[Mentioning the hero shows had been something of a cheap shot. A weak attempt to force conversation somewhere, if only by virtue of being completely lame and cheesy. Souma has better jokes, better ideas. But, to be honest, he has few memories from recent years that are better. And so he invokes them, even if he worries about being patronizing or paternalistic.

Something about it reached Haku, for sure. The atmosphere shifts, subtly, but perceptibly. Wind picking up before a storm. Watching Haku can be a little bit like watching an intensely dramatic movie without subtitles, in a language Souma can't speak. The emotion is there, but Souma has to pay that much more attention. Use all of his faculties. And so he listens for changes in breathing, subtle shifts in demeanor and body language.

Somewhat appropriately (given Haku's penchant for candy) Haku's whole attitude is bittersweet. More an emphasis on bitter than sweet.

Case in point, Haku's smile isn't particularly real. It looks more like a grimace from Souma's vantage point. Yes, there's something in Haku's eyes that's affectionate. But even as his words praise Souma, there's something self-deprecating in them. Something that's cutting Haku down, in a death by a thousand personally imposed cuts.]

Thank you, Haku. [After all, compliments are nice to hear, particularly from someone you never thought to meet again.] Although, honestly, I can't totally claim credit for it. Having you guys around helped keep me sane a lot of the time. Shuusuke, Eiri, and you.

[Especially Haku, in some ways. Before the forced partnership with Shuusuke, before meeting Haku's latest (and loudest) messiah, it had been him and Haku. Two of Sakura's misfits. Watching out for Haku had kept Souma going during some of those early days.]

I often wish we could have all graduated together. Leaving you guys was hard.