[He chokes back a whimpering sort of laugh; it'd be barked, joyless. And like usual, when things are getting beyond his control, Sanji's keeping him upright. He'd thank him for it, if his mind weren't so clouded by the images of what had happened, in that dream world. He just stares over Sanji's shoulder to the ground, voice softening with venerability. Kotetsu has plenty of that, lately.]

I thought I lost my head... Was sittin' there thinking I just snapped, hurt my family, and they'd come arrest me and I'd just beg for a death penalty... I was ready for it to be real 'til the walls went crashing down. Didn't have any reason to believe the guy, but something kept telling me—that you and the others were real.

But Kaede wasn't. She and Tomoe weren't real...

[His tone trembles, reaching out for validation not from Sanji, but from his own mind; it's a struggle, to make himself believe it was all for the best, and it's still an obvious work-in-progress.]

I didn't fail her if it wasn't... really her, right...? I did what I had to, because I want to be there for her; didn't want to leave her, too. So I... just kept going, and we got people outta' there--we got out. That's what counts, naa...? Doesn't it?

[It's a hollow affirmation. A very hollow one.]