[Duster said the wrong thing. Aoi was fine when they were walking together, but once Duster pointed out what Tamekichi was implying, he went back to his usual self. Was Aoi that oblivious? Did he care about the implications? Was he offended that Duster cared? Is there something Duster isn't getting?

...Aoi has his bag.]

Wait! [He bends over and sprints to catch up with him. As well as one can while carrying a jacket over his arm and dragging a heavy object. Worried or not, Duster's not going home in the rain.]

Hold on. [Duster grabs Aoi's shoulder when he catches up.] Look, I'm sorry.

[For what, he's not sure.]

I didn't mean that we shouldn't walk together. It was more like...I was worried that you were worried. Not that rumors are a good thing! When you're part of a popular band, people gossip about you all the time, and even if it's unavoidable, I don't like it. But you're not me, so I was worried that you would mind, so that's why I said that without thinking...

[And what? Duster realizes there aren't many places to go. Aoi doesn't seem to mind the idea of them being seen as an item, but he doesn't like Duster in that way. As far as he knows.]

...What I'm trying to say is...I'm not...bothered.

[He tightens his grip on the instrument case. This walk home has been getting stranger and stranger.]