[ the only reason why izumi’s being so casual is... well, not much reason, really. someone has to remain calm between the two of them, and as usual that job falls on izumi’s shoulders. just grabbing leo’s hand and dragging him along to god knows where, because even add and that catgirl don’t know about the layout of this place much. the world has warped it out of recognition, much like it has warped their shadows into taking forms of their fellow comrades.

and themselves too, in a way. while they didn’t do actual swordfighting back home, it was rather exhilarating to hold a sword like that. izumi didn’t know he had it in him to cut shadows down like that, but seeing leo back there reminded him all too much of their shared burden. he had to pull leo out of there and quick, and hopefully this far-off place wouldn’t let those things reach them.

his stare at leo hardens at that tone just now, but he’ll wave it off as he loosens his grip on leo’s wrist some. ]

I’m even more exhausted, you know. I’m never gonna be built for that kind of stuff? Even if that was all make-believe. [ forever a twink ] And it’s not like we have a choice. We can’t go back there, so we’re going to have to risk this path. So just hold on to me and don’t move around too much, okay?

[ the path is getting narrower and narrower, so izumi will have to go on ahead while tightening his grip on leo again. for all that bravado, he’s probably more scared that leo is. ]