[He flinches. Because as much as Ryoji doesn’t want to admit it, it’s the truth — it’s exactly what the concern lies in his mind, the very thing keeping him from letting Scott get back in the fray. Of course, he doesn’t think of Scott as a burden or a hindrance, but the fact of the matter is that he’s not strong enough to look after someone else. He’s not good at protecting others in battle.]

The sooner you rest, the sooner you can go back to feeling normal. And maybe you could be able to do something by then?

[His voice falters so much, once again painted with the very things he doesn’t say. Doesn’t say that someone could have handled Kotone by then. Doesn’t say that there’s nothing else Scott could have done.]

I’m…I’m sorry. If there’s a way I could heal you I would, but your wounds are too grievous for me to let you go out there. I can’t let you die.

[And that’s the most important part, above everything. Above even Scott’s own feelings on the matter.]