[Cliff sighed, moderately frustrated at how this was flowing. The darkness that hung around Souji was deep, possibly too deep for Souji to entirely get out of even with aid. It concerned Cliff but there was one things he knew for certain:

It wasn't his job to do that. Help like that would just destroy Souji's pride.

Such wounds wouldn't ever entirely heal, and the scars ran deeper than anything a blade could deliver. Cliff looked up at Souji, watched him fidget and pause with that false, superficial smile.

He crossed his arms]

I don't need to hide at all, Souji. I've got nothing to hide from anyone. [Transparency was one thing he made a point to maintain, even if there were moments when he knew it wasn't right to reveal the entire truth.]

And, I thought you knew this by now.

You don't need to hide from me.