[ They had a few similarities—both adept in their fields, capable of building a bright future off the foundations of their talents back home. But their circumstances are nothing alike. What was his life before he'd started fighting back? Not bad, not in all regards, but nothing he could go back to.

It's too fundamental a difference. JJ's tired, and he really shouldn't be badgering him with something like this. But he'd asked, and Yusuke rarely holds back his thoughts once they're rolling. Since the food still has a way to go before it's ready, he crouches beside JJ, helping straighten his blanket before he sits down too. ]

It isn't everything. [ And it won't be forever, not when he has to devote his life to art... ] Wouldn't you want to right a wrong done against a friend? Those that would turn a pox upon an innocent crowd deserve retribution.

[ They got some of his own sick, and frankly, that's enough for him to beat the crap out of any of these associates. Besides, it's not like he can help with the cure, or really do much to help the sick. The growing harshness in his expression softens again. ]

I can't very well turn my sword against an illness anyway. If only I could.