[ Even though there are feelings of uncertainty in this tether, it's vastly overwhelmed by the opposite emotions. The feeling of faith. The feeling of hope, represented by the smallest steps forward. Caelus is always taking huge leaps forward in life, but that doesn't mean he's moving alone. He waits ahead of life's road, waiting for his friends to arrive. He turns around, not necessarily to look back at the past, but to reach out to those still in the past.

If a friend needs more time, then he'll also slow down alongside them. That's what it means to connect and understand. When Subaru leans into his palm, Caelus adds more warmth to it by properly cupping that soft cheek. There's no doubt in the trailblazer's mind that despite how close they are now, the onmyouji is still somewhere far behind the road. But he'll wait. One day, he's sure that they'll reach each other even more deeply.

Once the next shide is passed onto him, Caelus lowers his hand in order to collect it, putting together the two. The feeling of Subaru's cheek still lingers on his palm, and hearing those words while thinking about this easily melts his heart. ]

That's right. I'll make sure that it will.

[ Wishing can only get a person so far. Caelus believes in the miracle of wishes, but more than anything, he believes in his own efforts. He'll work for it all and earn it properly— the true smiles of people, most especially Subaru's. He's seen Subaru's lovely smile several times by now, but he can't help but want more. He wants to see its entire true form, unrestained, beautiful, and radiant. ]

Why don't we read a book together sometime? You can teach me more English or Japanese that way, too…