[The discomfort is obvious, but Hasebe won't back down. Gently, he turns his head toward Guanshan. His fingers tense, then curl over the gilded sheath. It has a weight to it that Hasebe doesn't even notice, since it's a part of him, but he picks it up into his palms and tries to make eye contact.]

I know. I disavow what I prudently can. [He takes a slow breath.] The rest, I let my pride carry. I am still a weapon, and I still... live and serve as one. You don't like that about me, do you?