[People ask about them? Just the thought of that has Chihiro's heart skipping a beat or two, his hands shifting a little in his lap. He wants to ask...what they're asking, but he's pretty sure he can hazard a guess. Since so many of his friends and classmates are gone, Komasan has really been one of the only ones he has left...so he's been with him a lot, to avoid that loneliness.

He has to wonder...he hasn't been using him unintentionally, has he? No, that...that can't be.]

...that's not it at all.

[He finally says, quietly. He's always quiet, but it's a little...moreso, right now.]

To be honest, I...I really like spending time with you. Ever since my classmates have gone home...I've been happier than I have been in a while. I really don't want anything to happen to that.

[He's honestly scared Komasan's going to leave, next, and then...that will be it, really. And Chihiro already knows he has nothing waiting for him if he goes home.

There's nothing waiting for the dead, after all.]

I'm sorry if you've felt like I haven't been...sincere. I-I...know that isn't fair. I've been thinking a lot, too, since...since that Friday.