[Always so full of positivity. Even now, he can't be a hundred percent certain that her remaining with a foot on this side of the shore to be a good thing. He hasn't stopped considering that her being here is a result of that, too.

Yet there's no denying that for him at least, his life is that might better and brighter for her continued presence. That much will never be in contention. Just like how she's maintaining her unwavering faith in him.

Twisting his wrist around, he catches her by the hand, gently. Put all together, it almost feels like he can do anything when she's supporting him like this. Or at least that he can face everything that might come their way. He glances down at their hands, voice quiet.]

Hiyori... You know you don't have to.

[If he can't forcefully convince her, maybe he can at least get her to consider things from his point of view.]

It's not your fighting skills that I'm worried about. It's just... you. Even here, you're still a human facing off against inhuman opponents. We don't know what they might be capable of doing to you. [He reaches up with his other hand, taking hers in both his, mirroring their earlier pose.] I just want you to be safe.