[ He expected this. Knew it was coming, and yet for all he shored up his defenses, for all he likes to think his walls are impenetrable, the wave of Yuji's emotions crashing down hard against them like a wave, forcing a pressure against his chest that he doesn't like at all. Leaving really is the selfish thing to do, isn't it? If he really wanted to put the others first...would it be better to stay?

He'll never know, until he goes. That's the problem. ]

...I know.

[ Even more than Megumi, he knew Yuji would want him to stay. ]

But I always knew I would have to. Long before you, or Megumi, or even Nanami showed up. It's like...ehhh, I just know there's some crazy spoilers for a manga I've been reading, but I don't wanna find out another way. I gotta go read for myself.

[ He won't go so far as to tell Yuji that he's going to take care of things. He doesn't remind him that he's the strongest, and so he doesn't need to worry. He doesn't tell him that everything will be okay, because how could he even say that, with the state Yuji is in? He's...

Yeah. He's afraid, and it sucks, but he has to go. He's always had to. ]