[Ryoji... stayed silent for a longer moment there after that, though. Becuase it was definitely easier said than done. And the fact that Josh was still staring at him... wasn't really helping.

...Oh, well. Here went nothing.]

Well... you've told me before that these things tend to fade, right? So I kind of clinged to the fact that might be the case, and... concentrated on staying friends with you, because that's what you wanted. I didn't mind that, either. I was happy to be able to spend time with you just like that, anyway.

[Inhale, Ryoji. Exhale.]

But... Those feelings didn't fade. If anything, they've only gotten worse. Even if it didn't really bother me at first... But lately, I've started to have a hard time dealing with it myself, I guess.

Hence why I... Well, I just figured I could try giving both of us a bit of space. Before I became roo much of a bother and before things got even more out of hand.

[There's a pause there as a slight frown makes its way to Ryoji's face. Josh might also notice... a faint blush if he looks hard enough.]

Especially after that last text I have sent you... I mean-- aren't you still mad at me for that?