation, right?

(It'll be a belated birthday present, Toushirou justifies it to himself, channelling his big brother's vanity to verify his verdict. Juushirou would never admit it, but this would be his idea of a perfect gift. What more could anyone want than a picture of him?)

So he smirks at her, and Juushirou's response comes to him easily.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Karin's beam is a rewarding sight that makes Toushirou's heart warm.

So maybe he does feel a little silly, exaggerating his poses and making funny faces and grinning like a berk, but it makes Karin laugh, and that was the point, after all.

Whatever the downsides are going to be, it'll be worth it.

He definitely made the right decision.


"Are you going to kiss my hand again?" Karin asks, coyly, when he decides that it's time to leave.

"I might," Toushirou teases, smirking a little just to see her flush. He knows, somewhere in the back of his mind, that he should feel guilty about the way Karin looks at him, adoringly. But in the heat of the moment, he's a little bit addicted to it, wants to see more. He leans in a bit, as if tempted by her request. "If that's what you desire?"

"I didn't say that," Karin flusters, instantly taking a step back, and huffs as he chuckles. He can't help it, there's something so endearing cute about her in this state. Karin with pink cheeks, soft and sweet. Combined with her tough girl attitude, she becomes even cuter. Karin clears her throat and clarifies, not meeting Juushirou's eyes, her gaze slightly to the side. "I was just wondering if it's something I need to get used to when talking to you."

He pauses, absentmindedly wondering if he should up the ante and kiss her on the cheek, instead. There's something to be said about taking someone off guard, and he wonders what expression she might make then.

He wonders if that might make him cruel.

"Well, Karin-chan," Juushirou drawls out, and takes her hand, and gazes at her knuckles. Considering. "I happen to be in the habit of kissing the hands of only the loveliest of ladies."

And then he lowers his head to kiss her hand, trying to ignore the way her breath catches, that his heart spasms oddly and all of a sudden, he is too bright, too cheerful, too alluring, so instead, he says, with flair —

"Best of luck with the breakup."

— before he disappears before her eyes.


What is he doing?

It's a question that Toushirou asks himself frequently as of late, perhaps even daily, especially when he returns to his regular — normal — size and feels… normal once more.

Well. Normal-ish.

He is small and short and angry again — angry that he let himself get caught up in… whatever this thing is that he's doing.

Pretending that he's his own brother who only a select few know doesn't exist.

That.

At least it's over now, and no one caught him, but still — Toushirou is treading on thin ice.

He groans as the familiar ache sets in, the wave of tiredness that he knows awaits him every time it happens, and he feels wearier each time it happens, as if it's becoming bone deep.

He should talk to Momo, Toushirou knows. And he will.

Just… in a few minutes or so, when he's regained some energy.


"Break up advice?" Momo echoes, interrupting his tragic tale, surprise written all over her face. "She asked you for — but you've never dated anyone, Shirou-chan!"

"I know," Toushirou mumbles, cheeks going bright red under her scrutiny. "That hardly matters, Momo. I only pointed out the obvious. I have a fairly good grasp on common sense, after all."

The fact that he's never dated anyone is neither here nor there.

"Well, okay. I suppose you do, for most part," Momo concedes with a surmising sigh, and then looks at him, contemplating. "Do you think Karin-san will take your advice?"

"I don't see why not. It was good advice," Toushirou shrugs. "The real question is, what will Karin do next?"

Karin obviously still had a crush on him — that is, to say, on Juushirou. Now that he's been made aware of it, he can't not see it in every interaction they have. He was trying to help Karin get over her crush, but now it feels like he's did the opposite.

"You really think Karin-san would drop her current boyfriend for our big brother?" Momo asks, unconvinced.

"I didn't say that," Toushirou says, shaking his head, quite certain that wasn't the case. "No. I know Karin. She wouldn't. She won't."

Karin wasn't like that. Even though Karin had become romantically interested in people, that didn't mean that Karin had a new personality. Because she didn't. In all honestly, Karin hasn't behaved that different after she'd started dating, and he doubts that she'll act that different after the breakup either.

"Karin had her own reasons for wanting to end things with Daiki," Toushirou explains simply, stating with an edge to his voice. "That had nothing to do with Juushirou."

It's important that he should say it, he feels.

Maybe Juushirou was a part of Karin's decision to break up with Daiki, but the vital thing was that he wasn't the main reason.

"I see," Momo says, knitting her brow together. "Well, that's something, Shirou-chan. Who knows? Maybe after Karin-san becomes single, she won't do anything about Juushirou-kun. Maybe her crush will go away again, and she'll find someone else and this… this thing that you and Karin-san and Juushirou-kun have will… be forgotten."

"And what if it isn't?" Toushirou sighs, despondent, unable to hide the bitterness from his voice. He wishes he could share her optimism. "Juushirou won't ever see her again, don't worry about that, but what if Karin doesn't move on?"

"Well," Momo says, after a pause, knitting her brow. "In that case, if Karin-san does end up retaining affection for him, that doesn't mean she has to act on her feelings the first chance she gets. Or at any point, in fact."

