[ There were plenty of ways to express oneself than words alone, and these often required the most courage. Ace understood that, easily finding all he could have ever wanted in the honesty of her touch. Without a second of hesitation, he responded by enveloping her in an embrace of his own, hands resting against the girl's back in a secure hold. ]

There's... only one condition. Everything that I've already said—....

[ No matter how many times he'd experienced it before, there was something particular about the way she wrapped her arms around him that stole his breath away, little by little. ]

... Call me an idiot however you like, but don't make me take that back.

[ The request sounded only as solemn as the soft curl of his lips would allow for it to be, but that didn't diminish its importance in his mind. Having taken that step forward, he could not imagine pretending that it had been anything less than his heart's offering.

Hearing the melodist attribute so much kindness to simple gestures, he had to resist the urge to stop her in her tracks, to explain there was no need to sound so obliged as she seemed to be. ]

As much time as you need. [ ... But he doesn't, knowing that if they were to switch places, the same words could have fallen from his own lips. ] I'll be there.

[ The vision had left its mark, and Ace wondered how conscious was Tear's grasp of the changes that had occurred. Whether he liked it or not, he was in a position that allowed him to see them clearly, free from the memories that seemed to haunt so many others.

Out of all these differences, her loss of faith in herself was definitely the most painful to bear. ]

I... I'll be there to remind you who you are, in case you ever forget.