[ Natsume bristles slightly, being called out (being called cute by Eichi, of all people), among other things; he's almost too happy, then, to see him turn away, but it feels like he's won, and Natsume's lost.

Not good, and he drops his gaze down to where Eichi's hand had been. ]

...I'm satisfied to hear that you're not suffering any more than you usually ARE. You're not allowed to perish so quickLY, nor so quietLY, to something like illNESS. The year is still LONG.