He makes a non-committal sound.

"Listen to me, Shirou-chan," Momo says, gently, touching his arm. "Karin-chan is young, and that makes it all the more easier for her to grow up, and get infatuated and fall in love with someone else. The difference between her and us is that she's human, and that can make her seem far more fickle than us shinigami."

Karin is human. Toushirou is not.

It hardly seemed to matter, unless it concerned the heart.

How quickly he forgets.

"Okay," Toushirou says, and looks at Momo grateful for her perspective, grateful that she's the level-headed one in this situation. He needed to hear that. "Thank you for everything, Momo. I couldn't have done this without you."

"You're welcome," Momo says, glowing at the compliment. "Big sisters are better than big brothers."

"I could have told you that," Toushirou grumbles, rolling his eyes. "Still —"

"It's over now. That's the important part," Momo says, as if she senses his doubts. But somehow, she knows exactly what to say. "I know you're worried, Shirou-chan, but trust me, and don't do anything. Just be patient. Karin-san's heart will go on."

"I know."

"Remember," Momo says, with a reprimanding tone, "if you won't tell Karin-san the truth, the least you can do is never let her see Juushirou-kun again."

It's only fair, he supposes.


It is sound advice that Toushirou should put Juushirou behind him and move on.

Except.

There's something that's been bugging him whenever he thinks about their third and final encounter — how he was behaving. Acting. When he tries to pinpoint the reason why, he can only surmise that it felt as if he was crossing a line that hadn't done so previously.

He tries to recall that element of wrongness that pricked at the back of his neck, that sensation that made him feel slightly off when he was talking to Karin as Juushirou —

Like he was forgetting himself.

Toushirou doesn't talk to Momo about it. He doesn't think to mention it, because he's not entirely certain that it needs to be discussed. Why would it, when Juushirou isn't going make another appearance? Maybe he's merely misremembering things, or second-doubting himself, or overthinking it. It's been known to happen, and he has to put it behind him now.

Move on.

It occurs to him a couple of hours later, when he thinks again about the way he wanted to kiss Karin's cheek instead of her hand, the way she flushes like the pinkest rose captured in the damask of dawn, the way Momo carefully asks him if he's jealous, and while Toushirou maintains that he isn't, he realizes —

It would have been cruel to have kissed Karin on the cheek, he realizes with a jolt, a sick and sharp feeling, relieved that he fought the temptation.

He came dangerously close to flirting with his best friend using a persona.

And that horrifies him, because he never once thought that he was someone who was capable of doing something like that.


Karin appears in his office two days later — during lunch time — Toushirou is distantly aware, remembering those strange school days in Karakura Town that happened so very long ago, before he takes notice of her solemn expression.

"Karin," Toushirou greets her, nonchalant. "What can I do for you?"

"I just," Karin shrugs, and stops. Opens her mouth and then closes it. She inhales, and stands proud. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"What are you talking about it? Didn't we see each other last…" Toushirou trails off, and thinks back. He'd seen her last as Juushirou, and the time before that was Karin's birthday. "Last week, right? We ate cake to celebrate your fifteenth. That's not so long ago, Karin."

"Yeah, but," Karin shrugs, mouth twisting. "We didn't really get to talk."

"I… I guess not," Toushirou frowns. Thinking back, maybe he had acted a little distant. He hasn't been answering his phone much either, too distracted by paperwork during his work hours and by the books Momo kept giving him to read during the free time he didn't spend with her as Juushirou, getting engrossed in the ludicrous plot and awful characters despite himself.

It's not as if this is the first time they've spent weeks not talking to each other, too busy with whatever issues life throws at them and keeps them preoccupied, but it is the first time that it feels that Toushirou is pulling away from Karin.

The thought is somehow discomforting.

"So, you're here to catch up?" Toushirou asks, with a smile, sitting up, then he notices her in school uniform, and glances quickly at the clock. "You caught me in a good time. I've got five minutes to spare."

"Mm, sort of," Karin says, vaguely. She inclines her head, reluctantly to say whatever troubles her mind.

Oh.

Suddenly, Toushirou has a good idea of what it might be.

"Spit it out," Toushirou bluntly states, figuring that's the best way to motivate her. He sighs, feigning impatience. "Something's bothering you, but I can't help if you don't tell me what it is."

"Okay, fine, jeez," Karin scowls, but there's no bite in her voice. She scuffs the ground with her shoe, looking down before meeting his gaze. "I want you to be there after I break up with Daiki-kun."

"Oh," Toushirou says, softly. Somehow, he's still surprised, even though he expected it.

"Think I'll need a friend, afterwards," Karin says, monotone, as she folds her arms across her chest. Chin raised defiantly as if to confront the vulnerability she feels.

What about Yuzu? Her soccer gang? Other school friends?

"When?" Toushirou asks quietly, instead.

"Today, after school," Karin admits, with a sigh. She looks at him, timid all of a sudden. "Is that… okay?"

