"Because half the person I am isn't here!" His hardware-self, his exo, his Babysitter. He'd never bought too consciously into that philosophical Three Selves stuff that some of the more pretentious hiteks liked to peddle, but since coming here, he can't deny that his hardware is a big part of who he is. A bigger part than he'd ever realized, having never been separated from it before.

He pulls away from the priest now, retreating back to himself so he can try to mop away some of the tears. He still can't help but feel like all this sweetness and kindness that Koumyou likes so much is just typical, the same good citizen empathy that anyone in his world could offer. He only seems special because Koumyou's world is awful. The thought makes him laugh bitterly. "You wouldn't even look twice at me if we were on my world," he says. "Everyone's kind there. You'd be able to find someone who's actually worth your-- your l-love."

Because he sure fucking isn't.