[Silver takes in Goro's words for a good long while; he keeps his gaze fixed down and his hands over Goro's eyes so there's no intruding on anyone's thoughts while he does.]

I've never been in a lasting relationship. Never a nasty breakup, either. Just a few weeks of fun before we decided it wasn't working out, no big deal.

[And there's plenty he could say about that, about he never let it be more than that because of his own fears of attachment and rejection, about how he's not sure if he's simply not interested in anyone or if he's unwilling to consider the possibility of opening up to another person like that. But this isn't about him. This is about Goro.]

The thing is that dating isn't supposed to be some end all be all. It's where you learn about someone before moving into anything more serious. Asking Akira out on a date isn't asking to marry him. Worst case scenario, he says he isn't interested and you're right where you are right now.

You don't have to ask him out tomorrow, either. Just move at your own pace do what you think you won't regret. And stop putting yourself down about it immediately. He's a good friend. He's not just going to, I don't know, abandon you or something, so take it easy.

[...That's a little more gentle than he knows what to do with. Good thing Goro's eyes are still covered.]