You wouldn't give them reason to be afraid or uncomfortable. [That much is something that he can say with certainty, even as he retracts his hand from brushing aside Souza's hair to instead rest on his shoulder.] I trust you with them.

["I just don't trust them with you" is what's unspoken.

Still though, the rest of Souza's words.... they inspire a bit of confusion. Could it be that-] You think I'm... worried about guarding myself?

[ . . . . despite everything, he laughs faintly, amused as a genuine smile pulls at his lips. Then he places a hand over his own eyes as he shakes his head, shoulders shaking faintly as he laughs. When he meets Souza's eyes again, his expression holds so, so much fondness. So much fondness that it spills over into his smile.]

Souza-kun... Between you, Sousei, Kousetsu-kun, even Shirasu himself.... I don't think I'll ever need to guard myself ever again. [No one wants to see Tenka hurt - that's the way of the world. Tenka is loved too much.]

I just wish I knew how to guard all of you so you don't pay for my mistakes.