[Mondo glances back over his shoulder at Ishimaru when his friend makes that sound and he's about to say that Ishimaru doesn't need to say anything. Ishimaru's faster though and Mondo pauses, drawing to a halt to properly look at his friend.]

Yeah? I'm really glad to hear it, kyoudai.

[Again he's struck by the urge to reach out and touch Ishimaru, but he doesn't. Ishimaru might be feeling better, but that doesn't mean that touching him will be okay again. Will it ever be okay again? He finds he doesn't want an answer to that question.]

You'll keep feeling better, I'm sure of it! I mean, this is a step in the right direction; doing something for Alice, that is!

[Mondo starts walking again, shoving his hands in his pockets. Everything will be okay. It has to be.]