Understood. [ he inclines his head. ] I hadn't meant to ask something so personal.

[ he's not the most gifted with conversation and he knows it; his curiosity happened to get the better of him. and it still gets the better of him for one more moment, piercing gaze rising and leveling on haru. severe, but also searching. ]

But if you'll allow me to ask one more thing... [ the way he pauses indicates he knows it's a bit loaded. ] Do you believe we're dead?