[ For the most part, he's silent. Calmly watching as she explains what happened. She returned to Inazuma. She didn't retain any of her memories... In the end, it's true what the scientists said. If they chose to leave Nippon, they would lose everything. They would do their damnest to open up a pathway to Nippon in the future. To return them to the world they once called a home away from home.

...

But then, ]

(What about...where I wanna be? At the end of everything...)

[ He doesn't frown either. Keeping a neutral expression when Ayaka rests a hand over her heart. Giving her as much time as she needs in turn to sort out her own emotions over what they thought they'd lose...and what they ultimately regained. His brow does furrow some, the taller blond calmly approaching and closing what little distance is left between them...

"But... you're here." ]

[ It's in this moment, when she questions whether it's okay to be happy or not, that his strong hand returns to her shoulder. Beckoning her to, in a role reversal, to keep her eyes on him when he finally breaks his silence and answers her. ]

And that's the way it's going to stay.

[ They're not on a time limit. Not that he's aware of. And what he's learned in his departure? Is that he wasn't ready to let her go like that. Not again. Not after the gravity of what it meant for the two of them hit him hard. ]

I'm not going anywhere this time. [ He gently squeezes her shoulder. ] Not until I know I've got a way back to you.

[ What did 'Cloud' say in their audition? That he loved her too damn much to let her go? ]