[ He idly rubs the back of his neck in an attempt to crush down that itching feeling. It doesn't work. Mine knows he can only delay answering so long by stuffing some of his gyuudon in his mouth. There's no easy way to answer such a simple, yet loaded question.

A few thoughtful (and definitely not stalling) bites later and he raises his gaze to meet Daigo's. ]

I'm managing. [ He doesn't want to get into the finer points of it right now, but does he have much choice? ] Nothing's as easy as it used to be. I feel like I'm on borrowed time.

[ If it were anyone else, he would've given a much different answer, something much less personal and much less vulnerable. He owes Daigo the honesty and knows the real answer would be dragged out of him no matter what, so there's no reason to prolong the inevitable.

Mine smiles faintly. ]

Is that what you wanted to hear?