"Of course it is," Toushirou says instantly, wanting to reassure her. He understands the gravity of the situation. How important this is for Karin. He's her friend, and despite everything that's happened with Juushirou, Toushirou wants to offer the support she needs. "I'll be there."

"Great, thanks," Karin says, falsely brightly, baring her tough girl grin that reveals all her teeth. Then she glances at her watch. "Oh, shit. Gotta go!"

"Bye," Toushirou calls after her, as she hurries out.

"Aw, Captain, you're so sweet!" Matsumoto coos, and Toushirou does not recoil at the sound of her voice.

Instead, his face goes bright red and he hisses at his lazy Vice-Captain — "Where have you been?"

Matsumoto's response is a trill of merry laughter.


Afterwards, Toushirou takes Karin to a café.

He doesn't ask how it went, he doesn't know what she said, just lets her be alone on their table for a moment while he orders their drinks. He might not have spent time with her recently, but he still knows her favourite drink.

"How do you feel?" Toushirou asks, placing her drink in front of her while Karin sits with her head in her hands, and stares out the window.

He follows her gaze, before watching her, wishing he knew what to say.

"Awful," Karin admits eventually, glum, looking at the cat that sits outside. "But relieved too."

"Yeah?" Toushirou asks, gentle. It seems that regardless of how the conversation went, it's evident that it was for the best in the long run. If she's relieved that it's over, then that's a good sign.

"Yeah. It wasn't working out and I think Daiki-kun knew that too," Karin exhales, and buries her head in her hands. "I still feel like I'm a bad person though."

"You're the best person," Toushirou says, instinctively, with complete honestly. Even if Karin doesn't believe it, he does. He makes his voice calm, comforting, like Momo often does when she lends a patient ear, a supportive shoulder. He pats her arm, reassuring her. "You know it was the right thing to do."

"Do I?" Karin says, slightly aghast, staring at him, full of doubt. "Toushirou, I feel like shit!"

"Because breaking up with a person is designed to make a person feel like shit," Toushirou says, simply. Maybe with a little bit of exasperation too. "For Daiki and you. It's an ending, and it's difficult and it's messy, but… you'll be okay, Karin. You are going get through this. You've already taken the first step by officially breaking up with him."

"Wise words," Karin says, managing a smile, despite looking troubled, despite still being sad.

"Common sense," Toushirou corrects, trying to downplay the rush of heat that spreads through his face. It's just something he's picked up through reading Momo's novels. Awkwardly, he adds. "By the way, if you want to cry…"

"What?"

"I'm just saying!" Toushirou hastily adds, distinctly feeling far more uncomfortable than he's ever been as Juushirou, but forces the words out anyway. "Sometimes a person feels the need to cry after breakups — and if you need to, then I want you to know, that… that's… fine."

"Oh."

"I'm here for you," Toushirou perseveres, masterfully. "So, it's okay… for you… to cry."

"Oh, wow," Karin says, staring at him. as Toushirou blanches and his ears begin to burn. "Wow, Toushirou. Just. Wow."

That's a shit eating grin spreading from ear to ear.

"What?"

"You're really bad at this," Karin announces, snorting, and then a second later, bursts into laughter.

"How dare you," Toushirou gasps, affronted. "I am doing my best."

"Your best sucks," Karin quips, beaming.

"Lots of people cry after break ups!" Toushirou objects, folding his arms, and informs her primly. He's read countless books where crying happens after breaking up with someone! Multiple times! "It's an understandable reaction!"

"You sound like a text book," Karin snarks, amused, much to his bewilderment. There's something relaxed in her stance, like her shoulders don't seem so pointed, and a soft smile graces her face as she considers his words, sobering. "I'm sure they do, Toushirou. But I guess I'm not one of them because I don't feel like crying."

Karin has never been someone that cries easily at things anyway. As long as he's known her, she's been the type to bottle things up.

The number of times Toushirou has seen Karin be teary eyed since he's known her, he could count on one hand.

"Figures, tough girl," Toushirou says, careful. "I should have known that it takes a lot more than that to make you cry."

"Seems like we both learned something today," Karin says, baring her teeth at him, and then, after a pause, adds, "I could use a hug, though."

"That I can do," Toushirou says, getting up to embrace her, holding her close. He mumbles in her ear. "Sorry I haven't been there for you for a while."

"It's okay," Karin says, voice muffled, and then pulls away. Grins at him. "You're there when it counts, and that's what matters. You're the best friend a girl could ask for."

Guilt flares within him, crashing over him in waves. If he really is her best friend — if he even deserves to still be called that —

He shuts down that thought quick, defiantly leaving the thought unfinished, and distracts himself by sitting back down, the chair screeching against the floor.

Toushirou's face reveals nothing but a small smile, desperate to not look like her words have made him feel awful. Now is not the time to feel guilt or tell her the truth, when Karin has already been through enough for today.

"Still, I have to wonder," Karin muses, taking a sip of her drink, and gazes at him with a curious gleam in her eyes. "What would you have done if I started crying?"

"My best," Toushirou says, straight faced, and it's worth it, just to see Karin burst into laughter once more, genuinely delighted by his response.