[Eichi pauses near the doorway at that, hand resting against the door frame for support while he stops. It takes him a moment after the words are done to actually turn back and face his smile at Natsume, since he'd actually been a little surprised at the words.]

I don't intend to die any time soon. [Not that his intentions ever mattered, but.] Similarly, I hope you won't allow it to drag you down much further than this. Someone young and healthy like yourself— though for a long time I thought it might be "fair" for everyone to experience it— there's no need for you to live through illness like this.

Take advice from your experienced senior and rest well, okay? ♪