[That's the thing. Not everybody can be the main character. Not everybody can be the hero, not in the big flashy ways. The hero can't save everybody, either, or think of everything. That's what Mista's learned: the hero, the guy who steals the show, has too many plates to juggle. He needs help sometimes.]

[Mista's happy to be that guy. The one who helps, who spots the holes in the plan, who sees what'll affect the little people in a way that the hero might not see. Something smaller than saving the world or reforming a corrupt system, like making sure a town has a steady food supply.]

[He grins, pleased — at everything Ryuji says, because it's all good shit, but especially that thing about Dave. It's cute. Love is cute.]

Listen, not everybody can be a big-picture guy, right? But guys like you and me make a difference, too. I didn't used to think that way, but I do now. As long as we're working towards something, that's what's important.

[It's been a long time since he felt genuine directionlessness. He's grateful for it, too. He always will be.]

[So — he cracks his knuckles.]

That works. I mean, it'll be me getting you dinner 'cause I don't know how to do this at all, but that's cool, I don't mind. You gotta show me how to stab bait onto this thing without poking my eye out, though.

[Why your eye, Mista. Do you have some kind of Eye Association with fishhooks? Maybe?]