[ He's going to hate being the one to call the facts as they are, but he's not going to sugarcoat things or dress them up nicely and pretend that shortchanging your wants and needs. He's selfish that way, sue him.

Framing your face again in his hands and leaning in close as he speaks soft and quiet in the air between you both. ]

It wouldn't be worth it, babe. [ He's sorry. He's so sorry he has to be the one to tell you this, but someone has to keep their head above water lest everything else sink. ] You would have been unhappy and if Mae is half the girl I believe she is after all these months of friendship together -- she wouldn't be happy either.

[ It's a long shot to assume, but it's a risk he's willing to take. ]

Say I didn't speak up, say we both compromised. She's a smart girl with eyes and she won't be blind to seeing you the way I do, Hikaru. She'll see it, when you fall for others even if you pull back the moment you feel it.

[ Please, please, hear him out. ]

It's better this way. If she decides it's not worth it, that's her loss, not ours. Does this stop you from loving her? No. Has it ever stopped you from loving everyone you've ever had feelings for? No.

The only difference is that the door is still open but it's not up to us anymore to walk through it. It's up to her.