[There's a moment of hesitation, of eyes widening, shoulders trembling, of Kazutora staring at Mikey before he'd look down, hands clenching into fists beneath Mikey's, and simply start to cry.

How could Mikey say that to him, after everything he'd done? After killing Shinichiro? Killing Baji? Trying to kill him?? How can he still want to keep that promise of owning him, being there for him-?

He'd shake his head, biting his lip, before he'd choke out a response.] No--

No, I can't let you do that again, Mikey, not after everything I've done. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you, I don't deserve anyone, and I--

[The sobs would come stronger now, waves of guilt and despair that would make him crumble to his knees were he not sitting.]

I'm sorry -- [He'd gasp, and the words would start to tumble over themselves, spilling out of him like marbles loosened from their canister.] I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry--

[What else was there to say? What else was there to do but to echo his remorse over and over and to strive to be better.]