“ please don’t do this. ” - mitsuru ( teehee. )
he only hesitates because it's her. if aki were the one trying to stop him, he would've stormed out before the man could get a word in - because he can't stand how hurt and desperate his best friend sounds. for mitsuru, though … yes, he hesitates. the cold tone of her voice soothes everything burning in him, and after all he's done, is it any wonder he would chase that ? is it any wonder it would at least make him linger a little while longer ?
still, hesitation is a far cry from changing his mind entirely. hesitation is just an acknowledgement; recognition, however brief, of the fact that no one wants this. least of all him. wants and needs are very different things, though, and shinjiro will always prioritize the latter.
“ don't let aki do anything stupid, okay ? ”
they've already exhausted every debate about this. shinjiro has said his piece time and time again, as has mitsuru … as has akihiko. he understands their feelings, but the facts remain: he did what he did, and he's too much of a danger to continue in this place.
there's nothing left to say but his final request. take care of aki.
“ and don't come looking for me. ”