[ Yuji can, at least, understand the confusion of happy memories being mixed up with the sad, tainted by what’s happened and things that can’t be undone. Whenever he thinks about the people he’s lost he remembers their deaths so starkly that it’s like a knife in his heart, and only then do the happy memories come.

Listening to Raidou speak, he deliberately brushes his fingers across his shoulder, gentle and tender as he holds him close. He’s offering comfort as well as paying attention - he knows as well as anyone the way baggage can weigh you down and make you feel rough and heartbroken. ]

I understand that feeling. There were times when Megumi, Kugisaki and I would be able to go out and mess around or play a little. Those memories are really happy for me.

[ It might not be the same, but that’s okay. Yuji is empathising, not comparing.

Still… He holds Raidou a little closer, turning his body towards him more, seeking out more of his embrace just as much as he is offering comfort, being a little greedy with it. ]

I hope they’re okay too. I wish I could meet the people important to you, but I’ll settle for hearing your stories for now.