[ The little bump against his chin catches him off guard enough to make Yuta blink, close to startled by the simple gesture, yet it is far from unwelcome. In fact, he finds himself tilting his head just slightly into Flapjack's soft, warm weight with a swell of appreciation, touched. His voice is still a bit distant when he speaks, but his breathing is steadying. ]

Even so, I turned her into this form and people will end up hurt because of it.

[ The hand he's put on Rika's head shifts, brushing in a gentle, apologetic caress. It is his fault, no matter the innocence and ignorance of his childhood self. It's a guilt he will carry with him always. But it helps to recall — making the edges of the memory fade and the sound of an ambulance's sirens in the background grow distorted — that... ]

I did break her curse eventually, but she spends far too long like this...