[Yosuke looks over with a start.] Whoa, Kanji, you snuck up on me!

[Geez, he was more distracted than he thought. He crosses his arms, belatedly trying to give the impression of being remotely at ease.]

...So you're not sure either?

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's a lot to just forget about.

[And come to think, as far as Yosuke is concerned, Kanji was around for it since day one. Now there's something that feels way more distant than his memories of home.]

I guess... if all of this was to keep everyone at home safe... then what we get to take back with us is the fact that we did. [But he looks back down at his feet when he says it. It's what he believed back then, or at least what he thought he believed...] I dunno. That would be kinda harsh, wouldn't it?

...Mm. [After a moment of silence, Yosuke manages a wry half-smile.] But honestly, what's on your mind? You don't have to worry about getting too mushy at times like this, dude. If anything, I think it's kind of called for.

Me? [So it was about something like that... Guessing the topic hardly prepared Yosuke for a sensible-sounding response, though. Presently, he looks down.] I didn't really decide yet. I came here yesterday too, without saying anything, but... well, what about you?

Yeah... And you've got a pretty good thing going while you're here, right? Standing on your own feet, getting along with most people. [He doesn't look up.]

...But you can't just up and walk out with unfinished business here either. Something like that? I'm surprised. [He says it with a laugh, but it's a little gentler than his normal one.] Not gonna lie, I thought you'd be a shoe in for staying a little longer.

So it's almost the same as a year ago for you, isn't it? When we didn't feel like letting him skip town before we all knew we'd have no regrets. Where's the sense in getting gloomy about it? [And because his effort to cheer his buddy up wasn't already transparent enough, he thumps Kanji on the back.] Just make sure you do it right!

I never thought I'd see the day when you started overthinking this stuff too. First time for everything, man. And they're gonna need you at your best!

[The omission he covers up with this broad wink back at Kanji is the part he's even less sure he can justify now. They are a team, despite everything. Still...]

What, 'cause I'm cheaper than hiring a forklift? [Not that he's seen any of those in a while - it's a joke, or at least sounds like one.] I guess you're right... I dunno.

[He chances a look back at the portal again.]

[Ow.] H-Hey, I wasn't starting anything!

[Well, okay, yes, he's had worse - both in general and from Kanji specifically. He scratches his head.] I get what you're saying. It's not that I never cared about this place, either. It's just... every time I think about staying, I start thinking about the case all over again. You know?

Yeah, basically. Plus, well... It does sound pretty dumb to me now, but when they first gave us the rundown about Ragnarok and everything? I actually wondered whether... it was all the same thing. Like for us - first it was just the case, then it was the end of the world, and then someone who could end it over and over if we didn't do something... and then this, see?

[He pauses.] So I figured if we did our best here, we could make sure everyone at home stayed safe for good. I mean, that's kind of what happened, but...

[...Crap, he's rambling. He had a point, he could have sworn.]

So you think it really was a dumb idea, huh...? [Yosuke pulls the face he tends to pull when he thinks he's picked up on an implied insult, but can't wholeheartedly bring himself to argue.] Well, I'm fine with that.

The point is... you and everyone else changed my mind. You know, because of all the stuff that's going to go down that I don't know about yet. [He shrugs. He believes it, of course. Straight from the mouths of his best friends, that was never in question.] And if there's still gonna be a mess to clean up back home no matter how long I spend spinning my wheels here, then... [He tilts his head.] the case isn't closed yet, is it?