[ Naegi's face sets in hard lines when Togami erupts in manic, mirthless laughter after Kirigiri presented her case to him - his expression remains unreadable as he throws more stalling words at the both of them.

Were these the lies that he'd been telling himself the whole time? He knew now that he could have easily stopped after the first murder and execution, considering that he'd had his misgivings, but...

He'd have to consider that later. Again, the time is now; Togami needed an answer, and before Naegi's brain can catch up to him he starts speaking again. ]

... you're right. It doesn't change the fact that people have died as a result of what's happened here at Hope's Peak. Nor will it change that... they won't come back, no matter what we desire or want.

But...

It means everything to me, at least. I want... I want to believe that it does.

Because you can stop this. It's still not too late for you to change...!

[ There is something else, too, a far more important reason to him why he had to know, why he thought it mattered, but it was something he can't bring himself to say in front of Togami. Not right now, anyway. Not with Kirigiri also reeling from his betrayal and especially not with their classmates all but clamoring for his blood right now.

That, and... I want to believe there's something worth saving in that abyss that you claim you are, Togami-kun. ]