[He's... not expecting to be mentioned in the same breath as Hiro's brother or Ino. That's... huge. A huge compliment. His ears flatten against his hair and he ducks his head, an example of terrible shyness.]

I-- I wouldn't ask you to stay for me. I wouldn't ask anyone.

[He sneaks a glance out the front of the shuttle, careful to avoid basically all eye contact.]

Even when things are going well, there is always a risk that... that people can leave, or some terrible disaster might happen. The only thing separating us from the Nunnilis is some kind of invisible... hand, guiding us onward.

I don't know if it's possible for us to run, but I have thought about it.