You don't waste thoughts on him, yet here you are. [Ian's eyes have narrowed, and the tilt of his jaw more than gives away his own anger even though he's keeping his tone steady.] Talking about snakes, your expectations - you've clearly thought about them a lot. Even what you've said, once bitten twice shy; doesn't that just further prove how you've already trusted him to be just like the others?

[And the distinction between Souji and them must be made clear. Ian's never had an opportunity to meet them, has never heard their stories - but he won't stand for Souji, his Souji, to be lumped in with anyone who has caused such pain. If there's one innocent person involved in any of this, then it's him.]

I'm the lucky one between us, I know that. I've had the opportunities you were never given. But you know that measuring him to Shiro - measuring anyone to Shiro - it won't work. You can't replace him.