He grabs your hand firmly, hard enough to make a deliberate cracking sound.

You did it again, didn't you?

He is still smiling—no, actually, he isn't. How many times have I told you to watch your back?

I'm pretty sure I told you not to just dive into the field without thinking.

As he speaks, the veins in his neck bulge with frustration.

If you keep chugging those drugs like they're candy, huh? I told you you'd build a tolerance and even my guiding wouldn't be enough, didn't I?

Look at that, that indifferent expression again.

He hates that attitude of treating one's own life like it's disposable. That damn hero complex.

Our dear Esper seems to need to develop a bit more of a sense of self-preservation~

There's a limit to playing hero. Even heroes back off when the odds are against them, but you don't have a single thought of retreating...

It's simply frustrating why those 'people around you' aren't included in that hero play of yours.

...Haha,

I didn't know serving a drug addict would be this exhausting.

He's been holding on for a while, but your levels are still crawling at the bottom. A short click of the tongue escapes through his teeth.

Think hard about why I even exist.

The tolerance has worsened. It's only been a few days. At this rate, before long, your body truly won't be able to receive guiding at all.

Stop using me as just a backup for your drugs.

Swallowing the heat rising in his throat, he finally meets your eyes.

...Are you even listening to me?