[it's not as though their baggage is dissimilar on that front. despite his pretty words back during the first week of the competition. . . love has never been something Edamura could put much stock in. he knows, just from observing those around him, that it can be awfully. . . painful. love can hurt in ways that cut deep, leaving behind a nasty set of scars, the damage sometimes splashing over to those who weren't involved. no mater how many lies he told himself, no matter how hard he tried to believe in something idealistic and warm and perfect. . . that cynical part of his heart would never change. he would always be a skeptic. he would always be a bit guarded]

[but--]
.
[. . . maybe that's okay?]

[maybe that is what a "perfect match" meant to him all along. maybe it was never just a spark, or time spent together, or baggage shared. maybe it. . . really was simply opening oneself up to that pain? understanding that sometimes, it will hurt, and. . . knowing that he could still push through. knowing that he wanted to]

[I'll try is exactly what Edamura had expected. I'll try is all he can give in return, especially when this is all still so new to him. so when Rom clasps his knuckles so tightly that it hurts, when he leans in to speak his response, quiet but firm. . .]

. . . y-- yeah!

[Edamura's smile is bright, relief washing over his features like a balm. he rocks towards Rom himself, arm looping around his neck to draw him closer-- keep him close-- as he touches their foreheads together]

I'll try, too.

[genuinely, his smile softening just a tad]

. . . but I might kind of suck at it, you know? Try not to hold it against me too much.