[ for someone who talks as much as charles does, it might be a surprise, to some, that he's a good listener — he makes a laugh at the part about edwin getting pissed off not being enough to deter carlos, then hums with sympathy when the kid sister is mentioned, and, finally, just watches junpei carefully when he finally adds in his own opinions.

at the second bump against his shoulder, charles just shifts in place slightly, until their shoulders are brushing as they sit; and then, with a quiet smile, ] I already do.

[ as if the facts that paint the picture of a genuinely good person wouldn't have been enough on their own, well, the fact he cares about junpei really cements the deal. with that same, soft tone, he asks, ] So, the volunteer thing... you kept saying that stuff was supposed to happen. Wanna tell me what actually did happen?

[ though he has to add, just in case, ] I mean, you don't have to. I'll take hearing more about your friends, too.