She slowly shakes her head. Of course she could explain why there was no way Souji could have been present at that time, but it feels like that's no good. It would probably only make Souji feel worse if he knew the reason the Souji from her world wasn't present was because he was confined to a bed, dying from his illness, instead of out there fighting besides the people he cared the most about.

Just this knowledge by itself is already painful enough, she's sure. Especially since Chizuru does notice his use of "I"-- is he imagining himself in that kind of painful scenario? Does he wonder if things will be the same?

"Okita-san, I.."

Her voice trails off. What can she even say? It feels like her fault that his hands are shaking like this.

".. I'm sorry. If-- If only I had been stronger, then maybe none of this would have happened.."