This is the kind of language Manabu's still trying to learn -- still trying to no longer be afraid of. But at least, here, there's no pressure to do anything but simply be, and that's easy. It's the kind of bar he'll suspect is suspiciously too low, of course, but...later, not now.

"Mm-mn," he says, withdrawing a little so he can look back at Brendan. "You'll need more than some SDF officer to make your way out here. You'll need some ID, clothes, a place to stay, something to do..."

He lifts his free hand and brings it up, carefully bringing it to the side of Brendan's face, using his thumb to swipe at some of those tears. Brendan's still taller, but...smaller, here, because of this table-flip of worlds. Now Manabu can take the lead.

"But that's not going to be a problem, because I'll be there the whole time, yeah? It's a promise. I won't ever abandon the person I love."