[Ven's not the kind of teenage boy who's defensive about ~his space~, so he doesn't object. But he doesn't return her smile, either.]

Even if I'm strong, it doesn't matter if I can't bring myself to fight in the first place.

[He sighs again, but sharply, through his nose. His shoulders sag a little more, if possible, even though all that bruising in his chest and back have been healed as well and it's not necessary to watch his posture.]

There was someone I knew... and I couldn't fight him. I just -- couldn't stand the thought of hurting him -- even though he needed to be stopped. [He sincerely hopes Sora will have no memory of what transpired; not only because the guilt would surely hurt him, but also because his first impression of Ven in thirteen years would be that the latter utterly fails as a Keyblade wielder and a friend -- which, at the moment, seems about right, anyway.]

If it wasn't for Ira... [He shakes his head slowly.] He was the one who stood up -- he did what he had to. Yunie and Saori, too, and I... it was the same with some others I fought, too. I'm supposed... to protect people, but...

If I let them get hurt -- or killed -- just because my conscience can't handle it... [He winces.] That's not... strong at all.