A timid smile graced Daichi’s lips as Sarah still extended an invitation to ride with her on her bike. It was a notion that was even more appealing than it had been when faced with the prospect of riding through a horde of zombies, but the allure of having inches of armor plating managed to trump it this time around.<strong>”I certainly appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll take a rain check this time around if that’s alright. After all, how often does one get a chance to ride in a fully functional military vehicle?”</strong><br/><br/>Daichi couldn’t help but feel envious of Rika as she was pulled into the sort of hug that countless students had fantasized about. A shallow grin tugged at one corner of his mouth as he considered that in amusement. It was a testament to his youthful libido that even among so much horror his mind was no less prone to getting caught up with sultry thoughts and desires. As perverted as it may be, he could think of no better proof that he was still alive and unbroken from such a traumatic experience. After all, it had only been a few hours since they were all plunged into this living hell and he had never been so socially proactive in his entire life. Even if it was simply a instinctive reflex to help ensure survival, he had hoped it was a trait that would remain should they ever get out of this mess.<br/><br/>Though the lighthearted moment was short lived when Jason announced his intention to remain behind before revealing the reason why. Daichi sucked in a hiss though his clenched teeth at the sight of the bite and the meaning it held. Of the three that rescued them from the nightmare that was the high school, only one would walk away. Such a survival rate was a sobering reminder that even those who were expertly trained with some of the best equipment at their disposal were no less mortal than an average unarmed civilian was. Though true to his resolve, the man was intent on going out taking as many as he could with him. There was nothing he could say as they began to leave him, any attempt to do so seemed like it would only take away from the man’s selfless act. So Daichi simply shot him a somber smile and a wave as a means of conveying his deep appreciation before heading to the protective shell of the APC.<br/><br/>Once the armored vehicle proceeded to seal itself, he finally started feeling the weight of the countless emotions he had been forced to shove into the back of his mind for the sake of maintaining the rational thought that was most useful for survival. Though he did not succumb to them, Daichi could not ignore the incorporeal burden that he suddenly felt in his shoulders that actually caused them to slump with wariness. It was clear that he was not the only one feeling that as he looked over the Aika who had proven so bold in the field who was finally given the chance to break down.<br/><br/>He was never good at comforting others; most of the time he felt his general aloof nature add an element of awkwardness to the environment, which typically made his attempt only marginally successful. But still, somebody had to try and at least offer some measure of comfort. Knowing better than to trust his words that were more likely to betray him than not, Daichi simply sat next to Aika and pressed his shoulder against hers to make his presence known. She had proven that she had a strong personality and did not know how she would take to being comforted overtly, so he simply let his presence inform her that she had a shoulder to cry on should she want it or simply another body to lean against if that’s all she wanted. He wouldn’t force it on her, but he was more than happy to offer whatever reassurance he could.