Koumyou doesn't say anything until Devero's turned his back and moved several steps away.

"...Are you running away?"

That sounds fucking livid, in that quiet, dangerous way that Devero's never once heard from the priest. He lunges to his feet, too, but otherwise stays where he is.

"It's true I don't know anything about relationships or sex or anything-- anything like that-- but I know about monsters! I know about people who exist to consume others, who can only see light when they rip it out of another person's soul and snuff it out in their hands!"

He's yelling loud enough to echo around the music car, now. It might even carry down stairs.

"And I know what it's like to-- to feel like the only person you're worth the attention of, is one of those monsters!"

Isn't that why he'd always egged Ukoku on? Isn't that why he'd encouraged the raven to sink his claws into his heart and twist, courted being consumed by him? The worst person he'd ever known? The man who'd tried to beat Koumyou's sick and dying friend in front of him--? Who'd killed his friend?

Isn't that why he'd let Ukoku in so close?

That's all he'd deserved! That sucking void, unendingly hungry, without a single shred of a heart--!

And if only it hadn't endangered his son, he-- he wouldn't even regret it!