>>5539769Nui continues to fuss over Kinzou for a bit before preparing dinner. Kinzou wonders over how to inform his mother of what's happened for a moment, before you point out how red her eyes are. ...There's probably no need to remind her. Kinzou silently accepts that, and returns to thinking, having no mind for further conversation.
During dinner, Nui does her best to put on a smile and act as if everything is alright, not directly mentioning Takigi. But her expression is forced, and occasionally she just falls silent, saying and doing nothing. The meal is an awkward one.
The two go to sleep immediately after eating. Or to be more accurate, they lie down. After some time, you make out Nui quietly sobbing. Kinzou refrains. You think he got that out of his system in the forest. For the time being at least. Feeling uncomfortable from the length of the silence between the two of you, you try to reassure Kinzou, but are taken off his finger in response, and left on the nearby floor.
The early light of dawn leaks into the home. Kinzou stands up. You do not believe he has slept. He hesitantly grabs hold of your shell. You wait for him to speak.
「Dad said something once. That you need a body. That I should be careful, just in case, and that I might need to help you with getting one someday.」
<span class="mu-i">...I must've been with your mother at the time, as I don't recall that conversation. But it is true.</span>
Kinzou stands there for a couple of minutes.「If you took my body, would I be stronger?」<span class="mu-i">What is left would mostly be me. Not you.</span> He ignores your response.「But would I be stronger?」<span class="mu-i">...</span>
「Answer me.」
<span class="mu-i">If I were in your body, I would likely be slightly stronger, due to my larger soul. But the main difference would be my speed of growth - not my actual strength.</span>「So you're saying you could get strong faster?」<span class="mu-i">Yes. But that's not important - if it is strength you're after, you will gain it in time. You do-</span>
「You can stop talking. I've thought about it, and come to a decision. Without strength, I can't leave the village. Without strength, I can't protect myself, or my mom and dad. Without strength, I can't get revenge.」Kinzou grips your shell tightly.「If letting you live in my place will give me strength, then I'll do it.」
「Take my body. See the world for me.」
「Protect mom.」
「Get revenge.」
<span class="mu-i">...</span>
You feel an unwavering determination pouring through your mental connection.
>"Ok. If that is your decision.">"...No. I refuse.">Write-In 