[... he's quiet for a moment, considering that with the gravity he thinks she deserves. It's a sincere, honest confession of how she feels and some of her concerns, and Minato knows she deserves his honest consideration in return.]

... Mm. It isn't anything I'd want to run away from. I'd be happy to accept your feelings, completely and totally, and help you carry them.

[After all, he shares them.

Still... the point she raises is a fair one, isn't it? He's quiet for a moment longer, and then he sighs a little, hand returning to stroking her hair.]

But I... have to ask something like that in return. I'm... living on borrowed time, you know? I know it's not fair to make you deal with something like that.

[Unless Ritsuka is completely, utterly sure--and even then, he still thinks it isn't fair, but... at least it's a choice they're making together.]