[ the words sting, to be sure, but he thinks he likes them better than empty words of comfort. He is an awful person. He knows that. That's exactly why he goes to such lengths to hide it.

Still, Belph doesn't get up and leave, or yell at him, or even ask him why he did any of those things. So Hikage feels like he can continue. He's like a stray cat, slowly being coerced out of hiding. ]

... That's all I should want. If I live, I was going to wish for all of you to suffer. Being here is a nice change of scenery... After being stuck in that manor for so long, I thought I could at least enjoy it. And if they could truly grant my wish, then maybe I wouldn't ever have to return. I thought I'd be satisfied with that.

[ but he's not, anymore. the fact that he's talking to someone about any of this stuff is proof of that. He's never told anyone any of this. The feeling is less liberating than he would like - but it does feel like it's clearing his mind. ]

But now... [ he sighs. ] ... I don't know. Being with the living again - I can almost pretend I'm alive, too. When I'm talking to you, or when someone holds me, it's warm. Dragon said I could come back. But I know an ending like that is too convenient for someone like me.