[It's impossible to miss the way Charles reacts to that, although Junpei can't quite get all way to making the proper connection. He's gotten used to it for better or for worse, being by himself, not noticing as friendships drift away; admittedly there had been less vitriol in his lost college friendships than the way the locals are treating them now, so maybe that's not a helpful comparison. Either way, he understands the part about him.

He shakes his head and grips Charles' hand tighter. The hurt of being left behind unless it's convenient? That one he knows, so no, absolutely not. When Charles isn't around he spends all his time literally waiting by the phone, even, that was only a day ago...!]

Not gonna happen. Besides, it's... [hmm. how to phrase,] I mean, you don't always have to be on, you know? Not for me. You want to come over and zone out for a while, well, my door's- uh, I guess the mirror, actually- the mirror's always open.

[And he doesn't have a landlord! Tada! His landlordless house comes into view up ahead and Junpei slows them down just a bit; it wouldn't be a huge problem to continue this conversation over curry-making, sure, but it feels better to finish it out here. Let cooking time be nothing but good memories and tasty food, actually.]

You don't have to put up with weird bullshit from anybody, so... if things get too weird, I've got your back. Okay?