Hal Emmerich

I've been worried about a lot of things for a while, but...y'know, I can't help but think they don't matter quite as much now.

[Did someone order an extra dose of LET'S POSITIVE THINKING, Johto? Because even as Otacon talks about a depressing topic, there's still a smile on his face.]

Never considered it before, but I've never had anyone really special to celebrate Valentine's Day with. I mean, I've had friends, of course. But there's still part of me that's kind of always felt alone, really. Everyone I've loved...they're gone now, and it's just me. It's always just been me since I was seventeen.

[Otacon shifted a little uncomfortably, holding a mint-green egg a little closer to him.]

...But it's okay, because I'm not alone anymore. Even if my father isn't here anymore...I have more of a family here than I ever had back home. And I love someone that's far too persistent to ever let me end up alone again.

[Another, brighter smile--for a moment he looked like the constantly upbeat Otacon he had been five years before. Back when he had an Ekans and Flaaffy following him around and greeted everyone with a welcoming smile and cheerful tone.]

[Everything had changed since then. But that wasn't altogether a bad thing.]