( A hand comes up, cradles the back of Itadori's head carefully. He'd say it was habit, but mostly the boy inspires an old paternal streak. )

Shouldn't I be thanking you, mm? Besides, all I need you to carry from this is that no matter how hard it is, no matter the impossibility, your heart remains. That's the most important thing. That won't change. You're a good kid, and it matters.