[it's not freedom. She will never-- she can't accept it as freedom. But perhaps as a way to cope. Perhaps the only way he can cope. It's not slavery, no, but it's prison just the same. Freedom means movement. It means progression. It means going where you want with only the distance itself to slow you down. There can be none of that here.

It's not fun for her to start over. It's not fun for any of them. If it was fun, Nami wouldn't be in so much pain. But-- it's what he has to tell himself to deal with it. And maybe it is freedom to him. But... She lifts her head, resting her chin on the top of his while she strokes his hair lightly and the smooth skin on the back of his head.]

I don't want second chances, Marcchan. Or third chances, or fourth. I have no regrets in regards to my nakama, even here. You can't endlessly fix things and there will always be something that will go wrong. This place can't be freedom for me.

[and it isn't freedom for him, no matter what he says. It's a place to escape, perhaps. A bird going willingly into the cage from a world too big for it. Responsibilities too heavy.]

But I won't let it break me, and I won't let it break them--even if they all forget me. I will protect them regardless.

[and it's the only comfort she can think to give him.]