[ At first Mamoru stiffens a little bit in the grip, like he didn't see it coming. He didn't, after all - maybe he should at this point, considering for how much of a portion of his life Kiraki has already been physical with him, even before they confessed their feelings like this, but at the same time it manages to catch him off guard every single time.

The stiffness only lingers for a moment until the surprise of it ebs away though, and then he shifts a little, pulling his arms out of her death grip carefully so he can wrap them around her back in return. Mamoru certainly will never only be on the receiving side of a hug, that's for sure. ]

It's okay, Kiraki. [ He rubs his hand up and down her back a little bit, like he's trying to calm her. She always reacts so emotionally to everything, but it also means he's always going to worry a little if she isn't just hurting herself. ]

Yes, it hurt a lot back then, but.. it's alright now. [ And he means that, despite the times he just puts up a front so no one will have to worry about him. ] You're right here.. you're not dead.

[ And that means everything right now. ]

That makes me more happy than anything else could.