[ he listens, controlling the ebb and flow of his thoughts enough that he doesn't interrupt her. eventually, he breathes out a response, resigned and sad. ]

...It all happened really fast.

[ but if it hadn't, they wouldn't be winning. because he wouldn't have played this game if rin hadn't died. not until it was too late to do anything about it, anyway. another beat of silence, then, ]

I don't mind being protected.

[ he is realizing that fighting the idea doesn't help. not just because he needs it—which he sort of does—but because being able to protect him means something important to her. ]

But you had to let me change. Whether it's for better or worse. [ even if he hates change, too. ] It's not a bad thing that your plan failed.