Yuya tries to force up a smile at the thanks, but it falls obviously flat. It would be wrong to say there wasn't a sense of love behind his suggestion--because he can't simply turn on caring about Strange. But mostly, it came from a sense of fear if Strange continued to follow them. If that resentment would grow. If he'd make the choice when they were dying and Yuya's memories of him would end with abandonment.

He looks back at the table, gaze downcast. "What's the difference between deciding you're not part of the carnival now or later?"

Besides, Yuya thinks, that it might hurt so much more later.