[ Ai winces. Between the both of them biting on her lip like they had, it's tender and sore enough that even a gentle touch stings. ]

I wasn't. I just told you I was scared, didn't I?! It was this or let you just disappear and you-

[ Pause. Swallow. Her mouth still tastes horribly like blood. ]

... You've already saved me so many times. How could I just give up on you without at least trying?

[ It's not entirely the truth. Maybe Ai herself doesn't know it well enough to give it to him.

But it's true enough. ]