[Souji's face lights up in a smile which mirrors the younger-looking man's, bright and full of unadulterated happiness at having brought joy to someone else's features like that. He crouches down for a moment by a rock pool, gesturing at the tiny shrimp-like creatures that skitter around under the surface as he bends closer.]

Me, Toshi, Sannan and Isami. We used to come here all the time, yes. And when the others got older and more busy, I showed a couple of my other friends the way... but only after asking the others. And it'll always be our place, in a way.

[He climbs down the last little ledge onto the sand, turning around and giving the other's hand another playful little tug to get him to come with him.]

We still come here for vacations together, and we usually go here at least once to share a meal under the stars. [He rolls his eyes slightly, briefly making a face.] I got here earlier this year. My fiancé is too busy being Detective Inspector Hijikata to take more than a couple of days off, ever, and I guess the others are busy too, but my other friends came along so I wouldn't have to wait all alone. [He squeezes the sword's hand lightly in his.] And now I've made another friend, too.