[The real brains of the operation is so obviously Ren, it's painful for anyone to think that Ryuji has the qualities that it takes to be in any sort of position of leadership. This is also the kid who wanted to join a sport and then signed up for the most selfish one out there- running, where your only objective is to be better than everyone else around you. Too much competition. Not enough ability to say fuck (there's a reason, but it's locked behind a lot of other complicated feelings about his childhood, and how hearing that word being screamed makes him inexplicably uneasy).

And maybe the Reserve course wouldn't give a single care as to whether or not something happened to Hajime, but Ryuji would. He'd fight off the entire staff if it came down to it. He realizes that too, even sitting there as Hajime starts to talk about the program- he has an inclination to protect his friends that runs deep in his veins.]

You think so? [It doesn't sit right with him, that line of thought.] Ren and I come from different points in time. Who's to say that once we get outta this mess that you're not gonna be just teleported back to the moment you left? Like. Mid piss, if that's what you were doin'.