[He had hope that Yosuke would suddenly come back without warning, or Mikey returning just like last time with a new haircut and timeline shenanigans. But each day chipped at that feeling until he could do nothing but face the painful reality that they most likely aren't coming back. He can at least tell himself that Yosuke is okay back home and that Mikey is leading a good future now. Right? Like they have a whole future ahead of them and it helps Scott in a lot of ways.

Because he still can't help but think about the fates of some of his other friends here. That being in Aldrip is basically the end for them.

But he buries those thoughts within him, just tightening his hold as he hears the small noise pulling from Yu. Focus on his friend. It's what he wants to do more than anything. The fact that his friends-- Yu's partners are gone doesn't hurt any less.]

Hey, it's cool. [...] I said I wanted a milkshake and fries, right? And it's better shared with someone else. Sometimes, at least. [He adds on, forcing the joke despite everything.] I even heard of a technique of dipping them into a shake. I wanted to try that.