[He doesn't mean to wince at those words, in fact, Komaeda doesn't even realize the way he tenses up as Hinata speaks. He shouldn't tense up, he tells himself, but it's hard not to. He keeps repeating it, those words that he never thought he would really hear: Hinata cares about him.

Komaeda knew, on some level, that was the case. How could he not, when Hinata would always seek him out in the simulation, the second they had some free time? It always made him happy, and he... even revealed his biggest secrets to him. So really, he shouldn't feel so weird about hearing the words...

And yet, he can feel the heat that burns in his cheeks. The first time, it was easy to tease... but now? Komaeda can't just brush off those words, even if Hinata only means them in camaraderie.]

Hajime... [His voice is quiet, small,] I know I teased you about it before but... you don't have to keep mentioning how much you care about me.

[Oh no, what's this? His heart is hammering in his chest—and even in the veiled darkness of the mess hall, Komaeda lifts his hand to his face with the urge to hide his embarrassment.]

I-I said I was going to stop talking about it, so... let's talk about something else, okay?