[ Not saying anything to protect Rosho, that's a noble thought Sasara hasn't had. At least, not in such simple terms. Sure, he'd even said that, insisted that there'll always be the two of them, not excluding Rei but not counting him in either. Knowing, after all. ]

It's my fault!

[ That's all he gets out, and sticking around to see the emotions change across Rosho's face, he finds out this time, is worse than them splitting without the thought of ever seeing each other again. Coming up from their re-reunion up on Tsutenkaku tower, that sort of height is a way to fall. The steps back down are cracked, left broken behind him. Sasara stumbles over the edge. ]

Even if I wanna be, I'm no good as a leader. Rosho... [ How could accept that, Sasara failing him again? ] Rei, he– [ And it ain't just Rosho.

With his eyes down, just staring at the noodles swimming in the soup and his chopsticks dropped, Sasara's shoulders shake suddenly. He draws a trembling breath to match. ] He lied to us—! [ Hah... to get tricked by some big scam artist like that, it shouldn't come as a surprise. It oughta not hurt like so and feel like as much of a betrayal. ]

He's using us!

[ Being on the same team, though, it's not how it's supposed to be. ]

He made the hypnosis mics and he's with Chuu-oku...!

[ Up until now, Rosho has surely never seen Sasara cry in a miserable way, with a hopeless feeling on every forced breath, with a desperation that doesn't just find a quick quip for an answer. There's only guilt to come washing over his words. ]

There's not a thing I know to do to stop him! [ Even if he said to Rei that he couldn't, wouldn't just let him. He lied too. ]