Mahiru ignored you, "HE WAS YOUR EVE... You were supposed to protect him..." Mahiru's loud, angry voice fell to a gravelly whisper as his lower lip quivered.

It clicked in your head, finally you understood what was going on. Mahiru's grandfather was Kuro's eve and he passed. Mahiru blamed Kuro and you were caught in the middle of it.

Kuro finally looked up, "I did let him die..."

"What?!" You were extremely confused, "Kuro! No! That's not true! How could you say that?! I don't know who the first Mahiru guy was, but I know you're not a monster! It's not true!!"

The Mahiru at the door, he seemed shocked, as though he figured Kuro wouldn't have been so open, "I was so close with my grandfather until he said he was going to leave for awhile. I begged him to bring me with him but he said no. It didn't make sense, that he'd bring his mangy black cat and not his own grandson! And then a month passes before anyone told me, he died. I asked about his cat and nobody had seen it. I'd done some research before I figured out what you were. Then among my belongings was a picture of my grandson and you. It was unmistakably you... How could you let him die?! You're own eve!"

Kuro stayed silent for a long time before he answered, "he was injured really badly. But I just couldn't bring myself to make him my subclass... I thought what a pain it'd be for him to have to keep living forever with such a burden. For him to outlive all of his loved ones and watch them die."

Mahiru looked shocked. He stood there for a long moment before glancing at you for confirmation. You nodded, there was no way Kuro could lie about this. Mahiru fell to his knees, almost unable to process everything he was told. Kuro turned to excuse himself from the scene. You wanted to stop him but decided against it.

Instead you gently tugged Mahiru to his feet, "hey... are you going to be okay?"

He nodded weakly.

"You can stay awhile if you'd like."

He thought for a moment, "No it's okay. Tell Kuro I'm sorry. I guess I'd never really thought everything through."

"Will do." You offered him a smile.

He regained his composure and began to walk away from your door. You watched him retreat for a moment before you closed the door. You turned around and went to where Kuro sat. He looked deep in thought like he was remembering something sad. I imagine he felt guilty but probably wouldn't outwardly admit it.

"Kuro..." you said, sympathetically.

"Mm?" He hummed.

"Come here." You said, plopping on the couch next to him and then guiding his head to your lap. He hesitated before relaxing. You pet his hair soothingly, humming softly.

"You did the right thing."

Kuro didn't reply, but you couldn't quite see his face as he faced away from you. You wondered if he'd been crying. It certainly wasn't in his nature and you couldn't be too sure, but part of you wondered.