[ ... This is cute, honestly. Aiden studies Morgana for a moment, and then reaches to lightly scratch him under the chin. ]

It's still strange to hear words like that, but... thanks.

[ And, after a hesitant pause... ]

Not... long before I got sent back to the school, I... [ letting his hand drop ] lost control.

I need to consume blood on a somewhat regular basis, because... of what I am. I haven't been human since I was six, you see... [ lips drawing together tightly ] Minato happened to cut himself, and I thought- I was fine, as far as the need for blood went. I wasn't feeling any differently than normal. So, it... hit out of nowhere.

[ His jawline tenses. ]

... As for Shido, I-...

[ One hand presses to the back of his neck. ]

I was stupid... I let- my emotions get the better of me, and there was no excuse there. Plain and simple, Akira saved him.

[ Yeah, no, he's holding information back, now. This is definitely the one time he's lying, because he's not even looking at Morgana, now. ]