"Let me guess... If I'm sad you're sad too? Because that's a lot like what I've been going through. Gotta admit, I also sleep better when I'm near you."

[That odd jolt when she buries her face in his chest is still something he's getting used to. It's an echo of before, when they were both reeling from the effects of contaminated water... But at least this time he doesn't feel like he's about to lose his mind.

Just that he doesn't want to do anything, other than hold onto her. And maybe let his grip go a little tighter when he hears those three words. He has to remind himself not to crush Mitsuru, and watch his strength.

He isn't able to find a response right away; at first the best he can do is sway back and forth with Mitsuru, pushing his lips against the top of her head and nuzzling at it.]

"...Turns out you're braver than me, huh? You managed to say it to me, before I could figure out how to tell you."

[Not that he's content to sit back and not try to keep up with her.]

"L-love you."

[He murmurs that into her hair, before forcing himself to try again.]

"Right back at you- I mean to say, I love you too. Took me a while to finally admit it while you're awake, but..."

[But maybe he can settle with kissing the top of her head again.]