I... [He hesitates, unable to find the words he really wants to use. Drawing in a breath, he runs a hand through his hair, finally looking up at Souji. The expression on his face makes Yosuke's chest hurt; Hearing his voice in that tone, fully knowing things are this way because of his own reservations with the situation makes his heart feel as if it's going to thump right out of his chest.]

I know I've said this before, but- [He pauses again, chewing on his lip.] Y-you're special to me, you know. I never really understood why. I just kind of felt like there was really something that set you apart... and not just because of everything in the other world, either. Just in general.

I was kind of starting to think about it before that stuff, but... I couldn't accept it. [He shakes his head; this isn't what he's supposed to be saying.]

I think I get it now, though. I wanted to be special, I wanted you to accept me... and when you did in a way I didn't expect, I freaked. Bad. None of that stuff that happened before, we can't change that and except for some stupid crap I said, I don't want to, either.

[He goes quiet. His cheeks and ears feel as if they're on fire, the embarrassment of trying to say any of this taking a stronghold.]

But... there's still a few... things. I guess.