[ He's seen that look before. He's seen it on the participants' faces. The unique kind of frustration that comes with realizing that one's life is just a game. They were all pieces on the chessboard, each life lost just another piece that was tipped over and captured. He's seen it hundreds of times, in simulation after simulation, but even now he doesn't understand it.

But he likes Komaeda, so he listens quietly, and he waits until he's finished to return that squeeze, gentle and reassuring. He knows how to do that much because Safalin had done it for him. Does it matter if he in particular falls to despair? He's not sure. It may be that he just touched on a sore spot. ]

That won't happen, 'cause you'd just smack me upside the head if I started to. You'll look out for me, 'cause I'm gonna look out for you.

[ It's worded as though it should be a joke, but it doesn't seem to be. The card doesn't move, nor does his expression give any hint of his thoughts, but it's the same matter-of-fact answer that he often gives when stating a simple fact. They were partners, after all. But that gaze is still there, focused in a way that it isn't normally.

The cards get tucked away for just a moment. Just long enough for him to reach out and pat Komaeda's head. Gashu had done that once. He remembers it being reassuring. It told him that his father loved him. Ranger's not really sure why he repeats that motion here, save that he doesn't like the pained look on Komaeda's face. ]

... You'll do better. Your game will be better, and it'll succeed. So, it doesn't matter if you're a success by the metrics of another person's game.

[ It'll be better than the one he endured, and it'll be better than theirs. It sounded like it had all gone off the rails anyway. ]