[It was none of those things, Kokichi. The reason Shuichi has never been able to say "I love you" has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with him. It has everything to do with how Shuichi was never really sure if his own feelings were actually love or not. It's a very strong, serious word, you know! It's not a word that one should just throw around. It's not something that should be said unless you absolutely mean it...]
[And with how much Shuichi had to muddle through his own feelings on whether or not he even liked Kokichi romantically...he couldn't know if he really meant it or not. Feelings are hard. Words to convey feelings are even harder, turns out.]
[Honestly, it always floored him that Kokichi knew that he loved him so early on...that he was able to say "I love you" so quickly and easily. And that he 100% meant it.]
[The demon gives Kokichi a little squeeze, lifting his head and one hand to wipe at his eyes a little.]
I love you, Oma-kun. Even if you don't always love yourself. [You can say the same about him, right?] And I'm glad that you're here with me and not dead...I'm happy that I have you in my life. No matter what.
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[And with how much Shuichi had to muddle through his own feelings on whether or not he even liked Kokichi romantically...he couldn't know if he really meant it or not. Feelings are hard. Words to convey feelings are even harder, turns out.]
[Honestly, it always floored him that Kokichi knew that he loved him so early on...that he was able to say "I love you" so quickly and easily. And that he 100% meant it.]
[The demon gives Kokichi a little squeeze, lifting his head and one hand to wipe at his eyes a little.]
I love you, Oma-kun. Even if you don't always love yourself. [You can say the same about him, right?] And I'm glad that you're here with me and not dead...I'm happy that I have you in my life. No matter what.