It doesn’t need to have a meaning, Hokuto wants to say. Feelings don’t always make sense, and if they’re messy and upsetting, then why not acknowledge that? She thinks Seiichi tries too hard to push those feelings aside, when what he ought to do is talk about them and work them out.

But she can’t force him to talk if he doesn’t want to, and he will deal with things as he always has. Sometimes, she wishes he’d let her in. She squeezes his hand back, careful not to let her disappointment show.

“Okay.”