[Hope does look up at her this time, surprised, before lowering his eyes again.]
I... I'm sorry. I didn't know.
[There's a little surge in his heart—if what she's saying is true, then there's a chance he'll see Lightning again. Yet there's still that bit of skepticism, not necessarily directed at the validity of Aerith's own recollection but more about this place in general. He hasn't personally seen anyone return, so he has doubts about the consistency of such a concept.
But he tries to hold onto whatever optimism he can muster anyway. He needs something to fight for, after all, even if merely existing is that fight.]
[Action]
I... I'm sorry. I didn't know.
[There's a little surge in his heart—if what she's saying is true, then there's a chance he'll see Lightning again. Yet there's still that bit of skepticism, not necessarily directed at the validity of Aerith's own recollection but more about this place in general. He hasn't personally seen anyone return, so he has doubts about the consistency of such a concept.
But he tries to hold onto whatever optimism he can muster anyway. He needs something to fight for, after all, even if merely existing is that fight.]