As Tsuzuki managed to gasp out his words, Tatsumi frowned. Hisoka had conveniently left out the fact that Muraki was his doctor, though in truth the secretary had suspected it. Still, he kept his ground in front of the pair, not wanting their efforts to go to waste.

"Kurosaki-kun was worried that Tsuzuki-san would get hurt, and frankly, I don't blame him." That same tightening threatened to overcome Tatsumi again when he looked to Tsuzuki, but he fought it off for the moment, remaining firm. "With night shift coming, it would be foolish to get sedated now. Remember what you told me on the field, Tsuzuki-san? That you didn't want any of us getting hurt for your sake?"

Harsh words, but they were necessary to keep the pair from going after Hisoka. "Don't you see that Kurosaki-kun wants the same for you? He knows as well as you do that our efforts would be futile should we try and keep them from taking him. This way, he doesn't have to feel the burden of causing you pain!"

It was a burden Tatsumi knew all too well, and it made his words all the stronger. "Please, Tsuzuki-san. Trust Kurosaki-kun, and respect his wishes. He's your partner, and he's trying to protect you."