[As he settles onto his feet, Komaeda suddenly feels both weightless and as if he's five hundred pounds heavy all at once. He can feel his knees shake and buckle beneath him, and as Hinata's hands support him, he's forced to keep his good hand on the other's shoulder just so he doesn't collapse right there. His bony fingers dig into the other boy's shoulder, his weak grip shaking as he steadies himself even as Hinata rises up to his full height.]

Haah... you're a fool, Hajime. [Komaeda huffs, even if his expression looks more pained than it does angry. How is it that even now, he can't even summon the courage to be angry? After he died in the simulation, after he was forced to live in that false world where he wished for talent to disappear, even after Hajime rescued him via World Destroyer... he couldn't be angry.]

Of course you wouldn't give up on trash like me, you're just that sort of guy. A stupid Reserve Course student who sticks his nose where it doesn't belong...

[His brow furrows, but he bows his head forward, ready for those hands to unhook him from the headband that's still attached to him. His left hand or rather, the left hand attached to him, is hugged to his middle like a shameful item being kept away from Hinata. But amidst the swirling despair of all the evil he has perpetuated, the murder game in the simulation, and his pitiful dream—Komaeda can still feel the flicker of hope that resides within him.

Suddenly, his face feels hot. It feels like it's on fire, and he can feel the sting of tears in his eyes. His shoulders tense, up towards his ears, as beads roll down his cheeks.]

Why didn't you just give up on me...!