[He feels both comforted and anxious that Naegi is here with him now. He's a good friend and Ishida trusts him, but... he's still hung up about appearing anything less than a pristine leader. Some days he feels like he can open up, but other times, Ishida doesn't want to seem like anything less than the well-behaved honor student.

And right now, is one of those times...

But he's finding himself struggling with that image more than ever. The whispers have died down, but they still mumble in his mind and thus the smile he sends Naegi rings completely false.]

I-I'm fine... j-just got a little sidetracked in the forest, haha...

[He pulls his hand away and attempts to stand up straighter, which makes the mark on his face really noticeable. It's large and spreading down towards his neck, but Ishida tries to ignore it for now.]

But if you need to find something, I-I'll help you! You'll have double the vision with me assisting!