[He only shook his head and gave a soft, stuffy kind of snort as he reached up to pat her head.]

I haven't cried since I was six. [Since that day.] It was just long overdue. Don't worry about it, Minachan.

[It was a lot of things overdue. Things he never got to say to anyone that he probably should have. Not necessarily a regret, just that time had run out. He felt lighter for it, nonetheless. He rubbed his eyes as well, finally mustering the energy to push himself back onto his achy feet.]

You can make it up to me, though, by helping me get dinner going. I'm going to waste away. [His stomach even growled as if on cue.] Correction, I think I might be dying.

[Except he said it in the most deadpan tone he could muster after the post-crying session.]