[ She doesn't know to respond, at first, which is probably a good thing when he falls silent. It was already difficult enough having her own problems, but it's difficult to not feel concern for Shinpachi too. ]

Yeah, I had the same feeling. Guess we won't be drinking anymore, huh? [ She bites her tongue after her own comment, and for a moment she mentally hides her face in the palm of her hands. Now is not the time to be making jokes, especially when the two of them obviously had a lot in mind.

But maybe they needed to lighten up, even if it was just for a moment. Her heart nearly sunk in the realization of Shinpachi not looking directly at her, even as she turns her head to look at him. He looks so much smaller, in a way, and there's a pinging sense of familiarity as she looks to him. Even if he's quick to change the subject, it's far too obvious of how he felt.

Almost hesitantly she reaches out, placing her hand on his back. ] He's alright, isn't he? [ Because if something even worse happened, surely he wouldn't have invited her over. ] You don't have to be so hard on yourself... it's COMPASS' fault for messing with us. [ Again. ] I'm sure Sano doesn't want to see you down like this, either.