[makoto can't help but empathise; he nods at her thanks, but remains concerned for bit--]

Uhm... It might not be much, but... They might show up eventually, and if they don't, then it's not so bad. I mean, that is, time moves differently back home than it does here. Our friends and family don't seem to notice we're missing, and it's mostly as if we've never been gone.

[that doesn't sound too encouraging???]

Are they -- family? Marlene, and Denzel.