I hope not, heh. [Sheepishly, he scratches at his head. It's nice to know that Vash has faith in him, at least.] You're definitely right on me being hard on myself... Hiyori says as much, too, so I guess it must be true if both you can see it.

[The sound of snow crunching under their shoes is a pleasant noise, one that makes him nostalgic.] ...a mother... [The mention of someone who's like a mother to them being gone strikes a chord within him, leading him to smile sadly at the ground.] I don't think it's cowardly at all. You were young - you still are, comparatively speaking. It shouldn't be a child's place to stop those from committing atrocities. [Lifting his head, he regards Vash with both admiration and curiosity.] You still do, huh?

[He wonders when he stopped loving his father. If he still holds any affection for the man. Reaching out a hand, he rests it on Vash's arm.]

I'm sure he's okay, in that case. He sounds like he's stubborn and resilient, like you. And maybe, just maybe, he'll have learned something from your fight that'll change his mind and make it so you two can reconcile. That's my hope for you, anyway.