"They were just kids." That's all Shibazaki can think when he finds out the identity of Sphinx. Why would ones so young wage war against Tokyo? From the start he knew this wasn't your average terrorist attack, so he dug and snooped more than he should have.
"They were just kids." When the truth comes out about the Rising Peace Academy, he's left speechless. While outside a calm persists, the storm inside grows and grows. No sad backstory can nullify the damage they've done but dear lord they weren't just kids, they were infants offered up in sacrifice.
"They were just kids." When he finds Sphinx with a strange girl he's never seen, the thought continues to ring through his head. #1 is taller, holds himself like a grown man, but his eyes are still so young. #2 doesn't even look seventeen, face still round and soft like a child's.
And throughout the situation both continue protecting the girl, in a way that resembles students keeping a friend from getting in trouble. Could it be after all the terrors they faced, Sphinx could still feel affection and friendship.
They were just kids, but that didn't matter to the Americans. Before anyone could react #2 is shot dead, mercilessly. And #1 cries and cries, too much for a child broken beyond repair.
"They were just kids," Ones that deserved to be joking around with the girl who's now mute from grief. They shouldn't be corpses with the light stolen from their eyes, with skin pale and lifeless.
"They were just kids." And Shibazaki knows he'll never be able to forget that somber fact.
A.N. Sorry this is kinda late, blame Princess Tutu