[ He thumbs the ribbon attached to part of his armor that's been getting remade every time they all reset at the start of the week. She's right about Primrose, at least – the way that some stepped up for them on Tuesday just cements that. But still, it still feels transient, somehow. Perhaps it's just the knowledge that either way, at the end of their journey and the Grail War, he's destined to simply return to the Throne, with or without the wish.

When Ayaka voices her opinion about being in the way, he animates a little more, the mild displeasure apparent in his face and tone. ] Perish the thought! You could never be a hindrance or a bother. Was it not your quick thinking that led everything surrounding Blade turning into a frog leading us to victory?

[ And besides, wasn't he the real hindrance? She should've been able to live on her own terms, without having to worry about what he'd do or what trouble he'd inevitably drag her into. Hell, isn't the chain events that's unfolded mostly because of what he led her to do? ]

You are stronger than you think, Ayaka. These last few weeks have been nothing but proof of that.