[ He won't deny that much about Mamiya, at least. Sure, the contrast in fighting styles between him and Ariga is pretty big, but that's only to be considered when you think of Ariga's background. Hell, Mamoru's sure Ariga is a better fighter than him, and he's actually received training before too since he joined Section 4. But Mamiya saved them from some pretty nasty situations in a way only he could. Everyone's just pulling their weight in their own way with their special skills (although Mamoru would turn up silent if you'd ask him what his own contribution was supposed to be, honestly, other than trying his best).

But what hits him more is the rest of the words that come out of Kiraki's mouth. She was worried about Kaito, cared for him, even though the other's treatment of Kiraki had turned colder and colder until he just ignored her completely by the time he had become deluded enough. He didn't even mention her anymore after she "died". But even so, Kiraki still worried.. it's a lot like her, he thinks. She's always had a big heart. ]

Yeah, he's gotten a lot better. He's had to face a lot of new things ever since he's gotten out of that apartment again, but.. I think it's doing him a lot of good. I'm sure it'll mean he'll accept you sooner or later too.

[ Although it makes him think of something. The first days that Kiraki had stopped coming over, the times she had made it obvious that she didn't agree with just going along with Kaito's delusion. It's those moments that made Mamoru waver even more on his decision to go along with it, but in the end he had stuck with it.

But still.. ]

So.. I guess you were right. Maybe I should have done a little more to push him out there earlier. [ But he had been way too scared of pushing Kaito too far, of breaking him with the knowledge that everything wasn't as happy and perfect as Kaito had made it out to be all by himself. ]