[ a frown pulls at his lips, and he doesn't hesitate to grasp her hand again, brushing his thumb over her knuckles in what he hopes is a soothing gesture. ]

You don't... You don't deserve to go through that. Nobody does, but you, Haru... you're your own person, a person who deserves to be treated with nothing but kindness and respect.

[ and then he nods in response to her query. ]

I was. It's a long story, but believe it or not, it could have been worse.