Kaji is getting better at this; he only tenses for a second before hugging Ib right back. He'll let the kid cry it out, and be here for her now while he still can.

"We'll beat them," he answers quietly. "And when we beat them with smarts, fewer people will have to fight. It gets too dangerous, I'll come back. I promise I'll come back." See now? Twice you've promised, Kaji. What's this kid doing to him? But right now, he can't consider any alternatives, either.