Shin chose to ignore Taiga's question before continuing.
"Taiga, you don't understand how much that moment meant to me. You can't. I clung on to the belief that you thought we were equal, that you would be willing to lower yourself to my level. So when I heard you lie to my face, when I asked what happened, I saw everything around me crumble. My world shatter. That's why I kept giving you chances to come clean. That's why I kept bringing up Aria. I wanted you to stop lying."
Taiga pushed off the wall.
"Don't you dare act like you're the victim," he snapped.
Shin blinked. "What?"
"How could you do this to me? Why did you do this to me? When you finally woke up, why did you ask me what happened? You were awake. You knew. So why did you force me into that situation? Why did you force me to lie? Why did you feel the need to test me? Did you still not trust me?"
"Taiga, it was be—" Shin tried to respond.
"No. You don't get to interrupt me." Taiga's voice rose. "All of this pain I've experienced—all this guilt I've been carrying. It's because of you. You did this to me. For what? What did you gain from all this?"
"Taiga! Calm down. I asked for your perspective because I didn't want you to know I was awake. I didn't want to look weak in front of you—someone who would play dead just to save his own skin. That's what I felt like, and that's why I asked."
"Bullshit! You didn't trust me even after everything I've done for you. I bet this was your way of getting petty revenge for all those years of living in my shadow. You got some sick kick from bringing up the trip to Aria any chance you could get, watching me wallow in guilt. That's probably why you brought her to the house in the first place," Taiga shouted.
Silver stiffened.
"Taiga, you're being ridiculous!" Shin snapped. "Think about what you're saying, you idiot!"
"I know exactly what I'm saying! You brought Silver over to rub some more salt in the wound, didn't you?! To kick me while I'm down. Why else would you bring her over after what she did?"
"Taiga, listen to yourself! You sound insane!"
The alleyway fell silent as the Don began twitching with excitement.
Taiga broke the silence.
"I despise you."
"I know," Shin replied with a smile.