[Rei won't force her hug on him, but she will continue to hold his shoulders unless he starts to get really pushy. But when Hiro relaxes enough and stops wriggling, she stands there and listen to him talk, just...taking that in. Death is hard, it always is, even for someone who's seen as much as she has. It's definitely the irrationality of it all that makes her even more sympathetic. Because as mature as Hiro can be, she does recognize that he's still young.

Softly, she hums and just lets him talk, and when he's finished, she takes a deep breath.]

Hiro, when people die here? They return in a few days. It was the same with everyone who passed on the raid. I counted three days until I felt Toothless' presence again, though I've heard it happening in as little as one, and as late as a week.

[Rei pauses, giving his shoulders a little squeeze.]

I highly doubt that the pattern, which we've observed repeatedly, will alter in this instance. Think about it, Hiro? Use that logical brain of yours. Do you really think a pattern would change just like that? Don't think of what-ifs. Think of facts, observations.

[Yes, she's appealing to the super-genius's logic. It's all she can really think to do.]

And even if he does take time to return? Then you'll be fine. You can keep going. Because that's what Tadashi-san would want. It's not like you'd be going it alone, either. You'll have friends to support you, and he will come back.

[Another beat, a deeper breath, and she shakes her wrist, freeing the strand of prayer beads around it. The wood clacks in front of his eyes, and the tight hug renews.]

I have faith in that, Hiro.