[Okay, now that he feels the pressure applied to the hollow scar on his back, yeah, the nerves are definitely fucked up there. Whether the way his muscles tense beneath the touch is because of that or just from being unused to gentle touches from anyone in general, who knows. It's just as unclear whether it's the water washing over him or Luna's words that feel so warm.]

...Ours.

[Don't count him out of it just yet.

He lifts his head, closing his eyes while he sifts through his own memories, despite what he just said about not living in the past.]

You and Yukizome... you were the first people who looked at me and saw more than just someone who could do nothing but fight, you know? You made even me believe I had more of a future than being washed-up and retired before forty. If I even made it that far... Heh. I've seen what happens to guys when their bodies start to fail, or when they've taken too many blows to the head.

[He'd considered more than once throwing in the towel on life itself before getting to that point. God knows what he would have done if he lost his hand back then.]

So it's only right I dedicate that future to you. And your plan of helping kids see that same potential in themselves.

...I guess that just sounds like a bunch of sentimental garbage now, huh.

[Nothing more than a pipe dream now.]