( There's a lot of silence between them, like this. It makes it feel worse, makes it all the more obvious how it's not Fuuta's fault, how that must mean it's his own, right? Esikko can't help but think that normally, anger would have flared up by now. That he'd be defensive at the suggestion, that he'd be angry at the ideas behind the word crush, that he'd be yelling about how he doesn't need his permission to do whatever he wants with Dabi, that it doesn't change anything.

But his anger feels... distant, right now. It's strange, it's lonely, when he can't even grasp onto something so familiar, and he spends a good few moments frowning at his Watch as he tries to figure it out. In the end, he can't. )

...I know. But I think if I avoided you, I'd avoid everyone, right now.

( How else can he explain that? He doesn't know. He just knows that he's been sleeping less, messing around with his magic more, more desperate to see some results, to try and earn some recognition. )

You can believe me or not, but I think... it's possible for us to get along. Despite everything. ( He's mumbling a little. ) I don't want you to feel pity for me, or anything, you know.