[Minato's quiet for a long, long moment at that, as they take those steps.
And when he finally does speak, it's in a quiet tone--but a firm one.]
I'm going to ask for something selfish, Ichinose-san. Obviously you can refuse if you want, but... I feel like I need to ask.
[A slow breath in, and:]
I'm sure that you're used to hiding how much pain you're in to protect the people who are counting on you from worrying. Because everyone is always counting on you.
But you don't have to protect me like that. So...at least when it's just us... will you stop trying to hide how much pain you're in? So that you can focus instead on just recovering.
no subject
And when he finally does speak, it's in a quiet tone--but a firm one.]
I'm going to ask for something selfish, Ichinose-san. Obviously you can refuse if you want, but... I feel like I need to ask.
[A slow breath in, and:]
I'm sure that you're used to hiding how much pain you're in to protect the people who are counting on you from worrying. Because everyone is always counting on you.
But you don't have to protect me like that. So...at least when it's just us... will you stop trying to hide how much pain you're in? So that you can focus instead on just recovering.