Shino follows him halfway up, stopping to prop himself on his elbows. He looks at Yamagi, realizing he might have misspoken. It's hard to hold in his doubts. They're all so nice to him, to the point where he can tell they're holding back for his sake. He's happy to be treated kindly by them all but... he's been doubtful about himself for so long now.

"... Really? But, you all had to keep fighting anyway. I wanted... I wanted to stop it, y'know?"

He huffs but he keeps his smile. Is he just talking shit here? Did they really think he did so much more? Maybe his perspective is just bad, but... damn it, his plan had felt so foolproof. Maybe he'd just been too cocky under the effect of all that adrenaline.

"I--... Sorry, Yamagi," he replies, shrinking a little, feeling bad about what he'd said. He looks away and smiles uneasily for a long, quiet moment. "Yeah. I mean, if you're scolding me, I know it's still you. And that I'm really here. That sounds stupid, right? But it's true."

He flops onto his back again and shuts his eyes, taking in another long breath. He stretches his hand to try and brush his fingers over Yamagi's wrist.

"I dunno what Eugene told you, but... when I learned how you felt about me, it made me... it made me really happy. I was really glad to know that someone could love me. All of us are idiots. We don't think anything about ourselves, so it seemed really impossible and it took a long time for me to believe it. To think I wasn't just making it up in my head. When I got over myself and I realized it was true, it encouraged me a lot... when I asked you out that day-- I want you to know, it wasn't just to comfort you or something. I honestly meant it. Even if I ran out head first, I promise... even though I'm a stupid man, doing what I did, I really did want to come back to you."