Koumyou finally looks up, expression pained and painfully vulnerable. "I... but..."

Devero's promised he didn't coerce him into what they'd done, but he still can't shake the horrible certain rightness of that terrible insinuation. It's got its claws in him still, and he can't shake it so easily. Not when it played into every insecurity he has, so neatly and cleanly.

"I don't want you to do this because... because you think it's required, or because it's better than dealing with the sutra, or... or anything. I..."