[ Aiichiro poured himself a glass of the ginger ale, then set the bottle back down on the table and stepped back toward the hot tub. Rather than getting back in, he sat down on the steps leading up to it, not even thinking to get a towel to dry off. He took a sip of his drink, set it beside him, and then spoke quietly. ]

I can't do it, you know. I told him what I did because it's true - I do love him, I doubt there was anyone who knew us both who didn't know that even before I opened my mouth on the network - but the other part is true too. He can't make me believe in something I don't.

[ His shoulders squared a little. ]

I can't condone rape and torture and brainwashing, not after seeing it take people's whole personalities away, turn them into shadows of themselves. I'm not saying I'm about to do something drastic, but even if Genesis made the choice to stand with Sephiroth-

[ That name comes out a little bitterly, he can't help it. ]

-I'm not saying I won't lie beside him, but I can't stand with him.