"Hey, Koutarou's still my best friend," Togusa has to point out, but he knows what Malik means. Isamu rolls along behind Malik to keep them in talking range.

"He pointed out that we needed a secure sense of identity, both in ourselves and our others, before we went out here. Apparently reality is malleable on this level, and if we weren't secure, we'd be as changeable as everything else."

"While the danger out here is intrinsic, it's in the nature of the place, we might be safer from Vanderweele out here, because he just isn't focusing on territory that he's already in control of."

Togusa hesitates, and glances at Malik cautiously. "He also said that if we bring back Vanderweele's resources, it's our best shot at resolving this 'us versus our others' thing on our own terms. Don't spread it around. Because it might not work. But we have a shot at getting to pick and choose how the souls resolve themselves." Togusa knows the damage that a false hope could do, to many people. But to Malik? Malik's cynicism should protect him from getting his hopes up. But to know there is any chance that he couldn't be stuck with his Other's insanity forever? It's worth it.